They just don't understand

As I sit in my home office trying to focus on my work, Molly (one of my Rat Terriers), is barking.  I find it rather annoying.  Doesn't she know I have a lot of work to do?  Doesn't she know when she's downstairs she is to be quiet and mind her own business?  Doesn't she know....oh wait...she doesn't have a clue!

When my dogs are doing something I don't like or prefer they wouldn't do in that moment I mentally cringe.  They are all pretty well trained, behave most of the time and are really loving dogs.  The problem is they aren't perfect.  They also aren't little humans.  So they don't understand why I am locked away upstairs while they are downstairs on "idle".

The fact is they are bored.  They want attention or at least something to occupy their brilliant minds.  If I reacted and yelled "QUIET!" or "THAT'S ENOUGH" it might work.  It actually has.  The question remains, have I really quieted her/them?  No, because I've not met their needs.  They haven't been walked today, barely interacted with and zero mental stimulation.  So who's really at fault?

If my dogs are doing something I don't desire it's up to ME to show them what I'd prefer.  How else would they know?  If I just scolded or punished them, what would they think of me?  I could certainly ignore them. That would work if I'd met their needs, but in this case I haven't.

When we are too busy, too tired or just flat out lazy we still need to give our dogs what they need.  If we cannot muster a walk, then play an indoor game or interactive toy such as a stuffed KONG?

So instead of being irritated with Molly's barking tomorrow I'll plan ahead and have some stuffed KONGs in the freezer.  From her perspective I'll be brilliant!

Week 4 - Advanced Precision ... OFF LEASH!

That's right, I said it. OFF LEASH! Curly did a lot of off leash work tonight and I was extremely impressed. I think if he refused to do everything, but behaved off leash tonight I would have been just as proud. Ha!

So we are in week 4 and still loving it. I was a bit nervous because we hadn't practiced as much as I'd like and know that is key. I was also tired tonight. Curly of course was ready to work.

First, we warmed up as usual doing a heal in a circle (technically a square or rectangle) around cones with the other classmates. Then after we were doing good we tried it off leash. Woo hoo! Curly was right there with me. Everyone's dogs were connected tonight. We did 360's, call fronts, finishes (I kept trying to go left no matter what I was instructed) and stopping in sync.

Second, we worked on "down" because Curly had some challenges this weekend during our Fun Rally event. We'll need to really work on this outside to proof this behavior to gain consistancy. I know we can do it! He did well overall in this area tonight, but the stays need more practice as well.

Next, we did some "down stays" while humans acted as cones for figure 8's. Curly did awesome at the figure 8's off leash, but again the "down stays" are a work in progress.

Finally, it was time for the "hail Hitler/call a cabbie" move as I like to call it. The real name is a "drop down". The goal is to call your dog to you and hold up your right hand without saying anything and your dog drop into a down. Sounds easy, right?! Not! But we are getting it. The trick is practice of course and walking towards the dog with your arm/hand extended so they get the idea. I'm amazed how quick the dogs were picking this up. We did start the learning process last week, but the other classmates were rocking it out!

Curly is currently passed out on the love seat. I am pretty sure he's beat from all the work/fun tonight. Go Curly, Go Curly!

Week 3 - Advanced Precision with Curly Bear

Tonight was our 3rd night of class. I can't believe we are already approaching the mid-way point. I drove to class with the goal to just have fun no matter what. I knew we'd need to have a good down stay which is a challenge for Team Curly.

We warmed up first and Curly was doing great! He was healing and stopping like a pro. We were able to do our favorite move the "Left About Turn" (which used to be our hardest one to do a few classes ago). Then we did some stay work and it was then time for the human cone.

Two human students needed to act as the cones for another human and dog student to heal around those people. While those 2 were to be standing as cones their dogs were to "down stay". (Insert hysterical laughter from me here.) Curly did get up several times, but he did very well for such a challenging exercise. I took advice from many to #1 have fun and #2 envision what I wanted to happen and those pieces of advice paid off. I know we'll rock it next week!

Next, we did some "stand" and a "drop down" like they use in traditional obedience. The dog is to come towards you and then you signal (kind of like hale Hitler) for them to drop down while moving in your direction. Uhhhh I wasn't sure about this one. But I think with practice we can nail it. It's one we will probably love after we overcome the challenging part.

