Big Day

We started the day off going to the dog show. Fly help at the ticket both and welcomed everyone. Dianne and Starbuck did rally. Starbuck is getting better but still no qualifying run. We still had fun. Later fly went Hot Licks for ice cream after two runs to the dumpster with brush. Then after two more loads to the dumpster Starbuck took Fly to McDonalds for a "Buckie Buger" (a double cheese burger). Starbuck helped Fly eat hers. Nice hot summer day.

A Day with Fly

Here is a short video if what the day is like with Fly.

Paws

Today was a fun day! Fly started learning how to target to my hand. She caught on really quick. We had fun doing it. We also working on "Come." The collection of balls continues to grow as I find them hidden everywhere. This Halloween one was the most interesting one this evening. We also did toe nails. With all but one white it is easy to not cut them too short, even with a squirming puppy.

Cone Head

Playing games and with toys on the coaster. Lots of rocking and rolling. Fly just enjoys the fun!

My Turn

I took Starbuck to the Rally Trial. Fly stayed home. Starbuck got a qualifying score in Novice much to my surprise. We went to learn and get comfortable in all the noise. So Fly was really happy so see me when I got home. Then Fly got her turn to play. I work some today with her coming when I call. It is going good at short distances, about 10 feet and low level distractions.

Tippy

Tonight we played with the ball on the coaster sled to get used to surfaces that move. Fly didn't even care it moved, just get the balls.

Focused on Me

Fly watches me pretty good. I just might have a really good snack or a tug toy or a run around the yard.

Open Wide

Fly has no problem getting her mouth around a tennis ball, even from the first day I had her. This afternoon she had three in her control.

Intense Tug

Fly is serious about the tug game!

Hanging Out

Just a short, very short time sitting still hanging out.

Rocket Dog

Fly came flying out of the kennel at full speed this morning. She chased 3 tennis balls and kept them all under control no matter how hard I tried to mess her up. She raced around the yard, tripped and rolled and rolled. Then she herdes Starbuck into the house. He is beginning to accept her now, no more growling. He has discovered Fly gets good food and he can get some too. It has been hot and sunny all week, high 70's to 80 something. We normally are in the 60's this time of year. Great doggin weather. The eye contact and click is working great. Sitting to tug is good too. Getting back now to hand targeting. Potty training is great.

Love Attack

We have been busy. Monday night was Rally practice for Starbuck and Fly was again the hit of the evening.It rained before we went to class and Fly didn't like the rain. Plenty of people offered to take her home. Tuesday night we had lots of yard work to do to get ready for the tree clearing. We are making a big fire break around the house and at the same time a big fenced in dog working area for Starbuck and Fly. Tonight it was a warm and sunny. Lots of playing and fun tonight between working on the plants in the green house. I got attacked with little puppy teeth.

Treat Bag

Fly tries to run off with everything, even the treat bag.

Collar

I put the collar on Fly today and adjusted it. She seem much more comfortable with it today. I have left it on and she seem to not notice it very much.

Fun & Games

Fly grabbed the clicker and ran off with it. I guess she was trying to find a way to chew on it and make treats appear! Fly also did lots of runs around the decks and then tried to herd Starbuck.

Eye Contact, Click, & Treat

This video is mostly for me to see how well I am doing with Eye Contact, Click, & treat and playing. The dog has it, my timing is not always the best. We are learning.

Rally Practice

Fly went with Starbuck and me to Rally practice for the May show next weekend. We got to be in the building and get used to the new place. It was Starbucks event but the little fur ball stole the afternoon. Starbuck did OK too. Fly got out to practice eye contact clicker training and then she got to walk the rally course with me. Lots of big dogs came by and looked in her kennel. She was really good. This is great practice for the future. Starbuck was a real gentleman in his kennel too, this was the first time I left him in the kennel at an event. We had been doing Crate Games from Susan Garrett and it made it real easy to have him at the event.

Over & Under & Over & Under & Over..... (long)

Fly went around and around over and under my legs for a long time.

Early Morning

Starbuck needed to go out at 3:45am and Fly wanted to go out too. A lot of fun and games in the middle of he night. Fly slept in later.

Frisbee - Yippee!

I like to play frisbee with Steve.

Run Fly, Run

A ball of fire tonight. Fly would grab something and race down the deck and back.

