What are the first 3 words that come to mind when you think of a dog?

Canine Good Citizen

An unexpected twist started my day today as Skyler & I were given another chance to retake the AKC Canine Good Citizen test today. She failed the test the first time thru on the last portion of the last test when after performing a sit with a stay & a down w/ a stay the darn girl wouldn't come when called. At least I knew then that she could hold a command well! Well, today she passed w/ flying colors & I am happy to say so b/c this brings us one step closer to my ultimate goal w/ this girl as becoming an animal assisted therapy dog.
Classes are going well. We're up to 20 command, no dad I'm not going to name them all, but we're moving forward & I can't believe how far we've both come. 4 weeks ago this girl couldn't even sit on command or walk up steps comfortably. I'm amazed at how far everyone in the class has come too. We were told to look around carefully on the first day of class & try & remember what each dog was like on the first day to compare to how far they've come. Amazing stuff. I wouldn't trade this life changing experience for anything else in the world... except for maybe a few more hours of sleep. ;-)
Hope all is well w/ everyone. *muah*

Mid Terms, Doggy Style

Two grueling days of testing are finally over. Yesterday were both of our hands on tests, the practical, which graded my skills as a trainer, and the Canine Good Citizen test, which graded Skyler's skills & manners in certain situations. The CGC came first & Sky-girl failed the test on the last portion of the last test. After being put into a down & then a sit position the dog is to come to the handler when called at about 10 ft away. She refused to leave her position, which tells me I'm atleast doing a good job teaching her to hold her commands, but we still need to work on come. About 4 people in the class passed the CGC this time around. The rest of us will be given another chance to pass it in 3 weeks during the finals. The 2nd hands on test, the practical, was a demonstration of every command up until this point that we have learned; heel, sit from the side, down from the side, down in motion, sit in motion, sit from the front, down from the front, come, stand, stay, finish, square off 90, kennel, & release. All of the mentioned commands have a built in stay until the dog it either released or given a new command. We passed! Then today was the written portion of the exam. I scored a 95 on my breed test, which yes, I'm very upset about. I really wanted to ace that test but I missed 2 obvious breeds & am hoping I answered enough extra credit to get a 100%. Then I spent from 9 am till 2:30pm writing out 22 pages worth of answers to the medical & general training test. I'll get my results back hopefully next week but it may be a little longer. Keep your fingers crossed! Our class also said goodbye to 3 of our classmates that we only enrolled in the 3 week program. We were all sad to say goodbye to Rick, Scott, & Nancy today & I'm going to miss you all along w/ Sugar, Logan, & Roxy! Stay in touch ya'll & let us know how the real world of dog training is going!

Classes are going great! We start on the utility course tomorrow. Skyler is breezing right thru her commands & already has multiple commands on her belt already after only a week. We've still got 2 more commands we're polishing up & then only 2 more to learn for us & then she's thru w/ basic obedience.

First Day of School

Today Skyler & I started taking classes at National K9 Learning Center. It is tradition in out family to take a photo in front of the door w/ our backpacks on on the first day of school in our family. So Skyler & I both donned out packs & smiled pretty before our training.

I was pleasantly surprised to return home from my first day of classes to a beautiful bouquet of flower & a balloon w/ a card w/ my name on it sitting on the kitchen table. Thanks for the flowers Christopher :-)

It's Frozen Over People

For anyone that knows me knows my true feelings on small children & babies. Well, for everyone that knows me knows then that this is blog worthy: today I babysat my 22 month old niece for an entire day, completely by myself. AND I even changed a diaper.

Okay, now pick yourselves up off the floor. It's hard to take in and believe I know, but it's true. hah hah hah. I thought that was blog worthy.

Today's post includes a picture of Emily playing in the pool today which was our favorite activity of the day.

Engagement Photos

2 Saturdays ago I had the privileged of taking my sister and her fiance's engagement photos for their wedding announcements & save the dates. Thought I'd like to share some of the photographs that I've finished editing.