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Some witch has my Boris
pumpkin!! |
What wonderful weekends we have been having this October in the York Maine area!! There has been so much to do. Part of the absolute joy of having a well behaved, trained, or dog in training (and prepared for more distraction work) are the events that human owners are able to enjoy with their canine companions. Ogunquit's festival of Halloween activities provided great opportunities for family enjoyment this weekend, of both the canine and human kind.
Doing things with your dogs where they can perform or obey commands under distraction is a step towards making the holiday times enjoyable for all, rather than a stressful time for your canine companion. If you have not prepared your dog in advance for the holidays, this is not the time to suddenly spring them into the thick of things, unless they are one of those rock solid bombproof dogs no matter what (rare but out there).
One of Mannerly Mutts family dogs is Boris, who was purchased from Doberman Rescue Unlimited in Sandown New Hampshire. Boris is still a puppy at 1 year old, and needs exposure to these sorts of things. I plan on trialling him in the spring of 2011, if I can find some United Kennel Club trials in the area. Boris is missing a leg due to a birth defect. Doberman Rescue was kind enough to have it removed for him, so he would not stumble over it for the rest of his life. Boris gets around great, is smart, desperately needs more of a job, and would do well in competitions.
Here are some shots of Sunday or our second day there (day one pictures to follow later), and then I will tell you some of the things that Boris has been getting used to in the month of October, that normal everyday activity does not provide.
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| Walking past some of my favorite shops of chocolate, baked goods, and bubble bath. Lucky I didn't get distracted!! |
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| Do not pee on the pumpkins! |
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| Robert was talking to a crowd to his right about the dogs when I came out. Here our dogs are being good ambassadors for the breed and for dogs in general! |
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| Scoping out a spot for the bed race. |
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| Nice person took this shot of our family. Isn't Robert scary in his costume? |
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| That is Miss Muffet's seat right there under the spider. |
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| Bed races had only three teams this year. I still loved watching it, and hope they keep putting it on despite lack of competitors this year. |
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| We were near Cruella De Ville. Frightening for our dogs to say the least, but we kept them from her evil clutches. |
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| The vampire bed. |
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| The vampire bed coming back. |
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| The wizard of Oz bed. |
So Boris got used to or at least experienced these new things:
- An older lady walking towards us, who had a different walk due to getting old or a disability of some sort. People don't think how the posture, canes, or unusually timid person can affect their dog's attitude or create fear if they are not used to it. It's the dog owners' responsibility to teach their dogs those different gaits and implements are okay.
- Boris had his fourth encounter with the horses pulling carts and people. This time he was not panicked or fearful but interested and calm. Should have seen his face the first time he saw these giant creatures.
- Lots of people were taking pictures. Boris is used to digital cameras with small lenses, but a nice gentleman next to us had a tricked out camera with a very good lens on it. This made Boris very jumpy all of a sudden. Nothing a little food treats could not cure, however.
- More well needed experience walking around children and adults holding treats of one sort or another.
- Lots more experience on being petted by children, and not getting upset (like he used to) when they walk away and leave him.
- Experience wearing something, and not trying to eat it off of him.
- Both our dogs, as Leon had never been in a parade before, got to experience walking in a costume parade. Boris got claps:)
- Don't pee on the decorations or anything else training.
- Don't eat or pull on the decorations training.
In addition to all of the above, it was a cheap and fun family day. I got to spend some quality time with my husband, and we got to chat with many nice people.
This is a win win situation for everyone involved, plus fun!!
E-MAIL MANNERLY MUTTS MAINE DOG TRAINER |
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