Snow Wins Out

Finally got Kona out in the snow and much to his amazement he actually liked it.

This was Roxie snow diving. She dives into the snow as if she is diving into a pool. It's a riot to watch her. Too bad its supposed to rain on Monday so we have 1 more day of snow fun.

Do you notice Kona's eyes closed? This was after him jumping through the snow. Poor dog was falling asleep standing outside. We took him inside as Nathan said the glare was bothering his eye and so he sat down on the recliner. Kona jumped up on the couch and made a leap for the back of the recliner to settle into Nathan's head on the back of the chair. First time I saw this I went yikes but he's so agile and so concise on his jump that he always manages to get to the target. No one else has ever done that trick. Still, I put down cushions all around the chair in case he didn't make the back of the chair but he always does and with ease, I might add. I am surprised he had that much energy after coming in cause seriously he was falling asleep standing up outside.

He is so fast asleep now that even a loud noise didn't wake him up. See what playing in the snow does for you?

Daisy thinks she has a new toy and she is named Dusty. Dusty doesn't know quite how to take it as Daisy kept capturing her. When they got inside Dusty had enough and told Daisy - I don't think so. Dusty is like Truffie - a mild mannered gal till enough is enough. I think it shocked Daisy but then a bit later they were on a more even keel and playing much better together. Relationships unfold and they need to learn effective communications. After grooming Daisy will be heading home. She will be missed!

Dusty finds my tree peony mighty tasty. <sigh>

Boo continues to act as the kid that he is. He plows through the snow. Delights in the play and I think he thinks he has gone to dawg heaven. What a character he is. His parents are stuck and can't get home so he is hanging out here for a couple of days. He will be missed.

Coops is up in Huntsville getting less knots than when he visits us and we have snow. His play with Cody was amazing. But when Cody's dad was here (I was grooming) I overheard that Cody was saying - that's MY dad not yours. Silly funny!

Logan who is visiting for Chinese New Year decided he was NOT going to jump in the snow. He just walked around - played a bit with Panda and Roxie and came in and settled into the couch and fall asleep. So unlike the play monkey. That's okay, Kat just wanted to investigate and watch too. I get that!

The dawgs - they are so interesting - each and every one of them.

Me, I am in pure agony. I overdid it. My neck, my back, my arms are crazy sore and my muscles seem to be jumping - weird feeling. I am glad I got the grooming done. Just Daisy and a break till the next day - of course.

I am praying it doesn't rain on Monday.

Oh, and you guys out there - if you want the BEST truffles in town for Valentine's Day best head to the Longo plaza in the Bayview John area. Ultimate Truffles resides there and hands down they make the very best Truffles I have ever tasted and I have tried a ton as they are my faves.

Check out the message below as we have an update from Laci. We have missed her updates!

Laci Update

Abigail - Laci's MomCheck it out on Abigail's blog. The regular updates will be done later. I am too exhausted from grooming due to this snow. I am trying ever so hard to motivate myself to do Roxie and Truffie and Risa as they are the ones I didn't get to yesterday as I ran out of steam shoveling.

Keep saying GET IT OVER WITH and I know Nathan will say let's go out and run in the snow and the dogs will need grooming again.

Boo's parents plane canceled till Monday. Going to be fun that day as they said mud and rain is a coming.

Snow Gallery

Here's the gallery of when Lilly and Timmy visited. Hope you enjoy. Me, I have to go out and shovel. Dennis is exhausted and sleeping sitting up so its my turn.

Another Snowy and Dry Update: 2nd Update Today

Click on Photo for a Larger View

Timmy and Lilly came over for a visit and this is a just washed photo of Timmy. We had the crew out in the snow. Kona and Dusty thought the up to my knees snow was a tad ridiculous but Lilly as little as she is jumped in and out right along with her Timmy. Fiona refuses to even go out.

Nathan or Dennis MUST shovel paths as it is too deep for the Kona and Dusty and Fiona. It is getting deeper all the time. The men in my life are waiting till it stops - yeah right well I should shut up as Dennis is now doing the front but hey I care about the back. Nathan is taking a nap with some of the dogs. Look for a fun gallery later.

Doesn't Timmy look gorgeous?

Snow Keeps Coming

Nathan shoveled the deck and he needs to do it again - oh my. It's a slow and steady keeps coming thing. I have to wash Boo as he heads out tonight - but then again maybe not as flights have been cancelled everywhere including Toronto today but we must be ready. My grooming room is still a wreck. I have to brush all the dogs and shower. But here I sit typing away. hahahaha

Dick and Irma - you tell me. We can do this tomorrow too. I have been trying to be greedy and getting some learning time in while we are in this lull by having some weekends. If it is tomorrow you will have to do 10am as Cooper is going home at 11am.

Dusty says this white stuff is so much fun but this morning I sank into it to my neck. Where was Mommy's camera then? Silly lady. It should always be in her hand.

PS: The cleaning ladies have cancelled today (usual on Fridays) so I suppose I am supposed to clean. Friday is usually Dennis and my day off from that. :-) Got to have some treat.

