Training Session - Saturday Shopping

Here is a photo of some of my buddies and me in the advanced dog training class.  All in this group have passed the Canine Good Citizen test. 

Saturday we went to the local shopping area to practice our socialization skills in preparation for the upcoming Delta Dog Test. After we pass, we will be allowed to visit schools, nursing homes, or any place there is a need for people to dog interaction. Of course, it is as much about the handlers' control as it is the dogs' behavior. Apparently, there are other animals that can visit as well - cats, bunnies, and others. I just like to concentrate on my doggie friemds.

Have you ever wondered what things look like from our point of view? Well, here is a small example - plenty of feet wandering around in the shoe store. Well, thank goodness our humans have only two feet to worry about, Otherwise, it could be very crowded. Oh, BTW, we had permission to visit the stores and our people were very careful to see that we behaved appropriately.

This was my first time to see a mirror at my eye level. At first, I wondered who was trying to sneak into my territory, then I saw a friendly face. A pretty handsome fellow.

The shoes were boring since I was not allowed to play with them. I did steal a little kiss from the nearest girl.

Ho-Hum....the ladies were all excited about the shoes.....

We finally visited a place with pizazz.....the local Pet Smart. I got to look at the toys, but all MFM said was "Leave it!" I have to admit to a little bit of pouting.....

My second favorite part of the store is the aisle with food! I sniffed it all and sometimes, if I time it just right and scrunch way down, I can find a morsel or two right under the shelf.I didn't have my picture made at Office Depot. I totally embarrassed MFM by pooping on the floor. She was very quick, scooped it up with handy bag she always carries, then got tissues to finish the job from another doggie handler. MFM is now talking about having to revert to a "diaper bag" type device to carry more essentials.....Whoops. On top of it all, MFM bought a new "dinger" bell for me. She thought maybe the other one, from a game, was too hard to ring. She has decided that ringing the bell will be my "trick" to demonstrate at graduation since I am not learning to pick up my toys.....yet.

PS = Thanks to my instructor, NYRuth for the photos!

Memorial Day 2011

It is Memorial Day and MFM got me all dolled up to attend the annual ceremony. I even had a bath this morning but she couldn't get all the burrs out of my hair.

The annual Memorial Day ceremony is well attended in our community so we had to go an hour early and take our own chair. There must have been a thousand people there and most of them were veterans. There were probably 200 or so WWII Vets and you don't see these guys so much anymore.

I got to play with a little boy sitting next to me but he freaked out when I licked the nozzle on his camelback water supply. I don't know what all the excitement was about, he was licking it too! Fortunately, MFM had brought water and a bowl for me. I did not share with the boy.

I got a little bored with all the talking but I enjoyed the band and seeing the flags flapping in the breeze. I would have enjoyed chasing a few birds but I was not allowed. MFM keeps reminding me that I am in training to be a therapy dog. Seems like therapy dogs miss out on a lot of fun things.

One interesting thing I noticed was the color guards. They had 4 of each from the Fire Department, the Jr ROTC, and the county EMS. The ROTC carried guns, the Fire Department carried shiny new hatchets, but the EMS did not carry anything to protect the flags. I wonder....could they carry hypodermic needles?

I was well behaved except for a little whining when I got bored. MFM should have taken a chew toy / treat for me. I was very happy to get home to my cool house.

I greatly appreciate all the military people, and military dogs, who serve to keep our country free and the enemy away from our shores...... I certainly don't know of any cats that are helping out!

I Promise to Love, Cherish, and.....Obey!?

My new training class has started!Today we took a walk down one of the trails but it was no ordinary walk. I tried to put my nose to the ground and smell everything, as I always do, but MFM said I wasn't a bloodhound and I needed to pay attention. Periodically, we stopped and rested, had to "sit" for 2 minutes, "down" for a time, had other dogs and their handlers wandering in and around us, and other such chaos that I had to rouse out of bed early to partake in. Well, yes, it was fun too! ....and I got GOOD treats!!

NYRUTH, the instructor, announced in front of the whole class that I was not being the class clown like I was last week. HA! I wallowed in the loose dirt to show her that I was still very capable.

One of the expectations of this course is that we will learn a trick to perform at the end of the course. It has to be something I do not already know. I can shake hands, choose a toy, play fetch, am courteous about waiting to be invited into and out of the car and house, as well as the basic obedience commands. What more could anyone want? Well, MFM wants to teach me to put my toys away! That's no trick! The trick is to get them out as fast as she can put them away, and I have that mastered. We will see how this goes.

Beauty and the Scoundrel

MFM and I went to Houston Easter Sunday and returned home Monday evening. We stopped at the dog park so I could run and play, but it was late (about 6:30 PM) and none of my friends were there.

 The evening was stll bright and there was a cool breeze chasing the day's heat away. Surprisingly, a new dog showed up about 7 PM. Her name is Emmy and she was a real looker! She is a Labrodoodle with  fluffy, rich apricot-colored fur. OOOOhhhh....she is so cute. I taught her how to run and play because these were new surroundings for her. She will be taking Beginning obedience lessons so maybe I will see her in passing since I am in the Advanced Class. She is only four months old and already about my size.

Life is good.

Today's Giggle

A Helping Paw.....

I tried to help MFM with her indoor gardening. I don't know why she was not pleased.......

Trip - In & Out of the Bag

MFM was told by one fellow that I could ride the trolley without a problem. The next guy said I would have to be in a "cage" to ride the trolley. We took a chance and rode without incident.

MFM put me in her shopping bag and only left my head sticking out so I would look smaller. I was very quiet and tried not to move too much even though it was kinda' cramped and hot. We boarded the trolley and rode without any problems.

 Cate got a glimpse of me on her video that I will post later. I was happy when MFM let me out of the bag after the trolley ride. A classic case of letting the dog out of the bag?

We stopped at a restaurant for lunch  and MFM explained I was with them, so they seated us on the patio instead of inside the restaurant.

MFM is learning how to travel with me. I am a good companion and San Antonio is a dog friendly town!