Gobble Till You Wobble! It's Turkey Time!

Poor Jasper & Sidney were tortured with aromas of turkey and the trimmings simmering all day. In between preparing dishes, I would plop down on the sofa and snuggle with my boys. Jasper would just melt into me. But little Sidney, he was not content to snuggle. He would crawl up on the back of the sofa and pounce on my head. The little devil would tap my head with his front paw just like a drummer in a band. Then he would grab my hair and give it a tug desperately trying to convince me to play with him. To his dismay, it's been wet outside for the past week. We haven't been able to go for walks or train much. His energy is pent up just like the energizer bunny. Sidney just loves to tug and he's really good at it. I ended up switching from snuggling with Jasper to tugging vivaciously with Sidney. If he keeps this up, he's definitely going to work a few pounds off me.

Jasper just got a new toy from Clean Run. I'm trying to turn him into a tugger. It's the size of a small wallet. One side is covered with rabbit fur. I've never bought rabbit fur in the past because I didn't want Jasper to think he could play with my pet bunnies in an inappropriate way that could harm them. Last March and April my bunnies past away from old age. One was nine year old; the other was ten. House rabbits can live up to ten years of age. I miss them dearly. Jasper & Bailey got along great with them. They were buddies. Anyhow, this toy has velcro and opens up like a purse. You can put a squeaker or food inside it. On one side, there is a handle for me to hold on to. Jasper loves this thing. At home, he really gets into it. Next week at class, I'll try to get him to tug around other dogs. Tugging is a great tool to relax, motivate, and get a dog focus into working with you. I hope the tugging will transfer from home to other places like dog shows, training facilities, and show-n-go's. Below is the website link to the tug toy.
http://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=494&ParentCat=22

Agility Tribute to Lisa & Diva

I have saved this agility video to my you tube site quite a while ago. It is inspirational. I thought I would post it here. This dog really clears the jumps. There is lots of air space. He has springs on his feet. Look at that Crested go!

Up Coming Seminars

Boy am I excited. The month of December I'll be attending two seminars. The first one is Bridget Carlson. She is a top obedience competitor who has competed at the AKC Nationals and at Crufts with a traditional breed and a nontraditional breed. She strives to train her dogs for enthusiasm, animation, and precision. Her website shows videos of several breeds being successful. The Newfie blows me away.

The following weekend I'll attend Linda Koutsky's seminar in New Jersey. Her training has been influenced by Sylvia Bishop. She has a border collie named Tilt that comes from the Hob Knob kennel. It will be interesting to see what she does for a small brachycelphalic breed, a pug.

This past weekend I took the pugs to a show-n-go in Red Lion, PA. It was a blast. Jasper's tail was up, he was confident, and thoroughly enjoying himself. Little Sidney cracks me up. He has such drive. He's just so darn fast. I love the speed of his recalls, retrieves, and jumps. His heeling is so flashy. He has great extention of his legs. When heeling, I feel like I'm driving a Porche.

Jesse I wish I had your knowledge and expertise. Sidney could really be a star in agility too.

PUG Skateboarding

Jesse, did you teach your gang to skateboard? This looks like fun. I bet Sidney would like to play around with a skateboard.

Joey the Pug- trick for a treat

Boy, this is a hoot watching vids on You Tube.

Pug Screen Cleaner

Reminds me of my Bailey. I miss him soooooooooooo much!

PUG PUSHES STROLLER-PORTLAND OREGON

Very adorable. She has a stuff plush pug puppy in her stroller.

funny pug

I bet Sidney could do this.

Hug a Pug - November 2009's Pet of the Month Video Featuring the Webkinz Pug

Cute! Can't help but tap my foot to the beat.

Judith Shoemaker Seminar

One of my favorite vets who I admire and greatly respect is having a one day seminar in Slaughter Beach, DE on March 20th. Judith is a wealth of knowledge and experience. She is highly sought after by both horse and dog people. Below is the website and seminar flyer. http://www.mispillionkc.org/events.html

Salisbury Show

Well once again so close but no cookie. It didn't come out of my mouth but I was thinking exactly what a friend blurted out at the show. I've never seen Jasper do that before. On the recall he came toward me, did a nice drop, then I called him to front but he laid their staring right at me. I had to give him a second command to come into the front position.

The last show it was the broad jump that NQ him. Jasper is more stressed than usual with my mom having been in the hospital and rehab the last month from falling. She broke 3 ribs and ended up with pneumonia.

Our next show will be Jan. 29th. He has no excuses at this show. He has trained in this building before at show-n-go's. He should be relaxed there and my mom is now home and on the mend. There are 76 days until show time.

Pug Nationals

Below Jasper and Sidney are hanging out in their hotel room at The Village Inn & Golf Resort in Clemmons, North Carolina. They took over that king size bed in abandonment.



My dream was not realized at Nationals, a second CDX leg. We were so close but no cookie. Jasper qualified on all the exercises in Open A but the broad jump. He absolutely knows this exercise and has even scored perfect scores on this exercise at past competitions.

We did Rally Novice and got our fourth leg. My purpose was to get Jasper accustomed to the ring environment prior to his Open A run thru.

Our next shot at another CDX leg will be at the Salisbury Dog Show and The Missipillion Dog Show November 6th and 8th.

Tanglewood Park Clemmons, NC

While at Pug Nationals, I ventured out to Tanglewood Park. This place was featured on the Travel Channel. During the Christmas season, you can venture through a tour of lights and displays.

Unfortunately it was a cloudy day when I was taking the pics. At least it wasn't raining. It was absolutely gorgeous there. The boys just loved strutting around the park. The park rules stated that they had to be leashed otherwise those little munchkins would have been footloose and fancy free getting into mischief.

Halloween Pug Party At Nationals

What a Halloween Party! You should have seen those pugs. Very clever themes and costumes.