Monday, September 08, 2008

I guess there is a benefit to the whole leash tug-thing

This is really funny video. Watch it all the way to the end. Although that lead out is pretty darn big!

I don't think I would be comfortable competing in a non-secure (fenced) ring. Luckily all our local outdoor trials at least have snow fencing and some have chain link. It looks like this one just had poles with tape, like crime scene tape. :-) I think that's the way they do it in the UK too.
I surprised stuff like this doesn't happen more often.

Friday, September 05, 2008

A weavepole breakthrough for Spot

Spot is very handler-focused, which is somewhat different than Shelby who is more obstacle-focused. So I'm used to Shelby giving me more leeway as far as following my hand signals and verbal cues and knowing that she should take the next obstacle, not caring so much about exactly where I am, or my path.

Spot is super tuned-in to me, so if I don't run the right line and have to take a step out, it can pull him right off a jump. He's also very into treats, so he watches my hands closely.

I had been having a problem with the weave poles because it was like he didn't even see them. I would try to cue them with my hand, and he would run right by them, around them, etc. So then I tried putting the jackpot toy on the ground just beyond the poles and seeing if that would draw him through. That worked a little better. This is using the 2x2 method, BTW.

Last night I asked Carolyn what else I could try. She suggested not cuing at all. Just having him at my side and walking close to the poles. It worked really well! He wanted to be next to me, and he saw that the poles were there, so he did them. It only took a couple tries before he understood that he needs to go between the poles to get me to throw the jackpot toy. I practiced on the right and the left and he did pretty well.

Eau No!

I reached a milestone as a dog owner last night. My first dog/skunk encounter!

Around 10:45pm, Shelby asked to go out, so I opened the door and as she ran down the steps, she suddenly zoomed across the lawn and started growling. Usually that means there's a cat outside or something.

But this time she was right next to the porch, so I peered over the railing and saw the black with the white stripe and I knew immediately it was a skunk. I tried to call Shelby off, but she wasn't having it. I didn't want her to get sprayed. I didn't want to get sprayed either. Unfortunately almost immediately I smelled a nasty odor. I was just hoping it hadn't been a direct hit.

I ran inside to get my shoes and my flashlight so I could keep an eye on the skunk. Shelby had it cornered under the front stairs. When I took a look I could see it was a small skunk, not quite a baby, but not full grown either. I tried to grab Shelby, but she kept evading me, running under the stairs from side to side, barking her head off the whole time. I'm sure the neighbors were loving this.

This went on for about 15 minutes, until Shelby started getting tired. Finally I was able to grab her by the tail (thank goodness for the Parson tail handle!) and pick her up. She was definitely stinky, but not too overwhelming. Her eyes were watery, so I washed off her face. She was panting really heavily, for about 15 minutes afterwards. I was a little concerned, but she eventually calmed down.

The little skunk was very valiant. It was stomping its feet and charging at Shelby if she got close. This morning when I let the dogs out, Shelby headed directly under the porch, but thankfully the skunk was long gone. I'll be checking the yard before I let them out tonight!

Thursday, September 04, 2008

That's what I call a sticky situation!

So, here's an example of what you expect from Parson Russell Terriers.

We were out at Holly's barn for a BBQ, and I had the dogs off leash. They were doing fine, keeping themselves occupied. They had cornered a chipmunk under the port-a-pottie and were trying to figure out where it went. Everyone was entertained by their hunting behavior.

I'm hanging out and talking, and turn around to see this:






















They were covered with these little round briar-type things. All over their faces, their bodies, feet, tails, you name it. Spot wasn't too bad. We had a horse comb and they came off pretty easily. Shelby decided to rub her face on the ground and they got all tangled in her hair. I just finished getting them all out yesterday. :-)

Big dogs up to task of helping disabled - The Boston Globe

Big dogs up to task of helping disabled - The Boston Globe

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