Gibson Therapy

Gibson is not enjoying himself at shows at all and we're scratching our heads as to why. Last week, the judge told me to "work with him!" and that was why he went reserve. The previous week the judge said he was shy and to get him out more. If only these judges knew how much I am trying to get him out and over his phobias! He spends too much time thinking and reacting to new situations, once he's experienced something, he relaxes and is the gorgeous Gibson. Unfortunately, the shows aren't in the same ring every week with the same judge!

Yesterday, I took Gibson with me for errands. I went to work at the library for a little bit, leaving Gibson in the car. As staff came in, they asked me to bring Gibson in so they could meet him--now that would be a good experience, right? Gibson's never been in a library, probably won't be again but still our newly re-modeled and re-opened building has lots of new experiences and smells. It must have been too much for my poor boy, he started shaking then pooped not once but twice on the new carpet!

After making that good first impression and cleaning the carpet, we headed to the Farmer's Market. Gibson got lots of attention and petting. He was interested in sneaking some cheese samples and nosed at a couple of vegetable displays. It seemed like he was relaxed and that this was good for him. But, then we came to a vendor selling flute-like instruments. The man had been playing one, I thought it was nice and Gibson didn't seem concerned about it when we were a couple of stalls away. Once we got in front of the vendor, Gibson decided it was horrible and started barking at the vendor, then stood in front of people trying to walk by and blocking their path! It seemed he was trying to drive away business! I had to drag him away and couldn't shop in that area.

Our final stop was the dog park. Gibson enjoyed playing with the basset hounds but didn't understand why they kept barking at him. Most of the dogs at the park were finishing up their play time and we didn't stay long. Gibson was relaxed on the way home--or maybe he was just exhausted.

Today is sister time at Casanel and Gibson will go, too. Then I'll know if yesterday's efforts were productive or not!

Why Do I Put Myself Through These Things???

Today was vet day for Phoebe and Dixie. All went well until we actually got to the office (meaning, the drive to Leesburg was uneventful). I got the two girls out of the car and spent a minute or two talking to a bicyclist who was especially admiring of Phoebe, even though she's so naked she looks mangy. Our latest efforts to glue Dixie's ears in place left spots of glue in places other than her ears and the bicyclist said she looked "like she's got snot all over her head". After that compliment, I headed into the office. I thought Dixie was remarkably well behaved, not pulling on the leash at all and told her so. She didn't hear me as she had slipped her head out of her collar and was running towards another admirer! Dr. Pease had also just arrived so he scooped up the escapee for me. Once inside, I fixed Dixie's collar and thought all would be fine. Phoebe started barking at the other patients, and Dixie tried running back outside, bouncing off the glass door (she really is smarter than that, honest!)

Dr. Conway had the pleasure of the exam. Phoebe was great, is in good weight and health. Dixie weighs 26 pounds now--or maybe 32, or maybe 24. She wouldn't hold still on the scale! "She's very active" Dr. Conway observed and also said she has lots of personality. Dixie was good for her exam and shots, although she did have to jump up to see what was on the surface of the corner cabinet and there was an unfortunate moment when she snapped at her mother over a treat. Phoebe was such a model patient that the clinic staff think Dixie's bad ways must come from her father! I let them know Phoebe is no saint and that Danny is known as "the good dog". While I was paying the bill, Dixie went around the desk, angling for more treats and jumping up to see what Sue was doing.

After that, I did a couple of errands. By the time I got to Home Depot, I thought it was getting too hot to leave the dogs in the car and there is no shade in the store's parking lot. Against my better judgment, I took both the girls in the store with me. I plunked Dixie down into a cart but even that made shopping hard. Phoebe was very determined to go down certain aisles while Dixie was as determined to get out of the cart. But then, the other shoppers started to notice I had a puppy in my cart and started coming over to pet her. Phoebe wasn't getting any attention! Of course, that didn't go over well at all with her and she started getting stubborn about finishing our shopping and walking to the checkout.

