Friday, September 2, 2011
Sorry. Work happened
Back on the wagon for a Pic a Day!
Also, in the exciting news category, there has been a promising application for West! Nothing set yet, of course, but perhaps this will be the winner! He's napping on my feet right now after a play in the (soggy. wet. gross) pond this afternoon. I'm at agility all weekend, so he'll come up and hang out and meet some people there, I hope.
He met Adonica and Darren the other day. I've been far too busy to even post about it. He never did greet Darren, but we were busy and he was taking photos. He enjoyed playing with their pup, too!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Bad handler. BAD handler!
Left West tied up for a few minutes while I worked Archie's handling skills.
This is what I found at the post:
This is what I found on West:
This is a MUCH better way to manage a puppy!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Photo a day
As promised, I'll try to post a photo from the collection each day. Not all of them will be good or interesting!
Friday, August 19, 2011
Archie Post 2 - Photos
As I mentioned in this post, I won a dog collar from a Facebook contest by PetExpertise. It arrived a couple months ago, but was damaged, so the company quickly sent a replacement. It's custom made, so it only fits Archie perfectly, though I have used it on a couple other dogs in a pinch.
Here's the collar
Anyway, I'm very VERY happy with it. Archie has always had some tracheal collapse type issue. Any pressure on a regular collar causes him to cough and choke. He doesn't seem bothered by it, but he must be, and passers-by often think he's asphyxiating! I use an Easy Walk Harness on him for most leash walking purposes, but we don't walk on leash very often, and it's a pain to put the harness on for just short leash trips (to and from the car, etc). This collar is perfect for that! I'm also thinking about using it at our fall trial instead of his Premier leash (custom made and discontinued, sorry!) to see how he likes it.
Here's the collar
Anyway, I'm very VERY happy with it. Archie has always had some tracheal collapse type issue. Any pressure on a regular collar causes him to cough and choke. He doesn't seem bothered by it, but he must be, and passers-by often think he's asphyxiating! I use an Easy Walk Harness on him for most leash walking purposes, but we don't walk on leash very often, and it's a pain to put the harness on for just short leash trips (to and from the car, etc). This collar is perfect for that! I'm also thinking about using it at our fall trial instead of his Premier leash (custom made and discontinued, sorry!) to see how he likes it.
Photos finally caught up!
I've spent much of the last week and a half catching up on about 3000 photos that were, until now, totally unsorted. They now at least have tags so I can categorize that way.
There are 891 photos of West on there now. Some you've seen before, but some I hadn't even seen before!
I'd like to start posting an image a day, at least, even if I'm not blogging much (working sucks!) right now.
We spent the other day up at the beach and I got this group shot of Archie, Gypsy and West! :)
There are 891 photos of West on there now. Some you've seen before, but some I hadn't even seen before!
I'd like to start posting an image a day, at least, even if I'm not blogging much (working sucks!) right now.
We spent the other day up at the beach and I got this group shot of Archie, Gypsy and West! :)
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Wow, it's hot!
It's finally hit summer, and we've had a week or so now of >25*C days. It's unusual for it to be so long before warming up!
We've spent quite a bit of time at Martha's over the past while. Here's an older video of West and Sunny playing:
Bonus points to anyone who knows what I'm watching in the background.
And here's a pretty laid back video of West and Ruby from last month:
This is how we keep cool in the heat. Normally, by this time of year, this pond is all dried up!
Photographing running dogs in weeds is tough..
But West is sure cute...
He still mostly waits on shore for Archie to come out. He's nervous of being in over his head..
In action: (sorry for the poor videographer skills. Throwing the disc into the pond is tough. Throwing it while videoing is tougher)
Once everyone's soaked through, we can play on the dry land...
Where I get an awful lot of shots like this...
But the odd nice one..
I love how the sun causes the dogs to squint, making them look more relaxed.. almost like they're friends!
West played briefly with Sage, a golden pup, yesterday. He was uninterested in meeting the people with Sage (I think the giant flying super-golden-retriever may have distracted him). He did very well.
