How to Cool Off a HOT DOG !

OK I have officially had enough summer. It was HOT in Spring and now it is even HOTTER in Summer. If three days of over 90 degrees equals a HEAT WAVE what does two months worth equal.

It is so hot outside that I hate to even work with Heddy. But train we must so we try to work early and then I try to come up with something FUN and Cool to end with. I got kind of tired of her swimming in the river and ME standing in the sun tossing her toys in for her. SO I saw on Facebook that one of the Dogs over in England loves to DIVE FOR SAUSAGES. So I figured we would come up with an American version and cool Heddy down at the same time. I took a Hotdog  sliced it up into little pieces then micro waved it to get some of the fat out.

Filled up a pan with water and …. TADA 

HOT DOG becomes Wet Dog.  I was amazed at how fast she figured out how to get the Hotdogs. and was soon vacuuming up two pieces at once.

Now that is a nice COOL HAPPY DOG

Heddy tries Confirmation Class

Last night I had a meeting in Salisbury after work so we ended up arriving at the kennel club over an hour before our Rally class was due to start. I figured we would just hang out and watch the other classes.  While waiting A very nice gentleman came over and was asking me about Heddy. (My favorite subject) Course it did not hurt that he was full of complements about her.  He then asked if we were going in to the Handling class. I said no that we were not signed up. He said no problem He was the instructor and drop in were always welcome. WELL guess that ended that I was in the class.  First I found out that my color was ALL Wrong. so... Collar OFF No more collars breaking her coat. Then He did not like her chain collar either it to was hard on her coat and my leash was too long.  So one of the other ladies in class went and got me a proper show leash to borrow for class.  NOW we were ready ... OR so I thought.  I soon found out that I did not know how to walk. and that I was impeding my lovely dogs natural movement. ARE WE HAVING FUN YET. Actually YES  I WAS. I have never met anyone that was able to correct almost everything I did and yet not make me feel like a fool. He explained why I needed to do things this way and DARN when I did what he said  Heddy responded by NOT jumping and spinning and just walking along at a very nice pace.  I learned so much and I was amazed I ENJOYED IT and so did Heddy.  He even took the time to advise me on grooming and said that next week I should bring my grooming tools so he could show me a few tricks.
I was amazed that Heddy stood nicely on the table and let him go over her. The  only problem we had was learning to STAND. I have worked so hard with her to learn to SIT when I stop that it is automatic. So NOW we are working the STAND and stay command to death.  BUT as long as there is LIVER involved she will sell her soul.
Heddy thought this was a great warm up for Rally class and she had a great night at class. again most of our mistakes were MINE. I just can not seem to keep my feet still. Then when I think about keeping my feet still I forget to give Heddy the right commands.  It is really tough when an 8 month old Border Terrier is smarter than You. I am just really glad that she is having fun.

BACK TO SCHOOL

OK Break time is over.  After returning from Nationals I had every intention of Heddy starting Agility classes it seems that Heddy had other plans. As soon as we got home from Nationals Miss Heddwyn went into her first FULL BLOWN HEAT CYCLE. SO needless to say we did not get to go to the Agility class. I just do not think it would have been at all fair to Heddy’s Brain or to the Male dogs there to take her. The instructor AGREED. It seemed Heddy was the ONLY girl in Class.

So now that we are done with all the silly stuff. And Heddy’s brain seems to be coming back into focus a little ( OK I admit it her brain has never been totally in focus)  I started looking for classes we could join. There are only two kennel clubs with in driving diatance and Everything had already started.  Misipillion Kennel Club   http://www.mispillionkc.org/index.html   was not having a Rally class this time and we have already done PKT and CGC.

So I took a chance and sent an E-mail to the Rally Novice instructor of Salisbury Kennel Club  http://www.SalisburyMarylandKennelClub.org/ 

Barb  Walls. WOW are we glad we did. Class was last night from 8-9 and she had no problem with joining the class half way.

What a wonderful instructor.  We ran into Heddy’s PKT Instructor as soon as we arrived so we felt very welcome. The Hour went by so fast and I learned so much. I have tried for several months now to learn Rally from the Internet but NOTHING beats havings someone explain and show you how to do something correctly.  Both Heddy and I had a wonderful time. Unfortunately I was the only one tired after class.  Heddy went home ready for more FUN.

