I'm a Foster Brother...Again!

It has been busy here at what I affectionately like to call Nottingham Fosters.  Last week my papa brought home a little sister, Penny and a little brother, Larson.  They came from the South.  I don't know much about the South, except Floor-i-duh is in the South where it's warm and sunny all winter.  I can't even tell you how much fun we had running around the yard but I can show you.

This is Penny, my girlfriend. 

This is Larsen, not my girlfriend

Stop, Drop and Roooooollllllll

Penny says "I'm taller than you!"

We're just wrestling

Giving Penny a bully-back ride

 I liked Larsen okay but I loved Penny! 

We all got tired and slept very well.

Until next time...Sir Titan of Nottingham CGC TT

Nose Work, Week 3

Well, last night was my third Nose Work class.  Although I rocked the class last week, I didn't fare quite so well this week.  In fact, I earned two, TWO, timeouts.  This is not something of which to be proud.  Apparently, I am not allowed to relieve myself mark a pole pee during a search.  There happened to be a spot, far, far away from the search area that drew my attention and I couldn't draw myself away from that area, even when my mama rudely pushed gently guided me back toward the search area. So I did what I do when I feel the need to let other dogs know "I was here"...I peed.  Bad Dog!  I was quickly placed back on a leash and removed from the search area to sit all alone in a cold, dark car and give thought to my recent indiscretion.

When it was my turn again, I was ready to work and did a fine job of searching and finding the "hide" very quickly.  I will admit that Miss Pam made it easy for me.  Then it was like Groundhog Day, you know the movie where the same day happens over and over and over.  That smell!  I caught a wiff of That Smell again.  Well, you know what happened next...I ran right over to another pole and.........peed.  Bad Dog!  Once again I was removed to the car.  The point I'm supposed to get is that even though I'm having so much fun, being off leash and running around "like there's a circus in my head" (thank you for the quote Auntie Wendy) I'M NOT ALLOWED TO PEE DURING THE SEARCH OR I GET TO SPEND TIME ALONE IN THE CAR.

I did get to come in once more and Miss Pam made it even easier for me.  All the other dogs were finding the "hide" in buckets, on chairs, in the corner; all my "hides" were placed in two rows right in front of me so I couldn't miss them.  

Here's a little video of me doing what I'm supposed to do...searching, not peeing.

This isn't very exciting to watch but it gives you an idea of what Nose Work is all about.  My job is to find the "hide" (treats) by smelling and my mama's job is to add more treats into the container so I stay with it.  Eventually the treats will be replaced with an odor, like anise or birch, and when I find it, I still get treats.  That's what I call "a good game to play".

Until next time...Sir Titan of Nottingham CGC TT

BAT Training

If you know me, you know...this isn't me.  Just a cute dog from the internet.

No, not that kind of bat.  It's training, silly. 

BAT stands for Behavior Adjustment Training and it's to help me with my reactivity.  We met with Shannon, one of my trainers, at a cemetery in Saco along with two other reactive dogs and their nice ladies.  Shannon brought along Brinna, her very calm, indifferent pit bull to be the "decoy" dog.  Brinna stood, or lyed down, or whatever she wanted to do, at the end of the road while my mama and I walked toward her to a predetermined point and stopped.  Mama was waiting for me to notice her, then turn away like I didn't want to look at her any more.  That's when she said "YES" very enthusiastically and we turn around and walk back to where we started.  We did it over and over and over to the point that I was exhausted.  It was hard work for my brain.  Truth be told, I didn't hardly react at all.  That's because Brinna didn't stare at me, she wasn't moving toward me and she wasn't being yappy.  She totally didn't press any of my buttons.  I was practically a rock star in the world of reactivity.

It turned out to be a very successful BAT day and my mama was very proud of me!  We're excited to be going again next week.

Until next time...Sir Titan of Nottingham  CGC TT

Wordless Wednesday 9/19/12

Until next time...Sir Titan of Nottingham CGC TT

Phew

Un-stuffing is hard work and makes me tired.

That was one good skunk ;o)  Thanks mama.

Until next time...Sir Titan of Nottingham CGC TT

I Am This Many

Today's my birthday.  Happy Birthday To Me!!!

I'm gonna tell you all about my day, my special day.  It started with a nice walk with my mama.  We didn't see any other dogs except the one that rode by in a truck with his/her head sticking out the winder and making lots of barking noises at me.  I'm not fond of dogs but I don't.do.that!

Next, I got to enjoy a little "me" time while mama and papa ran errands.  They didn't really run, they took the RAV.  

Next was the biggest surprise in my whole life.  They came home with some good smelling things in a bag.

Do you see that??? Along with a new kong and a new stuffie...it's a hamburger.  I real fast food/junk food hamburger.

Well....I'm waaaaaaaaiting

I'm still waiting

I didn't gobble it down like some dogs do, I savored it for three long minutes.  Then I gave my new bunny some lovin'.

I luv you, I luv you, I luv you

I spent time supervising my papa while he moved wood into the new shed.

The bucket with the wheel is empty, you know.

Supervising

I watched over my mama while she worked in the garden.

I took a nap because being three and doing so much celebrating made me tired.

I went into the back yard, past the fence, where I checked to be sure it was safe for my mama while she dumped her garden trimmings onto the compost pile.

I don't smell anything to be afraid of.

I don't see anything to be afraid of.

I played hide and seek even though mama didn't know we were playing.

I'm hiding, can you see me?

I did zoomies and took another nap.

zzzzzzzzz

After dinner there was ANOTHER surprise!  I got dessert!!!

Frozen pumpkin & molasses for DOGS, that's me!

Gimme, gimme, gimme...pleeeeeze

Tastes much better on the deck

slurp

I sat politely My mama made me sit while my papa took a quick picture of me in my party hat.

I don't much care for party hats ;o(

WOW!  What an awesome day.  I can't stop smiling...

Happy Birthday To Meeeeeee

Until next time...Sir Titan of Nottingham CGC ATT

Wordless Wednesday 8/29/12

My mama loves my "braided" tail

Until next time...Sir Titan of Nottingham CGC ATT