A few days ago, he was out when I needed to go down to my neighbours. Neighbour is a man. He didn't approach, but also didn't bark or lunge when my neighbour moved towards him. He came into a new building, laid down with me when I sat on the floor, and watched/heard some kind of rotary cutting tool just a few feet away from us. The first time, he was worried. The second time, he watched with curiosity! I held him, as it's dangerous for him to be very close and I didn't want him to get hurt, but he was quite comfortable with it the second time!
And, just to add some cuteness to your day.. I'm fostering a mom and kittens..
Cutest things EVER. For more:
We've spent quite a bit of time at Martha's over the past while. Here's an older video of West and Sunny playing:
Bonus points to anyone who knows what I'm watching in the background.
And here's a pretty laid back video of West and Ruby from last month:
This is how we keep cool in the heat. Normally, by this time of year, this pond is all dried up!
Photographing running dogs in weeds is tough..
But West is sure cute...
He still mostly waits on shore for Archie to come out. He's nervous of being in over his head..
In action: (sorry for the poor videographer skills. Throwing the disc into the pond is tough. Throwing it while videoing is tougher)
Once everyone's soaked through, we can play on the dry land...
Where I get an awful lot of shots like this...
But the odd nice one..
I love how the sun causes the dogs to squint, making them look more relaxed.. almost like they're friends!
West played briefly with Sage, a golden pup, yesterday. He was uninterested in meeting the people with Sage (I think the giant flying super-golden-retriever may have distracted him). He did very well.
A few days ago, he was out when I needed to go down to my neighbours. Neighbour is a man. He didn't approach, but also didn't bark or lunge when my neighbour moved towards him. He came into a new building, laid down with me when I sat on the floor, and watched/heard some kind of rotary cutting tool just a few feet away from us. The first time, he was worried. The second time, he watched with curiosity! I held him, as it's dangerous for him to be very close and I didn't want him to get hurt, but he was quite comfortable with it the second time!
And, just to add some cuteness to your day.. I'm fostering a mom and kittens..
Cutest things EVER. For more:
 |
| Foster Kittens |
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
This one is about Archie..
So as some of you know, I enter quite a few contests on Facebook and such to win dog stuff. So far, we've won at least 3 packs of dog toys, and a custom made padded collar. I considered having the collar made for West, but for a few reasons, decided it would not be a good idea for him. I also tried to find someone else who really wanted the collar, but came up empty, so I had it sized for Archie. Since it's custom made, it only fits one size dog.
I'm posting this information today because PetExpertise, the company who makes the collar (along with selling some other really amazing products, and only positive ones!), is having a sale right now for $5 off the collar. The code is CradleYES for the coupon section.
Anyway, back to this collar.
I was initially skeptical. Here's another random gadget for almost $40, that looks basically like a wide martingale collar. And, the strap goes right across the throat like a standard collar, so how padded can it really be? I tend to be hard to sell on new products.. Took me years to try the Tug A Jug, and it's one of my favourite ones, so maybe I need to be more easy going.. or get more free giveaways!
Anyway, the collar was free, so I ordered it. It came with some simple instructions to ensure I put it on right side up. It appeared very well made and sturdy, so I slipped it on Archie and it fit well. Of course, when you want to try a new device to see how it works on a pulling dog, your dog magically has no interest in pulling. I really think this is a great secret to fixing pulling ! :)
Archie has always had a hypersensitive throat. Any pressure on a collar at all often causes him to cough and gag, and pulling always causes this. He doesn't seem to mind too much, but I mind, and sometimes I get comments or looks from the public as my dog is coughing away.
I got him to give a couple very wimpy tugs on the collar, and he had no coughing at all. I was impressed, but knew I had to give it a real test. Over the next couple of weeks, I had Archie wear this collar almost everywhere. He hasn't yet pulled hard enough to make himself cough, and he pulls pretty hard sometimes!
I certainly realize that training is a good option for most people for a leash pulling problem. I also love the front-attach harnesses such as the Easy Walk Harness and the Sense-ation harness. We recommend these in classes all the time. But there are people who don't have the time to always put on a harness, and for whatever reason, they are not interested in training loose leash walking. Having an easy-slip padded collar can be a great solution for people who fall into these groups. If this collar got known in the Agility community, I expect people would be all over it!