Oh Oh

Snow is coming. Dusty needs MUCH training. Her latest antic is to hide under the deck and Nathan has to go get her. After about the 4th time - we can be slow like all of us can be, we decided recall needed to be practiced. So upstairs she went and by the time we were done for today, she was running back and forth without hearing come. What a smarty pants. Tomorrow no treat unless she hears the command.

Not sure if we are going to get the big huge storm but it is slowly coming down.

Here are just a few photos taken today. Just not up to going through all of them. So, I hope its okay to see a few.

Ty was here and gone today but just before Julie left she showed us Ty's latest command of play dead and sleep. :-) What a riot.

Daisy's home has workmen in it doing smelly stuff me thinks and she is playing up a storm. Cody was playing with Ty whenever Kona was otherwise focused on the frisbee. At first it was Ty and Kona as a team. it helped that we brought them out first alone.

Cooper thinks Boo is so fun and he relishes play growling and rolling all over the place. Each time Panda and Roxie play though he makes Roxie his own. I want to figure out what that extra something Roxie possess cause the boys all try to covet her.

Everyone is now chilling all over the place with us or with Dennis in the TV room.

Still waiting for the big storm to hit.

I did brush the Coops up but he adores sticking his face in the cedars. I may need a neutralizer to get the smell out. Funny cause Kat does the same thing. Haven't figured out what that is about except they get their face mighty messy.

Interesting thing to note, Logan didn't want Cooper to play with Panda but could care less if he played with Roxie. Interesting dynamics and this afternoon it could and usually does all change - which is quite the norm.

I just love it! Sometimes its like a school playground.

TV Room Snoozing

Dusty and NoraNoraKonaDustyKona and NoraKona and NoraTreasure YawningBoo ChillingDusty and Nora

Just TV time early this morning after our outdoor run and before the Coops came. Tonight we watch Smash. No photos - just dogs laying all over us. It's the best!

Cold Play

Working on a photo gallery of the play today. Just finished washing the Kona and found his coat really looks good using the new Pure Paws Shampoo and Conditioner combo. He really has a multitude of colours in his coat - nice!

This way in 2 weeks when he sees mom he can look beautiful. :-)

Gallery is now here. Kona - just cleaned photos tomorrow. ;-)

Things to notice - Spice is full out playing now - back to being her crazy usual self more and more.

Kona is playing with boys and girls. You can't see it but he covets the frisbee and tries to intimidate the others away from it. This is a Treasure and Jeannie manuever so we are working on all 3 to not covet - just play.

Kona can jump up in the air and grab a piece of popcorn the highest I have ever seen. Nathan has a habit of doing this with Terra with popcorn or treats - helping her perfect her mid-air catches and Terra has looked so confused when Kona gets to it first. Kona is so fast!

Birthday Wishes

Check out Abigail's blog!

Winter Pruning

Got to love a gal that helps you prune your prized Japane Maple. I do love her so!

Here are a few photos of the day.

Kona and Roxie

Kona and Roxie

Boo and Jeannie

Boo and Jeannie

Boo and Jeannie

Kona, Roxie in Back, Jeannie and Boo in Front

I truly love the play!!

Attention

If you are starting to train your dogs the first command you should be working on is 'focus'. Distractions are a large part of life, and you need to teach your dog to ignore them and pay attention to you. There are various names you can use. You can say Look or Focus. It's not the word though you must be consistent but the action attached to it.

Each time your dog looks at you like this, click if using a clicker and add the name you are tagging to the action. Each time she looks at you tag it with the name you are associating with the action and then treat.

It will make future training easier and help you in many situations.

Breaking the Run

Over the years we have found certain things have had to be put in place when you have multiple dogs.

Our dogs LOVE going outside here as we go out, play games, run with them, do retreive and have a crazy time. So, that doorknob gets turned the excitement ramps up.

With this weather we have ice under the snow so we did something so simple as turning our picnic table  on the lower deck sideways to stop the direct flow of traffic. Why? Well they can hurt their legs and just like us when caught up in the moment we lack common sense at times. This interrupts it - something so simple but so effective.

This is a recovery day. We have had a lot of play but I haven't been clicking. I need a couple of days to recover from pups going. Hope you understand.

The dogs are going to LOVE having this room back. They enjoy the extra room.

Check it Out

Be sure to check out some Goldie Play!

Socializing

It's important to socialize your dogs SAFELY with all types of dogs. When I say all types - each like us have different ways of interacting with each other. It is important to expose them so they get conditioned.

Today Boo who is a big play monkey found Timmy overwhelming at first. Why? Timmy has this fun, bowl you over, I am here spirit and Boo wasn't sure how to handle that. As time went on and it was a short time, they started playing and Boo understood the communications and the intentions. Both are puppies about the same age and are learning.

If you do not expose your dogs (this is why we have so many play dates etc) it is more difficult as an adult and a slower process to gain these communication understanding skills. But don't give up. Never say never. They can and do gain those skills as adults. They are just more set in their ways and not as trusting and receptive at times so the process is longer.

By socializing you help them gain their social skills, become more confident and understand the variety of ways each dog communicates and be able to pick up on the similarities and gain that understanding quicker each time they get exposed.

The critical stage is that first year but they need to socialize SAFELY throughout their lives. When doing so, you will appreciate the result!