A Room with a View

Here is the view I have from my window while I type this! So beautiful! Spring has to be our favorite time of the year! Below is a photo of the same crabapple tree taken from the street. It is an amazing old tree. Last year it barely bloomed due to the late freeze we had here in April. This year it seems to be making up for it.

Mom and I went to a different park yesterday morning - a park that has a great pet trail! The trail is 3.5 miles and goes through woods, across streams, and around big meadows. It is usually very muddy and even though we actually need rain and haven't had any for quite awhile, there were still a couple extremely muddy areas. Since I am so small, mom picked me up and carried me around the mud (better than having to get a bath later!). We walked and walked. Mom surprised me by doing some recalls when I was least expecting it (I was either way ahead or way behind on my flexi lead), but I came running whenever she called. (Got rewarded with salmon treats too!). But mom was also impressed that I did a lot of checking in with her on my own too. The neatest thing we saw was a BIG snake! It was lying in the tallish grass on the side of the mowed trail - quite big and black. We're not super squeamish about snakes (like some grandpas we know), but we were a little more cautious after that!

Gotta zoom!

Ricky

Spring Flowers

We are enjoying really beautiful weather here in Ohio! Yesterday mom had to work most of the day, so I spent a lot of time with dad. Dad took me on an awesome walk at a nearby wetlands and river! Today mom and I went to the park and also did a little backyard agility practice. I am getting to be a maniac on the dog walk and the teeter!

We just took some photos of some of our spring flowers! Hope you like them!

Gotta zoom!

Ricky

This and That

We've been busy doing this and that, but there's not much to blog about. After having beautiful weather for four or five days, we got to the weekend and it's rainy and chilly. Oh well. Yesterday we visited grandpa and grandma and I showed them how good I am at "go around" when I did it around their coffee table. It rained almost the whole time we were there, so I didn't get to do much running around in their big yard. Mom did take me out there briefly so she could try putting me on a long line. I am so used to being on a flexi that when she dropped her end of the line, I just stood there. It is kind of heavy for me to drag around, and I didn't know what to do. Mom says we'll try again on a nicer day.

Today we met a dog friend on our walk - a young Springer Spaniel named Rajah. Rajah followed us home one day last autumn - we didn't know where he lived and when we called the phone number on his tag, the woman said she didn't have a dog! (It was an old phone number - so don't forget to update your pet's tag info!). Thanks to some nice neighbors, we found out where Rajah lived and took him home. This morning we saw Rajah out wandering the neighborhood streets again. But we knew exactly where to take him this time. He is very friendly and walked along with us back to his house. The gate to his backyard had been left open, and his dad and mom had no idea he was gone!

Gotta zoom!

Ricky

Backyard Agility

Mom set up a course in our backyard this morning using all of our agility equipment! It is a beautiful day and we are having fun running the course and practicing the obstacles separately. It's hard to tell from the photo, but that's me doing my 2o2o at the bottom of the teeter. I still don't really want to do it unless there is a treat on the target. But don't I look awesome on the table!









BTW, we don't understand the formatting when we add photos to the blog and then try to add text!

Gotta zoom!

Ricky

Last Pre Agility Class

Since mom has to work next Monday night, we had our last pre agility class last night. The instructor was nice enough to give us our graduation test early, and so we did it and also served as a demo for the other dogs. Everything went well - cavelletis, jumps, walk the plank with 2on/2off contact, and front and rear cross on the flat (meaning without an obstacle). My only problem all night was that I couldn't stop smelling and hoovering the floor! (Mom tried and tried to get me to stop!) There is a puppy class in the building right before our class, and they just leave so many enticing smells and little bits of treats! Mom is very happy that our level 1 agility class will be in the other building and will be the first class of the evening.



