Training, Socializing & Conditioning

Got to make it all fun! Check out these photos taken today and this video below.

Socialize, Socialize

What did we do today to get Spice be all she can be? Instead of going to Petsmart, we took her to the school and their playground.

This is what we mean by creating fun moments. Sure she will go back to doing Petsmart, Pet Valu, Global etc during the week but she has to think these outings are fun. Right now when I get my coat on she heads for the crate. hehehehe

She started out slow. Where are we? What are we doing here but as soon as the lead came off, she was running with Kat and Wasabi. That's who was with her.

We practiced recall and we played.

I even took a video but have to convert it and who knows how it came out. :-)

I will post it tomorrow if it did. No energy today and I want to watch Idol (I am behind) and cuddle with dawgs and chill.

I do believe today was a success even though she is still saying, no car for me MOM! You have to watch the progress and bank on that adding up if you are consistent.

Daddy still has to practice heeling, table and look at me but he tends to do that just before bed. It works!

What did you do today?

Glossing it Up

Last night we went out to Petsmart. Well, I actually went to Best Buy for a part for a remote control and Nathan took the Spice to practice heeling in Petsmart and scope out new tunnels for the puppies.

We need to do it again, tonight. It's a daily, get her out and like the car thing. She would only heel in Petsmart as long as the treats kept coming. There was a lot of activity in the store. This is a good thing and by class next week, she should have her first lesson of heeling with distractions down pat. She is also working on her scavenger list.

This is how you get a well balanced dog. You ignore the stresses, make the experience fun and be consistent even if you don't feel like going out again like I feel like at this moment. But we must as she counts.

It's sort of like exercise. I don't want to but the end result is really a 'good thing' but it just may take a bit of time to realize it.

What are you doing for your puppy to help them to become balanced?

PS: We are going to get a fish bed for the pups tomorrow so that will be our outing tomorrow with the Spice. I promise pix of the pups in it.

We Survived

Well, we survived the 1st class. Mommy could have brushed me before I went inside. Daddy kept playing with me and messing up my hair 5 ways to Sunday but that's okay. I am a puppy dawg and this isn't a dawg show.

I wasn't sure where we were going and the road was mighty bumpy to class. It was a long car drive. I swore I was going to the vets but then all these big dawgs, then Frannie my half sister and a shih tzu and the rest huge dawgs was there and I wasn't shaking in those white boots of mine but I wasn't totally relaxed either. Still, when the big dawgs came to say hi, my tail stayed up and I obliged them but play, I leave that to Frannie. She's the total play monkey but she hangs out at that shoe store of hers in Whitby and sees all sorts of people and more. Me, I need to get out into the world now that the pups are doing really well.

Daddy got me heeling, doing look at me and I need practice on staying on the left side of him and oh my treats bring them on! I think I can do this. I hear I will be getting treats every night too as Daddy will be practicing 5 to 10 minutes a day and we have a scavenger hunt to complete so tonight I am back out to Petsmart to do lead training in a strange place. Then when I get used to that place, I will move on to Global and then... handling class - oh my.

I hear that also means mom will feed me less to take in consideration the treats I will be getting so I don't get fat. The conformation judges don't like fat dawgs. What the hey is THAT about. Mommy thinks that is totally unfair.

Check out the photos.

Full of Life Frannie

 Well, been to class and saw the Frannie and wow what a little pill. She is so full of life, not afraid of anything. Big dawgs, little dawgs, people - oh you came to see ME!

Spice was going - oh I remember YOU.

I will have to put up some photos tomorrow. Some came out blurry as I had to have the flash off to eliminate a distraction but you will get what I mean.

Spice started out slow. What is this place? She wasn't afraid of the dawgs but hadn't been anywhere but Petsmart yesterday so it took her 5 minutes or so to loosen up and then forget me, she only wanted Nathan and rightly so.

Frannie said, well forget class, Mommy aren't we here to PLAY?

Okay, if you are going to treat me, I will do what you want but please can I play NOW!!!

I wanted to laugh and laugh and at the end of the class, both were playing with each other.

Spice, well she was taking everything serious. Oh and it is serious but every now and then we have to let loose - don't we?

Now to practice daily and take Spice out to the store each day. We have a scavenger hunt to do, you know.

Playing a Game

 Well, we were playing a game of retrieve today getting in some fun. Spice is learning the command 'out' and Teaka wants me to run after her to get it which I won't. So, if Spice gets it first, I get it but if Teaka gets it, she hides it. Logan, he just counts coo. What does that tell you?

Spice is off to class tonight and Frannie is in her class. We are excited to see her again. I will be bringing our camera but seeing that Spice hasn't been out and about as much as she should have due to pups, well I don't expect much except exposure but maybe she will surprise us. We won't be feeding her so..... her treats will be her dinner. She'll work for kibble - can you believe?

I just weighed Spice and she's about 6.3 lbs.

More tomorrow about class.

Falling Down on the Job

I need to get a latest photo of Spice. She gets bathed tomorrow as she has her first class tomorrow night.

Spice has not been socialized outside of the house as we should. She's gone outside, gone to Petsmart twice but it's not our usual exposure. She needs it in a big way but puppies and their health had to play a part in delaying her socialization. She didn't have all her shots so her immune system could be low and she could bring something home. Can't do that with pups. <sigh> It's hard for us as I truly believe that the mind is just as important as the body but we balance this when we have pups.

So, now we play catch-up in a big way. You can tell as today when I took her out to do lead training, she didn't like the cars. She shook and wasn't happy but she did work for treats. A treat motivated dog can play catch-up. We have been here before with Raylan who played catch-up quite fast.