 

Time to PRACTICE .

PRE NOVICE OBEDIENCE ...... hahahahahahahaha

Ok so again we arrived at FENC nice and early , remember I have NEVER shown a dog before so I really do not have any Idea how this all works. We find a nice shady spot for the trusty Prius and our stuff get it all set up for the day.

So with all of our stuff under control we headed up to watch the show and maybe see how it is done. I really enjoyed watching the other Border Terriers compete There is nothing like a Border Terrier in the Obedience Ring. And I quickly learned why everyone kept telling me that you always had to bring a sense of Humor into the ring with you. As even some of the very best trained Borders just sort of occasionally did their own thing.

In all the confusion it seemed they decided to move the Pre-Novice class up so I RAN and got Heddy and we checked in then it seems as soon as we checked in the decided that NO they could not do Pre-Novice NOW it would v=come LATER after the Teams. OK so take Heddy for a walk to calm down then come back up to watch teams. What FUN.
Then again they are looking for PRE-NOVICE. and NOW oppps no not now they are going to take linch first.  At this point I am confused.
So I put Heddy away again. Only to hear them call me to the ring as soon as I get back from the car. SO I run back get Heddy and here we come. I am not sure if I even remember my time in the ring. I must have remembered to breath, cause I did not pass out. When I entered the ring I told the judge this was my first dog show experience EVER and smiled. Her response was well first take that thing off your pants. I had forgotten that I had a clip hanging form my belt loop.  So much for brownie points. And so we began. FORWARD... I truly believe that Heddy knew just how upset and nervous I was as she did not do ANYTHING I asked. She DID HEEL beautifully but I think it was out of FEAR!  I am not sure if she SAT one time when we stopped. THEN to just add icing to the cake when the judge came over for the STAND for inspection Heddy leaped up onto her and tried to kiss her WHOLE face. THE JUDGE WAS NOT AMUSED. I do not even think she smiled. ... So she said we could leave. I thought we had done so poorly that we were excused. SO I again PUT poor Heddy back in her crate.  Only to have someone come running to find me saying where is Heddy you are needed for the long Sits and Downs. OH LORD.... Grabbed out of her Crate again in run back to the Ring. we are directed not to a place at the end of the line but RIGHT in the middle.  So here we go SIT.... Heddy Sits so nice then plops down. BUT at least she stayed.  Then the LONG Down.  SO.... DOWN.... Heddy is in a lovely down doing great I am actually starting to relax... when suddenly Border Terrier tumbleweeds of Undercoat go rolling thru the ring.A little fluff gets past her but then A BIG BEAUTIFUL BALL OF FLUFF..... Well we all know where this went. Up went Heddy and Hooray look at me Mom I caught the ball.  Again Judge was not Amused.
I truly wish I had photos or a video to share but the mental photos will have to do.
This time we truly were excuses and Heddy got her nap.  just a short one....

National Specialty Road Trip Day 1

How is it possible that one person and ONE 7 month old Border Terrier could NEED SO MUCH STUFF for just 5 Days away. The car is PACKED and I do mean Packed. thank GOD I am only taking ONE DOG and NO ONE else needs to ride with me. I am not sure where they would sit.

 I have decided to split the trip into two parts . So as soon as I get my work done and I load Heddy into her Crate we will head for Emporia, VA for tonight that will be about 5 Hours then all we will have is another 5 hours in the morning. Maybe we will actually get there in time to see some of the tracking. We have never seen that. Oh what Am I talking About. WE have NEVER seen any of it. ARE WE THERE YET...........
Can you FEEL the excitement.
I have been reading Colin's Blogs to Heddy ( He is already there) Trying to get her ready for what lies ahead.
http://btsinmdspec.blogspot.com/  It sounds as if he is already having a wonderful time.
Well I guess if I ever plan to get on the road I had better finish working.

THING TO NEVER DO ON A RAINY DAY

DO NOT GO RUNNING AFTER A SMALL BROWN DOG DOWN SLIPPERY GRASS AND DIRT BANKS AND THROUGH WOODS AND BRAMBLES!  IT IS NOT FUN!  AND YOU GET REALL SCARED!

