Flash loves burgers

Dennis and Flash at Taco Barrel

Yesterday afternoon Dennis took us (Flash and me) to the Taco Barrel in Campo for an early dinner. We got a plain burger for Flash, which the chef was kind enough to cut into bite-size pieces. Flash is very adept at catching burger bits!

Patiently waiting for our food

Anticipation 

Incoming!

Sheepherding 101-a

So, yesterday we took Flash back for another "try" at sheepherding to see if he is suited for the sport. As we drove up to the Canines 'n Ewe ranch, he got very excited. We thought he was anxious to chase the sheep again. But, no, he wasn't interested in the sheep at all.

Jennifer took him in the pen with the same 3 sheep, but he just kept running back to the gate. "Mom, Dad, help me!" I imagined he was pleading for us to rescue him. We finally acknowledged that Flash would not be needing any sheep of his own at home. So much for finding him a job.

Flash is a family dog, not a working dog. Oh, well. He is beautiful.

Sheep herding 101

This afternoon Flash and I drove out to Canines 'n Ewe in Lake Morena for a sheepherding trail. Flash was very excited to be around all the new smells and sights. I can affirm the new smells because when we got home I had to wash sheep poop off the bottom of my sneakers.

Flash got to chase 3 dog-trained sheep around a pen. At first he didn't know what to do, but by the end (with tongue dragging), he was circling the sheep like I think he was supposed to. The trainer said she was hoping he had more "drive," but a second trial next week would be more telling. This week he was dealing with a lot of new sights and sounds. Next week he should be more familiar with everything.

Video: 

Just when you think it's safe to go back in the water

He attacks.

Flash went to the groomer's today and she said he was wonderful and never gives her any trouble...doesn't growl or try to bite. Great news.

Then we came home and Joanne came over to bring me my mail. We were standing in the breezeway and Flash came over. Joanne said something like, "Oh Flash, how pretty you look," putting her hand out to pet him. He gave a low growl and Joanne said something else and then he struck like a snake. Luckily, Joanne was faster. Flash's teeth just grazed her hand.

Then when I grabbed him, he growled at me but didn't try to bite.

Why does he do this?

Flash herds

It turns out (according to the breeder) that both of Flash's parents were champion herders. Tonight he proved it by herding a fat little mouse against a wall outside. He then laid down beside it and barked, but he didn't kill it. Very encouraging...except I had to pick it up with a shovel and remove it to a more remote area. Turns out I couldn't kill it either. 

But what a good dog!

Canine Good Citizen

This morning Flash and I drove to Nancy Jane Park in Crest and met up with Rachel so Flash could take the Canine Good Citizen test and earn the AKC title. This test is prerequisite to other types of training like Agility for example. I knew Flash could pass most of the exercises, such as walking on a loose leash, walking among "crowds" of people and dogs, sit, down, stay, etc. The only concerning part was leaving him with "a kind stranger" and hiding for 3 minutes. We took this test a few months ago and he nipped or tried to nip the kind stranger. Not good. He failed that test but today he passed without any indication of aggression. Yea!!!

Good Citizenship and Sheep

Next Thursday Flash will be taking the Good Citizenship Certification test again. If he doesn't bite anyone, he should pass this time. We are meeting Rachel at Nancy Jane Park in Crest for the test.

Then the following Wednesday we are going to a local ranch where Flash will be tested to see if he has what it takes to herd sheep. If so, he will be taking weekly lessons to learn how to herd sheep. That should be a lot of fun and will give him a real job to do.

Back to Work

After a hiatus while I suffered from a very bad cold, Flash and I are going back to work tomorrow. Today we had a little retrieving exercise in the back yard until he got bored and I got tired. Good start, though.

When I was at Pet Smart today, I bought a new toy for Flash. It's name is Snake. Now he has Giraffe, Dragon and Snake. He was very interested in it as you can see:

Flash meets Snake

Flash eats Snake