Puppy Class Graduates...

Aren't necessarily well-behaved.

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*You sayin' there's a problem with this mom? 'Cuz you can bite my fuzzy ass.*

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Actually, Epic's bum is still quite naked. Winter is going to SUCK for him.

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WARNING: BRAG AHEAD!

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Questions for the Blogosphere:

Okay guys.... 3 questions:

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1) How do I train a RELIABLE recall in a terrier? I know how I'd do it for a border collie, but lets keep in mind that Epic is not programmed to respond to pressure. He simply dances away from any pressure I put on him. Now, I do HAVE a recall... but it's only solid if I call him and then run away so he has to catch me. He does come if I just stand there, but he doesn't always come within reach. I don't really feel like 'Come' is something that's negotiable. I don't want him to come to me and then suddenly dance away into traffic, you know? Practice makes perfect, I guess.

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2) How do I get him to stop tormenting the border collie? Epic likes to pick on a resting Sam. He puts his chest on the ground and barks and darts around. It gets really fun when I get up and try to stop him, because then he gets to dart around me as well. If it were ME he was doing it to I just wouldn't respond and take all the joy right out of it. However, Sam can only take it so long before he starts lunging for Epic... and Epic thinks that's pretty fun too! It's making me a bit nuts.

I'm sure Sam feels the same.

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And finally...

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3) HOW CAN I GET HIM TO STOP CHEWING?? I know, I know... he's teething. His gums hurt. I get it. I provide appropriate toys for him to chew on. I provide cold things for him to chew on. He chooses to chew on the coffee table. I've tried the Bitter Yuck stuff, and frankly, I think I have tasted more of it than he has (totally got it on my fingers the other day, and then my lips, and then my tongue, and now I don't think I'll ever be able to eat again thankyouverymuch). I can scold him, but it doesn't stop anything. I can stop him and personally hand him something better to chew on... but it doesn't stop anything....

Blargh.

First of all, I am ridiculously grumpy today. It's the kind of grumpy where you can't even ENJOY being grumpy. Blech. So we're going to start this entry with some cuteness!

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My sister has a border collie who will be making a tournament debut in September. I say 'debut', because this will be the first time she gets thrown into a heat... she has warmed up with the team once before. There are some tensions and unfortunate politics on the flyball team right now, but I'm so looking forward to seeing what Kit has got in her!

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This is Kit's baby picture. Hands up if you think the bigfoot here is too cute! *waves hand furiously*

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And this is Kit all growed up! Less cute, more pretty... and sinister. Fairly certain her intelligence frightens my sister on a regular basis. I used to live with Kit. It was challenging in that she is far smarter than I am, and could play me like a fiddle.

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Okay. Onward!

You know what I'd really like?

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I'd like the puppy to take a nap sometime.

That would be nice. Instead, the little boy has decided to teeth all over the place. I tell him he can't chew the coffee table, so he chews the bookshelf. I tell him he can't chew the bookshelf, so he chews the baby gate. I tell him he can't chew the baby gate, so he harasses the border collie. I tell him he can't harass anyone, so he decides to eat the blanket. Then he gets mad because I won't let him do anything fun. I can't win. SOME of us are trying to write a thesis Epic!

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To combat some of his restlessness we've been doing a LOT of working. His 'Down' has gotten much more reliable, and I've taught him how to jump through a hoop for puppy class graduation tomorrow.

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I've also been working quite a bit on some of the components of flyball, as always. He's coming along well (I may be biased...). There's a little video below of some of our work today. It isn't the best, as he was the LAZIEST.BOY.EVER. I don't get it! He has TONS of energy that he frequently uses to get in trouble. Yesterday I heard a noise outside, and I looked over to see the lounge chair making its way across the patio in fits and starts. I'm not entirely sure what the plan was, but seriously dude! He has the initiative to do that, but he can barely lumber over a 6 inch jump?

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I'm not entirely sure what that purple aura is about. It's a sunny day though, and both Epic and the jump are blindingly white... I guess my camera objects.

Blitzing!

We're famous!