I will get some photos and video up soon, the camera is still charging. And we'll be back to discussing West shortly! Just wanted to put this up right away, so anyone who wanted to could take advantage of the coupon. Leave questions in the comments!
I'm posting this information today because PetExpertise, the company who makes the collar (along with selling some other really amazing products, and only positive ones!), is having a sale right now for $5 off the collar. The code is CradleYES for the coupon section.
Anyway, back to this collar.
I was initially skeptical. Here's another random gadget for almost $40, that looks basically like a wide martingale collar. And, the strap goes right across the throat like a standard collar, so how padded can it really be? I tend to be hard to sell on new products.. Took me years to try the Tug A Jug, and it's one of my favourite ones, so maybe I need to be more easy going.. or get more free giveaways!
Anyway, the collar was free, so I ordered it. It came with some simple instructions to ensure I put it on right side up. It appeared very well made and sturdy, so I slipped it on Archie and it fit well. Of course, when you want to try a new device to see how it works on a pulling dog, your dog magically has no interest in pulling. I really think this is a great secret to fixing pulling ! :)
Archie has always had a hypersensitive throat. Any pressure on a collar at all often causes him to cough and gag, and pulling always causes this. He doesn't seem to mind too much, but I mind, and sometimes I get comments or looks from the public as my dog is coughing away.
I got him to give a couple very wimpy tugs on the collar, and he had no coughing at all. I was impressed, but knew I had to give it a real test. Over the next couple of weeks, I had Archie wear this collar almost everywhere. He hasn't yet pulled hard enough to make himself cough, and he pulls pretty hard sometimes!
I certainly realize that training is a good option for most people for a leash pulling problem. I also love the front-attach harnesses such as the Easy Walk Harness and the Sense-ation harness. We recommend these in classes all the time. But there are people who don't have the time to always put on a harness, and for whatever reason, they are not interested in training loose leash walking. Having an easy-slip padded collar can be a great solution for people who fall into these groups. If this collar got known in the Agility community, I expect people would be all over it!
I will get some photos and video up soon, the camera is still charging. And we'll be back to discussing West shortly! Just wanted to put this up right away, so anyone who wanted to could take advantage of the coupon. Leave questions in the comments!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
An award? For my little blog?
As most of you know, I'm pretty new to this blogging-with-an-audience thing. Learning as I go!
So this week, I got a Versatile Blogger Award from Tena at Success Just Clicks. I had to look to see exactly what this meant! It seems to be an award for new bloggers, and it's a very cool thing!
The rules of this award are that I must share 7 things about myself and then pass along the award to 15 blogs that are either new or are new to me. I don't tend to branch out my blog reading very much, so I'm going to post this before the full list of 15 is up, then find new blogs as I go along!
Seven things about myself, and West, of course. Since this really is his blog..
1. I drive a TINY car. It's a Chevy Sprint, and it's a 5 door, but that's basically ALL it is (made of doors). It's kind of hilarious when I park somewhere (like the gas station today) and I've got four dogs loaded in the back, plus a passenger! I once fit 3 months of "living stuff", 3 dog crates, Archie, Cujo/Koodo my prev foster (huuuge dog!) and myself in my tiny little car and drove it over the rockies. It's kind of a joke. :) West likes it far better now that the muffler is attached!
2. I wish we had a local CU class to attend. I think both West and Archie would benefit hugely from such a class, but it's very hard to teach and attend at the same time!
Sigh. One day, maybe.
3. I love free stuff. I enter lots of contests (and win some!) and freebie entries. I enjoy couponing, and once got 4 free-natura-dog-food coupons, one bag of which is still around!
4. I have really cool friends. I was at a Rally trial back in April, and a friend was entering a raffle. She had a couple extra tickets and wasn't sure where to enter them.. I told her to throw them in the GO! prize and that I'd buy the food off her to use for West (who is still getting a mix). She said if she won, I could just have it. Almost two months later, I was at an agility trial when another friend approached me to let me know she won that raffle and had kept the food (all this time!) for West! How cool is that?
