Nosework (4/16), NW Practice & PD (34)

Last Thursday Susan and I met with our kids for a nosework practice.  Overall both dogs did very well.  Gimme got a shock on her nose when she touched a downspout (too close to a lighting strip), while the building owner stood and watched, without warning us that it could give shocks.  So while we hadn't planned another exterior search, we did one to make sure Gimme wasn't put off downspouts - no problem.  She did well in the interior as well.

Happily she also did a good job with her indicator.  The way I worked on it at home is making it more clear to her what I want and she offers it pretty quickly and without fuss or escalating in frustration.  I had wanted to do a quick warm up with it at the car before class yesterday, but we were first up.

We met at Home Depot.  Joyce moved the hides to a new location in the store after each dog... so they all got two searches that hadn't been searched by anyone else.  It was a little time consuming, but there were only 4 of us in class.

Gimme had her first search in the entryway.  Fortunately it was her searching, since the HD workers dropped a heavy and loud thing very close during her search and the noise didn't bother her, though I jumped a foot.  I did see her again tending to offer an indication in the general vicinity (but 3 foot away) for an inaccessible hide.  I mentioned what I saw, that it had started with the seminar and Joyce agreed. 

On our next search, Joyce set another inaccessible and put it 2 feet in on a 18 inch high shelf, placing insulated outdoor spigot covers in front of it.  As Gimme started concentrating on that spot, I'd move them one at a time.  Until she was finally getting to it and even then she had to get her nose on the odor tin to get paid.  All that was left of her outside the narrow spot on the shelving was her back legs and tail.  This teaches her to persist, ask for help, and persist some more.  I'll be setting that up some more in practices.  She's always been so clear and accurate on her indications, I certainly want that back.

For the last search we all did the same one, two hides on two circular door carousels.  It was an interesting challenge because the openings at the center near the upright and under the doors made scent flow in a way that might lead the dogs to the wrong opening.  So, a scenting puzzle for them to figure out.  All the dogs did very well at sorting out the challenge.

Joyce concluded after watching me that I'd given up on the paw indicator and asked me about it.  I said no, I still wanted them, I was just adding the multiple nose touches to the picture.  She then congratulated and praised me for giving up the paw indicator and told me how happy she was to see that!  Proof positive that she doesn't actually listen to what I say, eh...

Yesterday we had Public Dog class too as well as a long walk.  Class was simple working on different Therapy Dog behaviors.  Gimme had fun.  I think they've backed off on the more chaotic stuff because we have a couple new dogs that are coming to these classes who couldn't participate at that level. 

BTW I noticed at agility class that Gimme got out of the car, did her potty walk and then went around the building to the holding area without pulling on the leash.  Yesterday on our 2 mile walk, she only pulled once.  Getting to class yesterday, she didn't pull getting out of the car or going to the building.  Methinks she has finally generalized loose leash walking as a lifestyle concept.  Yippeeeeee...

Yesterday was our last Public Dog class until next spring.  And this is my last blog entry until I come back from my trip. 

Adjusting

Gimme and I are still adjusting to the changes following losing Meaggi.  I'm depressed and she is uncertain, probably because of my sadness and the changes in our routine.  I think she likes having me all to herself... she just wishes it was a happier me.  I've been trying to keep up with outings, but it doesn't help that Mary had gallbladder surgery during the same time.  So, what walks we have had, have been shorter.  Gimme and Grafton literally shriek for joy when they see each other and run around with crazy wild abandon.  I've also been puttering with some training.

Yesterday Gimme and I joined our cat-person friend Carol at the Thurston County Republicans picnic.  We weren't there two seconds before Andrew Barkis made a beeline to see Gimme.  Lots of people came over to see her and admire what a good girl she was.  While I ate, Gimme lay beside me on the grass and I tossed her treats for being good.  She really stayed put, except when people came a visiting -- she is after all, the Official Worldwide Dalmatian Greeter.  There were even the occasional dogs passing by, that she'd look at and then turn back to me for treats.  All the time we've put into chillin' paid off.  Here's a couple pictures...

