Showing posts with label fetch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fetch. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Two
On Thursday the 19th Dante turned two years old! Poor, neglected boy did not get a blog post on his birthday, but I just keep telling myself that we had too much fun to have time for that. There was lots of ball playing, and running free with squeaky toys:
Last year, we made a special trip to the doggy bakery. I knew that I was going to do that with each of my puppies on their only birthday with me, but this time was Dante's first of many birthdays as mine. So, I guess the tradition has really just begun.
Dante knows that this place is his store, and goes borderline crazy every time we have been there. It does not help that the owner and employees spoil him rotten, so I resort to basic just-don't-lunge-at-toys-you-want-or-jump-on-the-counters behavior. Not great, I know but heck, he's not in training anymore (but don't worry, his training isn't going to pot -- he keeps his skills up and is learning new, fun ones too; more on that later).
Before heading home, we drove through Starbucks. Dante was sitting in the passenger side with my sister, and the lady at the window commented on how beautiful he is. I said thank you, and told her it was his birthday, and she came back with whipped cream for him! I only allowed him a little bit, but he loved it!
Lots more play time (are you sensing a theme here?), and then Dante and Moray got their birthday treats! They have this whole eating thing down to a science: check it out first while we Wait:
Look off into the distance, resisting the urge to break the Sit command:
Check with me:
Okay!
Then switch places to be sure the other one did not leave any precious crumbs:
Happy birthday, Dante! This time last year I did not know where you would be now. Often I marvel at the potential and intelligence that you possess, but there are moments that remind me that you are right where you belong too. Some of which are when I take away the dishtowel you stole for the millionth time today, but especially in the way you look at me with those always-sparkling eyes and understand every word I say and every move I make. I love you, my very own Mr. D!
Last year, we made a special trip to the doggy bakery. I knew that I was going to do that with each of my puppies on their only birthday with me, but this time was Dante's first of many birthdays as mine. So, I guess the tradition has really just begun.
Dante knows that this place is his store, and goes borderline crazy every time we have been there. It does not help that the owner and employees spoil him rotten, so I resort to basic just-don't-lunge-at-toys-you-want-or-jump-on-the-counters behavior. Not great, I know but heck, he's not in training anymore (but don't worry, his training isn't going to pot -- he keeps his skills up and is learning new, fun ones too; more on that later).
Before heading home, we drove through Starbucks. Dante was sitting in the passenger side with my sister, and the lady at the window commented on how beautiful he is. I said thank you, and told her it was his birthday, and she came back with whipped cream for him! I only allowed him a little bit, but he loved it!
Lots more play time (are you sensing a theme here?), and then Dante and Moray got their birthday treats! They have this whole eating thing down to a science: check it out first while we Wait:
Look off into the distance, resisting the urge to break the Sit command:
Check with me:
Okay!
 |
| Yeah...the plates weren't really necessary in hindsight... |
Then switch places to be sure the other one did not leave any precious crumbs:
Happy birthday, Dante! This time last year I did not know where you would be now. Often I marvel at the potential and intelligence that you possess, but there are moments that remind me that you are right where you belong too. Some of which are when I take away the dishtowel you stole for the millionth time today, but especially in the way you look at me with those always-sparkling eyes and understand every word I say and every move I make. I love you, my very own Mr. D!
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
He Fetches
Starting from when Dante was eight or nine weeks old, I have spent countless hours trying to teach him to fetch. We started in the upstairs hallway, on a long leash, and once he got that down, we played off leash, then started over downstairs in the house, and so on. Dante loves to chase after toys, but teaching Fetch was exhausting. Trying to get Dante excited, switching toys every throw, and tons of treats. On Sunday, Dante played Fetch for a full 15 minutes in the back yard (still with tons of treats), and I was floored that he stayed interested that long.
Moray is a different story. The dog fetches.
Dante, Moray and I were playing in the backyard together, and I threw a ball for them. Dante lost interest after a few minutes, and went to find a stick. Moray raced after the ball and brought it to me. I, of course, praised and gave him a treat. I threw it again, not really thinking he would bring it back, but sure enough, he did.
I took Moray out by himself the other day to see if he would really Fetch. He does.
I try not to compare Dante and Moray, but I am totally flabbergasted that Moray doesn't even need to be taught. Sure, I want to put a "fetch" command with it, but it is so much easier when he is already doing it.
We take this oppertunity to work on impulse control and his commands, asking for a "sit" or "shake" or "speak" before each throw.
It is SO much fun that Moray wants to fetch, and even seeks me out for attention when he is free in the yard. Love this sweet baby!
Moray is a different story. The dog fetches.
Dante, Moray and I were playing in the backyard together, and I threw a ball for them. Dante lost interest after a few minutes, and went to find a stick. Moray raced after the ball and brought it to me. I, of course, praised and gave him a treat. I threw it again, not really thinking he would bring it back, but sure enough, he did.
I took Moray out by himself the other day to see if he would really Fetch. He does.
I try not to compare Dante and Moray, but I am totally flabbergasted that Moray doesn't even need to be taught. Sure, I want to put a "fetch" command with it, but it is so much easier when he is already doing it.
We take this oppertunity to work on impulse control and his commands, asking for a "sit" or "shake" or "speak" before each throw.
 |
| Sitting before throwing the ball. |
 |
| "Speaking." |
 |
| "Moray, here!" |
It is SO much fun that Moray wants to fetch, and even seeks me out for attention when he is free in the yard. Love this sweet baby!
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