Enjoying life again . . . .

Just an update on our "retraining". Sebastian has been attending weekly rally classes sporadically. We are enjoying random treats (perhaps 4-6 within the course ... plus one at the start and LOTS after the finish.)

We are having FUN. If he ever seems to not enjoy any aspect, we don't push and we take a break. He seems to be getting back to where he was back in his 'prime', and we haven't had any "ring escape attempts" in months.

Actually, by February he was back in his groove and we haven't had any escape attempts since this class .... (here he is with his rally class teacher):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXO71q-xO30&feature=share

You can see how happy he was after the May 7th class. (We worked on group sit and down stays following class for a little extra drill.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjEuB9kencc

And, even though it's really starting to get too hot, he is still enjoying class. Only 2 treats throughout a VERY challenging course (with backs and all sorts of jumps ....AND the bowls filled with treat distractions!!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWTQBMqmAbQ

Sadly, rally class will break for the summer very soon (the building is not air conditioned and Alabama heat + pugs doesn't welcome that scenario) so we will enjoy some "easy" training inside at home over the summer.

Over the summer we'll enjoy some inside training at home and I would like to introduce "play" sessions for reward (tug-a-war .... tricks etc.) and NO treats for some of the training sessions.

Once fall classes start back at the training club we will introduce these new rewards (plus some treats perhaps again) and begin the weaning process again. I am hoping that we will "wean" from treats and "station parties" more gradually this time around and have more success at a possible winter or spring trial.

We shall see!!

Friday's Soirée

It has been awhile since Boog has graced us with his musical talents. A fitting end to a long week of boot camp.

Rally Class Day!

Today is Booger's 1st Rally Class since his 2nd rally trial meltdown.

See owner anticipate boog's escape .....

See Lexi be bonker for bonkers! 

(We had to roll new ones because she thinks they're chew toys!)

See the Boog's phenomenal warm-up in vacant ring. (WITH TREATS, of course).

See a pug almost surpass a Golden with sits, fronts, and downs faster than the speed of light!

The boog was amazing.

See boog enter the rally ring (with NO treats.)

See pug start to lag.

See Bob ready with "bonkers" to throw at the boog lest there are any unexpected dramatic exits.

See Boog decide to leave ring.

See Bob throw bonkers at boog.

See the poor boog's tail go down.

See Boog learn that leaving the ring without permission is naughty!

See Boog look for a loop hole.

See the Boog sneak along the ring gate while owner/handler tries to untangle the ridiculous string to "reel him in."

See the Boog stealthily sneak through (literally, THROUGH) one of the holes in the ring gate.

Yes! The Boog found the loop "hole"!

See owner start to laugh hysterically.

See Boog look incredulously at his owner and say, "What did you expect? I am smarter than all of you. I bet you never saw THAT one coming!"

See owner become fed up with bonking the boog.

See BOTC (Birmingham Obedience Training Club) teacher, Bob Baker, suggest another plan.

See Boog get treats. See owner learn to "treat" the fade-out correctly. (Fading out the leash plus treats was just too fast for the poor owner. Boog, however, was just fine, as he always found a way to treat each situation until he got his treats!)

See Sebastian have fun again.

See Sebastian enjoy Rally.

See owner decide to more randomly treat the boog.

See the Sebastian pug become a gambler.

See Sebastian pug go to Vegas.

See Bob and Boog's brilliant run of the rally course at the end of class. (A COMPLETE transformation from the boog's tail-down, 3 foot lag and loop-hole fence crawler at the beginning of class).

See owner decide that rally will ONLY be fun. No more bonking the boog.

See Boog get one final training session after class, lest his only positive experience be with teacher Bob. Boog is learning to look at knee, not handler's eyes, when heeling.

Smile little pug, smile!

Washday Wednesday - Boot Camp Day 8

Whew, wash time definitely increases with 5 dogs but it had to be done lest our neighbors started to think our septic tank was backing up.

All of my dogs have always hated the blow dryer, but I purchased one specifically for dogs when we got our new "show pug", K.K. After a bit of getting used to it, Charlie and Sebastian LOVE grooming. In fact, Sebastian Boog is SO cute when he actually "purrs" during bath time. 

So, that plus washing all their crate beds and scrubbing out the crates took all of my free morning time. 

