Thanks Ken

A year ago I wrote a letter to a man named Ken telling him how inspired I was by his IGs, and what he was able to do with them despite their history. One of his IGs, Gracie, had a very similar story to Abby and yet she was still able to do so much. I also told him how frustrated I was that most people/trainers I talked to said that Abby would never be able to do Agility. He wrote me a really sweet letter telling me to keep working with her and that eventually we would find someone who would work with us. His letter really kept me motivated and kept me working with her at a time when I really just wanted to give up.

Obviously I kept working with her and didn't give up on her. We eventually did find someone who was willing to work with us (and still does despite everything!) and Abby CAN do agility. She has really blossomed into a wonderful dog and became everything that I could ever ask for in a dog - even if I forget that at times. . .

I recently tried to email Ken to say thank you for his kind words and to update him on how Abby was doing, but the email came back. I'm disappointed that I'm not able to thank him for giving me the courage to keep going. I'm sad that I can't tell him how much his work with his dogs inspired me to work so much with my own. And since I can't thank him directly, I thought that I would thank him here. Maybe the internet in it's wonderful and mysterious ways will somehow get the message to him.

Thank you, Ken.

Still No A-Frame

I really have no idea what happened to Abby's A-frame. This once beloved obstacle is now completely shunned. We got it back for a bit after a practice session, but she refused it again in class. I am beginning to think that she might have come off it wrong in class and is now afraid that it "hurts". The only reason that I am thinking that is because after the one A-frame a few weeks ago, she completely fell apart for the rest of the class - refusing everything. . .including jumps. When she did take the jump, she took it crooked. I wondered that day if she didn't twist/pull/sprain something, but Abby is a pretty sturdy dog so I didn't give it too much thought.

But after class today, I think that I am revisiting my old theory - something about that A-frame "hurts". Abby did great the entire class, jumping perfectly at 16", took the dog walk both ways, but again refused the A-frame. I'm not sure if it hurts on the way up or the way down, but I think it might be the way up since I don't think Abby is smart enough to put the "what goes up must also come down" rule. We'll break it down again in a few weeks and hopefully we can get over it eventually.

After a few weeks of not training, I think that Abby actually does better without the constant push of training. Don't get me wrong, Abby likes to train - she gets all wiggly and prances around, but it was just the same old stuff. And if she did something wrong and didn't get a cookie, she got frustrated and confused. As well as she is doing, she isn't as mentally prepared for this stuff as some of the working breeds. Abby doesn't do wrong well. She wants to do well and shuts down when she doesn't. And once she shuts down, there is no getting her back. That's part of why I'm working on training in different places. It's stuff she already knows, but we are adding a new level of difficulty with a new environment. And even though she isn't comfortable enough to actually train in new places, I think that we are getting some benefit - relationship building if nothing else, and that helps tremendously in classes and trials.

Everyone is getting used to the new training program. Abby is very demanding after work and fusses about, expecting to out and do something. Mole finally understands that he isn't coming with us. I think that pocket is just happy to get that crazy dog out of her hair for awhile. I'll admit that it was very difficult at first taking Abby out without Mole - especially because he REALLY wants to go. . .and probably expects to go too. After all, he always came before. . . but I think that he gets it now. He stays home. I still feel guilty about it, and I think that it has made him more needy at other times, but that is ok. There are so many dogs in this house that if you don't demand attention, then you can get over-looked at times.

Phase One

Things just got serious.

I have been working consistently with Abby for just over a year. We have come a long way in that year. We have had a few set backs but we have had far more rewards. And while we have worked hard together, we have not had a real training plan. We have gone to agility class, then on to agility trials, and now we are doing rally class, and hopefully will trial soon. Even with all this training, I have not thought farther ahead then next weeks class. I haven't thought weeks, months, years, into the future because I never really believed that Abby could do well. However, a few weeks ago I actually realized how far she could go if I put the effort into her that I plan on putting into my next dog. Once that clicked, I knew that I had to put more effort into her training.

The end goal with this new training regiment is to have Abby comfortable doing her obedience in a new and public place . . . but we are going to do it in phases because this is Abby and nothing is ever straight forward.

Phase One: Take Abby to as many new places as possible. Abby goes a lot of places but it's rare that she goes anywhere new anymore. My main goal for phase one is to have her be comfortable (hopefully happy) and able to pay attention to me. I think that phase one is going to be a long one - and possibly a never ending one considering her history.

