Springing Forward Into Fun Dog Events!

Hello to all of my fellow inquisitive canines and inquisitive guardians. My mom the certified professional dog trainer and human-canine relationship coach and I have been so busy with lots of exciting changes here at the office that I've been neglecting my blogging duties. Trust me, I've had lots to say, but for now I just want to drop a quick note (while mom is off the computer) and let you know about some fun and rewarding upcoming events happening here locally:

• Saturday March 13, 2010: The first annual Ventura Downtown Green Mile run/walk being presented by my good friend Josh Spiker! There are open divisions for humans and even us dogs! The race will start at 8:30am (starting line is on Main St by Cemetery Park / Lincoln school. Check in is at Mission Park, which is where the finish line will be.) The St. Patrick's Day Parade will start at 10am. Light food provided by The Greek Restaurant and Aloha Steakhouse. (OMG! Please save me some steak!!!)

• Tuesday March 16, 2010: Canine College is one of moms favorite dog manners classes. She teaches this 6-session basic dog obedience course through Ventura College Community Education. Dogs must be at least 4 months of age and owners at least 16 years old. There's also another 6-session course beginning May 4th for those that aren't able to attend this upcoming session.

I know mom is planning on running in the event this Saturday - and she's been training yours truly, so I guess that means if dad can get me out of bed early enough I'll be running it too. I wonder if Aloha Steakhouse or the Greek Restaurant will have any special prizes for us canines? Leftovers perhaps? Hmm, something for this inquisitive canine to ponder.

Pass the butter!

OMG, this is so humiliating...but not really. Just to bust a myth here, us dog's don't really "feel" the same way as you humans when it comes to "humiliation" "embarrassment" "shame" etc... there's enough of that for you all to deal with, so us dogs couldn't really care less... plus, our brains aren't developed that way... 

Why do I bring this up? That's easy... my mom the rockin' dog trainer and coach decided she wanted to "celebrate" this silly outlandish holiday you folks call "Halloween". All I know is you dress up weird and go around scaring people, knocking on doors and asking for treats!!! (uh, wait a minute... YOU ask for treats? Why are you all giving us dogs a hard time when we ask for treats...!!! I'll save that for another post...) 

   

Mom thought this would be the perfect time for me to practice my "go to your place" trick! That's one of the big behaviors she teaches in her classes at the studio and Ventura Community Education... 

The doorbell rings, I go to my little mat next to the door, she opens the door, as long as I sit still, I get a treat while the person at the door gets a treat... How easy is that? For both me and the kids at the door! This is what mom decided to dress me up in... ugh... she kept laughing, and I had this look on my face that she thought was soooo cute... But then she kept saying how she could use some melted butter... whatever... As long as I get my treats for wearing the stilly thing, I'll go along with it...I like to humor her. 

Hmm, I wonder what she'll dress me as next year? And I wonder if mom posted pictures of me on her blog too! Oh geez, what are others going to say! Something for this inquisitive canine to ponder... 

We have lift-off!!!

WOW! My mom the rockin' dog coach has just launched her brand-spankin' new awesome fabulous website! It's SO great! Talks about all her classes, workshops, and private training she offers... plus there's a brand new section where she answers many of the common questions you folks ask her... There's also a new way to register so you get your place in class early! First come first serve ya know... And then there's directions and her phone number... Oh, and there's a special place where she tells you all about her schooling, and how hard she worked to become the great rockin' dog coach she is... and The best part ;-) is I get to be on top of each page, looking at her with my big happy grin.  

I know she didn't do this all on her own... she had lots and lots of great help from her "dream team" - Miss. Lorrie, Miss. Emilia (Nellie's mom), Miss. Amber, Miss. Jill, Miss. Eileen...hmm, I think there may have been a few more... 

Anyway, I'm really proud of my mom... I wonder if dad is going to register me for another class, something for this inquisitive canine to ponder... 

Good friends and good times...!

I've been having lots of fun with my friends Elaine and Genae. They live next door. They're my mom and dad's friends too...but I'm getting to spend lots of time with them - especially since mom and dad are spending more time out and about on the town - working and whatnot.  

My mom the dog coach makes sure that if she and dad aren't available, they make arrangements for other people to take good care of me. Not that I can't be alone - but mom says because I'm a "social animal", if they need to leave me for a longer time it's better to have others come by and take care of me. She says it's not very fair to a dog to leave them locked up in the house all day without any mental or physical stimulation. 