Since Monday was a lazy day, and yesterday was a "buy a new car" and camp outside (on our front driveway nonetheless, WITH all the dogs!) day, I HAD to make a point to do some structured training .... even after a LONG day of teaching. 

I watched a few of  Connie Cleveland's training videos and we learned spin (right and left). I always forget how FAST this little Sebastian booger learns!

Of course KK needed a little training too since she has a show weekend after next. I didn't attempt the "circle a cone".... I will try this in the morning. I am thinking it will be challenging since he has trained to always be at my side or front. We never learned "go out" or anything like that. But, we'll try tomorrow! 

To be honest, this video actually seemed a bit more in line with Washday Wednesday's energy level..... 

Another one of Connie's videos reminded me of "bed" (which boog used to LOVE) so we finished up with this one. Made it a "group adventure" which was probably not the best thing. (It's difficult to train multiple dogs!)

Needless to say, we're now running low on the tripe treats! To be honest, I don't know if I have the stomach (lol) to cook that stuff again. But, I might give it one last try and use the advice a friend suggested to soak the tripe in milk overnight, then pour out the milk before cooking. Perhaps a good project for this Saturday Valentine's! 

Tripe ... it's what's for dinner.

  

Training humans is SO easy! Boot Camp Day 7

Sadly, the Boog received absolutely no training on Monday due to his owners packed day with fun "life stuff" (including purchase of a new car).

However, the "new" car (a used 2007 Nissan Pathfinder) will have plenty of room for dog crates en route to classes and future dog events!

Here's KK and Jeff in our "new" car!

In retrospect, Boog actually did get some training yesterday ... but of the "dog-training-owner" variety. Sigh. (How is it that I keep letting this dog out smart me?)

I let him come down the stairs with me to the studio just as a student arrived. Instead of going in the studio x-pen, (where he and KK usually stay while I teach), he decided he would RATHER initiate a "catch me" game. So, instead of coming when I call him, he started doing the "ears back/tail down/tummy to the ground" circle runs around the studio. Actually, it reminded me of when he was a puppy. That was some FAST running! (Made me think of this video of him when he was a puppy ....)

He was having the time of his life. The student tried to help me catch him but eventually, given that I had to get on with the piano lesson, I gave in and lured him to the x-pen with some delicious freeze-dried lung treats.

Sigh.

So, once again, he was reinforced that "I will get a delicious treat if I disobey mom and run from her."

Note to self: I will NOT let this happen again. The "string" is going on him before descending into piano studio.

Savory Sunday - Boot Camp Day 6

Savory Sunday - Boot Camp Day 6

In the Atlanta shows last weekend we met a vet at breakfast who had a beagle mix with the most beautiful, shiny coat. So, of course, I asked her what she fed him and she said "whatever we eat!" Fruits, veggies, meats .... pretty much anything that wasn't toxic to dogs. She didn't think dry dog kibble was enough for a well-balanced diet because that was almost like eating cereal for every meal.

I still think Fromm is amazing, so I'm going to continue with this....

but I'll also start adding some veggies into the mix....

Given that Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest :) I decided to let Sebastian simply eat his breakfast this morning. However, then we went outside and worked a bit on straighter fronts and finishes..... 

This evening we'll need to do some more training. I'm not sure if we should introduce signs/cones and try an actual course (WITHOUT treats) or perhaps do some exercises from "When Pigs Fly". 

   

My gutt instinct is to keep away from "Rally" per se for a bit longer. Who knows. Eventually, we need to deal with it! If we try an actual rally course tonight I better find a way to attach that "fishing line" to his fancy, new muscle shirt!

I'll let you know what work of art we'll have after tonight. Will it be A or B?

A      B

Saturday Sloth - Boot Camp Day 5

Saturday Sloth - Booger's Boot Camp Day 5

OK, Boog's owner was very busy on Saturday so training only consisted of a brief breakfast drill of some back leg movement .... sides and backs and spins.... 

There was no time for a Saturday afternoon or evening training session. There was not even time to update the blog yesterday and I SWEAR that little boy knew this because he didn't seek out my lap and, in fact, really didn't want to have much to do with me at all! 

Who knows. He won't talk to me. 

In fact, I'm reminded of a piece of art I saw last night at a dinner party. The couple collects amazing and unique art and there was one piece that looked something like this (though framed of course framed) ....

Yep, this definitely portrays Sebastian in the ring lately ..... D - E - A - F!