Bob and the Bus

I had to go up to campus today to stop by an office so instead of driving Darrell and I took the shuttle bus that goes from out apartment to the school. This was Bob's first experience on a bus and I think he did pretty well. The first time we got on he had a tiny issue with wanting to meet/sniff everyone that was already sitting (we sit in the back where there is more room). but when we got back on to go home he did much better and only sniffed a foot that was out in the isle. His walk in between was pretty good, his pulling is much better but he has started walking a little wide so we gotta work on that. Well, thats about it, here is a picture of him sitting on the bus!

Bob, other dogs and new people

So my last post I mentioned that Bob had a training walk with Larry Gelvin, the Puppy Program Manager. That walk went really well, we had gone to a nice, older neighborhood in San Antonio. Bob got the opportunity to work more on crosswalks and street noise. Once, when we were stopped at a curb a big delivery truck passed right by him and he didn't even flinch. We also learned a new left turn technique to work on with Bob. His pulling has improved dramatically, just a few tiny reminders at the beginning of the walk and he's golden!

Larry had invited along two of GDTX's newest employees to go with us and observe and try out a training walk themselves. Hillary, who is Gelvin's new assistant and puppy program supervisor got a chance to walk with Bob after about 10 minutes of him walking with me. I'm sorry to say it but he tested her like crazy. He didn't pull too much, which made me happy, but he didn't really obey any other commands given - at least not the first time it was given. Next was Rene, the new Breeding and puppy acquisition specialist. His walk went a bit better but Bob was completely unfocused on working and just focused on the treats that he knew were in Rene's pocket. Bob started to focus a bit after he figured out he wasn't going to get all of those treats immediately but still wasn't on his game anymore - a lot of that had to do with him starting to check out as he got tired. We need to work on Bob's stamina.

The issues Hillary and Rene had with Bob have all happened to me multiple times but I gotta say, it was very interesting to see him just 'switch' like that. It really reinforced the importance of having a connection with a dog and making sure that he/she knows that you are the one in charge. I love learning more about doggy brains and that was a really good learning experience for me. I suppose it was for them too so it all works out for the best.


We also had a training day at GDTX on Saturday with all but two puppies in the program. There were a few older dogs there for the boarders to learn some new info so all together there were at least 13 dogs there. It took Bob a few minutes to get over the fact that he couldn't go play with all of his friends (there were 2 dogs there that he had spent time with while we were moving) but once he settled down he did very well. We went over some basic stuff - the A-litter puppies are on their way to turning 6 months so we worked on the correct way for people to greet the puppies, and the four important things all puppies must be able to do when they get into formal training. Head up, tail wagging, straight line walking and straight sits. There were a few other little lessons but they were mainly for the younger puppies, such as 'going busy' on command and potty training stuff. GDTX is getting really close to breeder evaluation of the new litter so I'm excited to see who they choose.

Sorry there are no pictures from the training days, I forgot my camera both times. So instead here is a picture of Bob from this weekend. Just so you can see his happy face!



Here is Egypt because I know you love her too ;)

Bob is back - again

Bob is back! Yay!!! He's adapting to the new apartment nicely - he and Egypt are learning how to live together in a tinier apartment. He has also advanced to being left alone - not in his crate but free roaming and he's done amazingly!!! Well thats really all the news for now - he has a training walk with Larry on Friday soooo let you know how it goes!

Dog Park and Moving

So, its been a bit quiet lately - sorry about that. Bob is actually gone right now because we just moved apartments. I wanted him out of the apartment while I packed and unpacked so he's gone until the 1st or 2nd. In the mean time you'll have to be happy with pictures of Bob at the dog park :)

We've been a few times in the past few weeks - I have only taken my camera once though. He was very timid the first time we went - he spent the entire hour sniffing every tree in the area and not playing with any other dog. The next few times we went though he didn't need to sniff everything, he already had, so he spend the whole time playing and running and chasing other dogs. So, here are some pictures of his first visit.

Bob liked the water run - he had a lot of fun in there - he also needed a bath afterwards lol

running down the water way

Exploring the water bowl lol

Sniffing a tree with his friend

Chasing after another friend

I have no idea what he was doing here - probably stalking another dog..

Vacation is over - back to real life!

Here are some last photos from our vacation - Bob and Egypt did great through the entire vacation, Bob kept his long lead on the whole time but we rarely touched it. It was a just an in-case kind of thing. He behaved very well up in Colorado, his manners were a bit off but towards the end of the week he got a bit better. I'm thinking it was a situational thing you know. He did pretty good on his walks - we just worked out along the streets and stuff, we focused mainly on his pulling. He did really well, he would pull for the first few minutes and then after being corrected and using the 'turn-around-and-go-the-opposite-way-when-he-pulls-technique' he would settle down and start walking nicely.

Darrell trying to make Bob go busy - I walked out and distracted him. 

Playing in the front yard

Here are a few random pictures that I took up there - gives you a good feel of the atmosphere of that part of Colorado.