So it's great that Elaine and Genae are our friends. They're SO much FUN! They come over and play with me, rub my belly, talk to me with those cute voices that make me smile inside...and they give me treats! I love when they come over. 

Genae and I get along really well - we both have lots in common. I love my mom and dad. She loves her mom and dad. I like to play, she likes to play. I like sports - ball, chase, tug, Flyball, agility - and she like sports - soccer, running, junior lifeguard, swimming, bike riding - but her favorite is ballet! She's really good at that. She gets to practice all the time - and now she's going to be learning all about something called the "Nutcracker" - not sure what that is, but I think it happens around the holidays - something tells me dogs aren't allowed at the show. Maybe she can show me pictures. 

Anyway, Genae and her mom Elaine have been coming by to play...and I've been having fun. It makes it a little easier when mom and dad aren't able to take me with them. I wonder when Genae is going to come over again? Hmm, something for this inquisitive canine to ponder. 

I lOVE being an "errand boy"!!!

Dad and I just got back from running errands together - mom feels kinda bad that she sends us out, but I think dad enjoys our time together... Why? Well first we get to go play on the field, (we also practice our training skills that we learned in moms classes). Then dad will hit the hardware store, or Costco, or Trader Joe's for mom...but the best best best part is dad will usually find a "treat" for us to share :-) I LOVE THAT! See? dad likes his 'rewards' just as much as me! Positive reinforcement works for all animals ya know - that's one thing I learned from mom...  

Check it out - dad decided to send mom a picture of what we were up to... tee hee...not sure if that was the smartest thing he could have done...I think she called dad "naughty", but that's okay, mom has been known to stop for "treats" herself... I wonder what mom and dads favorite treats are? Hmm, something for this inquisitive canine to ponder... 

Dad CAN multi-task!

I've been having so much fun with dad - we've been practicing all the new skills we've learned in moms rockin' Canine Good Manners classes at her Inquisitive Canine studio...the best thing is that dad has learned he can take "our show on the road". Now we practice wherever we go, not just in class - I guess that's one of moms goals for her students - to take it out of the class into the "real world". 

So today dad took me to one of our usual spots - the field where I romp, sniff, and play...this time, dad decided to "multi-task" and get in some training - along with the fun time. Mom calls this "obedience breaks" - she also says it's the perfect place to practice things like coming when my name is called, or leaving things alone when asked...you know, like yummy food I might find on the ground (I love that you humans are such litterbugs!) For safety, dad kept me on leash during our exercises...I was dragging it along with me - but in case I decided something out in the field was more interesting, and I didn't feel like paying attention, then he had a "safety line". Fortunately, dad knows how to keep me motivated so I was playing the game the entire time... 

Check out the picture he took of me working hard - running towards him when he called me...mom will be SO proud! Of both of us! I wonder if I called their name they'd come running to me...hmm, something for this inquisitive canine to ponder... 

Teachers "pet"

I'm still having so much fun being in mom's class. And dad is great! He's the one taking me ya know... Plus, he's got the advantage because he lives with the teacher! You'd think mom would be biased and let him get away with more than the other students...HA! NO WAY! Sure she's here to answer questions for him - that is an advantage - BUT she's also making it harder for him - PLUS, she's here to remind him to do more homework! Which is great for me because I love to learn!

Dad seems to love it too because now I'm doing all the things he's always wanted me to do. Like come back to him when he calls me when we're out on walks... or to sit and mind my manners while I wait before he lets me lick the inside of the yogurt cup. He's proud of me, mom is proud of both of us! Just like dad is rewarding me, my behavior is rewarding dad, and both dad and I are rewarding mom by practicing together!!! A real win-win for everyone...

I wonder what mom is going to reward dad with? Hmm, something for this inquisitive canine to ponder... 

I can't get away with anything!

Wow class was kinda tough today - not the training exercises per say... I just couldn't get away with anything! That's my mom the dog coach - she's kind, patient, and loves all her students - but she won't let you get away with some things...especially from me! 

All I was doing was barking and whining at her during class while she was teaching...sure, dad was there working with me, but I wanted my mom... I heard her tell the other students what I was doing is called "attention seeking behavior"...which is something I guess you humans aren't too fond of. She seems to know the difference between me wanting her attention, and me letting her know I don't feel well...two different types of whining. It's good that she knows the difference - something else she teaches the students during her classes.

