WARNING: NOT FOR THE WEAK

Just warning everyone now - the following photos are not for the weak of heart - and some might say they are offensive.  Don't say you haven't been warned!

This weekend was all about Cinder - we are trying to earn the Top Dalmatian in Canada for the third year in a row (with the Agility Association of Canada) and this was our last big trial of the year.  In between Cinder's runs, I would take Mr Mav out to socialize and train with distractions.  He also experienced his first snow fall.

Now if you are one of my strict agility friends, you might want to sit down for this one because you may not believe what I am about to say.

I had my first lesson is stacking Mr Mav for confirmation today.  I know - you probably fell off your chair laughing because anyone that knows me would never believe I would be any where near the confirmation ring, but I promised the breeder I would try.

I would tell you the story of our first lesson, but I thought it would be better to show you photos!  This is where is might get offensive for the confirmation people!  Just remember, I have never done this before and I promise, we were having a great time.

So here's a photo of Maverick when Tana stacked him -

And this is what happened today - and remember - I have never done this before...lol!

This is by far my favourite photo...Mr Mav is such a monkey!

ALMOST

In the end, I was happy we got it - kinda, sorta :)

Don't worry Tana - I promise we'll practice ALOT more :)  His agility training is going really well :)


BTW - I just realized that there are some people that read this blog who have never met me before.  So for those people you need to know that I have quite the sense of humour and I can be a tad sarcastic :)  So when I say that the above photos may be offensive, I was just joking - although for a person very serious about confirmation, I wouldn't be surprised if they did find my bastardized confirmation stacking photos offensive :)

Wax on - wax off ... Our Karate Kid Moment

Today we had our Karate Kid moment -

Since the day I picked up Mr Mav, I have worked to give him the foundation I didn't give Cinder.  Every day we have our training sessions, nothing sexy, just working on our foundation.  All of this has taken place either in my home or in the hall way of my building.  One cookie at a time.  Repeating it over and over - always taking small steps - putting money in the bank.

Since coming home from Calgary I have still been home sick on the couch and I was feeling bad for Mr Mav because he hasn't had a good chance to go for a run (we have been doing laps in the hallway to burn off steam).  When the sun came out this afternoon, I took the opportunity to take Cinder and Mr Mav to the park.

I wasn't sure how Mr Mav would behave - but he was wonderful.  The three of us walked nicely down the walk way to a field where no one else was around.  Mav stayed right by my side the entire time.  It was so cool to see him right at my left or right as we walked around the field.  All of that time I spent working on the reinforcement zone was paying off!  He was in perfect heal position.

I wanted to see what would happen so I look him off lead and let him play with Cinder.  He had done his recalls very well on lead and I had every intention of putting him back on lead if he even hesitated to come to me when called.  But every single time I called him name, Mr Mav came running back to me.  Every since time - and it was immediate!

Then another dog came walking by and Cinder and took off to see the dog with Mr Mav following him.  I called Mr Mav and he immediately came running back to me!  (Cinder didn't but that's a whole other blog...lol)

I was blown away - and that's when I realized that all the time I have spent on the little things was paying off.  It was like when Mr Miyagi was teaching Daniel - sand the floor, paint the fence - and all of a sudden he was able to put it together into his "aha moment".

Do the little things greatly so the great things become little - Susan Garrett told me that at one of her seminars and I truly believe it.

Now don't get me wrong, I know that I have a TON of work ahead of us.  But it was pretty cool today to see that being consistent every time I open his crate door or every time I treat him at my side really makes a difference.  There are lots of times I just want to take the easy way out - but I don't and being consistent really pays off.

Spotty and Mr Mav hanging out in the gated community together

Didn't know if I was pushing my luck putting them in the same crate together, but Mav's crate was in the house, so I thought I would try.  They were just fine.

As you can see, we still need to work on him sitting until being released...lol!

I only let him off lead after we first worked recalls on lead.  He was 100% on lead so I wanted to test to see how he would do without.

It was really cool seeing them play together.  They are becoming brothers.

Mav loved to chase Spotty, but when I called his name (and I would only call his name once)...

... Mr Mav came running!

And in the great words of Mr. Miyagi...

First learn stand, then learn fly. Nature rule, Daniel San, not mine. 

BANZAI!!!!!

Mr Mav's adventure in Calgary

What a weekend for Mr Mav.  I was judging an agility trail in Calgary and decided to take Mr Mav with me.  It was incredible!

Our hosts, Barb and Randy, were outstanding!  When we got to their home, they not only had his crate set up in my room, they also had yummy cookies and puppy bully sticks waiting for him.

He met lots of new people (everyone loved playing "pass the puppy"), had a great time meeting all the new dogs and worked on our crate games and tug with the distractions of a trial.

So proud of my little man!

(And make sure you check out all the photos - you'll find out about his flight)

Mr Mav meeting Auntie Barb at the Calgary Airport

The wonderful house they set up for Mr Mav at the trial

Mr Mav with Uncle Randy

Mr Mav with Auntie Barb

I was told that the trial was at the "Fezdome" - pretty sure I know how it got it's name...lol!

