chihuahua training for show

getting help from the instructor

Pepsi and I went to class tonight and practiced very hard.  We got lots of suggestions on how to improve and will put those into practice.  We will practice this week and then go to class again next week. 

stacking Pepsi

 

 

 

 

 

I didn't take this pic!

around we go

 

preparing to show

As you know I am taking this show thing seriously.  Pepsi and I are doing lots of training to prepare him for the shows in August.  There is a Chihuahua specialty on the 13th, and toy shows on the 14th and 15th.  We do not enter the Sunday shows because that is a day of rest for us.  Also, I believe in setting a good example for my children.  God comes before doggies....

So I have been checking out websites and found more info on the Chihuahua specialty show.  They are offering mirco chipping and testing for eyes, cardiac, and patellas at the show.  I have signed Pepsi up for the whole enchilada.  He won't be happy with me when all is said and done... but it will be accomplished.  Here is the link to the website for info on this testing, in case you are interested,

http://www.crossroadschihuahuas.net/

  I am glad that there are a couple more classes at Orlando Training Club.  It is good to get Pepsi around all those other dogs in the ring.  I hope this next set of shows he will concentrate at the task in hand, in stead of, who he is going to play with!!!!  Here is the link to their website with loads of info on all sorts of classes.  

http://www.odtc.org/classes.htm#INTRODUCTION

Training Again!!

I am doing a lot of training nowadays and it is keeping me out of trouble!! lol.  First is Snicker Doodles.  I am taking her to Petsmart for socialization with dogs and people.  She doesn't bark at dogs but she is uncomfortable around them.  I want her to realize that she is okay.  I won't let them hurt her and she may even have fun playing with them.  Also, she is being cuddled and petted by strangers.  She doesn't like it much but I want to see if she will learn to like it, or if she can at least be less uncomfortable.  If she learns to like it we may pursue therapy dog work with her.  The problem is that she will do what I ask even if she doesn't want to.  I want her to have fun too!!

Pepsi and I went to the conformation class at the fairgrounds.  The Orlando Dog Training Club conducts all kinds of classes for you and your pet.  They are very professional and knowledgeable.  Pepsi got a lot of practice in the ring and I got some pointers.  What he really needs is to be around all the other dogs and to do what is expected of him.  He gets distracted by them and wants to play!!  He did very well, and like any good mummy I gave him lots of play time.  I am very happy with is progress.  I still can't believe how quickly he picks up skills.  He is one of a kind.

This afternoon we are going to check out an assisted living facility to see if Pepsi can make some new friends.  Now that he has is vest and ID it is about time I get out of the house!!  My girls went on a little vacation so I have the time to set up interviews and not have them with me.  Children are not allowed on therapy dog visits so that the team can concentrate on their visitations and not be distracted.  It is a good policy but it is a shame that my girls can't come and visit with folks too.  I think it would be good for them and may have to set something up for them.

Our first Show!!

This weekend was the Brevard Kennel Club Show here in Orlando.  It was Pepsi's and my first time out.  First day I was nervous, and so was he.  He howled a few times.  Everyone turned and looked.  But as time progressed he relaxed.  We did pretty well the first day.  I do see lots of room for improvement though.  We one first place for our class, 12-18 months.

We met some really nice breeders.  One lady in particular has shown for 50 years.  She is very sweet and is a wealth of information.  Her name is Myrle Hale.  She gave me lots of tips and it was a pleasure meeting her!!

Saturday we were in the ring again.  This time we did better!! Pepsi was very relaxed the whole time. We won first in our class again!!  I had more fun and wasn't as nervous.  Mattie came today and is interested in Junior Showmanship.  May let her give it a whiz.  I did a little shopping - comb and a show lead. 

Here is 

Thank you to all my friends who came to support me on our first weekend of showing!!! Jo McGinnis, Kelly Richardson, Jessica Benzel, and Robin Snow (Pepsi's breeder). 

Thanks Kelly for the photos you took of us!!

Thanks also to Sandy from Serenity chihuahuas for support and help.

Getting ready to show!!

Pepsi and I are working hard for our first show.  We are crossing all our "T"s and dotting our "I"s.  His stacking is coming along.  When I look at his photos I can see where he needs some more work.  But we will do our best.  Hoping to have fun, buy some cool stuff,  gain experience and make connections.  If lightening strikes we may win something!!!!

Guess what came in the mail today!!

Today is a great day.  The rack cards came in and Pepsi's registration came in.  He is now a fully fledged therapy dog.  Now we can continue on the road to therapy!!  The rack cards will be handed out on visitations!

Oh I'm in trouble now....

So I wrote about Pepsi passing his CGC but not his therapy work...  he passed his therapy work with flying colours too.  Jo observed him the last two times and was very impressed with him.  Especially since the day he got his tail stepped on and his ear / nose grabbed by a very excitable child.  Pepsi, of course, doesn't want to go back and neither do I.

He has passed all his therapy evaluations,  I sent the paperwork off and can't wait to receive our certificate.  He is one clever dog!!  Yet another notch in his belt!!!

AKC Good Canine Citizenship Test

Well we took the test today.  Mattie was the photographer and took videos.  She did a great job.  Pepsi Passed with flying colours.... We all knew he would.  He is an excellent doggie!

