S.F. Baylands

These pictures are from a nice hike we took out at the baylands on sunday. A bit breezy but warm.

It's been a while since I reviewed what we are training at home. I'll just summarize from memory as best I can.

Sit
Down
Stand
Stay (In all 3 of the above positions)
Back up

Hand Targets
Target stick
Targeting Alley Oops (I started working a little with front crosses and sending him to the Alley Oops this morning. I think that the Alley Oops will be very useful for helping training flatwork)
Target (plexi glass target in various places)

Wobble board
Vari Disks/core and balance training

Get In (Gets into crate. I like this command for tunnels as well but we aren't training those yet.)
Recalls (Taking long line with me in unfenced areas. Seeing much better voice control now with call-offs/recalls from barking at things beyond the backyard fence)
Tug games with control (Leave it/take it commands)
Leave It

Eye contact games (now working on him coming around in front of me to seek out my eyes)
Settle
Self control games like balancing cookies on his nose or paws.
Grooming/handling/dremmeling etc.
Socialization

Loose leash walking (still using the Triple Crown collar/"modified pinch" style collar. I make sure to slide it in place up high behind the ears and he walks just fine with no pulling.)
Off lead heeling (Doing very well with this. Making sure to train both sides. Haven't introduced variable speeds but have done lots of turns and am careful that he does not cross behind me as herding dogs are prone to do.)

Right
Right spin
Left
Left spin

Tennis at the Ahwahnee

At the end of our last hike, we stumbled on the old, virtually abandoned tennis courts behind the Ahwahnee. It was time to take off their leads and let them run off the last of their energy!

This last episode no doubt contributed to the wear and tear on Trigger's foot pads, but they sure had a great time. It was a beautiful sight that evening watching them sleeping away on the couch after the day's exertions.

Springtime in Yosemite

We took Gladys and Trigger with us to Yosemite. We were very lucky as the weather turned out to be beautiful! It was Trigger's first camping trip and he traveled well in the RV. We took them both hiking every day and they loved it!

I found out the the hard way about how tender little border collie foot pads are. It seems that boston terrier foot pads are made of asbestos and leather and BC foot pads are made of tender doe skin.

Gladys had no problem with her feet, but by the last day Trigger's little pads were peeling. I didn't expect any problems as most of his walking was on pine needles. I will be checking out Musher's Secret foot pad protectant salve and getting him a little pair of booties which I'm sure he will enjoy greatly!