Today I thought I better get serious about some agility training, since we have class in two days.  Haven't actually done any weave poles since our last class.  Gimme did such a great job at it, that I set a jump up in front of them, since that was an issue at the last class.  She missed doing the poles a couple times, either the entry or didn't finish.  Since I haven't yet put the poles on a verbal cue, I'm completely okay with that.  Right now I am just aiming her at them -- won't put it on a verbal cue until its closer to what I want.  She was doing so nicely that I went and got the camera and made this little bit of video...  You can see she is going to be speedy.

 
Of course, watching that clip to edit it makes it painfully clear how late my clicking is...  Good grief!  She really does learn in spite of me.

After that we did a little session on the chute.  This is about the third time we've done it since our last class.  I decided to attach the chute firmly, instead of draping it over the edge.  Smartly I tipped it up on its end, but really should have put Gimme in the house while I set it up.  She tried to go through it while I was laying out the chute and got all tangled up and finally managed to get out the way she came in.  Naturally after that, she didn't want to go in again.

So I basically stood at the far end of the chute and free shaped her to leave me and go to the barrel opening and enter on her own.  Since I was holding the chute end open, a couple times she went in the chute end and turned around to get treats.  She got clicked and treated for doing that - in the sense of priming the pump.  It took a little while, about ten minutes (including distractions), but she figured it out.  I was holding the chute completely open and dropping it a little earlier each time as she came through.  After about five times coming all the way through and since I'd already dropped it right after she entered the chute part,  I went with her to the other end and sent her.  She raced through it no problem - for which she got a mega jackpot and we quit.  I'll let her percolate on that now...

I just love the way free shaping helps a dog get over what might otherwise provoke anxiety.  Of course, Gimme always likes things that she "invents".  And it certainly helps to start with the smartest dog on the planet.

Last Parade

We've been staying busy - as always.  Gimme was invited to the last parade of the season for Rainier Roundup Days.  I think they only invite me because someone has to be her chauffeur.  Its a smaller town and a fun event.  Gimme was a hit as always.

The only downer for the parade was that the only way to get there (without driving 20 miles out of our way) was to go down the same road where we usually meet Grafton.  Gimme got more and more excited, thinking that was where we were headed. When I actually passed the last possible turn, she shrieked in her highest teenage girl voice to let me know I'd missed the turn.  She was certain I was just dazed and needed a reminder to turn.

Gimme has always liked Andrew Barkis; he's running for county commissioner.  Andrew is one of those people she is perfectly content to sit beside and have her picture taken - no holding her, no bribes... just hanging with her buddy Andrew.  They say dogs are good judges of character and I agree.  Clearly she has good taste; I like him too.

This is our whole group, getting ready for the parade to start.  Gimme thought this parade was especially nice because there was a lot more candy being thrown than there were children to snatch it up.  Much as I tried to stop her - she was able to gobble on the fly and got a number of tootsie rolls and such.  I thought she might end the day with a bellyache because of the dietary indiscretions.  

This last picture is Gimme with state Senator Randi Becker.  We support Randi wholeheartedly.  She's a very nice lady and a great senator.

I've been promising a video of Gimme and Grafton playing.  Here's a short clip I discovered on my computer.  Young love is such a joy to behold (especially to us two doting Moms).

Happy 4th

 I hope everyone is having a great 4th of July. 

Gimme and I were in another parade.  We have to be there so early - classic "hurry up and wait".  We got there at 9:00 for a parade that starts at 11:00.  There were 118 entries in the parade and we were number 100... so our truck pulled out from the curb around 12:30.  Then the parade lasted an hour.  Gimme and I were both very tired when this one was done

Needless to say she looked stunning in her festive patriotic wear.  Gimme generally doesn't mind me dressing her up, but she's decidedly unimpressed with the whole hat thing.

