Still Here - A whole new world

Hmm so...cough...apologies...just looked at my last post date - it was July, 2011!! Where the heck did those two years (almost) go????
Well better late than never - I hope you will agree.
Don't worry I won't try to cover off everything that has happened in Jet's life since then...just the highlights.
Big news #1 - Jet earned her TD in flying colours on her first attempt - first mini-bull terrier in Canada to be awarded this title - even managed to ignore the mice that were hopping over our feet in the field.
Big news #2 - Managed to qualify 3 times in Rally Novice to add RN to the end of her name...wasn't pretty but we got the job done
Big News #3 - She is now flyball Champion Gold - having earned 2,500 points - next stop 5,000 - less than 1200 to go.
Big News #4 - Jet has Qualified twice in Agility - one AKC Novice Standards and one AKC Novice Jumpers
Big News#5 - Jet has qualified for the Hildie Award given by the Mini Bull Terrier Club of America to recognize the versatile mini bulls - she the only Canadian Mini to be awarded this title - super proud of this one.
Biggest News of all News - Jet and I are now in a new home, with a new partner and 2 new canine family members. Life is great, amazing, wonderful - everything I wanted...wait a minute that is me talking-  Jet might have other ideas :) One small problem - neither of the two new canines are bullies (mini or otherwise) they are - wait for it - SALUKIS!!!! Don't know what those are - google it - would take way to long to explain here. Let's just say that life as Jet knew it has forever changed. Big brother Sahdiq does not get her AT ALL. He tolerates her...barely. If you can picture a dog looking down his nose in total disdain for another living creature - that is how Sahdiq looks at Jet. She tries so hard to get him to play...bowing, leaping 360 degree spins, tail wagging violently - he just looks for a place to get out of her way. For the most part though it has been peace and harmony between them - life was good.
That was until about a week ago when puppy arrived! Baby Zoom entered Jet's world after a long 3 day car ride from Florida. He is the most non-Saluki, Saluki I have met. He tugs like crazy, very social with strangers, seems bomb proof, and he thinks Bull Terrier tails are play things. I won't sugar coat it - I was worried that Jet would think he was something that needed to be eaten - you know like a small rodent or vermin...after all - puppy screaming can sound like something on the verge of dying and needing to be put out of its misery. At the risk of speaking too soon - she has been absolutely freakin' amazing with the little alien! He teases her, lunges at her, bites her tail when her back is turned - she takes it all in stride. She has told him only twice that he might want to tone it down a notch - respect his elders. Personally I am surprised it has only been twice! Seriously she has the patience of Job. Zoom is a wild man - barking at her (in play) and then when she turns to engage him in play he heads the other way ... as if to say ..no I really didn't mean it!
I think my little girlie has finally started to grow up - a little bitter sweet I must say. She is now the mature older sister, showing the little man the ropes...where does the time go.

As you can imagine there will be lots of new content as Jet and I head into this new chapter in our lives...I promise (ok promise to do my best) to not wait another 2 years until I post again!

Hodge Podge

As the title implies there is a little bit of everything in this post so bear with me.
1. It is only 4 more sleeps until camping. Not that I think Jet has any idea what is in store for her, but mom is sure excited. I did come to realize however that my list to pack for Jet is longer than the list to pack for myself! Crate, Ex-pen, shade cover, multiple beds, food, water, dishes, cool coat (with its own little hard sided cooler), leashes, flexi-leash, toys, bones, fans....and on the list goes. I have so much stuff to cram into my little Kia Rondo that I had to buy Jet a seat belt harness so she could ride on the front seat beside me so I could cram her crate full of her stuff. She is quite pleased to be riding upfront however. She had a few problems getting comfortable on the trial run the other day, so I think putting one of her many beds on the seat will help. Her - spoiled???? Noooo whatever gave you that idea.

2. I have come to the conclusion that tracking is made for Jet. We gathered with like minded (crazy) tracking friends at the break of dawn on Saturday morning to lay track for each other and run the dogs. Keep in mind that Jet has only really had a minimal amount of tracking training as it has to be squeezed in between, obedience, flyball and agility. The hay was ready for another cut so it was over my knees in places when I was laying track. Blind track, strange person laying the track, 35 minutes old - Lets just say Jet flew through it - with me jogging behind most of the way! TD here we come...well if I could convince her that indicating an article is just as much fun as carrying on tracking...have to work on that one.

3. Why not to teach a bully the 'table' cue for agility....because it means that all 'tables' are fair game. Like the patio table in the backyard, the coffee table in the living room, the kitchen table...you see where this is going. It is the look she gives you when you kindly remind her that not all tables are available to her...I swear she is saying 'what's your problem?" with the greatest of innocence. You have no idea how hard it is not to laugh at her...seriously ask my friend and mutual terrier owner Allison who was over the other night. As she put it so politely --- it is that face...I mean how do you not just smile!!!!

