Introducing Torque!

Torque

There's a new puppy in the family!

Torque (8-week-old French Bulldog) and I got home yesterday evening about 5:30 p.m.

I was pretty darn tired after driving more than nine hours and stressing through the border crossing. All I really wanted to do was drag all my crap into the house and fall into bed. Not even a remote option. I had a puppy to introduce to our three resident nutjobs.

I wasn't really worried about Tango. He's always been a hostile little **** and it was a pretty safe bet his reaction would be to bark his fool head off, lunge at the puppy and try to teach him who was boss. Which sounds scarier than it is, since Tango has about half a dozen teeth in his head and no jaw strength at all. I was right - he barked, chased and growled. Torque basically laughed at him, said "you funny!" and chased after him for more.

Booker and Torque

Teddy was a concern. He's definitely my boy and there was a chance he'd get jealous, decide to hate Torque, or, if we weren't incredibly watchful, do some damage. At first, I thought my fears were coming true. Teddy was incredibly noisy, barking and trying to chase Torque. It turns out that my big boy is just pretty much socially inept. Within half an hour he was play-bowing, waving his paws at Torque, and generally being incredibly adorable and charming. We have to remind him to play nice, but they're well on their way to being best buddies.

Booker was the one who didn't meet expectations. He's an energetic, two-year-old who lives to play. And yet, he seemed a bit lost when confronted with a puppy a third his size. He didn't seem to know what to make of him at all; circling, sniffing. Intrigued, but not ready to engage. By this morning he figured it out - Torque is his new playmate.

Getting ready for prime time

Teddy and I ventured back into the realm of competitive obedience on Saturday. We went to a Correction Clinic (practice obedience trial) hosted by a local club.
I realized when I got there how much my training has changed over the last few years. Teddy was one of only a handful of dogs at the match who wasn't wearing a training (choke) or prong collar. I've become immersed in "positive reinforcement" training. I'd forgotten it was the rule, rather than the exception, to actually use "corrections" at a Correction Clinic.
You don't have to, of course. So I didn't. And Teddy did great!
We tried our hand at both Beginner Novice and Novice exercises and Teddy would have qualified in both if it had been a "real" trial.
So it's time to go for the real thing and actually enter a competition. I spent a chunk of time this morning waffling about it. I found a relatively close trial, with great judges, and sat there with my entry all filled out, thinking "I have until Wednesday, maybe I'll see how he does in class tomorrow and then decide," and "Maybe I'll just enter Beginner, instead of Novice, just to see how he does."
I'm not sure why competition has become such a bug-a-boo for me. Teddy knows what he's supposed to do, I know what I'm supposed to do. And I won't be devastated if we don't succeed. But I didn't seem able to hit "enter" for that entry.
Then my sister reminded me of my resolve. "Just put your big-girl pants on and enter Novice." So I did. Wish us luck!
-Hope

Team for a lifetime

As Roc requires more of my time and attention I worry that Teddy isn't getting enough of either. It's a balancing act that's part of everyone's life, since we haven't found a way to stretch time.
To make sure I'm not falling behind with training and spending time with the Ted-Monster, I go to obedience or agility class even on the days I'd rather just collapse on the couch after work.
I always wind up being happy I went - one of the reasons I have dogs is that I love spending time with them, I enjoy the training process, and it's wonderful when you see your dog finally "get" the behavior you're working on. You can almost see Teddy being proud of himself.
It's also an opportunity to spend an hour - even if it's the only hour you get all week - to ignore all of the stresses and demands on your time. I can shut out everything else when I'm training my dog. Precious time, indeed.
I extend that time for a few minutes every day. Whether we work on a perfect "front" or a faster "recall," or just try to get a few, perfect heeling steps, I meet Teddy's eyes, we're working together, and we're a team.
The training and teamwork lasts a lifetime. Roc remembers all those little things, too. And when I ask him for one of them - his tail still wags.
-Hope

Naughty girl

Dax made me proud at the Rally Obedience Trial a couple of weeks ago in Louisville. She qualified three out of three days - earning her Rally Novice title in just one weekend. Her achievement also won her an adorable, ribbiting frog plush toy from our French Bulldog Performance Palooza. Which she destroyed in less than three seconds today. So I made her wear it. - Hope

Dax says, "Please!"

