Bad blogger update

It’s HOT here in Texas. We’ve been having temperatures of 100+ for the past week or so, and it’s just been too hot to do anything, including have classes. I was planning to get back to blogging this week since it had calmed down some, and on Saturday night, my laptop (The Kayleeputer) promptly committed suicide by colliehair. (Really- it’s actually a motherboard problem, and I *DO* use canned air on it regularly, but I suspect it just was tired of it’s sad, sad existance in a house full of things bad for computers.) I’ve ordered a replacement (IBM T50, 15″ 60GB HDD 1GB RAM) but it won’t come till Thursday.The new computer is currently in Memphis. FedEx tracking is ADDICTIVE. I keep checking to see if it’s gotten loaded on the truck yet- it may get here TOMORROW instead of Thursday, if I’m lucky!

I still have internet access from work (THANK GOD) and will try and get better about updating this week! Coming down the pipe – thoughts on approximation, balanced training, timing, and how to demand perfection without driving your dog* or yourself insane.

*Unless your dog is a border collie and LIKES that sort of OCD thing.

I’m such a geek…

I’ve created a webcam for our baby chickens…

Check it out here:

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/peepvision

I haven’t figured out how to embed it, though.

First week of Saturday Small Groups!

Yesterday was our first “Saturday Small Group” meeting at Best Friends Fun Farm, and it was a blast. Crystal and her Aussie Beacon and Mark and his Standard Schnauzer Baron came out to work on specific issues in a slightly different setting from our laid-back CU classes or a full-on agility class or match. Beacon worked on remaining calm with dogs moving and doing jumps,  and returning to a calm state after running himself. Baron and Mark worked mostly on remaining connected when there were other dogs on the perimeter of the working area, blocked off by gates.

Meredith, our new assistant trainer, brought her miniature schnauzers Kiba and Stryder and worked on quiet in the crate and building a bit of speed for Kiba, and jumping with Stryder.

I brought Kaylee and Lizzie along and worked on jumping with both of them. Lizzie also worked a little bit on distance and going to a jump from further away.

This is going to be a regular feature for our CU students and we think it will be lots of fun.

Gourdo update….

Although Kaylee has decided the Gourdo is not actually interesting,  Lizzie and RITTIE have decided that it is Made of Awesome. Photos forthcoming.

I broke something….

If you’re looking for the forum, it should be back tomorrow. I broked it trying to add a chat.

Forum is live again; however, we still don’t have a chat.

Quick note!

Dogstar Academy now has forums!

I’ve been meaning to set this up for a while, but with the recent demise of the CU list, I wanted to set up an alternative place for discussion. So go check them out!

Goodbye, CU list!

Leslie McDevitt closed down her CU list today. It was really great to have access to the author of such a fantastic book for asking questions of. The list archives are still available, though.

I’ve created a forum for ongoing discussion of the book (and DVD) & exercises here for anyone who is interested in joining. Pass it on!

Toy Review – Ruffwear Gourdo

Lindsay and I made a trip to REI last night, and despite my intentions of not spending any money, I came home with a new backpack for Kaylee and a new toy to try out for dockdiving.

For dockdiving, it’s important to have a toy that floats and which is easy to throw. I’ve experimented with tennis balls, sticks (Kaylee’s actual favorite, but finding sticks of the right size, that float, and which aren’t TOO filthy or slimy is sort of a hit-or-miss proposition.  The toy that I picked up is called a Gourdo, which comes in 3 colors and two sizes. (I paid $11.95 for the large size at REI in Dallas.)

The body is made of soft rubber, and reminds me of the Planet Dog Orbee bones. The blue version is scented  (vaguely minty?) like the Orbee bones too, and while none of my dogs seem to care, it’s a nice touch. The black version is made of 30% reclaimed rubber, too,  and the materials in all colors are billed as ‘eco-friendly’. It’s a pretty substantial toy, and seems fairly tough as far as the plastic part goes. The rope is a soft nylon rope which seems very unlikely to fray, but which does make this a toy that’s not meant for unsupervised play- I suspect most dogs would strongly enjoy giving it a nibble or two.

This toy is GREAT to throw- it’s substantial enough that you can really fling it quite a long way, and it’s highly visible with good contrast on a variety of surfaces. Kaylee and Mal both seem to like the unpredictable way it bounces, and it’s quickly becoming a coveted toy at our house!

Headsup – Mandatory spay/neuter in Plano!

Last week, draft revisions of Plano’s animal ordinances were published on Wednesday – I meant to post here but I wasn’t really up to posting for various reasons. Tonight was the city council meeting in Plano, which I attended with my friend Jessica and her husband Colin.

The short version is, for now, the mandatory spay/neuter amendment is tabled but the other sections were passed. The MSN amendement has gone to a committee including two members of the dog fancy, the head of the animal shelter commission, and two members of the city council for study and discussion.

If you live in Plano (or even if you don’t!), please continue to write to the Plano City Council and express your support for a humane, enforcable, and SANE animal ordianance.

New session of Unleashed!

Our next session of Unleashed (Based on the book Control Unleashed by Leslie McDevitt) begins Friday, March 6th. This class meets from 8-9PM at Best Friends Fun Farm in McKinney, Texas. At this time, it looks like we will have spaces available – contact us if you’re interested!