Now here's the great part about the flight - 

When I went to check in at the Vancouver airport, the gentleman at the counter almost didn't allow Mr Mav on the plane because of his size (and for the record, Mr Mav was in the sherpa bag so he never saw his size)  He even went to find his supervisor because he didn't want to let us on.  Luckily, his supervisor was a dog lover and immediately asked to hold him.  She didn't have a problem with Mr Mav so we got on the flight.

Well Mr Front counter dude - check out these photos!  On the way back, Mr Mav and I had our photo taken in the cock pit!  Oh - at it was the Captain that took that photos!

Mr Mav in the Captain's seat in the cock pit of the plane

You can be my wingman anytime! 

When life hands you lemons, make it a training opportunity!

OK everyone - you'll want to sit down for this story and make sure you are not drinking anything!

So - as you know, I have been really sick for the past few days.  This morning I was sleeping in when the fire alarm in the building went off.  I collected the dogs, put on a ball cap and headed outside.

I wasn't thrilled out be out - but in my head I heard Susan Garrett's voice telling me to make it into a training opportunity.  I took Mr Mav to all the different people, we played pass the puppy, we walked passed the lights and noises of the fire trucks - it was great!  I even had a couple of the firemen pose with Mr Mav for a photo.  Mr Mav had a great experience around all these new sights and sounds.  I was pretty proud of what had happened.

When we were allowed to come back in side - I thought I should grab my camera and I could take a nice photo of Cinder and Mr Mav in front of the fire truck.  Then I looked into the mirror - OH MY!

Remember - when I fire alarm went off, I just ran out - I didn't check to see what I looked like first.  (And NO - I am not posting a photo on here, so you will just have to use your imagination).  I was beyond sickly pale, with really dark circles around my eyes, one eye was really bloodshot (I am going to the dr. today because I think I might have an eye infection), teeth not brushed - and here's the topper - there was a big white blob (about the size of a nickel) on my cheek of zit cream that I had forgotten to wash off!

At one point, I was standing out front with Mr Mav and Cinder with 5 or 6 fire fighters around us - and I was wondering why none of them were talking to me - thought the puppy would be a no-brainer ice breaker!  After looking in the mirror, I know why...lol!

Needless to say, I didn't go back out to get more photos, and I think I will find a different fire hall to get the photo with the fire truck done :)

In the end, it was a great training opportunity and that was the most important part.  And what's a little humiliation when you're training a puppy, right?

This is Mr Mav saying, "I have no idea who that crazy looking lady is! She's not my mamma!"

Spotty wants to get in on the fun - literally!

Another fun day with Mr Mav - but I am feeling bad that Spotty is getting neglected.  He is being such a good big brother while Mr Mav is learning.  I have been sick since Sunday - and the two of them have been amazing considering that I haven't had the energy to really play with them.  So we've been doing short sessions followed by naps - for everyone :)

Spotty loves when Mr Mav makes a mistake because then he gets the cookie :)

Getting ready for our trip to Calgary - what a cute toosh!

Practicing crate games - we do this EVERY time I open his crate or ex-pen.

Hand on the door and Mr Mav sits.

 I open the door and Mr Mav stays still until he gets his release command.

This is when I usually put his leash on - and yes  - he stays still while I do this.

And he gets the command - "BREAK"

Out of the crate he comes!

This is how I feed him - he'll be waiting in his crate - in a perfect sit - with his bowl of food in front of him.  When he hears the magic word, "Break" he dashes for his food.  

I LOVE CRATE GAMES!

And as Mr Mav was eating - this is what I saw in his crate - 

 Spotty - you crack me up!

Not food motivated - ha!

I remember when I read Mr Mav's temperament test and it says that he wasn't food motivated.  I have no clue what was going on that day, because you'd be amazed what he'll do for a little dry kibble, let alone chicken or cheese...lol!

 Just looking - promise I won't touch (until da mamma gives him a cookie)

Here's Mr Mav doing some "it's yer choice"  He's learning that great things come

 when he waits for da mamma's signal :)

Doing some dyna disk work.  

No more buda belly - he's getting a six pack to impress the babes.

 I'm judging in Calgary this weekend and want to take Mr Mav with me, but had to make sure he'll still fit in the sherpa bag.  It's going to be tight, but we'll make it work.

A big highlight of our week was when I registered Mr Mav for Say Yes Puppy Camp in January!

http://clickerdogs.com/

 It is going to be an awesome foundation for the little guy. 

Who gave Mr. Mav permission to grow up?

Careful what you wish for -
In selecting my next puppy, I was dreaming about running stunning sequences (and kicking a little BC butt...lol) on the agility field.  I couldn't wait until we started training 2 x 2 because this dog was never going to miss a weave entry.

Now don't get me wrong, because all of this WILL happen :) - BUT - today I realized that my cute little puppy was growing up WAAAYYYY too fast!  We were at the pet store and the owner was spoiling him (AGAIN) and as I stood back, I realized how much he had grown.  I hadn't seen that before.

As much as I want him to grow and be the amazing dog that I know he will be - it was hard to think that he is growing so quickly.  He's such a great boy!

On the way to Cinder's agility class tonight we stopped to visit my dad - it was his first time meeting Mr. Mav.

Here are some of the photos he took -

Now just a warning - there are some photos that might scare young children and the weak at heart... I don't wear makeup to agility :)

Don't say you haven't been warned!  :)