Where have I been???

Kirby's mom here-

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter. Just so you know, Kirby and I didn't have any bunny stew! Thank you for all your wonderful comments on my Smilebox below. I had so much fun with Kirby that day!

Well Kirby and I have been having some major computer problems the past few weeks so now the computer is in for repair. For weeks I have been having problems just getting onto the internet and we have tried some repairs from the computer place but have not been having much luck. We hope to have it back by the end of the week.

So today Kirby and I are at my sister's house and I thought I would give you a quick update as to what's been going on with Kirby.

Rally: Last Friday Kirby and I did the course twice without the leash and he did AWESOME!!! I was nervous at first because of the other dogs and how he could react, but he handled it awesome! It was fun for both of us.

New training tool: I started using the Halti with Kirby last Sunday. It took some getting used to but he is adjusting good to it. It is working great around other dogs too. We walked a behind a dog the other day and Kirby didn't pull towards him or anything. Today we met my sister and her dog Dillion at the park and Kirby did great, no growling. This is really important, because if Kirby and I are to do the fun rally event in June he has to be able to control himself around the other dogs. So far so good. We will try some pet stores soon to see how it goes there.

Canine freestyle: Have you heard of Honey the Great Dane? She is hosting a dance contest and Kirby and I are going to enter it. You can get to her blog from Kirby's blog by finding it on the blogroll. Hmmm...so what will Kirby and I be dancing too? I will give you one clue, it's a Beach Boy's tune!!!

Volunteering events: My niece Emily and I volunteered with Harbor Humane Society last weekend. We had a blast and I have some wonderful pics that I will try to post later.

I miss visiting all your blogs and hopefully will be able to visit them soon and start posting again!

Kirby's mom

Hoppy Easter from Kirby and the bunnies!

Kirby here-
Well since it's so cold and windy here mom decided that this afternoon we would do our Easter photo shoot. Oh yeah, it's good. Mom put it into a smile box just to add to the "mood" of the shoot. OH, just so you know I got huge treats for this, we are talking CHICKEN!

(You may want to turn off my music player before watching it)

This slideshow design created with Smilebox

PS: if you have a recipe for bunny stew let me know!

Woof!
Kirby and the bunnies!

What's up with Michigan??

Kirby here-
Well I'm not getting this weather here!! Last Sunday it was 85 degrees here (UNBELIEVABLE...and so not Michigan in April!) But today, one week later, we have had snow flurries and it's been in the 40s!! Yes, mom is thinking I may need my coat today for walking, because we also have wind gusts between 30-40 mph! Forget the coat mom, you may want to weigh me down with a back pack or something so I don't blow away! Overnight tonight, they are saying we could get up to 3 inches of snow....SAY WHAT?!! Well, this past week wasn't too bad. Mom and I have been able to go to the parks in the evening because it was so pleasant outside!

I had rally Friday night and mom and I had fun. The only thing I barked at was at the door because the wind kept rattling it, but other than that I behaved myself! Mom is learning how to keep my leash loose while walking the rally course. Our instructor told her to hold the leash in her hand and put her thumb in her pocket and leave it there. That way she doesn't pull me and I have to come "willingly" with her. Yeah, did you catch that word...."willingly"! BOL! Okay, I actually did pretty good, mom had chicken for me so that was a huge motivator to stay near her. Overall, we both are doing pretty good with rally. There is a fun rally match coming up in June that mom and I might go too. Here is the link, it's called Dog day in the park: http://www.dogdayinthepark.com/home.htm
Park? Park? did someone say park?!! I'm hoping we get to go! Mom said that we may try it, but I have to learn to keep myself in control. I told her if she brings chicken, I just may be able to do it!!! But mom would love to do something like this with me, and it's just for fun so no pressure, although mom has already told me we aren't in rally for titles or ribbons, it's just for us to have fun together and help me to be the best dog I can be, yeah she's the best isn't she!