So now we wait to see if we get in to the level 1 class. Agility classes are very popular at our club and you have to register and enter a lottery - you get notified by mail if you are picked for the next session. If we are picked, we start in 3 weeks. Until then mom and I are going to do lots of practicing on our own. Mom asked for a subscription to Clean Run magazine for her birthday - she can learn lots from reading the articles and studying the diagrams. We are also going to read more on Agility Nerd - they have tons of good exercises for backyard agility practice. We are going to be ahead of our class level for awhile - that's ok - I need more practice being in new environments with new dogs, and the new instructors always teach us something we haven't learned before.

Gotta zoom!

Ricky

Chute

Not much happened this weekend. The weather has been bad - cold and rainy - so we haven't spent time outside except for our daily walks. Yesterday mom spent a lot of time at the computer - she wants us to start a pet/house sitting, dog walking, flower gardening (I know - weird combination) business in our neighborhood. She is trying to design a flyer so we can distribute them to all of our neighbors, and we hope to make a little extra money helping people.

Today we went to grandma and grandpa's. We had a great visit and built a chute out of a shower curtain and a fabric clothes hamper. It actually worked - I experienced the chute for the very first time! For any one who doesn't know, a chute is one of the agility obstacles - it is like a tunnel on one end, but the other end is fabric that I have to do through without seeing where I am going. At first I kept going around the outside. Then with grandpa holding the end of the chute open, I finally went through. We tried several times and then I did it with the chute all the way on the ground. Cool! I got lots of chicken treats and mom was very happy with me! It's going to take more practice to do it right all the time, but we love practicing!

Gotta zoom!

Ricky

Advanced Novice Class

Last night I went to my first advanced novice class at the club. Mom has this idea that she will put a CD on me (that's the novice obedience title). We have been casually practicing novice requirements, but until last night's class, we didn't really realize how much repetition and precision it takes to perfect the exercises.

First of all the class takes place in building B - I have previously been in classes in building A. So this took some getting used to - the matting felt different and the smells were all new! Plus there was a huge advanced obedience class in the ring next to us - at least 20 dogs in a very small area! That was very distracting! And in the other ring (we were in the middle), some lucky dogs were practicing agility - jumps, table, chute. I kept hearing "Go table!" or "Go jump!" and it made me less than enthusiastic about doing my 10th "front" in a row! Mom and I were aware of some of this before, but I rock back when I sit (instead of tuck-sitting), and my fronts are often crooked, but at least my recalls were quite fast. We didn't even address my heeling issues! (Except we did work on some "call to heel" exercises). Probably saving that for the next class! So mom and I will work on perfecting our exercises for awhile (ok with me as long as the treats keep coming, but I think I overheard something about phasing out treats and going with verbal praise only? Whose idea is that?) and see what happens.

One sort of funny thing happened - our instructor was demonstrating with his dog and then left his dog on a sit-stay to talk to us. Well, his dog (an Aussie by the way) spied another Aussie in the next ring and did a beautiful jump over the ring gates and quick as a wink was over there visiting his friend! Our instructor had to go and get his dog and crate him! I was just happy to see I am not the only dog out there that forgets what I'm supposed to be doing!

Gotta zoom!

Ricky

New Food

About three weeks ago, mom decided to make a change in the food I eat. She researched on-line and on the Performance-Sheltie Yahoo group, and with a very helpful employee at Pet People. The information was rather confusing - some people feed raw diets ( mom knew she didn't want to do that), some feed no-grain food, some feed higher-protein, some feed organic, some feed wet instead of dry kibble (mom knew she wanted to feed me dry kibble), and some feed good old grocery store brands. It seems that some dogs do well on almost any food and others are sensitive or develop allergies, etc. I was doing well on my food, but when mom checked the dog-food ratings on www.dogfoodanalysis.com, she found out that my food was rated 1 star and she decided I should eat something better. So we are now trying Nature's Variety Prairie Chicken Meal and Brown Rice (rated 5 stars). Since I had been eating a food that was chicken with grains we decided to go to a better quality food but similar to my old food so the change wouldn't be too drastic. Let me just say that I don't really understand all these ratings and grain versus no grain, but I do know that I LOVE the way this new food tastes! We also found out that people rotate the type of food their dogs eat. Sounds good to me - variety is the spice of life! So after a few months of Chicken, we may try one of the other formulas of Nature Variety or we may try a different food altogether.