It's my turn next to go to Florida and have some intense remote work-time at the RV. Dax seems to know this. She has not been happy in the colder weather. Dax loves nothing better than to sit in the sun and bask, and she's being awfully nice to me. She's been sitting on my lap (when I don't even have cookies!) and giving me kisses. She seems to be singling me out for playtime, too. And she's even starting play sessions with Tango! I think Dax is saying, "Take me! Take me! See how cute I am?!" It might be working... - Fran

Yin-Yang

Hard to remember now that last year at this time Dax was doing her best to ignore Teddy's existence. She's finally figured out that he's warm, cuddly, and not getting out of her favorite bed. - Hope

Hard at work

I'd wager everybody'd love to have the perks of my job! Ted's a wonderful butt-warmer and it's really hard to have a bad day with that face around! - Hope

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

Waiting for supper

Dax and Teddy look calm, but they're ready to spring into action as soon as their bowls start moving toward the floor! - Hope

On his way!

Teddy competed last week in his first-ever agility trial, ran two courses (1 Jumpers with Weaves and 1 Standard), qualified in both runs, got perfect scores in both runs, and won third place in both runs. I'm hoping these are just the first of lots of ribbons Ted will earn - but I'm just so thrilled with and proud of these first ones! I apologize to everyone who's been listening to me rave about my little guy for the last week - just can't help it! - Hope

Dirty, dirty Teddy

Every Sunday (when we're home) we have assembly-line dog-clean-up time: mani/pedi, tooth-brushing, face-washing, etc.
Teddy is the only light-colored dog we've ever had. And what does Teddy do after his clean-up? Rolls in the dirt, of course!- Hope

Daxie Tuesday

Tuesdays it's Dax's turn to come to work here at Golly Gear. And as you can see, we really make her slave away at her job! - Hope

Teddy - novice camper

We stole a great idea from our friend Brutus's blog and decided to take you all along as Teddy explored the campgrounds!

Just when he was sitting pretty to show off the sign and landscape, a big, friendly German Shepherd walked by and Teddy had to get up to say "Hello!" very, very loudly. We don't think the neighborhood really appreciated his greeting - it was about 7:30 a.m. on Sunday.

We were charmed by the care and creativity the seasonal and permanent residents show in their landscaping. Ted had to make sure the animals weren't real.


Especially the frogs. There is a weird affinity between French Bulldogs (Frog-dogs) and frogs.

Maybe it's because they wear the same expression.....

Teddy really wanted to check out the lake. Or maybe it was the fisherman's bait bucket.

Sun worshipper

Teddy is a definitely a devotee of summer! - Hope

Happy Birthday baby girl!

Dax is 7 today!

Clean, dry Teddy

Teddy loves warmth. He seeks it out. Yesterday we were cooking up a storm, which naturally led to multiple dishwasher loads - including emptying while still warm to refill. I turned around after putting away some glasses and saw this. - Hope

Spokesdog Teddy!

We're excited to launch our brand new Facebook GG Departments page featuring Hope's Teddy. We had a lot of fun taking the pictures. Three people wrangling one dog. About right, I think. Teddy is featured among items from the departments represented. He's peeking through the leashes, looking in the mirror trying to decide if that collar is right for him, and which treat to try! (Actually, Teddy has tried them all and liked all the treats!) - Fran

Visit from friends!

Our friend Michelle and her wonderful Frenchies Brutus & Carmen (yes! of Brutus the Frenchie fame) came to visit last week. We all played together at an agility trial and enjoyed a good game of bitey-face when we got home!

Carmen is the gorgeous brindle girl, Ted's the fawn, Brutus is dapper in his Fleur de Lis collar.

Ted & Brutus take a time out.

Carmen found a great toy!

Get in there, Ted! Carmen needs some help with tug-of-war!

Bitey Face Mouth Wars!!!

Teddy is 1 today!

Happy Birthday, Ted-monster!

Dax and Tango hard at work

It's really hard to get any work done at the office when the dogs are being so darn cute. Dax (French Bulldog) and Tango (Brussels Griffon) were being particularly adorable today. - Hope