February 28, 2012

Frisbee @ the park

We had a short romp at the park this afternoon with some frisbee fetch. I think we got out *just* enough energy to calm Ri down for obedience class tonight!



February 27, 2012

Toy ADD

What do you do when you're a Vizsla puppy who can't decide between 3 chew toys? Sleep on one and keep the other two close by, of course!

Hastings Island Hunting Preserve - 2/26/2012

4:45AM on Sunday morning. What was I doing? No, not sleeping... I was dragging myself out of bed (or rather, being dragged out of bed by my husband). This was an important milestone in Riley's life... her first hunting experience!


Of course, "princess" Riley slept on my lap for the entire hour and a half drive. We witnessed a beautiful sunrise over the Antioch bridge. FYI - it's a $5 toll bridge, so bring some cash if you make the trip without a Fast Pass!

When we arrived, we were loaned some attractive orange apparel to wear so that other hunters wouldn't shoot us by accident.  I was happy to wear a coat over my sweater because it was absolutely frigid at 7:30AM (about this time the lack of sleep was kicking in and I was starting to wish that pheasants slept in a little later...). As soon as we got the dogs out to run, I forgot the chill and found myself in awe of how naturally Riley took to the field. It was as if she was meant to be there. She had a great time romping around and we even got a cute point at a small bird. Poor Chloe heard some gunshots a *little* too close for her liking and became a little worried. We put the puppy and Chloe back in the cars and that's when the real fun began!

While watching Bailey hunt, time seemed to stand still. I've never seen a dog hunting in-person and it was absolutely breathtaking! There is this amazing bond between dog and hunter that is almost tangible. My husband and I were enjoying it so much that hardly any pictures were taken


After flushing a couple of hens, we moved over to another field farther out from the clubhouse. We let Riley out into the field to run with her 30 foot check cord on and she had a blast. I laughed at her because she is still short and hopped through the grass like a bunny rabbit in order to see where she was going. Bailey found an injured hen and we tried to let it fly off but it didn’t make it very far. Riley, meanwhile, found a pheasant wing and enjoyed playing around with it. We didn’t end up getting any pheasants, but it was a GREAT first experience and I am definitely hooked. We will be back! 


Please check out Rod's blog @ redbirddog.blogspot.com

He is a wealth of Vizsla information!

February 25, 2012

Briones Park Hike - 2/25

We had a great hike today! It was so beautiful I forgot to take pictures. Riley had a great time playing with her sister Penny and *trying* to run with the big dogs Bailey and Chloe. Tomorrow is our first hunting adventure! Gotta get up at the crack of dawn... should be fun.

February 24, 2012

Humor for the day - dog vs. cat

DOG DIARY
8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!

9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!


9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!

10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!


12:00 PM - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!


1:00 PM - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!


3:00 PM - Ran back and forth in the hall! My favorite thing!


5:00 PM - Milk bones! My favorite thing!


7:00 PM - Got to play tug! My favorite thing!


8:00 PM - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!


11:00 PM - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!



CAT DIARY


Day 983 of my captivity.


My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling ojects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape.


In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am.

They continue to pick me up and handle me, an obvious attempt to subvert me.


There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.


Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.


I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released -- and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.


Tonight I will again lay on their heads while they sleep and hope to smother them.

On Point!

Riley and I came across some crows on our walk this morning and she did a very serious point! I was so proud. It's fun to see her hunting instinct developing and becoming stronger as she gets older. :D

What the.... CROW! POINT!

Must... inch... closer...

Wait. I think they see me.

February 23, 2012

Bite Inhibition for Puppies

We used this YouTube video for Riley as a puppy to teach her bite inhibition and it was a HUGE help for us. Ian Dunbar has a great approach to dog training and I recommend you check out his other videos on YouTube.

