Tuesday, May 31, 2011

The morning group went to Southland.  It was a small group - Everest, Jin (back from a couple weeks off), Rover, Ryder, Whistler and Vinny-blue-eyes.  This group is so mature and easy to manage that they practically walked themselves.  If I could teach them to clean up after themselves I might even be unnecessary.  Even though they are well behaved they still managed to get into some mischief.  Like Whistler (at 10+ yrs old) crawling on her belly through a hole in the fence to get to a body of water.  She loves to swim and be wet and gross that she will find water anywhere and immerse herself in it.  Rover enjoyed chasing bike riders.  Most of them seem to get a kick out of his antics but today I think he startled one but as soon as the rider realized that he was safely behind a fence he tootled off. 

Jin was very excited to be out with the guys.  He missed some walks as he was spending time with is family.  He pranced around and pretended he was a young stud again. 

Vinnie-blue-eyes.  What can I say?  He is always a party animal.  He has a way of finding dogs that (may or may not) want to play and bringing them in for some awesome fun.  He found this one young collie mix and the two of them had a blast chasing each other.  The collie's older brother was not so impressed by the attention to the younger one and tried to chase Vinnie away which only made Vinnie more jazzed and he started running in circles around these two dogs.  The other owners and I where laughing at his silliness. 

The afternoon group was surprisingly very quiet for a Monday.  Usually they are loud and proud but they jumped out of the truck with some level of self control.  (The ones in crates were a little whiny and eager to get out.) 

Casey (the tiny old Schnauzer) joined us today.  We haven't seen her for a few months but that did not stop her from taking over the group.  First she put Frank in his place as he tried to put her in her place and then she proceeded to lead the walk.  I kept asking where's Casey and then I would see her up ahead plowing through the grass and bushes like a teeny-tiny 4x4.  She was exhausted when I got her home. 

Gabby and Pina are slime hounds like Whistler and I made quite a spectacle of myself trying to keep them out of the mud puddles.  It worked on Gabby but Pina is a mud-seeking missile and locked on the goo and charged at it with such a fierce intensity that even a tennis ball and treats could not knock her off course.  Of course after immersing herself in the slimy stuff she is very affectionate. 

I heard on the news that people are being advised to stay away from the river right now so I won't even let the big strong swimmers in for another couple of weeks.  Which is a bummer considering how warm it is getting.  Safety first!  Bailey and Everest were really hot and kept asking why they could not go swimming.  They did not understand. 

Warning - Do not let your dogs eat corn on the cob.  Steve a yellow lab from Jen's group almost died last week from eating a cob.  It got stuck in his intestines and required a $6,000 to save  him.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Rain Rain Go Away Come Again Some Other Day

Cold wet and very smelly day for all.  The only good thing about this weather is that it keeps the parks free of solar powered dog walkers and leaves us free to explore, wrestle and be wild. 

The morning group went to Southland.  No one seemed to mind the getting wet except for Cheetos.  Cheetos HATES the dog park on a good day and really HATES it on a wet day.  (In case you did not know Cheetos is made of spun sugar and fairy dust.)  Even little Marty, who was shivering, would not accept a ride in my jacket because he did not want to miss a minute of the fun.  His little body was generating so much heat that when I picked him up to check on him he felt like a baked potato. 

Guinness found something gross to roll in and was slimy as well as wet and his brother Nicky's long coat hung on him like he had been swimming.  Several towels later they were merely damp.  It is a good thing that they both think drying is lovin' and stand still or what a mess they would have made. 

Ryder wasn't pleased to be out as he thinks he is made of spun sugar and fairy dust but he soldiered on and made the best of it occasionally engaging with Marty in some bossy play.  Ziggy, Everest, Bruin and Whistler just loved that the puddles had grown and that they could get disgustingly wet and muddy. 

