update and thoughts

WELL, first off, I want to say that yesterday was a better day. I took Alki out in the afternoon just to scavenge her kibble off the drive way, super low key, low level distractions, but she still gets out and gets to do something for a few mins, and all stimuli is paired with food as she eats. The neighbors and 3 of their dogs were out front, 1 of them yapping away at us, but Alki did not even seem to notice them AT ALL. Not any of the dogs barking, not when the dogs started racing around their yard, not the kids out there yelling at the dogs, nothing. We stuck close to the door just in case we had to duck inside real quick, but the dogs stayed in their yard and all was well. She didnt glance at them once, no tense muscles, no hackles, just calm. PHEW!

The interesting thing that happened though was before we stepped out the door. I put her leash on (which she always gets excited about and goes to the door), and as I turned to go to the door, I saw her flinch. I noticed in the past she would flinch seemingly in response to a flopping leash, (not surprising since her whole life shes been afraid of bags flapping around in hands, or when people put on/take off clothes and they flap around, etc), but I thought this reaction usually only came up after a scary moment (i.e. a dog barking), and she hasnt done this in months. So, Im a little glad that it seems its just a reemergence of an old fear, not necessarily any major set back, and that this is something we can work on in the house with no other scary triggers. I also had the poop bag holder on the end of the leash so this may have made her nervous as well. At any rate, Im feeling more encouraged now. I still plan to take it slow again and to drop all my expectations again like in the beginning of our rehab.

I am also a little bummed that Im poor, lol there are SO MANY things I want to do with my dogs--rally, therapy, agility, nose work, disc.... I want to take classes, compete, buy training DVDs/books, go to seminars, buy equipment, etc. but I cant afford any of it until Tony gets a job, and even then its tough, plus finding training facilities I trust, and have active classes around here is next to impossible. Itd be fab if he gets a job in the bay area and we can move to San Jose for a year or 2. BUT, until then........... So, Ive been inspired, yet again, to push my lazy ass to train at home. I got through phases where Im really good and long patches where I do ZIP. So, my new goal is: TRAIN WITH EACH DOG FOR 5 MINUTES EVERY DAY. Seriously, PIECE OF CAKE. Ill just use bfast or dinner and do some training.

Royal: RALLY & RECALL

Brock: RECALL & LEAVE IT

Alki: REHAB & NOSE WORK

Id like to train them some tricks and such as well. I should also keep working on disc work with Brock, we did great for a while then dropped off. This is a good time to get in the habit because I dont start school for another 5 wks.

So, yeah, thats that. I should get out there and play with my dogs here soon. Its SUPER hot today though (100 degrees right now), so will prob need to wait another 2 hrs to take the boys out. Need to take them to the dog park, & play fetch with Alki. Right now Im going to take Alki out front to eat her kibble, and work on the leash fear briefly!

Oh and I have some new photos I havent shared yet. Just some random "around the house" shots from the last 2 weeks:

all three! it is a challenge getting them to pose together.. I wanted a photo to show how different their feets are

shes good at looking pathetic

I (FINALLY) cleaned my desk, and now the dogs can lay in the corner here again! theres been a giant box full of junk to sort for months.. @__@

this is now his favorite spot to lay

do not disturb

Alki looking CUTE. the heat turns them all into lazies

the A/C wasnt working well for a few days, and it was over 100 degrees! you know its hot when the pit bull is hot.

Brock or Royal can almost always be found laying right behind my desk

tennis ball = doggie bubble gum; Brock's favorite post-fetch activity

*BITE*

nomnomnom.