Late Update

Spice had her shots - remember we separate rabies from the 3rd shot and a checkup. She's 7lbs 3 ounces.

More later after I settle in, clean up some dawgs and try to stay awake.

I did a cleanup of Tak and Saki for their mom and we are delivering them downtown tomorrow. This is Treasure's son from her other litter. He's had a few haircuts but you can tell he is a Treasure son. His hair is silky and he has her eyes.

By doing this, I get to play with the duo for a bit - well till early tomorrow morning. Then their mom gets to snuggle with them for a couple of weeks till they head back to Texas with their human dad.

Thanks, Lyndall and Joe for letting me see them.

Class & Socialization

Classes are important. They teach heel, down, stay, recall etc but they also offer conditioning in a safe way to a variety of dogs. This is very important.

We had a bad drive into the class last night. There was a lot of quick stops due to people not being able to deal with snow and drive at the same time. So, Spice started shaking showing some concern when she was getting thrown around a tad. When things got smoother, she stopped shaking. That was the depth of her display of concern. Eventually she will be able to deal with that too.

But when she got upstairs at class, she looked around and went oh, this is the place I get TREATS and I have to do all those crazy things with daddy and mommy takes photos of me and then there is Frannie. Well, she came in with enthusiasm. Big dogs, littler but still bigger than her, she greeted them all. Their over enthusiasm didn't bother her a bit. It's funny what doesn't bother them and what does.

Then there were moments where Frannie ran to play with Spice and found her more interesting than anything else.

Spice never did the same as if she knew Frannie would come to her. What does that say about their personalities?

But Frannie is doing rather well learning her commands and her mom says she does so great in the store - she's calm - just gets crazy when she sees other dogs as she wants to play. Can you blame her?

We learned down, perfected a finish, staying, sit, recall and for us if Spice is going to get shown, she has to learn to look ahead vs always up to dad for the treats. I think treating during doesn't work. But we shall see.

As you can see, Spicy's hairdo didn't stay clean long. She looks like a disheveled cutie but that's a pup and that's okay!

Bath and Class

Okay, I had a bath - so what! It's a piece of cake now. I have no issue now that I have had a number of these wet things and hey I get a massage and a treat.

But its class night and I don't get my dinner. What is THAT about? Well, in reality I do get it just a little at a time during class. heh

I have had 2 weeks to practice. Did I? How did Frannie do? I can't wait to see her!

Hey, it's snowing amd it's my human mom's b-day tomorrow. Will she groom me on her day?

Dirty Spice

Well we have mud in the yard and Spice found it. Her nice white paws was black. She's just like her mom. See wet dirt under the deck will crawl. That's okay. I will give her a bath tomorrow and pray for snow as her feet will then stay white. hahahaha

I have to wash another dog so it will be a 2 dog washing day.

Then we are heading to class to see what we remember.

Do you think I will be a star? Stay tuned. We will let you know Thursday.

Teaka Heads to a New Home Soon

Teaka is heading to a new home the 1st week in April. She's going to have a brother named 'Dash' and boy are these 2 in for some serious fun.

They are half siblings (Kat's the dad) and are approx the same age.

We are going to miss her delicious fun. She has an enthusiasm for life that I want to capture and bottle.

The weather is wet and damp outside. It makes grooming interesting but still we do it. Why? This way we are knot free.

Off to feed the crew... and you?

It Happens

 It happens way too fast. This is a photo of Frannie and Spicey, 2 peas in a pod and now they are growing up and taking classes together.

These are moments to treasure when they are young, mischevious and silly balls of hair.

I rather like them around 6 months cause you have them trained to a degree but they still do the craziest things till...what age?

Okay, it's a personality thing. I know an 8 year old that does the funniest things. So, what is this about?

Treasure all the moments. They go too fat for me!

Where Does It Start?

Development starts from the day they are born but a critical part of it is with mom and her pups. The kind of mother she is will help them to find their coping skills, gain trust and be receptive to the world presented to them.

If a mom is not a positive influence on their pups no matter how nicely structured or beautiful they are, they shouldn't be bred. Just like humans, not everyone has the patience to be a 'good' mom.

I am blessed to have amazing moms and it's photos like this one that shows the attentiveness and gentleness that the moms have but at the same time they are protective, teachers, and mentors with much love. It does my heart good to be a part of this.

Big Dog Socialization

This is an old photo but I am using it as a reminder that no matter what the age of your dawg, it is important to expose them to new dogs in a safe way and new envoronments.

Sometimes a big dog doesn't have to do as thing but lay there. This gives them exposure and if you do it a number of times, well eventually that huge thing is not so scary after all.

Leadwork

This is Nathan with Treasure when she was a young thing. He was being highly motivated in getting her ready for the show ring going out in the snow and all.

Sometimes life gets in the way and your motivation is low so you have to find it again.

Has that happened to you with your dawg?

Do you have tips on how to find it again?

To Clean or Not?

Okay, they chew with them, bite and chew on toys and chew items that are supposed to clean and take tartar off so do we have to clean them?

You should but life gets in the way of many of us so bones, things like a spray of Leba II etc will help and in some cases do the job.

Otherwise, when they have a good case of tartar, you ought to get them cleaned so they don't lose their teeth.

We use the Leba and a finger thing that we get from K9groomingsupplies and every now and then we have to get a teeth cleaning but it has reduced the times necessary.

I should be brushing each time I groom. But not all dawgs enjoy your fingers all over their teeth.

What do you do for YOUR dogs?

Why Do we Expose?

We fear what we do not know. By exposing ourselves or our dogs a bit each day, we condition them to getting used to new things. We help them to gain 'good' coping skills when we are consistent and we do it in a positive way.

