After five weeks of working and training.. and traveling all about the community... my little traveling class is taking the AKC Community dog test tonite. We met on the college campus... it was a super hot night and the poor dogs were certainly dealing with the heat.
Thanks to Kathleen helping me out with Camille and Livy... both are being tested tonight with the other students... Cam is probably wondering why at age 12, she still "has to be trained and tested".. but I just thought it would be nice for her to have this title.
Livy really doesn't like the heat...
Julie came to do the testing. I thought all "my" students were looking really good...
showing that everyone can do the basics...
and then the testing.. this exercise is showing the dog remains calms when being approached by a person who is carrying a large object.... Julie chose this canvass bag...
I think Storm thought he could help Julie carry that big bag.... (which was full of dog toys...)
This is the "wait" exercise.. where the dog is asked to hang back while the owner goes ahead....
Daisy showing what a nice job she can do... all the dog's did this one very well....
then the "being calm while waiting with others"... we practiced this one alot over the summer... having our ice cream dates at the end of each training session... the dogs thought this was no big deal....
the last exercise is "good behavior in a crowd".. and on this hot summer night, that was easy because everyone wanted to have some ice cream.
and I happy to report that all the dogs passed with flying colors. I knew they would, this was a great bunch of students to work with. A perfect class to teach in the summer time and all the gals want me to teach it again next summer.
There is another level that we can do as well.. the Canine Good Citizen Urban dog... so I think I'll be looking into that one as well.....
With any luck... this will be the last of our Sunday's working out on the deck. Between just being busy, the weather, and about a million other things, it has turned out to be a whole summer's project.... but we are within reach....... (and so very glad that it's close to the finish)...
We knew the last couple of boards would be tricky.... but Ed had planned that all along....
He takes pride in his work, and sometimes he is so fussy about things that it makes me crazy. But it always pays off.......
And after much figuring, careful work ... here it is... the last deck board!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A few railings.. and this project is done!!!! and I have big plans for many happy times
It's field day weekend once again.... one of my favorite weekends of the summer. This year Rachel was visiting with Kass from Florida. Reagan is pretty happy that she is here.... the evening before, when Papa goes to the banquet hosted by the Redshirts... we usually do a night at the beach. Since the beetle was already in town and the night was such a perfect summer night.... it was top down and headed to the beach.....
Reagan loves riding in the beetle this year. Both the grands love this little car and I am so happy we have it. Here he tells Rachel how it is to ride in the car and the fact that you can't "throw anything out of it".....
We had a grand time eating ice cream, running on the beach and just loving the seaside in the summer But when we go back, Daddy had arrived with two big surprises... a new lawn tractor (not their's .. a customers and will be delivered later)... Reagan loves tractors, so of course he had to try it out....
and a new slide.... Nate is building a swing set for Reagan and this slide is going to be a part of it...
after a very busy night, it's time for bed... one little lion needs to rest up for a busy day tomorrow.....
And it's time for a parade.....
"baby" Alana... (Diana's little girl).. is attending her firemen's muster parade.....
Waiting to hear the sirens and see the big red trucks!!!!
and they finally round the corner, and it all begins...
to the delight of one little boy.......
Some years the turn out seems kind of small, but I thought this year's parade had a good attendance. It does seem to be a tradition that is fading.. when I was a little girl, it seemed that the streets were line with folks, and the trucks loaded with kids getting a ride...
those days are gone, but there is still enough interest to make it fun.
Dee-dee, Alana and Diana....... (three generations)
Nate brought ear protection for both Reagan and Alana... Reagan didn't wear his, but Alana appreciated them. Those big red trucks can be kind of loud.....
After the parade we head down to the "field" for a bite to eat and the games. It's old home week and we have the chance to meet up with all our friends. Everyone asked "where my puppy was"... I usually have a service puppy with me at field day time... but not this year. Joey was returned last month and neads hasn't sent us another one yet....
Good looking trophies......
Redshirts on the line and ready to run.....
After the day, we had to run back to the farm and tend to the animals... and then it was back again for the lobsterbake. That's the trouble with not living in town anymore... the driving back and forth. But, it's the way it works for now....
Nice picture of Ed, Jeff and Jeff's brother.. visiting from Michigan.. (and we'll be going there to visit them next summer)....
and me, with Brenda, Monica and Monica's daughter.. about to enjoy a wonderful lobster feed. And the 2015 Firemen's Muster comes to a close with memories that will be fondly remembered.
My little class continues to broaden their horizons... and I am always looking for places that are dog friendly, where we can hold our little class... One of these places, is Lowe's... (and we are truly grateful).. so, here we are for this week's lesson.
And if a store is kind enough to allow dogs... then I feel we need to have dogs that know how to behave. Being in a public place like this is a privilege... and anyone that chooses to bring a dog here, needs to have some excellent obedience skills...
Even though the door opens right away.. Sonya has asked Daisy to wait before going threw....
We start out with calm and focusing work. Making certain that the dogs can listen while there is much going on around them. Livy was being handled by Kathleen tonight for me... as you can see her attention was elsewhere.....
Kathleen and Brutus are doing a nice calm walk.....minding their own... and "no lifting of legs"... which can be tempting for our boy dogs!!!!
Sonya and Daisy......
MaryLou and Storm....
Martha and Glory......
Group sit stays while the owners "shop" (not really, but they can move away from the dogs...)
and then onto downs... Cam must be wondering at being 12, why she still has to train.... but one should never stop their training....
Glory and Livy are doing some nice solid work...
Since we did not come upon any other dogs tonight (especially any nasty ones like we did in Portsmouth)... we just practice this exercise with each other. Which sometimes can be harder since all these dogs are friends and like to play together....
and we also practice a meet and greet... we use what we have... and if it's isn't there, we make it up....
Tonight's "treat" took us to a local ice cream shop.. a good practice for waiting nicely in line.. and then being able to "handle your dog and food" at the same time....
Everyone waited so nicely.....
and another evening ends with success... tired dogs, that have earned a good rest..
