Poor Bria didn't get to do a whole lot today. But she did learn Roll Over in about 30 seconds this morning. I'm starting to use clicker training with her, and she's picking up on it so fast! I also see the start of learning Bow this evening. I'm thrilled with the pup.
Why do I have a feeling I will never be able to own a "normal" dog? =D
Bria
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
A Day at the Library
Little Miss got to go to town with me today. I figured it was safe as it was overcast and not too warm. Took the truck to have the transmission checked. Guy came back from checking it and said, "that is the cutest pup I've seen". *grin* She had to wait patiently in the truck while I went into the DMV, then we headed for the library to pick up a few books.
I had some border collie books and a search and rescue book on hold, so when I picked those up, the obvious question was, "is someone getting a new dog?" I said yep, she's in the truck. Oooh! Bring her in!!
So the wee pup got to go into the library and meet the ladies there. It was a great experience for her. She got lots of positive attention, and I think I made the one woman's day. Bria was great. Sure, she was overexcited at first, but she calmed right down and even showed off sit, down, and shake, which very much so impressed the ladies. They were amazed that a 14-week-old puppy had learned it! So I'm happy.
Also played some fetch this evening. I've started incorporating Sit or Down to our game. I started just asking her to Sit, praise for correct movement, then throw the ball. Well, I have progressed to getting her excited, asking her to Sit, praise, then throw the ball. She's doing very well with it! I started asking for Down, too. She doesn't quite have that yet, but it'll come, I'm sure. I'm hoping it will translate to listening when she's excited over meeting a new person or greeting me.
I guess that's about it for now.
I had some border collie books and a search and rescue book on hold, so when I picked those up, the obvious question was, "is someone getting a new dog?" I said yep, she's in the truck. Oooh! Bring her in!!
So the wee pup got to go into the library and meet the ladies there. It was a great experience for her. She got lots of positive attention, and I think I made the one woman's day. Bria was great. Sure, she was overexcited at first, but she calmed right down and even showed off sit, down, and shake, which very much so impressed the ladies. They were amazed that a 14-week-old puppy had learned it! So I'm happy.
Also played some fetch this evening. I've started incorporating Sit or Down to our game. I started just asking her to Sit, praise for correct movement, then throw the ball. Well, I have progressed to getting her excited, asking her to Sit, praise, then throw the ball. She's doing very well with it! I started asking for Down, too. She doesn't quite have that yet, but it'll come, I'm sure. I'm hoping it will translate to listening when she's excited over meeting a new person or greeting me.
I guess that's about it for now.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Happy Sunday
So I guess I missed a day. My computer died temporarily. *grumble* It is fixed now and working fine. *knock on wood*
Miss Bree is 14 weeks old today.
Day before yesterday, I built a bridge. It doubles as a teeter-totter for the pup. I have some video of that. I will see how or if I can post that. It's really cute. I also have video of Little Miss walking across the makeshift bridge over troubled waters (read board over mud).
I've been working on recall with Bria. The other day, I whistled for her. I use a certain whistle for the horses. I used it without thinking for the dog, didn't expect her to follow, and walked away. Seconds later, there is a pup walking next to me, asking, "s'up?" So I've started using that as general recall. Whistle, make sure I get her attention, and start walking away. Works 75% of the time so far.
As far as her other "tricks", she's doing sit, down, shake 99% of the time. I'm very happy with it. I haven't really had the time to work on loose leash walking, but that's okay. I have started getting her excited to chase the ball, then asking her to sit or down. She does it quite accurately. I'm impressed. She is fetching pretty accurately, too, these days. And I'm certainly learning how to read her. She doesn't bring the ball back when she's done. Which right now, that's only after a few tosses. Oh well. Then we're on to playing tug. When she "wins" and doesn't give the other end back to me, I know she's done with that.
Thar she blows. I'm quite pleased with it for salvaging wood and nails and an afternoon of work.
Miss Bree is 14 weeks old today.
Day before yesterday, I built a bridge. It doubles as a teeter-totter for the pup. I have some video of that. I will see how or if I can post that. It's really cute. I also have video of Little Miss walking across the makeshift bridge over troubled waters (read board over mud).
