Author: kathleen

Actually it wasn’t the first class for either of us.  Dulce came knowing how to show in conformation — has taken a first puppy and a second puppy to a kennel mate.

But this WAS the best class I’ve had.  Joyce Miller — has Airedale’s.  I wanted to do this as a class, would have been a HECK of a lot cheaper.

Also thought it was amusing that she was trying to teach me visualization.  The woman who plays chess in her head and also walks agility courses in her head, does not need help with visualization.

Next week I need to remember to wear the skirt and shoes I think I want to wear in the ring.  Want to see how they work.  I’ve gotten lots of compliments on the skirt and I actually own at least two of them.

Right now, we’re focusing on teaching me how to walk, and I think I did very well since it’s the opposite way of walking when heeling.  I also need to work on clicking her stand, and finding out what exactly I’m looking for.  Camera and TV might be good for that. 

Two nights ago, she was in my office, chewing on a hoof.  I kept glancing at her and she was in the exact same place every time.

However, a few minutes later, I noticed there was some trash on the floor that was new.  She’d puppied an old CPAP mask.  But managed to be in the same spot, chewing hoof every time I looked.  When I said something about it, I could tell — she was saying "not me, mom, I’ve been chewing the same thing in the same place all evening".

Last night, she figured out how to trick Maggie into the living room cage.  I keep one there for when she gets too much, tuck her in with a chewie.  Now remember, Maggie isn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer and is a few fries short of a Happy Meal.

At first, she just led Maggie in.  After a few reps of Maggie popping out of the cage, Dulce turned around and pushed the door shut.  That didn’t work, so Dulce started leaning against the cage door. 

Evil pup. 

I got Dulce’s papers, and sent them off already to be registered. I also went ahead and registered her for a conformation show. Man, was I shocked to see how few shows we have in the area. I had been reading that the numbers of shows were up but entries were down, but that doesn’t seem true around here at all. We’ll have to see how that goes.

FYI: The reason I haven’t been blogging here as much is that I’ve had some school issues, and that I have been in two car accidents where I was rear ended.

We’re doing lots of training and having lots of fun.

I didn’t get home until 6:30 last night.

Dulce chewed for quite a while during my dinner.  Went for a walk with Macy and her daddy.  Trained several short training sessions and was STILL a wild child and wouldn’t settle down.

I’m going to see if I can ea pet sitter in for the next few days during the middle of the day, as I can wear her out if I am home all day.

She is doing really well and becoming a better house beagle ever day.

Fun thing though.  I wanted her to sit down and chew on one thing, rather than roam the living room grabbing non-dog stuff.  I filled a treat toy with cookies. Macy took it.  Found a kong and filled it with chicken.  Macy took it and in fact they had a pretty loud fight over it.  I crated Macy and Dulce disappeared with the Kong.  Husband was worried she didn’t come in. No problem, as soon as I let Macy out, she found it, and Dulce followed her in.

Yesterday I decided the best way to combat depression was to take a few more training classes.  I signed Macy up for six weeks of agility on Monday nights.  We had a good class and got more ideas for working on the teeter.

Dulce’s PreAgility, Clicker Level I class is going well.  We only have one skill to get — down on command, and it’s coming right along.  Then I’ll have to rethink where I want her.  When school is out, we can go during the day which will open up our options. Same goes for working with my social worker.

Dulce’s check was cashed, though I assume I could enter her and show her now as her "agent".  Something I need to check. I’m not ready for conformation, and she probably isn’t either.  She’s a bit thin, though filling out with all the training we’re doing.  I plan to show her at Dallas Market Hall for her first conformation show.

I spent the day deeply depressed – see Computer Science blog – and decided that the best way to solve the problem is to take at least one more dog class, so Macy is going to do agility on Monday nights.  Am also trying to figure out the best place to put Dulce since she’s doing Level 1 / Level 2 clicker classes there.  Probably Thursday night will work best after I see my social worker, have to work it out.

I’ve gotten behind on posting.  See my other blogs.  http://www.kweaver.org/cs and http://www.kweaver.org/blog

Macy’s Rally class was cancelled this week.  They had Canine-Games night instead which was okay.  I wasn’t really in the mood for playing and the first two games weren’t things that either beagle could really do. 

I did however, get to hang around some people who weren’t depressed which is nice. 

Wanted to go to conformation class, but I didn’t realize that there was a big conformation show in Denton.  Should have gone instead but then I wouldn’t have had time to get to the funeral. 

Did have good training sessions at Dog City on Sunday — they have open / free training on Sunday, and we were the only ones there while I was there.  Got to work on Macy’s teeter and Dulce’s general skills.  I really need to work recalls on both dogs.

I have just started teaching Dulce to spin as most of the behaviors we’ve been working on have been passive — down, sit, etc.

Since Wednesday is Macy’s agility night, I focused on Dulce when I got home.  “Crate” is coming along really well, she was able to alternate “Touch” a target stick (I have one that is on a base you can toss anywhere), and “Down”.  Amazing since the adult beagles were in the room.  She also seems to know her name and occasionally comes when I call her.  She isn’t offering much sit today, not sure why.

Right now, Dulce is upset that Macy is ignoring her.  Maggie is barking too. 

I like having a new project!

I try too hard not to go low.  Seriously.

This is my second post for DBlog Week

Imagine if you will, going low when you have a lap band?  And you’ve eaten solid protein and your already stuck.  Not fun.  I haven’t been there, but I don’t like that idea.  So I have been running too high.  Need to get over that.

If I do think I’m going low, I like to eat some really good.  Snickers is high on my list and an excuse since it has protein and sugar, hoping to keep the carbs staying around for a while.

Seriously – and Macy can be too – they are very happy to get the free Science Diet puppy food keeble I got when my sister-in-law checked into the White Rock Marathon. 

Sadly, Bil-Jac seems to be poisoned for her – I’ve used it too much when she’s been car sick.  I know this, because last night at Dog City she happily worked for the puppy kibble and wouldn’t touch the Bil-Jac. I”m sure it’s value as a treat will eventually come back because the stuff is REAL handy.  Easy to toss and get it where you want it.

She’s offering the following:  going into the crate and down.  Those are both Level I and Level II behaviors, so I’m very sure we’ll be done with Level I next week and moving on to Level II.