The afternoon group went to Edworthy and by the time we got there they were extremely nutty.  When I opened the back of the truck the dogs fell out and scattered.  Thursday's afternoon group is a noisy bunch to begin with but the added time to get to Edworthy had them on the edge.  After several minutes of breaking up fights and picking up poop before they ate it we set off with Jen's and Amy's group.  The park was virtually empty so walking with that many dogs wasn't as challenging as if it was a sunny day.  At first there were a few squabbles and some of the dogs had to be separated and/or leashed until they settled down but overall a good experience. 

Duchess (a big lab/Akita cross) was so cute when she was playing with Wilbur and Mitch (who are both quite small).  She would intentionally run much slower so that their little legs could keep up with her.  She is usually very shy but occasionally her cheeky side comes out and yesterday she ran up to Owen and body slammed him and then ran away.  I think she may have a crush on Owen but being somewhat shy himself he doesn't realize it. 

Clover chatted to me for the entire walk and Frank hung back least he be trampled by a big dog. 

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Tuesday

The day started and ended at Southland and what a beautiful day it was.  Getting to the park was a bit noisy as Miles and Nicky got into a bit of a barking contest.  I think Nicky won because he has the high pitch Collie bark that can pierce any ear drum.  What is interesting that once at the park they did not even look at each other.  Bella is doing so well with her attention and recall.  She and Guinness have a love/hate relationship and spent quite a bit of time growling and chasing each other.  Luckily it sounds worse than it actually is.  Hollie enjoyed her walk greeting everyone and sniffing all the "hot" spots along the path.  Miles and Penny mainly stuck to themselves until we tried to play fetch and then Miles stole the ball and played keep away with Everest and Kip.  The other two quickly became bored and found something else to do. 

At lunchtime I went to let Angus out of jail.  He was most grateful for the attention and fresh air.  It was relaxing to sit with him outside on the deck for a few minutes.  He put his huge head on my shoulder and let me scratch his tummy.  Angus and I can hardly wait for Angus to be well enough to go swimming later this summer.

We got a late start on the after walk (which seems to be the norm lately).  Urckle joined the group as a regular last Tuesday (he stayed with Ryder a few weeks ago).  He was sitting in the window waiting patiently to be picked up.  He is still learning "dog-park" but gets more confident each time. 

We went down to the water to cool the big dogs off as soon as we got to the park.  Everyone was in to it except Urckle and Cheetos.  Mitch and Wilbur loved the extra added bonus of getting wet as they chased each other and tried to grab sticks.  Bruin, Owen, Rover were keen to play fetch but with the small dogs doing several different things it was a challenge to keep everyone's focus at the water and I had to reluctantly pull the big guys out. 

Cheetos was so very hot and bothered and working up quite an unseemly froth around his mouth that we had to stop in the shade and rest.  He plopped himself down under a bench and rested in the coolness of the dirt and the others took advantage of the tree shade and rested for few minutes.  Mitch and Wilbur did lay down for a minute or two but then were right back at it.  Wilbur has taken to rolling and falling on his head while wrestling with Mitch it is so cute.  I wish I could capture these pups joy on film but it would not be the same as actually seeing it.  On the way home Wilbur was soooo very tired that he was actually laying flat on his back, legs spread and snoring so loud I could hear it over the radio! 

Duchess's confidence is growing each and every time I take her out.  She always starts out shy at the beginning of the walk and by the end she is actively engaging in play with the others.  She loves to chase the little guys and has even tried to start play with Rover. 

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Monday

We went to Southland on Monday morning.  It was another beautiful day dogs.  There weren't that many people and dogs there that early so we were able to have almost the whole park to ourselves.  Rover chased a few bike riders inside the safety of the fence.  Most of the riders smile at him, speed up and give him a good run.  He has been clocked at 27 kmh.  Maybe by the end of the season he will have increased his speed. 

The dogs are still being attracted by the puddles which, fortunately, are getting smaller but, unfortunately, are getting thicker stickier and smellier.  Whistler and Rover require daily showers with the hose much to their dismay.  In order to keep Riley out of the puddles I had to create quite the diversion for his attention.  I am glad there weren't a lot of people at the park to see me dancing around like a t-bone steak.  

Ryder and Everest were seen palling around a couple of times during the walk.  They were checking out holes and interesting smells together.  Considering it seemed Ryder was leery of the big slobbering teenage monster I am very pleased at this development.   