Likely the last blog until after camping at which point I am sure I will have lots to tell (likely over a few posts) and hopefully many pics to share from my new camera.

Bully Break Through

So I was TOLD that this deserved its own blog...I won't say by whom. Personally I would rather wait to blog about this when it is a fait accompli but I am nothing if not accommodating (ok all you who know me can get off the floor from laughter now).

We decided to brave the sweltering heat last night and do some flyball training. There were only a few of us there due to holidays and the like so we kept it short. Our main goal was to see if Jet could learn to overcome her Shaq obsession - that love-of-her-life border collie. If you have never seen them together you can't really appreciate how much of a challenge this presents but trust me...it is our Mount Everest.

We started by doing some "Shaq walk-bys". As simple as can you walk anywhere in his vicinity and leave him alone and focus on mom? The first few attempts - not so much - but we did get to the point where the mackerel cakes won out over Shaq.

Next - can you go to the box and get your ball with Shaq just standing in the other lane in your peripheral vision - success after two attempts. Ok deep breath - next level - can you do it if Shaq is going for his ball at the box at the same time...of course this might work better if Shaq didn't decide he wanted Jet's ball out of her box and crossed over to get it...thanks Shaq - I guess he didn't get the memo...I am sure he was just trying to help her out by showing her how it was done :)

Ok - now for the big test - can you do it from two hurdles back to the box  and the full down the lane on return after listening to Shaq come flying down the other lane and smash into the box  - have to get the timing right - don't let her go until her boy toy is off the box on his way back (btw - this takes about a blink of the eye as Shaq is a speed demon). SUCCESS!!!! I could have picked her up and hugged her - oh wait I think I did!!
Of course like any good trainer we quit there...well just one more since we were on a roll. Even better the second time (with me whispering into her ear - leave it, leave it, get your ball, where's your ball the entire time).

This does not a flyball bully make, but we are on our way and I can smell the racing lanes (well almost).

Agility Bully Style

There is no question that bullies do things in their own unique way. Jet can get herself into what would appear the most uncomfortable positions yet seem quite content - giving me that bully smile as if to say ..."what??? I am happy here". Just as an example, she is content to jump on laps and end up with back legs on either side of your legs, front legs on your lap...expecting you to somehow support her full 30lbs while she lies content to just hang out. Up side of this is that you can get some leg lifts in!

Jet approaches agility in much the same manner. Last night we went outside after it had cooled off a bit to do some agility training. Setting up the two X two weaves became a challenge as my little 'helper' thought it would be of great assistance if she grabbed the poles and ran around the backyard with them. Not so much. A few treats later I had the poles nicely on their bases ready for practice...Line her up - send her through - great entrance (proud mother) - second set - wait a minute...where is the pole going???? It has been grabbed by a bully and taken for a trip around the backyard...How do you keep from laughing while trying to convince Jet that this is perhaps not exactly what you were looking for? It becomes somewhat of an art form believe me!

Contact trainers become things to launch oneself from with great finesse. Tunnels...well you remember my previous post about those - things to run on top of not through. Jumps have bars too..and guess what you can decide to either go over them and make mom happy or...perhaps this time, just to mix things up a bit, you can fake mom out like you are going to jump it but grab the bar instead and go on a huckle buck around the yard.

I haven't set the tire jump in the yard yet, but I am sure once I do Jet will find some wild and wonderful way to do it in her own PERFECT bully style.

Next challenge is convincing her that the orange cones we use for Rally Obedience are not things to be stolen, circled around, jumped over or whatever else her bully brain can come up with for fun. We have our first trial at the end of month...wish us luck. If nothing else Jet and I will be happy to be the comic relief...it is what bullies live for.

