A training session..

I worked eye contact. Got up to 5 seconds, but reliable around 3. Using zen method, holding the treats out beside my head. Did about 30 of these, I think. Worked a target to a yogurt lid. He really wanted to put it in his mouth. I clicked early, he got very slow and thoughtful, but no biting. Woot! Worked LLW on the GL. C/T for standing still, then click then take a step while treating, eventually taking a step, then C/T. Went okay, but more distractible than I'd like him to be. Was using really low value treats, though.

An Archie post

We interrupt the usual programming... A local trainer is offering free canine massages as she works through learning Canine Massage. I emailed her about working on Archie, and she agreed. Yesterday, we met at my place. Archie was overall very good. It took him a while to settle, but he eventually did, and I think he really enjoyed it. She noted some areas of tension in his right hip area, which is where Britt had noticed stuff before. I'm wondering if it's residual from hi left-front injury. Anyway, the massage was very cool to see. Archie really got into it toward the end. Some touch was very arousing for him, but most of it he relaxed into. She was great with him, and I hope to see if she's interested in working on Maco. Not sure how THAT would go, but might help his leg? Once she's up and established, I'll be sure to post a link to her site etc.

Training session 2

Awwww..

He's a really cool dog. I was hoping to keep him, but his interactions with Archie have been problematic. But he's so cute!!

Training the Malinois

Maco the Malinois

New Foster dog?

A couple weeks ago, I brought home my newest foster. I wrote this post, then forgot all about it.

We started the trip early, about 8:30am. The boys had to stay home.. I gave them each some snacks to keep them busy while I left:

 

Mom and I shared the driving. You can see the 400 crate pretty much fills the back of the car.

 

We arrived to Aldergrove early, so we had lunch at a Chinese place near Safeway called the Dragon House Restaurant and had amazing huge portions of chinese food, for a total of $20 including tip, tea and a spring roll appetizer! Highly recommended!

We then went to Run Free Canine Centre where we were going to meet Bonnie. We were still a bit early (and she was a bit late) so we spent some time chatting with Jennie and Karl about the facility. We took a tour of the place and I forgot the camera in the car and took no photos at all the whole time I was there!

I realized this later and tried to get a photo of their biz card while driving back..

 

Bonnie came and unloaded stuff, we did paperwork, then took Maco for a run in the field at Run Free. He had a good time, and I liked what I saw. He looked quite lame on his left front.

We loaded him up into the crate in my car, no problems at all. I traded his martingale for a plain buckle collar with Cross Our Paws contact info on it, and off we went!

 Quick stop for fuel just down the road, Maco was settled and totally calm. I had expected some barking, but he surprised me.

 








 He napped all the way back. I grabbed a medium SureFit and put that on him as he exited the car. I had set up the crate in the motorhome already. We wandered around (okay, he yanked me around) till he peed and then I put him away while I took Sassy, our foster cat, to meet the rescue owner.

Once I got back, I took Maco out again to give him a chance to poo. He did! He was pretty aroused by all the changes.

 He barked most of the first night. He barked for about ten minutes around 2am and again around 6am the second night. At 6am, I went into the house because after the night before of no sleep, I was pretty desperately in need of a few extra hours. The third night, he slept as long as I was watching a TV show. Bonus! I turned my music on and he was quiet for the rest of the night!

I'll be setting him up with a boom box today. He's a bit stressed, and certainly needs time to learn the routines, but so far, he's fantastic.

 He's conditioned to a Gentle Leader now, and learning fast the rules of the place (no lunging at people's faces. no shredding leashes). He's wrecked a few of my toys, powerful jaws and all that. I can't believe he chewed up my twist n treat!

More photos from the island

West had a playdate with his new friend:

Laps are the best place ever..

West in his new place:

He's settling in fairly well, and his new momma loves him :)

Into the future

Well, West's journey, while not completely over, is now mostly out of my hands (And camera range). I will continue to post updates as I get them, but I will also broaden the scope of this blog a bit to include current and future fosters. The title and heading will probably change in the next couple of days. Please feel free to stick around!

And I do have a few photos of West that I've been meaning to get online, but still haven't. Here's a few now.

Goodbye, little West...

Well, I still have a few photos and things to catch up on posting here, but it's official. West has been adopted and is settling into his new home. Some photos Valerie sent me: