We're Getting Balanced...

We have been working on our balance disk - trying for all four feet on. Vinnie doesn't seem to be scared of it at all - which is good. We're getting pretty darn close. I think the little balance pod thingies may go back to Clean Run - they are pretty little. I think I would rather get another one of the balance disks and try for two feet on each... but in the meantime... this was fun:

Countdown to balance

How can you look into this face and not want to SQUEEZE him???

Two more days until we are balanced! (or not!! LOL). The big brown truck is bringing Vinnie's package from Clean Run on Wednesday. I love the big brown truck!!

I have been working with Vinnie on the four foot board (with 1" PVC under it). I have to keep one foot on the PVC so it doesn't roll and I put my other foot under the up side so it doesn't bang (seriously... Vinnie's probably pretty lucky I have not fallen on him yet!). He is really not liking any movement under his feet at all. I think for the next session, I'll get out a blanket or towel to deaden the sound and sit on the floor with him instead of standing. He was pretty good today - he's putting a foot on the up side and staying there for his treat. Next time, we'll try for two feet on the board!!

balance...

One of the things Vinnie is going to be working on over the winter is moving objects... uh... the objects won't be moving... kinda. He doesn't really favor the teeter after scaring himself a bit in class over the summer, so we're going back to square one with a VERY tiny teeter - a four foot board on a one inch PVC pipe. I got another idea while watching a video... those fun balance balls come in a flat sided disk and are great for exercise and some mild movement under the feet. I ordered a larger disk type that is 12 inches in diameter (this one has the bumpy side up - the other side is smoother and we'll probably keep the bumps down!):

And, I also ordered a smaller "domier" (is that a word?) set of two - mine will be purple. Tammy will be happy to know that orange was an option!! I just figured the purple would not show the dirt as much (always have to be practical!)

My plan is to start with the flatter disk and to SLOWLY get Vinnie to balance on it, then have him put two feet on the disk and two feet on one of the domes, then maybe turn them over so there is a bit more movement and go from there. You know what they say about the best laid plans, right? So Vinnie and I are going to play this by his rules and see how comfortable he is with things and move at his speed.

After I had ordered these I realized they might also serve another purpose - Frank will probably get some time on the disk and domes too. His rear has always been rather weak due to the surgeries and I think this might be good for him. I'll have to do some research into different exercises and see what we come up with!

Pressure!

It's so simple really. Have a trick ready for the last puppy class. REALLY... it's a SIMPLE assignment, right. Ugh.... NOT. I have taught Vinnie lots of little tricks over the last few months, but ask me to teach a NEW trick by a certain date and I completely fold under the pressure.

I had a brilliant idea - inspired by Tammy teaching Seeker the skateboard. Hmmm... wouldn't it be cute to teach Vinnie to push a little kid's shopping cart? I could totally see in my mind's eye that this would evolve into picking up the little fake plastic food, putting it in the cart, giving money to a "cashier"... you can see it, right? Totally stinkin' adorable. Well guess what? The little kid's carts are too stinking FLIMSY!!! I got one and there was no way Vinnie would be able to put his front feet on it without the whole thing going over - I even thought about putting a brick in the bottom, but the damn thing was so cheap that it wouldn't roll if it was too heavy. Who makes toys like this for kids? My sister had an ultra cool cart like that when we were kids and it was totally sturdy... I wonder if mom and dad still have it?

Ugh... back to the drawing board. Someone kill me now!!

Class... week two

Vinnie is doing great in class - he is focusing much better (at least I think so). I am not sure if he's just growing up or if we are starting to click a little (or maybe he'll just revert and have a total meltdown next week!! LOL).

He has been retrieving for his breakfast and dinner every day. His retrieve has three parts - he has to 1. sit at my side 2. stay seated after I throw whatever he is retrieving and then 3. fetch the item to my hand.

For class next week, we need to teach a trick that we don't already know. Ugh... the pressure. I need to decide QUICK!! I have a couple thoughts... we'll see what materializes.

What I would LIKE to see every time I call Vinnie:

Class... week one

Vinnie is in Tammy's puppy class at Sue Ann's on Monday nights for the next four weeks.

