Momma said there'd be days like this...

I love my dogs. A lot. I like spending time with them, doing "stuff" with them, and just hanging out.
Yesterday I didn't like either one of them at all.
Understand that most Sunday mornings without plans are devoted to "dog ablutions" - nails, teeth, ears, etc. Each dog doesn't take long, but when you take care of four (my sister's two and my two), it adds up to a couple/three hour chunk of time.
Afterwards, I just wanted to relax.
Roc was too hot, so I got the cool pack for him to lie on. He settled.
Teddy jumped off the couch and started whining. Booker jumped on Teddy and a vigorous round of "bitey-face" ensued.
Roc got paranoid about the two others jumping on and off the couch and started whining. And shaking, which usually means he has to go outside to potty.
Take Roc out - everybody goes. Booker insists on eating grass.
Come back inside - Booker throws up, Roc poops in the house (his disability means he's not always aware when he has to go).
Get everybody/everything cleaned up, attempt to relax again.
Teddy won't come in the tv room to relax - whines by the back door. Lift Roc off the couch (heaven forbid I leave the room without him), go see what Teddy wants. Mr. "I can't poop when anyone's watching" wants to go out.
Take Teddy and Roc outside.
Come in, attempt to watch tv. Roc's too cold on his ice pack, take it away. Teddy chooses a bone to gnaw on. Booker wants it. More bitey-face, more paranoia, rinse and repeat.
Not the restful Sunday afternoon I'd planned. And, something I never thought I'd say - Tango earned the "Best Dog" award of the day.

Booker

Roc and Teddy

Tango

People with artistic talent

Oh, how I envy people with artistic talent. This drawing was done by a friend who obviously has buckets-full! Tony added the spats and monocle, of course, but aside from that, it's my scruffy Brussels Griffon (B.G.) Tango! He even got the feel of Tango's rough coat. How cute is this! I framed and hung the drawing over my desk here at GollyGear.com so that I can look at it every day. Tony said that he was working on something else and needed a break, so he drew Tango. Imagine that - to be able to just whip something like this out. I'm lucky to have friends with talent! - Fran

Brave little flower

Every spring I buy a pot of pansies for the back yard at home - pansies are Hope's favorites. Plus, the shape of the flower resembles a rough Brussels Griffon face! Well, maybe when Tango's not so scruffy. Most years the rabbits eat the pansies, or they get too much water, or not enough water, or something else happens so that they don't last very long. But this year we were good about watering just enough through the hottest summer we can remember. We weren't going to let those bunnies chew up the results of our hard work, either! So we put the pot on a table where Dax's nemeses couldn't get at the pansies. And here in September, the plant's not looking great, but it's still blooming! - Fran

Ready?

Two paws on, two off the yellow! Getting ready for an agility trial tomorrow. Tango finds it impossible to stay still. While his paws are still, some part of him has to be moving. In this picture, it's his head. Oh well, you get the idea! - Fran

Back from paradise

Tango enjoying the view from outside our camper.

Roc sitting on a picnic bench. He's wearing his Plaid Step-in Harness.

A beautiful Florida Keys sunset.

Tango and Roc joined me on a camping trip to the Florida Keys, and we just got back this last Tuesday. We worked hard, but enjoyed beautiful Knights Key. - Fran

Mega fever!

So, what would you do with 640 million dollars? Tonight is the world's biggest lottery drawing. I bought a few - couldn't resist. Let's dream for a little. I'd buy Tango a new collar - he deserves it! I'd buy me some neat stuff. And I'd buy a new RV to live in the Florida Keys. Buy a cool new building for Golly Gear and Dogs in the Ring. One big enough for a couple rings for an AKC Agility Trial. Sounds good to me. Meanwhile, back to reality and cranky customers, twitchy credit card processing... - Fran

Back from Louisville, with ribbons!

