Good to be back

Hey pups! On 2^nd January Mom and I hit the trails for the first hike of the new year. It wasn't extremely long (just like 2 or 3 hours) as the weather wasn't perfect but the experience was! Sure, we got a little lost along the way but what would a hike be without a little adventure, right? I am glad I can boast and say we have been trekking every week at least once a week since our resolution was made so cheer us on!

Licks and Wags,

Dina

Hitting the road running

Hey pups! On Sunday Mom and I , true to our new year year resolutions, went on a hike/long walk. We got a lift into one of the nearby villages and walked home from there. It was a familiar trail and one that we both enjoyed walking, so we felt comfortable for it to start the new year.

Coloured version of Black and White Sunday's photo

If Mom had more skill as a photographer a better camera, this would have been a great shot

As you can see we hit the road running!

Licks and Wags,

Dina

Wordless Wednesday

Licks and Wags,

Dina

Fetching Fun

Hey pups! This afternoon Mom and I took a walk to a large, local enclosed set of fields where a lot of local owners come to exercise their dogs. Us included. We saw one other person (with some sort of pointer if I am not mistaken) and that is unsurprising as the weather recently has been very unpredictable with pouring rain one minute, brilliant sunshine the next and then back to rain and hail. However, we managed to avoid rain altogether, apart from a slight disturbance of a couple of drops falling while in the wood surrounding the fields. Sometimes there are sheep grazing in the fields but luckily today they were way on the other side of the stream. (DM: I'm not a big fan of livestock- apart from horses- and am so glad Dina is brilliant sheep repellent with her barking and staring. Starting to wonder if she is part collie....) As usual when we visit Mom took something to play fetch with. Recently we re-discovered over flame-thrower, which was hiding under a car seat, so that was the obvious choice especially since Mom can't throw very well.

Licks and Wags,

Dina

Nosework Game

Hey pups! I'm here to tell you about an awesome new game Mom and I played today. Mom says she found it while searching around on the internet for things to do with me. It was a whole article about fun nosework games to do with your best buddy. I'm told I don't use my nose to solve puzzles/problems so Mom wants to work on that. We played a nice and simple game to start off with:

1. Practise some sit-stays and down-stays while the hoomom goes into another room. I've twigged that staying without moving gets a release word and a treat (in my case cheese pieces).
2. This will continue will Mom does some dead easy stuff increases the criteria until I sit-stay outside a dark room with the door closed while Mom is inside. As if I couldn't do that before!
3. Your hoomom will then do the same thing as before: leave you in a sit-stay and release you but (!!!) this time instead of being rewarded you'll be asked to "find it". (If you don't know that cue, encourage your hoomoms to play the 'Which hand?' game and introduce the cue then. I've been playing that game since I was a lil' pup so I'm cool with it).
4. For complete beginners to the game you can do the activity but with the lights on, (we did this...since when am I a BEGINNER?).
5. To increase difficulty, tell your hoomoms to place the treats on low shelves or under light objects. (I'm sure we'll be doing this is no time!).

I performed the sit-stays beautifully, succeeding every time but one when Mom went to scatter the treats for the first time and I just had to see what was going on. I loved sniffing them out (very loudly sniffing them out I might add). Mom had to wave in the generaly direction a few times but I found the treats without them being directly pointed out to me. Mom tried placing some on a low box but I was still a bit stuck on ground level ('scuse the pun :D). I hear rumours about Mom starting to put the treats on the bare floorboard as I do tend to focus on the rug. As I have said before I loved this game and carried on sniffing around long after Mom finished the game. We will definitly do this again....I'll make sure of it!

I'm a smart cookie...with a speck of mud on her forehead but never mind that!

Licks and Wags,

Dina

Scent Games article

Black and White Sunday

I resolve to be more adventurous with my photography and improve my skills

Thanks to Nola and Sugar for hosting the hop!

Hugs,

Dina Mom

Hitting The Show Ring

Hey pups! Today is the second to last day of my resolutions week and I want to mention some other goals that don't fit into any other day.

1. Get involved with a dog sport, I'm thinking about rally, CaniX or freestyle. (DM: Anyone with experience in these please do share!)
2. Achieve a Novice Trick Dog title. We can almost do it we just need to learn one more trick to be able to qualify. 
3. Compete in one event in one of the mentioned sports. I think this one will be the hardest one to achieve but what are new year resolutions for if not to be challenged? 

Wish us luck!

Links and Wags,

Dina

FitDog Resolutions

Hey pups! By now you know a lot of my resolutions but there is one more area in which I have not revealed my aims and that is exercise and fitness. Mom and I are fairly good at keeping my weight down and fitness up....not too sure about Mom's. However,  as is always the case there is room for improvement.

1. Get regular walks three times a day, morning - an hour, afternoon- an hour or 2 hours and evening 45 min to an hour.
2. Hike 1-2 times a week. We want to make Sunday hikes a regular things and when the days get longer an afternoon hike on Fridays. Naturally, more will be in order during holidays and various breaks.
3. Introduce some sort of exercises. Don't know what yet but we'll figure it and probably pay a visit to SlimDoggy to inspire us. I'm thinking some strength exercises but who knows.....

Those are our fitness aims. 

Links and Wags,

Dina

Training Thursday

Hey guys! This week is being dominated by me but sorry- I'll be gone for good next week. Promise! As you might have notices I am dedicating this week to my and Dina's resolutions. So as it is the training day I'll outline some training resolutions. As the list is long, I'll limit myself to the top 3. Before I get to it I would like to mention a post I did a couple training posts ago: all the goals in that are still all systems go! In no particular order:

1. Work on loose leash walking.
2. Try and get rid of most phobias (list of them but there are more!)
3. Build confidence around other dogs.

I am joining the new Training blog hop hosted my OhMyShihTzu and Boingy Dog. Do join!

Hugs,

Dina Mom

Wordless Wednesday

I resolve to be a better model!

Happy New Year!

Licks and Wags,

Dina