Anyway, mom instructed dad to give me a "time out" - which means I got sent to the bathroom by myself for a few seconds... Geez! Then of course I tried it again, and of course she and dad were right on it! By the third time dad figured it out himself, and well, so did I! I was quiet for the remainder of the class... Dad paid attention to that too - got treats for just sitting on my blanket and being quiet... now I know what the better choice is. 

I wonder if mom or dad ever had a "time out" when they were young? Hmm, something for this inquisitive canine to ponder... 

Miss. Jill is SO smart!

My mom the dog coach has some really smart friends! You've heard me mention this before, but this time I'm talking about Miss. Jill... She and her mom came out from Austin to visit - And all I can say is, I can't wait for them to come back! Especially Miss. Jill. 

Miss. Jill is only 9 years old...but, she is one of the best dog trainers I know. And she doesn't even know she is one! She wanted to play ball with me...but at first I wasn't getting it, mostly because I'm so used to playing with mom at her studio here in Ventura, so we needed a bit of coaching to get started... Mom had Miss. Jill throw the ball, but then whenever I brought it back, she would first give me a treat, then she would throw the ball again! How cool is that?! 

Well, Miss. Jill quickly figured out that wherever she gave me my piece of kibble, (yes, this is how mom gives me some of my breakfast) that's where I would bring the ball! Wherever she wanted me to go, that is where she rewarded me! I bet her teachers back at home are as proud of her as me and my mom are... maybe someday she'll come out again and train me... In the meantime, all those dogs back is Austin sure are fortunate to have her! 

Hmm, I wonder what we'll work on the next time?...something for this inquisitive canine to ponder... 

Hmm, pretzels can only mean one thing...

Okay, maybe two things... or more... But in this case it means "bath time"! Yep - this inquisitive canine has figured out moms tip-offs for when she's about to give me a bath. First she'll mention that I don't smell very nice...calls me "Mr. Stinky Pants" - Geez, she's one to talk - she doesn't smell that great herself after a run...although I do like it - dad doesn't mind either - but I'm sure the public would protest. 

Anyway, mom first talked about how I wasn't smelling very fresh, and that  my fur felt "icky" (dad let me roll in something really fun at the park today - thanks dad!) Then she grabbed a few of her favorite pretzels, and said "come on, it's bath time"...we then went into the bathroom and proceeded to take care of business. 

Mom is really pretty smart though. She's a rockin' dog trainer - and she knows her stuff. She has figured out that I don't fuss if she feeds me little tidbits of goodies while she bathes me. She really lays it on when she gets that blower thingy out. She laughs and I get snacks - it's a pretty cool bonding time we share. This is something she teaches her students in her fun and informative dog training classes here in Ventura at our cool indoor training studio. Sometimes I help out - you might see me there. 

As for the whole bathing and grooming of dogs...Something you humans feel the need to do...and something for this inquisitive canine to ponder... 

I love a PARADE!

Mom and dad took me to the Pooch Parade today... it was SO MUCH FUN! It's the annual fundraising event that The Canine Adoption and Rescue League puts on here in Ventura down at the beach park. It's really great that they do this - all the money goes to helping dogs in need of homes...I used to be one of those too - until I met mom and dad... 

Mom, dad and I started of with a brisk walk...a whole 5K! My mom the dog training coach is really great...she let me sniff and explore much of the time...of course I had to ask for permission first - that's what she taught me, and something she teaches her students in both her classes and private sessions. Something called "setting boundaries"? or "Mother May I?" Whatever...all I figured out is, if I don't pull towards something, but look up at her, then she'll walk  me over to where I want to sniff... I guess it works for both of us...

Anyway, after the walk dad had to leave - he's motivated by playing tennis...and he's really good! He won the tournament he signed up for...mom was pretty cool with it but we did miss him being with us... So mom and I walked around, checked out the vendors, talked with lots of people and other dogs... Mom said I did great! All I know is I greeted both the dogs and the people in the way mom taught me too...with my good manners - something else she teaches in the classes at her inquisitive canine studio here in Ventura... 

We had a nice time - the weather was great too...This year mom didn't enter me in any contests, but that's okay - it was fun watching all the other dogs have fun...nice to be on the sidelines relaxing...maybe next year...Hmm, I wonder which contests she would enter me in? Maybe the kissing contest? I like doing that...mom is fun to kiss...Something for this inquisitive canine to ponder...