5. West really wants to sleep on the bed. He would like very much if I'd kick Archie out of the house, and then West could be as bad as he wanted! He's sitting on the floor with his head resting on the bed, looking very pitiful. There are several comfy dog beds available.
6. Archie is totally addicted to tissues. I'm allergic to most every plant out there, so spring is a rough time. I go through many kleenexes, and Archie is obsessed with finding and eating them. It's to the point now where he hears me blow my nose and comes running! Bad dog! :)
7. I'm really bad at writing things that fit a framework! Listing these 7 things has been awfully hard!
And now for a list of blogs. Let's see how many I can come up with.
After Gadget Not new, or new to me, but very good!
Vet On The Edge New to me!
BZ Training Fairly new to me.
Through a Guide's Eyes Thanks to Sharon for suggesting this one!
The Homeless Parrot
Syn's Blog
Doggie Ideas with great training plans and steps!
Children In Perspective a brand new blog by a young man who I met through animal rescue, who writes about all sorts of things..
That's 8... I will add more as I think of them!
So this week, I got a Versatile Blogger Award from Tena at Success Just Clicks. I had to look to see exactly what this meant! It seems to be an award for new bloggers, and it's a very cool thing!
The rules of this award are that I must share 7 things about myself and then pass along the award to 15 blogs that are either new or are new to me. I don't tend to branch out my blog reading very much, so I'm going to post this before the full list of 15 is up, then find new blogs as I go along!
Seven things about myself, and West, of course. Since this really is his blog..
1. I drive a TINY car. It's a Chevy Sprint, and it's a 5 door, but that's basically ALL it is (made of doors). It's kind of hilarious when I park somewhere (like the gas station today) and I've got four dogs loaded in the back, plus a passenger! I once fit 3 months of "living stuff", 3 dog crates, Archie, Cujo/Koodo my prev foster (huuuge dog!) and myself in my tiny little car and drove it over the rockies. It's kind of a joke. :) West likes it far better now that the muffler is attached!
2. I wish we had a local CU class to attend. I think both West and Archie would benefit hugely from such a class, but it's very hard to teach and attend at the same time!
Sigh. One day, maybe.
3. I love free stuff. I enter lots of contests (and win some!) and freebie entries. I enjoy couponing, and once got 4 free-natura-dog-food coupons, one bag of which is still around!
4. I have really cool friends. I was at a Rally trial back in April, and a friend was entering a raffle. She had a couple extra tickets and wasn't sure where to enter them.. I told her to throw them in the GO! prize and that I'd buy the food off her to use for West (who is still getting a mix). She said if she won, I could just have it. Almost two months later, I was at an agility trial when another friend approached me to let me know she won that raffle and had kept the food (all this time!) for West! How cool is that?
5. West really wants to sleep on the bed. He would like very much if I'd kick Archie out of the house, and then West could be as bad as he wanted! He's sitting on the floor with his head resting on the bed, looking very pitiful. There are several comfy dog beds available.
6. Archie is totally addicted to tissues. I'm allergic to most every plant out there, so spring is a rough time. I go through many kleenexes, and Archie is obsessed with finding and eating them. It's to the point now where he hears me blow my nose and comes running! Bad dog! :)
7. I'm really bad at writing things that fit a framework! Listing these 7 things has been awfully hard!
And now for a list of blogs. Let's see how many I can come up with.
After Gadget Not new, or new to me, but very good!
Vet On The Edge New to me!
BZ Training Fairly new to me.
Through a Guide's Eyes Thanks to Sharon for suggesting this one!
The Homeless Parrot
Syn's Blog
Doggie Ideas with great training plans and steps!
Children In Perspective a brand new blog by a young man who I met through animal rescue, who writes about all sorts of things..
That's 8... I will add more as I think of them!
Some time out and about..
West mostly comes everywhere now. Today, we would have practiced at the centre, but instead, practiced in a friend's yard. So we just took Gypsy to CU class, came home and got the others to go play.
Mom pulled up near the gate, and I just let West out. He ran to the gate while I got Archie out, then I let them and Gypsy into the yard. Oh, and Sheela too! Mom went to do some shopping, and I headed for the back of the yard to turn the water on. The 4 dogs just played and ran and sniffed. I tossed a couple balls, but mostly, they wanted to investigate.
