This morning's obedience routine was full of dog distractions, toys, treats and the dogs' trainers trying to get them to come play with them. It wasn't just a "Come on doggie." It was "Okay Troy, you ready? Ready? Let's go!" This was followed by dashing across the yard. Troy tried so hard! I felt for him, and I worked hard on regaining his focus. ( Read more... )

This morning, we headed for Pasadena at about 8:00. It was a two hour trip, and when we got there, we headed right for the train platform. The capacity to logic, learn and process that these dogs have is incredible to me. Even though I have trained dogs how to do this work, it still totally amazes me how smart they are ( Read more... )

We got off to a slow start this morning. I was scrambling to try to get some work in. During obedience today, Bob brought over one of the kennel cats, and he had her in a wire crate out in the court yard. I must confess that Troy was far too interested in the cat. I think some of it was that she was in a crate and he couldn't actually reach her, ( Read more... )

This morning, we headed a couple of towns over to work in a park area and to meet up with one of the trainers who has been out on maternity leave. She happens to have been Troy's primary trainer, so I was really glad that she got to see us work together. Sweet and loyal Troy was struggling with a conflict of interest. He really wanted to work for ( Read more... )

We had today off, so it was a lot of eating, reading, eating, reading and talking on the phone ( Read more... )

There was apparently an obstacle course of some sort on the way to breakfast, but Troy moved so smoothly through it that I was clueless. I like to be clueless sometimes! During obedience, Bob had his dog out. She did some off leash recalls and stuff, and Troy had to hold his down while she came up to him and ran past him. She is so fun, and it is ( Read more... )

I finally slept until my alarm went off! I think that means I am adjusting. I'm also staying up a little later which doesn't hurt. I am happy to report that though I am tired at the end of the day, I don't feel drained. It is hard to believe that I hadn't even set out on this adventure a week ago ( Read more... )

I think Troy and I are both starting to feel at home here in our room. I only woke up once last night, and I slept until almost 5:30! I didn't here him moving around last night which either means I was too exhausted to hear him or he didn't move around. I'm not sure which to bank on ( Read more... )

I have admitted defeat, and I have accepted that I will be stuck on Wisconsin time for the rest of this trip. That is okay. That just means that I will have less transition when I get home. Look at that optimism ( Read more... )

Troy slept pretty well last night. The only moving around he did was to try to get comfortable. Once again, I was up just before 3:00. I tossed and turned until just before 5:00, and then I gave up, got up, showered and got ready for the day. Troy was very patient and waited quietly while I got ready. We went out at about 6:00, and then I groomed ( Read more... )