We had a pretty good tiny dog class today. We started with the group and practiced sit stays. I managed to walk almost all the way across the room and he stayed.
After that we worked on weaves. He's doing decent with them. I'm definitely looking forward to being less busy do we can work on them every day.
To end the night we had social time and Harley came out of his shell and played with his friends.
Wednesday 25 April 2012
Saturday 21 April 2012
Awesome Agility Class!!!
So the little man had an amazing class today, actually "team little" both did amazing (that'd be a poodle and Harley).
So we started with pin-wheels. Ok we made the pocket so small that I couldn't fit in it; however, the point is he did them flawlessly on the first try :D
After a few of those we added a tunnel infront of the pin-wheel, which he did once again flawlessly. To change it up we did the tunnel, beginning two jumps of the pinwheel, and then a front-cross to the first jump and tunnel again. It was a little awkward the first few times, but we eventually nailed it :)
To end the class we worked on rear crosses, so there was a tunnel and two jumps. We were to execute a rear cross between the two jumps and then drive towards one that was off to the side. I was a little concerned because he hasn't had a lot of drive since his recovery; however, I decided we'd try it and just reward him if I messed up. Well he did the cross wonderfully, so I rewarded before the turn. Lastly to finish off we did it once more (the whole line) beautifully!
So proud of my boy!
So we started with pin-wheels. Ok we made the pocket so small that I couldn't fit in it; however, the point is he did them flawlessly on the first try :D
After a few of those we added a tunnel infront of the pin-wheel, which he did once again flawlessly. To change it up we did the tunnel, beginning two jumps of the pinwheel, and then a front-cross to the first jump and tunnel again. It was a little awkward the first few times, but we eventually nailed it :)
To end the class we worked on rear crosses, so there was a tunnel and two jumps. We were to execute a rear cross between the two jumps and then drive towards one that was off to the side. I was a little concerned because he hasn't had a lot of drive since his recovery; however, I decided we'd try it and just reward him if I messed up. Well he did the cross wonderfully, so I rewarded before the turn. Lastly to finish off we did it once more (the whole line) beautifully!
So proud of my boy!
Sunday 15 April 2012
Shopping with mom.
Well today it was my day to reward myself. So Harley accompanied me to Lululemon to go shopping for some running gear. He was a perfect little pup on our way there, heeling to me the whole time, EVEN while we walked past three very stupid pigeons. Success!
As we approached Spring Garden Rd. (on of Halifax's busiest streets) he was on his best behavior. He even stayed in a sit for a Sheltie to walk by him we almost made it the whole way without him barking. Progress!
At Lulu he was good for everyone who said hi to him, and I'm very proud that while in line he didn't bark at the children in the store or the two small dogs that came in while we were in the line up. I'm not entirely sure if he saw them, but either way, I consider the walk to be successful.
As we approached Spring Garden Rd. (on of Halifax's busiest streets) he was on his best behavior. He even stayed in a sit for a Sheltie to walk by him we almost made it the whole way without him barking. Progress!
At Lulu he was good for everyone who said hi to him, and I'm very proud that while in line he didn't bark at the children in the store or the two small dogs that came in while we were in the line up. I'm not entirely sure if he saw them, but either way, I consider the walk to be successful.
Saturday 14 April 2012
Agility
Well we had an awesome class today!
First we started by working on lead-out-pivots, well Harley's not quite ready for the pivot part, but the lead-outs are getting better. While the other dogs were taking thier turns, Harley chewed on his Kong, this kept him quiet for the most part.
We used the kong as his toy today and saw a little more value for that, so that seemed to keep him going.
He had a lot more drive today which excited me, so now we just need to work on getting him to stay when we do a lead-out.
After that we worked on lead-outs with 3 obstacles, a tire, jump, then a tunnel. He aced that one! We ran along with the tunnel but at least I got him to stay at the tire.
Things to work on.... not going under the tire.... practice more circle work around the tire so that if he jumps the tire without me telling him to, at least I can gather him up before he runs back to me under it.