February 20, 2012

Half Moon Bay - 2/20

Today is Riley's 6 month birthday! We went to Half Moon Bay and had an awesome walk down to the beach. There were lots of puppy-friendly dogs for her to play with and those who didn't like puppies very politely told her to leave them alone! She dug in the sand and found her 2nd sand crab. I was amazed to see her chase a water bird... she actually SWAM after it for at least 5 minutes before giving up. This is the first time she's really shown an interest in birds. She was pointing at birds the entire walk, but I wasn't fast enough with the camera to get a good picture. It was a wonderful day and she slept the entire drive home!
Posing for a stick!
"Do I have something on my face?"
I almost got a point here, but she started sniffing a leaf...
Pointing at blackbirds
2nd sand crab Riley has found... she dug so far, she actually hit water.

February 19, 2012

Las Trampas Adventure - 2/18

We went on an awesome hike today through hills, cows, and lots of ticks! Riley thoroughly enjoyed herself & even picked up a hitchhiker on her toe. I picked the nasty little buggar off, but she kept sitting down to lick her paw and cry. We ended up taking turns carrying her for a while and when we set her back down she was feeling a little better.

Thanks Rod for a great hike! :D
Rod takes a turn carrying the princess.
All of the beautiful red dogs lined up for a group shot!
Hunting for...???
We hiked out to the middle hill in the distance.
Dad taking a turn carrying the baby.

February 16, 2012

Dangerous Rocks

Riley was staring at a pile of rocks on her hike today and barking at them... apparently they were quite dangerous and she had to protect Reuben from them.

I think she must have heard something between them... perhaps a snake or small critter? Who knows? :)

February 15, 2012

AKC puppy S.T.A.R.

I'm so proud of our little girl! She passed her AKC puppy S.T.A.R. test last night with flying colors. The trainer even told us she would excel in competitive obedience if we decided to go that route. We are considering it! For now, we have signed her up for the next round of beginner classes. She is technically ready to move to novice beginner, but we still need to work on her focus when she has other dogs distracting her. Plus, she is only 6 months (as of this coming Monday) and we've already advanced her a level when she was supposed to be in puppy classes. The trainer said that if we get part way through the classes and decide she's ready for the next level, we can switch at any time. Our next goal is the Canine Good Citizen test and we're hoping to pass in October when she will be a little over a year old. :D

Here is a picture of her last night after an exhausting day of hiking and obedience class!


February 11, 2012

Time flies

Time flies when you own a Vizsla! I can't believe my little baby girl is going to be 5 & 3/4 months old on Monday. Here are two photos - one from when she was 9 weeks old and one I took today. It's amazing how quickly she's growing up! :D

February 8, 2012

Obedience Class

Riley shocked us last night and turned out to be the star pupil in obedience class. She listened perfectly to all commands and her recall was 100%... even when being called away from visiting with another dog. Her heel was right on target, even when they worked on walking figure eights. I'm just a bit proud that my dog (who is WAY younger than all the others in the class) is doing so well. The trainers even came up to us after class and said Riley was doing "excellent" and had "great focus". We are going to do her "AKC Puppy S.T.A.R." test at her last class in the series next week. Wish us luck! :D

Here is a link to some info about the test, if you're interested: AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy!


Next.... Canine Good Citizen!

February 6, 2012

Rocky Ridge Trail - 2/6

Reuben took Riley on a hike today at their favorite park. He took some beautiful pics this trip. :)

February 5, 2012

More Portraits

I couldn't help but take some more portraits of my beautiful girl today. :)

5 & 1/2 Months

It's hard to believe that as of tomorrow, we will have been V parents for over 3 months! Riley has grown up so much that yesterday & today she was able to keep up with the big dogs on the hikes. :)

February 4, 2012

Diablo Park - 2/4

We went on a hike today with Rod (redbirddog from the forum) and his 2 dogs Bailey & Chloe as well as another V (Toby?) and the people he owns. The dogs had a blast and Riley was fast enough to run with the big dogs! I think we'll definitely be coming back to this park for some more off-leash adventures.

If you go, do check your dog carefully for ticks as cattle frequent the area. We thought Riley hadn't picked up any, but I noticed her fur was stuck up a little in one spot on her neck and sure enough there was one that had already bit down on her! :(