I've been working on recall with Bria. The other day, I whistled for her. I use a certain whistle for the horses. I used it without thinking for the dog, didn't expect her to follow, and walked away. Seconds later, there is a pup walking next to me, asking, "s'up?" So I've started using that as general recall. Whistle, make sure I get her attention, and start walking away. Works 75% of the time so far.
As far as her other "tricks", she's doing sit, down, shake 99% of the time. I'm very happy with it. I haven't really had the time to work on loose leash walking, but that's okay. I have started getting her excited to chase the ball, then asking her to sit or down. She does it quite accurately. I'm impressed. She is fetching pretty accurately, too, these days. And I'm certainly learning how to read her. She doesn't bring the ball back when she's done. Which right now, that's only after a few tosses. Oh well. Then we're on to playing tug. When she "wins" and doesn't give the other end back to me, I know she's done with that.
Thar she blows. I'm quite pleased with it for salvaging wood and nails and an afternoon of work.
Friday, August 27, 2010
TGIF (didn't I just say that?)
No pictures up yet, sorry. Check back tomorrow.
Bria had a lot of time out and about on the farm today. Through paddock cleaning and rock picking and my DIY project. I can definitely tell physical exercise is not enough because she is still a crazy little pup when I feed her supper and put her in her pen. Need to play with her more tomorrow.
Speaking of supper, Little Miss doesn't seem interested in her food anymore. At breakfast, I let her out to do her business, feed the horses real quick, then go to put her food down. I generally sit with her, pet her, stick my hand in her bowl, and such so she doesn't get protective over her food, but for the past couple days, I've noticed it takes a lot of urging for her to eat. Now I suppose this could be good in some ways. She usually eats quick, but does not inhale her food. But for the most part, I'm a little worried she hasn't wanted to eat her dry food. I was looking at her today, and she looks like skin and bones. This evening, I got out the canned puppy food I bought for her when she came home in case she didn't like the dry food yet, and she gobbled that right up. I think she was hungry! Silly dog didn't eat all day. So I guess for now, I'll feed wet food and dry food and see how she does. Also need to look into actual dog houses now that it's getting cooler at night.
Bria had a lot of time out and about on the farm today. Through paddock cleaning and rock picking and my DIY project. I can definitely tell physical exercise is not enough because she is still a crazy little pup when I feed her supper and put her in her pen. Need to play with her more tomorrow.
Speaking of supper, Little Miss doesn't seem interested in her food anymore. At breakfast, I let her out to do her business, feed the horses real quick, then go to put her food down. I generally sit with her, pet her, stick my hand in her bowl, and such so she doesn't get protective over her food, but for the past couple days, I've noticed it takes a lot of urging for her to eat. Now I suppose this could be good in some ways. She usually eats quick, but does not inhale her food. But for the most part, I'm a little worried she hasn't wanted to eat her dry food. I was looking at her today, and she looks like skin and bones. This evening, I got out the canned puppy food I bought for her when she came home in case she didn't like the dry food yet, and she gobbled that right up. I think she was hungry! Silly dog didn't eat all day. So I guess for now, I'll feed wet food and dry food and see how she does. Also need to look into actual dog houses now that it's getting cooler at night.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Picture Time!
Bria got her first taste of hoof trimming this morning. She likes the hoof trimmings. She also enjoyed playing in the draw. Not much else to say, but I will have pictures later.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Dog Days of Summer
The wee monster...I mean lassie has been in my care for exactly three weeks today and is 13 weeks and 3 days old.
After a frustrating training session last night (trying to teach loose leash walking LLW), I was just about fed up with the pup. But I must remember she is a baby! And she is trying to figure out what I want just like I am. In any case, it was blazing hot out today. After a couple days of cooler weather, it just wasn't fair! Even in the shade, I was melting. No breeze. So the pup did not get too much interaction aside from a trip to town.
Bria did pretty well, though. We went into the local feed store. She actually walked with me up to the door, but then decided she did not want to go in there. Had to pick her up and carry her. But once inside, she got attention and even a puppy treat! She was ready to leave after we checked out, but walked patiently with me to the door, waited for me to open it, and walked (with a little encouragement) over to the truck to go home. I am proud of her! She was a little shy of people in there then got a little overstimulated when another customer came to say hi to her, but overall, she did great. A few more visits, and I think we'll be well on our way to getting her socialized. Okay, probably a lot more visits.
