Monday, December 28th, 2015

Groups

The first group of littles was the first group of the morning. Beanie, Poochio, Maya and Rocky were quick to put their noses to the ground and set off to see if they could find find anything exciting in the snow in the main yard. Tennya decided to make her way out to the far yard where she also put her nose to the ground and set off in search. She was soon successful and found herself a nice bone. Tennya was then happy to settle to have a nice chew on said bone. The rest of the group made their way out to the yard. Poochio headed over in my direction for some pets. He then left me to go and join Beanie in checking out everything along the fence. Tennya got up from chewing on her bone to go trotting around the yard. She then found herself being chased by Maya who wanted to share. When it became apparent that Maya was not getting the bone from Tennya she went off to see what Mac was up to. Poochio took a break from exploring with Beanie to go and rub up against the fence. I went to have a visit with Rocky and found him still wandering around checking things out in the snow while also occasionally sampling some ice chunks.

The second group of littles was up next. Everyone found the snow quite fascinating and were happy to put their noses to the ground and set off exploring. Will then smelled something extra interesting in the wind and spent quite some time trying to figure out what it was and where it was. Kouza stood debating what she wanted to do. Since she looked a little lost I called her over for some pets. When Kouza had had enough love I asked her if she wanted to play. She perked right up and went trotting out to the far yard. I threw the rope ball. Kouza went running after it and then decided not to pick it up. She then wandered off to do some exploring. Cricket stood by my feet debating on whether or not she wanted to get in on the play action. She settled for some pets before heading off to do some exploring of her own. Xiao Bao then came charging over for love. He pressed himself against my legs and demanded lots of pets. Nanook finished thoroughly checking out the main yard before making his way out to do the same in the far yard. Will was finally done with the super interesting scent and headed out to hang out by me in the far yard. Kouza was off in the far corner doing some exploring. She was soon joined by Cricket and they enjoyed some time exploring together. Xiao Bao having had enough love went running over to see about getting Nanook to play with him. He ended up following Nanook around the yard. Kouza took a break from exploring and made her way back over to me. I asked her if she wanted to play with a different toy. Kouza once again chased after it but did not pick it up.

The next group were pretty excited to get outside. The snow is still so new that everyone just wants to run around and check everything out. Finnegan started running around the far yard with Dawson and Sage have a great time. They were soon joined by Spencer, Chloe and Magic. Duke decided to keep himself separate and instead came over for some loving and pets. We then decided to make our way out to the agility yard. Spencer decided to not continue playing and instead set off to do some exploring. Finnegan and Dawson were happy to keep running around without him. Duke eventually couldn't resist the fun for much longer and went trotting out to see about joining Finnegan and Dawson. Dawson then left them to go and see what Spencer as now up to. Duke then decided to tag along. Dawson tried very hard to get Spencer to play with him, but only had minor success. Finnegan took his moment of aloneness to head off and check out everything that caught his eye.

Jax L was pretty excited to get out to play in the snow. We headed out to the agility yard where he then set out to do some exploring. Jax did a quick tour of the yard before he made his way over to me for a visit and some pets. After he'd had enough love he set back out to do some more exploring. Jax's attention was then caught by the rest of the group congregating together. He made his way over to check it out. The group ended up breaking up but Jax found himself being asked to play by Maya. They proceeded to have a great time bouncing around.

Emcy, Ordi and Hickstead had a total blast all day long today. As soon as I came down the hall to get them for their walk, they jumped out of their crates and were pushing their little noses at the kennel door to get out. Once I got in their kennel, Emcy and Hickstead sat down immediately and waited patiently for me to put on their harnesses. Ordi however decided that there was no point in being patient and wanted to roam in between me and the other two so that I would pay more attention to him as well as put his harness on first; he can be so funny sometimes. Once I opened their kennel door they hopped out and they were on their way outside immediately. They were very fun to walk as they continuously played together or followed each other all over the place. Emcy had decided that she didn’t want to let me continue walking as she began jumping up for me to pet her during the walk. So I did for a while and eventually she was ready to go again. Once I put them back in their kennel they gave me a few licks and bum wiggles then raced back into their favourite place; their crates. When it came to their outdoor play time they were just as excited to get outside. They began their outdoor play time by running around the agility yard a few times then soon joined me for some games and cuddles in the big dog yard. Emcy and I spent most of our time playing catch. She was absolutely obsessed with the bright orange toy in the yard and would run to get it 100 times if I let her. Every time she would bring me the toy, she’d already be starting to run for it before even dropping it off for me. Hickstead did quite a few things during his group time. He enjoyed playing with Emcy and I for a while but never really got the toy away from her. I think he simply enjoyed chasing after her instead of actually playing with her. When he wasn’t with her, he and Ordi were searching around the yard for whatever they could find. Of course he also spent a lot of time jumping up at me for cuddles as well. Ordi didn’t seem to really want to play today; he only really wanted to cuddle. When they first got out he joined Emcy and Hickstead in their races around the yards, but soon after he went off on his own to explore in both yards. However, whenever I would call him he’d still race over to me and sit down at me feet while waiting for me to pet him.

