Public Relation Events

In the past week and a half,  I've had a few different public relation events that I've had taken Peanut out to for the SAR team.  People really do not understand how much time it really takes to train a dog for even large events like what we've been to lately.  These two days have shown me how much time I've really put into Peanut and even though she has her "issues" over all, she's a sound dog out in public.

The first event was for Fire Prevention.  We had multiple fire departments, the sheriff's departments horse posse, our SAR team, the county SAR team, and even a helicopter fly in.  It was BUSY with families, a couple hundred people at least.  It was by far the largest and longest event Peanut has ever been to.  In the two hours we were there, Peanut greeted over 100 kids and adults with butt wiggles and kisses, had sirens go off so close to us that it even made me jump sky high with no real issue, and had a HELICOPTER fly over here less than 30ft above us and land less than 30ft from where we were standing without an issue!  I was floored by how good she way.  It was like all the fears she has are inside buildings.  She's fine outside with everything including even gunshots.

It's wonderful to see Peanut in all her glory out among people, doing what the breed LOVES to do which is love on people.  I look at it like this, over the past week in a half between 2 events, 200 or so people can say "Yeah I met a Pit Bull once.  She was a Search dog and was just the sweetest thing ever!".  Maybe of those 200 people she changed some minds on the breed and maybe one day if something happens they remember that search dog they met back in the day and know that it's not every dog.  It's not breed, it's the owner.

Sometimes Photos are Worth a 1000 Words!

And sometimes 3 photos are worth 3000 words!

"KILL THE RUG!"

"What? I didn't do it!  I'm innocent!"


"Ok, now what trouble can I get into?"

"I'm not listening!" & Puzzle Toys!

Ever have those nights where you honestly consider if you really want to keep your dogs (well, rather keep one of your dogs) or rehome them?  Last night was one of those nights with Peanut.  "Oh but she's so CUTE!" and "She can't be that bad!" you say?  Well let me tell you the story of yesterday.

After 20mins of running after the flirt pole, Peanut was still wound up tighter then a spring.  She was bouncing off the walls, play bowing at anything that moved (including the TV), and just being a flat out brat.  I decided well, since she was so wound up I'd do some training with her, and mentally tire her out.  For SAR work, I've started to use a simple toy that she LOVES, it's a piece of fur tied on a stretchy rope.  She'll do anything for that toy, but is very driven, almost too driven for it.  So I've been working with her for the past few days trying to get it through her mind that the only way she gets that toy is to work for it.  Well, last night she had other plans.  She was being grabby, snatchy, and wouldn't drop it on command, so I put the toy away on top of the 6' tall fridge and sat down to watch TV for a bit while she cooled down.

-CRASH-

I jump sky high, and watch as Peanut takes a running leap, runs up the side of the fridge, and snatches the toy right off the top of the fridge.  Yup, you heard me.  I wish I had a camera running while these things happened!  After I laid into her, I spend the next 5mins prying the toy out of her mouth (MOM!  I worked HARD to get this toy.  You can't have it) and then sent her to her bed.


After I cooled off (I tell you I haven't been that mad in a while) I decided to pull out my Nina Ottosson puzzle toy to work Peanut's mind.  Now these toys are very expensive, but I really like them for Peanut who is a very smart dog.  It's the Dog Tornado puzzle toy and it's east to use for us humans, and can go from super easy for dogs like Nubs to hard for Peanut.

Nubs is first.  I set it up as super easy just to get him started.  It's easy for him and he gets it done fast. NOTE: might want to turn down your volume a hair.  It's pretty loud

Now I decided to see what he can do and make it just a little harder.  I can honestly say I was very impressed!  He did better then I thought (this coming from a dog that takes over 45mins to clean out a food toy when he's very food motivated).  I do have to say that the toy that we use to cover the treats is very hard to grip when it's dry and worse when it's covered in dog slobber, so if it wasn't for that he'd done GREAT.  

Now it's Peanut's turn, and well I'll let the video show you how smart she is with these toys.

I swear if she had thumbs the world would be doomed.

Adventures With Peanut

Wow, TWO updates in a month.  I'm spoiling you girls and guys.

This week has been an ongoing adventure.  My vet techs and I have started to get on a first name bases over the phone.  I give a round of applause to every GOOD Vet Tech and Veterinarian out there for all the hard work you do to help us pet owners over the phone.

It's been one long HOT summer, and with my life changing as much as it has (kicked my ex out and went from a 2 person income to a 20hr a week income), and with the Search and Rescue team on the rocks (long story there) we haven't been doing as much training as we should normally be.  Therefore, one black dog has been "bored" and finding things to do.  Yeah it's my fault, I fully blame myself (how often do you see that?).  So Peanut has taken back to fence jumping.  Yup!  So I've spent my mornings in my yard figuring out how she's jumping the fence.  Every time I think I figure it out, she has found a different way to get out.  Yeah, it's getting old.