So I was finally able to go out and spend time with her this evening when it cooled down some. I thought maybe she would still be mad at me over the training session from last night, but she didn't really seem to be. She was excited to see me, which reminds me that she is re-learning the command Relax. She has to be calm, usually sitting or laying down in order to get attention if she is in her pen or on the leash in the yard. In any case, she was quite happy to see me and quite happy to play. She fetched several times. Also ran through her basic obedience stuff real quick. She did fine. Knows Sit quite well. Down is next best. Shake is coming. Play Dead is still in the works. She even sat with me and cuddled for a bit. I guess I won't give her to the next person who stops by. Kidding, of course. She's not going anywhere!
After a frustrating training session last night (trying to teach loose leash walking LLW), I was just about fed up with the pup. But I must remember she is a baby! And she is trying to figure out what I want just like I am. In any case, it was blazing hot out today. After a couple days of cooler weather, it just wasn't fair! Even in the shade, I was melting. No breeze. So the pup did not get too much interaction aside from a trip to town.
Bria did pretty well, though. We went into the local feed store. She actually walked with me up to the door, but then decided she did not want to go in there. Had to pick her up and carry her. But once inside, she got attention and even a puppy treat! She was ready to leave after we checked out, but walked patiently with me to the door, waited for me to open it, and walked (with a little encouragement) over to the truck to go home. I am proud of her! She was a little shy of people in there then got a little overstimulated when another customer came to say hi to her, but overall, she did great. A few more visits, and I think we'll be well on our way to getting her socialized. Okay, probably a lot more visits.
So I was finally able to go out and spend time with her this evening when it cooled down some. I thought maybe she would still be mad at me over the training session from last night, but she didn't really seem to be. She was excited to see me, which reminds me that she is re-learning the command Relax. She has to be calm, usually sitting or laying down in order to get attention if she is in her pen or on the leash in the yard. In any case, she was quite happy to see me and quite happy to play. She fetched several times. Also ran through her basic obedience stuff real quick. She did fine. Knows Sit quite well. Down is next best. Shake is coming. Play Dead is still in the works. She even sat with me and cuddled for a bit. I guess I won't give her to the next person who stops by. Kidding, of course. She's not going anywhere!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Water Doggy!
First things first...I attempted to weigh the wee monster today. Since I couldn't even read the scale while holding her, I did actually manage to get her to stand on it and stand STILL long enough to sort of see. She's about 13-14 lbs.
We had a lot of water coming down the draw this morning. Bree is becoming a water dog! Sort of. She splashed around in it, dug in the mud, and had a grand old time. Still doesn't like getting caught under the sprinkler or the hose. After slogging through water and mud, she decides to come over and jump all over me while I'm sitting on the big rock in the horse paddock. Well, thanks dog. Glad to let you wipe your paws on me. *chuckle*
I was going to try to take the dog for a ride again today. Went up to use the bumper of my truck as a mounting block for the horse...well, dog scampered off and refused to be caught. Wandered out across the road again. *mumble* Note to self: tie dog before she gets anywhere near the front of the property.
Bria has become a very sweet, cuddly dog. I'm not complaining! As long as she can keep from nipping my face, ears, or neck, I'm perfectly content with her to snuggle. So far, she really likes to plop in front of me when laying on my stomach in the grass and cuddle up under my chin. It's quite sweet.
More may be added later.
We had a lot of water coming down the draw this morning. Bree is becoming a water dog! Sort of. She splashed around in it, dug in the mud, and had a grand old time. Still doesn't like getting caught under the sprinkler or the hose. After slogging through water and mud, she decides to come over and jump all over me while I'm sitting on the big rock in the horse paddock. Well, thanks dog. Glad to let you wipe your paws on me. *chuckle*
I was going to try to take the dog for a ride again today. Went up to use the bumper of my truck as a mounting block for the horse...well, dog scampered off and refused to be caught. Wandered out across the road again. *mumble* Note to self: tie dog before she gets anywhere near the front of the property.
Bria has become a very sweet, cuddly dog. I'm not complaining! As long as she can keep from nipping my face, ears, or neck, I'm perfectly content with her to snuggle. So far, she really likes to plop in front of me when laying on my stomach in the grass and cuddle up under my chin. It's quite sweet.
More may be added later.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)