       

                        

Coming closer to our last few days there the local deer started warming up to us more, the last two days they came into the yard to get some yummies from us. Bob seemed very interested in them. Not interested to the point where he wanted to run and chase after them, but would just sit there and watch them intently.

So serious!

We fed them cheerios and oranges

Cute baby!

We moved Bob inside when the deer came into the yard, we didn't want him to get too excited and startle them. He would stand and watch right inside the door. He never tried to get outside when they were there, he just wanted to see. Every time he would shift however the deer would tense up with fright so we moved Bob over to the window where he could see out. This was better because they couldn't see or hear him anymore and they were much more relaxed. Bob enjoyed his window time.

He was so interested in them - his ears would twitch every few seconds.

Anyway, we're back now and Bob seems to be not behaving as well as he usually does... almost like a regression kind of thing. So, the plan is extra obedience bouts throughout the day and while we work. He's not doing too bad on his working exactly, mainly just his manners and he's started picking up random objects off the ground. Like small pieces of trash and leaves and such. So, today we had a little food avoidance session, we just used his kibble as the temptation - something easy. Later on we'll start using harder things. Basically I just tossed some around him, told him to leave it and reward him when he left it. I did the same thing a long time ago with him and he did just as well as he did today. I also left the room for a while (got that idea courtesy of Lisa!) and he did really well with that too - I'll start upping the amount of time he is left alone - today the most I did was 20 seconds.

My reward was much better than his stinky old kibble!

Bob had a walk this past Thursday. I think we had intended to walk some streets and sidewalks but a cold front had blown through just that morning and the wind was insane! So, we decided to hit up a mall that is fairly close to GDTX. He did really well, needed the first few minutes to calm down and stop pulling, found the things he was asked to find and that was about it. Its funny how routine these things feel now when way back when it was like a big crazy day if he had his little 30 minute walk with a staff member... Well thats about it for now. Just busy busy busy with my last semester of school being started!

P.S. did I tell mention we attempted to make an igloo? We worked until about 11:00 PM the first day and got too cold to continue. We had plans of finishing the next day but it never happened.... if anyone is driving over by South Fork Colorado anytime soon, let me know if its still there or has been melted away!

My brother ran into the corner on the last day - thats why it looks like its going to fall over. 

Can you guess what we used to make our bricks?

Vacation so far

So, we're on vacation!! Yay!! We left on the 26th for our 15 hour car drive. We're here in Colorado staying at a little cabin that my Oma and Opa (grandparents) own and rent out throughout the year. We drove 8 hours the first day, and the remaining the next. The dogs were pretty good, no real problems except for bed hogs - mainly Egypt because Bob gets up too often, giving her the option to move into the middle. He was laying on the suitcases at one point lol. Overall though the trip was good. We all got here in at least two pieces or less.

Hi backseat buddy!

Bob's reaction to the snow wasn't easily judge-able... He was really excited to get out of the car so he was just hopping around and jumping up and down. Now, seeing him go out into the snow for a few days now he just does that, he'll hop a bit or bring his paws way up when he first gets onto the snow. He gets used to it quickly though and acts just like a big, playful, goofball. Egypt's reaction is a bit different, I don't know if she's ever been in snow before but she tends to avoid it when she first gets into it. She'll walk all the way around or pace a few times before going in... then she's fine, maybe its like jumping into a pool you know is going to be cold. You want to jump in but know its going to be uncomfortable so you put it off... just a thought lol. 

Bob playing with Egypt in the backyard.

Anyway, the first day we got in around 5:00 P.M. so we didn't do too much, it gets dark pretty early here because the sun sets behind the mountains. It drops like 2-5 degrees a minute as soon as the sun starts to disappear so it gets pretty cold - the high being around 25-30 degrees. I know that that isn't very cold for a lot of other people, especially peeps up in the northern states, but dropping below that with no sun is enough to get us Texans inside! 

Catch me if you can!!

These are a few pictures of the dogs playing in the back yard the first day we got here (Monday). Bob stays on the long lead due to all the yummy smelling deer poo that surrounds the houses. The deer here are so used to people, most of them come down regularly to say hi to the folks that throw corn in their yards. Some of the deer will come right up to you if you have something good enough in your hands. -Another blog post on that though. 

What? Sniffing snow up your nose isn't normal?

I only have a few pictures of Tuesday, my brothers and dad went skiing but came back early due to the mass of people that were there. Erin, Darrell and I were thinking about going but I would rather stay home and sled or ice skate if the place is going to be too crowded. Anyway, when my brothers came back into town they convinced Darrell to get onto one of my Opa's bikes that he has up here. They got him on it in the middle of the road and he followed my younger brother's clapping for a good 30 yards or more. Doesn't sound like too much but he had fun and it was funny to watch. After the bikes we all decided to walk around the neighborhood and play in the giant snow piles in the ditches along the side of the road. I know there are a few of you out there laughing at us either out loud or in your head but we never see snow so we're more than happy playing in the ditch piles haha. Bob was funny to watch because he would come leaping after us and sink just the same - I don't think he cared lol. 

