Future Wimbledon ball boy

Here’s a little video of Bethany and Anna trying to play tennis with Isaac’s help (Kerry makes an appearance).

Though I haven’t officially posted it yet I’m getting close to admitting that Isaac will never do bite work. Currently arriving at the third stage of grief, anger. I’m angry at Fenga and blame her for my current deli ma.  Bargaining will happen when I have to spend 4 times what a new dog costs on a honey-do list to get Kerry to buy into a second dog. Then it’s only three more stages to complete, do these have to happen in order?

Slacking on updates

Haven’t been updating the site too much lately so here’s a little something something.

Isaac hasn’t done any OB in forever and has been spending the majority of the time in his crate or kennel except for a few trips to soccer games, daily walks and to get out and bark for a ball 5 or 10 minutes at a time. His barking is coming along nicely IMHO, the only issue I see is that he has developed a little habit of sitting and barking because no one else can hold him and I haven’t been back tieing him. He seems to understand what’s going on and I hope it transitions to a helper.

I lied above about being in his crate or kennel, because I’ve also started taking him on bike rides 3 times a week. doing between 1.5 and 3.5 miles in @ between 7 and 9.5 MPH (rule book range). Figure if he washes out because of protection I can at least get him an AD (assuming I can make it 12 miles). Kennel/Crate statement is probably more accurate stating that other than tracking, barking for ball, walks, and bike rides and a couple soccer games he doesn’t get to hang out with anyone and just chill.

Have been doing some tracking, though after checking the rule book for SchH 1 track I might be on the short side of a SchH 1 track. Still a lot of food, but he skips most of it because he knows there is a jackpot at the end.

From where we were with ball drive Isaac has made 200% progress. He’s got fire coming out of his ass (that’s a relative statement). I think once we start with OB he’ll actually work for the ball…he looks for it, roots for it, barks for it, and plays tug with it. At soccer games he’ll show more interest in the ball than what’s going on around him, would rather play and stay engaged than sniff the ground. So maybe the days of him walking on the field and being more interested in the environment than the ball are over (please).

He has definitely matured a lot in the past couple months, still a little goofy, but not totally Marmaduke…more a combination of Snoopy and Hootch (from Turner and Hootch)…he’ll bark at fishermen in the backyard if they are the ‘normals’ instead of just staring at them. He still isn’t Barky Mic Bark Bark, but I think a bark and hold might be feasible.

Have been skipping going to training because it was just frustrating to watch him stand there and not engage and figured I was just wasting my time until he was ready. Seems that he’s more comfortable barking/pushing for a toy so maybe the time is right. Have kept him used to sitting in the crate in the car by taking him to Ric and Diane’s on occasion at night while I’m sitting and chilling out with them.

Here is a video of the ‘dog cam’ I posted a while back on youtube, you may vomit if you watch this…..this was a failed experiment in what I thought would be cool.

Steve Romard Training for 2009 GSD National Championhips

Since Steve removed this from his FB wall I felt the need to share it here, need to make sure it continues to make the google dance!

Yet another video of Steve Romard training for the 2009 GSD National Championships has been leaked. I feel sorry for the dogs on the back half!

Swimming Lessons

Noah, Bethany and I gave Isaac some swimming lessons today in the backyard. He’s coming along pretty well in the water. Oh and then Isaac got a bath in the driveway.

Little Barking for the toy

Posted this on youtube last week and forgot to embed it in a post. BTW I’m struggling figuring out the best format to render for youtube with the new Flip. Facebook looks awesome youtube does weird post processing I haven’t quite figured out.

Isaac is starting to consistently bark for the toy, still keeping him crated/kenneled quite a bit and only working on bark for the play in short random intervals. Tends to still really like the soccer ball better than the Gappay’s and food of course rules over all.

He will also occasionally just fall into fuss for the ball or sit at my side with attention. Haven’t been doing any OB, just working on seeing if he’ll consistently bark for the toy and make that connection.

Ducks part Two

This a follow up to the previous video of Isaac barking at the ducks. They appear to be stepping it up and engaging in a turf war!

Bark Bark Bark Quack Quack Quack

Poo Disposal

Here is my attempt at lowering our households carbon footprint by not burying plastic bags full of dog fecal matter in mother earth? Just doing my part to save the Polar Bears!

Al Gore’s video and appearance on Oprah really had an impact on me. NOT! I just think it will be a more efficient way of disposing of the dog nuggets, plus how funny will it be when a kid falls in it? Oh Mr Gore if you’re reading this I’ve found the fountain of youth, stop by and take a dip!

Oh and youtube dam you for continuing to bust me for using copyrighted music…Love stinks would have been so appropriate.

Brodie and Paul trying on new shoes

I know I’m horrible!

Not dog related

This isn’t dog related, but I needed to post it anyway. Noah is learning to ride the unicycle.

added by rosebudcassidy: Before anyone asks, yes I can ride a unicycle quite well…

Thought this was funny

Grabbed this off a friends profile on facebook.com, thought it was funny.

Isaac Playing

Tried to video tape Isaac and me playing, but the camera went into sleep mode on the tripod after 3 minutes (also I changed a quality setting and it looks like shit). Not sure why because the clicker video went for 8.42 without going to sleep.

I got about 8 minutes of play out of him (only getting him out it once), no letting go. Still needs work I know, but figured I’d show Jen and Claudia that they weren’t just talking to the wall. Will try again tomorrow to get better quality and a longer example.

Some clicker training

6 of 30 sessions in basic position….. (back to basics)

Kerry’s video request

This is a video I did at Kerry’s request, I’m not sure how responsible it is (Isaac’s getting big and out weighs Noah). Even Noah is beginning to wonder if this is fun anymore (used to be one of his favorite activities). Not quiet as funny as normal because Noah didn’t want to go to the big field.

If the video won’t play try this link

Kerry's video request

This is a video I did at Kerry’s request, I’m not sure how responsible it is (Isaac’s getting big and out weighs Noah). Even Noah is beginning to wonder if this is fun anymore (used to be one of his favorite activities). Not quiet as funny as normal because Noah didn’t want to go to the big field.

If the video won’t play try this link

Mr Charlie

He starts out slow to warm up and gradually works up to about 4.5 MPH and then cools down ending at 2.5 MPH.

facebook took the original video down due to copyright infringement (Mr Charlie by the Grateful Dead off Europe 72, maybe if I use a live version I have from a show in the 70’s they won’t catch it…)

Video Noah and Isaac playing hockey

Little street hockey with the boy and the dog

If the video doesn’t play try this link

Playing the Snow

Took a few pictures of Isaac and Stella out in the snow. Mainly I was testing a Microsoft application called Photo Story 3 for Windows. It’s not Vegas Video or Adobe Premier, but it’s down and dirty for beginners.

isaac Down Loads to player (tested wordpress plugin)

Just found this funny

Thought it was funny