 Last weekend Hope and I went to Louisville for 4 action-filled days of dog shows! We both competed in Agility (Hope with Teddy, and me with Tango), and Hope competed in Rally Obedience with Dax. In just three days, Dax received her Rally Novice title! Tango and I had fun but only had one qualifying run in Open Standard. Teddy and Hope did a little better with two qualifying runs - one in Open Jumpers and one in Open Standard. - Fran

Dax weaving in Rally O

Teddy jumping

Tango going over a triple jump

Happy Day After Thanksgiving!

Happy Day After Thanksgiving, everyone! After digesting that huge meal, we're staying home! Who has time to shop? There's training to continue! Yikes - Tango and I have an agility trial tomorrow and Sunday. While we've practiced and trained, I always feel that there must be more I should have done to prepare. Well, we'll find out tomorrow! - Fran

Keep practicing everything!

Last night was Agility Class, and our instructor included the broad jump in the courses. The broad jump is not an obstacle that we see on a regular basis, but it is required in Novice Standard, and can be included at any level. We hadn't practiced it in a while, and Tango walked across the boards. Boo. But, he was not alone! He remembered what that obstacle was about the second time, but at an Agility trial, you don't get a second chance at anything except the weave poles! Of course, today when I got to the shop with Tango, the first thing we did was practice the broad jump, the chute, and the low table. For dogs who jump 12 inches, like Tango, at a trial, the pause table is set to 8 inches. But in class, to accomodate the most dogs, the table is always set at 16 inches. Not a problem for Tango, but he has to recognize the 8 inch table as a table! So, keep practicing everything! - Fran

Working obedience

A couple of ladies are practicing Open obedience in the ring (Dogs in the Ring) with their German Shepherd Dogs. It's inspiring me to perhaps start working with Tango in obedience. He's been so much better at following my instructions. Agility has really given both of us focus and direction. Tango already walks at heel without my saying anything! And sometimes he sits when I stop - again without my saying anything. Something to think about. Maybe. - Fran

A sensitive guy

Does your dog pick up on your emotions? Tango does. When I'm happy, he's bouncy and silly and races over jumps and through his weave poles. If I'm stressed or unsure, Tango is, too. Figures. I really wanted a "box of rocks" who would do what I told him to, no matter how I was feeling. But Tango is going to MAKE me relax at class or wherever we are. I have to remember that at home, too. No more blowing up at the TV. I guess I need to practise more yoga. - Fran

A good training night!

Last night was Agility Class and I think maybe, hopefully, perhaps? - Tango is starting to get the idea! No snarking, very little barking, he paid attention and pretty much did what I wanted him to do! We worked on handling jumps last night. At the start of our second set, I took my lead-out (yes, Tango stays for a lead-out!) and gave him his release word, pointing at the jump he was supposed to take - and he sat there. And sat there. I waited for him. It felt like days but was only a few seconds. Tango screwed up his courage and jumped, following my direction! And was happy doing it! He got lots of cookies! -Fran

Dynamite (T and T)

Teddy and Tango were being unbelievably cute this morning. Teddy's chomping on a Nylabone, and Tango waited his turn. Because, of course, there's only one good toy in the house. And it's the one the other guy has. - Hope

Yesterday and today

Yesterday we had the Norway Maple tree in our backyard cut down. We were convinced of the need by the number of huge branches, narrowly missing our power lines, house, and garage that had come down during each of the storms that have blasted through our area this summer. It was a bit of a sad/relieved feeling. Relieved we won't have to worry about the tree coming down on its own. Sad because our father planted that tree more than 50 years ago and it's been a constant in our lives.

We are hoping it will have a second life - as our new kitchen cabinets. We found a local company that recycles trees into lumber. Watching them maneuver the giant logs out of our yard yesterday was a nail-biter - but the loader was amazing.

This is all that's left of the tree today. Teddy, as always, sees it-climbs it. Dax always enjoyed lying in that spot when the tree was there. Don't know what she'll do when they remove the stump.

Tango likes to dig in the wood chips and chew on them.

