My Mom is Finally Giving an Update!!!

First things first!! I finally got my very own diploma!!  It is an official document from the American Kennel Club stating that I met all of the requirements necessary to titled a "Companion Dog".  I have been waiting and waiting and waiting for this to come.  Now I just hope my mom finds a great frame to put it in so it can hang proudly in my room!  I enjoyed being able to take my diploma over to Gramma and Granddad's house and hear how proud of me they are.  Granddad even said that maybe he and Gramma would get a cool frame for it.  As long as one of the two-leggeds who's allowed to visit stores takes care of it, I will be a happy dog!

Now on to the not so fun stories.  I have been feeling a little under the weather lately.  I had a couple of days where I was really having a hard time breathing.  I went for about a week with very little energy, and was pretty happy sleeping all day.  Both my mom and grandparents felt that I was really acting different.  So mom made me constantly sit with her.  I couldn't seem to stop panting, and when I was breathing mom said it was really loud breathing.  So mom made me an appointment to see a v-e-t.  I am not sure why my mom spells that word, but that's what we call it a v-e-t.  I really don't like going to the v-e-t because when you're a dog and they take your temperature, do you know where they put the thermometer?  Well, I'm sure you can use your imagination, so it never starts out well.  Dr. spears checked me out, listened to my heart, looked at my teeth and told my mom that she couldn't pinpoint anything going on with me.  So she said they were going to do a dogogram.  I was like what the heck is a dogogram, but I was feeling pretty puny so I went with the vet techs and the vet to a back room.  I would tell you what all happens in that back room, but well...it's top secret, and I don't want to lose my membership in the cool dog club.  Well my v-e-t uses all the coolest technology so Dr. Spears pulled up my dogogram on the tv in the exam room.  It was pretty awesome to see that I'm as cool looking on the inside as I am on the outside.

Dr. Spears explained to my mom that I appeared to have stuff in my lungs.  She mentioned the possibility that I might have canine asthma.  Fancy words if you ask me, but no one did...I decided ot just chill out and relax while the doc went and got some meds I would take for a week or so, that would hopefully put a little spring back in my step.

I knew I'd be back to my old self soon.  As much as I hate going to the v-e-t, I was grateful my mom made the appointment for me, and that I was going to get some relief.  I had to take some prednisone and some meds to help me breathe a little better.  It took about 4 days but then I started to get some pep in my step.  It worked out well that I got a little under the weather during my fall break from dog school. 

My 2 week fall break went by very quickly!!  But, I have to say that I was so excited to go back to school this past Saturday.  I am taking an advanced Rally class on Saturday morning and then Beginner Agility on Wednesday nights again.  I told mom that we should snap a photo of me on my first day of an "advanced" class.  So here it is:

You can see that I was so much more genuinely excited about going to dog school than my mom.  After school was out and I hopped up into my car seat, mom took a picture of me after school.  I have so many new things to learn for this class at school, but I am up for the challenge.

I went to my Agility class last night, and it was so different being an "experienced" dog in class this time around.  It was so weird to go over the dog walk when it was so low to the ground.  On the first class last time, I wouldn't go on the dog walk at all.   This time, I did everything that was set out on the course.  The teacher didn't have the teeter-totter out for this class.  I am ready to conquer it though!  It was fun to see many of my dog friends (Zoe, Tyson, Haley) that were for a class before mine, or in my class again.  I think this next 10 weeks is going to be so fun in agility!! I have a better understanding of what I should do!!

I will work really hard with my mom to keep my blog updated.  She's back working now with her own students at TU, so she has lots of papers to grade and her own paperwork to do.  I know a pretty lame excuse, but I am trying to be an understanding dog :)

Thanks for checking in on me!

One Test Down, One to Go!!

I can't believe that this session of Dog School is already wrapping up!!! I took my Beginner Agility test today. Mom already told me that I was going to take this class again. I was a little relieved to hear that. She said that we were going to do the test, just to get some extra practice in. I was so excited that my Gramma and Granddad came to watch me complete the agility course today.