Rex and Fez both had excellent days today. Fez began his day on a half walk with his friend Jax once again. He was so very excited to go on his walk that he was hopping up and down inside his kennel when he saw me coming. As soon as we got outside he stuck his nose right up at the sky and enjoyed the crisp morning air. Jax and I kept a pep in his step by always encouraging him to continue walking and he seemed to enjoy the motivation. By the end of his walk he was ready for a quick snooze before his outdoor play time. Rex had even more energy when he was waiting for me to take him outside for his walk. He ran right out the door and in the yard, ready to go go go! He continued with this energy throughout the entire walk as he was always at the end of his leash trying to go faster and further. Every so often he would stray into the field while on the hunt for a scent but quickly returned when he lost the trail. The two of them were just as excited to get outside when it came time for their outdoor play time as they got to see each other! Rex was in love with each and every single toy in the yard today. He began playing with a big rope toy which was fun to watch and join in on. We played tug of war for a very long time before he found another toy and so on. Fez followed him every so often but didn’t join in too much with the playing. He enjoyed being able to watch what Rex was doing at all times as well as sniff/follow all of his other friends around. Their enhanced was the best part of the day. I first brought Rex out for his walk and he did a great job on it. Every time I would stop he’d sit right beside me and it never took much to correct him if he didn’t. Then we went into the playroom with Fez as well. As I got Rex to practice his sits, downs, and stays, Fez followed his every move. It was so adorable to watch Fez copy him. They both did an absolutely excellent job with all of their tricks. I left them in there to be together for a while and I don’t think they could’ve enjoyed it more.

Riley and Roobee seemed to really enjoy being back here for their first full day. They began their morning on a walk with a very energetic dog named Spencer. Between the two of them and him, it was a very fast paced walk. Riley and Roobee remained beside each other for most of their walk except the odd time where one would begin to sniff something, but the other would soon follow. Riley was usually the one finding all the little smells first. During their group time Roobee definitely showed off that bark of hers. She wanted to bark at everything whether it was me or a dog passing by her. She just loves for everyone to hear her voice. When she wasn’t barking, Roobee spent most of her time either watching what Riley did or would venture around the yard while saying hi to her old and new friends as well exploring the new smells. Riley was a little bit more playful. He followed Rex around quite a few times when Rex had a toy in his mouth. It seemed like he wanted to play but he didn’t quite feel like acting upon it. I’m sure he’ll feel more comfortable and ready to play tomorrow. Once the group was done, Roobee raced right into their kennel as if to get the best bed of the two in there, but Riley ended up sharing it with her anyways. The two of them cuddled up until it was their next turn to go out.

Enhanced:

Timbits is definitely progressing with his enhanced training but also still has a lot to learn and work on of course. He was doing much better with his sits and downs while we were inside but began to lose that focus when we were outside. He seemed to become obsessed with eating the snow so it took a little bit longer to do his walk. Once I had him on the driveway where there was no snow, he was more focused once again and continued doing a good job on his sits. Recall was where he shined today. I took him out front into the field to do it today most of the times that I called him he would run right over to me, which was very nice to see!

Maya and Rocky loved their enhanced today. I first took Maya for her walk and she was an absolute angel. At every door, without me even stopping yet she would sit down, wait for me to open the door and tell her to go through before she even thought of moving. While actually walking she was mostly right by my side except for just a few times, but she ended up correcting herself without any help from me. After her walk, I brought her and Rocky into the playroom for some games and practice on their sits, downs, and for Maya, shake a paw. Rocky was especially into it today and followed our every move. He did an amazing job on his sits but couldn’t quite grasp the idea of the downs so we just focused on sits for him. Maya completely excelled in all of her tricks, especially stay! I would walk the entire length of the playroom while telling her as well as Rocky to stay and for the most part they were able to with ease. It was adorable watching the two of them race back to me for a treat after. Once the games were done, Rocky came and sat on my lap while Maya spent most of her time licking my face.

Will and Cricket had an amazing time during their enhanced time. They came into the kitchen once again with me while I ate my lunch and we had a very long cuddle. One of their friends named Tennya happened to be in there as well so they were also able to get a bit more play time with her. As soon as we got into the kitchen, Cricket found a bone to chew on and ended up keeping it in her mouth for the whole time. Will mostly enjoyed sniffing around the kitchen but eventually laid down beside me while I scratch his back. Once we were done in the kitchen I took them outside for a short walk and they were very intrigued at all the different smells out in the front yard. The two of them spent the whole walk with their noses in the snow, sniffing all around.