A Splurge: Teeter Base

After about six months of vowing to build my own PVC teeter base, I finally faced reality and ordered an adjustable one online.

I'm quite pleased with it. It was easy to put together and folds flat, just as promised. Now I'm regretting that I didn't use a regulation size board.

And how does Henry like it?

Well, immediately after we set up the new base, Henry took right to the teeter. He hadn't been very confident on it in class, but the new home teeter seemed to do the trick. And then a few days later he decided that he was scared of the teeter once again!

So, I started all over. This time I'm doing the two-paws-on two-paws-off finish (and we're doing the same on the A-frame). We're only practicing the finish at home, but in class we're working on the regulation height teeter. He's improving gradually and not showing as many avoidance behaviors when he sees the teeter. Before, he'd do just about anything to avoid the teeter -- running all over the room sniffing, sitting down and scratching, having a sneezing fit, going to visit the instructor, etc.

Making New Friends, Plus a Little Recreational Digging

We headed south for Easter this year, and while we were there, Henry met a couple of new friends – a dachshund and a dachshund mix. Plus he got to see his buddy, a possible Ridgeback mix.

Henry and “Big Dog” are old friends. They knew each other before Henry came to live with me, and it seems Henry respects him more than any other dog (or human). All it takes is one firm bark from Big Dog to shut Henry up. It's truly a miraculous thing to witness.

By the time we left, Henry and the dachshund were playing pretty well. She's quick, sassy, and adept at leaping onto laps for cover -- and to conduct some friendly taunting.

I was very happy and relieved by how Henry got along so well with the new dogs. Sure, there was some jealousy because both Henry and the dachshund considered R their person, but they worked that out in a reasonable, canine fashion.

So, since he'd been behaving and had managed not to eat any sand or a single carcass, I let him dig when he found a spot where he was sure a treasure was buried. He dug and dug until he was exhausted.

And luckily, I got him cleaned up just before the water went off!

Opportunity Wasted

We visit my dad regularly, and he has a very large fenced enclosure which would be the perfect place for Henry to practice jumping.

There is, however, one problem. Or rather, many problems.

Birds.

Birds in the bushes, birds at the birdfeeders just outside the fence, and – most tempting of all – birds flying from the bushes on one side over the fenced yard to the birdfeeders.

Not even cubes of hot dog can compete with that.

So usually it goes something like this: I drag the jumps out and fetch the bait, Henry commences bird-chasing, I play with Blitz (who is completely attentive), and then Henry sees Blitz getting treats and breezes through and does the jumps once, grabs a treat, and goes back to tormenting the birds.

Spectating, and...Um...Buying

I'm back from watching my first agility trial this weekend. Wow, I learned a lot. Perhaps the greatest lesson is to avoid the vendors, as their wares are far too tempting.

(not pictured: Henry's new leather collar)

I was feeling rather stupid about the fuzzy mat thingy because Henry's initial reaction was to treat it as a chew toy. But then I walked in the bedroom and saw this, so I think we're going to be OK:

High Rocks

We've been coming to this area of Virginia for years, but somehow, until now, we missed this fairly short trail with a great view of the valley.


Hike Details & Directions

Henry was pleased to find just enough water and mud to ruin the bath he'd had not 24 hours earlier. He was also really into rock climbing when we reached the summit.

My Sunshine

Henry's current favorite toy is his new happy-faced sunshine.

Everyone got to pick out a toy on the last night of class, which was definitely a fun way to end things.

For some reason, this cheery little sunshine toy seemed appropriate for Henry. :)

Just hanging with my BFF* Lucille

Since I've been a "cat person" for so many years, people usually are curious how Henry gets along with my two cats.

I suppose the best proof that things are going well is that after a year of high-energy Henry, both cats are still alive and well.

Their relationships with Henry, however, are quite different. Henry and Lucille (pictured) have a friendship, if you will, that's sort of like warring siblings. They torture one another relentlessly (Henry chases, Lucille hides and smacks him with her paw as he passes). But when it's time to rest or gather around for treat distribution, they're OK being close. Lucille, of course, is always confident that she is in charge -- not just of Henry, but of me and everything else in the house. That's her attitude. I think she actually enjoys having a dog to harass.

* Best Feline Friend

Chute Success

The last two classes of this session went MUCH better than the one I wrote about below. (Thank goodness!)

At the grand finale -- a course of 10 obstacles -- Henry shocked me by not only dashing through the chute like it was nothing, but also by going right into the weaves. He wasn't fast by any means, but he got the entry right and didn't hesitate.

We did two runs of the 10 obstacle course. Our first run was good, except we almost ran into each other as he came down the A-frame and I did a front cross. On the second run, the A-frame was smoother, but I screwed up the entry to the tunnel, so that wasn't at all smooth. What most amazes me is his focus when he gets started, and that he maintains a sit-stay at the start line with all the other dogs and people around -- dogs and people that he is very aware of until he starts the course.

So, one of my two goals for this class were met. Henry's now doing the chute completely closed. Woohoo!

You'll Have That

This week's class wasn't our finest hour.

I signaled with one hand when I should have used two. I stopped when I should have kept going. I got too far ahead (a rare occurrence with Henry's speed, but wrong nonetheless).

On and on.

I got really frustrated with myself, and then with Henry, and that is never a good thing.

It was in this frame of mind that I did the most horrible thing you can ever do at dog class, the one thing that conveys to all in attendance that you are, indeed, a truly EVIL human being.

