Monday, May 29, 2006

Roller skating season!

Remember when you were a kid and it just became roller skating season, or jump rope season, or jacks? No one came and told you, it just was.
That is the reason I like Aussies, Australian shepherds, so much. When you want to do something different, they're game for anything.
I have never said, well I can't do that cause my dog doesn't like that activity. I just do what I want and the aussies raise their paws in agreement.
They certainly aren't for everyone. The Yipster is a busy puppy, but it isn't solo busy. She wants to be with me in the thick of things. If she isn't properly worn out, she is going to yell about it. It doesn't take too long, just some brushing time or play time but it has to be together. I really like that too. I want her to be with me as well as my other two girls Jiggy and Calamity. If you don't want your dogs to go to the bathroom with you, don't get an aussie.
I am going to start some ground work with the Yipster in regards to herding. Elsie has some basics to work on such as back, moving off a crook or rake, can't use the flag with Yip as she thinks it is the best toy in the world!
I am going to click Yip for turning her head away from the rake, she is very motivated with the clicker, and then eventually for squaring away from it.
That should be fun.
Oh she got hold of my glasses this morning, I am blind as a bat without them, and I started to give chase with a firm "leave it" command. When I realized that all I had to do was put out my hand, she brought them right to me. I have got her now retrieving her metal article and plastic dumbbell so why not glasses too?
It worked, but I don't want to encourage glasses retrieving.

1 comments:

Kim Smith said...

LOL. Yip sounds so much like Loki! He's only a few weeks younger, and I just feel like I am reading about him. And I totally, wholeheartedly agree about going to the bathroom alone with Aussies in the house. NOT possible! I can't go ANYWHERE without Loki glued to me! His mother was the exact same way.

Can't wait to meet the Yippster someday!

Kim Smith
www.blessedfarm.com