It Happens

 It happens way too fast. This is a photo of Frannie and Spicey, 2 peas in a pod and now they are growing up and taking classes together.

These are moments to treasure when they are young, mischevious and silly balls of hair.

I rather like them around 6 months cause you have them trained to a degree but they still do the craziest things till...what age?

Okay, it's a personality thing. I know an 8 year old that does the funniest things. So, what is this about?

Treasure all the moments. They go too fat for me!

Where Does It Start?

Development starts from the day they are born but a critical part of it is with mom and her pups. The kind of mother she is will help them to find their coping skills, gain trust and be receptive to the world presented to them.

If a mom is not a positive influence on their pups no matter how nicely structured or beautiful they are, they shouldn't be bred. Just like humans, not everyone has the patience to be a 'good' mom.

I am blessed to have amazing moms and it's photos like this one that shows the attentiveness and gentleness that the moms have but at the same time they are protective, teachers, and mentors with much love. It does my heart good to be a part of this.

Big Dog Socialization

This is an old photo but I am using it as a reminder that no matter what the age of your dawg, it is important to expose them to new dogs in a safe way and new envoronments.

Sometimes a big dog doesn't have to do as thing but lay there. This gives them exposure and if you do it a number of times, well eventually that huge thing is not so scary after all.

Leadwork

This is Nathan with Treasure when she was a young thing. He was being highly motivated in getting her ready for the show ring going out in the snow and all.

Sometimes life gets in the way and your motivation is low so you have to find it again.

Has that happened to you with your dawg?

Do you have tips on how to find it again?

To Clean or Not?

Okay, they chew with them, bite and chew on toys and chew items that are supposed to clean and take tartar off so do we have to clean them?

You should but life gets in the way of many of us so bones, things like a spray of Leba II etc will help and in some cases do the job.

Otherwise, when they have a good case of tartar, you ought to get them cleaned so they don't lose their teeth.

We use the Leba and a finger thing that we get from K9groomingsupplies and every now and then we have to get a teeth cleaning but it has reduced the times necessary.

I should be brushing each time I groom. But not all dawgs enjoy your fingers all over their teeth.

What do you do for YOUR dogs?

Why Do we Expose?

We fear what we do not know. By exposing ourselves or our dogs a bit each day, we condition them to getting used to new things. We help them to gain 'good' coping skills when we are consistent and we do it in a positive way.

It's so easy to be too busy and not be able to. We all live very busy lives but it actually only takes 10 minutes to 20 minutes each day. A drive to the park, a walk, a drive to your pet store to get others to treat your dog and say hello. It's all an opportunity to meet and greet humans and canines alike. The more they see in a positive way, the more relaxed they will become and the better they will be.

There are days I don't feel like it especially when I am sick but I do it and at the end of the day. I am glad that I spent that quality time knowing I was helping my dawgs to become balanced. What can be better than that?

Conditioning

 Mommy is still grooming but she has a dinner date tonight with friends so she has to cut this short. She also has to get back to playing retrieve and grooming and I am sure you 'get' that.

Spice will be taken out in the car tonight for her conditioning after Nathan gets home.

No one minds being groomed - just give me the treat. It's magic how slow conditioning works.

No class for Spice or Frannie this week due to March Break.

Spice Finding Pup Play Fun

There was so much puppy fun today. Spice just had a grand time playing with the pups as you can see here. It's good for her and for them.

But she didn't get to go out in the car today. It's another missed day - sigh but tomorrow - we must!!

Life sometimes gets rather crazy. So, we play catch-up!

Wet Dawgs

Well it's been raining and I have much grooming to do tomorrow but I decided tonight it is not going to happen. You can take a break every now and then or cut your dog in a short 'do and forget about it part of the time. It depends on what you want.

We still have training to do with the Spice and Teaka. Teaka is looking for a forever home and she is an amazing dog from Kat and Teaser. You would just love, love, love this dawg as we do. But she needs a forever home vs. just a hang out session with us cause she deserves that.

Off to do cuddling...

No Rest for the Weary

 Just because Daddy is helping out at the show and doing work, he still has to train the Spice. You can't say, I don't have the time or the desire or - well tomorrow.

Okay every now and then you can but you must make those times rare. All it takes is 5 to 10 minutes a day to make a difference. It's worth it, honest!!

If you are at the Purina National show tomorrow at 6900 Airport Road at the International Centre, come and say hello. Nathan and I will be there tomorrow at 9:55am. We are not showing any of our dogs but we will be there helping out and would LOVE to talk to you. Plus, it's great dawg shopping you know. :-)

Frannie in Class

Frannie is a social being and that's not a bad thing - it's actually a good thing.

I just adore her attitude. Yes, sometimes she has to be roped in to focus but that also means she is an intelligent soul with her mind always working.

In class you learn how to get that attention and how to use it. It does work. Treat to nose, bring the treat in the direction you want them to go in, bravo and then give them their prize, the treat.

Frannie's owner is delightful too. She just loves her more than anything and that does our hearts good.

Frannie had her first professional grooming and did really well, we are told.

As you can see, Frannie can be very attentive when she wants that treat. Mommy, you are the best. You have all those wonderful prizes just for ME!!!

We were afraid we wouldn't make class and barely got there on time. The weather was awful and the driving around us even worse. Have you ever gone at a snails pace on the 407? Yeah, we pay for that.

Spice did wonderful in class but she is rather creative with her finish, Nathan too. It's what works.

But she gets bored at times. Okay, I have had enough treats, now what? But she is a good one about non treat, you are great conversations. That's a good thing and will bode her well in the ring.

She's doing well in the car now even looking forward to it but Daddy is her grounding. I look forward to when she is her own grounding but one step at a time. This is a journey into getting her to find her own coping skills no matter what happens or whatever is new.