Phase Two: practice basic obedience in comfortable environments. This will eventually go on in conjunction with phase one. Since I can't take her somewhere new every day, we will often go back to places that she is comfortable with and work on basic training there.

Phase Three: ??? I am not entirely sure what phase three will be, but we'll figure that out once we get to phase two.

So, how did day one of phase one go? Not too bad. We went for a walk on a new trail and I got some attention from her. I didn't ask much from her, but did ask her to check in with me from time to time. She did better at the beginning of the walk when there was less distraction. Once the horse walked by she was constantly wondering what kind of bizarre creature would jump out from around the next bend! The weather was crappy so she had to wear a coat! We were lucky though, because as soon as we got back in the car, it started to rain!

NOT Training Works!

I don't advocate anyone STOP training their dogs, but a break here and there is good for all of us. When I decided to take a week off from training I was afraid that Abby would forget what she learned and stare at me confused and bewildered when class came around. Surprise of all surprises Abby did quite well in class! Despite loosingher stays (which aren't that great to begin with) she was perfect. She not only did well, but she also had a great time doing it.

We played a few games this week, choose to heel was our favorite. The idea is that your dog is allowed to do "whatever they want" but they are heavily rewarded for being in the heel position. This can be on leash, but is more effective off leash. As a compromise Abby dragged her leash. I wasn't afraid of her bolting as much as I was afraid that she would play on the agility equiptment! Abby got the game and quickly came back to heel position after being sent away. I was really surprised that she did so well until I remembered all the long-line work we've done and all the recall training. Our instructor was surprised at how well she did too!

We've officially gotten back into "training mode" but we are going to mix it up a lot. I think that our new regiment will be more fun and will be more effective. When we can't follow the new plan, then we will learn new tricks - like tonight! I always think it's cute when dogs weave through their owners legs, so I decided that will be our first trick. Abby is a little slow picking this up because she keeps trying to get into heel position! It's ok... She'll get it eventually... But I'm sure that we'll break one or two behaviors along the way...

And Then There Was One. . .

Ok, there are still FOUR. . .but yesterday I got a chance to see what it was like for people with only one dog.

Abby had a weird week last week in agility class and since we had no Rally class on Sunday and no agility class Thursday I decided that we should take the week off from training and do fun things instead. One day we all went to the cemetery and and took a nice walk (well, Abby and Mole walked, and I carried Pocket). Yesterday I thought it would be fun if we took a nice hike in the hills. Since these are the same hills that Pocket got attacked in, I didn't dare bring her or mole - plus mole shouldn't walk that much anyway. With Abby being larger and less squirrel like, I figured that she would probably be safe from those "rescue" dogs.

Aside from being fun, I thought that a nice hike would be a good conditioning exercise for her. I really should be doing conditioning exercises with Abby all the time, after all, she is supposed to be athletic! But having a multi-dog household makes it difficult to do things with only ONE dog. I feel guilty leaving them behind and I think that they feel bad being left. But I am trying to put those thoughts behind me. I know that I don't love mole any less because I can't take him with me. And I would never forgive myself if I took him and something horrible happened because of it.

So, I was temporarily a one-dog person. And I have to say that I really liked it. It was easy only having to watch out for one dog - even with that one dog being Abby. But since Abby is larger then the other two, and isn't obsessed with peeing on everything, we were able to get in a nice work out. I was surprised that she was able to walk alone without the comfort of her companions. She didn't panic or try to run away. She simply walked with me. There were a few times when we came upon a biker and she was unsure, but she stayed close and followed right behind me. I was really proud of her because she was on a 25' long-line and could have made poor choices. I know I often say how amazed I am at how far Abby has come, but I truly am. I often say that I am proud of how she can do agility and rally, but secretly, I am happier that we can take a nice walk together. We are becoming partners more and more every day.

Abby being a total DOG and sniffing the flowers:

Mothers Day

I know that some people make fun of people like me - people who think of their dogs as their children. They think that having dogs can't possibly be as difficult as raising children. I beg to differ. Try having something with the brain of a two year old child living with you for 15 years. Imagine having to ask you teenager if he went potty and then walking him back into the bathroom to "make sure". Imagine having to make breakfast and dinner for your children for their entire lives. Imagine being completely responsible for every facet of your child's life - food, exercise, mental stimulation, socialization, etc for their entire life. Now, I am not saying that being a parent isn't tough, I am simply saying that being a good dog parent is also difficult. A friend once told me that I am the first "soccer mom" that she knows. . .and I often feel like that. . .but I enjoy (almost) every minute.

