Wordless Wednesday

Buddy's New Game

Buddy got to try out a new boredom busting game this morning; Find out which cup the treats are under.

Reader tip; The treats are always under the blue cup.

This was another thing Zukes Mini Naturals were perfect for, because they have a very weird noticeable smell.

At first he didn't get it.

""Why does she keep poking those things?""
Because I was trying to get you to notice them!

But after I wiggled the cup around a bit to let some of the smell waft out to him, he had his lightbulb moment, and from there it was all fun for him!

Round 1

Your guess is as good as mine as to why
he chose to push it off the back when
it was already hanging off the front. ???

Round 2

""Is that all?""

Training Woes and Celebrations

Buddy is driving me crazy with this loose leash training. I've been rewarding him every time he comes back to check on me, with the thought that he would begin to do it more. Sometimes, it really feels like it's working, and he'll stay at my side for an extended periods of time. Then he'll just run to the end of his leash and walk ahead of me. And if there's so much as one distraction (this morning it was a stray cat in the yard) I can kiss his focus goodbye. The CGC is only about two weeks away, and I'm beginning to think we may not be ready for it on time.

I'm sure they'll be holding another test in a few months, though, or if nothing else next year. So maybe we can't do it this month, but even if we can't, I'm sure we'll get it next time. And of course, a miracle could fall upon us, and he could learn to walk on a leash in the next two/three weeks. I'm not banking on that last one, though.

Something that's really helped speed his training along, though, is his Zukes Mini Naturals Treats! I was impressed with how much harder he was willing to work for them; He does even more than he will for a hot dog, and up to now those have been his favorites! He now stays, even when we're outside, with my grandmothers dog trying to entice him to play. He gets pretty antsy when I'm close to getting back to him, but he'll still hold a down or a sit. Not a stand though--And to be honest, I probably won't bother training a stand-stay, as I can't really think of a situation where down or sit wouldn't work.

Staying like a Star!

Wagging tail because I didn't abandon him.

Coco says hi

Staying in a different spot and
probably getting annoyed with me

Coming at my call

Impulse control

Or, as Buddy calls it, torture.

Black and White Sunday

Glorious Fur

Buddy and I are singing the praises of Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Formula! We're only three weeks in, and already Buddy has regrown enough fur that you have to dig to see the skin on his back; Which is a nice, creamy/gray color, just like the rest of it.

Pic from a month ago

Pic from today!

Wordless Wednesday

Do I get belly rubs now??

Where's The Loyalty?

As some of you know, my father has recently moved back in with us. (which is quite the adjustment, hence why I've been so spacey recently, not just here but everywhere. I've got to get myself back into a routine before I lose it!!) This entailed him giving up his job, as it was simply too far away for him to keep it up. He's waiting to hear back from a job right now. A key thing to know about my dad; He can't stand feeling useless. Recent activities include push mowing our two acres of land--with a perfectly good riding mower collecting dust in the garage!--cleaning the entire house--which was already clean--and pretty much taking over mine and my mothers trips to the flea market on Saturdays. No complaints from me on that one!

Another job he's chosen to spearhead is Buddy's care. Walking, feeding, brushing, bathing, he's taken it all over. Except for training for the CGC, he does it all. Which means that now, when Buddy wants to go out, it's my stepdad he's running to. When he's hungry, it's my dad he nudges towards his crate. I don't want to say anything (like I said, he's got another job lined up, he just needs the paperwork to come back) but my dog is starting to be.. not mine. Which let me tell you, kinda sucks. I like not being solely in charge of him, but damn it, where is all this mystical loyalty people talk about? I've been taking care of Buddy for a year and a half, and my dads been here two weeks tops. Ick. Sorry for the rant guys.