Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Both groups enjoyed the colder weather at Southland today.  They did not seem to mind.  I guess if you get moving fast enough you stay warm.  Marty was our little clown.  He wanted to see what the big guys were doing so he got up on his hind legs and was walking around like that.  He looked like a groundhog!  Copper's personal space was being invaded by a lot of dogs and he finally couldn't take it anymore and went "postal" on the other dogs.  He is apparently quite attractive to other male dogs.  Bruin worked on obtaining Kipper as his new "sugar baby".  Kip and his mom Michelle walked with us today.  Nicky kept trying to steal the ball from Everest and then once he got it he would drop it and poor Everest was getting so confused.  Guiness, or Guiney Pig as he is affectionately know enjoyed a morning of rolling. 

The afternoon group was big and very good.  A woman with two dogs (one old and one pup) asked to join our group for the walk.  Her dogs got along great with our pack and everyone enjoyed the experience.  Sometimes it is nice to have someone speak English to me on the walks.  Georgie, Maya and Rover enjoyed some serious chasing and rough play.  Luckily there weren't that many people at the park and they could do that without any disapproving glances.  Clover provided running commentary for anyone who would listen.  Vinny Link and Hollie (my bestest seniors) kept up and I did not have to chase them down because they got distracted and wandered off and could not hear me.  Frank, Cheetos and Harley kept a low profile and were just good dogs. 

I love my job and my furry friends.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Snow and Wind

What a yucky day to be outside.  The dogs did not seem to mind but I didn't like it.  The morning group grew by two this morning.  Aija and Sol's "mom" went to the hospital to have her human baby and they got to go out with the dogs.  (At this time we don't know yet what she had.)  Vinnie R., Ryder, Everest, Whistler and Bruin were happy to have them along.  Well actually Vinnie was not happy to see Aija because she doesn't put up with any nonsense and Vinnie is known to be full of beans.  He strategically avoided her for the entire walk.  Our group joined up with Jennifer and her gang and the dogs enjoyed a happy and virtually stress free walk. 

The afternoon group went to Edworthy.  Gabby and Pina are on holidays so the group was much more mellow as those two are usually the life of the party.  Sam wrestled with Everest and Bailey but she did not like it when Rover joined in.  He can be a bit pushy but we love him anyway.  Destiny and Taylor were full of pent up weekend energy and raced around with each other and our sweet Penny S. enjoyed a more mellow afternoon experience.  And Frank was just Frank.  He is so cute and unusual looking that he gets a lot of attention from the people in the park.  Unfortunately, he doesn't appreciate it like some of the others do.

Cesar tip: Feral dogs are often fearful of people.  When working with a frightened dog, it's always best to hold back and follow the "no talk, no touch, no eye contact" rule until the dog becomes comfortable with your presence.*

*Dog Whisperer, The Ultimate Episode Guide

This tip is good to remember ourselves and to teach children about approaching any strange dog.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Thursday and Friday

Thursday was another glorious and very busy day for dogs!  Both groups went to Southland and managed to stay out of the thick gooey mud.  Our morning group consisted of rowdy boys which usually works out well as they all seem to get along and enjoy the really rough play.  But not today, as soon as we got to the park they all went their merry ways and I was cleaning up poop all over the park.  After a few minutes they settled down and got into the groove and stayed together. 

The afternoon group was large and quite varied.  Boys, girls, pups, seniors, big, little you name it we had something (or someone) for every taste.  We recieved a couple of comments on the diversity of the dogs.  As long as the people we met were petting the dogs did not care what they had to say.   Cheetos the pug especially like the petting. 

Friday was cooler and the groups were smaller and much more mellow.  In the morning there was only Everest, Rover, Ryder, Whistler and Bruin.  They were so well behaved I could've stayed in the truck and finished my coffee and then called them in 75 minutes. 

