Hot Fun in the Summertime

Ecko and Mama Stoker

Spring has flown by and we are "enjoying" some sweltering hot, dry summer weather at the moment.  Fortunately things cool off decently in the late evening through early morning and the dog perk up a bit and enjoy walks and outings then.  Of course, they are always instantly energized if we find time for a visit to the lake or river.

Delta is working on learning the exercises for the Working level of the water trial program we trial in and Ecko and I are slogging away at learning one of the more advanced exercises for the Courier level, the buoy ball drop.   Such a tricky combination of foundation skills is involved in teaching this exercise.  Each dog I have trained to this level has learned the exercise slightly differently.

"Bumper Dogs" - Delta and Granny Stoker

Training advanced skills always makes me appreciate how hard dogs work to get things right for us and really drives home how important it is to read what your dog is telling you and tailor things to meet those needs.  When Chili was a young dog a good friend always used to say it was so easy to see when Chili had not "gotten the memo" on how to do an exercise yet.  She was such a fast learner and tried very hard, but needed to get clear information from me in order to succeed.  Chili has taught me so many important training lessons and hopefully Ecko is reaping some benefit from that.

Jan has been working hard too, in the yard and garden.  In the bottom photo, the coven is sitting on our newly painted deck with a recently planted bamboo privacy screen growing in the background behind them.  We also planted a raised bed garden in the area where our old above ground swimming pool used to be and the dogs are NOT happy that we have the area fenced off and out of bounds for them.

Have a Safe and Happy 4th of July!

The coven overseeing Jan's garden and deck projects.