Saturday, February 19, 2011

3 dog walks...

Crazy weather again all this week, making dog outings difficult. This afternoon, we went for three separate walks down the driveway (our driveway is 1500') but different distances, as the wind and blowing snow was terrible. Tank and Trust went on the first walk, next was Blast. After him, David and I spent some time near the plowed off area by the house (protected from wind) tossing the 'favorite' toy. They love chasing it up and over the plowed banks of snow and even Trust (not a 'toy' dog) was joining in for the most part.
Two against one - Blast gets the most purchase by lying down and hanging on tight until at least one lets go, and then he has a better chance at pulling it away and taking off!
Elle was the third walk, a bit shorter than the other two. After we returned, she discovered the toy right away, claimed it, and ran off over the snow hill with it. She brought it back to both of us a few times, and there was no hesitation racing up and over the snow hills again.
Her ears are changing every day, quite comical, both up, both down, one up, one down, one sideways on top....I remember when Blasts' were like this, I was worried the one would stay there! It didn't!!
Tough little cookie almost was able to yank it away from David. He was surprised at her strength.
So we're back to very cold again, then snow, then milder, then rain/snow...it is the strangest winter we've ever had (here) that I can remember. I feel sorry for the birds and wildlife trying to cope with these constant swings in temperature and conditions...hard to walk now also, sinking through hard crust on top of snow.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Introducing "Elle"

Elle has come to live with us, for a period of time, and train in some specialized scent work. I picked her up on Saturday (from Carmspack) and was so impressed with her work ethic for such a young pup...approx. 3 months of age. She's tenacious and focused and is going to be a joy to work with. This was her first 'daylight' outing, behind the house. Windy, and a couple of trees knocking together got her attention.
Elle reminds me so much of Blast in appearance, when he was this age. She's curious about everything right now.
She did a thorough exam of the snowblower, before moving on to other more interesting things...
...like the birds up in the trees by the feeders telling her to go away....
When she went around a snowbank, I hid behind another, and when she turned around, ran full tilt towards me. She is bonding to us very quickly. Full of get-up-and-go, she will quickly calm and relax.
Watching her reactions to articles and noises down the driveway, David had tossed a rubber hose out for her which she quickly claimed (between paws) and returned on her own.
I watched her work through a number of scenarios at her breeders, and you can almost see her little mind thinking through things.
David had his "best" work gloves on, but tossed one anyway. She was on it in a flash....
...grabbed it and shook it and then

returned it to him very willingly. Totally free and natural, nothing was said to her, before or during, but praise after returning it. Elles' main 'first' job will be major socializing. I have been entrusted with a great little pup and it will be so interesting to watch her progress.