Good Morning

We were up early and out to run around. Fly didn't want to eat but drank lots. She seems a little under the weather. The she cuddled with Steve.

Red Sox

Fly has a Red Sox Jersey. Maybe Fly will help turn things around at Boston.

Sweet Puppy

I spent some time cuddling with a playful but tired puppy.

Great Friends

Steve and Fly are having fun together. Fly got to go to work with Steve today. When they got home they played frisbee.

Thursday Night Tug!

We had lots of fun playing tug with the rope pull.

Fly Snacking

Fly like the leftovers no matter where they are found!

Up Early

We get to go out and enjoy the early morning at 5 am. These long day are great. I ran and chased this morning for a long time. Then we played tug and tug and tug.

Trying On a Collar

The tennis ball play. Yes a tennis ball fits in that little mouth. Playing with the tug and getting used to a collar.

Fun and Games

Fly has a great time playing tug. She like the long animal toy best. A whole tennis ball fits in her mouth but the chewed up one is more fun. We ran laps and laps around the yard chasing with me switching directions.

Skype Your Dog

Steve went home at lunch today to let Fly out and play with her. While home he set up a video link with Skype so I could see her and she could see me. I think she saw me. Last night when I was watch a training video on my computer Fly was watching the dog in the video. Fly stood with her little paws on the computer and her head moved back and forth as the dog moved. Steve left the link up. I saw Starbuck come in and jump into bed. Then things were real quite. I wasn't sure if I still had a link so I called the house phone and when it rang I heard little puppy barks.

RUN!

I do run around a lot it is just hard to catch me with the camera.

Fun

Come Play!

Focus

The focus training is going real well. I am even getting much better at timing the clicker, or my dog is just really smart. I think it is the smart dog.

Playing Tug

We had fun playing tug this morning.

Good Night

I had fun with Fly tonight. She is so confident and smart. I hope I made her a bit tired for tonight. She is getting it fast. Hopefully Starbuck will be friends with her. Right he is trying to not acknowledge Fly. I worked with him tonight but he wasn't that happy.

Attention & Tug

We had three play sessions after work and one at noon along with the morning. Fly really is keying into look at me for the treat no matter where I put the food. I am getting better at the clicker timing too. She has discovered the treat pouch on my belt so it has to be closed tight. The tug playing is lots of fun. The potty training is going very well too. This evening she is learning that crying in the crate does nothing but make you thirsty.
Fly is a wonderful dog. We have been racing around the yard. You will see this dog be great!

A Good Base

Last night I watched a Beginning Agility class. I see the need for a good solid stay on the start line, a great recall, and attention from your dog, a great relationship is necessary. If you don't have the control first all hell breaks loose when you add agility equipment and other dogs. I saw this erupt last night.

The First Morning

At 6 am I got up with her and we went out and played the Attention game some. Both these times treats for 100% lots of belly rubs and rough housing too. She got a good drink. We did a bit of the chase game which she loves. I put her back in the crate and got ready. She had a lot to say the whole time. We played the attention game once more before I left. When I left she was crying. I took Starbuck with me. I will go back at lunch.

First Night

Spark and Ana left and I sat with Fly and played Puppy Game #1: Attention with a clicker and super treats. She caught on right away! I didn't want to feed her a lot since it was late and bed time. But I wanted to see what happened. I was very pleased. I put her in her crate and she cried for a while but finally she went to sleep. She woke up about 4:30 am my time which I think might be more her normal morning in the Texas time zone. We went out for a potty break and then right back to bed.

Fly Has Landed

Finally Fly arrived at 11 pm. I was waiting with Spark and Ana. The plane from Seattle was late. Then they brought her out where I could see her but no paperwork. Finally they let us take her out until they got the right form to sign. She was so happy to see us but then took a tiny bit to come out of the crate. In less than a minute we were her family. We went home and played. Starbuck was not thrilled and Lily was only mildly interested. She followed me around, responds to her name, and isn't afraid of anything.

Anticipation!

Today I am waiting for fly to arrive. She comes in tomorrow night at 9:33 pm. For the past three weeks I have been reading like crazy getting ready to train Fly. I love my border collies I have had. They are lots of work. I want Fly to get a great start. In the past I have done so much with my dogs and they enjoy all the different events.