Bernal Hill

Dad’s in LA, so it was time for me and Mom to bond.  We went to Bernal Hill.  She was quite pleased with my progress the last two times I played with dogs.  I recalled nicely and didn’t get aggressive.  This time had a me on a 15 foot leash.  This is better since I have  little more freedom, but I’m still restrained.  Boo.  Lots of open space and few dogs on Bernal Hill.  Sunny, but we could see the fog rolling in.

We got a little worn out hiking up the hill, but had some good excercise.  I recalled while on the leash and was treated to delicious pinapple sausage from Costco, leftovers from my birthday party last week.   Training sometimes isn’t fun when another dog wants to play, but at least I get to go out more.

Training on Bernal Hill

Today was an adventurous day of training in Bernal Heights.   Mom’s been pretty disturbed with my aggressive behavior with dogs at the park and lack of ability to recall when playing, so she contacted dogEvolve where I took recall classes last year.  My recall had improved miles from before but still needed a lot of work.  Mom felt that dogEvolve’s techniques were very effective and the trainers really know what they’re talking about. 

Since dogEvolve no longer offers Recall 2 classes, we met Pam for a private session on Bernal Hill, a cool place where dogs can run offleash and people can enjoy panoramic views of the city.    First they attached me to a long leash and recalled me from short distances.  No problemo!   Then I got a little more freedom….and I was off!  Can’t catch me!!   I was halfway up a hill when they called me back. 

Mom learned some techniques such as collar grabbing me from play, then releasing.  This is so I don’t have to dodge her out of fear playtime will end.  Then Pam made Mom hide behind a tree.  Then she released me to see if I can find Mom.  The purpose is this is to train me to find her when she’s out of sight.   Once I locate her, I’m handsomely rewarded.

One time when they dropped the leash, I decided to take off and run for the hills. Pam started chasing me, but when she saw it made me run faster, she stopped.  I ran down the hill and out of sight.  They stood at the top of the hill and called me.  I was sniffing around, but when I heard Mom call, I ran like hell back up the hill.  Pam gave me a HUGE reward, treats all over the place.

Pam thought the way I approached other dogs was fine.  Mom was still concerned about my aggressive behavior, but Pam told her to just work in big open spaces with few dogs first.  Putting me in a fenced dog park with a million other dogs and trying to train me is setting me up for failure. 

Motivated by today’s session, Mom took me to our regular dog park.  I had a great time by myself, but then a 6-year old pitbull named Rex joined in the fun.  We had fun romping around, but then Mom got concerned about me barking and trying to bite the dog’s neck.  I can’t help it, he’s a little runt and I gotta show him who’s the boss.  Remembering what Pam told her, she intervened, separated us, then released several times.  (Pam told her to do this every 10 seconds, even before tension starts to build.)  It’s a good thing Rex was a puppy, because a bigger dog would most certainly have put up a fight. 

Mom’s thinking of taking me to Fort Funston this weekend where we can have more practice.  Yay!  Now that Mom’s a little more confident, it means we can go to fun places more often.  She was restricted me too much out of fear of losing control, which made me more hyperactive and crazy when I encountered other dogs.

Practice makes perfect.  WOOF!

Happy Birthday to me!

Oh boy, today was a blast!  Both people and canine guests came over to honor ME.  I got lots of cool gifts – a chewable stuffed tiger from Auntie Helen, a humongous rawhide bone and fancy water dish from Uncle Kevin, and a tire ball and rope from Uncle Dennis and Alva.   Uncle Albert, Aunt Tammy, and Batman got me a doggie pizza and beer (to celebrate me turning 21!) with yogurt chips.   Dee-lish!  I also got some steak from Uncle Alden, Ron and Ling.   Those few bites of Grade A top sirloin was fabulous, however, I was supposed to get the whole steak rather than a few morsels!

Unfortunately, Alva didn’t realize the rope toy he came with was really for me.  He kept it all to himself.   When I tried to rightfully claim it, he would growl and run away with it. 

The day was nice and sunny for a backyard bbq.  The big people were enjoying the food and we doggies were running around.  Alva has an annoying habit of licking faces, and Batman the husky didn’t like it at all.  There were dog fights in the yard and in the house.  I got into a few skirmishes myself. 

Then there was the Canine Olympics.  Each of us was put to the agility and attention test.  We had to jump over two bars, run around a cone, and up a ramp.  Unfortunately with my short attention span and lack of mental acuity, I came in 3rd place.  But who cares!  It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to.

The grand finale of the day was a double decker heart-shaped meatloaf cake topped with bbq sauce frosting!!  Uncle Dennis smelled it and nearly ate it himself.   But all dogs were able to share my scrumptious, mouth watering, fang drooling cake.

Ahh, what a fun-filled day.  I only wish Mom and Dad would share the doggie yogurt chips – they’ve been eating it themselves and I’ve only gotten one.  Click here  for photos of the party.

The Eve of my Estimated Birthday

Lotsa excitement going on.  Tomorrow a few friends are coming over for my 3rd birthday!  No one really knows my actual birthday, but it’s estimated to be May ‘06.  So I would be 21 in dog years, old enough to drink and go to scandalous doggie bars.  Cousin Alva and Dennis are coming, as well as Albert and Tammy with Batman.  The weather has been really great too.  Good food and great friends, what more can a dog want?