Once I had the water on, I decided I needed to do something with West and Gypsy so I could work Archie. Popped West in the solid crate, Gypsy in the zipper one beside him, and left sheela loose. Archie and I worked a few 2x2s, some tables, and some jump sequences. I put him over the dog walk a couple times, and he was great.
Shifted the dogs around, let West out, put Archie in. West did some tables, a couple jumps, and tried to get him over the dogwalk. He did go over once. He's not worried about being high, but has no sense of where his feet are! Silly pup!
Now, I put West in the fabric crate. Last time he was in one, he scratched it up, so I was watching him closely. He didn't relax, but he didn't claw at the crate either! Good dog.
I rotated through a couple more times. Mom came back, and I worked Sheela a little. Loaded everyone back in the car and went to the gas station.
The only available pump in the shade was right near the door. 6 months ago, I would have parked to the side and waited for a farther one to be free, but I figured West could handle it. And he did! He watched a few people go by, without tension or barking. He sat on the front seat with the window wide open while I pumped the fuel. Even when some men walked by! He's come a looong way!
Once we got home, he ran around a bit, then jumped through the window into the car. This is his new favourite spot, sitting on the passenger seat of my car, watching the world. And he's discovered he can get there on his own when the window is open. Sigh.
Mom pulled up near the gate, and I just let West out. He ran to the gate while I got Archie out, then I let them and Gypsy into the yard. Oh, and Sheela too! Mom went to do some shopping, and I headed for the back of the yard to turn the water on. The 4 dogs just played and ran and sniffed. I tossed a couple balls, but mostly, they wanted to investigate.
Once I had the water on, I decided I needed to do something with West and Gypsy so I could work Archie. Popped West in the solid crate, Gypsy in the zipper one beside him, and left sheela loose. Archie and I worked a few 2x2s, some tables, and some jump sequences. I put him over the dog walk a couple times, and he was great.
Shifted the dogs around, let West out, put Archie in. West did some tables, a couple jumps, and tried to get him over the dogwalk. He did go over once. He's not worried about being high, but has no sense of where his feet are! Silly pup!
Now, I put West in the fabric crate. Last time he was in one, he scratched it up, so I was watching him closely. He didn't relax, but he didn't claw at the crate either! Good dog.
I rotated through a couple more times. Mom came back, and I worked Sheela a little. Loaded everyone back in the car and went to the gas station.
The only available pump in the shade was right near the door. 6 months ago, I would have parked to the side and waited for a farther one to be free, but I figured West could handle it. And he did! He watched a few people go by, without tension or barking. He sat on the front seat with the window wide open while I pumped the fuel. Even when some men walked by! He's come a looong way!
Once we got home, he ran around a bit, then jumped through the window into the car. This is his new favourite spot, sitting on the passenger seat of my car, watching the world. And he's discovered he can get there on his own when the window is open. Sigh.
Friday, June 17, 2011
It's been a while, but he's come a LONG way!
Does everyone remember the little biting border collie pup that I offered to foster for Sheena?
I think I misplaced him.
He's watching Tim eat his yummy sandwich across the table, I think.
Please note the little white fluff poking out from his back end? This is his TAIL. and I can SEE it, even though he's being TOUCHED by a MAN! Now that's progress!
Sorry we haven't been updating as much as we should, but he's coming along nicely :) I am proud!
He also came along to Archie's agility class on Thursday morning. Was ok around Chris and Ray, as long as he kept his distance. Did some tunnels, and a few jumps. Good boy.
I think I misplaced him.
He's watching Tim eat his yummy sandwich across the table, I think.
Please note the little white fluff poking out from his back end? This is his TAIL. and I can SEE it, even though he's being TOUCHED by a MAN! Now that's progress!
Sorry we haven't been updating as much as we should, but he's coming along nicely :) I am proud!
He also came along to Archie's agility class on Thursday morning. Was ok around Chris and Ray, as long as he kept his distance. Did some tunnels, and a few jumps. Good boy.
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