Yesterday mom worked an adoption event for Harbor Humane Society. She brought five dogs there! Mom was excited because three foster dogs were showing up too! It was busy, but hopefully successful, because it looks like Abbie, the lab mix may have found herself a forever home! Mom will find out Monday, so we will keep you posted. Mom has worked with Abbie alot at adoption events and is a super sweet dog, but has noticed that Abbie's spirit is dwindling, she's not as excited anymore. Mom says she's tired of being at the shelter, she's been there for about 6 months already and she really needs to get into a home environment. So keep your paws crossed for her okay! Here are some pics of the doggy dudes and dudettes that were there:

This is Valentine, she is a 10 month old Pit Mix puppy. And mom said she is all puppy! She does know sit, down, and off and is learning to walk on a leash. Mom and I love here ears, pure sign of intelligence!This is Olivia, a two year old pittie. Isn't she beautiful! Mom shot this just when she was sticking her tongue out, cute huh? While there the volunteer that had her taught her how to sit pretty!

This is a picture of Dillion, a two year old American Bulldog mix. Mom calls him a gentle giant. Dillion is a people lover and loves other dogs. He just wants to be loved. Poor Dillion though is very stressed at the shelter and is losing weight, badly. The shelter is using medication and special food to help him increase his weight, but what he needs is a HOME! Would you all mind saying a little prayer for him, that he finds his home soon!

And here is a picture of Abbie! Isn't she beautiful. Keep your paws crossed!

Mom couldn't get pics of all the dogs because it got very busy (YEAH!). She is doing an adoption event with our niece Emily next week and Emily is a pro with the camera, so we are hoping to be able to get more! We will let you know how that one goes.

So here is a picture of me, it's from last Sunday, you know when it was 85 degrees:

Chilling out (literally!)

Woof!

Kirby

Week in Review-Saturday Blog Hop!

Kirby's mom here-

Well the weather is finally getting nicer here in Michigan and it's staying lighter out later which means Kirby and I can now go to the parks in the evening. I think we both are enjoying that! I have been doing some research on parks in our area where you can walk dogs and I'm finding quite a few! If you'd like to check out some of the parks where we live here is a link to the county parks near us

http://www.co.ottawa.mi.us/ParksVI/Parks/select.htm

I have vacation coming up soon, and my hope is to visit alot of these parks with Kirby. I will also start checking other county parks near us too. I am trying to find new environments to expose him too but also keep him safe and although dogs are supposed to leash at all parks of course you run into some that aren't. This happened the other day and I'm proud to say that Kirby stayed under somewhat under control and we were able to walk past the unleashed dog. He did growl but didn't go ballistic. I know some of my followers do unleash your dogs at parks, but if you do, please make sure your dog has a good recall, in all situations.

Rally has been going very good. Kirby's reactiveness has been much better and he is feeling more comfortable in class. Last night a new dog showed up and Kirby went all growly face on him so we walked away and did the "look at dog" game (Thank you Marge for suggesting Control Unleashed!) This was actually our first time at this game and it worked!! Kirby settled down pretty fast and we were actually able to be near the dog with no growly face! Kirby even went up to to this dog's owner for a treat!

We are having a hard time with "close". Our instructor showed me how to work with Kirby to get him "close" but he doesn't like it. You put the leash around his belly area and gently guide his rear next to you. He went totally terrier on me! So I will keep working with him on this, but does anyone who has done rally know another way to teach "close".?

So while Kirby and I are enjoying the nice spring weather and practicing our rally moves check out these other bloggers:

-Kirby's mom

Cheap Toy!!!

Kirby's mom here- Well I'm always trying to find ways to challenge Kirby's puzzle solving capabilities. At the shelter we are using brown paper bags to feed some of the dogs and the dogs are loving it, so I thought let's try it with former shelter super dog....KIRBY!! So let's see, we need a dog and a brown paper bag and a few favorite smelly treats:Put the treats in the bag and roll it up tight and let the dog have at it: Yeah, don't you just love the pic above!! Kirby had a blast with this game we did it three times! It was so funny to watch him figure this out. I thought he might just rip the bag open but he didn't, he kept working the bag with his paws until the opening appeared. Give this a try with your pup. If they destroy it no big deal and if they eat part of it no big deal! Lots of fun for you and them. Enjoying the Kirbs, Kirby's Mom