Hikes galore!

Thank you to everyone for the supportive comments on my last post.  It was very appreciated!

I have seen some great progress on Swyatt's reactivity over the last few weeks. He reacts less often and offers a sit more readily. When he does react, his ability to calm down has sped up somewhat.

Seeing the progress, I decided on two hikes this past long weekend. It was his first time not going to daycare for 5 days straight and I was a little petrified. Normal walks, regardless of how long do not tire him out so we needed something different to ensure a tired Swyatt.

Thanksgiving day we went to a large preserve for a 6mile very hilly hike with our friends Jen and Bolt. Swyatt and Bolt get along very well on leash and often go for walks together. Lots of cheese, kibble and clicker in hand, off we went.

Apparently everyone had the same idea about going hiking at this preserve that morning because it was packed. Swyatt did great. I rewarded for looking at dogs and remaining calm. The only time he got very worked up was when a lady went by with four or five large dogs attached to her waist. They were basically pulling her down the hill. It took Swyatt awhile to calm himself after that but he recovered and we continued. Overall it was a huge success. We passed about 15 dogs and he did pretty well. He was physically and mentally exhausted after the hike. Slept very well that evening

Saturday, we were planning to just take Swyatt and Bolt for a hike. But both faced two very unhappy female pups staring at us as we tried to get ready. So we decided to be very brave and take all four. I debated this a lot because I had recently read an article on transference of aggression and was worried that Swy would react and trigger Sophie or vice versa resulting in a fight right in front of me. 

But we picked a locale that is usually very isolated and pretty far out there. In all our hikes there, we have rarely seen any people or dogs. 

We arrived and had Sophie and Bolt meet for the first time on leash. No greeting, just seeing each other and acknowledging. It went fine, Sophie didn't react. Then Swy and Zainey…again no reaction out of anyone. So off we went. My two fell into line next to each other very easily. It was fantastic!

We hiked for about 4 miles and saw only a few people, no dogs. It was a perfect way to ease into the two of them walking together. 

Not something I plan to do in a crowded area anytime soon but this preserve is perfect for walking all four of them together. 

A great long weekend!

Wordless Wed: Hiking

A busy Saturday

The weekend was as usual too short but still very nice!

Sophie says "it was a busy saturday, so I had to nap afterward!

 Saturday we had our last obedience class for 2 months. It wasn't our best class. Something must have smelled particularly yummy because her nose was up in the air sniffing a majority of the class. And holding her down stay was hard. But she did pretty well on her stand for exam (the wiggles were to a minimum).

We will be switching into Rally class starting with the January session because our agility class schedule changed and we can no longer make our Adv II (Novice/Open) class :-\ I am not too thrilled by this because I like our current instructor but it was either make the change or drop agility.

Agility went well, we had a substitute and Sophie loves her.We actually are taking some semi private lessons with her which is going to be so useful! We worked front crosses and serpentine, all of which I really need to work on. I also need to remember courses better. :-)

After agility, my training partner mentioned she was going to a Hike a Bulls' hike. I have wanted to go for months now but something always got in the way. Luckily, they still had a few spots open and I was able to sign up.

Off we went on a 3 mile hike. I loved it! Sophie goes on a lot of hikes, but always with dogs she knows. HikeABulls gives us the opportunity to check out new hikes and walk with new dogs in a controlled environment. There is no face to face greetings, you start off with lots of distance and can adjust as your dog gets comfortable.

Sophie did well, no reactivity (could also be she was tired but I will take the positive experience :-) ). But we walked next to an elderbull named Kelly and Zainey (agility friend).

Made it back to the car right as it start raining. I am hoping we get to join more walks in the future.

Few pictures from our Saturday:

First HikeaBulls' Hike. Look at the storm clouds coming in!

Our friends Zainey and her mom

K9 Kamp Week 1 and 2 Update

 
 A little behind on updating our K9 Kamp Adventure:


Week 1: The challenge was to walk for 60 minutes.  Sophie and I usually go hiking on the weekends so off we went for our hike. We did the 5 mile hike instead of our normal 3 mile hike in the spirit of keeping up with the K9 Kamp challenge. No pictures (Sophie needs a backpack so she can carry the water and I can carry the camera!)


Week 2 Challenge: Play fetch for 60minutes

We put our own spin on the challenge so it would fit our weekend plans. We did the 4 sessions of 15 minutes a piece over the span of a flyball practice. So it was not fetch exactly (as I was not throwing the ball), though there was retrieving and full out running. From both of us! We both ended practice very tired. :-)

Looking forward to finding out what Week 3 will be.

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Lola came for a visit this past weekend and joined us on our Saturday hike.

Her reaction to me announcing our 5 mile hike: "You want me to do what???"

Post Hike nap

Not nearly Wordless Wed

Sophie after a 1hr30min Agility class and a 5 mile hike.

Her crate is big enough for her, I swear! She just tends to curl into a ball and the angle of the picture is funny.