Then we worked on doing a "call front" while running away from you dog. Yes, you heard me right and yes I paid for this level of torture...I mean TRAINING. LOL! The goal is to ask your dog to "wait" leaving them from the heal position and running away from them while they await your next request. As you run you call your dog to "come front" or we just say "front" right now. Then Curly is to high tail it around me on my left and sit square in front of me. He did really good!! He said it must have the beef treat to do it just right and I complied. Rock star is all I can say. =)

Again, we showed off some tricks and learned some from another student. I really like winding the class up with this. There were only 3 teams tonight and I think that allowed for more practice and fun time. Loved it and really look forward to week 4!

Curly - Advanced Precision, Week 2

Today was the start of week 2 for our Advanced Precision class. It was a great class and I really needed it after a challenging Rally trial. I went in with the attitude that we'd do great and have fun! I think we accomplished our goal.

Curly seemed in sync with me tonight and I learned a lot about how I communicate with him. We did healing and sharp turns around cones to warm up. It was really important to ensure we had a loose leash with a "U" shape so the dogs did not feel restricted. Once we all fixed our leash and grip the dogs walked much better in a heal with us. Good job!

Next, we worked on our "sit" stays and "down" stays. This can be hard for us because of distractions. I found I was talking too much (shocker, right) and really needed to watch Curly rather than talk his ear off. When I talked less he listened more! In week 3 we will have to do a down stay away from our dogs for a period of time so you know what we'll be practicing hard on this week!!

Tonight we also worked on walking around cones. Imagine us standing in between 2 cones and then we did figure 8's around them in a heal. In week 3 we will be circling other human students, hence the reason our dogs will need to "down" stay while I act as a cone. Eeeek! We'll see how that goes. Ha!

Finally, to lighten the mood since we were being so serious tonight we went around the room showing what dog tricks we know. The first dog did "peek-a-boo" which was very cute, Curly did "touch", Wrigley did a BIG "shake", another dog did a bunch of cool stuff like backing up to beeping noise and finally our buddy Harley played dead after a "bang, bang". Ha ha ha! This was a great way to close out the class.

The start of week 2 if off to a good start with lots of practice in our future!!

Curly goes to a Trial - Cumming, GA

Today Curly and I were entered into a Rally Trial in Cumming. I had been putting pressure on myself because this could potentially give us our 3rd leg and we'd be on to advance level which freaked me out big time (off leash eeek).

We went despite the storms and it was delayed so we had to wait and got rained on. Curly seemed good and focused outside the ring, but inside the ring was a whole different story. I felt good about the course except the downs. We simply need to proof at all kinds of places doing Rally exercises.

He was not super focused on me once in the ring and did fairly well, but we did not qualify for a score due to our mistakes. Oh well, better try next time.

I know we can do it, but need to really proof to ensure the next try will be better.

It was great to see our friend Diana and 2 of her rattie kids, Stella (who did great) and Sammy.

Curly - Advanced Precision, Week 1

Curly and I started a new class after already taking Obedience, Rally and Rally Advance classes in 2009. This new class is to help us really hone in on our skills such as Rally moves and off leash practice. I love working with my man Curly because he is so eager to work.

Every time we start a new class I know my brain will hurt trying to remember what we need to practice and what is expected of us. Tonight was no different.

Tonight we practiced healing. We did a stepping process to perfect our dogs working with us and stopping when we stop. Then we practiced walking in a heal with turns to the left and right as well as the "left about" (my favorite move). This is the handler turning to their left and the dog going to the right. I have video of this on you tube. We worked on straight fronts, which we REALLY need to work on. Curly not only sits sideways or slightly sideways, but he offers other behaviors if I wait too long to tell him what to do after. He wants to go, go, go, but that is not how the game is played. Last, we worked on "sit", "down", "sit" also known as puppy push ups in a heal position. Curly is also crooked here so we'll be practicing hard.

It's great to be working on perfecting what we know and learning some new things too.

Curly Progress

Wow, it has been too long since I posted here. Curly is now in his 3rd class, Rally Advanced and getting ready to do match-ups and trials. He has come a long way and we are becoming a stronger team each week.

I can look back and think what a challenge I thought beginner obedience was. Ha! That was nothing. This week we are to be learning "Stand Stay", "90 degree turns" and practicing everything we have learned this far. Curly really enjoys learning the new skills and getting lots of treats and praise for it. Yea!

Last weekend we had a great opportunity to practice and demo at a local event. Curly did it off leash twice for the first time ever! I was nervous, but he did his job like a professional. I was so impressed with him and so was everyone else. Go Curly!

It is super amazing to do this with him and now Franky is in beginner obedience. It will be neat to see him coming up through the same training Curly got.