Dory the Doted One

The Cynic in me wonders whether the real rescue was the puppies, Mum is just a By Product. Her job is done, now time to ditch her quick.

Indeed! We wanted to get Willow a hoodie for winter. Couldn't find one.

Yes, needed more options. :laugh: :laugh: Gawd, maybe I do have a problem. Maybe I really am just too basic, and nuance just completely escapes me. :laugh:

I switch off from these sorts of profiles, I find them gag worthy and inexplicably Pee Me Off. Possibly because anyone that would buy that kind of sickly sweet 'feel sorry' for me dialogue, is probably not someone with the sense enough to truly meet what the dog needs. I reckon probably make a lot of work sorting through prospective homes too. How committed are the new owners going to be if they took on a dog with issues with the rose tinted glasses on, only to find the fantasy of 'saving a poor soul' was going to mean a lot of time, money and hard work? I can see it know...two weeks later...a phone call to the Rescue..."I'm sorry, we can't cope. We just want what's best for her, she doesn't suit our home".

No doubt, Raineth. And normally when I hear those grumbles I do consciously take time to balance things out. if the effort is ignored and the complainer consistently goes off to do other things when you've made plans to spend time with them. I figure, "meh", it's two way street. If I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't, I'm going to be damned for doing what makes me happy and fulfilled. I've had dog hobbies since I was 11yrs old. It's no secret they are important to me! This is why I can't understand the problem. Because I'm not the kind of person who gets a knicker twist about other people's passions. I certainly don't expect them to give one up for me. In the past I felt compelled to defend my choice. Even given 'normal' life a crack. It didn't change a thing, it didn't appease anyone. They usually move on to something else to complain or control. So these days I listen respectfully and move on. But it still intrigues me when the comment is made.

Recently a non-animal acquaintance made the comment that my dogs came first always and that I seemed to care more about them than anything else. I got the feeling that this comment was supposed to indicate that there was something wrong with me, or wrong with my priorities. I actually wondered what their problem was with this. Really. I don't see this as a problem. They couldn't understand why I didn't see the problem. I do have a social life, I'm often busy out and about...it just largely revolves around the dogs. From time to time, they do get left at home and my daughter and I will do something a little different. Visit other friends, pop into a street fair, expos, movies, etc. But even when planning these outings, the comfort of the pets comes first. ie. How long we will be gone, what the weather is like, etc. I get a great deal of pleasure taking the dogs with me to places whenever I can and if they can be included, they will be. I also get great pleasure just staying at home with them and lounging around the house too. None of my other friends (some are pet owners, but not as involved with their pets as a hobby) seem to have a problem with this. I can actually have a conversation that doesn't revolve around dogs ALL the time. :laugh: But I have come across a few people over the years who seem to think that there is something wrong with me, or have tried to make me feel bad about how I prioritise what is important to me (eg, Parents, Partners, High Maintenance Friends). I've lately just adopted the blank stare, shoulder shrug..."And your problem with this....?" stare in response. Honestly why do some people seem to care so much about what others deem important to them. But from time to time, a tiny little voice in my head does wonder, "Am I too focused on the dogs?" A thought that is quickly squelched when I realise how boring my life would be without them in it. And quite likely how directionless it would be too. How do you handle the criticism from those close to you, when or if you ever have the accusation thrown in your direction?

I tried these and my deck still smells. It has pavers on it. I damped down the pavers, sprinkled the bicarb around and brushed it in a little bit then let it sit for a bit. Then I washed it down with a vinegar and water solution, brushed it around a bit more. Then rinsed. I think I might get some smelly stuff too though...more for the non-animal person in the house, than anyone else.

In desperation I tried bicarb, vinegar a yard broom and water. Did a pretty good job!

We tried for BH and weren't ready. Dory likes tracking too much to want to stop for articles. lol. Still works in progress.

Rottweiler- the hair. Everywhere. If you need to find me, follow the trail of short, black hairs. Then the slobber.