Class tonight was great - Susan Garrett's "Crate Games". Vinnie and I have worked on this and he is really good at sitting in his crate and waiting for a release, but we really need to work on building value for going back into the crate. So, this week we are going to work on building that value, going into the crate at angles and adding in some distractions if everything goes well.

And... when we are not working on that, we'll be working on making some Pudel Pie... I think I need to get photos of that!

After class, Vinnie and I came home and worked for his dinner (like he hadn't already had an hour and a half of quality "me time"!). We are working on holding that dumbbell until I put my hand out for it. It's going really well - no mouthing or dropping!! What a good boy.

A Boy and his Bird

What could a girl want more for her 41st birthday than a fake duck? Not much, let me tell ya!! This is one of the most fun birthday presents that I have ever gotten!

I have been working a bit with Vinnie in the house. He is great with his bumpers and his dumbbells, but when he first saw the duck, he kinda lost his mind. Seriously. There was no way in duckdom that he was going to bring that duck back if I was stupid enough to throw it away!

So we worked in the house, throwing it into corners (preventing escape with said duck... henceforth to be known as "Donald"). I tried taking Donald and Vinnie out into the yard. I put Vinnie on a flexi (Donald was loose) and pitched Donald into a corner of the yard. Vinnie still tried for the great escape with Donald. Back into the house we went for more practice.

Working with Donald in the house has been going great. Vinnie has been bringing him back without hesitation. I decided after grooming Vinnie (yep... he's groomed AGAIN!) that I would try to take the two of them outside again for some photos. I also took along some turkey. Worked like a charm - Vinnie did not try to abscond with Donald at all!! Good boy Vinnie!!

Sometimes Donald does get a bit heavy - maybe he should call Jenny Craig?

Short and Sweet

Hmmm... short and sweet. I am not really sure how much I accomplished today, so I am looking back on how far we have come on something I wanted to teach.

One of the things that I REALLY REALLY want Vinnie to do is "fetch". I throw something... he brings it back. Pretty simple concept. I added in a couple twists recently. I am teaching him to "get back" (sit at my left side) and wait for the command to "fetch it". A couple months ago, I was lightly holding his collar as a reminder to wait for the command. Now, he is sitting patiently (ok... maybe not so patiently) at my side and waiting for the command and is pretty darn reliable in the house on that. We are also working on "marking" (not that kind of marking!!) the bumper or dumbbell.

I need to get him out to other places, so the last few days when we walk, I have been taking a bumper (he is SO NOT READY to take the duck on our walks :-)) and we'll stop and do a few retrieves. It's getting better! He is very easily distractable - shiny object!!!

Tonight for his dinner, we worked on just sitting and holding the dumbbell. This week I want to work up to leaving him on a sit with the dumbbell, walking away, then calling him.

Vinnie's Blog

I have decided that Vinnie needs his own blog! I want to use this blog as a journal of his training, his progress, and our trials and tribulations. Yep... I am SURE that there will be trials and tribulations! He always keeps me on my toes!

I have had Vinnie (or maybe he's had me?) for six months now - where has the time gone!! He is so smart and funny - he learns faster than any dog I have ever had. He is so outgoing and fearless. He plays with toys and he tugs (a first for me!!). He is also a teenager and full of himself right now. I have to keep reminding myself (thanks Tammy!!) that he is just a baby and he will outgrow a lot of things (Robin hopes he'll outgrow humping!).

Vinnie in May 2009

Winter is bearing down on us and I need to have some goals... Goals are good, right? So here goes. We are taking a break from any agility training and working on our relationship/partnership. Couple's counseling, anyone? - personally, I think HE'S a bit controlling (I'm supposed to be the control freak here!). Anyway... I digress (That's how I get in trouble! Shiny object!). My goals for winter:

1. Teach Rally exercises.
2. Teach as many tricks as possible.
3. Work on Vinnie's recall.
4. Get Vinnie started on tracking.
5. Walk at least three times a week.

Vinnie in November 2009

Ok... that last one may sound kind of lame, but it gets pretty darn cold around here and I'm not one for taking random walks in the middle of winter! I am hoping to keep us both sane once winter sets in and we are "housebound".