How Far They've Come

[sutulu]

I for one am always whining about what little heathens Tucker and Lulu are. But let's make today a special day!

Let's talk about how far our precious ones have come! I am celebrating the first morning, with out leashes and without having to chase Lulu around the yard - MY TWO CORGIS RAN DIRECTLY FROM THE HOUSE, INTO THE GARAGE, AND HOPPED INTO THE CAR!

Woo hoo! A major milestone!

I took them to the park to run around and to my absolute amazement, when I told them to get in the car.... they did!!!! Tuck is good about getting into the car when told but not Lulu.

AND!!!!! To make the morning even better, at the end of our play time, when they were wet and muddy, they jumped up into the backend of the station wagon when told!

We practiced recalls and both came when called. We played fetch and they are bringing the toy directly back to me, and we raced the length of the soccer fields without them jumping at me or crossing in front of me!

Yes, they have come a long way!

Susan

[ColColt]

What a milestone!! It's great when your youngins mind!!:CUTE:

[manymuddypaws]

that is great Susan, it feels so good when it finally comes together...Lulu being a teenager and all that!
:p

[Dillydoodle]

THat is great Susan, all that hard work and training is all worth it on days like this , right? I have seen a definate backsliding from Dillon on his recall ... in the house, not outside, he still minds pretty well out there... I think it is great to celebrate in victories like this! Congrats and hugs to both your furkids, they deserve it! i sure would love to take the boys out to the park here ( with nice hiking paths ) but between the ticks there ( awful!) and the fact i can't take gus into the sun from about 9:30-4:30 or 5pm for more than 5 minutes makes it kind of tough.

Emilie

[CorgiMum]

We practiced recalls and both came when called.

Nothing gives my heart the same 'jump' as when I call one of my dogs and he/she comes running towards me, big smile, "I'm commin' Momma!"+WUBCLUB+

I read in a training book long ago that when you call your dog, and he comes, then you have a dog. So when I do a reacall, and they come, I always think, Yes! I have a dog.:SMILE:

Two small milestones here already, as early as it is here this morning.

Dylan, I picked a toy at random form the basket and tossed it, telling him to fetch. Usually he insists that he pick the toy or he must be repeatedly coaxed to retrieve it. This morning, I tossed one after the other and he brought back whatever I threw. Even the dumbell! Good Boy!

Montrose, when I asked her to move off of her 'place' so that I could redo all the matting and pad for fresh ones, she did it quickly and without grumping. It's hard for my old girl to move about sometimes when she doesn't have the aid of her wheels. She also did her downs very quickly too.

Yes, two celebrations here already and it's only 7:54am!

Great thread Susan, thank you.+GREENAWARD+

C2bC dogs are the best!!

[sutulu]

Woohoo Dylan and Montrose! Way to go!

I think we (I know I do...) somtimes are overcome with the bad things it's important to celebrate the good things.

And this thread is to celebrate the good things. What have your guys done recently that gave you an "aha!" moment?

[CorgiMum]

I took them to the park to run around and to my absolute amazement, when I told them to get in the car.... they did!!!!

YAY Tucker & Lulu!!

Somedays I just stop and think about the wonder of it all, I'm communicating with two animals! And they understand me, and I understand them. When I really consider it, each time we converse could be called a milestone!

Now I know that not everyone appreciates having a companion animal, but boy IMO that's a big fantastic part of life that they are missing.

And I agree Susan all these little things are what make it all worthwhile.:SMILE:

[Jespah]

Way to go Tuck and Lulu!! I know how much that must have meant - I hope mine will learn about the back of the station wagon - it's new, so they aren't too sure about the back part!

Congrats to Dylan- maybe he was impressed with Rupert's fetch demo the other night Barbara!! And hooray for Miss Monty!!

I do have some good news - I had to think about it though. After feeling like Jemma would never stop peeing in my dining room, and after I had to tear up my wall-to-wall and replace it we have had some progress. I kennelled her in my kitchen for 3 weeks to get her out of the habit of peeing there in the afternoon. It was really upsetting Rupert that she was in the kitchen - as when I came home from work he would go ballistic running from me to Jemma barking and going nuts! Well, Jemma has now had full run of the apartment with Rupert for 3 weeks and no accidents. I think we've finally overcome that hurdle. I was getting very concerned that I would have to day kennel her forever. Rupert has settled down and they are both much happier. Yay!!!

Thanks for this thread idea Susan!

[sutulu]

That's our girl! Way to go Jemma! We are very proud of her.

And speaking of big steps, look how far Rupert has come with Jemma. If I remember part of the reason you got Jem was because he was feeling a little lonley without Riley. Rupe has come a long way in the past year too!