Lastly we worked on some collection and drive, with race-to-reward, and then running and having him collect and stay back with me.
Overall it was a good class, he got a little rowdy at the end, but it was controllable.
Homework: put a jump in his room when it's feed time, make him do a lead-out with his food before releasing him and letting him have breakfast/supper.
First we started by working on lead-out-pivots, well Harley's not quite ready for the pivot part, but the lead-outs are getting better. While the other dogs were taking thier turns, Harley chewed on his Kong, this kept him quiet for the most part.
We used the kong as his toy today and saw a little more value for that, so that seemed to keep him going.
He had a lot more drive today which excited me, so now we just need to work on getting him to stay when we do a lead-out.
After that we worked on lead-outs with 3 obstacles, a tire, jump, then a tunnel. He aced that one! We ran along with the tunnel but at least I got him to stay at the tire.
Things to work on.... not going under the tire.... practice more circle work around the tire so that if he jumps the tire without me telling him to, at least I can gather him up before he runs back to me under it.
Lastly we worked on some collection and drive, with race-to-reward, and then running and having him collect and stay back with me.
Overall it was a good class, he got a little rowdy at the end, but it was controllable.
Homework: put a jump in his room when it's feed time, make him do a lead-out with his food before releasing him and letting him have breakfast/supper.
Sunday 8 April 2012
Visiting with friends
For Easter weekend Harley got to spend some time with his friends. Overall it was a rather successful weekend and Harley displayed some decent manners compared to his last visit with his family.
Harley started his adventure visiting Duke the Beagle. Duke is about 5 months old and is still learning how to behave around other puppies!
Harley took the opportunity to teach Duke that only little agile dogs can be on the furniture, so when Duke was too rough Harley would jump on the couch... and well tease him a little. We all laughed when Duke would lay on the floor on his belly and howl at Harley to come down and play!
Finally Duke got his way and the two of them played for the night. They also got up and played all morning too. This made Duke very happy.
Unfortunately the two spent too much time running around that this was the best of the 30 attempts to take a picture of the two together.
The next day we went for Easter dinner to see cousin Blackie. I am very proud of my little pooch. You see Blackie and Harley haven't really been getting along. Blackie doesn't like another dog in his kitchen, and Harley likes to boss his big cousin around. He gets very sassy with Blackie. Well today after an initial barking match, the two of them calmed down and actually stopped barking. Blackie laid down beside Harley's crate and Harley quietly took treats from me while I praised both boys! SUCCESS! We got 15 minutes of peace and quiet this visit, we'll see if next time we can get 30 min, or even 15 minutes of the two of them loose in the kitchen. :) My only disappointment with the whole thing is that I was so busy treating the dogs (each to a hand) that I had no way to record proof of this event :( oh well, there is always next time.
Friday 6 April 2012
Outing...
Well Harley had a good walk this evening, it was crisp outside, but he definitely had fun. We practiced some loose leash walking, which went well. He tried to bark at some people in excitement while walking, but he did calm down and heel for me. We also did a few tricks along the way, and he was really good with his "ici" when we were crossing the road.
Nice little walk and exercise for him. We used some of the K9 Naturals lamb treats, I wish they weren't so messy, or so expensive they are like puppy crack! He probably would've done back flips if I asked him.
I think our strategy for class tomorrow will be to bring "puppet" with us for when it's his turn in hopes to motivate him more, and bring along some of these treats for the end of class. I also think I'm only going to give him half his breakfast and bring the rest for when class is over. Maybe that'll help him not be so "full" during class.
Nice little walk and exercise for him. We used some of the K9 Naturals lamb treats, I wish they weren't so messy, or so expensive they are like puppy crack! He probably would've done back flips if I asked him.
I think our strategy for class tomorrow will be to bring "puppet" with us for when it's his turn in hopes to motivate him more, and bring along some of these treats for the end of class. I also think I'm only going to give him half his breakfast and bring the rest for when class is over. Maybe that'll help him not be so "full" during class.
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