Agility Trial Wear

I recently read a blog about what people wear at agility trials, usually it's something involving tie-die or spandex. Sometimes both.

Someday though, maybe at a Halloween trial, I am totally wearing these:



http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/21/tech/social-media/apparently-this-matters-hairy-leg-stockings/index.html

Phase 2, Task B, Subtask 1 through 4

Back from an AMAZING time at Adobe MAX. I felt lucky and honored to be able to attend. I learned so much!  Must must play more with Photoshop in InDesign! Must explore Muse and Edge! Must check out PhoneGap! Gagh!  So much to do, so little time.

We (me and the dogs) worked hard all weekend in the backyard, finishing up the weeding and put down new bark. The dogs immediately "christened" the new bark. Oh well.  We also got new landscape lighting working. Now I can tell if there is a skunk out there before I go out at night. Yes!

Ping's training is going well. She still jumps up. I need to NOT have variable reward criteria for this. Really. I do. I will. Okay maybe.

Ping learned to sit on a very small stepstool last week. Trying to teach her to sit up on it, but not too often, her little joints are still all rubbery.

I'm continuing my program of exercising the heck outta Ki. He is looking a bit more buff. If only I had someone that would do that for me every day!

Oh, and Rocky's all ready for Memorial Day...

Welcome Tig!!!

Short for Tigger, and he a cute little guy. We went up to a ranch and our friend Beth adopted this little guy. He's seven weeks old, and he likes food, snuggling, and peeing. He does not like cold, wet grass.

Splash played with him quite a bit last night, and Ping did a little bit too. Ping is gaining confidence by the day.  She tends to get too wound up when playing, and has to be calmed down a bit. So Ping played with Tig until she went over the top, then she needed a time-out.

Ki-Ki

Great Yard Cleanup Phase 2, Subtask A

Definitely bigger

Ping's legs grew this week!

Ping's legs are longer but her head is still little. She sort of resembles a tick.

Modern dog problems

Where oh where to bury my nice bone?

Beardies!! Photos! Ki!

Last night was Ping's puppy class. Since I will have to miss the last one, it's our second to last class. Already!!  We are doing Sylvia Trkman's puppy tricks class too, so although Ping is probably not physically big enough to start even ground work, we'll have plenty to keep us busy for a while.  We might repeat the class, I guess we can decide later.

I think Ping is going through another growth spurt. She seems...bigger. I should weigh her, but I am so busy training her and cleaning up after her. By 10 p.m. I just drop onto my bed and pass out!

Our instructor, Pat White, stopped after the end of class to say specifically how wonderful Ping is doing. She IS a pretty smart puppy considering she is a crazy nerd goofball.

That bar is coming down, mom, sooo sry, kthxbai.

These two are from last weekend's agility trial at WAG. The photographer also got one of Ki's butt leaving the table early, and I was tempted to buy that one too but I restrained myself.  I can take a photo of Ki's butt anytime.

Dog walk in Open Std, he blew off this contact, actually.

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.

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

Last Friday I drove up to Redding with the two Labs, Splash and Jewel, and Ki-Ki. We stayed with our friend Beth and her two mini-Aussies, her Border Collie Paige, and her foster dog Retta.  The next morning we loaded up my crew and Retta and drove to Bend. It's a lot further than I thought! It took almost five hours each way.

Ping breeder lives in Smith Rock State Park. Like, right in the park.  Here's what it looks like there.  Beautiful area.

We got the new girl and started the long drive home. We didn't get back to Redding until after 10 pm. Beth's dogs were very happy to see her!

We slept in a bit the next morning, then I loaded all FOUR dogs up and we hit the road to Sacramento.  Go in about 2pm and went straight out to the yard with all the dogs to get used to one another.

I did some clicker loading Sunday night, and on Monday started working on free shaping. I got a sit and a down. We worked in the yard on some weeding and just spending time together.

Starting early Monday morning, Ping had some problems with diarrhea. It got progressively worse through Monday early afternoon, and then she starting vomiting. We headed off to the vet and she got fluids, Lomotile and Flaygal.   We did a full screening including culture.  Preliminary results show giardia, which makes sense since Ping was a country dog.

Today, I re-watched the crate games video.  We did stage 1 and 2.  I was unable to use the leash, as Ping is in no way leash trained. She thought the leash was a toy and a reward.  Since she's so good off leash (country dog!), I took the leash out of the picture for now. I have to work on walking on a leash as a separate trick. Once we have that, I'll add the leash back into the crate game.

Another one!!!

We are all loading up in the car in a few minutes to go get our new puppy, Ping. Ping is an almost 5 month old Border Collie female.

Splash will be TEN YEARS OLD on May 13!  It's hard to believe I've had him that long, and that I've had a blog almost as long.  I remember the old Dogs With Blogs group, we were one of the first. Our first great friends were Cal the WonderDog, and Johann The Dog.  How time flies.

