Happy Birthday Pretzel!

April 7th was Pretzel's 1st birthday!  Yay!

Pretzel looks thrilled.

He did however have a nice day.  We went to SLODOG run through and handed out homemade dog cookies to all his canine friends.  Everyone seemed to enjoy them.  You really can't go wrong with pumpkin-peanut butter cookies!

Bone and squirrel shaped.  Yummy!

Pretzel certainly enjoyed his cookie.  (In his favorite spot on the nice carpet, of course.)

Big brother Hoagie even got a squirrel!

Then, Mommy subjected the boys to the obligatory birthday photo shoot.  Turns out Pretzel isn't quite the photo hound his brother is...

...but he's getting better.

Look at him rock that 70's background.  Not every pup can pull that off!

So happy 1st birthday to the best little Heinz 57 pup ever!  It's been quite a year, especially the 8 month's he's been with us, but we're happy to have him in our little family!

Happy Birthday Pretzel!

Don't Forget Pretzel!

Looking through my last couple posts, I noticed that we are lacking in Pretzel material!  I have to admit, this is partially due to a lack of Pretzel pictures.  Poor guy has been subject to the fate of all second children, and isn't getting his equal share of photos.

You're kidding right?  How could you resist photographing this adorable mug?

Seriously!  Look at these puppy eyes!

So, I figured the little guy deserved his own training update post.  Earlier this year he finished his first big-pup class: Elementary Clicker Training down at Gentle Touch.  There were definitely a few bumps along the way, but we both got a lot out of the class.

The first class was a great intro to clicker training, complete with a demonstration of doggy skateboarding.  Seeing Blaze the Swedish Vallhund skateboard definitely made my day.  Pretty much any dog skateboarding is crazy cute, and seeing it in person was even cuter!  (I don't have a video of Blaze doing it, so enjoy this adorable Boston scooting around Paris.)

The second class, however was where our challenges started.  Pretzel decided to show his hand, and remind me that he has some reactive dog tendencies.

*hangs head in shame*  I'm sorry Mom, I'm just a pup, and I'm still learning.

All the dogs were much bigger than him, and after feeling a bit threatened, he cried havoc upon a Belgian Sheepdog puppy.  Pretzel definitely struggled through his obvious dislike for the big black dog throughout the remaining 5 weeks of class.  On the up side, having floundered through this kind of thing with Hoagie, helping Pretzel through his fearfulness was comparably easy.

Yeah, um, you're welcome, I guess.

Besides his issues with his classmates, Pretzel and I learned lots.  He now has most of the basics under his belt, and is a pro at targeting and spins.  We even had the time on our last meeting to learn how to ring a bell.  With some extra work at home, Pretzel now happily rings a service bell for treats!

I can haz hotdog?

Pretzel, however, wasn't the only one to get a lot out of the class.  Ivy and Lisa are great teachers, and I really saw how much I still have to learn.  I definitely need to improve my clicker coordination and make sure I always have a flexible plan when training.  Pretzel reminded me that every dog is different, and has his or her own way of learning.  While Hoagie is a quick study, Pretzel requires a bit more practice to understand each behavior.  On the flip side, Pretzel is far quicker to offer new behaviors, making free shaping a bit easier.

So, all in all, Pretzel and I have come a long way through his first class, but we still have a long road to travel.  I'm looking forward to the trip with this wiry little pup!

 

 PS.  I haven't forgotten about my promise of embarrassing Freestyle video.  Currently waiting to get the video files from the videographer.  Soon...

Sensei Hoagie

The boys and I enjoyed a nice SLODOG run through today.  It was another beautiful, sunny, winter day in San Luis Obispo.  (Though I miss ya'll out east, I love being back in CA.  It's hard to beat 70 degrees in January.)

As the new Rally Obedience organizer for run throughs, I had more on my plate than simply managing my two hooligans, but I think I fared alright.  Everyone seemed to enjoy my first attempt at designing a course, and importantly, I don't think too many people got lost mid-run.

Hoagie had a nice couple runs, but not before he taught me an important lesson.  Hoagie apparently shares a motto with Ben and Jerry's of ice cream fame: "If it's not fun, why do it?"  He reminded me that training, competing, and working with dogs is supposed to be, above all, FUN!

Hoagie does love ice cream.

I started practice today by marching directly over to the Rally course with Hoagie in tow, set my shoulders, took a breath, and walked towards the first sign.  I noticed fairly quickly that the pup wasn't terrible "into it."  His nose hit the grass and stayed there through the first two signs.  I gave him a couple gentle tugs to keep him moving. His gaze instead switched to the bushes on the other side of the park and he firmly planted his butt on the ground.  He wasn't having any of it; Hoagie checked out and left no forwarding address.

Sensing I wasn't going to get any more out of him for the moment, we broke course and headed over to the adjacent empty field.  There we watered a couple trees, and took a mental break.  We checked out the bushes he was concerned about, he earned a couple treats when he looked back to me.  Together we did a few of his favorite tricks.  I realized that when we started doing tricks, both of us relaxed.  His face softened up, he gave me his full attention, and instead of wanting to drag me around, he happily heeled by my side.  The light bulb went off above my head.

Good grief, my mom is dense sometimes.

