Here's a more recent photo of the birthday girl. I'm glad you liked the birthday message, M. Kateri has grown up beautiful.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Updated photo of Kateri
Here's a more recent photo of the birthday girl. I'm glad you liked the birthday message, M. Kateri has grown up beautiful.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Happy Birthday Kateri!
Today is Chandler's grand-niece Kateri's first birthday.
She lives in the next town over.
Happy Birthday, Kateri!
The photo is from when she was about 6 months old.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Intermediate K9 Nosework, Week 4
Thursday did not have an auspicious start. Rowan ran me over just past 6 am, demanding breakfast, so I crawled out of bed and fed the cats and Chandler. Usually I can get some more sleep after feeding everyone, but a thunderstorm rolled in, and I gave up on sleep and got an early breakfast of my own.
The Labrador was back in class this week, and a lady with a cattle dog and merle Border Collie (I think) had also joined us. She kept her dogs out in the other room. Chan wasn't as fast at making finds this week for some reason. I'm not sure whether it was stress because of the early storm, the presence of new dogs, lingering scent in the boxes from the previous beginner class, or something else.
Run 1
The simulated effects of an earthquake about 30 seconds into this video were caused by yummy food in a bowl on the table where the camera was. I really can't blame Chan, and I don't know why the food wasn't in a sealed container. It seems odd that it wasn't after the dogs have spent weeks looking for food in boxes.
Run 2
I think Mr. Hooligan was attempting to stage a raid on that bowl on the table again. Nancy blocked him, and he decided to get down to work. I find it interesting that Chandler looped out around the yellow cone before homing in on the correct box. It makes me wonder what way the scent was flowing.
Run 3
I do like Chan's enthusiasm...however, I did have to restrain him from checking out the table again...although he does manage to bop the camera. It is interesting how much "shaking off" Chandler did while searching. I think it is a sign of him being a little bit stressed during this particular class, maybe because we won't let him check out the table.
Run #4
I do wish the I had better footage for this run. There are two hides, one of which is about 3 feet up on the right wall. He had difficulty with it. I need to find the time to practice height with him. Interestingly, he quickly finds the second hide on the back of the chair, even though he had walked past it several times previously.
Overall, I found this week's class a bit perplexing. For whatever reason, Chandler seemed to have more difficulty working.
The Labrador was back in class this week, and a lady with a cattle dog and merle Border Collie (I think) had also joined us. She kept her dogs out in the other room. Chan wasn't as fast at making finds this week for some reason. I'm not sure whether it was stress because of the early storm, the presence of new dogs, lingering scent in the boxes from the previous beginner class, or something else.
Run 1
The simulated effects of an earthquake about 30 seconds into this video were caused by yummy food in a bowl on the table where the camera was. I really can't blame Chan, and I don't know why the food wasn't in a sealed container. It seems odd that it wasn't after the dogs have spent weeks looking for food in boxes.
Run 2
I think Mr. Hooligan was attempting to stage a raid on that bowl on the table again. Nancy blocked him, and he decided to get down to work. I find it interesting that Chandler looped out around the yellow cone before homing in on the correct box. It makes me wonder what way the scent was flowing.
Run 3
I do like Chan's enthusiasm...however, I did have to restrain him from checking out the table again...although he does manage to bop the camera. It is interesting how much "shaking off" Chandler did while searching. I think it is a sign of him being a little bit stressed during this particular class, maybe because we won't let him check out the table.
Run #4
I do wish the I had better footage for this run. There are two hides, one of which is about 3 feet up on the right wall. He had difficulty with it. I need to find the time to practice height with him. Interestingly, he quickly finds the second hide on the back of the chair, even though he had walked past it several times previously.
Overall, I found this week's class a bit perplexing. For whatever reason, Chandler seemed to have more difficulty working.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Gratuitous Video Footage Tuesday: Whippets R Fun
Ever since Chandler began to show a tendency for hindquarter strains and injuries related to his loose hips, I've been cautious about taking him to dog parks, despite his sociability. There is always the chance that a more assertive dog will make him over-accelerate or just plain not allow him to stop. These outings pretty much ceased when he reached his second birthday and his natural bossy English Shepherd nature started blossoming. There was just too much risk that he'd try to be the "fun police" and get himself in past his abilities; you never know what's going to walk in through the gate at a dog park.
Because of this most of his canine social outings have been with smaller groups of my friends and their trained and socialized dogs. Both of the Whippets in Chan's nosework class are quite nice, so I've slowly been letting him play with them. Being light, they also essentially rebound off him even if they collide. Last week, I quickly removed Chan when I thought he was getting a bit too bossy. This week my smart boy did not even try to herd Whippets.
First on the scene here is Skyler. His sister Volley arrives later and takes full advantage of her female prerogative to leap all over the boys. Skylar's owner is the one busily praising Chan for polite play. Please excuse my chuckling in the background. ;)
Because of this most of his canine social outings have been with smaller groups of my friends and their trained and socialized dogs. Both of the Whippets in Chan's nosework class are quite nice, so I've slowly been letting him play with them. Being light, they also essentially rebound off him even if they collide. Last week, I quickly removed Chan when I thought he was getting a bit too bossy. This week my smart boy did not even try to herd Whippets.