Ki is now 4 1/2 and he is doing well in agility. He would be doing much better if he wasn't saddled with a crappy handler. We are working hard to become a smooth team. Ki is very sensitive to the least motion, and I think his job in life is to force me to be a smooth, consistent, and reliable teammate.

However, it's time to get a new pup going.

In class just two weeks ago, I mentioned to my instructor, Kathie Leggett, that I was starting the search for my next pup.  She said she'd look for me and see if there was any litters upcoming.  The next day, she emailed me about a lone pup left from a litter born last November!  The litter was bred by an old friend who did agility at one time. Nowadays she uses her Border Collies on sheep and cattle.

The little girl pup with the panda markings was spoken for, but the woman had some medical problems and in the end it just didn't work out.

We haven't even met Ping yet...we are heading out today to go meet her!  So exciting! Except for Ki who will Not Be Pleased.

I'll post photos soon!

How to watch and record HDTV for free

This past weekend I set up my Windows 7 computer to record TV shows for free. Using an antenna. Actually, rabbit ears. Very old school! The picture is far superior to what I was getting via cable.

Want to know more? Here's a how-to:

 Step 1)
 Review the "Geek Your Rig" how-to from Microsoft. and the shopping list "Dave's look for less". http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/Windows7/help/videos/geek-your-rig

 Step 2)
If you don't have one already, you'll need either a good rooftop antenna, or the modern day equivalent of rabbit ears. Visit antennaweb.com to figure out the best option and where you need to point it. Radio Shack is the absolute best place to go for this. They will let you try one and return it for a different on if it doesn't work out. Sometimes you have to try several different ones to get the best reception. I got this one at Radio Shack: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3730720 My picture is far better than Comcast provided.

Step 3)
You will also need a coax to USB stick, which you can get at Fry's. Here's the manufacturer's website: http://www.pctvsystems.com/USHome/tabid/206/language/en-US/Default.aspx This supports HDTV, which you'll be getting for free from now on over the air. Plug this baby in and wait. DON'T load their software, you don't need it. Just wait for Windows to find the device and download the right driver.

Step 4).
The easiest part is this. In windows 7 (and you'll need 7 or higher to do this), go to Start > Programs > Windows Media Center. Follow the instructions.

Step 5)
There is no step 5. Boom you are done.

Optional: Use an xbox360 as a streaming device: Go to apps > my apps > windows media center. Done. It will take it a while to grab your libraries from your pc. I have some web info saved in a library here for more reading: http://pear.ly/brlHD

Dear spammers

I am just going to delete your comment, immediately, BEFORE Google can index that link you are going to leave. So, don't bother. Seriously. Don't bother.

My portrait

All distinguished fellows have portraits. Now I do too!






Thanks Kevin!

Mom's post: Wk 1 of 5K plan

Today was my first day running outside in a while. It's allergy season here and those insidious and evil white blooming trees are everywhere. I think they should all be cut down and replaced with nice Douglas firs, but whatever.

So, I was very nervous about my outside (non-treadmill) run. I planned out a nice loop through the neighborhood that is 3.43 miles door-to-door. I didn't take Splash since it's Sunday, it's nice out, and there will lots of stupid people doing yard work with their "he-always-comes-when-I-call-he's-never-done-that-before" dogs and I didn't want Splashy to have a bad day.

I wore my new running shirt that is one of those special wicky-ones, it's actually better than a t-shirt, I have to admit it. I listened to Podrunner. I overdressed and didn't need my sweatshirt. I found a nickel.

I wasn't able to run the whole thing, the wind and the fresh air did bother me a bit so I ended up walking maybe 1/4 of it, spread throughout. It was my lungs though that stopped me, my legs could have kept going. And maybe some self-doubt also slowed me down.

Time for 3.43 miles: about 40 minutes, which is a 5.2 mph pace.

I plan to spend through the summer getting faster, but I have not set a pace goal yet.

Goal for next few months: run this loop at least once a week. Try to bring Splash or Ki or both with, conditions permitting.

Do a shorter run once a night with both Splash and Ki so that Ki will have a reason to "join up" with Splash, as their relationship can be tense at times. All Ki's fault, really, he is a lotta dog.

Dear Apple:

In six months, my book pile will run out.

I'm not buying any more physical books. When that pile runs out, I'm buying a book reader. I'd really like an iPad. I'd like an iPad/iPhone combo. I promise to buy both from you, but only if you get your act together and make the deal with Verizon. I actually leave the city on occasion, and when I do, I want cell phone coverage in case my car breaks down. So, ATT is not an option I will consider.

It's your choice Apple. I'm perfectly fine buying a Kindle. Really. I can go either way. So don't rush yourself on my account.

Unless you want a sale.

PS: I'm not the only one who feels this way. So more than one sale is at stake.