This evening we are going to join my favorite dog trainer Deb on her obedience class field trip to a local shopping center. We have gone on these little trips several times before and they are always fun. She puts us through our routines of heeling, sit-stays, down-stays, stand-stays - all while we are out in public. Some dogs are bothered by all the commotion of cars and people shopping, but I usually do well (even with the cars!).

Gotta zoom!


Ricky

Week 5 Pre Agility

Last night's class went well. Our instructor told my mom that she can't believe that my mom has never done agility before because her timing is impeccable! Wow - was she really looking at mom? Doesn't she realize that I am the one who makes mom look good? But I am proud of all that mom has learned. Last night we learned rear cross (which we already know) and post turns and we did come to the hand after a jump. It was extremely hot in the building - the heat had probably been left on and the outdoor temperature was about 68. Also there is the most high energy dog I have ever seen in our class - he is a Golden Retriever - and he can't even sit next to his dad - we have never seen anything like him. And this is their second time through the pre agility class. Wish we had a video to show his behavior! It really is indescribable. After each class, this dog's dad lets him off leash to run like a mad-dog around the ring. Mom doesn't want me to get run over, so she gets me out of the ring as soon as she can. We don't really think dogs should be playing in a place where they are supposed to be learning lessons. It confuses the dog and makes him think it's always playtime. Oh well, that's just our opinion.

Today was another gorgeous weather day! We were so lucky to have most of the day off, and mom spent a lot of time outside with me. I even helped to clean off the patio furniture. All this playing outside wears me out so......

Gotta zoom!


Ricky

Today is my Gotcha Day!

Today is the one year anniversary of my Gotcha Day! Mom says she can't believe a whole year has gone by. Last April 7 mom and dad drove 3 hours northeast of here to pick me up. The photo above shows me and my two sisters. The weather was horrible - cold and even snowy - and I had never been outside before (having been born in February in NE Ohio). Mom remembers bringing me home and taking me outside to potty and seeing me shiver in the cold wind. But I was a real trooper and started learning lots that very first day. I started learning to go potty outside, to sit for my dinner, and to like being in my crate. My very first night in my new home, I went to bed in my crate without so much as making a sound and slept from 10:00PM until 2:00AM, went out to potty with mom, and slept until 6:00AM. And the rest is history!

Today's weather is way different from this time last year! It has been sunny and warm (72ish). I have played outside for most of the day. We did a little training - mom was trying out our new table and teeter. Mom tried to get some photos of me with her daffodils in the front garden - here is one that turned out ok. (I wouldn't look at mom when she was taking the picture because I was too busy watching the street to see if any cars would go by!)


Tonight is our 5th pre-agility class. And Thursday night we start another obedience class! Cool! I love going to these classes and learning new things (it doesn't hurt that there are always lots of treats involved!).

Gotta zoom!


Ricky

My new friend!

Here is a photo of Johann and me from the agility trial this past Saturday! We had so much fun and Johann was amazing out there in his runs!

Gotta zoom!

Ricky

New Friends!

We had a blast today! Mom and I went to a local agility trial and met with our blogging friends Johann, Gracie and their mom. It was so good to meet them. Johann is a really cool dog and we watched him in his standard run and his JWW run and he Q'ed them both! (This was his first trial since he pulled a muscle (iliopsoas) in January). He and his mom looked really good out there - hopefully mom and I can become as good a team some day! Any way, between the runs we sat and watched a lot of other dogs compete - I can't wait to get out there and show my stuff - I know I can do it too! And we also took a couple of walks to take in the new smells and sounds. Mom and Johann's mom did LOTS of talking, but I was a very good boy and sat on mom's lap for most of the time. Johann's mom also had good treats, so I liked her right away and tried to impress her with my quick sits. Must've worked because the treats kept coming! I think Johann and I could become very good friends! Hopefully we will see them again soon!