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Okay, not really. We're probably as close to fame as we're going to get though. This weekend Ben, Epic, and I travelled to Regina for a flyball tournament hosted by KAOS Dogsport. The tournament had a huge turnout and there was plenty of racing for all. KAOS also did a wonderful job of promoting the tournament and the local media turned out in droves!

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Tonight, a little clip of Epic will be on the CBC news... 'cuz he's just so darn cute! Epic and I were hanging out and watching some flyball, and we happened to sit near the CBC camera. The videographer (camera guy!) noticed that Epic was 'watching' the racing quite intently and turned the lens on him. So, look for that. Don't blink.

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Not to be outdone, Ben received his fair share of media attention. He was photographed for the Leader Post, but was not featured. Instead, the article features his good friend Millie, a lovely little American Eskimo who was rescued from the side of the road just over a year ago. The CTV News cameras were also there capturing a River Runners race. I'm not sure when/if that will hit the air, but perhaps you should keep your eye out for Ben. 'Cuz he's cute too.

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*Please to be on tv now?*

Perhaps you noticed the little flash of pink in that picture? Those were Ben's hot racing boots on Saturday. All pimped out with decals and everything!

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Now, Epic didn't get the same joy out of the tournament as Ben did, but he did do very well. He's young and it's a very stressful environment to just hang out in. Two days of waiting in the crate and peeing at the end of the leash, in the rain, were enough for him. The little guy is happy to be home, in the sunshine, bouncing around the yard.

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Random Owner Interlude.

I HATE moths.

17 Weeks!

Epic and his brothers, 4(?) weeks:

Epic, 11 weeks:

Big boy Epic! 17 weeks:

My how they change! The little man is now HUGE! Plenty of leg and muscle on him, and the best.coat.EVER. He has a broken coat with plenty of hair sticking out all over the place and a fabulous little 'beard'. I like my dogs scruffy...

Mr. Ben

Well, for the first time this summer I brought Ben in for flyball practice. I'm impressed with how well he did, considering my commitment to his training has been lacking. Sorry Ben. Luckily, Ben remains pretty busy in his everyday life, and although he does gain a bit of weight now and then, he never loses muscle tone. So it looks like we'll be able to pack up and head for our tournament next weekend. The boy still remembers his sport.

I do have some concerns though, as Ben seems to be telling me that his right hind leg can be bothersome. It's not blatantly obvious, but every once and a while it seems a bit stiff and he may even favor it a bit. I'm not really sure what's up with that. I'll be watching him closely this weekend to see if it's bothering him anyway.

Too Tired

To blog, but Epic insists that the show must go on. I'm home this week after spending 5 days away at a wedding. I hadn't spent a night away from Epic, much less 4 nights, and it was quite hard on me to be away from the little guy. Apparently it was less hard on him to be away from me, and I don't think he really took notice of my absence. He noticed when I came back though. My first night home Mr. Epic received 3 time-outs where he chilled in his crate and I chilled on the couch contemplating my choice of breed.

We have since determined that we do still love each other ('cuz hey, he's cute AND smart... and snuggly) and have just been kickin' around this last week. We've had some walks and some play time, and last night I took him along to flyball class where he proceeded to do not much.

He is, however, getting the idea of a 'push'. Ben has a horrible flyball turn and I have great hope that Epic's will be better. A strong swimmer's turn is not only faster on the flyball lanes but is far safer for the dog as well! Ideally, the dog will spread his weight equally on the box so that no one joint takes the force of the impact. Ben tends to take the impact in his shoulders, and as such, will have a fairly short racing career.

Tonight is our second puppy class, and hopefully he's prepared to work tonight. I made a mistake last night before flyball and I fed him before he went. I either should have made him work for his supper, or fed him after our outing... our cheese just wasn't cutting it last night. He's only 4 months old, i'm still figuring this guy out.

This weekend Ben will be coming into flyball practice for the first time this summer. He has taken a bit of a break as I've been busy with puppy things, moving, etc. NEXT weekend, Ben (and Epic) will be heading down to Regina for a tournament. I believe Ben is only 600 points away from his FM. I don't expect we'll get it this time out, but that's okay! There's a Saskatoon tournament shortly, and as a treat the hosting club hands out placement ribbons... and I want one! Two years ago Ben got his FDCH at that tournament and I'd really like a matching pair!