OK I am back from a nice long run through the woods that I had NOT planed on.  BUT we are both safe and Heddy survived her escape and being caught.  I resisted all thoughts to strangle her and instead hugged and kissed her and told her what a good dog she was for letting mommy pick her up.
Now the story as to WHY we went for a run through the woods.
I took Heddy out for her usual after lunch time Potty. It is a NASTY day here in Delaware, Cold rain, guess just perfect weather for a Border Terrier. Heddy was having a grand time enjoying the smells I was miserable and really not paying total attention to her waiting for her to GO already. Suddenly she must have seen something I did not see and TOOK OFF. She hit the end of her 6 foot lead and her nylon collar did what all safety collars do it broke open and she was OFF. And so was I as soon as I recovered my senses enough to realize what had just happened. I was amazed at how fast that little Brown dog can run!  I am just very glad she was running to something and not after something. She took me through the neighbors yard down a hill and into the woods behind our office. BARKING ALL THE WAY. No problems following her.  I think the stream might have stopped her not sure any way when I got to her she was very busy DIGGIN for I do not know what but she wanted it NOW. She was so very busy that she did not even try to get away but let me grab her right up. 

Telling her what a good dog she was might have been the hardest thing I have done yet in dog training.  I know what my Dad would have done to one of his GSP’s if it had run off like that. Lets just say times they have changed. A LOT!

I was so glad she went into the woods and not into the street. Our office is right on Rt 26 and while not a busy street by city standards it is steady and I can not bear to imagine the what ifs.

Lesson learned NEVER NEVER again take her outside with out a chain collar on! 

Not even for a very QUICK POTTY Break in the RAIN!
I am just very glad to have her safely back tearing up her bed under my desk.

 Where do they get all this energy from?

Dog Training and Love

When I was 10 years old Dad brought home what I thought was the perfect dog She was a beautiful German Shorthaired Pointer.   I know she was his perfect hunting dog and field trial dog, but she also became my best friend. Dutchess became the first dog I ever helped to train. She was my first obedience project but also my very own circus act.  But as it always does time moves on.  I guess I spent a lot of time looking for a replacement for her.

My husband and I have had a lot of good dogs. I guess all in all over the last 40 years we have owned 13 dogs.  From our first dog together a Min. Poodle Mignon, our Boxers, a Saluki, a Black English Lab, Drizzle, a Standard Poodle Jessica, to Shadow our rescued Doberman and Ben our Rottweiler that we lost 10 years ago at age 13. Even Dante our rescued Chihuahua, that I was never able to train at all but grew to love his very badness. He was at least 12 when we got him and the few years he had with us taught me to appreciate small dogs.

My last project was Absolute Scarlett a Jack Russell Terrier we got for our daughter.  Abby the JRT has to have been the biggest challenge of my life. And when my husband suggested another Terrier well lets just say I was nervous about getting into that struggle again.

But I have never had anything like Heddwyn enter my life.  She is ALL TERRIER a wonderful tough little dog that every guy would love to have around. But also my loving LAP dog that is always ready to cuddle and play.  I do not know if all Border Terriers are like her but if they are I understand the devotion I hear from other owners.

Maybe it is because she has been with me ever since she arrived. It is wonderful that I can take her to work and our life allows her to be so much a part of our time.  But I think it is also because she is just a WONDERFUL DOG!  She is smart and pretty tolerant of all of the mistakes I am making in training her.

Dog training has changed in the 45 years that I have been involved with dogs.  When I was 10 it was ALL about corrections Dad had the perfect hunting dog and I had a very well behaved playmate but I am not sure SHE was having fun.  Even when I was training Ben I believed that the only way to control a dog was with total CONTROL and maybe even a little fear. I was the ALPHA  and that was all that mattered.  I had very well behaved dogs. Dogs I was always proud to take anywhere. BUT with Heddy I have learned about training with love and FUN. 

It may take a little longer for her to figure out what I want her to do rather than me forcing her to do what I want when I want it. But I have to believe and hope that the lessons will last longer when she figures it out on her own. 

SO FAR SO GOOD.