Bruin, Penny and Kip from Jennifer's group just plodded along and enjoyed being out with their buddies.     

At lunch we went to let Viva out for a little walk and she and Everest had a visit at the truck.  Viva loves other dogs and is always so joyful to see and greet her friends.

The afternoon group was full of nuts as usual.  We were late as usual and we went to Edworthy as usual.  One of these days - if we are ever on time I will get them to Shouldice for a swim because I know this group LOVES the water.  The dogs started out playing a rousing game of fetch for about 25 minutes.  I find that this settles them down considerably and make the rest of the walk about peaceful socializing and not craziness.  So after their tongues were hanging out of the sides of their mouths and they were huffing and puffing and had their full of fresh water we headed out. 

Taylor and Wilbur were paired up and I think Taylor was trying to boss him around and be all tough and firm with him but he kept squirming out from under her grinning like a fool and acting like he was having a fun.  This made Taylor redouble her efforts to be firm but Wilbur was not taking it seriously enough and she eventually moved on to attempt a stalking of a Viszla (which was not taken seriously either).  I guess Taylor was not meant to be seen as a force to be reckoned with.  Poor Taylor will forever remain known as a softy. 

I have using some of the techniques for recall and attention that I have learned in class with the dogs.  The dogs in this group have always had pretty good recall but now they are learning to come directly to me and gathering around instead of just coming closer.  (More details to come on how to accomplish this for yourselves.)

  

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Wednesday, May 11

What a big fun day we had.  The sun was shining and the dogs were loving it.  The morning group went to Southland.  Maya, Bruin and Rover made the unlikely trio of the day.  They palled around like old friends.  As gross as it was I enjoyed watching them get nutty in the mud puddles. They were having so much fun chasing and splashing that other dogs joined in.  Their owners tried (somewhat valiantly) to get their dogs out but stopped trying when they saw the huge grins on the dog's faces.  Needless to say the dogs were a little stinky on the way home.  Riley and J.  What can I say about those two?  They have such a special bro-mance and are so very happy together.  The rest of the gang including Meeko, Hollie, Penny and Ryder were grateful to be able to just enjoy being outside and among friends and thankfully stayed relatively clean. 

There was a distinct difference noted in the energy of the afternoon group.  I took the dogs for a swim at Shouldice dog park (which is why we were so late).  The dogs sensed the impending water fun and were wild.  Even the non-swimmers jumped in and splashed around.  Wilbur had his first real experience in the river.  He did not actually swim but came pretty close.  He had a little trouble hoisting himself out and required the help of Amy (another dog walker) the dogs were so excited I could not get close enough to him without falling in myself.  The look on his little squishy face was like, "little help here, gramma!"  Mitch got his feet wet but chose to not go any farther.  He preferred to play keep away with Wilbur on the beach.  They were picking up sticks that were way too big for their little bodies and then they would try to out run each other on the rocky beach. 

Taylor, Nina and Shea are not swimmers but still tried to fetch the ball.  They would run out as far as they would dare and then whine and carry on that they could not get it.  Obviously, Pina, Gabby, Bailey and Everest LOVED the water and competed really hard to be the one that brought the ball back.  Watching the dogs swim and/or enjoy being at the water on a sunny day makes all the brutally cold days (almost) worthwhile. 

The best part was that the dogs came home damp but not dirty.  LOVE IT!

Friday, May 6, 2011

The morning group went to Southland Park.  We were a small but mighty.  Cheetos, Everest, Riley, Rover, Ryder, Whistler, Frank and Hollie enjoyed themselves immensely.  It was nice to have Hollie back after a health scare left her home for most of the week.  Age gets to us all - even tough old Collies.  She was so happy to be out and she was grinning the whole time.  She could only make it about half way then she needed to have a nap and I put her back in the truck (windows open and I could see the truck for the remainder of the walk.)  Riley was he normal social self and was wandering around chatting up everyone at the park.  He thought it might be a good idea to follow two unnamed "bad dogs" under the fence and into the slough.  He would have sopped up that muck like a sponge.  Cheetos is getting used to walking on the grass and actually followed the gang instead of walking on the dirt path several feet away from us.  He was not pleased but at least he is was trying to be more rugged and dog-like.

