Time flies!

Wow. I didn't realize how much time has gone by since my last entry. The last two weeks were pretty usual. We have had my niece staying with me so Bear taught her some commands. :) He's really great to work with for people because he responds so well.

We did try a couple of new commands. He knows how to take off socks, he's learning how to take off shoes, pants, and jackets. He got the jackets thing right away. He's struggling with the amount of tugging it takes to get the pants off but he's working at it. I also have to check with our training director for a way to get the shoes off. Bear has to grab from the bottom by my heel and then tug. I just need more direction on that one.

We took Bear to see a movie "Monster House". I have no reservations about him in public anymore. He did great! He sniffed around a little looking for popcorn and then laid down for the entire movie. The noise didn't bother him at all. I can't wait for a dog movie to come out - we are so going!

Bear's going to have a couple of visiting dogs this weekend. We are dog sitting for a friend of mine. He does so well with new dogs. He's at a great age where he can play if they want to - and for hours, or he can just sit around if they don't. It's amazing how calm this breed of dog is compared with some others I've worked with.

Bear's been out to eat a couple of times these past two weeks too. Again he does great. Now I have to work on skills with him in public.

He really has then down great at home. He looks at me with a blank stare in public. The main problem I think is my quiet reaction to him in public. I don't want to draw attention to him and so there isn't any excitement in my voice. I'll work on that. :)

Barking Update

We have had very few episodes of barking from Bear. He's not wearing his bark collar around the clock. He is not barking at birds anymore since we got a bird as a pet. He's only barking when he plays and when he sees people walk by the house. Neither are excessive. He has also not run the fence line barking for quite awhile. It may be because it's 90 degrees with 90% humidity. Whew! It's hot!

A trip to the mall

Last night Bear, my niece Megan, and I went to Applebees at the mall to eat. Bear did pretty good. He was a little ansy.

I never know if I should feed him prior to outings or not. If we are going to be driving for an extended period of time - I don't feed him because he gets car sick. If we are going to work on skills - I don't feed him because he works better for food. If we are going to a restaurant in town - I need to feed him.

He was too hungry and wanted to clean the floor for the wait staff. He's so helpful. He had a difficult time settling down and the booths were such that I couldn't step on his leash very well. I ended up putting his gentle leader back on him and holding it firmly so he couldn't get out from under the booth.

The staff at Applebees were awesome. They asked if I'd prefer a booth (which I did). They warned me before they filled balloons for kids. Bear really perked up when they did that. The helium tank made a very high pitched sound. He did great. He just jumped up to watch but didn't whine or bark.

YIKES It's hot!!

It doesn't seem right that Minnesota should get 90 degree weather with high humidity but it does. Right now we are in the middle of a very hot and humid streak.

So at our house, the plastic baby pool gets filled up and the dogs get to play in that for the short time they are outside. They love it! Bear is a little apprehensive but allows me to coax him in and pour water over him so he can cool off.

The other day they were outside enjoying the pool and apparently caught site of a chipmunk. They both went after it and it ran under the tiny lip of the air conditioner. Dogs don't understand where the nice cool air of the house comes from and proceeded to take out the low voltage (thank god!) wires of the air conditioning unit. Nice.

For two days we had to live without air conditioning and Bear was miserable. He couldn't find a cool place to lay. Poor boy!!

I am writing this while sitting in a very comfortable 76 degrees!! Thank you air condioning fix it man!!! Bear thanks you too!

June Training

This month we worked a little on skills and a lot on learning the requirements for the Canine Good Citizenship test. If we would've taken it that day, Bear would've passed - to my surprise. There were four other dogs in the room and I haven't worked very much on "stay". There is a test where he has to stay while I walk away from him 10 feet (I think) and then I walk back and give him an "okay" to release him. I could've believe he stayed. I was so proud of him.

Here we are working on "tug". He does that really well. I have a new list of commands I have to practice on. I have been spending the last two months socializing him in public. Now I need to concentrate on skills in public.