Coincidence or smarts?

The other day Shelby was doing her sometimes-annoying play with me act. The one where she stands by my chair and barks in this ear-splitting way.  I usually tell her to bring me a toy and I will play with her.  This day I told her to get her fox (a Skineez fox).  She went over to an area that had the fox, a ball, a small Skineez beaver and a tiger-striped octopus (Yes, my house is basically a giant toy box for Shelby). She looked over the items carefully, then picked up the fox and brought it to me.  I have associated the word fox with this toy several times.  Still, I’m reluctant to believe it was anything but a chance occurrence.  But for one brief moment I thought Shelby was super smart!

If dogs could talk...

This morning I called Shelby in for breakfast but she wouldn’t come. I didn’t see her anywhere either. I was beginning to worry that maybe she was stuck or had slipped out of the yard somehow.  I found her in the back corner of the yard just sitting. She wouldn’t move and she was visibly shivering. I picked her up and carried her inside.  She didn’t appear to be injured in any way. She acted very skittish for about half an hour and it took some coaxing the get her to eat breakfast. By the time we went out for a walk, she was back to normal.  I just wish she could tell me what happened to spook her so badly.

Basic Obedience 2, Class 1

Shelby and Megan did their first session of Basic Obedience 2 Monday evening. They both did very well. I was very nervous about Megan considering her recent behavior on walks. Luckily there is only one other dog and class and Megan seemed to pretty much ignore him. Megan’s reaction to class was pretty funny. She finished Basic Obedience 1 about a year ago.   However, the moment she walked in the classroom it was obvious she remembered it. I could just see the lights go on. “Oh! This is where I get treats for paying attention and doing what you say.” She sat down and looked at me intensely. “Look. I am paying attention only to you. Treats?” Shelby is a little more scattered but still pretty good. Pam and I are switching handling duties from class to class. We were staying after class talking to the instructor when the pupils for the first session of Basic Obedience 1 started arriving. The difference in demeanor between those dogs and our dogs (even the someone squirrely Shelby) was pretty obvious. I guess they did learn something.

Good job Shelby!

Shelby got her certificate from Basic Obedience 1 on Tuesday! I’m so proud of her. “Class” was a little chaotic that day since it was just a bunch of games instead of the concentrated focus she’s used to. Poor girl was pretty rattled by the time we got to the “recall game” and squeezed through the accordion fence a couple of times. Once, she even got stuck. She and Megan will start Basic Obedience 2 in a couple of weeks.  Megan could really use some class time, I think. Hoping this will get some of her crabbiness under control. I spent the morning convalescing (just a bad cold) in the garden yesterday. Shelby enjoyed playing “queen of the leaf pile”. I snapped a photo. 

Fate or coincidence?

Happy Birthday, Shelby!

Shelby is one year old today! As a sort of present, I've made a before and after photo. The top picture was taken the day we got her and the bottom was taken a couple of weeks ago.

Good news for a change

Whaddya know? I am writing a post that is not full of woe. What a shock!

Shelby just finished her third obedience class. I was under the assumption that Shelby was a rather stupid dog. Not so! She catching on very quickly. He major problem is focus. If I can just get her to pay attention, she’ll do what I say. On Tuesday we worked on recall – a BIG problem for Shelby – and she did very well. She was also the star in the class for the obstacle. Every week we finish class with an obstacle of some sort. This time it was a long, narrow stair that the dogs were supposed to walk across lengthwise. She did it immediately and repeatedly. Good girl!

This next story is secondhand – from Pam – but it is great to hear. We walked over to Whole Foods last night with both the dogs. While I went inside, Pam sat at a picnic table with the dogs. She said that a little girl approached and wanted to pet Shelby. Well, that’s no problem. Shelby loves everybody. Then she asked to pet Megan. Understandably, Pam was a little nervous about this. However, Megan approached the girl and allowed herself to be petted. Pam said she could tell when Megan was getting agitated and told the little girl that was enough. Perhaps these sort of outings with the possibility of a chance encounter is good for Megan.  With the nicer weather, we’ll have more opportunity.

Shelby waiting for class to start