When we got to my school today, mom and I did our normal school routine of going out and playing in the yard a bit. Then we "signed in" for the test. Mom visited with some of the 2-leggeds and I made the rounds introducing myself to some of the 4-leggeds I haven't met. Then it was time to get the show on the road. Mom had 5 minutes to walk through and check out the course. Mom seemed pretty confident, she said it was going to be like a paperclip going around and around. Because I have done spirals in my rally class, I knew what this meant. Then mom got to take me on all of the "contact equipment". My granddad asked why it was called contact equipment. It's called contact equipment because you have to have at least 2 paws make contact with the lower portions (usually marked with a different color) of each side of the piece of equipment. There are 3 pieces of contact equipment: the A-frame, the teeter totter and the dog walk. I went up and over the A-frame without any issue. Then mom put on my leash and walked me over the dog walk. I was a little hesitant, but I just crawled on my belly and let the teeter totter fall and hurried off. Then I really strutted over the dog walk. Then mom and I left the ring, and waited. The person judging the test, then announced the order...I had to go first!!!

It was time!! Mom and I went to the start of the course. I did the first jump without any difficulty. Then, I hesitated initially on the A-frame, but then thought what the heck and up and over I went. Then it was over another jump and then to the teeter totter. Mom went ahead and put my leash on to help me stay calm and be successful going over the teeter totter.Because my mom put my leash on, I failed the test, but like mom said...we were just doing it for practice I already planned on retaking the class anyway. Then once I was off the teeter totter and mom took my leash off, it was time for a tunnel. I really LOVE tunnels!! Then up and over the dog walk. I walked so fast across the dog walk, and with such confidence my mom had to run a little. Then I jumped through the tire, and hopped on the table. I think I had the quickest sit of any of the dogs mom and I watched. Then I went towards my mom and did the weave poles with style and flair, not missing a single one! Then it was over a jump, over a long jump, through the chute and over one last jump. Everyone clapped!!

I did great!!! I had lots of fun. It was weird to go first though, usually I have to go last in a class because my last name starts with a "W". Now I'm gonna rest up and get ready for my Rally test on Wednesday evening. I had the 3rd highest score on the practice test with a 93, and hope that I can improve on that score for Wednesday. I will keep you all posted!!

I'm Getting Brave!!

Greetings everyone! It's time I crawl out of my hidey-hole and share with you my latest happenings. The 100+ degree temperatures over the last month have made my choices of activities slim. I have even been controlling how frequently I need to go out to take care of business if you know what I mean. I mean the grass is crunchy and hot. It's a good thing I attend dog school, I might not ever get out of the house with as hot as it's been. My coping with the heat techniques have included lounging in the shady spots at home on the wood floor, hanging out close to an air conditioning vent, and well just resting up for fall when I know I'll be ready to run around and play like crazy.


Mom, however has had other ideas. She is on a cleaning and purging frenzy. She made me go through my toys and pick out the ones I wanted to keep, the ones I was willing to part with, and some that could go into "storage" until winter she said. Cleaning is hard work! But...I do have to say that my house is starting to look quite clean and organized. I got to cat-sit my aunts and uncles a week or so ago. Mom would drive me over so I could check on Gramma and Granddads cats. I would chase them a little to make sure that they were breathing (and I have to admit I like to keep them on their toes). It was fun to ride in the car a couple days a week. I made sure the cats cleaned their bowls...oh okay I'll admit it, when they said they ate enough I cleaned the bowl for them, so my mom would think they were really hungry and leave them some fresh food when we left.

I'm sure you are all on the edge of your seat wondering how Dog School has been going. I am really getting the hang of Rally. Mom says that I can enter a competition in October in novice Rally. I have 3 more classes left for this session. I am really hoping that mom and I can rock it out on the Rally test. Agility...well...it's going okay. I definitely have my favorite obstacles: I love tunnels and I love the A-frame. I'm pretty good at the jumps now. The weave poles, well I am good at them when I do them towards the beginning of class. I have been having troubles with the teeter-totter. I mean really, I'm a small dog and it's a big board...and it drops down and makes noises. Mom has been giving me pep talks about it every week, about how it's fun and everyone will think I'm awesome if I can do something as intense as the teeter totter. Each week, I've been trying to overcome my fear and anxiety about the teeter totter. My mom has been great in supporting me. Although I think it's funny because the agility teacher keeps telling my mom to have a better attitude about the teeter totter. Not that I like to get my mom in trouble, but I do laugh a little on the inside. Well....this past Wednesday, I did it!!! I went across the teeter-totter, while on my leash, at the lowest level with my mom standing upright! I did exactly as my mom has coached me...I walked bravely on, got just past the midway point and laid down while the teeter totter flopped over and then walked calmly off. The whole class cheered. I was feeling pretty smug. Then the teacher raised the height. Did you know that the further things are up, the quicker they fall down? Well, I wasn't quite ready for that so I scampered off, more than walked off calmly, but my mom made me go over it again and I did, making sure my mom stayed close to me. It was a HUGE day at school!!! I was so proud of myself, and the teacher was so proud of me and my mom!!