[Jespah]

Thanks Susan, yes, Rupe's had a very difficult year, in more than one way. I am very proud of how well he has bonded with Jemma and how much she means to him, they are a tight pair now. I am also very proud of how he has been adapting to some behavioral training we have been doing, he is a great little guy and I'm lucky to have him!

I will post Rupert's issues and training one of these days - I'm sure some folks will benefit from the info.

[manymuddypaws]

And this thread is to celebrate the good things. What have your guys done recently that gave you an "aha!" moment?

I had to think about this one and came up with one for each dog

Kate, who is not a corgi is retired from agility and obedience now, in fact she spends far too much time laying around doing nothing. Just for the fun of it last week I put her through a whole CDX routine and she nailed it, this from a dog who as soon as she feels pressured to do something shuts down. It made me feel really good that she WANTED to play and work.

Wicca is having lots of "aha" moments these days. She amazes me. I have been training hard in agility the last few months- A big regional competition is in a few weeks so we are working on getting some kinks out- so last night we had a jumpers course set up for one of our classes and I ran it before my students came and Wicca didn't knock ANY bars. It has been a huge battle- mostly uphill I might add, and I am finally confident that she knows her job is to keep the bars up....now wether or not she chooses to keep the bars up is another thing but a this point I am thrilled that she "gets it"

With Sam on restricted exercise I have been teaching him all sorts of little things that don't really require him to move around alot. He has never been a very "feetsy" dog- i.e he doesn't like his paws touched, and I have had no luck in shaping him to "shake a paw" This week I made it my goal and this morning for his breakfast he offered me his paw! I of course made a big deal over him and gave him a few extra cookies!

Vito- Vito's whole life so far with me has been an "Aha" moment. He has come a long way since I got him- he has blossomed into quite a charming little guy and I am completly in love with him. He has not shied away from a person in over three weeks and hasn't snarked at another dog in I don't even know how long. Even my neighbor has noticed the difference in Vito and commented on it the other day...
:CUTE:
-amanda

[jcj528]

What great news everyone has! How neat!

There is some good new and some really good news from South Florida, too. Yesterday, I took my little rescue Cavalier, Zena, to the dog park in Coconut Grove and she surprised me with how much stuff she knows. I jokingly told her "down" when a couple of huge Boxers were circling her and without a seconds hesitation she flopped down. Surprised I asked her to heel and almost instantly she was at my left heel. Then I asked her to sit when my other Cav, Ziggy (Zena's son by the way came bounding up) and she did. Then she looked at me with that "What's next, Mom?" look. Needless to say, we are going to see if we can learn more stuff. She's only three, she might be an obedience champ yet!

The really good news is more personal. I found out yesterday that the medication for my heart problem is working and now my formerly wildly erratic heart is behaving itself and beating normally. My EKG yesterday looked like it could have come from a textbook! (This may be too personal for this thread, if so I apologize. But I can't help being relieved. I was afraid that the Z's and I didn't have too much longer to enjoy each other. Now I know we do)

[sutulu]

Julie! Great news that your health is great. That counts too!

Good work with your rescue, that must be very rewarding.

And Amanda, your pack sounds like they are all doing great. Good luck with Wicca regional competition.

Susan

[mtoy]

What a fabulous thread - lots of great news from both animals & people!

Here's mine:

I was able to get up at NORMAL TIME this morning!!! Yay Link! I really think he could have slept longer, which is great since there's only 2 days of school left. Another Link *milestone*: he outgrew his puppy collar <sniff>, my baby's growing up. He looks very handsome in his new blue safety collar. I really couldn't wait to get him into the safety one, he's caught his puppy one one the fence once and his tag on a bush once too. I don't like to think of what could have happened if we were not around to help him.

And, Millie has initiated play with Link a few times - yay Millie! She can be so aloof I didn't think she ever would have done this.

I thought I'd add a few pictures, Link modeling his new collar (a la George Costanza, don't ya think?), Link looking cute, and Millie just being her regal self.
http://i18.tinypic.com/4qem7x3.jpg

http://i7.tinypic.com/4zmnfhl.jpg

http://i13.tinypic.com/687o7li.jpg

[sutulu]

Link sure is growing up fast! What a cutie. Millie looks like she is doing the perfect "stand for exam" pose!

[manymuddypaws]

Link is looking VERY handsome....

I'm glad to hear that your meds are working Julie, that is fantastic news!

This is a great thread Susan, good idea....

[Fluffypants]

+WUBCLUB+ HOORAY FOR EVERYONE!!!! +WUBCLUB+

Such good news all around, especially Julie and her heart! That IS really good news! You weren't lyin'!!! :CUTE:

This morning before I left for the train, we did some practice of basic stuff, and also a little work on heeling backwards . . . and Jackie actually did it. She didn't sit down, didn't turn around, just BACKED UP A COUPLE OF STEPS . . . and a couple of times, she wasn't even sandwiched by the wall!!!! She got some extra enthusiastic praise then! (and of course treats!)