Sad Bully

There is nothing more heart wrenching than a 'sad' bully. That face with the ears pinned back, head lowered, tail hanging low missing its usual continual wag could melt even the coldest heart. When it is your own bully in that state it is even worse. I got to see it first hand this weekend when poor Miss Jet was plagued by the onset of violent intenstinal upset. So as not to disturb those more sensitive types, lets just say both ends were busy. She went from typical joyful bully playing with her canine pals on the trail to very 'sad' bully seemingly unable to move. After a hike back out of the trail with me carrying her all the way and being somewhat thankful she only was 29 lbs, we had a visit to our vet. Heart rate good, breathing ok, no fever...and no idea what caused it all. A script for metrodiazonal to settle the uproar in her belly and we were off...still a very sad bully in tow. A much needed coffee at Second Cup for grandma (who had left the house without her coffee to meet us at the vet), didn't last long as new symptoms arose. Violent chewing at feet and hives breaking out all over head and face meant a return trip to the vets (thankfully just across the street). More exam, a shot of antihistamines (not nice but she quickly forgave and gave the vet kisses)...and still no idea what was causing it all.
The 'sad' bully continued all day and night, not wanting to move much and looking very sorry for herself.
This morning however, the happy bully is back. Including standing on my head to get out of bed this morning...as if to say..."Come on mom, the sun is up, the birds are singing outside the window and I want my BREAKFAST...and it better be lots..none of this rice and boiled chicken crap you have been feeding me the last few days!" Most mornings I would not have been pleased to find a 29 lb bully standing on my head at 6 a.m. but this morning...it was sheer heaven!

Bully Brain beaten by Sardines

So first my apologies for how long it has been since my last post. Some how life just got in the way. Jet and I have been very busy but I won't bore you with the details. Our schedule looks something like this...Sunday mornings - hike at Christies; Sunday PM flyball team practice; Monday PM flyball training with Kelly; Tuesday PM agility class; Wednesday PM TTW classes with Margaret; Thursdays - hopefully tracking...hopefully Friday and Saturday are training of some kind or another and then back to Sunday. Oh yes and in between there is work for me and lazy days for Jet! If you haven't figured it out yet, keeping a bully busy is the best tactic for a relatively peaceful co-existence.
The other tactic is figuring out what she REALLY wants. I mean what she would stand on her head and spit nickels for...not just something that is 'okay' in her mind. Everything you do with a bully has to be their idea. No pretending they do it because they love you (oh what a naive concept that is)..and you can just forget about making them do anything. Trust me you don't want to waste your time getting into a battle of wills with a bully. The score would be bully 10000000 - human ZERO!
For Jet, other dogs, especially border collies that like to run and play tug and do all kinds of wonderfully exciting things, seems to trump all. That is until I discovered sardine cakes. Making these things will stink up your entire house so I would suggest only doing it in the summer months when the windows can be wide open. Better still try doing them outside on your BBQ (will have to try that advice next time I make them).
These little wonder treats have managed to convince Jet that leaving the other dog in the other flyball lane alone and forcing her bully brain to keep to the task at hand (namely hitting the box and getting the ball and coming back to mom) is worth it. It was funny to watch her brain fight with itself...no I really want to play with that other dog over there...but wait hmmmm sardine cakes await with mom back there...hmmmm dog....sardines...oh my goodness what a dilemma...lost my mind a bit...ran down the lane beside the jumps...can't concentrate..oh there is the box...got the ball.. ok mom here I come...get those sardine treats ready!!!
Now I want to be careful with these golden nuggets and save them for only the really tough training moments in case they start to lose their value. No telling what other gross concoction I might have to whip up next.  For now though the sardines are winning!



Basic recipe - 2 cans sardines (drained of their oil); mash them in a bowl and add one egg and enough flour or bread crumbs to make a thick cookie like dough (it took about 1/2-3/4 cup); scoop it onto a foil lined and lightly greased cookie sheet like you were making cookies and press them slightly to flatten them. Bake at 375 for about 20 minutes or until done and then turn them over and leave them for another 5 minutes in the oven to help dry them a bit. I like mine a bit soft so I can break them easily into little pieces for training. They freeze well so when you feel you can stomach the smell make triple the batch and get it over with all at once.
P.S. If trying the BBQ thing, heat one side of the grill and bake the cookies as above on the cool side of the BBQ with the lid closed just like an oven.

Homage to Onion

Thanks to my friend and flyball coach Kim I have discovered 'Onion' the wonder mini BT from England. She reminds me so much of Jet it is like they are kindred spirits. She has done so many things that Jet and I aspire to accomplish (well ok I do and Jet is coming along for the ride - personally I think she just loves to be with her humans and tolerates our weird past times). Onion has been in a movie with Ewan McGregor; starred in a pop music video; been to Crufts (although her sister won BOB - always the bridesmaid); and more than I can post here.
She also does agility in true mini BT fashion - the video on YouTube - yes she has her own YouTube channel (Jet's mom just needs to get a good video camera and get her butt in gear and she too could be going viral some day soon).You will want to check it out at: Agility Bull Terrier Style

You can also see her blog and links to other mini BT blogs at: Onion Blog.

In other news - Jet is a very proud mother these days. Her little boy (just 6 months of age) 'Spiller' went to his first confirmation show and not only did he finish his championship in one weekend, he did it by winning the group and going Best Puppy in Show!!

That's my boy!!!!