Ups and Downs

I can't even imagine being locked up in a house with a bunch of kids. These dogs are driving me nuts. It's cold and wet outside and I have a lot of work right now. Keeping Shane occupied is a full-time job. Today has been a particularly hard day and I wish I could sit Shane down if front of a video. No agility classes this week either. I'm doomed.

Bought a MannersMinder from a friend and Shane just loves it. He down stays right in front of it and barks if it doesn't deliver the treats in a timely manner.


Not sure what I'll use it for yet. Thought it might help me with contacts, but it's just too big. I'm going to try the timer and see if I can keep him occupied for a while so I can work.

Been watching the In Focus DVDs and am loving them. Crying for Control literally made me cry. It's like they made that video just for me. At the end, the narrator said running a crying-for-control was exhilarating when all goes well and she was right. I've had miserable weekends that ended with one glorious run that wiped out all the bad memories.

I've gradually begun to adjust my expectations. I had such high hopes for Shane, but now I think we are just going to do agility for fun. I'm not sure I have the talent to control him. He turns two on Friday and I thought we'd be a lot further than we are. He's quite a handful. I'll have to check back on this post in another year when Shane turns three. I may be laughing by then.

I did learn one thing today. When the dogs are running around the house like maniacs, turn the video camera on them and they will stop. I tried for an hour to get their antics on tape. No luck.