Somone is going to be 4 soon!

Sophie is not a fan of this diet. While she loves her green beans, she insists she is being underfed. She therefore has taken to staring at you while you eat. Silly pup. Weigh in is next week. Here is hoping we get some results!

We are signed up for our first agility trial in 3 weeks. CPE Standard Level 1 and Jumpers Level 1. Excited and nervous!

Obedience classes have started again. We moved up a level which is challenging for us. It is no longer a night time class which means I don't have to worry about shadows and unexpected people freaking Sophie out but it also means more noise/distractions. The class ranges in level, us on one end of the spectrum (i.e. never competing) all the way to those who have gained their CD and higher. It is inspiring to see some of these dogs working off leash so in tune with their owners. Hoping we get to that level someday. And enjoying the adventure in the meantime.

I am very proud of her progress. We may not have a title (yet) but 2 years ago, I didn't think we would ever get to the point that I could place her in a down stay (secured to a gazebo) and help a classmate with stand for exam. All while lots of dogs were nearby (not close to her but well within view). She calmly looked around. Barked once her displeasure at being left but other than she was fine. Progress which means the world to me! Granted she still has her moments but I really didn't think we would get to this point when her leash reactivity first started.

Unfortunately we did not complete week 4 of K9 Kamp :-\ And are way behind in the 12 week photo course. Hoping to catch up this weekend.

Ohh and Miss Sophie will be celebrating her 4th birthday soon. Suggestions on good doggy gifts?

12 Week Photo Course Lesson 1: Aperture

For far better instruction than I could ever give on Aperture go to Twenty Six to Life's post on Lesson 1

I just got my Nifty Fifty lens (literally about an hour ago) so I figured I would give it a whirl and complete the Lesson. (caveat the new lens doesn't autofocus on my camera so I am still getting used to manual focusing)

My indoor set: The Festive Cow

                                             f/1.8, 1/100 sec ISO 1600

                                            f/4, 1/25 sec ISO 1600

                                           f/22, 1.5 sec ISO 1600

My outdoor set: Bougainvillea (at least I think it is)

                                       
                                             f/1.8, 1/125 sec ISO 400

                                           f/4, 1/25 sec ISO 400

                                           f/8, 1/6 sec ISO 400

                                           f/18, 1 sec ISO 400

The big thing I learned: I can get those wonderful pictures with the blurry background by manipulating the aperture!

Looking forward to the next lesson already!

K9 Camp Challenge and 12 week Photo Course

Lots to do this week in the blogging world. I am going to be completing the 12 week photo course that Kate over at Twenty-Six to Life has suggested. She has been nice enough to set up a linky party so you can see how other bloggers are doing.



I am excited to finally use my Nikon in a setting other than Automatic!

Sophie and I will also be joining the K9 Camp Challenge

This week's challenge is 60mins of walking. I foresee having a lot more issues with the challenges than Sophie though this one should be ok.

One last thing: Sophie went over the teeter yesterday! :happy dance: Multiple times!

We have been working on this for almost a year now with little luck. Thanks to classmate's suggestion I taught her to "bang: on a wobble board. She would slam her two front paws on the board and get a treat. But that wonderful command did not transfer to the teeter. Last week she was offering to bang the teeter but not getting on it.

So this week at our new Wed practice night, I worked on getting her to bang and then getting up on the teeter. She offered that behavior fairly quickly. We worked on that for awhile and then I had her start on one end walk across and I slowly lowered it while stuffing cheese in her mouth and saying Go Bang. Then all of a sudden she started picking up speed and offering the bang on her own as she walked across. I squealed so loudly I made the other person in the facility jump. Sophie was just happy to eat her cheese. She kept offering the walk across and bang. Progress!

She really will do just about anything for cheese. :-)