Training Time

So Mom went to the Dr. and he thinks she needs to take time off to do some work on herself. She is not to pleased about this but then again, she is thinking that maybe she can use this time to get back to doing training with me...oh I hope I hope I hope!!!

Starting all over again?

So mom says that since we have not done any working/training in a while that she thinks we should start all over again. Hmm...I dont know if I am all that happy with that. Im a smart girl, I know I can do it. =0)

Here we are again

So Mommy and I havnt been on here since March. Mommy has been pretty sick and denying it by being active in all kinds of other things, like dancing, and hanging out with friends. But as usual it is catching up to her now. I will do my best to be here for her now, because I know she needs me.

Here we are again

So Mommy and I havnt been on here since March. Mommy has been pretty sick and denying it by being active in all kinds of other things, like dancing, and hanging out with friends. But as usual it is catching up to her now. I will do my best to be here for her now, because I know she needs me.

I'm Back

Well it has been quite some time since I have been on here so let me see how I can update you all. Mommy was very ill for a while and she and Daddy are splitting up. I am sad for them but at the same time Mommy has been getting better since the decision was made. I am still in training because Mommy and i didnt work on lessons much while she was sick. I am sure we will get back to that soon. I noticed mommy looking at the class schedule the other day, so hopefully she signed us up for something. Looking forward to the things to come.

DMV...what a test

So today was a hard day. Mom had to go to the DMV. We were ther for over two hours. Mom says she is proud because I did so well. She took some pictures she says she is going to put up later of me doing a down stay partially under a chair so that I didnt get stepped on, and a good sit stay at her feet as she stood at one of those really high counters where people fill out thier paper work.

It was really crowded in there and I was worried about mom because her anxiety kicked off into super high gear. She got so dizzy and hot flash like that she almost blacked out. That would not have been good, as I have not yet been trained on how to alert other people yet. I just know never to walk away from her. I dont know what I would have done if she would have fell to the floor?

The DMV let two other dogs in today. The first dog I ignored no problem, but towards the end of the trip, a Giant Pit Bull was allowed to come in and the man let his Pit get too close to me. He said he was socializing him, but I know I am not supposed to let anything come up close behind mom without her permission. So I barked at that dog. Mom got scared at first because she was not expecting me to bark...I'm not supposed to do that...but then she saw the dog right behind us and she just told me to " leave it" so I turned away and started watching mom again.

Needless to say the DMV is not my favorite place, and definatley not mom's favorite either. I hope it is a long while before we have to go there again. I am happy mom is proud of me though. That makes it all worth it.

Things can only go up from here, right?

So as usual, I only have time to write when Mom is in an "up-swing" coming out of her depressive state. Hopefully she doesnt swing to manic, but hey, she is Bipolar after all. BOL! So Mom is so proud of me. When we first began training, Mom tried to use the clicker, but I was affraid of it. I am a little dog and the clicker was loud, so mom just continued on with my training with out it...until now. Mom forgot treats the other day and we were working in Target, she was worried that I would need a reinforcer and she didnt have any with her. Needless to say, I was fine...that really is all in her head, but none the less she stressed greatly. We made it out of target without any problems of course, but mom decided she never wanted to be caught without a reinforcer again, so she decided, why not try the clicke again? I am older now, right? Well, so far so good. The clicker doesnt scare me anymore, and now I look for the click every time I sit down. Mom thinks I am funny becuase If she is not paying attention and forgets to click, I lay down and pout. But who can blame me really? I love to be told i am doing a good job. I work hard you know!

Good Day

Ok, so clearly I need to get passed this only writing one time a month pattern I have going on here. Anyway, so I have great stuff to report. On Sunday Mom and Dad decided to take a trip out so we went on a tour of this really ancient house that is now a museum/local landmark. 1st the Lady that answered the door said " I'm sorry but we don't allow dogs here," but then her eyes got all big and she said " oh how cute, she has her little vest on. She must be an assistance animal, right?" Mom said, yes she is a service dog. No challenge after that. So I did awsome and mom was so proud of the wonderful down stays I was doing. When we got ready to leave the tour lady wanted to know where my training came from becuse she said she had never seen such a well behaved small dog. WoHOO!!!

Today, dad took me for a small visit at Mom's work. Mom took me inside and then some other lady picked me up and introduced me to the handicapped people that mom works with. Mom stood and watched in agony and fear waiting for me to growel as I had done when I was younger, but I just licked their hands and wagged my tail. Once I had had enough, I tucked my tail and looked at mom with a sad face. She knew what I meant and took me back from the other lady. Then she showered me with lots of petting and told me what a good girl I am. She said she was so proud. What a great day. I made mom smile a LOT!

Down and Out again

So mom has been down and out again. We have not done any training or any trips outside the house. It makes me so sad to see mom so unhappy. That hard part is that we work really good for a while then mom has a bad day (or two or three) and then I start to forget things I was doing really well. We take two steps forward and one step back I guess. Mom gets frustrated and she says she knows it is her fault. I try not to let her beat herself up to much about it, but I am a small dog. I can only do so much. But we are a great team, and neither of us ever give up, so I know it will get better!

Training in Public

So mom hasnt had much time to be on the internet lately and then the internet was broken for a few weeks. But let me fill you all in. Mom has been taking me to walmart, target, the mall. and her weekly counseling groups. I have been having so much fun and mom says she is really proud of me. I still let out a little growel every once in a while, but only in inclosed spaces but mom says she sees more and more improvement every day. We are still working on me barking at other dogs, but I just cant help it, I get so excited. I just want to play, but mom says not when Im working. I see a lot more smiles on moms face now that we are going out. I hope this new medication keeps us able to go out for a while. Sure has been a lot of ups and downs this year.