Now Peanut's actually been a pretty darn good dog lately and behaving herself.  That came to an end this week.  On Tuesday I was really sick with a sore throat and stuff like that.  I had a few cough drops in the middle of my table.  On Wednesday, I'm sitting at my computer before work, and the dogs are in the living room chewing on antlers.  Nubs is facing me, which normally they always have their eyes drilled into my skull (I might leave them you know).  Peanut had her back to me, and out of no where the smell of Cherry Cough Drop hit me.  Sure enough I walk over to Peanut and you could smell it on her breath.  -sighs-

Friday's was the worst to date though.  In my kitchen, I have a counter top, then on that counter top I have a microwave.  On top of that is the medicine cabinet, which is a good 6ft off the ground.  While I was blowdrying my hair getting ready for work, someone climbed up into that cabinet and knocked out some medication which then dropped and opened when they reached the floor.  I busted Peanut as she was swallowing my last gummy Rescue Remedy anxiety pill.  YAY!  

I was over an hour late to work while I sat out in the yard and watch Peanut stalk the yard with her ears pinned back, tail between her legs, glaring at me like "YOU MADE ME SICK!  YOU ARE A DEAD HUMAN!" Finally after 20mins of waiting she threw up all the medication, and I was able to go to work.  

Yesterday (Saturday), was the last day of the Hot Air Balloon World Championships.  If you've never been able to see 100+ hot air balloons in the air at once, it's something you HAVE to see.  I've grown up with hot air balloons living were I do, and this city will always have them around.  Figured it would be a GREAT training opportunity to take Peanut out  there with out Search and Rescue team and train with distractions (a 60ft tall Hot Air Balloon inflating and taking off is a BIG distraction too).

"Hello did you say something?" 

Peanut under the SAR table watching everyone go past.

Peanut did WONDERFUL!  There was upwards of 500 people around us at any given time.  It was really shoulder to shoulder packed full with 10 hot air balloons filling up less then 20 feet away from us.  Only at this festival can you actually walk underneath a 60 ft tall balloon and see what it's like to look inside of 10-100 of them at once.  It's simply amazing.  Peanut watched a few take off, then was more interested in the food the people next to us were eating.

  

"It's hot out here! OH FOOD!"

She heeled on a loose leash around all the people, did sits and downs on command, and even played nice with young kids who would stop by with their sweet, sticky fingers and pet her.  She did awesome.  While she is a HUGE pain in the butt, she really has turned into a wonderful dog.  Loves people, loves activities, and loves to work.  Can't ask for a better dog!

"Behaving myself and being a good breed ambassador is HARD work!

Peanut the Wanna-be Cat

I often refer to Peanut's personality as very "cat like" since she's a bit aloof with new people but warms up quickly to people.  The fact she's very "smart" and has a "I'll do what I want when I want to" attitude, but still likes most everyone.  I also refer to her as "cat like" because of how agile she is.

I recently started training Peanut for scootering as a new way to give her an outlet for her massive amount of energy and a way to use her mind.  It also helps to train her for weight pulling so it's killing two birds with one stone.  She's really starting to love doing it (she actually starts dancing like she does with her flirt pole which is amazing).  Well I was out riding with her and when I returned my Dad was in my yard which is normal, but the following conversation wasn't.

Dad: Hey did you get a new dog?
Me: Um, No.... Oh wow, who is that? (takes Peanut quickly and puts her in the house)
Dad: I don't know.  You left the gate open and he decided to come in and say hello to Nubs (who was in the outside kennel)
Me: -sighs- Oh I bet Nubs was happy with that. (Nubs doesn't care too much for new dogs anymore)

Sure enough there was a 60lb Pointer/Bully mix walking around my yard with a sqeaky toy in his mouth.  He just made himself at home and was happy as heck to stick around.  After about 20 mins of walking around and seeing if I could find his home, I returned to the house with the dog (who later I found out was named Gumby) and walk inside where I had Peanut still running loose and look what I see Ms. Tude herself up to:

Note: Please excuse the mess I was thrown for a loop when Gumby  stopped by

Yes Peanut climbed in a window, that she really can't get too and was sitting in it just like a cat would.  I laughed so much over this sight.  That's my girl!

Thanks to Facebook, I was able to locate the Shelter where Gumby was adopted from and he was returned there today to find a new home.  If you ever adopt a pet, PLEASE see if your shelter will take the dog back PRIOR to selling your new pet.  Lots of shelters require you to return the dog/cat before you sell them.  Thankfully this shelter always takes their adoptions back so Gumby returned (same shelter I got Nubs from) and will find hopefully a better home this time.