Here are new pictures of my kids:

My smiling old man


Abby still carrying her winter weight


Unfortunately I didn't get any new pictures of Pocket because this



Kept doing this



That was pre-surgery when he was still allowed to run and play. . .post surgery he is doing well - better than I expected. . .but spending most of his time "resting". We can't afford for him to rupture any sutures, so until we get the A-OK from the Doc, he is being crate rested with limited exercise.

Puppy Envy

I have puppy envy. . . yes, those words actually came out of my mouth. And, as far as I can tell, I am still completely sane.

I'm not the biggest fan of puppies because they have a ton of energy, make a lot of mess, and require a ton of work. I have, from time to time, fallen in love with certain puppies, but those puppies usually belong to friends and the puppies are like my nieces and nephews, so of course I love them. I have never wanted a puppy of my own. . .until today. . .

Abby fell apart half-way through agility class on Thursday. She decided that she didn't like the A-frame, and would only take the dog walk one way. Abby reverted back to her old self and I am not entirely sure why. I was really disappointed and apologized to our instructor, but she didn't seem phased at all by it - guess it's more common then I think (selective memory). Abby and I went out to the agility yard this morning to work on some of the issues. I had to put the A-frame back to half height before she would take it - then she took it joyfully. She was fine both sides of the dog walk today, but she only wanted to jump 12". As much as I love Abby, and as proud of her as I am at what we have accomplished together, it is still frustrating having to re-teach her basic things that she actually LOVES doing.

Today, I also got to work with my friend's puppy. She is a gorgeous aussie who was excellently bred and properly socialized. She was a total joy to work with. She had a great time doing very basic things, and had no fear of anything new. She is super smart and picked up on what we wanted from her right away and was very willing to continue working with us. I found myself thinking that I actually might want a puppy one day. I am a firm believer in rescue, but I have absolutely no problem with great breeders who are actually bettering their chosen breed - and I don't blame owners who want an awesome dog - especially owners who want to do something specific with their dog.

But, another dog is still a long way away for me, and in the end, I will probably rescue an adult - probably with issues. . . but it's always fun to dream of that perfect dog - the one that I can do everything I ever wanted with. . .one without years of baggage to sort through. . . But, in the mean time, I'll continue to work with Abby and be happy with the small success that we have. . .and try not to get frustrated with her when she has set backs. . .after all, she is not a well bred or properly socialized dog. . .and we have still managed to do some amazing things together.

Fostering. . . Again

I was planning on taking the year off from fostering - although I knew that if a medical case came along that I would probably be the one to take him in. We never hope for medical cases - you never hope to come across a dog that has been so neglected or abused that they need it, but we often do. Some we take and fix up and adopt out, some we can't help at all. But when this little guy showed up on the needs rescue list at a south bay shelter, he was impossible to pass up. And being tiny (only 3 pounds) it seemed like my house was the most obvious place to put him.

He is all over the media now with the horrific story of what happened to him - and it IS a terrible story. And everything that has been said is completely true. He is in a lot of pain when he defecates. And, unfortunately, because of the scarring, most of the pain he is in isn't productive, so he tries to go more often then a healthy dog does. He has been with me for only a few days, and my heart breaks with all his crying - and I can't wait until he goes in for surgery tomorrow so that he will finally be pain free.

But, when he isn't in pain, he is just about the cutest thing on this earth. He is a total puppy in every way - much to the chagrin of my old grumpy dogs! Luckily he isn't too annoying, and when everyone refuses to play with him, he goes and plays with "dean" - a stuffed dog that some friends got me YEARS AND YEARS ago after a very special puppy I worked really hard with was finally adopted. He also loves to play fetch and tug. He has no weird fears of people, places, or things. When he is all fixed up, he is actually going to be one very well-rounded and socialized puppy. It's truly amazing what dogs can go through and still be friendly and trusting after it all. He is going to be a great companion to someone soon.

If you are interested in donating to his medical fund, you can go here.