Usually Spice does walks with another so she is distracted but it was just me and her, speeding cars, barking dawgs and now Nathan is at Petsmart and is not back yet. I guess he's doing a marathon of exposure. Tomorrow another exposure. More training at home and more socialization. She'll be more than fine but the first class may not be productive in ways that we hope. We shall see.

But do I feel guilty when I have to delay socialization? YEP! Sure she has exposure to a number of dawgs at home but this is her home so it's not the same for her as it would be for a visitor.

But its okay - we will get there.

PS: Her half sibling is in class too tomorrow.

Puppy Play

There's never a dull moment whenm puppies are involved.

I love watching how they roll about, try their games out on each other and have a great deal of fun.

Today was a non grooming day for most. Tomorrow I start in on washing, grooming and all that entails.

It's Too Crazy

 Just had to share with you a photo of Teaka, Logan and Spice. That crazy human, who needs a BBQ badly (cover is broken) has caught the eye of the canines.

When is spring coming?

White Stuff

 Hey, it's snowing out again! When is true spring coming?

I have to tell you I love this white stuff but soon I will be England bound.

I hope they talk dawg English.

It's going to be hard at the Talemaker house to not have that Ray love.

Nathan & Pups

 Nathan has this thing about pups. He sees only the fun and never anything but.

Here he is playing with Spice and Teaka and having a grand time at that.

Our phone was down today. It seems it was archaic and wet and they finally fixed our lines. I am hoping it lasts. We shall see.

I have had a very tiring day. I am stil under the weather but now our son is too. Got to love it.

No visitors for us unless they want to be sick, sick and sick.

Back to watching pups and crawling on the couch. Good thing both are in eye view of each other - on purpose.

Taking Photos

Taking a photo of Jazzy after he was cleaned up after his muddy, dirty walk was - well almost impossible for Nathan. He was so excited that he was bouncing and running and doing that run like hell thing.

Nathan was trying to snap but he wasn't staying still.

He was so muddy that he had to be cleaned 3 times.

Dima and his dog, the Jazzy will be leaving our home tomorrow and Jazzy will be back hanging out at work.

Yes, Jazzy has a job. He is an official greeter at 'Eye on Fashion' in Richmond Hill. They are in the Brunos plaza on Bayview. Stop in and say hello!

Logan's Visit

Logan is loosening up, getting used to the crew and is starting to play. It took him awhile but it was his first visit here.

It's great socializing to come visit us, hang out and make new relationships.

Our crew all got groomed MANY times today and will be going out on walks just so I can groom them again. Yeah, we are gluttons for punishment but the dawgs count the most - at least here.

Walks

Jazzy waiting his turn for brushoutLet's just say it's dirty out there. I have had to do much brushing and blowing out and wiping feet.

The crew, including the Jazz needs a bath badly but Jazz will get one late tomorrow night or early Friday morning and the rest will get it one at a time.

Rain is coming tomorrow.

It's important to walk your dogs despite the cleanup but wow today just added a load to my 'to do' list. heh

Mellow Day

Due to pups, we are having a low key day. Dawgs are still going for walks, getting groomed and all the usual fun playing and snuggling that goes on but I am photo'd out. Sorry.

PS: Think the Jazz and Risa really like each other.

Pacho's Bath

Hello Darlah and Nathan ..and doggies:

Just a quick update about Pacho.  He is doing great.  We started classes last Saturday at a place called "Dealing with Dogs". There were about 10 puppies, but Pacho was by far the best behaved puppy, and that is not only because I am biased, we were told that by the instructors at the end of the class.  Pacho sat quietly and calmly and played with the other dogs when the time came to do so. The kids were very good with him too. 

I was just grooming Pacho a while ago in the sun and he went to sleep with his paws upwards as I was cutting his nails. I thought that was so good and I did not have an excuse not do a very good job with his nails! He did not like so much to be brushed at the beginning but now he is used to it and even though he doesn't seem to like it, he stays there patiently until I finish.

I hope that all your dogs are fine and Treasure puppies are well too.

Until soon,

Rocio

Marlee Sue Chillin'

From time to time we get photos from our puppy people and it allows us to share. Marlee Sue is Spice's sister.

She's a lucky gal as her family just adores her completely and I can understand why.

I wonder if she is like Spice who just LOVES the outdoors even if it is brrrr really cold.

We are teaching RECALL to Spice.

Wet Snow & Muck

I have a secret. I love visiting and mucking it up in the wet snow.

It is wet today as everything is melting. When we were not playing outside, we were in the den hanging all over watching TV.

Everyone is on some watch thing for Fiona but she's just paying it no mind.

Well, back to it's my toy. I am the winner most times. :-)

A Mom's Perogative

Shall I name this - talk to the paw? That's certainly what Kat looks like he is doing to his mom.

Maybe he's just being smart and shutting up when he should, heh!

We have a few visitors that are having fun so its been busy with company coming and going.

We have been playing in the backyard, inside, in the family room and having a grand time but I am exceptionally late in doing the blogs and now I want to feed everyone, put my feet up and snuggle.

Check out some photos today. I will add more tomorrow but ran out of time today. I hope you understand!

Creativity

Someone istaking photos. This is Abigail and Kat's son, Sparky who resides in Montreal.

His family is creative with their shots and he has his own facebook page. Check it out.

We have Oreo, Majik & Jazzy coming for a visit. Will click them tomorrow as long as we don't have pups coming