I finally signed us up for rally fun match on 9/16. I got the check and form out the day after it was posted so I am hopeful we nabbed a spot.

We had a wonderful weekend: agility,5 mile hike, flyball and another 5 mile hike.

I had not been to flyball practice in a few weeks. It was nice to get back into practice with my teammates. Sophie had a good practice. We were working on building her speed with handler runs. Handler runs mean another teammate releases her from the start line. I am a few jumps away, as soon as she passes me on the way to the box, I take off running in the opposite direction. It is supposed to cause the dog to push off the box faster so they can chase you.

When we used to do these, Sophie would run over to me and not understand why I was standing to the side and not playing. Now she gets it and races past me and then races to catch me. Usually she outruns me and/or nearly takes me out! My teammate was excited that he was able to run her. Up until now Sophie has refused to run for anyone else. She would stand there looking for me even if I was only a few feet away. Progress for sure!

Our hikes were good. We ran into a lot of dogs on narrow paths and she would sit to the side and wait for her treat. ::HAPPY DANCE::

You get the dog you were meant to get

Spent yesterday afternoon hiking. Sophie was exhausted by the end, which lasted all of 30mins once she got home.I took pictures on my phone but when I went to upload them, they were not there. Next time!

I had a friend visit us this weekend. Sophie was a wonderful hostess, showing off her toys and tricks in return for some belly rubs. My friend could not stop gushing over how wonderful my rhino is. I know she is great, but then again I am a little biased. My friend's praise really made me take a step back and recollect how much life has changed over the last 3+ years. For the better.

I was 25, when I adopted Sophie. Finishing up my 3rd year of law school. I was somewhat shy (still am but to a much lesser degree). We took classes together, we survived me studying for the bar and unemployment afterward. She was one sickly puppy. At one point the stomach issues were so non stop and reoccuring, the vet considered exploratory surgery. My life went from one of studying and socializing to chasing a puppy around the apt so she wouldn't pee. To taking my pup to the vet non stop. I became an advocate for my dog. I learned to speak up for Sophie and myself. I did so much research, emailed people I had never met to ask for advice and help. Looked for alternatives in medicine/training etc that would help Sophie.

It was an eye opening experience. I would not trade Sophie (issues and all) for anything in the world. She is my heart dog and just what I needed to really grow up. On the forum I frequent, whenever a rescue or breeder placing does not work out, people respond with "the dog that is meant for you will find you. You get the dog you are meant to get"  I firmly believe that is true and I am so grateful for Miss Sophie's presence in my life.

Belated Happy 4th

A belated Happy 4th of July to everyone!

Agility class on Saturday went really well! Sophie graduated to running weaves with no guide wires! Wohoo big progress.

Since Lola was not tired, we joined a friend of mine for a 3 mile hike while Sophie stayed home for a nap. The hike was mostly in an area covered by trees so we were able to escape the heat.

Sunday, my friend offered to walk Lola so Sophie could join us on the hike. Off we went, 3 girls, 2 labs and a pitty mix on a 3 mile hike. By the end of the 3 mile, mostly uphill hike, 3 girls and 2 labs were tired. Miss Maggie, the pup of the group was still all wiggles and energy :-).

The reserve we hiked has an off leash area for dogs that is a 6 mile hike trail. That is our goal for the next hike!

We spent the 4th, watching soccer and just relaxing. It was Lola's 3rd birthday so when her mom came to pick her up she brought treats for the girls. By the time I had the camera on the treats were long gone.

And because I have no recent pictures of Lola, here is one from last year's labfest. Sophie, Lola and Rocko hanging out in the car on the way to the beach.

2 weeks until our next flyball tournament!

A fun and busy weekend + doggy backpack recs?

Sophie and I had a fun activity filled weekend (just how I like my weekends!)

Agility class on Sat went well! Our instructor split the class in two. Those more advanced and those of us with dogs who need a little more coaxing. She then set up two sequences. One was jumps in a circle and a tunnel aimed at building speed. The other was a 6 set of weaves, tunnel, tire and jump.

Sophie loved loved the circle work. She was jumping at 16 (which I believe is low for her but I am not aware of how measuring occurs for agility). She picked up speed nicely and followed directions.

She did well on the other sequence too. I just need to work on getting more of a lead on here. She is much faster than I am!

Then we brought out contacts, one side of the room did teeter and the other the dog walk. Sophie will still do neither but we had progress. No longer freaked out by the sound of the teeter slamming!!

The instructor set up a makeshift dog walk for the cautious dogs. She set up a table with a ramp. Sophie was happily going down the ramp, more cautious going up. Then the teeter was modified and she walked across it a few times. Major progress!!!

In trying to reach our goals for this year on Sunday, I convinced my parents to accompany Sophie and I on a hike. We went for a 2.4 mile hike through the woods. Great weather and wonderful scenery. Sophie did well with speeding bikes and other dogs while on leash.

I have decided she needs a backpack. I was carrying water for her, me and parents, plus her bowl, treats and assorted items. Does anyone have suggestions on a good doggy backpack?