Learning and Laughing

Over the past 2 weeks, Tana has grown and learned so much! I've been trying to balance the things we work on with lots of fun and relationship building. It's so easy to forget she's young and can't work for very long! Some of the big things we've worked on (and still have lots of work to do!):

11.5 weeks

"Under" Day - we focused on getting under or through things

• Under my legs (learning how to stretch back legs out, learning how to crawl with all legs under her body)
• Under the covers (pushing at fabric and exploring in the dark)
• Through a tunnel (Sam helping! They were having so much fun)
• Under the coffee table

Puzzles - we played different games to make her think and challenge herself

• Treats under tennis balls in a muffin tin
• Lotus balls with treats
• Empty water bottle with treats in it

Body awareness

• Fit Bone - getting all 4 feet on the bone
• Standing on objects (anything!)
• Paw touch
• Nose touch
• Wraping around my leg
• Tucked Sit
• Folding into a Down, with legs tucked in

Obstacle awareness

• Mat work (finding it and a little duration work - 3 seconds)
• Going around a bucket - introduction
• Going through stanchions/2x2 weave poles - start searching for them
• Looking and investigating what I look at
• Toy/Treat race games

Handler focus

• Lap turns and Tandem turns
• Blind crosses and front crosses on the flat
• Recalls - lots of treats!
• Tugging, releasing
• Re-engaging with me and asking for play without me asking her.

We also got to do a little photoshoot and have fun in the sprinklers (check the flicker link in the bottom right)! Who knew water could be so much fun!!! Loving this little sprite, even though she is a little terror at times.

Expanding - Plus 4

2016 is my year to expand. Expand my knowledge, growing and always learning. Expanding personally and building new skill sets and life directions. And Expanding our family by one more set of 4 paws!

10 Weeks

Introducing Tana! Tana is 10 weeks old now and she's a Flat Coated Retriever from Saskatchewan, Canada. She's from the same breeder as Rosey, Prairielight Kennels.

"Remus" Rainesgift Over the Moon

"Splash" Ch Prairielight Truth or Dare CDX, WCI, JH 

8.5 Weeks

We chose the name Tana after the shocking and powerful spring/summer in Northern Alberta with the Fort McMurray fire. The name Tana, "Fire Goddess," has it's origins in Greek (thanks google!), but has been adopted by Faery Traditions and its definition is so fitting for who she's turning out to be.

"She appears as liquid fire, sometimes molten magma, but at others simply plasma in a liquid-like form. Sometimes she appears as lightning, arcing from the sky and into the earth. She is often dancing wild, ecstatic, sparks and flames jumping from her burning aura as she moves. She is the explosive power of all fire, whether that be in the smallest candle flame, or in a raging inferno, or the nuclear processes in the heart of every star. She is the geo-thermal power in the center of the earth, as well as the heat and adrenaline in our bodies. She brings both change, and destruction, as heat can cause chemical changes in objects (as in food being cooked, or stones changing characteristics when exposed to higher temperatures while forming) or even completely obliterate them (a forest or building burning to the ground in a raging fire)." 

9 Weeks - On our way home

Our little fire goddess has kept us on our toes and is always happy to try something new! She is amazingly respectful of Rosey and Sam, not once jumping on them or grabbing at them (yet!). She has amazing self-control already (sits before exiting her crate, quickly learning to wait for her bowl to get to the floor before eating, It's Your Choice game was very quick!), and loves to run. 

So much to learn! So much to teach! I'm so grateful for all the amazing resources online, I feel like I can pick and choose to make the exact right training plan for this puppy. And so many great trainers out there to go to for help when I get stuck! 

Some of my resources so far:

Sophia Yin and her checklist

Chris Puls and her amazing training plans 

Julie Daniels and AG160 at FDSA

Sylvia Trkman and Puppy Class (and amazing student videos)

Plus all the great classes I've taken at Fenzi (Nosework, Focus, Play, Behavior management/rehab) and everything I've learned trying to build a relationship with Rosey and Sam!