Canine Good Citizenship test

Went to Petsmart today for our class.  No one was there... so we had the trainer, Rachel,  all to ourselves.  It was wonderful.

She is helping me train Pepsi for the canine good citizenship test.  He is doing very well.  Isn't taking long at all.  One extraordinary dog....he just wants to learn, or please me.  We worked on stacking as well.  Figured we should learn all we can so we can be prepared for the shows this year.  I can't believe how quickly he is learning.  Rachel is very proud of him.

Pepsi and his therapy training

Today we finished the test with flying colours.  He met some doggie friends, and lots of older folks who he adored.  they all cuddled and petted him.  Two of his favourite things.  He received lots of compliments on his behaviour.  The other therapy teams thought he was incredible, and Jo really wants to adopt him!!

After our visit at the assisted living facility we went to Panera Bread for lunch.  I go to know some of the other ladies better and Pepsi got his photo taken with a new friend. We have two more visits to facilities and then Pepsi can be registered.

Therapy dog Extraordinaire!!

Pepsi Cola has been training for a couple of weeks so that he can be tested to become a therapy dog.  As you know, the trainer at Petsmart who tests for the AKC was very impressed with him. I think I mentioned that he is taking classes for obedience training.

Well, the tester this morning, Johanna, was also very impressed. Johanna was looking at his personality; as well as, completing tasks. He finished most of the test.  Just a couple of items we need to cover next week- walking up to a seated person,  how he reacts to a person walking erratically, and how he reacts to a person rushing around him.

He will also go on 3 visits to facilities where he can be tested around senior citizens, children etc.  The first visit is next week.  If he passes I can send off for his official tag

I was so pleased with Johanna's reaction to him today.  She said he is wonderful and she hasn't met many chihuahuas with a personality like his.  That he will be good at therapy work.  I just hope I can pass!!  lol

The Infamous list

#1 Submissive Peeing-

#2 howling in the wee hours of the am....

#3  Walking on a leash

#4  potty outside-  he still goes on the paper at night.

#5 eating poop and drinking peeps.

#6 running out the door and disappearing.

All is done except maybe #4 and #5 but those are better.  We are now working on more.  On Wait and Stay which are apparently very different commands.  Leave it, take it.  He does not take the treat until asked.  Improving on walking , stopping and staying in the heel position.

He is such a sweet dog and really wants to learn.  So we are going for it.  Of course, right now he is a little distracted with Chica being in heat!!  lol.

The List...... the soap opera of Pepsi Cola

 We have been working very hard over here with Pepsi Cola and it is paying off.

#1 Submissive Peeing-done

#2 howling in the wee hours of the am....getting better

#3 walking on leash -done

 

#4  potty outside- he still goes on the paper at night. still working on this...

#5 eating poop and drinking peeps. Still have no clue on this one.

#6 running out the door and disappearing.  He runs out into the yard then stops when I call him.  Much better but still working on it.

The List...... the soap opera of Pepsi Cola

#1 Submissive Peeing- fixed with me, but not with Walt.... someone tell him he needs to train as well....thanx.

#2 howling in the wee hours of the am.... figured out he does it when he hears us.  So no more 4am potty breaks for us or the kiddos...lol

#3 Walking on a leash.   He can do this now... yippee.... he even sits when I say stop at each road.  We are working on "heel" now.
 
#4  potty outside- he still goes on the paper at night. Need to work on this one more.

#5 eating poop and drinking peeps. Still have no clue on this one.

#6 running out the door and disappearing.  Been working hard on this one.. but he still gets out and makes a run for it.





As you can see by my notes we are getting better.  Especially, if you read earlier "lists"!!  But progress is slow.  Luckily for him he is very cute...

The list

 So we have been working on "THE LIST" with Pepsi and this is where we stand....


1.  Submissive peeing....  he doesn't do it anymore... though somedays when I go towards him he does put his tail between his legs and act like he may....

2.  Howling in the wee hours of the morning.... Still does that.  I think he will grow out of it in time... when I yell schuss he stops.  This morning it was at 5 am but then he settled down again.

3.  Walking on a leash!!  Some days he bolts out of the house and walks a little ways.  We were making a lot of progress until my husband decided that dragging him would work very well.  The next day we were back to day one again.  These days I sit on the ground and call him, he comes, then I stand up and walk a bit, and do it again.  Takes a long time to walk a dog this way!!

4.  Potty-ing outside... Well he is still doing it on the newspaper but it is working for now.  Leaving the crates open at night is working.  He can go to the paper if he needs. Which he does.  I think he saves it up all day and then goes at night???

We have some new ones.

Bolting outside and running for dear life-

Eating poop and drinking peep... don't even ask, I have no clue how to work on this baby!!

The Field

Today I decided to try something new. I took Chica and Snickie out behind my house where there is a huge field. I let them off their leashes and gave them some treats. I figured they would run around the large field and I would get them back with the allure of the yummy treats...

Well it didn't work exactly. They just followed me around the field. I would dart of and they would follow. At least they won't get lost!!

After we got home I gave everyone a bath. The look so good, their fur is so soft and they smell so good. Just need to put the revolution on (for their heart and fleas) and call it a day.