Feb-Busy Trainer

I did a three day seminar this week with Greg & Laura Derrett. It is always a great experience to learn from such successful trainers. I know Nancy will have lots for all of us to work on in class. One thing I would encourage everyone to work on is reinforcement zone. Where is reinforcement zone? Think Belly button! If you are playing tug or treating in front of you then that is where the dog will drive to. Put your dog in a stay and practice having them run to you for their reward. Take a few minutes everyday to build this up before going to class.

Urology...

Ellie went to the urologist today. The valves connected between the kidneys and the bladder is allowing urine to go into the kidneys. That alone doesn't hurt anything. The problem is when she gets a bladder infection and the infected urine goes back up to the kidneys. If untreated can cause kidney failure later in life but not a problem if caught early and treated like Ellie.

Each Kidney/valve is rate on a scale of 1-5 (five worst). Ellie has a 2 on her left side and a 3 on her right. Which means she has a 70% on the left and 50% on the right of the problem correcting its self over time. So there is a chance she can grow out of it.

Ellie qualifies for a medical study that is being done on this type of problem in children. This study would last two years. Our other options are continue antibiotics daily until she is a year and then take a look at everything again. Surgery would then be looked at as a possible option which is a last resort for us. At this point we are trying to decide to continue antibiotics or enroll in the medical study. The good news is Ellie's kidneys look very good and she is a growing health girl other then bladder problem.

Need an Ellie fix today?

When it's cold outside

As with many Oklahomans this week the Cleveland family has had to find things to do inside more then usual. Todd went to work for the first time today (Friday) which made for a long work week. :) We got to spend a lot of family time together this week which is always nice. Although I am sad about not having agility class tomorrow and dread the 6.5 mile run that I will be forced to do on the treadmill since there is still snow out. I'll let you know if I survive. All in all it has been a nice winter week.

Wicket tried to get a game of hide and seek going. The picture you see below is something he did all on his own. Glad we got a few pictures to show how silly he is.

Peek-a-BOO

There is always snuggling on the couch. Wicket seems to get in a lot of pictures he is such a diva.

Ellie practiced her singing.

If you really must there is always playing in the snow.

Good Morning!

Good Morning Ellie!

Jan-Busy Trainer

Having a baby and four dogs does not always leave a lot of time for agility training. I wanted to make sure I was getting in some foundation training and came up with a plan. I picked two activities that I could do in front of my house five days a week (I change it every month). These activities take about five minutes (more or less is up to you). First I posted my activities to the fridge to make sure I don't forget and it is already planned out for me. Example: Inside circle work with cones and hand touches.
This month I am going to talk to you about the inside circle work with cones. I wanted an easier way to work on inside circle work to help my coordination with it. I set up four cones in a square and placed a fifth one in the center (can make it as big or small as you want).
Then I have my dog on the outside of the cones on my left side (since that is our weak side). I treat my dog as we walk along the outside (less treats as they get better) and always treat at the cone as you are turning. The cone just gives you an obstacle to help teach you and your dog the turning technique. Once you are comfortable doing the outside you can change direction going to the center cone or doing figure eights. This helped to keep the game more exciting for myself and my dog really had to pay attention to what I was doing.

Hope you are having fun training with your dog and remember a few minutes a day can make a world of difference.

Look what I can do...

I love sleeping with my musical sea horse.
You talkn' to me?

Look at my Christmas dress.

Spring during winter.

I have lips and look what I can do.