We are the champions....

of the sit stay competition at class that is. Minnie did great. I put her on a sit stay in the middle of the room and proceeded to walk around her spiral outwards until reaching the edges of the room. She stayed seated there the whole time waited patiently for me to return to her. She was the only one in her class who stayed the whole time. I'm so proud of her. She also learned a down stay last night and we kicked up the sit stay a notch. She learned to do a sit stay while I move away from her w/ a chair and place it somewhere to sit down. Then get up, circle the chair and return to her. She mastered that in no time. Within 5 minutes I was able to take the chair to the otherside of the room to sit it in, and she stayed exactly where I told her to. Can you tell I'm proud? =) Minnie and I will have to postpone our graduation since we aren't able to attend class next week due to me being in Salem for 2 weeks at the Academy for work. So instead we are set for a June 24 final class

I took some video of her tonight playing with dogs where we're housesitting. They were taken w/ my cell phone so the quality may not be the best...

I'm thinking we are getting stay mastered....

So I took Minnie outside this afternoon to practice what we have learned so far in our obedience class. I had horses out grazing in the yard so I figured they would provide for a good distraction. She is healing well, a pro sit, and getting down. I then decided to work on stay since we will be having a stay contest at class tomorrow. The goal is to see who can get the furthest from their dog and still have them stay. Well I dropped Minnie's leash and was about 10-15' from her plus my gelding was 5' from her and she stayed sitting right where I left her and waited for me to return to her side. I'm very proud of her. She likes to learn but gets bored easily so I find it best to switch things up on her. Now here's hoping she does just as well in class w/ 8 other dogs. =)

Gabbi and Minnie Updates

Minnie is doing good w/ her obedience classes. She likes to learn but gets bored easily. I did however figure out that she LOVES to work for hot dogs! She has learned to sit, down, walk nicely on leash. This week we are working on heal, come and stay. She's a quick learner. =)

Gabbi's update isn't so good. The second tumor we found is growing in size. So unfortunately she still has cancer and it wasn't isolated. Now to look at her and how she acts you'd never know. She is still her happy, bossy, alpha dog self. So at this point all we can do is make she has quality life. When it comes to the point in time where she no longer does, then it will be time for us to say goodbye. Here's to hoping that's not anytime soon!

Time for school....

Ok so I talked with the trainer and she is well now. So tomorrow Minnie and I will start our classes. The only draw back to this one week delay is during her 4th and final class I'm scheduled to be in Salem at the Academy for work. So I spoke with Terry and she said Minnie can just do her final class 2 weeks later when I get back. She said it wouldn't hurt her a bit. I'm thinking if I like this trainer I may do more than just the basic obedience classes with her. I'm thinking Rally would be something fun for me to pursue. I know Glenn plans on doing herding with her.

Minnie is resting up so she's fresh for school tomorrow. =)

Wish us luck....

So the trainer got sick, so Minnie's class start date has been pushed back a week.

On the upside she went to visit her Dad and Grandma Carolyn yesterday. She had big fun. You can see pics and blog at Carolyns site under News and Blogs.

Minnie is enrolled in school...

We start our 4 week obedience class tomorrow. It's been about 8 years since I've done any obedience classes. At that time I took my Jack Russel who ended up being the star of the class. Hopefully Minnie will be just a receptive. She's a great dog but is very much a busy body. She walks nicely on a leash as it is right, but does need to learn heel. Glenn and I hoping she will master her down. If she does, it'll be a nice change for Glenn to have a hearding corgi with a down, seeing how that wasn't her great-great-great-great grandma and great-great-great aunt's strong point. =)