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Post by Gazinghound on Sept 25, 2012 3:05:25 GMT -5
Yeah, she seems to be pretty okie-dokie now. She decided to be a very naughty girl for me today by trying to swipe food off the counter a few times *and* being uncooperative as usual when I went to practice Agility with everypuppy. She seems be perceiving it as work I'm trying to force her to do instead of fun (no matter how motivational I try to be), even though I can so easily picture her being awesome at it and having a blast. Dx Sigh. Jack did pretty well for his first crack at it, though, and Rusty's turn was okayish. They're both totally one-track-minded and get way too excited and hyper over the rewards, so you keep losing control of them...while Ulla suddenly loses most of her interest in the rewards as soon as you ask her to actually do something in exchange for one. Just can't win, lol. But we still had some fun playing outside, nonetheless. Think we'll head back to the dog park later in the week. Oooh, how wonderful!! Congratulations on those great results. Well done, Bella! I knew you'd become accustomed to it before long. The photos look awesome. She certainly appears like a more comfortable and experienced showgirl. ^^ It's great to know that she was more relaxed and enjoyed spending time around all the other pooches. And two shows in one day IS a lot of work. Ulla is the same way--she gaits beautifully, and at times wants to just keep on going. It's the standing-still part she never liked as much and sometimes had trouble with in the ring, whether it was moving out of position too much or roaching her back and trying to lower her head--her usual "stubborn/bracing" pose. xD But as I improved and got more used to handling, she improved as well. I've never seen the Snugga Wubbas, but they look soft and fun. Our guys love toys like that, especially Jackie (and he's the reason we have to buy new ones much more often! Stuffing-free toys were DEFINITELY a blessing of an invention for everyone, haha! We've got a penguin and a chicken...plus a whole bunch of other animals whom Jack de-stuffed himself!) Prettiness from today...=3  Our little home Agility setup:  |
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Post by grizabella on Sept 25, 2012 6:19:43 GMT -5
Hmmm... maybe you just haven't found the right bribe to get Ulla into agility? Your home course looks awesome (I'm rather jelly), must be such fun! Maybe the boys would focus more if there wasn't food involved? I've put up some makeshift jumps in the backyard for Bella, it took quite a bit of convincing before she'd consider going over them rather than around! With a bit of patience, and bribing with cheese, she now jumps them when I tell her 'over!'. I think a tunnel is next on the list to acquire, maybe as a Christmas present if Bella is a very good girl. I think there's a little agility course at a dog park not far away, I haven't checked it out yet, but do intend to. Bella does love jumping, maybe if she doesn't take to traditional agility I could enter her in Jumping trials (do they have them in the US, pretty much agility but just jumps?). I guess it all depends how her obedience lessons go as to whether she'll be able to continue onto agility classes. We're officially joining the obedience club this weekend after a few busy weeks following our introductory class. I don't think it'll take too long for Bella to move from the beginners to grade 1 class. Once she's in grade 1 I might be able to put her in the 'puppy agility' class, which is on lead and introducing her to the equipment.  I am always in awe of people whose dogs stand like statues for them, there must be magic involved I swear! I find it comforting that mine is not the only fidgety dog out there though! Aww, Ullie looks lovely in her bed, shows that pink and ginger CAN go splendidly together!  |
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Post by Gazinghound on Sept 25, 2012 19:36:35 GMT -5
Ahh, watching the statuesque dogs is almost frustrating! ;D But while I'm sure some of them have a natural knack for that, I would bet that more started out just like us and ours. xD I've never believed that gingers and pink don't match (and though I think Ariel's pink gowns could have been cooler, I don't hate 'em); I know hot pink is a particularly good color for me. Ullie just proves it. Yeah, that's what I'm thinking--that I somehow haven't got the right motivation going. And yet, I think, "What could possibly be more enticing to this dog than the meaty bits she likes so much?" All of mine are much more food-motivated than anything else. As we go through a few times, I use fewer and fewer pieces and make them go through more obstacles before giving one. Eventually, if they're willing to go long enough, I eliminate the food altogether and just reward them with happy praise (as always, I try to stay upbeat about it, yet firm.) I try to do the best I can...wish the nearest classes weren't like an hour away, though. Sometimes removing them from home makes them feel less powerful and more compelled to pay attention to commands. Here, they figure they can just refuse to listen, lead you back inside, and then beg in front of the treat cabinet. (Hey, why make an effort when you can be lazy? ) Or if our dog park had an Agility set, that would be very neat. I wonder whom you'd have to write to suggest that. Jumping trials...I can't say I've heard of that. It would certainly be easier to train! And Ullie might enjoy the process a bit more. The thought makes me picture a row of hurdles like Flyball or track & field, except without the flying ball, and with the handler guiding the dog. Great luck with the obedience class, Bella!! I remember a few years ago, though, when I first tried it, Ulla got quite good at the hurdles and hoops and even the tunnel (and seemed to enjoy it, so I'm mystified now as to why she's determined to be resistant to the whole thing.) All three still try the "go around the obstacle" tack occasionally. xD Still looking into the lure coursing trials, though. It'd be cool if there were one not too far away that allowed new dogs to try it out. |
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Post by grizabella on Sept 26, 2012 0:43:04 GMT -5
Bella is very happy with her new toys!  Also got something with which to decorate the car  |
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Post by Gazinghound on Sept 26, 2012 1:24:37 GMT -5
Ooh, those look really cute and fun! The blue one resembles an octopus. :3
I have a "Saluki X-ing" sign, with a full-body picture on it. I love the "on board" one! That'd be even more appropriate to stick in my car (next to my "Brony on board" sticker, lol.) The only thing about mine is that heat makes it all soft and bendy...but that apparently doesn't hurt it. ^^
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Post by grizabella on Sept 26, 2012 2:53:43 GMT -5
Unfortunately Stinkerbel managed to get hold of the sign and it has had to be repaired with sticky-tape- I buy her new toys and she's STILL rather have what isn't rightfully hers! Little monkey!
