Fun in a field

Saturday was spent at Craven for the Good2Go flyball tournament.  Taz got to spend some quality time with Dad for the day.  The foster cats came home from Petsmart.  Man was it hot!  Pepper decided to sleep upside-down while waiting between races.

We headed to the Poop Guys' acreage on Sunday for some flyball practice for Taz.  The rain every Thursday has made it difficult for him to progress.  I set up the one jump work with Spike in the other lane.  Rebecca was kind enough to hold and release Taz.  He loves her now since she usually has treats!!! We were doing great!  Taz was ignoring Spike and running right for his tuggie the way he should.  We got some good distance up and then Spike decided to run right at Taz.  OMG I am thinking, please let there be no fight!  Taz ignored Spike and kept running for me!  HALLELUJAH!  A step in the right direction!  When Taz got to me, I gave him tonnes of treats, verbal and physical praise.  Rebecca came running over and joined in.  We figured that Taz was pointed right at Spike, possibly giving him the stink eye and Spike decided to try and tune him in.  Pretty darn close to the real thing of running in a lane.  Taz will have to learn to watch where he is looking because most dogs do not like to be stared at.  In any case, he did what he was supposed to do and ignored the dog running at him.  I will take this small step in the right direction and we will build upon it.

Before we even started practicing some flyball, Pepper and Taz got to run around in Rebecca's huge field.  This field has grass that is about 3 feet high.  Taz was doing his best kangaroo impression running through the grass.  Pepper did not have to bound through the grass, she plowed through it!  They had loads of fun.  We plan on going back on the weekend for some more flyball work and fun in the field.  If I remember to bring my video camera next time, I will try to record the kangaroo in action.

Success!

With the damn weather being so rainy over the past few weeks, Taz has not been able to practice outside the agility ring.  Today we had a few small successes!  We were two car lengths away from the ring with his kennel facing it.  I opened the door and put him on a boundary.  Because I had changed the difficulty of this task, I kept it short, about 30 seconds.  He STAYED in his kennel, did not react and actually laid down!  HUGE SUCCESS!!!

I decided to up the ante by dropping the leash and walking away.  He continued to STAY in his kennel!  Another success!!  I closed the door and covered it so that he could take a break.  While he was taking a little break, I watched some of the action on the field.  After about 5 minutes, I got his Mutt Matt (R) and laid it close to the kennel.  Again, I brought him out and put him on boundary on the matt.  He laid on his one hip, a nice relaxing pose and watched the action.  And there was action this evening!  The dogs were doing front crosses and pin wheels with a tunnel and 5 jumps!  Lots of dogs running!  I clicked and treated him while repeating boundary every few seconds.  He got a treat every time he looked a the ring and back at me.  Not once did he get up off of the matt to react!! 

I thought it would be good to test him again.  I dropped the leash and walked about 8 feet away, turned around, clicked because he was still on the matt and walked back!  I was able to repeat this about 6 times, getting all the way to the ring without him leaving the matt!  He did beautifully!  Back to the covered kennel for a few more minutes of rest.

We went through some Watch That, Look at Me and you get a treat exercise without asking for the "watch me" part.  It's called "offered focus".  It was beautiful!  I am going to have to bring my camera and take some pictures to add to the blog because a picture is worth a thousand words!  Diane mentioned that he is learning how to watch tv and not react.  Slowly he is learning control!

This coming weekend will see Riki and Rebel at Petsmart.  These guys are in need of a holiday and so am I!  Tonight Rebel has joined us in watching TV.  Another huge development for them.  I must rework their bios this weekend as their personalities have changed!

Latest Menu

Okay I have made a few changes!  Take a peek and let me know what you think!

Come Dine with me

Hors D’oeuvres

Asian Beef Salad in Cucumber Cups

Roast Garlic and Goat Cheese Struedel

Naked Grape Sauvignon  Blanc

Salad/Soup

Melon Soup

Yellow Tail Bubbles

Main

Canadian Maple Orange Glazed Salmon

Wild Rice and Mushroom Pilaf

Dilled Carrots

Gallo Pinot Noir and Proprietor’s Reserve Pinot Grigio

Dessert

Layered Lime Pie

Beringer White Zinfandel

Come Dine With Me Dinner

Okay guys, I need some help with this menu.  This is what I have so far.  Let me know what you think!  I do not drink much wine, so the wine pairings definitely need help!

Starter

Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Tartlets

Sauvignon Blanc

Salad/Soup

Melon Soup

Champagne with Kir Royale

Main

Canadian Maple Orange Glazed Salmon

Wild Rice and Mushroom Pilaf

Dilled Carrots

Pinot Noir or Gewürztraminer or Pinot Grigio

Dessert

Layered Lime Pie

White Zinfandel

Thoughts?!?!  If this goes well, I just might serve it again for my friends!  The only thing I have made so far is the Salmon.  I tried it today and it was delicious!  I am busy scouring the Internet for recipes for the rest!