Starting late to get her out in the car and socialized I thought would be a huge process but its turning into a faster process. Still, we are doing it daily with a day here and there missed and we will continue to do so. It's a must and will give you a better dog to expose, expose, expose in a positive way.

Teaka's Visit

Teaka is just a riot. She can get a bath done and look like this 2 minutes later. What... but I am having fun. She is an adorable dawg with a truly fun personality.

There's a big show in Toronto this weekend so Teaka is either getting shown or we are finding a forever home for her.

Has she had practice? Nah... But that's okay as she is a 'look at me' dawg!

You can't help but love this dog but Spice reminds her, this is HER house.

Spice is off to class tonight. Did she work on finish? You'll have to ask Nathan. heh

What's in Store?

Tonight I get to go to Petsmart to get Fish food for Dennis and practice, practice and practice.

We've been playing retrieve and I usually manipulate it so I get it first every single time even if I have to use distraction.

What does that say about me?

I went out yesterday for a walk with my grannie and enjoyed that. But mommy has been sick - I think she is still sick and that's way crazy so she still plays with us, grooms us but is not up to snuff. That's okay, other than the treat, who really likes all that grooming stuff? heh

Conditioning

We are continuing conditioning. How? Walks, car rides, visits to Petsmart and Global. We also have visitors that come to play with their owners and our crew gets tuckered out, I get to gab with human adults and everyone gets tired and stimulated. It all works.

It's important to expose your dawgs to different environments, people, dawgs all in a safe and controlled environment, of course.

Spice goes to class in 2 days. That also means practice, practice and more practice.

She's starting to like these walks too.

Weaver Visited

 Weaver came to visit. He's not one of our breedings but he comes to visit to play and hang out and then go home and sleep, sleep and sleep. I am sure that is what he is doing now.

There's something to say about that cool winter weather mixed in with vigorous play. Our dogs will sleep tonight too.

Nathan took Spice around the block tonight. She put on the brakes momentarily and then went oh I remember this and didn't even need a treat to be motivated. Tomorrow back to the car conditioning.

Nathan is getting a headache which comes with whatever I have so I am hoping he doesn't get sick as he will be down for the count. Me, I am stupid and keep on going....

Baxter Came for a Visit

 Baxter, Spice's brother came for a visit today with his mom and he had a wonderful time and so did we.

Did Wasabi know him? YEP!

Did he play with everyone? YEP

And oh that coat - soft and wonderful.

WE enjoyed his visit and it was nice that he came over so we could get snuggles and kisses in.

Hope to see him again soon!

PS: We also got a card with a photo from Doozie and Coco - great photo and are they looking wonderful. Now that was special - thanks!!

Puppy Visits

Two of our pups from Wasabi and Abigail's last litter now reside in Montreal. One of our dear friends, Lillian has made sure they are welcomed just as she did with Missy.

Today Charlie went to a visit to Lillian's place and here are a couple of photos that she was so kind to send.

Lillian says she's not sure how Lexi (her Havanese shown in this photo) feels about all these puppies but youngins are good for the soul.

Thanks goes to Lillian for opening her home and sharing the moments with us.

It truly does our heart good.

Charlie is Spice's brother and we are hoping when we go to Montreal that they will get together to play.

I rather loved this photos as Charlie sure looks loved.

It's wonderful to look at Charlie as he actually looks like Risa's last litter. He looks rather similar to the pups we called Deak and Chi.

Thanks again, Lillian!!!!

Second Class

Okay, what do they do in these classes, anyways? These two have so much fun, you wonder if they get any serious work done but they do.

Even Frannie who I want to call 'wild child' calmed down to do what she was supposed to.

Spice was more relaxed. She knew what to expect and her tail never went down.

Gee, this isn't so bad.

That doesn't mean that her car trips and conditioning stops. Nope....it continues.

Practice, practice, practice.

Check out the photos of these wild kids. Honest - they were brushed BEFORE class. hahahahahaha

Spice had a bath today and as you can see she is already dirty. We have mud out in the back and that's where she stuck her face.

I meant it, I give UP!! This is the 3rd time I cleaned her up and I am going to forget about it even if she looks dirty for class. I am too sick for this craziness of a juvenile that loves to be mischevious.

Normally when I am feeling well, I laugh but I am not laughing now that its happened repeatedly.

But Mommy, don't lose your sense of humour. You know you love me!

Here's a scavenger hunt that we do during the 6 weeks in class. It's homework but I am sharing as it is something you can do that will help your pup be all they can be.

1. Expose to a vacuum turned on
2. Go for 3 car rides
3. Have a bath by you or a groomer
4. Meet 2 grey haired senior citizens
5. Meet a person with a cane or wheelchair
6. Visit a garden centre or hardware store
7. Visit the vet, no appointment just sit in the waiting room and tell the vet what you are doing
8. Visit 2 friends at their homes
9. Do sit and down for a stranger
10. Go for a walk with a friend and you stay at home
11. Take 3 biscuits from children of different ages
12. Visit a strip mall
13. Go to 3 different parks
14. Ride on public transit
15. Meet a man with a hat
16. Ride in an elevator
17. Walk along a noisy road each week
18. Meet another domestic animal
19. Take a treat from a man with a beard
20. Take a treat from people of different ethnic backgrounds

Yikes

Too sick but grooming, laundry, taking dogs out and when the son gets up, he will be walking the crew but I am not up for it. Wish I was.

Nathan promised he will take Spice out with Wasabi for her car ride. More conditioning. I went to the door to answer it and she came running to it not away from it. Hey, that's progress. heh

More tomorrow when I feel better.