I said, "No."

Saying "no" to your dog during happy, happy agility time is like unleashing an expletive-laced tirade on your toddler in the grocery store. Of course I got scolded. For the record, it wasn't a really stern "no," but still, I was sorry and acted perky and happy for a good five minutes or so to make up for it.

Then, to torture my last remaining nerve -- if indeed I had any left at that point -- we tried to learn the weave poles all over again using a completely different method. The weave poles have been really ticking me off anyway because Henry zips right through the ones we have at home, but at class he hesitates and then walks through them very slowly, if at all. Henry seemed more befuddled by this method than the previous three, but I will keep trying at home.

It was one of those nights when I walked out feeling like this has all been a stupid and expensive mistake.

Left

Part of our homework for class is for Henry to learn left and right commands. The idea is to be able to signal to him which direction to go. Eventually, if I point left, he should turn over his left shoulder and go left -- and, of course, go right when I point to the right.

So far, he has left down very well because that's the one we started with. He'll turn to the left when I point left -- and he turns left about half the time when I point right. :) But we're working on fixing that.

Henry did the chute!

Henry really surprised me at class by running through the chute without anyone holding up the end.

First we made several runs through while the teacher held up the end a bit so he could see daylight. Then we took a break and did some contact exercises -- the A-frame, board, etc. When we went back to the chute, the teacher was busy somewhere else, so I thought, "Oh what the heck..." and gave it a try. And what do you know, the little rascal went through with the chute completely closed.

I quickly got him to do it again and made a HUGE deal each time. It seemed like he really had it and was super-excited to be doing it right and getting lots of praise.

On the third try, he backed out of the tunnel and wouldn't run through.

*SIGH*

Tandem

Over the weekend, I took Henry and Blitz for their first long walk together. It was Blitz's first long walk, period. Blitz and I are in desperate need of exercise to fight the winter flab, so this may become a regular weekend routine.

We did a three-mile loop on a hard-surfaced road, so it wasn't hiking. We kept up a very good pace -- 3 miles in 65 min. I consider that pretty good when you factor in the occasional potty breaks and stops to let cars pass.

As I said, it was Blitz's first big walk, and he wasn't sure what to do when we passed a house with barking dogs. Henry showed him how it's done: ignore them and keep moving -- quickly!

Really, it was amazing how well they walked together when I shortened Henry's leash to be about the same length as Blitz's. They kept this formation most of the walk.

That's What Friends Are For

Good friends (like Blitz) are always there to help you dry off on bath day.

Back in the Tunnel Again

Our second class was much better than the first, but not perfect because I'm still puzzled by some of Henry's behavior.

Most of the class went very well. At the final session of our last agility class, Henry suddenly showed hesitation going into the tunnel, so I was worried about how he was going to do after not seeing the tunnel for several months (they're just too expensive to buy).

Miraculously, he ran right in and got it on the first try. On our second run he went full speed out of the tunnel into 2 jumps, and let me tell you, that was something beautiful!

But perhaps I'm a little biased.

Snow Days

We've gotten to go hiking at Coopers Rock twice in the snow. It's been far better than the one time we tried last year, which must have been right after or during a snowfall because a lane of the road hadn't been plowed. This year there's been one lane plowed and the other lane left alone for cross country skiers. The road is completely closed to vehicles during the winter, so it's perfect for dog walking.

Shameful Start

Oh boy. Tonight was one of those that made me think this agility thing is all a big mistake for me and Henry.

After getting used to the equipment again, he was fine, as far as equipment was concerned.

He was, however, a complete terror (terrier?) otherwise.

From the very beginning he was on edge. It's a big class, about double what we're used to. Plus, there were several excited barkers, and some of them had squeak toys. With so much going on, Henry was wound up. He barked. He pulled. It was a nightmare.

The instructor assured me everything was fine, that Henry was a "reactive dog." Everyone was generally a good sport, and I did my best to keep Henry away from the barkers and ones that he seemed most upset by.

It would break my heart, but if this continues, we'll have to quit.

Henry's Dance Party

Add Wii Dance Dance Revolution to the growing list of things that can't be done with Henry in the room. He's an expert at choosing songs. He selected the same song for me three times in a row. Good times.

Winter Wear

I received some teasing, of course, when I bought Henry a new coat for Christmas – a Lands' End coat, no less. Bahahaha, Lands' End for a dog. Bahahaha, crazy dog lady.

Yeah, yeah, I know.

But consider this, you can get a cheaply made, ridiculous looking dog coat or sweater at Walmart for about $10-15 (that’s what I did last year). For double that, you can get a well-made, sporty-looking coat from Lands' End. You know, one that says, “Here’s my athletic dog that I like to keep warm” instead of “Here is my dog that I like to dress up like a child. I read him a story before tucking him into his bassinet at night.”

Plus, the Lands' End coat has some wicked reflective properties that are perfect for walking around town at night, an especially good thing since I’m usually too absent-minded to put on light-colored clothing and give us a fighting chance of being seen by motorists. No, the coat doesn't glow. That effect in the photo is from the flash. :)

As impressive as its reflective strips are, the coat has an even more prized side-effect: it slows Henry down!

He can run in it. That’s not the issue. He’ll run or jog occasionally while wearing the coat, but he does not sprint non-stop around, under, and over fallen trees and bushes. It is a glorious thing to see him walking politely even in the squirrel-infested park!