What a nice thread Susan!

[ColColt]

I think you all deserve a treat (maybe a lobyster dinner?) for all these praise reports!! I love to read all these reports as it does my heart good. With all the bad news of sicknesses and a sundry of other problems, this is wonderful news to say the least. Way to go, Corgi Moms!!:NOTWORTHY:

[bunnybutts]

my Ahh moment was last night... really more of a whew moment!

I went to bed early... Hubby was watching TV and Leah was spending the night. She always sleeps with Chloe when she stays over.

Don't know how long I was asleep but woke up hearing a far off bark... it sounded like Chloe! I got up - everyone asleep - no Chloe inside!

I went outside, gave a loud sharp whistle. I do this when we are in the yard and she is around the house out of sight. On the 3rd whistle she came runing up the steps!

I have a dog! .... and a seriously in trouble family!

[MissGambler's+Mojo'sMommy]

DebBunny: That is so scary, and I am so glad that there was a happy ending, at least for the dog, keep us updated on how it ended for your family :LAUGH: .

[ColColt]

my Ahh moment was last night... really more of a whew moment!

I went to bed early... Hubby was watching TV and Leah was spending the night. She always sleeps with Chloe when she stays over.

Don't know how long I was asleep but woke up hearing a far off bark... it sounded like Chloe! I got up - everyone asleep - no Chloe inside!

I went outside, gave a loud sharp whistle. I do this when we are in the yard and she is around the house out of sight. On the 3rd whistle she came runing up the steps!

I have a dog! .... and a seriously in trouble family!

Sounds to me like it's time to break out the cat of nine tails, Debbie!!:EEK: I'll bet you were fit to be tied.

[Dillydoodle]

wow, scarey! I can only imagine the fury unleashed on the family, they wont ever let THAT happen again i bet!

Emilie

[Fluffypants]

OMG T-Deb! How scary! What a good girl Chloe is to let you know she was out there.

ETA: So . . . does the family have to sleep out in the yard tonight?:LAUGH:

[Penutsma]

The really good news is more personal. I found out yesterday that the medication for my heart problem is working and now my formerly wildly erratic heart is behaving itself and beating normally. My EKG yesterday looked like it could have come from a textbook! (This may be too personal for this thread, if so I apologize. But I can't help being relieved. I was afraid that the Z's and I didn't have too much longer to enjoy each other. Now I know we do)

Personal news like this is GREAT!!! Had it been posted anywhere else I might have missed it. I am very happy that you are doing so well on the medication. (Also, great news about Zena!)

[ZdogZ]

Julie ~ That's great news!

[jcj528]

Thanks ya'll. I kept this quiet, but I knew I had your support. Thanks, again

[ColColt]

A good health report is always a reason to jump up and down and rejoice, Leslie...been there and done that more times than I can remember. It's the single most important thing we have for ourselves and our Corgis so, I'll tell you like I keep telling myself-stay healthy and take care of yourself!! I hope things continue to improve.

[bunnybutts]

OMG T-Deb! How scary! What a good girl Chloe is to let you know she was out there.

ETA: So . . . does the family have to sleep out in the yard tonight?:LAUGH:


NO but the CRATE was pretty crowded! :LAUGH:


Julie - wonderful news! Hope everything continues to go well too!

[Jespah]

What a nice change to hear about all the good stuff going on out there! I've been late catching up on this and I want to say Julie how happy I am to hear you are doing well with your new meds. What fabulous news for you and for us - we want you here for a good long time!

[sutulu]

The Chloe left outside post reminded me of something that happened in my neighborhood when I was a teenager.

There was a family across the street from me that had 11 children. My mother and I used to sit on the front porch at bedtime and watch the family put the 11 "stairsteps" to bed. It was a true ordeal.

One night I was in bed and around 11 this screaming from across the street wakes me up. I look out my window across the street and here is one of the kids, about 4 years old....

Apparently in all the commotion of the evening, this 4 year old decided to wander out the back door, thru a neighbors yard, and God knows where he spent the evening!

The parents had locked the door, turned off the lights, and apparently didn't realize the 4 year old was not in his bed! He was screaming "let me in!". Not the least but upset, not scared, just wanted to get in and go to bed.

YIKES!!!!

[MissGambler's+Mojo'sMommy]

Julie: so happy to hear of you health improvement, and you have me thinking(always a dangerous thing to do, but here goes) if having a dog makes one live longer(and that's been proven) then does having more than one dog REALLY make us live a long time, and help our blood pressure even more???? Just food for thought, but in my case, my blood pressure has been a lot higher since Mojo, and I was taught that if I can't say anything nice, then to not say anything at all, which is why, until now, I have stayed out of this thread. :LAUGH: