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Bo Peep

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Everything posted by Bo Peep

  1. Usher just got a "Jolly Ball" and he's still trying to figure why in the world someone would put a handle on a ball? Balls do not come with handles. Tennis balls have no handles, racket balls have no handles, soccer balls don't either. What is this strange thing? He's getting the hang of it and I have figured out that it is definitely and "outside toy" It's not as big as Ouzo's, one size smaller is all they had. Usher is only vocal when playing with his Christmas tree. For some reason, this thin plastic has lasted beyond other toys. Plus- most dogs like to roll on "stinky stuff". Mine prefers a clean dyer sheet- bounce is his fav- he will roll on that for about 15 minutes. Yep, he's an odd ball. These stories are so cute- keep them up!!!
  2. Oh Usher handles himself well. I was praised at the Dr.'s office where I took my Mom today on how well behaved he was. (BTW-the shots are working great on her back- she might be tap-dancing soon-LOL) We do well off leash, it's just an "Usher here" but going to certain places.......like Kelly's farm or the "doggy park" get him all riled up and he doesn't listen. THAT'S our problem. If we keep sheep, and tennis balls out of the picture we are fine- LOL. I can walk the 2 dogs at night, but not during the day. One is fearful, Bliss, and Usher is excitable. Hope this explains some more.
  3. Thank you- I'm continuing to work on this- we got the sprinkler problem out of the way- LOL. So we can handle anything, right? As always, you have great advice.
  4. It seems that putting the prong on him makes him realize "it's training time" when he is on a flat collar- NOT training time. He's learned this. I got a great link from Kristine. He's pretty good most times, except when seeing sheep- then he goes bonkers. I've even heard from open handlers that they leave them in the vehicle to avoid this. I would love to have a nice quiet dog.
  5. Great suggestions- very light pressures- LOL, as we are headed toward sheep, does NOT apply. But I WILL try it at it at home towards the park. As far as harnesses go. The next one will be a service dog harness as I am getting worse, I'm sorry to say. Had a good lesson today. Check out Usher's blog. Actually 2 lessons. LOL. It was a rough trip in the fog- don't like to do that- I guess that's why there are no pic's I couldn't even see the sheep. I have so many "coals" in the fire. Not sure which one to take care of each day. LOL. I'm going to try the clicker with him again- he looks at me like I'm a crazy old lady (he's probably right) other dogs did well with it. Thank you so much. I made a mistake. I hope you all learn from this- not always prong for working- then expect them to be obedient on a flat collar.
  6. I did - made a great friend, she now teaches for the HS. Guess she was better than PetSmart. She boarded Usher when he was sick. Anyone I recommend gets 20% off. If I help, they get 40% off. Not too bad. She's a good friend, a clicker trainer, positive trainer. NOT ALL Petsmart people are stupid. I suggest watching a class and finding out about the trainer. Some good- some not so good.
  7. I have always taught my dog to walk on a prong collar. This is my obedience dog. Now, I have trouble "free walking" him. Any suggestions? He pulls, do I correct with a flat collar? Or say Usher -here? He does fine on no collar. I know I made my mistakes by letting him use the "collar" as a correction device, yet he has no respect for the flat collar. Thanks=
  8. Fist BC- jumped at it got it out of the paper. Stupid me. Turned out to be my heart dog. My kids were old enough 8 & 10 - they loved the dog. Then, I thought, is it the dog or the breed? So, I got a purebred. Very good lines. Turned out it was the dog. BUT the first dog.......Usher is maybe the only dog that can fill her shoes. After that I prepared. Crates, kennels, chew toys. I was in OR. so had tiny pebbled soft places where they could be left out and not muddy. Obedience lessons- first on the plate. Crate training. Chew toys and Kong's. Socialization. After you get your first BC, and it works out for you, I only wish you luck. Because you will NEVER be without 2 (at least) in your lifetime. I can not say how much they have enriched my life. Taken from obedience, to agility, to herding, to a service dog that does PT herding. I am so pleased with this breed, I could NEVER think of another.
  9. I take private lessons. Once every two weeks. Love the lady- Her name is Alice Peterson. She is in-between positive and non-aggressive training. ( Little choke chain or prong and lots of treats) Love her skills. I haven't taken a lesson in ages. We are working on sheep. I keep up on Usher's training because he is a SD and he "needs to know those skills". We will be starting up Jan 20th. In Boise, only one show- hope to get this CD and 2 legs of his CDX. Wish us luck. That PLUS herding is pooping us out- LOL. She is very positive, but wants a "pop" when after a year he knows what he is doing wrong. I, personally, don't see anything wrong with this since Usher doesn't even care- I'd appreciate your opinions, though.
  10. I was the one willing to take Ghost, but fell unsure about all the paperwork and etc... that followed. I didn't think that the dog would be much of a problem, just needed some intensive care, which I have dealt with before. But signing so many papers worried me. So, I reclined. Plus the drive........in case he did not work out, worried me. I'm glad he is safe and secure. I'm sure it's just a young woman having a border collie. Nothing more than that. I know she did the best she could for the dog, but we all know that years of experience let us know that we should continue to research the breed and be responsible, which I think Autumn was giving up the dog. She LOVED that dog. Let's remember that. So, on to a better home. Another one placed. We all do what we think is best for our dogs.
  11. I bought that Lipiderm with vitamins A & E and Zinc. Sorry......still have the flu and my glasses aren't working correctly. Hate this time of the year. Seems to keep their coats nice and shiny. Main ingredients is fish oil. I purchased it at H3 pets in Meridian. Good pet store. The dogs coats look very healthy and I've been commented on how well they look. Just a few drops maybe 6 or 7 in their food each time and it keeps them very healthy and looking great. JMO.
  12. I'm so happy that you are running in in nursery. Good luck. I only wish you the best. Maybe next year we will be seeing you if owing to say "hello" GOOD VIBES
  13. Ours does. Mandatory. That's why the price is so high for adopting.
  14. Oh, I can't wait to see!! I had always hoped that my dog would do that, sadly....he's afraid of getting in too deep of water. So I will enjoy through your dog!!
  15. I must be a terrible "dog mom". My dogs don't smell. They are inside dogs. They get one grooming a year around Thanksgiving time. Other than that, it's hose time, or playing in a lake. They get brushed about every other week. Their dishes have rubber on the bottom, so I just use a wet cloth to clean them. Water is rinsed out daily and fresh given twice a day. Nails done as needed. Pavement helps a lot. I HATE long nails. Usher's crate has a plastic lining. So, a quick sponge off keeps it clean. Bliss sleeps with a pillow- thrown in with the wash when I do my own sheets- love that dog smell. The crates don't need cleaning- dogs are clean-crates are clean and in my closet. Poop? With this much snow, I'd hate to see how much there is back there. I think this is one luxury I will pay for. I used to follow them around picking it up. When it got so cold- I gave up. Carpet hair-Dyson. Playtime-all the time. We have a park 2 doors down- Usher's park. Bliss doesn't play. We're working on that. Inside play and obedience always. Mind games- yeppers. I have the furminator also. Works well on Bliss, not so well on Usher.
  16. I hope everything goes well. It did for me, my youngest son and my daughter-in-law. So, it should for Bitsey too. Fingers and paws crossed here.
  17. Usher picks up anything I drop. He waits for the "take it" command. My wallet is pretty heavy- not due to money in it- LOL. Cell phone has puppy teeth in it. But pens, papers, almost anything else, he will easily grab and sit and hold it in his mouth so I don't fall over while picking them up. Here is a good website http://groups.yahoo.com/group/assistance-dogs/ I mainly lurk there. If you go to a Fibromyalgia web site, they can help you with your dog, also. Assistant dogs aren't only for the blind. I use mine for lack of balance and my tremors. If you need any additional information as to where to purchase vests, cards, etc... certification. Just PM me. I'd be happy to help you. My mother suffers from fibromyalgia and it is very painful. Best of luck.
  18. Oh I see you have Virgil's book- A good one. I'm noticing that with "dog broke" sheep, they tend to come to you quicker. That's why we throw a few goats, etc... in there. I'm no expert, that's why I'm taking lessons. We do a little STOMP and try to get it at the right moment. Timing is everything and I am NOT good at timing. Best of luck- if you find out how to fix that and what advice worked. Let me know.
  19. That is the next book on my list!!! We don't have classes like that around here. I think the library is the cheapest place to find good reading material unless you want to save it. I thought I was done with herding and gave all my books away. Sure could use them now- LOL.
  20. Thanks Ellie- But, I have crashed and burned enough. I want to show my dog at his finest. LOL. Like that will happen with me as a trainer. Did you see his pics? He's coming along nicely, but not quite ready to trial. When we do trial, we hope that we don't RT or DQ. Some very small points are our goal. I don't think we are ready for an assisted outrun. You've seen my blog, hon. We are re-training this old dog (me) one step at a time.
  21. Usher's outruns are pretty small. I don't want to make a fool of myself. Is this an arena trial? I think that's where we should start. His outruns are now about 60-85 yards. I don't think we are ready yet. I am too anxious to trial- one of my bad habits.
  22. Just got my dogs 2 new collars and leashes to match- I have a ton of them in "the dog room". I used to buy plain burgers on the way home from lessons, but no more. LOL. Now I get them for ME!
  23. Only the best for our dogs. I think any dog working or jumping that would be a plus in their diet.
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