The afternoon group was a bit more rowdy and they (and by they I mean Sid) literally jumped out of the truck when we got to the park.  Penny and Miles Barker joined us today which was nice as we have not seen much of them lately.  Penny S seemed to enjoy this afternoon group as they were not quite so rowdy.  We met up with Jennifer and the Lets Get Walked group and enjoyed a nice walk through the woods. 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Another beautiful day for dogs!  How lucky can we get?  The morning group got to take advantage of Southland park.  Everyone was giddy about finally getting there as was I.  This was a very vocal group and they protested any delays in having fun and with 50% goldens in the group it is not really a surprise.  Lucy, Tucker, Havoc and Whistler led the charge as the entire gang fell out of the truck and raced to the gates.  Everest still does not know he can jump out the truck so he stood on the tail gate and howelled.  J and Ryder enjoyed investigating the garbage left by careless dog owners at the side of the parking lot but Rover was by far the most noisy.  Everyone knew he was in the park.  Sisco and her man-servant Gary joined us for part of the walk.  Ryder and J REALLY like these two.  J likes to chase Sisco and Ryder likes Gary's crack filled dog treats.  I swear since he gave one to Ryder a couple of weeks ago I have a hard time getting him to follow our pack.

The afternoon group was big and bouncy as usual.  We went to Edworthy.  The fabulous blondes were again very much into fetching with Destiny and Everest tagging along for the exercise.  Meeko, Sidney and Taylor made an unlikely trio but made the games work for them - dogs really do not see "size" the same way we do (Meeko is probably over 100 pounds, and the other two are considerabley smaller).  A couple of times I just had to pray that they would not take out my knees as they sped around the park.  The little guys, Frank and Casey, just kept a safe but visible distance lest they get run over. 

 I love my job and my fuzzy, crazy and unpredictable friends.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Fab Monday

What a beautiful day for dogs.  Are you getting tired of hearing that?  I am not.  The morning group went to Southland and enjoyed the sunshine and the mudd puddles.  Everyone got quite mucky except for Ryder - he had enough class to not indulge in that behaviour.  The rest of them ran through the puddles, lapped up the yummy water and Rover even rolled in it.  Vinnie blue eyes was his cheeky little self today and made a point to tease anyone he could to get them to play.  It was quite funny when he tried to take the ball from Everest and Everest being about 25 pounds heavier realized he had the weight advantage and Vinnie realized he might have bitten off more than he could chew and quickly backed off the ball.  Jin was so happy to see his buddies after almost two weeks away from them but he was sleepy when we got back to the truck and took up most of the back seat for a nap.  Rover has made me proud again today - three days in a row without a muzzle!! Way to go Rover!!

After a quick lunch break at my house so Wilbur could have lunch and stretch his tiny legs we were on the road again.  This afternoon was almost all females.  And it is true what they say - they are much, much harder to handle than an all boy group.  The fabulous blondes (Gabby, Pina, Sam and Bailey) were right into ball chasing and discouraging anyone else from joining the group.  They tolerated Everest and Destiny was allowed to tag along but nobody else was getting that ball.  Penny S. came with the afternoon group today and she usually is with the more mellow morning group.  She was exhausted by the time we got back to the truck.  It is hard work being around all those extroverts.  Frank, too, was exhausted and snuggled up to me in the "girl friend" seat on ride home. 

I love my job and my furry friends. 

Friday, October 15, 2010

Freaky Friday

Gross! Gross! Gross weather this morning.  Who expected snow the day after reaching 23 degrees?  The morning group bore the brunt of the snow and perservered - except Ryder who wanted to be put in the truck after about 30 minutes.  Poor little thing was shaking and shivering so bad I had to turn the heat up extra high.  Bruin, Rover, Whistler, Everest and Frank soldiered on.  There were very few friends at the park but we did manage to run into and walk with Nakita and Neo (huskies) and their mom for a short time. 

The afternoon cleared up and looked promising but ended up just confusing us.  We walked at Edworthy and the dogs were all very well behaved.  Destiny and Taylor (the boxer sisters) seemed happy to be back with the group after several days at the kennel and were "flirting" with Sidney.  He was very happy to have their attention and appreciated that they could run as fast as he could.  They did not have the stamina so he had to come back for them several times.  Bailey and Sam just wanted to fetch and had no interest in anything else.  Gabby and Pina were very social with the people at the park and as usual made new friends (as if anyone has a choice with those two social butterflies). 

