Tikaani' Second Obedience Match

Today Tikaani had his second obedience match.  It was part of an event that not only contained obedience and rally matches, but also practice conformation runs and various demonstrations.  More info about the event can be seen here: 2011 AKC Canine Experience

This time around, I dragged Tom and the rest of the pups since they could use a good outing and after the match we had a shiba meet up to attend.  Tetsu perched on Tom's lap while Miyu remained crated, with unleashed dogs around and Tom suffering from a migraine, this seemed like the best option.

I worked with Tikaani for a bit before stepping into the ring, having a hard time getting his focus with all the excitement and new smells around.  Once we stepped in the ring though, his focus was right on me, or more specifically the bit of cheese in my hand (I opted FEO)that didn't interest him earlier.  He was a bit rough at the beginning of the heel, but sharpened up and did fantastic.  He did a wonderful figure eight, and performed the stand/stay perfectly.  I was a bit worried about his stand/stay since he had shown head shyness in class, but this judge touched him along the neck instead of the top of the head, to which he gave no reaction to.

Even though it was a Novice match with off leash elements, I opted to keep a hold of his leash with everything but the recall.  I wrapped the loosely around his neck in a fashion that if he had decided to go for a joy run it would unwrap and become something to grab onto.  But no worries there, he came when called and sat mostly centered to me, facing at a slight angle in prep for the finish.  I got him to center and motioned him to finish.  Usually he's pretty good with his finish, but this time around he was a bit sloppy.  It was probably due to all of the distractions, but he still kept with me.

During the group sit/stay and down/stay, he seemed to be pretty glad to not have to move, especially with all that sun cooking his coat.  To his right was a German Shepherd Dog that didn't want to listen, and focused on me every time I treated Tikaani.  To his left, was an energetic toy poodle that kept trying to sniff him and also didn't want to hold still.  But even with this, Tikaani stayed and only adjusted to a more comfortable down.

When the match was done, I traded Tikaani for Tetsu and walked around to get a peek at what else was going on.  There were several vendors and clubs there, I got to pet a toy Xolo and talked to a SARS person.  They were about to do a dirt dog demonstration, but it was time for us to clean up and head to the meet up.  Apparently, when I was wondering around there was a small scare of a loose Golden Retriever running up to Tom and Tikaani.  Miyu was barking her head off in the crate, while Tikaani and the Golden were initiating play bows to each other.  This sort of thing really didn't help Tom's headache, but it was a good thing we had switched dogs since Tetsu doesn't appreciate dogs running up to him. 

All and all it was a fun day, and after the meet up we brought home some tired pups.  They remained dead for the rest of the day, even moaning every time I offered to take them out for potty walks.  Well, since we didn't get any pictures of the match, here's one of Tetsu and Miyu at the meet up actually enjoying each others company:

Potatoes!!

Decided to dig up my potatoes today.  With all the heat we've been having, the plants were dieing and some of the potatoes were starting to get soft.  I managed to get 10lbs of potatoes with the 12 seed potatoes I started with (which equaled about 1lb).  Quite a colorful mix of whites, reds and blues.  Can't wait to cook them all up.

Tikaani' First Obedience Match

Today I took Tikaani to his first Obedience match.  A match is kind of like a test run get the dog used to performing in a competitive setting, while a trial is when you actually compete, getting scored and earning titles.  This match allowed the use of treats and toys during a routine, which I took advantage of

I entered at the Pre-Novice level, and even though I entered for one round, we got to go a second time since there was extra time.  The judge is actually the instructor of the Obedience classes that I take the pups to. 

 

The video only covers the first part of the routine.  Starting off with heeling, he kept his focus on me, which I thought would be the hardest thing.  The big issue was the stand/stay, as I am still teaching Tikaani to do what they call a Kick Back and also have to get used to giving him a wider girth when going around him.  A Kick Back is when the dogs back legs step backwards to keep the body from being scrunched up and to give them a more solid stand.  You can see during the second stand/stay how scrunched he is, compared to the first wen he corrects himself.  When going around him the fist time, I brushed his tail causing him to move.

During the second part, that was not recorded, we had to do a group sit/stay and down/stay.  Tikaani broke his down once,  which was pretty good especially since the dogs on both sides of him kept getting up.  After we finished, we hung around to observe the Open and Utility levels.  It was amazing to see the techniques taught to compete in those levels.  

Overall, it was a sunny fun filled day.  Going to go find more matches to sign up for so we can gain even more practice. 

POTATOEZ!!

The potatoes are growing like crazy.  Currently 2 tires, soon to be 3, high is a batch of Yukon Gold.

The original seed potatoes were planted at the bottom of the first tire, and as the stems grow I add dirt and tires.  This will continue until they either stop growing or flower, which should be about 3-4 tires high.  Come harvest time, each tire should be filled with plenty of potato goodness and plenty of food to last us a good deal of the winter.

I'm also growing a few potatoes in a raised bed, basically to test the difference between the two methods.

There is about 6 different varieties growing in this bed.  Can't wait to harvest these as not only will I get the common yellow skin/white flesh and red skin/white flesh, but I will also get red skin/pink flesh and blue skin/blue flesh.  Can't wait to make some purple smashed tatoes :)

Snake Photography

Took some pictures of the Reptiles over the weekend, and the snake pictures came out so well I felt it was worth sharing.  Most of them are of my newest addition, an Albino Spider female Ball Python.  This morph is quite intriguing as both the recessive (albino) and the dominant (spider) traits are visual, as apposed to looking like one yet being a carrier of the other (spider het. albino).

And here is one of my Piebald male, a little dark but damn he sure is  hot.

The Great NK Meet Up

Today had turned into a fun, yet really busy, day for us.  This was the first meet up/party we've ever hosted and now, sitting on the couch after the long day I have a better understanding of how much work it takes to have fun.

It was great seeing so many faces, both human and furry, some I haven't seen in a long time while others for the first time.  Tom managed the grill and cooked up some great meats, while our pups were tied out in the back of the yard away from the action.  My guys aren't used to doggy visitors, so it was best to keep them back there or bring them inside the house.  The latter proved to be a bad idea with more than one, as each time someone was leaving Tetsu would sneak through their legs as they tried to stop the other dog.  Twice he got out and was enjoying the romp around so much that he didn't even notice all the dogs and people sitting right by the door.

Anyways, words are useless without pictures so here are a few taken by me, as well as some taken by others who attended

 

Even the chickens got to join in

Tetsu surprised us with his gentleness towards Sophia

 

It was just such a fun day and I'm glad that everyone who came had a great time...Can't wait to do it again ;)

Fun in the Water

Since no one showed up for the meet up today and the dog park was extremely crowded, we opted to take the pups to the pond for a little watery fun.  They all enjoyed getting wet, and the long walk that followed.  In the end, we all had a lot of fun and ended up smelling funky.