Dog wise I'm lucky, it's only when it's around tea time, walk time or training time...or when bored (this is random). BUT... One of the cats. OMG. He is unrelenting. Only shuts up for a little while after being fed. Whines cos he's hungry, cold, bored, it's windy, it's hot, it's raining, he's hungry, he's bored, he just IS. Starts from when I get up in the morning and doesn't stop till bed time. Except for a few breaks in between...never happy that cat. Never.

Lots of our clients love it, not badly priced either. Nice poops on it too.

My shame revealed. :laugh:

I said to one of my teammates that we will be forever known as, "That Rottie at the Nationals......." I couldn't be mad, she had been soooooooooo good all week. I had a funny feeling she would have a bust out moment. When she finally came, it was a front to be envious of straight, close and with THE biggest grin a Rott can manage. So pleased with herself.

Thank you Grumpette. :) There are some photo's up on the Adelaide Dogsport Club Page. The 2015 Australian National IPO Photo's

No BH for us today. BUT...I'm still pretty happy with the day. She did very well on a couple of things I was worried about. And did a very joyful Recall. Which is to say she did a few Bog Laps at incredible speed and enthusiasm before actually coming to me. She looked so happy. You couldn't be mad at her. I'm also terrifically glad I did it, even though we weren't really ready. I learnt a lot about myself and how to handle the nerves.

I will most likely be more relaxed after. We will be on sometime early afternoon. Depends how long the opening ceremony goes for. She had another good training session today. So if it goes pear shaped, I know we aren't far off for next time. Phew...what an experience this has been so far.

I'll be easy to find. The very stressed looking chick with the overly friendly Rottweiler. ;)

Willow loves it everywhere, except her feet. Dory loves ear rubs (gets quite insistent if the cats are grooming her ears or Willow is licking them) and her tummy...she had a friends son trapped for at least an hour once. lol

Thanks Guys! It's been an interesting journey over the last week and a bit. It's not just about prepping the dog, lots of deep breathing and calming nerves happening for me. :laugh:

At the Sportdog club. The style of heeling doesn't lend itself to group training classes. You want to set the dog up under a minimal distraction scenario so you have the best chance to reward focus. It always surprises me that people call it 'IPO Obedience', to me it's just obedience. It's nothing magical or special, it's just rewarding the behaviour you want. My very first dog was trained at an ANKC club before we discovered Schutzhund in Australia. It was like a godsend, here was a club that utilized largely positive reward when most ANKC clubs were still 'hang and bang'. My dog at the time was a very drivey dog that was a challenge in classes because she wanted to mooooooooove and work. And the Instructors were always telling me to correct her. I was like 'why? Why correct her drive and enthusiasm?' All they could see was a dog that danced around on the lead as disobedience, rather than a dog who got bored and bouncy because everyone else was moving too slow. :laugh:

IPO tracking is more nose to ground, footstep to footstep tracking...some call it precision tracking. Finding the person in the tee-pee (blind) forms part of the Character Phase (some call it protection). IPO heeling is bag loads of heeling, long wearying steps of focused heeling. (Or in my case sweating bullets that your dog doesn't get bored and creative heeling). With a dog in a long down during the other dogs routine. Group exercise...recall...and a few other nifty things like jumps and retrieves if you are lucky enough to be going for an actual IPO title. BH (which is what Willow and I will be ATTEMPTING), is only an entrance title.

Saturday...bring your Depends...cos you'll probably end up pissing yourself laughing.

Who's getting excited! I'm getting terrified. But participation counts right? (seriously very nervous...I hope I can't guarantee any laughs for anybody....but if I do...just sit back and admire her happy abandon...and my complete embarrassment )

Get Willows BH. Our first crack is next weekend, not feeling super confident. . Then try for an IPO Tracking title. Dory: Tracking. If we can get the articles this shouldn't take too long.