Happy Birthday, Flash!

Yesterday, July 24, 2013, was Flash's 2nd Birthday. We should have celebrated by taking him to the beach, but because of our busy schedule we only managed to give him a ride in the car and "unlimited" cookies. Unlimited means maybe six cookies. Sorry for the lame birthday, Flash.

Horseback Riding Day

Flash was very good at our horseback riding arena today. He went in the crate fairly well (after we threw in the treat). After my lesson, we let him out and we all went for a little ride/run around the ranch. He got his exercise today.

Fetch has its hazards

Flash and I played Fetch on the front lawn this morning until his tennis ball rolled into the pond. He spent some time willing the ball to come within reach, but finally jumped into the water and retrieved it. As a reward, he had to stay out of the house until he dried off. Not entirely fair.

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?