scent articles

So we practiced again.

1. First a couple of straight metal retrieves. He needed additional commands to pick it up. I worked a batch on holds and carries, and making him move about and actively hold it, even when I tapped it.
   
2. Metal with one unscented metal. Worked and after some delay, brought back the scented one.
3. Metal with 5 unscented metals. worked and brought back scented one.
4. Metal + one unscented leather. First try brought back leather (though had indicated metal). I just stared ahead and he, after a pause of 5 seconds, went back to bring the metal one.
5. Leather + 5 unscented leathers. worked and brought it back.

It's the fetch, stupid.

Writing it down is helping already. Bo is failing to fetch, not failing to scent. So I need to get him to fetch the metal without any of the quavers and hesitations and "ooohhh I think it has cooties" that he currently has.

scent articles -- the ongoing struggle

OK. Maybe if I keep track of it each day, I will see some progress. so here we go.

1. Retrieve solo scented metal: Bo did not want to pick it up at all, and tried rolling it to me.
2. 3 metal + 1 scented metal: Bo worked the whole pile and slightly reluctantly brought the metal.
3. 3 leather + 3 metal + scented leather. worked whole pile and eagerly brought the leather.
4. 3 leather + 3 metal + scented metal. indicated leather article, then deliberately brought back lather. I ignored, smiling at pile for a minute, nothing. so I resent him. He worked sniffed the metal, thought about it, and then picked up a leather. stopped after a foot or two, and stared at me. I stood and smiled. He dropped, went back and considered the OTHER leather. He chose not to and stared running away. I pointed out the metal one and he picked it up and brought it to me.

(sigh)

Small Dogs in Snow

Bo and Tip versus Snowmaggedon.
Or was it Snowpocalypse?? I've lost track.


The smalls live up to their name -- 10 and 11" tall at the shoulder. The most recent snow storm came in at 27". (and there's more on the way tomorrow night!).

Although the storm stopped the postal service in its tracks, Bo and Tip were not deterred. The snow suits completely rock. They are by K9 Top Coat. Tip would do OK without it, but its necessary for Bo! Bo's coat attracts snow balls faster that you can blink, and then he is quite miserable. As the coat covers much of his belly and leg furnishings, he can run around with only minimal snow ball accumulation. (If you think that's funny. you try running around with hug ice balls wedged between your legs and see how much you like it!).

Most of the neighbors who saw this pair out for their constitutional towards the end of the storm just about fell down laughing. Tip's bright red union suit was good, the ridiculous fluffy heads and tails poking out were good, but the fact that the dogs were prancing along on top of the snow, while the rest of the world was slogging through more than 2 feet of snow did the trick!

However, as you can see, Bo and Tip were pretty worn out by the whole affair, and took naps while snuggled up in their other doggy coats...

Oriole Agility Trial = Snow. What is with that????

Tip and Bo had an excellent time at the Oriole Agility trial. Where once again it snowed and made the drive home very long, slow, and tricky. Who forgot to pay off the weather god?

Bo finished his Open Fast title on Friday, and got a bonus leg on Sunday, in which he FINALLY did the weave poles -- third time was apparently the charm. We also had a lovely run in standard, but NQed. (Yes, there will be much weave pole practice in our future! Once the snow and mud go away!)

Tip ran in Novice Preferred Jumpers with Weaves. First trial ever! He was GREAT! He even Qed! (I won't brag about getting first place, because he was the only 4" dog in the class).

Bo and Tip also got to go around the huge (and hugely crowded) Pet Expo. Tip thought that he was finally getting his due -- people had only to see him to rush over and gush over him. Let's be clear -- they were carried through the Pet Expo by yours truly.

We also had the great good fortune to get to see their breeder, Suzanne, and Tip's brother Tino. Tino was very very good and Suzanne finally got to see Bo run!

two bath morning

mud and papillons = not better together, especially if you throw some squirrels into the mix.

Then once your papillons are nice and clean and white again, you are loathe to let them out into the mudpit formerly known as the "back yard". Tip is on my lap, and Bo is in Tip's crate, at my feet. They are both entered in agility next weekend. Tip is in Novice Preferred JWW, mostly just to see how he does at a trial, since I have not been able to practice weave poles for weeks...

That was November?

Bo and I had one outstanding agility weekend and one dismal agility weekend. The excellent one was at the Capital City Cocker Club trial at Cedar Run where he finished his AXJ title and got his first excellent standard leg. The dreadful weekend was the Virginia Ruff Riders USDAA trial at Cedar run: many runs, many NQs, even at the starters level!!! Oh the shame!!! But even that had its bright spots, like the couple who went out of their way to complement me on what a great team we were.

Tip came out with us and even got to try the practice jump at the USDAA trial, once he got over his first initial nerves. I wanted to point out to Bo the nice stay Tip had...

Bo and Tip have a new girlfriend: Freedom the Canaan Dog. She is a nut. She broke Tycho's leather lead bolting after a squirrel! Luckily she's a good girl and came back when we called!