The setup for this parade was very different.  We all had to be in the vehicle, so Gimme wasn't able to interact with the crowd like she did in Rochester.  That sure didn't keep her from being the center of attention.  All along the parade route I kept hearing, "look at the dog", "wow, a Dalmatian", "isn't she pretty" and "are those spots brown?".  The rest of us definitely felt like we were just there to frame the real attraction.

The funny thing was watching her during the parade.  Since there were people on both sides, we humans alternated which direction we were facing (sitting on hay bales).  Gimme ended up facing toward the back. 

She would look to the left at people for a little bit and then shift her attention to the people on the right.  She went back and forth with this the whole time and fast enough that I'm sure everyone got to see her pretty face. 

Now all she has to do is learn the beauty queen wave.

Gimme's Public

Gimme was invited to a parade last weekend.  We were there to support Hadian for Governor.  Gimme's part was to be damn cute and entertain the children and, of course, she did a stellar job.  She had her picture taken as the official Conservative Spokes-Dal, with several conservative candidates, along with other parade participants. As expected, she was a huge hit and got her picture taken another 200 times while being petted and fussed over. 

There are at least two thousand more people that know about liver Dalmatians. 

"Yes, her spots are brown – its called liver."

"Yes, she is a real Dalmatian.  Liver colored spotting is in the Dalmatian standard in every country in the world. Her father is a liver and he’s one of the top Dalmatians in the United States."

"It's called liver. Thank you. Yes, it is very pretty…"

I would never have thought Gimme could ever have enough petting and attention, but it is possible. Toward the end of the parade she was clearly "over" the fun of being petted and fussed over. So I fed her treats while it was happening to help her endure. When we got back to the car she was very impatient to get in the car and into her crate. She was sound asleep in minutes. Being a public figure is very hard work. Anyone who has a significant fan base knows just how demanding the public can be. 

Here are some pictures... This is our crew - Hadian for Governor. It may be that Gimme was the only physically fit one of the bunch...  

This is Gimme with the Harley Davidson riders in support of "Tatt Time", tattooing artists.  She was gracious enough to not mention that her beautiful tattoos are all natural... choosing to let them speak for themselves.  They were right ahead of us in the parade, spinning their wheels and making a huge stink of burning rubber and a very loud racket - which Gimme paid almost no attention to.

This is Gimme with the nice man that drove the firetruck that was right behind us.  He ran the siren a few times and so Gimme and I sang along.  She always answers the song of the firetruck that goes by our house.

Gimme took an instant liking to Andrew Barkis - they just hit it off.  It may be the name.

Gimme especially appreciated that the Justin Kover for Utilities Commissioner crew so thoughtfully brought a pretty red sports car to serve as a backdrop for her own loveliness.

Gimme never tires of posing on firetrucks and we both have a special fondness for the antiques. 

It seemed only fitting that there would be a whole squad of cheerleaders standing by waiting for an opportunity to pose with the cutest Dalmatian on the planet.

After the lengthy photo session, Gimme took some time to chill out - conserving her strength before the parade begins.  

Gimme was so popular at the parade and so there was a special request that she attend the Meet the Candidates forum last night.  It was far too warm for her to wear her t-shirt, but she has a nice patriotic scarf for just such occasions.

Here Gimme poses with Mr. Hadian, who we hope will be the next governor of Washington state.  Gimme is completely sold on him and endorses him with a solid four-paws-up.  I must divulge that he did give her a peanut butter cookie.

And lastly, posing with the two girls.  By this time, she was getting tired.  These photo shoots always wear a girl out and Gimme says she has new found appreciation for the rigors models must endure. 

Little Miss Pupularity has already received an invitation to the 4th of July parade in Tumwater!  Gimme wants to do it, but first we have to figure out some logistics, since it will be much warmer then.  Also, in Thurston county, parade participants all have to ride on vehicles, so we have that to consider as well.