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Post by Gazinghound on Sept 26, 2012 3:42:13 GMT -5
D-8 Of coourrrse she would...! What a fitting nickname. .__0 Buy them nice toys, and yet, they will still want your stuff. Or even, in my experience, pieces of garbage instead! _-_
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Post by grizabella on Oct 4, 2012 20:34:56 GMT -5
Some lovely things to drool over... dannyquest.com/store/category/path/21_138Bella has been relatively good recently when it comes to not chewing up possessions that are not hers. There has only been one recent casualty, a plush cheetah that had the audacity to take Bella's spot on my bed. Our attempts at agility training in the backyard have been 'interesting' as well. She's decided that she won't jump anything for cheese, she wants better bribes! She was a very good girl in her first proper obedience class though, hopefully it won't be too long until we move from 'beginners' to 'grade one' and can maybe give 'puppy agility' a go. Here are some piccies... more on the blog as well salukibel.blogspot.com.au/ Bella by panGH, on Flickr  Bella by panGH, on Flickr  Bella by panGH, on Flickr |
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Post by Gazinghound on Oct 8, 2012 3:04:43 GMT -5
OMG, those sculptures…..*____* And the amazing number of breeds they’ve done….!!! Holy cow, that is insanely perfect and beautiful. So much want.
Ohhh, dear. Well, it sounds as though that cheetah was asking for it…>_>’
Oh, great, she’s taking a page out of Ulla’s book now! I have yet to find the bait that’ll be “good enough” for her to follow…and yet, inside she goes nuts. They all turn into wild animals over that Fresh Pet liverwurst-fruitcake-looking stuff I buy them, and she inevitably “thanks” me by doing the humpy thing again. Dx She’s also been doing a lot of “counter-surfing” lately, think she’s more interested in that as a hobby…ay, yi, yi.
Good going with the obedience (and the barbecue--great success!), though. ;] Yes, contrary to what some doggies may try to tell you, Salukers CAN be obedient--if a person is worthy of being listened to...~.^
Oh my, those pictures. Dat face. (That face, that marvelous face! xD) Who on Earth could possibly resist...? I think she could hypnotize you with those eyes. I especially like the last one. Red flowers, red collar, a sort of 'wise-beyond-her-age' look on...very artistic.
We had an indoor barbecue of sorts today...the last hot dog was divided mainly among the three of them. If you take turns giving them their pieces and first say the name of the one to whom you're trying to give it, it usually works and they don't all rush for it and fight over it. Ulla's height, speed, hawk-like eyesight, and fierce competitiveness give her a tremendous advantage, you see! ;}
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Post by grizabella on Oct 9, 2012 6:34:43 GMT -5
Bella's actually more responsive to obedience training than Tiggy ever was, with me any way! I think I must be worthy of being listened to ... most of the time! Poor Rusty and Jack would be at a serious disadvantage there, how lucky they are to have you to fairly distribute the goodies! We went to the beach today with Greyhound Addict and the beautiful Katie. Bella really enjoyed playing in the sand. salukibel.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/hounds-on-beach.html Bella by panGH, on Flickr |
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Post by Gazinghound on Oct 11, 2012 0:15:15 GMT -5
Ha, how surprising! I'm sure she's deemed you worthy...;] Oooh, looks like a great time! Ulla always loves beach walks, too.  She's really in her element in the sand! n__n (As it turns out, I think she's in a mild "nesting phase" now...not the full-blown false pregnancy thing, but acting excessively whiny, clingy, hungry, even foregoing a Lady Belle play session in favor of sniffing 'round the kitchen stove. D: It pass shortly, though...) |
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Post by grizabella on Oct 17, 2012 20:14:35 GMT -5
That's good that Ulla's not experiencing a full false pregnancy, but I do hope she's feeling over her mild one soon.
