Border-line Crazy

Problem.....

2011-07-26T10:09:00.000-07:00

So I have a problem...it's embarassing. I ahhh...ahem...ahhh...barked at another dog. Really barked, like 'let me at em!' barked. More than once. Here's what happened: Mom took me to the 1st ever neighborhood movie night which was held outdoors at a friend's house that have a huge yard - man was it cool. There was a big screen and some fancy movie equipment that one of the neighbors brought that works for the Pepse Center - SWEET. The best part was the popcorn machine and the ball hucker. I got to clean up under the popcorn machine and lots of people were throwing the ball with the ball hucker for Sparky and me. The ball would go WAAAAYYYY out there and I would RUNRUNRUNRUNRUNJUMPCATCH. Everyone was pretty impressed with me. Until later at least. My old neighbor stopped by after dark with Ebony, their standard poodle, Mom kept saying it was Ebony but I wasn't sure, I just barked and warned that dog to stay away - this was MY movie night!!! Mom was embarassed since I interrupted the movie with my barking, several times...oops. What's a dog to do?

Leave it?

2011-02-10T09:01:00.000-08:00

Can you believe that I graduate from beginners obedience next week? We had our second to last class last night and I pretty much have all the commands down pat. I am not very fond of 'leave it'...why on earth would you want to leave a perfectly good treat just sitting on the floor like that? That command is really indicative of what is wrong with American society today while I am more of a waste-not kinda guy. Maybe if I resist learning this command, Mom will have to spend more time training me, and more training time means more treats. This training business is easy! I have not given a Sparky update in a while, but he has not been having an easy time of it. Mom says that Sparky is smarter than I am (yeah right) because he learns a command super fast, but that his anxiety really holds him back and so even though he learns super fast it takes more time for him to be able to control himself and focus on the task at paw. At class last night he was acting much calmer and likes to show off the commands he knows in front of everyone. There were a few times that he tried to protect Dad but he regained control relatively quickly and we are finally seeing progress in his behavior. I am glad that I am part of his club! Issues or not, Spark and I are going to graduate next week with honors...well I am at least, I think Mom will be happy as long as Sparky doesn't spare the daylights out of anyone.

Doggie Day Care

2011-02-07T12:33:00.000-08:00

I am at Doggie Day Care today! Let's play 'Where Frog-o'!

Basic Obedience - Week 3

2011-01-21T09:07:00.000-08:00

Progress report: I love class. I am the perfect angel in class! I like to show off and I am pretty happy that in class I always get a treat for doing the easiest stuff, like sitting...duh! One finger pointed up means bottoms down, and I am on it. Mom has stopped using the visual cue all the time, so sometimes I don't respond to the verbal command - what can I say? I am a highly visual being. Humans are not evolved enough to appreciate that fact most of the time. I guess I will have to start responding to the verbal AND visual commands if she keeps this up. You can count on me to try and wear her down - she is a big softy after all and I have my ways...

I am sure you are wondering how Sparky is doing in class and how he did with Dad handling him this week instead of Mom. He seemed to do better and did not bark as much, but we did show up a little later so most of the class was already seated. There were a few funny exchanges with the trainer lady when she was commenting on how big Sparky's eyes were and that he was panting and very anxious. I thought it was funny because she was the one that recommended the doggie Prozac in the first place! Mom is back on for training next week and I can tell SHE is anxious about that. Dad has already taught both Sparky and I to target his hand and the end of a wooden spoon. Spark seems to be catching up to me quickly in the training though he does not seem more confident for it, while my confidence is soaring and I am less neurotic in general. Could there be something else wrong with Spark?

New Dog Class!

2011-01-17T14:50:00.000-08:00

So...it has been a few weeks since my last post....ok several weeks! Sparky has been doing well on his medication so far. For a few weeks in the beginning he was lethargic and tired and not himself, but now he has evened out into a more mellow version of himself while we are home. Mom enrolled both Sparky and I in another dog training class, but this time it is different. This is clicker training class and both of us are in the class together. Last Wednesday was our first class and I did really well. Mom has done a little clicker training with me in the past and I loved it so I have a little of a head start. I also have an unfair advantage because I already know all of the commands that are covered in this Basic Obedience I class....sometimes I choose not to listen, but I know them. Mom says that I should respond EVERY time. Whatever lady. We'll see how that goes. As I mentioned, Sparky is in the same class as I am and boy is he naughty! We got to class first last week since Mom was nervous because of Sparks behavior issues, and every time a dog entered the class Spark went into protective mode. He was doing a damn fine job of it too, barking and posturing. Mom was flustered and trying to keep him in check. After a while he calmed down and accepted everyone in the room and even started to wag a bit. After class ended, the next class started coming in and it was the same song and dance all over again with the barking and the posturing. I keep telling him to calm down and that strangers mean treats are coming, but Spark is too scared and won't listen. I am sure that Mom expecting the worst doesn't help the matter. This week Mom is supposed to get me and dad is supposed to train Spark so we will see how that goes in class. If Spark does not show improvement soon, then we may take another approach...not sure what...

The Prognosis

2010-11-29T08:38:00.000-08:00

Prozac. That's right...drugs. They are going to drug Sparky. Maybe it will help?
I'll start at the beginning. The lady trainer was very nice, though she said we were rude at the door. By 'we' I mean 'me'. She thought that there was a problem with me horning my way out the front door to sit nicely on the front stair and nudge the guest to death. See, the thing is that I know when new people come over that I get tasty treats and I want to make sure that I get there first. The trainer lady laid out a whole regimen for the humans to follow, and the only thing that they are missing is a stranger that can come and help train the Spark. Mom is pessimistic because she says it will be hard to ask someone to come on over and help train her aggressive dog out of the goodness of their heart. Week one of the regimen starts today and we do not need a stranger yet and maybe we can wrangle one up before too long. I'll let you know how it goes!

Doggy Psychologist

2010-11-24T09:49:00.000-08:00

We are having the doggy psychologist come over this afternoon to take a crack at shrinking Sparky's head. Spark doesn't talk about it much, but he lived an entire lifetime before mom and uncle matt adopted him from the Border Collie Rescue in 2005. He gets really upset when a stranger rings the doorbell and tries to come in the house. He also does not like any kind of horseplay that the humans engage in. He is very protective of mom, even though I am pretty sure she can take care of herself. It will be interesting to see what the shrink has to say, though I am sure she will say that I am perfect, even though Spark's issues have gotten worse since I entered the picture in 2008. I can hardly wait for the inappropriate sniffing and the jumping to start!