then to make class even better!! The A-frame got raised to it's full height...I didn't hesitate. It's awesome to be so tall, even if just for a brief second!

I rocked out Dog school on Wednesday. Mom and I were on cloud 9 and I had a brilliant idea that we both deserved a super special treat. Mom agreed: So it was off to Braums...how cool is it that mom got me my own little bowl of some vanilla frozen yogurt!!!
School Rocks!!! Test week is in 3 weeks. Mom says I'm repeating beginner agility, I'm okay with that...not ready to move on to new stuff yet. Need to feel more comfortable with the current stuff. I hope to kick butt on my Rally test though! I appreciate all the encouragement from my 2-legged friends.

Getting my Swagger....

Since earning my CD (Companion Dog) title, mom and I have been working on lots of home improvements. The first thing that I told mom we needed was a lawn mower that worked. I have been doing some contract work with my good buddy Pat. He has been cool enough to bring over his fancy lawn mower and follow my instructions to get the lawn looking good. You know, people sometimes judge a dog by his yard. My mom and I had our own lawn mower, but it hit the ripe ol' age of 27 and well it had lived a good life. So, mom granted my request and bought a nice new pretty red lawn mower. My buddy Pat had to see it for his own eyes, so I he started pushing it around and I grabbed my toys to keep them safe, and started my supervisory duties. My buddy Pat did a good job, then mom took over and finished the yard. Mom didn't listen to my instructions and requests as well as Pat does while mowing, but hopefully after repeated practice she'll get the drift of how I like the grass to look.

After watching mom mow the lawn, I found out it was time for dog school. I was pretty worn out from all the supervising I had to do, but I gave it my best shot. My rally class went pretty well. It's a little bit boring, but I am learning to really pay attention to my mom, and she says that will be really good if we go on to "open obedience" or even in agility. In my agility class, I went across the dog walk at 3 feet tall without any nervousness or quivers. I was feeling great! I really like going through the green tunnel and over the A-frame. Although, I really think the A-frame was taller this week than last week. I still was nervous about the thing they call the "chute". Mom says it's a tunnel, but it gets really dark and there is this cloth thing that brushes the top of my head and well, I just don't know if I like it or not. We had to try to get on the teeter totter again....it didn't go well. I don't really want to talk about the teeter totter. It makes me feel scared and nervous, and well that' s just not really cool. Fortunately, I only had to try to get my paws on it once tonight and the teacher said that was enough. Thanks Goodness!! I went home after school and crashed! I even crashed most of Thursday. Then it was time for the weekend. My mom did her normal running things and then she said it was time to get our new front door put together. I thought this was awesome!! After all I did help pick it out and all. So around 3 o'clock on Saturday some of my friends came over and installed our new front door. Before it all began, mom took this picture of our old front door.


Then it was demolition time! I think TZ had a little too much fun destroying things and tearing them apart. He even brought some really loud tools with him, that I really disliked A LOT!
After about 2 1/2 hours of taking out all the old stuff and adding wood pieces and lots of other noisy jobs, it was time to bring in the door. It was good that TZ, Pat, Paula, and Dana all came over to help. Two-leggeds need a lot of help sometime. They form packs just like us dogs, so it all made perfect sense to me. The door looked pretty heavy so I had Paula join me in supervising and managing TZ and Pat.

Paula was doing such a good job that I told my mom to give her some treats. Fortunately Paula likes chips just like I do. Once the door was upright, the living room was darker again.

The hinges were on and everything seemed to be a go. I took a step back and admired the new window in the door.