That little monkey Bella managed to get into an 'off-limits' room while I was out earlier, but couldn't get back out again... bubbled!!!! She looked rather sheepish when I found her in there, especially when I found my nephew's puzzle that she'd been chewing up. What a ratbag!
Bella got a new house collar, we'd been sent a voucher for the store just for entering a photo competition. I'll have to get a photo or two...
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Post by grizabella on Oct 19, 2012 23:09:06 GMT -5
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Post by Gazinghound on Oct 20, 2012 23:06:02 GMT -5
Fortunately (or unfortunately?), she’s feeling better enough to be joining Bella in feats of naughtiness. Today she got up on the counter (agaaain) and stuck her face in a bowl of ziti—quietly enough that it took a moment for my dad to notice and correct her. She then lay down on her bed, but the second he walked out the door, she was right back over by the counter. D: She later tried to see whether she could sneak something from my plate on the table. Sneaky little defiant jerk. -_- A couple days ago, she and Rusty split a near-dead squirrel (she chose the rear end for some reason…maybe it was a big-bootied squirrel? At any rate, I’m hoping the tail brushed and flossed her teeth, lol.) Then, they all worked together to harass and corner a chipmunk behind the woodpile—Jack then wiggled behind the wood when my dad attempted to free it, and attacked the poor little thing.  PLUS, he’s been finding ways to escape the yard AGAIN, so now we've got to keep an eye on him all the time and try to securely fill in all the stupid little gaps along the bottom of the fence. Danged follow-the-nose curious wandering Beagle instinct, with which we're all too familiar. -.- Thankfully he's actually a little chicken and doesn't tend to go very far or fast once he's out there, nor towards the busy, noisy street...and he does come to us when we call him. Tonight I ordered him a waterproof, personalized, reflective collar to make him easier to locate at night. I hope the thing is as heavy-duty and dirt-resistant as Casey’s old laminated one, because I swear, this teeny Beagle is nothing less than a miniature machine of destruction and doom (and dirt.) Buy him a brand new toy, and expect it to be completely torn open and de-stuffed within three or four hours. Buy him a lovely new collar, and it’ll be dingy-looking within months while the others wear theirs for well over a year before they even really start to look that way. Aw, niiice! How neat to get a freebie for entering a photo contest! And OOOH, that’s super-swell and soooooo very nifty to have your letter chosen as the featured one, published, and even rewarded with a free *coat*! SWEET! ;D  |
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Post by grizabella on Oct 22, 2012 5:12:07 GMT -5
Ulla, you little tinker! As I type, Bella is counter surfing herself... Poor squirrel and chipmunk, it's never much fun when the prey drive comes out.  So far Bella has only caught one poor lizard (pulled the poor thing in half- yeesh!) and one fly. Very sad for the poor victims, and not much fun to clean up after either. Sounds like wee Jack has been a bit of a tinker as well! Hopefully his new collar will be super-strong and Beagle-proof, and that he will get the hang of being contained. I'm very happy that Bella got a little picture in the magazine, and my letter as well. Years back, Tiggy had her picture in there as well, and a drawing I'd done of her when I was about ten. From the magazine I also won, many years ago, a towel with Tiggy's name embroidered on, and a Disney's 'Snow Dogs' prize consisting of a DVD and a plush Nana Border Collie (who I've not seen in years, no idea where she ended up, probably got lost in a house move. I loved that toy to bits though!) Bella and I (and Elvis and his mum, he's Bella's 'plus one') are going on a beach walk on Saturday with six Salukis from around South Australia (we've met Saffie and Layla before, but all the others are new friends). Facebook is certainly very handy for meeting other Saluki folk! I'll be sure to take photos of everypuppy. Exciting! ;D |
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She's really in her element in the sand! n__n
PLUS, he’s been finding ways to escape the yard AGAIN, so now we've got to keep an eye on him all the time and try to securely fill in all the stupid little gaps along the bottom of the fence. Danged follow-the-nose curious wandering Beagle instinct, with which we're all too familiar. -.- Thankfully he's actually a little chicken and doesn't tend to go very far or fast once he's out there, nor towards the busy, noisy street...and he does come to us when we call him.
So far Bella has only caught one poor lizard (pulled the poor thing in half- yeesh!) and one fly. Very sad for the poor victims, and not much fun to clean up after either.