From Bella!
EARLY SEALYHAM TERRIERS
4 years ago
Friday, December 17, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Guess there is always next year...
For months now my dog club has been discussing the idea of participating in the local Christmas Parade this year. The plan was to do drill team type demonstrations for the duration of the 5 mile parade route.
I really wanted to participate with Bella as this would provide a great socialization experience for her to be around so many people. But I felt that it would be pushing it to expect her to not only be around all of those people, but to also do drill team exercises.
I got my hopes up when, at our last meeting, they discussed the situation in more detail and offered that anyone who didn't feel that their dog was ready for the drills, could still participate in the parade by just walking along behind those doing the drill exercises.
At that point I started to get excited thinking that "we can actually do this!" Then they announced the date and time of the parade...
December 4th at 5pm.
Crap.
Where will I be on December 4th at 5pm?
In Long Beach at Eukanuba!
No parade for us this year, dang it.
I really wanted to participate with Bella as this would provide a great socialization experience for her to be around so many people. But I felt that it would be pushing it to expect her to not only be around all of those people, but to also do drill team exercises.
I got my hopes up when, at our last meeting, they discussed the situation in more detail and offered that anyone who didn't feel that their dog was ready for the drills, could still participate in the parade by just walking along behind those doing the drill exercises.
At that point I started to get excited thinking that "we can actually do this!" Then they announced the date and time of the parade...
December 4th at 5pm.
Crap.
Where will I be on December 4th at 5pm?
In Long Beach at Eukanuba!
No parade for us this year, dang it.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
A Walk in the Park
Yesterday afternoon Bella and I went for a walk at the park. We had just about finished our first lap when a lady with a White Shepherd pup approached us. She said asked how old Bella was, I told her about a year and a half. The lady said that her pup was the same age. She then said that her dog was very dog-shy and asked if we would mind if she would just follow us for a while to try to get her dog comfortable walking near Bella. Of course we were happy to help.
Bella set an awesome example and just kept on walkin' right along with me. She looked back once or twice but I think that was more because of the lady and not the dog. After another lap the lady was able to move up and walk her dog right next to us. She was surprised at how well her dog was behaving. Both dogs behaved beautifully!
It worked out quite well for both of us actually, because the other dog had a positive experience with another dog and Bella had a positive experience with a stranger.
During our walk, the Shepherd Lady kept commenting on how well behaved Bella was, and that she had always loved and admired the "Pitties" but that she didn't feel she could handle one. I commended her for being responsible enough to understand that. "Pitties" are great dogs if they are raised and socialized properly, but like any breed, they are NOT for everyone.
Anyway, Shepherd Lady and I had a good conversation about dogs, training and how they help us be more balanced people. Though the lady was on the right track, I was able to give her a few training tips that might help her and also referred her to Trainer Guy because I'm sure he could really help the few issues she was having with her pup. I hope she goes. LOL Maybe I could get a freebie or a discount for referring her.
After we had finished our laps I left the park with an awesome feeling.It was such a great experience for all of us! Bella behaved beautifully with both the other dog and the strange lady. And we were able to help socialize and educate another dog and owner!
Bella set an awesome example and just kept on walkin' right along with me. She looked back once or twice but I think that was more because of the lady and not the dog. After another lap the lady was able to move up and walk her dog right next to us. She was surprised at how well her dog was behaving. Both dogs behaved beautifully!
It worked out quite well for both of us actually, because the other dog had a positive experience with another dog and Bella had a positive experience with a stranger.
During our walk, the Shepherd Lady kept commenting on how well behaved Bella was, and that she had always loved and admired the "Pitties" but that she didn't feel she could handle one. I commended her for being responsible enough to understand that. "Pitties" are great dogs if they are raised and socialized properly, but like any breed, they are NOT for everyone.
Anyway, Shepherd Lady and I had a good conversation about dogs, training and how they help us be more balanced people. Though the lady was on the right track, I was able to give her a few training tips that might help her and also referred her to Trainer Guy because I'm sure he could really help the few issues she was having with her pup. I hope she goes. LOL Maybe I could get a freebie or a discount for referring her.
After we had finished our laps I left the park with an awesome feeling.It was such a great experience for all of us! Bella behaved beautifully with both the other dog and the strange lady. And we were able to help socialize and educate another dog and owner!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Cuddle Bug
This past Sunday I decided to spend the day resting (recuperating from our birthday party the night before) and catching up on some of my DVR shows. I invited Bella to join me on my bed (since the only DVR in the house is in my bedroom) for some one on one cuddle time.
At first she wanted to play, but once I convinced her that my bed was not the place for that, she settled right down.
I wish I would have had batteries in my camera. She looked so content, with her head on my lap snoring away!
I would have liked to stay like that all day! And apparently so did she, when I tried to take her out for a potty break I had to pick her up to get her off of the bed! She did NOT want to move!
I love my Sadie too but she's just not the cuddling type, neither is Stimpy. But I love my very willing cuddle bug, Bella!
At first she wanted to play, but once I convinced her that my bed was not the place for that, she settled right down.
I wish I would have had batteries in my camera. She looked so content, with her head on my lap snoring away!
I would have liked to stay like that all day! And apparently so did she, when I tried to take her out for a potty break I had to pick her up to get her off of the bed! She did NOT want to move!
I love my Sadie too but she's just not the cuddling type, neither is Stimpy. But I love my very willing cuddle bug, Bella!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
This might work...
When I was browsing on a Rally yahoo group that I belong to, someone linked to a really great dog training website. For fun I decided to take a peek and see what all it had on it. It's quickly turning into my new favorite site!Especially since Bella has been having so much trouble. Her recall is non-existent ever since the "incident" in agility class. I've been trying to figure out a way to start from scratch to re-teach her.
