And around we go

A little update on how we are doing at the beginning of week three of the Great New Puppy Extravaganza:

At the Beardie Trial!

• Get in yer crate -- Ping is driving to the crate now, and I'm being rigid about manners when she comes out of the crate. She is the type to push the limits when she's older, so we are establishing this NOW.  At the Beardie Club trial this past weekend, I crated the dogs in the car. They are usually happier with this. No chance of being left behind I guess! This was Ping's first experience at hanging around during a trial. She wasn't sure the crate rules applied to a car crate that isn't at home or at TAG. She learned it did after a brief squirmy puppy struggle. She still is not fond of having her collar held, which leads me to...
• Collar grab game -- not at all her favorite. She tends to spin around, but I am keeping the "hold" short for now then I get her on the ground and rub her all over (the "I'm gonna get you!" game). She loves that so huge reward.  Get in yer crate has been named and I'm using it in real life at this time.
• Plate touch -- she totally has this. I need to name it starting tonight. I've been mixing it up a bit with smaller objects or stuff with texture. I need to transition this to a paper plate and plastic lid, so I can start teaching her to close cabinets and other tricksies.
• Stand on stuff -- as an extension of the plate touch, I added in one of those cushion deal-eos. I need to get out the Fit Paws things. That will be tough for baby dog and a good game to play at night.
• Puppy in a Box -- I started out with a box slightly longer than she is and that was no big deal for smarty pants. Last night I cut it down by about 5 inches. She had to think about where her hind feet were, she even turned around to look at them!  Funny puppy. At one point, she managed to stand on the edge of the box. A little unsteady but a girl will do anything for steak, right?
• Around a cone -- A couple of nights ago I got out the construction cone and starting shaping her to go around it. We didn't work on that again until last night, but here's the results. Pretty good for a little one.

I think she is bigger, don't you?

Plate touch

I think we need to get a smaller plate!

I also started working on stand on an elevated surface, and go around a pylon. The stand she has got, the pylon thing confused her. Why would I go away from mom?

We did not work much last night, as Ki had agility class. I brought Ping-us with to see Placer DTC. She wasn't at all afraid, and waited nicely in the car when I was inside with Ki. She's such a good puppy.

Feedly, yes yes yes

I love Google Reader, but it's being discontinued. I searched around for an alternative and found Feedly.

Feedly is amazing. I added a category on there called "Dog Agility Bloggers".  Pretty much everyone is there. Well, except me, but I don't post anything worth reading!  Except maybe some cute pictures?

Anyway, I do highly recommend subscribing to the Dog Agility Bloggers feed. You will learn a lot!  Whatever feed reader you choose, it will be worth your time.

<< Ki says Ping has waaaay too much energy for a Friday morning.

Friday night lights

Around here, Friday night is pizza puppy night. Ping went for a stroll outside on leash. Since she is from the country, she isn't really used to leash walking. It's so interesting watching her react to what she sees. We went only as far as the next house, then across the street to visit a friendly neighbor.  She was unsure of the cars, and really unsure of motorcycles, and really really unsure of the stupid kid with the motorized skateboard (good judgement call there, Ping!).  She was not at all afraid of the rattly old truck thought -- clearly she's seen that before, and she followed it with her eyes trying to see who might be in it.

We also worked on crate games a very little. Mostly tonight we worked on NOT JUMPING UP ON MOM.  She prefers to jump up and bite at my nose when she is very pleased.  I prefer a sit!

Crate games

It has been crazy busy here with Ping our new Border Collie puppy. It is Good Thing that puppies are so fun to train because otherwise we would kill the little darlings.

Ping and I are on day 3 of crate games. We've had about 6 mini-sessions in all.  As of tonight, she is starting to accelerate to the crate and I am increasing distance. As of this last session, I started naming it "get in yer crate!". It's a long name but something I'll actually remember.

After crate games I took Ping and Ki out to the yard to destress. As I predicted, the office is a hot spot and it will be a long time before they can be together in there. If ever. BCs are funny about resources, and the office hangout's a big one.

I did a free shaping session later with a small stool. It took a little zen time on my part, but eventually she look toward-ish the stool and in a short time she was standing on it.

Leash practice is up next. She doesn't really know how to walk on a leash at all. It's tough though -- she is at 5 months, dead center of the secondary fear period, and she's not used to traffic. I keep it very low key in my driveway and use chikin'. She likes her chikins.