Then it was time to hang our new glass door. Mom says it's called a storm door. I don't really want a storm to come, so I just called it the glass door. Everyone seemed to know what I was talking about. Mom almost tricked me with this door. I forgot that the new door we picked out was glass all the way from top to bottom. When she opened the front door I almost ran head first into the glass door. Fortunately my mom said woah, and I happened to be listening, and saved myself from a very embarrassing moment.

We wrapped up the door project around 9PM. All of the two-leggeds did such a great job, I told mom to give them all a treat. They all left and mom said she treated them all at dinner. I guess next time I need to be clearer that "I" wanted a treat too. The new door looks great. I hope not to have to hear or see any power tools in the near future as they kinda freaked me out. Mom says she hopes to get new windows someday (which I would like too), but that would involve power tools again. I may have to trust mom on that job and see if I can hide away at Gramma and Granddads house on that day!

On Sunday, mom wanted to get some work stuff done. I told her I wanted to go to work with her, and she said it would be okay for the day. So we went into TU and got busy doing paperwork. I really don't understand two-leggeds and their paperwork. In dog world paperwork usually involves learning to be potty trained on paper. I decided that I would help mom organize her days on her desk calendar.

I have to say that I did some stellar work. Mom's stuff was so boring though, that after a little while I decided that I would take a little nap. The desk was nice and cool and so I had a power nap.


My friend Pat, who calls me his little buddy, had a birthday on Tuesday. Pat is my mom's running partner, and she thought it would be great to get him something running related. I gave my input that Pat is a one of a kind and should get something one of a kind. Mom had a crafty idea, and I thought it was great. I told mom I would help the best I could. My mom and Pat are training for a 50K run in October...that has to be at least like 7 trips around the backyard, and they both seem a little nervous because it's a long long way to run. So mom thought she would make Pat an "In Training" shirt for it. Mom bought a running shirt and worked hard at getting the logos and sizing them and getting it all printed just right. Once it was all printed mom cut everything out and starting laying it out on the shirt. I helped.

Once I liked where everything was, I gave mom the paw of approval to start ironing it all onto the shirt which would make it permanent. Mom did a good job on her part, almost as good of a job as I did. The shirt turned out great, and we got it done and delivered to Pat on his birthday.
It has been so super hot here, it's no fun to be a long haired dog. Last summer my mom gave me a horrible summer shaved haircut, so when mom told me I was going in for a summer spa day, I was TERRIFIED!! I heard mom tell the groomer not to shave my hair, but that it needed to be shorter. I am not real fond of "spa day" as my mom calls it, but the groomer did a good job of cutting my hair short, but not shaved. It is much cooler, and once I get over being freaked out from being at the groomer, I'm sure I'll love it!
After going to the groomer, I had dog school classes again. I was so tired...but I pushed through it, because that's what all the cool dogs do. I did okay in Rally. We ran a couple of courses, and mom and I seemed to do okay. I think mom is getting the hang of reading the signs, but she still needs to learn to tell me what I need to be doing. Then it was time for agility. Oh I can't believe I forgot to mention....before the door was installed, mom built me a small teeter totter for at home. I HATE IT! So we go to school and I can hear mom telling the teacher how I have been practicing on the teeter totter at home and I hate it. The teacher tells my mom to quit practicing the teeter totter at home. WOOHOO!! Go Teach! We were on different equipment in tonight's class. The teacher said that we were on "UKC" equipment rather than AKC equipment...it all looked the same to me. I went over the dogwalk no problem...I went over the A-frame no problem. I got on the table no problem. Then we had the tunnel...the teacher said something about a 90 degree tunnel, at first I went in it and came back out. Then my mom threw a piece of cheese in it and through I went to find that cheese. I don't know what I was nervous the first time, it then became no problem. I did pretty good on weaving the poles for my 3rd week of class. Then came the teeter totter. Mom had to hold me pretty much as i walked across it...I went all the way across twice and then was told I didn't have to do it anymore. I got to practice jumps today too. I had mom take a video of Tyson ( a German shepherd in my class) going through the course we had to run at the end of class....I really did great and everyone cheered for me!! Today, I am going to sleep sleep sleep... Not sure what mom has in store this weekend, but I hope that we get to work in my back garden some.

HERE IS MY AGILITY COURSE VIDEO!!