It's so easy to be too busy and not be able to. We all live very busy lives but it actually only takes 10 minutes to 20 minutes each day. A drive to the park, a walk, a drive to your pet store to get others to treat your dog and say hello. It's all an opportunity to meet and greet humans and canines alike. The more they see in a positive way, the more relaxed they will become and the better they will be.

There are days I don't feel like it especially when I am sick but I do it and at the end of the day. I am glad that I spent that quality time knowing I was helping my dawgs to become balanced. What can be better than that?

Conditioning

 Mommy is still grooming but she has a dinner date tonight with friends so she has to cut this short. She also has to get back to playing retrieve and grooming and I am sure you 'get' that.

Spice will be taken out in the car tonight for her conditioning after Nathan gets home.

No one minds being groomed - just give me the treat. It's magic how slow conditioning works.

No class for Spice or Frannie this week due to March Break.

Spice Finding Pup Play Fun

There was so much puppy fun today. Spice just had a grand time playing with the pups as you can see here. It's good for her and for them.

But she didn't get to go out in the car today. It's another missed day - sigh but tomorrow - we must!!

Life sometimes gets rather crazy. So, we play catch-up!

Wet Dawgs

Well it's been raining and I have much grooming to do tomorrow but I decided tonight it is not going to happen. You can take a break every now and then or cut your dog in a short 'do and forget about it part of the time. It depends on what you want.

We still have training to do with the Spice and Teaka. Teaka is looking for a forever home and she is an amazing dog from Kat and Teaser. You would just love, love, love this dawg as we do. But she needs a forever home vs. just a hang out session with us cause she deserves that.

Off to do cuddling...

No Rest for the Weary

 Just because Daddy is helping out at the show and doing work, he still has to train the Spice. You can't say, I don't have the time or the desire or - well tomorrow.

Okay every now and then you can but you must make those times rare. All it takes is 5 to 10 minutes a day to make a difference. It's worth it, honest!!

If you are at the Purina National show tomorrow at 6900 Airport Road at the International Centre, come and say hello. Nathan and I will be there tomorrow at 9:55am. We are not showing any of our dogs but we will be there helping out and would LOVE to talk to you. Plus, it's great dawg shopping you know. :-)

Frannie in Class

Frannie is a social being and that's not a bad thing - it's actually a good thing.

I just adore her attitude. Yes, sometimes she has to be roped in to focus but that also means she is an intelligent soul with her mind always working.

In class you learn how to get that attention and how to use it. It does work. Treat to nose, bring the treat in the direction you want them to go in, bravo and then give them their prize, the treat.

Frannie's owner is delightful too. She just loves her more than anything and that does our hearts good.

Frannie had her first professional grooming and did really well, we are told.

As you can see, Frannie can be very attentive when she wants that treat. Mommy, you are the best. You have all those wonderful prizes just for ME!!!

We were afraid we wouldn't make class and barely got there on time. The weather was awful and the driving around us even worse. Have you ever gone at a snails pace on the 407? Yeah, we pay for that.

Spice did wonderful in class but she is rather creative with her finish, Nathan too. It's what works.

But she gets bored at times. Okay, I have had enough treats, now what? But she is a good one about non treat, you are great conversations. That's a good thing and will bode her well in the ring.

She's doing well in the car now even looking forward to it but Daddy is her grounding. I look forward to when she is her own grounding but one step at a time. This is a journey into getting her to find her own coping skills no matter what happens or whatever is new.

Starting late to get her out in the car and socialized I thought would be a huge process but its turning into a faster process. Still, we are doing it daily with a day here and there missed and we will continue to do so. It's a must and will give you a better dog to expose, expose, expose in a positive way.

Teaka's Visit

Teaka is just a riot. She can get a bath done and look like this 2 minutes later. What... but I am having fun. She is an adorable dawg with a truly fun personality.

There's a big show in Toronto this weekend so Teaka is either getting shown or we are finding a forever home for her.

Has she had practice? Nah... But that's okay as she is a 'look at me' dawg!

You can't help but love this dog but Spice reminds her, this is HER house.

Spice is off to class tonight. Did she work on finish? You'll have to ask Nathan. heh

What's in Store?

Tonight I get to go to Petsmart to get Fish food for Dennis and practice, practice and practice.

We've been playing retrieve and I usually manipulate it so I get it first every single time even if I have to use distraction.

What does that say about me?

I went out yesterday for a walk with my grannie and enjoyed that. But mommy has been sick - I think she is still sick and that's way crazy so she still plays with us, grooms us but is not up to snuff. That's okay, other than the treat, who really likes all that grooming stuff? heh

Conditioning

We are continuing conditioning. How? Walks, car rides, visits to Petsmart and Global. We also have visitors that come to play with their owners and our crew gets tuckered out, I get to gab with human adults and everyone gets tired and stimulated. It all works.

It's important to expose your dawgs to different environments, people, dawgs all in a safe and controlled environment, of course.

Spice goes to class in 2 days. That also means practice, practice and more practice.

She's starting to like these walks too.

Weaver Visited

 Weaver came to visit. He's not one of our breedings but he comes to visit to play and hang out and then go home and sleep, sleep and sleep. I am sure that is what he is doing now.

There's something to say about that cool winter weather mixed in with vigorous play. Our dogs will sleep tonight too.

Nathan took Spice around the block tonight. She put on the brakes momentarily and then went oh I remember this and didn't even need a treat to be motivated. Tomorrow back to the car conditioning.

Nathan is getting a headache which comes with whatever I have so I am hoping he doesn't get sick as he will be down for the count. Me, I am stupid and keep on going....