Mark was watching  Winston's Earthdog training video from last year and WInston was so intrigued. I think he thinks the rat in the laptop!

Carly looks comfortable napping in her chair.

 Winston received a gift this week from our friend Michelle.  She and her Briard's sent Winston an adorable blankey! Carly still hates Winston and refuses to participate when she has to sit near him!

Winston loves his blankey and is so happy to have such nice friends.

Winston also took his first dip of the summer in his puppy paddling pool. We are experiencing extreme heat with temps over 100F and a drought. I see many pool dips in his future!

Just doggin around

Mark has been honing his camera skills and Winston always makes a great subject! 

I smell a ducky treat. 

Maybe if I look cute you will feed me! 

I'd rather be over there!

I'm geting tired of waiting for my treat!!

If only I had thumbs I could get my own treat! 

 We also have some great pics of Winston posing with us for his Pet Partners therpay dog badges.  Winston will soon be seen visiting some local health care facilities. We are also very excited that AKC has released a new title for Therapy Dogs (THD) starting June 27, 2011. Another goal to work towards with Winston.

Dapper Boys

Posing with mom

It's official!! We all have our badges now!





 

Although we have been quite on the blog this month, Winston has had a busy spring! He continues to have tracking training. It is so hot now that we are going out less and earlier.

Winston is also still training in obedience with a goal of a Beginner Novice title. Wish us luck!

Cinco De Mayo!

Fiesta time, where is my margarita?

Don't I look cute in my sombrero?!

Ole! Ole!!

It's about time for my siesta!

Another Milestone!

For the last few weeks, I have been attending some classes for therapy dog training with Winston.  Winston has primarily been Mark's dog but during tax season, I have been working with Winston in Rally and Obedience training, too. One of the most difficult exercises for Winston and I is  "recall." I know it sounds simple, you sit your dog, then you call them to you, right? Obedience 101! But for Winston and I it was not that easy!

At one class, I put Winston in a stay, walked to the other end of the room and while standing upright (like I was taught for obedience rings) I promptly called "Winston, come!"  Winston looked at me and hesitated. He finally got up and then stopped halfway to me to examine the floor for treats.  He looked back at me with a look like "are you talking to me???! Who are you, anyway???!!"

So, obviously we needed some more practice! I even had treats and at the therapy dog testing I would be flying solo, sans treats!!

So, we practiced and practiced and practiced some more! Our trainer at Cherrypoint Dog Training, gave me some tips: "bend down and be more inviting when you call him" "try a special new treat just for recall" and "use a higher pitched voice to make it more interesting for him."  So, I incorporated the tips and practiced some more and then practiced some more.

Winston, Mark and I then had a GO LIVE practice 2 nights this past week where we went on mentored visits with our trainer to a health care facility to see how Winston( and us) would do in the real world.  Winston did OK--he enjoyed the adventure and really enjoyed one of the ladies he meet. Winston did discover that he still hates elevators though---more work will be needed to slay that dragon.

Then the fateful day arrived where Winston would be "tested" with both Mark and I to see if he had the moxie to be a therapy dog.  I was nervous. What if Winston was too excited to complete the exercises? What if he would not come to me? What if....?????

We arrived at our new location for the test and took a stroll. Winston was alert and eager but not crazy. Time for the test!!!

I took the leash and begged Winston to "watch me" even though I felt naked with no treats! Like Wonder Woman without her lasso and tiara!

The test began and the first few items seemed easy peasy. I was getting more confident and less nervous.
Winston was engaged with me and watching me pretty well! The dreaded "stay and recall" came.  A nice volunteer approached Winston from behind while he was in a "stay" to scratch Winston and distract him. The moment of truth had arrived and I was unarmed!! I took a deep breath, crouched to my knees and used my highest "high talker voice"  exclaiming "Winston, come!" and he did! He ran right to me and licked my face!!! GOOD DOG!  I was shocked but relieved!

So, Winston and I completed all the exercises and we passed! YAY!

Winston was required to rest between testings for both Mark and I, so we took a stroll and then came back for round two!

Mark and Winston had no trouble passing the exercises. Winston was much more subdued and tired this go around though.

So, Winston completed the testing with both of us as handlers! Now, we send of our ream off paper work and wait for our badges.  Then we can start visiting.

Winston and Mark posed with our trainer and evaluator after passing the tests!

I bought Winston some new collars to add a little pizazz to his wardrobe since he has so many outings on his schedule. Mark took a few snaps of Winston in his new digs.

This blue one is a little harder to see but it is cute on him! 

I love this orange one! 

Looks like he is ready for the CPA office!



I ordered these collars from etsy.com from the shop: upcycle. They are made from old dress shirts. 

Easter Bunny Hunting!

Thanks Easter Bunny! Bwak, Bwak! 

Hands OFF, these eggs are MINE! 

Happy Easter! 

I'd rather being chasing rabbits than posing as one! 

The shame of it all, look what I must do for a treat! 

Now give me my treat!

Tisket, a tasket, I wanna eat this darn basket! 

Carly and Elliott can have the purple egg, I get the blue & yellow eggs.

The gangs all here! 

Carly and Elliott pose for a few pics too! They don't really like to pose!

Carly looks so adorable after the groomers today! 

Carly says let's look for the Easter Bunny! 

Somebunny wants to wish you " Happy Easter!"

 A few pics from our flower garden this spring!

Here bunny, bunny, bunny.  I have some nice eggs for youuuu.

And then the Easter bunny says "What big teeth you have."

Public Service Announcement!!! From Uncle Sam and Winston!

Winston has a tough job being the top assistant to the CPA. Winston spends his days shredding sensitive papers and entertaining the clients.  It's a tough job!   Winston wants to make sure everyone is paid in for 2010 and has their tax returns filed to Uncle Sam!

So here are his reminders!!

Pets and their medical bills are not itemized deductions! 

You owe how much?!

Yes, you can file an extension but your taxes must be paid by 4/18

Earthdog 2011!!!

I took Winston to an Earthdog training session today. Mark and I have debated whether Winston would go into the tunnel to get the rat. Last year Winston was still a puppy and not that interested in rat and vermin chasing. However, after Winston's great hunting season with Mark, I was convinced that Winston would want to get the rat.


Since Mark is still covered up with tax returns I had to go alone to the training so I am the camera man and the handler so the pics are not that great and I was not able to get too many pics.

Most of the video is just Winston but there is a great clip of our dear friend Norma's Border Terrier, Jilly, in the tunnel.


Winston proved that he can indeed get into the tunnel (above ground) and make the turn. Winston had trouble negotiating the left hand turn that was originally set up but he seemed to be able to complete the right hand turn with more ease when he entered the tunnel backward! So, we tried Winston with the right hand turn. Winston entered the tunnel and knew he wanted the rat! It took him a few moments to figure out how he was going to make the turn in that dark, small space but he did it!! TWICE!!!

Maybe next time I can get some more footage and maybe Winston will have more confidence and can try the left hand turn! Enjoy!

Special thanks to Norma, Rebecca and Jane for making the training possible and inviting us!