And he thinks its funny. He's right. - Hope

Chillin' in the RV

After we arrived at our campsite last Sunday afternoon, Tango and I took some time to just chill out. This was before the storm Monday morning that knocked power out to over 800,000 people. And knocked out our internet for the better part of the week. This was, in fact, relaxing before the storm.
-Fran

Tango's in Big Boy Class

Last night was Tango's first Intermediate Agility Class! He did great! (Better than I did - I got lost a few times...) I've said it before, but there's nothing that Tango loves more than doing "stuff" - put a jump or a Dog Walk in front of him, and that's what he'll do. I'm so grateful for that, because there was a room full of new dogs and new people - all kinds of opportunities for getting into trouble. But even off-lead, and with a handler (me) who was confused with longer courses than we'd been used to, Tango did the obstacles that I pointed him to. There were a few times between runs that Tango looked askance at a nearby Golden Retriever, but when I told him to knock it off, he looked right back at me! What a good boy! I expect that I'll be able to remember the courses more easily in the next few weeks, and Tango will get used to these dogs, but I was very happy with our first Intermediate Class!
-Fran

Tango's better!

I'm thanking the powers that be that Tango's feeling better. We've never had such a pathetic sick dog before. All Tango wanted to do was cling to me. And when there was snot running down his beard he was not really attractive, and I didn't really want him on me. But that's what we caring dog owners do. You suck it up, put a towel on your lap and let your sick dog take a nap on you. Sunday night in the Land Cookie we watched DVDs, and Tango was miserable on my lap. Fortunately he was feeling better on Monday, and on Wednesday we even had our lesson! Tango's here at the shop with me today. And he's been training very well. (I tried to take a short video of our weaves, but ran out of battery juice before I figured out how to work the camera.)
- Fran

Tango's sick...

Tango has a really bad cold. OK, maybe more than a cold. The vet didn't like the high temperature so she put him on antibiotics and told me under no uncertain terms to keep him home from class last night. We were both bummed about that. It was supposed to be Tango's first night in Intermediate Agility class. I have a great new T-shirt and everything. But Tango was having a hard time breathing, so it was for the best.
And no dog is more pitiful than Tango when he's feeling poorly. Tuesday night he just wanted to be held. Tango doesn't usually like being held. And he cried all night.
Thank goodness he's feeling a little better today, and breathing easier. Hopefully when Intermediate class resumes in a couple of weeks he'll be all better!
-Fran

Graduation?

It's spring, and that sometimes means weddings and graduations. Well, I did get up early a couple of weeks ago for the Royal Wedding (I got up early for Charles' and Diana's wedding years ago, so I sort of felt compelled to see their son's wedding!). And we have a graduation of sorts in the family. Tango has graduated from the Beginning Agility class! Next session he'll start in Intermediate! Look out! I'll do my best to keep his interest away from the other dogs in class, and at the same time try to learn all I can about being the best handler I can be. Yikes!

Hard work and patience pays off

On many two lane roads, in no-passing zones, there are signs that tell you when a passing zone is coming up: "Patience Pays; Passing Zone in 3 Minutes." No matter how annoying that slow-poke is in front of you, you know that pretty soon you'll be able to get by him. So, you possess your soul in patience and look for a better radio station. And soon enough you're in front of him and singing along with your favorite song.

So it is with dog training. You see a problem, work at it, and little by little, you've put that problem behind you. Tango has had issues with other people and dogs. A few months ago we couldn't walk into our Agility class building without him firing up at whoever (or whatever) was walking around. But last night we not only walked into the building with confidence, but he was able to stay at the start line of our sequences, leash off!, with a big dog not 2 feet away from him, and pay attention to me. He started when I told him to, and he stayed with me. What a good boy!!!

Of course, that's not to say that our work is done. It never will be. I'll remain vigilant of the people and dogs around us. We'll keep training our start-line stays. But patience really does pay!
-Fran