I was being entirely too serious about running through the Rally course.  The reason we started Rally Obedience instead of formal Obedience competition was because of it's relaxed attitude, the ability to talk to and encourage your dog on course, and the emphasis on having FUN together!  Heck, part of your score in a trial is whether the dog looks like he's enjoying himself!

Once we were both more relaxed, Hoagie happily trotted back to the course with me.  I used an upbeat tone (and a couple nibbles of cheese) to encourage him through the signs, and he gleefully obliged.  We finished with a big hooray, a puppy high five, and a big bite of liver treat.

Oh yeah!  Gimme some paw!

Hoagie has been, and continues to be my master teacher in all things doggy.  Don't get me wrong; the folks at Gentle Touch Pet Training, and Canine Academy are amazing instructors!  I've also learned tons from incredible dog authors such as Patricia McConnell, Karen London, and Karen Pryor.  Hoagie however is the Mr. Miyagi to my Daniel-san.  He's taught me an unbelievable amount about how his little puppy brain works, the relationship humans have with animals, and the importance of learning to relax and have fun!

Teacher Hoagie wants you to hit the books.

Today Hoagie reminded me that we ought to do dog sports because our dogs enjoy them.  I could have forced him to finish that first attempt.  I could have yanked him around the course, scolding him for sniffing and pleading for his attention.  Would that have been fun for either of us?

Skeptical Hoagie is skeptical.

So, instead, here's to many more fun practices with my pooches!  Here's to happy pups and a relaxed dog Mom.  Here's to doing it for the dog, not for the ribbons and titles!

I look forward to many more lessons with my puppy professor.  As long as I'm ready to listen, Hoagie has plenty to teach.

And now, with Pretzel in the house, I have a second professional perspective to learn from!  (And you can bet the Terrier School of Doggy Education definitely has a challenging new curriculum for me to study.)

Professor Pretzel says:  "This will be on the test."

Have fun listening to your dogs!  They definitely have lots to teach, as long as you are willing to listen!


P.S.  Yes, I do love staging elaborate and silly dog photos.  Don't judge me!  You know it's cute!

Happy New Year 2012!

Happy New Year from all of us!  Wishing you a happy and healthy 2012!

As you can see, we are a house full of party animals...

The pups both fell asleep watching Kathy Griffin make Anderson Cooper feel awkward.  I guess they just don't appreciate comedy gold.

Have a fun and safe New Years Eve, however you spend it!

Introducing Pretzel!

Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, Saturnalia, FSMas, etc.  Despite a rough start to December, with unexpected surgeries amidst the usual holiday shenanigans, we actually had a rather nice Christmas.

Emo-Hoagie doesn't care about the pretty Christmas tree... or he could just be staring at Daddy holding a cookie behind the camera...the world may never know.

 
Much good food and quality family time was had by all!  The pups were quite happy in their jaunty jingle bell collars, chewing on new squeaky toys.  Hoagie's cousin Cocoa, was very pleased with her new light bulb shaped squeaky.

Cocoa thinks she heard another squeaky on the beach.

All this talk of happy holiday pups may lead you to the question, "But Carol, in your last post you had a picture of two adorable dogs in front of your Christmas tree.  Who was that dapper little scamp in the green sweater?"  Well, my astutely observant friend, let's have another look at that idyllic scene of holiday cheer.

Why there is a new little face in that picture.  Awww... the cuteness is almost painful.

I'd like to formally introduce the newest edition to our family:  Pretzel!

"Sad puppy-dog-eyes" is his super power.

Pretzel is a 9 month old super-mutt (mutt + mutt = super cute mutt).  As far as I understand he's a Chi-Peka-Shihtz-Terrier-mix.  He came from a co-worker who, due to some unfortunate circumstances, was unable to care for him anymore.  We've had him now for about 5 months (I know, I know, I'm a bit slow on the updates.  The pups keep me pretty busy.).  He's a bright little dude with a lot of personality, and we are happy to have him as the newest member of our furry family.


Pretzel is currently enrolled in his first "big pup" class, Elementary Clicker at Gentle Touch.  He's doing well, but it's very clear that he will provide plenty of fodder to interesting training posts.  His terrier nature makes him a very different type of dog to train.  He's already taught me a lot!  In addition, he's my very first puppy, and this is my first time having two dogs.  I've certainly got my hands full now!  I just received my copy of Feeling Outnumbered? How to Manage and Enjoy Your Multi-Dog Household by the always awesome Patricia McConnell, Ph.D. and Karen London, Ph.D.  I think I may also have to re-read my copies of Control Unleashed and Feisty Fido.  They don't call 'em "Terrier Terrorists" for nothin'!  All in all though, Pretzel is a fantastic little guy, who I look forward to enjoying for many happy years. 

Our new little couch warmer.

On a different note, I have a few housekeeping things: 

First, I'd like to welcome anyone from BlogPaws to my blog!  Secondly, a while back I added an RSS feed button up top, so if you are interested, be sure to add me to your feed or reader list.  I've also made a facebook page for the blog, so be sure to like short paws or share a post or two on facebook!

Thanks for reading and have a Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

 

 

Just a quick note to say Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from our home to you.  Wishing you and yours much health and happiness in the coming New Year!

Much love,

Carol, Stew, Draco, Pesto, Hoagie and Pretzel