Cesar Tip: Small dogs often use their teeth to dominate, because we let them get away with much more threatening or aggressive behaviour than we would a larger dog.  No matter how small and cute your dog is, biting or baring teeth is not an acceptable behaviour.*

* Dog Whisperer, The Ultimate Episode Guide

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Thursday is the New Wednesday

Another glorious day at the park for the dogs!  Both groups went to Southland today and thoroughly enjoyed it.  Both groups were large but surprisingly very well-behaved.  The morning group welcomed Havoc (an 8 month old golden) who is not really new to me but new to off leash.  I usually just drop by his house and let him and three (yes, 3) siblings out for a pee and some play time first thing in the morning.  Today he came with the group to burn off some excess energy and had a blast. 

The afternoon group was late to get home as we hit the afternoon rush after taking Sammy home.  No problem as everyone was ready for a nap.  The seniors (Vinny and Hollie) were perky today and determined to keep up with the younger dogs.  Shea the social butterfly was prancing around and pouncing on something in the tall grass.  I thought she was chasing a mouse but it turns out she was chasing a bug.  Rover had a blast actually hunting mice.  I don't know if he actually has ever caught one but the grin on his face tells me that he probably has.  The only unfortunate incident was some who shall remain nameless, ironically, forgot his name and had to go on leash. 

Cesar Tip: To get your dogs to associate the vet's office with a postive experience, take them on a long walk before you arrive.  Then, try bringing them into the office on a day when no treatment is scheduled and just let them relax in the waiting room and maybe even get a treat for a staff member.*

*Dog Whisperer, The Ultimate Episode Guide

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

The Day After the Long Weekend

I hope everyone enjoyed their long weekend and had a good harty helping of turkey and pie.  I know I did!!

Another beautiful day for dogs.  Both groups went to Southland and thankfully the puddles have all but dried up.  It was Whistler, the boys (Copper, Everest, Guinny, Marty, Nicky, Ryder and Bruin) and me this morning and everyone was extremely well behaved.  Marty is still has a man-crush on Copper but Copper is taking it in stride and trying (but not succeeding) in getting Marty to stop being so affectionate.  Everest and Mika played together for a while.  Mika and his mom joined us for part of the walk.  Bruin made sure that the new guy knew who was the boss.  Unfortunately for Bruin I had to explain that I was the boss not him.  Nicky and Guiness are so sweet and easy and only seem to get rowdy with each other.  When we stopped at my house for lunch Marty got to play with Wilbur.  Wilbur enjoyed being around a dog that is within 75 pounds of him as he usually gets to play with Everest at lunchtime.

The afternoon group was a joy today too.  Lets keep this up guys.  Even the seniors Hollie and Vinny were chipper and able to keep up.  Vinny stole the ball from the young guys, Everest and Georgie.  Clover was a bit miffed that she wasn't fast enough to get the ball from a couple of retrievers but she did enjoy when an older lady admired her.  Harley got back from a two week holidays with his aunty and was right back into the thick of things.  Several people tried to pet him today and he was gracious with the women but did not like the men trying to pet him.  Frank came back from two weeks in Edmonton and was right back in this place in the group like he never left. 

I love my job and my furry friends!!

Friday, October 8, 2010

New Friends and Old Dogs

Another glorious day for dogs!  Two of the three groups yesterday went to Southland and one went to Edworthy.  The temperature was in the low 20s and is a real treat for October.

The morning group welcomed our new friends Yoko (pug mix) and Christy (a shepherd mix) to the group.  They are sisters and live in McKenzie Lake.  Yoko was a bit shy at first being around such a big group of dogs but quickly came out of her shell when the real fun chasing began.  Christy just fit right in and was ready for anything.  Marty is still in love with Copper much to Copper's dismay.  Luckily, Hershey from Lets Get Walked distracted Marty for a while and Copper was able to enjoy some "big boy" time.  Ziggy was a little lost without Everest but was able to find some other big boys to play with.  Guiness had oral surgery the day before and was still ready and willing to get out for his walk.  What a tough boy!

