Tick Tock

Flash had two ticks on him today. This morning he went running up in the hills with Dennis and I think that's where he got them.

Flash Goes to Pine Valley Days

I didn't have a booth at Pine Valley Days this year, but we took Flash to wander around the vendors and desensitize him, if necessary, to a whole mess of people. He didn't seem to have a problem with it, but it was very hot so we didn't stay long.

At least three people commented on how clean he was. Later in the afternoon he went in the pond at home and came out with some gunk on his collar and around his neck. So Dennis and I gave him a bath...he was not happy about that.

Flash was happy to see Betsy at her booth. 

The feeling was mutual.

Flash Goes to the Beach!

Today we took Flash to Fiesta Island, a no-leash dog beach, to see how he liked big water. As the slideshow shows, he loved the water almost as much as the hot dog and fries he shared with us. By the way, Flash celebrated his first birthday on Tuesday, July 24. 

Tuesday's Lesson

I may have owner blindness, but it seemed to me Flash did pretty well at last night's lesson. For one thing, there were several dogs running loose, smelling him (meet and greet) while we had him on leash.  He was a little nervous, but didn't do anything like trying to nip the other dogs. Good boy.

Then we did something new where he was supposed to go down while he was running toward us. Dennis was handling him and I think Flash was getting the idea sort of. With some practice, I think he'll get it.

Then we did some heeling exercises with a lot of turning left and right. Flash did better when he was challenged by the turns, Rachel said. I've got to get to feeling better so I can work with him more at home.

Then I asked Rachel how I can get Flash to sit straight and not in a puppy sit. She showed us how to use a long stick or dowel to tap him so he moves over. I was not very successful at this exercise. Then we did something that required Flash to know how to stand. I now have forgotten the exercise, except for the standing part.

We have a lot of work to do.

Flash swims!

Dennis thought we should take Flash to the ocean today, somewhere like Fiesta Island where they allow dogs. But then we started thinking of the long drive, traffic, parking problems, sand and fleas and we decided we had a perfectly good pond right in front of the house.

Now Flash loves to get wet, but to our knowledge, he has never gone in the water deep enough to swim. So we took him and a tennis ball to the pond and threw the ball in for him to fetch. Ha. He got up to the edge, but couldn't put his feet on the bottom so he wouldn't go in.

Dennis retrieved the ball with a long stick and I took the ball to the shallow side of the pond and tossed it in close to the edge. Flash went in this time and nudged the ball until finally he had to swim to get it. I think he was surprised of his new talent--swimming.

We were very happy that Flash finally went swimming. It was 103 degrees outside, so we went back to the cool house.

Group Lesson

Tuesday we went to Rachel's again for Flash's weekly group lesson. This time there were more people and dogs, eight altogether counting us. I think Flash did pretty well, although he wanted to eat the puppy that was there. I managed to hold on to him when he lurched forward to get the puppy. Otherwise, Flash did all of the exercises well.

Now we are working on extending the distance I can go away from him while he is in a sit/stay or down/stay. Tonight I practiced with him and was able to go all the way across the back yard--more than the required 20 feet, I think.

What makes Flash so easy to train is his intelligence, of course, but also his memory. He retains everything he is taught once he "gets it."

Flash's New Job

Flash is busy at work at his new job: squiring around the kittens as they play on the patio in front of the house. We opened one of the windows so the kittens can hop outside and explore the larger world. This morning they were climbing trees and ducking under shrubbery to avoid Flash's herding eye.

Flash is very good with the kittens, taking a different tack with each one. He chases Cindy Crawford, places his mouth over Bubba's neck (Bubba is his favorite), watches Precious, and warily avoids Sambo, who spits at him every time. Flash doesn't seem to be able to make friends with Sambo, even though he lies down quietly waiting for Sambo to come around. No way.

Flash on the 4th

Flash had a great 4th of July. First, he got to follow Daddy around, feeding the horses and then putting them away again at night. He also got to go down to the barn with me so I could have my riding lesson.

My friend, John, made a higher mounting block for me so I can get on the horse easier. I'm still not able to ride, so Betsy gave Doc his lesson today. Flash thought the mounting block was made for him.

He was very good in the arena with Doc today. I think they are getting used to each other.

While Dennis, Mom and I were having a barbecue, Flash and Honey (Mom's dog) got their own hot dogs which they practically swallowed whole.

No Lesson Tonight

I can't believe I haven't written anything since last Tuesday. Flash is so entertaining and fun. Other people have even commented on how nice he's gotten. I attribute that to his lessons with Rachel and our continuing training at home. He's not perfect, but he's easy to be around. Unfortunately, our lesson tonight was canceled, so I have nothing to report except that Flash caught a tiny lizard that apparently came in through the window last night. Good job.