We finally got back to the car and Dixie had had enough, too. When I opened the back of the Sequoia, Dixie jumped from the cart into her crate! Phoebe was too irked to even consider hopping up and I had to lift her into the back.

From the show front, Gibson is driving Ellen crazy! Last week-end, he stressed over being on the grooming table and kept backing away from the judge. Ellen kept him out of a couple of the shows as he was just too tense. Today went better, Gibson took reserve and even wagged his tail a few times while in the ring. I may handle him the next two days, to see if that helps his ring jitters. The "fun" of dogs, indeed!

The Beer Hunter

We had a party last week-end to celebrate Father's Day and my parents' 62nd wedding anniversary. Even with three family members and their subsequent spouses and offspring missing, we had a pretty fully house with people on the porch, the deck and downstairs. Someone must have lost track of their beverage while watching the ball game--Dixie found an unopened bottle of beer by a chair! She knocked it over--fortunately, it didn't break on the tile floor--then stepped back and looked at me. She looked like one of the hunting breeds pointing out the prey! Could she have another career besides show dog and brood bitch?

Maryland Blue Crab Cluster Shows

After a pretty long break, Gibson is back in the show ring this week-end in Bel Alton, MD. I really hope he does well and is ready for his first majors next week-end at Howard County. He could be our first home bred champion! It would be so special if it happened the same week-end my renovated library opens.

Gibson has matured in many ways, but is still uncomfortable on the grooming table, absolutely hates the dryer and having his nails done. Ellen said this week-end would also be therapy work to get over those issues!

Taking Gibson to Ellen was a long, slow process. I had been warned that traffic on 495 North was horrible on Thursdays and indeed it was! Gibson laid up against the side of the wire crate for the full two hour and 15 minute trip. When he got out, he had "stripes" against his one side--he looked like a tiger!

What a Dog!

I think I've seen this duo a time or two on Route 7!

www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/21/AR2009062101799.html?nav=hcmoduletmv

Changes Coming

Since our kennel has a Facebook page, I'm going to simplify our blogs instead of doing away with them completely. Soon, I'll change the name of this blog to HillcroftCollies.blogspot.com and try to merge Phoebe's puppy blog into this one. If that doesn't work, I'll just leave Phoebe's blog inactive and put Dixie's updates on this blog--just all the past posts won't be in one spot.

Jewel's Day Out

Last week, we took Jewel out for a day by herself. She had been acting rather mopey, maybe because Sadie was gone or maybe she just knows how to get extra attention!
First stop was the new Leesburg Dog Park. We had never been to a dog park before and didn't know what to expect. We did expect Jewel to interact with the other dogs, to run and play like she does at home--wrong!! She acted as if the other dogs were beneath her so they quickly decided she wouldn't play. Jewel would only walk along the fence, then just stand and look desolate. She'd go up to any person who was still, leaning against them and staring into their face as if to say "I've been dumped here, would you like to take me home"? Once, she actually got out of the main play area when someone was leaving. I ran behind her, calling her name, but she just ignored me and acted like she had never seen me before! She did enjoy being with some children, trying out every dog's water bowl and actually acted like she would play with one dog but as she had not made a good first impression, the other dog wasn't interested.
We decided to go for lunch and took Jewel to Doner Bistro. She didn't want the bone I had brought along for her, although she would eat some of our french fries. She crawled under the table so she didn't get much attention from other diners.
Our last stop was Home Depot to buy a new grill. By now, Jewel had had it with getting in and out of the truck and walking in the heat. Every time I stopped, she'd lay down and refused to move. The other grill shopper was good tempered about it, stepping over her and saying he wasn't interested in the grill she was blocking, anyway. At the checkout, which took longer than it should have, she flopped down and stretched out on her side, refusing to make eye contact with anyone! For some reason, the other shoppers and store personnel took this as a sign of her good temperament instead of her sudden transformation into a stubborn mule--which I thought she was as we tried to get her to get up so we could take our new purchase home!