Darrell following my brother as he walks backwards clapping for him.

Bob sitting waiting to be released so he can go play again. 

Well, once again the sun started going down and it was about time to head back inside to warm up when the deer came down for their dinner lol. There is a guy a street away that throws corn out for them so my mom took the camera and got a few pictures. 

I want to go get some corn now so I can get better pictures lol. 

Yesterday was a lot of fun. We went to a few big hills to go sledding and to a little town to go shopping. I didn't take my camera to the town (wish I had - the scenery on the drive is so pretty) but I did take my camera to sledding - and handed it straight over to my mom lol. She managed to get quite a few really funny shots and when I have all of them uploaded to Facebook I'll post up the link. In the meantime here are a few of Darrell, the dogs and I. 

Top of the sled hill!

Darrell had made a snow angel - face down.. this was the product on the human side.

Me sitting with Bob. 

Egypt licking the only skin she can reach lol. 

Sledding pictures / embarrassing wipe out pics lol

It took Darrell a few tries to get the balance act down right.

He figured it out quickly though :)

Me not so much haha - in my defense there was a ramp my brothers made and that was my landing. 

Darrell's was worse haha. 

Oh and for some reason in the middle of all this Darrell felt to the need to pick Bob up and hold him for the camera lol. Bob is used to being handled and wasn't bothered by it at all but this face cracked me up.

He's begging my mom to talk sense into Darrell...

I guess Darrell felt like Egypt was being left out...

Egypt just doesn't care like always lol. She probably liked the break from the cold snow haha. 

Ok, well thats all for now, I have a few more pictures from last night but no time to upload them - internet is slow here. Here is one last image to leave you with - it is the view from where we were when we were sledding but it gives you a feel for where we are. the place is pretty much surrounded by the mountains and most of the homes are tiny cabins like the ones here.

Its so cloudy here because its snowing up on those mountains - its slowly making its way down to us!

Oh and on training talk, Bob has been doing very well, I had him walking nicely around the neighborhood with me the past few days. Deer smell is everywhere here and he's just getting better :)

Back to being a good blogger :)

So - there hasn't been much going on since finals stopped but there has been enough so here goes!

First off - Bob has been progressing very nicely these past couple weeks with his work and his pulling. Its strange how you can see that semi-big kind of tiny change in him that comes with obvious maturity. He's still a little crazy but only really at home. He's starting to behave himself without being told to on walks and he's getting really good at notpulling all the time. He still gets a little over excited when asked to find things so there is a lot of re-working with his finds - not because he doesn't know what he's looking for but because he's just way too excited to get there lol. We had a walk with Larry the other day and it went really well compared to our last walk, which was just a month ago. I thought this one would go kind of terribly considering it was about 3 days after my last final. That means Bob hadn't had as much work as he usually gets but I was pleased with the results. He even got to meet one of the several horses that pull the cart things around in downtown San Antonio.

Well hello very big puppy.

This was actually the second horse that Bob passed, there were four in a row, the first one he was cautious of but passed with little problem. This one however, the second one, had its head turned around and was looking at him - that spooked him a bit so he tried to turn around and get away from him. So after getting Bob a little more under control we were allowed to introduce him to it. He was ok, cautious but also curious. Overall it was good because next time we passed them he wasn't as crazy as he was the first time. Anyway, it was a pretty good walk. Now that its colder he is getting more work outside so it will be good with his distractions.

Oh, and also, Bob has kind of made up a new game for himself. He had a bath the other day and when the tub was filling up I had him step into it - he's getting big and I'm not into lifting him unless I have to ;). Anyway, after the bath I had him hop out of it and I dried him off - all normal. Well then he had those crazy funny hyper moments after bath time that most dogs do. During his crazy time he decided he would start throwing his bone into the bathtub - watch it flail around helplessly and once it stopped moving would hop in, grab it, hop out and run around the apartment with it. He did this at least 3 times and finally wore himself out enough to go crash on his bed. Well apparently he thinks its a lot of fun to hop in and out of bath tubs... He's done it multiple times since then and even has gone to my sister's bathroom and played in her tub.... he's gone a bit crazy I guess. I even found a bone on edge of the tub against the wall the other night... that one must not have been as much fun as the others...

Can you see his bone at his feet?

Another scrap of news, Egypt had surgery yesterday - she had to have a broken tooth extracted. Apparently she got a slab fracture at some point. We noticed it because her breath was smelly and I checked and you could see the crack in her tooth. I snapped a picture with my phone but its not very good. Please ignore my fat looking fingers - the camera adds ten pounds remember. Anyway, she had her surgery and was really groggy yesterday but is much more herself today - hope she feels better by the time we go on vacation! She and Bob get to play in the snow in Colorado!!

The fracture was in her upper right dog molar, can you see the crack?