Woof Woof til Later!

Boca II, CD!!!

Hey All!!! Do you like the title of this entry??!? I'll explain it later on. I have lots to catch you up on! First, I had my Rally class and Agility class on Wednesday evening. Mom snapped a picture of me in my classroom on Wednesday. We got to do all kinds of twists and turns around the orange cones. It was pretty fun! I like it. I have to pay attention to mom but get to do some of the fun stuff I like to do. Mom improved on her reading skills this week and we really knocked out the course.

Then it was time for agility! I practiced and practiced on the dog walk mom made for me at home and it really paid off!! Lots of 2-leggeds have been asking how long the dog walk is. I don't really know (I'm a dog and it seems really long to me), so I had mom take a video of Mr. Jerry and his dog Jack going over it. When it was my turn, I aced it! The teacher even said that I looked so confident and sure this week! It was awesome.




Then we moved on to the A-frame. It wasn't all the way flat on the floor today. It was up one level. Mom took a picture of it before it got lowered down. I had no problems or worries on the A-Frame.


We also started on "weaving" during this class. I think this is going to take some getting used to. I don't like when things are touching me or poking out on me. We ran through it a couple of times and well...it's just gonna take me a little while to get used to weave poles I think.


Then it was time to get ready for my Obedience Trial I was competing in at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City. I hadn't ever been to Oklahoma City and well...mom and I have been slacking a little on practicing my Novice A Obedience skills. So Mom went and ran with her friends on Thursday evening and then came home and we "crammed" for my trial on Friday. Mom said my group was scheduled to go at 10:45. Mom and I got up on Friday morning, went for a walk, packed up my school stuff and hopped in the car. The Cox Convention Center was very very quiet...kinda like my school. I didn't feel nervous or anxious or anything. I was calm, cool and collected. Mom and I had about an hour from when we arrived to when my group went. I was the first to go in my group. Mom and I practiced a little bit, but not overly much. I enjoyed getting the treats. The best part about Obedience Trials has to be the treats! I did well on my individual portion of the trial...then it was time for the sit/stay and down/stay. I was so cool, mom didn't even look nervous that I wasn't gonna stay. I stayed and got my second qualifying score. It was a score of 183.5. All you need is 170 or better out of 200. I placed second in my grouping. It was a very proud moment, and loads of fun!!!

I have been telling mom we need to do some home renovations, and I think we should start with a new front door. Anyone that has been to one of my home gatherings knows that there are issues with our current front door. So, on the way home from the dog trial we stopped at Lowe's as a reward for the great day at the trial. When we walked into the store, the employee knew that I was a VID (Very Important Dog), and immediately greeted me and told me that the dog treats were on aisle 3. So I made sure mom went by there to.

I didn't see any treats that I had to have, but it never hurts to look! Then it was off to the door section of Lowes. Mom showed me a couple of the choices she had narrowed it down to. And I made the final decision. I don't like the green color, but mom said that we could get it in white. I think white will go great with my fur coloring don't you?

Then we went home and rested. Mom told me that we had to get up and do the same thing on Saturday morning. So we just hung out and took it easy. I went and shared my stories with gramma and granddad. Saturday morning we got up and did the same thing. I was a little sleepy on the way down to Oklahoma City, but was all smiles and excited to go try to get my 3rd qualifying score.



I had some fans come cheer me on today. Okay, not really fans well kinda fans..my gramma and grandddad drove down to Oklahoma City to come see me compete today. Last time they came to watch it didn't turn out so well. I didn't want to disappoint them, especially after bragging the night before about how great I did and how easy it was to compete at the Cox Center.




It was great to have Gramma and Granddad there. They were nice enough to take video of me during the individual part of the trial.

CLICK HERE to see me compete with mom. You can sneeze or cough or something during the off-leash heeling part...I got a little distracted by something on the floor. C'mon...like that hasn't happened to you? I made an amazing recovery though and got right back focused.

Then it was time for the stays...Granddad took some video, but the 3 minutes feels like forever, so I'm having mom put just a very short clip of my down/stay HERE. In case you want to see how cool and cute I looked. I wound up with a 3rd place finish, and my 3rd qualifying score!!!