I think this might be the answer to my problems:
http://www.dragonflyllama.com/%20DOGS/Levels/ByLevel/1Level.html
Now if I can just find a volunteer to help me...
I think this might be the answer to my problems:
http://www.dragonflyllama.com/%20DOGS/Levels/ByLevel/1Level.html
Now if I can just find a volunteer to help me...
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Good day
Today Bella and I volunteered to help out at the registration table a the fun match, hosted by my dog club, NABOC. The registration table is a great chance for both of us to meet and greet lots of people and their dogs.
At first Bella was really nervous, with her tail tucked tight, at all of the activity of the set up. But once we got our spot situated at the table she started to settle. At first one of the ladies suggested I tether her to the table but it wasn't a heavy table, if I had and she bolted it could have been ugly. I ended up tieing her leash around my waste so I had my hands free but also so she couldn't bolt if anything did startle her. Actually it's a good thing that I didn't tie her to the table because shortly after I tied her to me, a pup wandered by and hit the trash can next to the table making a scary noise, Bella jumped and tried to run. Other than that though there were no further surprises and she did quite well.
We shared our cashier/registrar duties with another really nice couple from the club. They are great with Bella, as they have a Springer Spaniel who also has fear issues. After we had been sitting there for a while Bella let both of them pet her, especially the husband. Once I felt she was comfortable I even handed the leash over long enough to leave her with them so that I could hit the restroom. They said she watched for me the whole time, but didn't panic even when I was out of site. When I returned I gave her lots of praise and treats for being such a good girl.
We met lots of great people and beautiful dogs today, there was a really good turn out; I'm anxious to hear how much money the club made from the event. There were a wide variety of dogs there everything from the usual Aussies', Labs, Goldens, to some others like a Bull Dog, two other Pitties, a few Rough Collies, a Ridge Back, and even two African Boerbel's, a breed which I'd never met in person before. They are large, beautiful dogs, but not quite as large as I had imagined them, the were neat to see.
Anyway as the day grew on and the registrations became more sporadic I decided to take a break and go ahead and try Bella in the Rally ring. While waiting we ran into a few friends from some of our other classes and chatted a bit, which made the wait time go by quick. Before I knew it we were up. Bella did OK, not great, but OK. I didn't expect too much since I have not done much real training with her lately. We pretty much had the same problems we did last time in the ring. She was really distracted and would rather sniff the ground than pay attention to me, despite the hot dogs in my hands trying to bait her. We slowly and sloppily made our way through the course. The one GREAT thing though was that I didn't have to touch her to make her sit, she sat quickly and reliably each time she needed to, at least I can say that was an improvement over last time. :)
After the rally ring we returned to to the table to help hand out lunch tickets. We hung out for a little while longer and then decided that we had enough for one day so we said our good byes' and headed to the parking lot.
Though we didn't blow anyone away in the ring Bella did really well with her socialization, and I really think that if I keep working on that and get her more comfortable in that type of environment our troubles in the ring will solve themselves. As long as I take my time with her I think that eventually she could earn at least her novice titles.
Overall it was a good day. :)
At first Bella was really nervous, with her tail tucked tight, at all of the activity of the set up. But once we got our spot situated at the table she started to settle. At first one of the ladies suggested I tether her to the table but it wasn't a heavy table, if I had and she bolted it could have been ugly. I ended up tieing her leash around my waste so I had my hands free but also so she couldn't bolt if anything did startle her. Actually it's a good thing that I didn't tie her to the table because shortly after I tied her to me, a pup wandered by and hit the trash can next to the table making a scary noise, Bella jumped and tried to run. Other than that though there were no further surprises and she did quite well.
We shared our cashier/registrar duties with another really nice couple from the club. They are great with Bella, as they have a Springer Spaniel who also has fear issues. After we had been sitting there for a while Bella let both of them pet her, especially the husband. Once I felt she was comfortable I even handed the leash over long enough to leave her with them so that I could hit the restroom. They said she watched for me the whole time, but didn't panic even when I was out of site. When I returned I gave her lots of praise and treats for being such a good girl.
We met lots of great people and beautiful dogs today, there was a really good turn out; I'm anxious to hear how much money the club made from the event. There were a wide variety of dogs there everything from the usual Aussies', Labs, Goldens, to some others like a Bull Dog, two other Pitties, a few Rough Collies, a Ridge Back, and even two African Boerbel's, a breed which I'd never met in person before. They are large, beautiful dogs, but not quite as large as I had imagined them, the were neat to see.
Anyway as the day grew on and the registrations became more sporadic I decided to take a break and go ahead and try Bella in the Rally ring. While waiting we ran into a few friends from some of our other classes and chatted a bit, which made the wait time go by quick. Before I knew it we were up. Bella did OK, not great, but OK. I didn't expect too much since I have not done much real training with her lately. We pretty much had the same problems we did last time in the ring. She was really distracted and would rather sniff the ground than pay attention to me, despite the hot dogs in my hands trying to bait her. We slowly and sloppily made our way through the course. The one GREAT thing though was that I didn't have to touch her to make her sit, she sat quickly and reliably each time she needed to, at least I can say that was an improvement over last time. :)
After the rally ring we returned to to the table to help hand out lunch tickets. We hung out for a little while longer and then decided that we had enough for one day so we said our good byes' and headed to the parking lot.
Though we didn't blow anyone away in the ring Bella did really well with her socialization, and I really think that if I keep working on that and get her more comfortable in that type of environment our troubles in the ring will solve themselves. As long as I take my time with her I think that eventually she could earn at least her novice titles.
Overall it was a good day. :)
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