First on the scene here is Skyler. His sister Volley arrives later and takes full advantage of her female prerogative to leap all over the boys. Skylar's owner is the one busily praising Chan for polite play. Please excuse my chuckling in the background. ;)
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Intermediate K9 Nosework, Week 3
It has been a busy week. Between work and other concerns, I had no time to practice any Nosework with Chandler. However, he was in high spirits when we arrived at Tails U Win Thursday morning. Apparent, Skyler the Whippet was also, because Chandler and I were greeted with happy "wow-rowrow"s as we exited the car. Once in the building, Chandler didn't want to wait for the finish of the Beginner's Nosework class that proceeds our intermediate class. I diverted him by walking away from the door to that classroom, and ended up introducing Chandler to a couple elementary school age girls who were waiting for their mother to finish class with the family dog. The youngest was really taken by Chandler, and declared that he was "talented and sweet." I'm so glad he has gotten over that single bad incident with children that happened when he was two; he seems to be a magnet for little girls, and it is so nice to have a dog that is happy to see children rather than nervous about what they might do.
It turned out that the Whippets' owners had also not managed to find time to practice during the week, and the lab once again had to miss class. I don't know if it was the lack of practice or the slightly rainy weather, but both whippets seemed a little confused and off their game during the first run. As far as Chandler goes, perhaps the girl's words about talent were prophecy, because his attitude can probably be best described as:
"I'VE BEEN WAITING ALL WEEK FOR THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Chandler sees boxes scattered all over the room. Chandler wants to sniff. Chandler wants to search. Chandler does not want to play with the Whippets. Chandler wants to work.
...and so he did.
Run 1
Sorry, the camera was turned on a little late for the first run. Showing his typical excitement, Chan shot into the middle of the room, and then had to circle back to find the correct box.
Run 2
Mr. Hooligan still wants to mess with the camera. I'm not sure why. It could be the quirky sense of humor that I think he has. He also likes to poke the cats with his snout to make them mew and complain. I wouldn't put it past him to be amused that we jump to protect the camera.
The "waiting area" behind the ring gates is also visible for the first time in this shot. If we're back there, I generally keep Chan distracted so he's not trying to peek out through the sheets. My class seems to have dispensed with the crates because everyone is dog friendly, so I brought a mat to do some matwork with Chan in between runs.
Run 3
This run is interesting because Chandler seems to catch the scent in the middle of his initial zoom into the room. He quickly turns around to zero in on it.
Run 4
This run was very quick. It looks like Chan is not having trouble with hides on top of chairs anymore. Chandler is doing very well, and Nancy wants to know if Chan is signed up for the Sniff Weekend the training center is having on the 14th and 15th of August. He is; at least for Sunday, and I'm looking forward to it.
Run 5
This was a rather odd run, because Chan immediately found the correct box, but then seemed to dismiss it. He actually "hit the brakes" to circle back to it the first time. I'm not sure why he left it to check out other boxes. It could be because the birch scented q-tips were in a small round tin rather than the larger Altoids box that he was used to. Eventually, he did come back to the correct box.
Run 6
There were two hides on this run.
Mr. Hooligan wants to check out the food dishes on the table. You never know, there might be something in them...and there is some birch scent floating around back there.
That little round tin is still giving Chan some trouble. and he paces right past the cone that it is hidden in several times. However, to me, it seems like he goes straight back to that cone when he realizes there is another hide to find. Maybe he knew it was there because he just passed over it? I may have to practice more multiple hides with him. Unfortunately, I need more scent holding tins before I can do so.
It turned out that the Whippets' owners had also not managed to find time to practice during the week, and the lab once again had to miss class. I don't know if it was the lack of practice or the slightly rainy weather, but both whippets seemed a little confused and off their game during the first run. As far as Chandler goes, perhaps the girl's words about talent were prophecy, because his attitude can probably be best described as:
"I'VE BEEN WAITING ALL WEEK FOR THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Chandler sees boxes scattered all over the room. Chandler wants to sniff. Chandler wants to search. Chandler does not want to play with the Whippets. Chandler wants to work.
...and so he did.
Run 1
Sorry, the camera was turned on a little late for the first run. Showing his typical excitement, Chan shot into the middle of the room, and then had to circle back to find the correct box.
Run 2
Mr. Hooligan still wants to mess with the camera. I'm not sure why. It could be the quirky sense of humor that I think he has. He also likes to poke the cats with his snout to make them mew and complain. I wouldn't put it past him to be amused that we jump to protect the camera.
The "waiting area" behind the ring gates is also visible for the first time in this shot. If we're back there, I generally keep Chan distracted so he's not trying to peek out through the sheets. My class seems to have dispensed with the crates because everyone is dog friendly, so I brought a mat to do some matwork with Chan in between runs.
Run 3
This run is interesting because Chandler seems to catch the scent in the middle of his initial zoom into the room. He quickly turns around to zero in on it.
Run 4
This run was very quick. It looks like Chan is not having trouble with hides on top of chairs anymore. Chandler is doing very well, and Nancy wants to know if Chan is signed up for the Sniff Weekend the training center is having on the 14th and 15th of August. He is; at least for Sunday, and I'm looking forward to it.
Run 5
This was a rather odd run, because Chan immediately found the correct box, but then seemed to dismiss it. He actually "hit the brakes" to circle back to it the first time. I'm not sure why he left it to check out other boxes. It could be because the birch scented q-tips were in a small round tin rather than the larger Altoids box that he was used to. Eventually, he did come back to the correct box.
Run 6
There were two hides on this run.
Mr. Hooligan wants to check out the food dishes on the table. You never know, there might be something in them...and there is some birch scent floating around back there.
That little round tin is still giving Chan some trouble. and he paces right past the cone that it is hidden in several times. However, to me, it seems like he goes straight back to that cone when he realizes there is another hide to find. Maybe he knew it was there because he just passed over it? I may have to practice more multiple hides with him. Unfortunately, I need more scent holding tins before I can do so.
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