The judge said that this was one of her best groups of Novice A dogs she had judged in a long long time. The other dogs in my group were amazing. I was so excited to get this qualifying score! I got to show off in front of my gramma and granddad. I was the only dog in my group to be earning my "Companion Dog" title through this qualifying score. This particular trial was great...in addition to our ribbons, the winners got new toys!!!


I got a pink bird kinda thing, but I love it because I earned it! I was so excited and my mom was so excited. It was a great day! A good trial. I was exhausted, but mom and I went through the vendors and I picked up a couple of cool magnets that I convinced mom to buy and put on the back of our car!!



So, as you can read I have been very busy during the past week. I will receive a certificate of title saying that I'm recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as a "Companion Dog". That means that any time I registered for a trial or anytime at all my "official name" is Boca II, CD. It's like getting a bachelor degree for dogs! Pretty cool huh? I will keep you all posted on my rally and agility classes and how they are going. For the rest of the holiday weekend though, I plan on taking it very easy!

My Very Own Dog Walk!!!

Well, as you read in my last post, my mom promised to make me a dog walk so I could practice some of my agility class work at home. She went to Lowe's and bought the supplies to make me a dog walk! I helped mom do some yard work around the house this morning, and then it was time for the construction to begin...My mom was feeling pretty confident she could get the dog walk made. First she laid out all the boards and counted the hinges.



I of course walked all around and inspected the materials. They seemed okay to me. I was a little worried about how slippery the boards might be, but mom said she had some ideas so that I wouldn't slip.

Then she assembled the hinges. It connected all three of the boards she bought and made them bendable so that the height off the floor could be changed. My friend Uncle Pat brought over a couple of cinder blocks to start me off on conquering the ramps...

Then before my very own eyes, I had a mini-dogwalk in my room at home!! My mom did good work!!

She even put some wood pieces on the ramp parts so that I wouldn't slip. Then mom decided to try it out. Since Uncle Pat was around my mom had him take some video of me trying it out. After the practice...my mom and I were both a little worn out. Check out the videos below!!!

Attempt Number 1

Attempt Number 2

Mom's gonna make me a Dog Walk!!!

Wow!! My new classes are fun and challenging. I had a lot of fun in my Rally class. It was like solving a puzzle. Mom has to learn how to read the signs better! She kept going left when it would say right. It's the first class though so I wasn't upset with mom. We did lot of turn things today. The teacher said next week they would be introducing cones. I asked mom what that meant and she didn't know so we'll just have to wait until next week to find out! Then it was off to agility.

I was surprised to be at school for so long. I mean my mom has been telling me that I'll be taking 2 classes back-to-back, but tonight I really learned what that means. There are some familiar faces in my agility class. Tyson, who is a german shepard is in my class with his mom. Tyson was in my Novice I class with me. Mr. Jerry and his boxer Jack are in my class. Dovie and her dog are in my class, and Nancy and her dog Mocha are in my class. So it was nice that there were some familiar people. Neither my mom or I knew either of the teachers for my agility class. My teachers are Ms. Jonnie and Ms. Tracey .

The first thing that I got to do was walk through a ladder that was laid on the floor. I was a little nervous at first, but mom showed me part of a pupperoni and I just trotted through the ladder. Even Ms. Jonnie was impressed. Mom and I did that a couple of times, and by the third and last time I had my little prance going and was feeling confident. Then it was time to Jump!! We did 3 jumps in a row. I would always try to skip one just to see if mom was paying attention. Then it was time to try the dog walk...I was terrified of it!! I didn't even want to put my paws anywhere on it. Mom lifted me up and put me on it and I jumped off. The teacher told mom to give me some extra treats...I didn't care at treats at that point..i just didn't want to be on the dog walk! Mom then put me on the top of it and i scurried to the end. Mom said we will have to work on it. Then it was on the the A-frame...the A-frame was flat on the floor and it was no biggie. Then came the tunnels!! I love tunnels. Mom has been preparing me for tunnels though by making tubes with the sheets and I crawl through them!! I went through the tunnels before the teacher could even explain it!!
On the ride home, mom said she was gonna try to build me a dogwalk for the back yard so I can practice and get over my fear. Wow, I'm wiped out! I think this round of dog school is going to be exciting!!!
Mom snapped this photo after being home for 15 minutes!!