We spent the rest of the afternoon in our backyard. Mom wanted to practice some agility with me but there were way too many distractions. My neighbor dog friend Ciara was out in her yard (she is actually moving away so we hadn't seen each other for a long time). We did lots of running at the fence and I did lots of barking. And then some other neighbors came out with their two little girls and their dog Amber, so there was more running and barking. I would say it has been a great day!

Gotta zoom!

Ricky

Rainy Friday

Well, April showers bring May flowers. If that's true we'll have lots of flowers next month! The rain doesn't stop mom and I from walking, but it does stop us from practicing agility in the back yard. Yesterday grandpa, mom and I finished building my new mini dog walk, teeter and table! Thanks grandpa! (And grandma because she hung out with me and made us a great lunch!) We brought everything home and I tried out each obstacle - I'm not afraid of any of the new stuff. But mom needs to learn how to teach me the teeter so that I don't jump off the side. If it wasn't raining, we would be out there practicing right now! It's a lot of equipment for mom to move around the yard, but we think it's going to be lots of fun!

Tomorrow we are going to an agility trial, and we are planning to meet some new friends! We have been avid readers of their blog - they have inspired me to write my own blog, and we have learned a lot from reading about their experiences and training. It will be like meeting celebrities for us! We can't wait!

Gotta zoom!

Ricky

Walk in the Park

Mom and I just came back from a great walk at one of our nearby parks. I get to walk and run on my flexi-lead - I love that! Mom lets me stop and sniff and run ahead of her. I especially love the grassy fields. I usually grab the end of my leash and then run in big circles around mom. A herding dog's dream! Tonight the park was full of people and dogs. Lots of kids doing soccer practice - in shorts and t-shirts even though the temperature was 52! People in Ohio are just so desperate for some warm springlike weather and any time we have a little sunshine, they get crazy and dress like it's summer! I met lots of dogs - big and little - including a tiny black miniature schnauzer puppy. Mom thought I was a tiny puppy when she first met me, but this puppy was the smallest we had ever seen. We also ran into a nice woman who is a member of our dog club. She had three BCs who were all off-leash (lucky dogs!) and wet from swimming in the casting pond! Mom has the hope that some day she will be able to have me off-leash too, but I will have to get over my fascination with cars - I'm trying but I'm not there yet!

Gotta zoom!

Ricky

Tuesday

Today is the day that mom and dad teach viola lessons. It is a very difficult time for me - I get terribly excited when the students come over, and I can barely control myself. (Especially when my favorite vet brings her son - although today her husband came instead - I am really disappointed!) I want to run to the door and enthusiastically greet everyone and bark and jump, etc. So I either have to hang out with mom in her room when she's not teaching or I have to go into my crate. Mom has been working on me just lying down and listening to the lesson - actually had some success with that yesterday when mom taught one lesson on Monday. I was patient and did get to lie in the room with mom. Today, however, I am trying so hard to relax! Maybe mom will take me for a walk when she has a break!

Last night was our fourth pre agility class. It went well I think. We learned to "go around" or just "go" so that I go out ahead of mom - I had to go out and around a couple of chairs and then back to mom. I have done this a little bit and was ok with it. We just need to work on getting some distance now. And we learned front crosses but mom and I already knew how to do them. And we walked a plank flat on the ground - piece of cake for me. Even though the class is mostly review, it's good to hear things explained by a different instructor and it's good to work around different dogs. I only have two more of these classes (we have to miss the last class because mom has to work).

Mom and I have finished painting our dog walk, teeter, and table boards. We put sand in the final coat - hope that works to make them non-skid. We have had damp and cold weather so we are also hoping the paint really dries and adheres to the wood. If all goes as planned, I should have some new obstacles on Thursday!

Gotta zoom!


Ricky