Cheesy

Day one of walking reactive retraining went pretty well.  I think Tibby will figure out this game quickly.  It will also help our focus issues in other areas.  Basically I'm asking her to focus on me and ignore the rest of the world.

We went for our walk as it was getting dark.  I was hoping there wouldn't be too many people out walking.  It was such a gorgeous day that I'm sure the 7 parks (yes 7 huge park, too bad Tibby isn't reliable off leash or she could enjoy them) ,that I live next too, were full of people walking the trails. 

So we saw 2 boys on skateboards and 2 people walking.

I saw the boys coming toward us and I stepped off the trail and had Tibby sit facing me and I gave her lots of cheese.  She saw the boys and was biting me fairly hard, when she took the treats.  When they were about 20 feet away she barked once at them and then whipped back around and took some more cheese.  That was pretty good for her.  No lunging and the leash was loose, because she was sitting.  One bark, instead of a screaming fit.

The people walking she did bark a few times at them.  I couldn't stop and have her sit in that situation, because of the way the trails meet in the park.  The people would have eventually been following us - which she does NOT like.  I was able to keep her moving and give her cheese.  She heeled all the way home, hoping to get more cheese.  That's a first.  Hmmm, I just have to carry a cheese stick in one hand.  Magic!

Work in progress. 

Life project.

Personality Plus

More photos to show off Tibby's personality.

Spring? Where?

"Spring?  Where?  Over there?"

"Over here?"

"Nope.  Haven't seen it."

So Tibby has decided that she will not go potty in the backyard.  The melting snow is revealing various thing, scattered around the yard, that I forgot about.  It looks like a pottery serial killer decided to use my backyard as a burial site.  These half buried things scare Tibby.  Fine.  We are back to 4-6 walks a day (or more, it's nice outside!).  Great.  Except.......I have to wash Tibby's feet, legs and belly after EVERY single walk.  All the sand, salt and muck from 6 months of snow has melted into the road.  It is nasty.  Also, I am apparently the only person in the WHOLE city that picks up after my dog.  There are literally piles of dog poop all over the streets and sidewalks.  I should take pictures of it - you wouldn't believe it unless you saw it.  Some people must throw the poop from their yards into the street.  There is an excess of poop in front of certain houses.  I've lived in a few places.  This city has hardly any rules and rarely enforces any of them.  There aren't any poop laws - apparently!

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In other news.....anyone else love to pluck ear hair?  I finished plucking Tibby's ear hair a couple days ago.  I spread it over 2 days, so she wouldn't get sick of it.  She slept through it both times.  I had my headband flashlight thingy and my tweezers - looked like I was doing surgery on poor Tibby!  I just love to get way down in the ear, find a little wax/hair and yank it out.  One thing that no one mentioned when I was thinking about a Tibetan Terrier - they don't shed, so their ear hair keeps growing.......so you are going to have to pluck that out. 

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Tibby is so tired tonight.  We took 5 walks today and one was for almost 2 hours.  Yay Spring!

Miracle Alert

I just took a relaxing stroll with Tibby and she had a loose leash the whole time.  Awe.  Yesterday at Petsmart I bought her an Easy Walk harness.  Today I put it on her and Poof! she could walk nicely.  Wow.  I held on to the leash with 2 fingers.  2 fingers!!  Not holding on with all my strength while she pulled me through snow banks.  We saw people, we saw cars, we passed dogs  - she was interested, but did not pull.  I kept waiting for the newness to wear off and for Tibby to start pulling again.  And hour later.....she was still perfect!
If she keeps walking like this I can take her anywhere with me.  Wonderful!  My Mom can walk her and I won't have to worry about Tibby pulling her over.  Brilliant! 

Today's Winter Walk

It was a nice day for a hike today.  About 15F, no wind and lightly snowing.

Here are some pictures of our walk.  I'll post the rest tomorrow, I'm too tired from our class tonight.

'Hellooooo down there!'

'Hurry up!'

This is the same park where Tibby goes alert and barks at something I can't see.  She did it again today, but in a different spot.  She kept staring at some trees and growling.  Creepy! 

I also remembered today why I stopped coming to this park.  We saw 2 parked cars during our whole outing and I'm 99% sure they were both selling drugs.  Why else would you be parked in a park and have other cars pull up to you and then a minute later the other car leaves?  There have been a few drug bust in this park, so yeah........

'See 'ya later!'