With the afternoon group I was on "senior watch."  Usually it is the pups that have to be watch constantly but yesterday I had Vinny L. and Hollie and both are stubborn, independent old dogs that I absolutely love to death but they tend to do their own thing.  Shea and Georgie are still in love and have a great time wrestling and chasing each other.  When I dropped Georgie off Shea actually cried for him.  Sam, Bailey, Clover and Cheetos were happy to just plod along and enjoy the great smells.  Most of the dogs were quite mellow and affectionate - each looking for a little bit of attention while we walked.  I think it might have been the heat.  After a drink of water they all settled down for naps and the ridiculous drive home - traffic was a nightmare and I just realized that most people were probably trying to get out of town for the long weekend. 

The third group and I made it to the park by 6:30.  Whistler and Rover were good dogs and just did their own thing.  Rover likes to  hunt for mice and Whistler likes to visit people and get petted.  Everest was mad because I put a muzzle on him.  He has been eating everything in sight and then getting sick in the truck.  If anyone has suggestions on what I could do to stop him from gorging on the "treats" at the park please let me know. 

Have a wonderful long weekend and I hope you all enjoy your family, friends and a lovely Thankgiving dinner!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Tuesday Dog Stories

Another beautiful day for dogs!!!  The morning group went to Southland for a liesurely stroll around the park.  Marty (our new Hava-poo) just loves Copper.  Copper on the other hand can do without all the affection.  This is Marty's second week with us and his confidence has increased significantly in such a short time.  Nicky, Guiny-pig and Bruin, as always, were my sweet boys.  They are always seeking positive attention and they always get it.  We ran into Reo and his nanny Tammy today but unfortunately they were just leaving but got to walk with Penny S and her mom, Trudy.

The afternoon group was a big one but a very quiet one.  I did not have to use my voice often which makes me very happy.  They were all serene and mild mannered.  Well...Rover and Sarge did do some chasing but they did it quietly.  We had a wonderful stroll through the forest and saw all the fallen leaves and pretty fall colours and felt the sun on our faces.  Hollie the collie got confused at one point and we had to back track to pick her up from another group.  She is just so happy to be out and about she doesn't even mind which group she joins.  They were happy to have her too.  Cheetos was just happy to be able to walk on a dry path while Sam, Everest, Bailey and Georgie just loved rooting in the bushes.  Clover was happy to not be knocked over by a speeding retriever. 

Cesar tip: Just because a dog gets As in obedience doesn't mean that a dog is psychologically balanced, any more than a degree from Harvard means a person has it all together.*

* Dog Whisperer, The Ultimate Episode Guide

Monday, October 4, 2010

FunDay

Another beautiful day for dogs.  I was frightened when I saw the rain early this morning but it stopped by the time we got to the park and the dogs did not get too wet and gross.  Both groups went to Southland today.

The morning group welcomed our newest and tiniest pack member.  His name is Wilbur and he is a 9 week old black pug.  He is not actually walking with group but doing daycare with his "gramma" until he is old enough to walk with the big guys.  Right now he seems to have no fear and moves easily in and around the big guys in the back yard.  Jin, Vinnie R., Everest, Whistler, Sarge, Rover, Ryder and Penny were very kind and gentle with Wilbur.  You should all be proud.  This morning was a mess of dogs just having a good time being dogs.  No real games were played but everyone was happy and playful and easy to manage. 

The afternoon group was full of goofy females and Everest.  We started off at the river because it turned out hotter than I expected.  Then we moved to the field and I brought out the balls.  It was quite a sight to see all the dogs running for the balls.  I had the chuckit and another one I was kicking.  Dogs from all over were coming over and joining in the fun and games.  We met several new friends - Fletcher the crazy choco lab and Dizzy an older boarder collie among others.  Our pack, which is usually quite protective of each other and their space seemed to welcome all comers.  Bailey, Sam, Destiny, Gabby, Pina, Taylor and Clover all had their tongues hanging out the sides of their mouths by the time we were ready to go home.  I got a lot compliments on their behaviour and of course their natural good looks. 

I love my furry friends and my job!!