People commented on the fact that Ryder, Riley and Frank all had new shorter hair-dos.  Much easier to clean not to mention handsome.

The afternoon group contained all the usual suspects.  Bailey, Frank, Gabby, Pina, Sam, Sidney, Wilbur and Everest.  We could not, as a group, get coordinated enough to actually walk around the park so we just played ball until the dogs were stupid tired and then had a drink and went home.  Gabby did manage to find some mud to lay down in and had to be hosed off when she got home which did not please her at all.  I wish dogs could understand cause and effect and maybe they could avoid some unfortunate consequences.  On second thought if they did understand they would not be as innocent and carefree and enjoyable as they are. 

To all the mothers - moms with big kids, moms with baby kids and all the "moms" with dogs have a wonderfully happy Mother's Day!!

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Another crazy busy day at Fun for Dogs.  The nice weather has made the dogs a little silly and they are not always obeying me when I tell them it is time to go.  I have been ruling with an iron pinky all winter as they usually could not wait to get in the truck but now its a different story.  Gotta change tactics with some of them.

The morning group was basically good except my own dog Whistler.  I had thought that at her advanced age I could trust her to listen, stay close and stay clean.  I was very very wrong.  She always has to make sure she is the first in the mud, first to roll in the dusty grass and the last to get in the truck.  At least Everest is a little bit more compliant but not much.  Riley and J sorta ran the walk today.  They are so much like mischievous little boys when they get together.  They take off and play by themselves and the rest of the group has to wait for them to catch up but on the way to catch up they have to stop and visit all the other dogs and then get distracted and then play with each other a little bit and then finally catch up with the group.  They did this several times today and then they were surprised when I snatched up their leashes for the home stretch. 

Nina and Shea (who are eagerly looking forward to seeing their mom tomorrow), Ryder, Rover, Bruin and Penny S where just good dogs and I enjoyed watching them enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. 

Lunchtime was a busy time as well.  Hollie, who has not been feeling well this week, needed to be checked on, Angus who is recovering from surgery needed to be let out to pee (he especially liked that I shared part of my lunch with him) and Viva needed to get out and walk around the neighbourhood for a few minutes.  All this before I could get the second group to the park.

The afternoon group as usual was their wacky selves.  Bailey, Sam, Pina, Gabby, Everest, Mitch, Wilbur, Taylor and Sidney all played fetch until (wait for it...) they lost all the balls.  I still cannot figure out how all those retriever/hunting dogs and assorted others can lose so many balls.  Frank chose not to participate in the ball chasing.  After 30 minutes or so of fetch they were sufficiently drained enough to be calm enough to enjoy walking and socializing.  Once we started walking I took a head count and did not see Frank ahead of me and when I turned around he was laying in the grass on his side.  I immediately thought he had been hurt but as soon as he was called he jumped right up.  He was just enjoying the feeling of laying in the grass. 

On the way back to the truck I took a right turn away from where we normally walk and Wilbur did not see me.  I had walked several feet before I realized he had gotten confused.  When I turned around to call him all I could see was a little black blob running as fast as his little legs could take him the other way.  He was so scared but must have realized that he should head for the truck.  So the other dogs and I were running up a hill to try and cut him off.  He had made it to the road and finally turned around and saw me jumping and yelling for him.  He took off towards us and it look like a bowling ball being shot down an alley he was going to fast.  Luckily, Amy (another dog walker) realized what was going on and was trying to get his attention as well.  It is nice to know that there are people at the park who have your back when things like this happen.  Needless to say he did not take his eyes off his "gramma" for the rest of the walk. 

Ev and I are still taking our class and learning lots about doggy emotions and motivations.  The instructor has indicated that she would not mind people coming to watch a class but would prefer you to come on a Saturday.  So if anyone wants to come along and see what we are learning please let me know.