And.... We're Baaaaack! Not-so-Wordless Wednesday

It's been so long since I've sat at a computer and opened up Blogger... and I feel so guilty. I think that guilt was part of why I haven't been on here in so long. I didn't want to admit it had been as long as it has.

But back in May I bought my 2015 BlogPaws ticket for Olivia and I and the other day I told myself I'd have to sell that ticket if I didn't get back to blogging. So here I am. Let me tell you about what we've been up too since... July.

I got a job. My first adult job since graduating college... my first job...ever. I'm the assistant to the executive director at my town's Downtown Development Association. Although having a job was something I was striving for, turned my life on its head. To be honest I'm still trying to fit everything I need to do into my days, especially as it gets dark earlier and earlier.

When I got my job the thing I felt worst about was leaving Olivia every morning to go to work.

I've learned a lot so far. I've had to step outside my comfort zone. I've met so so so many people. I had to figure out how to take minutes and type them up after our monthly board meetings. I learned how to use a dial-up credit card machine. I now know my town's Downtown area better than I could've ever hoped.

Unfortunately, one of the things that got cut when I'd get home from work, ride my horse, eat dinner, and crash for the day was this blog. But it never stopped nagging at me.... write me. Write me. C'mon, one paragraph and a couple of photos.... you know you want to. and I did want to! But I was just so tired that it never got done.

My pet crafting business has gotten a bit of a lift off. I sold my first item on Etsy (a Boston Terrier pin. A woman bought it for her daughter for a Christmas gift). And a new dog boutique, Downtown Dog, opened up Downtown and I spend a lot of time there. They are super nice and even bought some of my dog tutus to sell in the store!

Since July Olivia took another class at Petsmart. A trick class. She learned to roll over and stuff like that. the funniest thing that she learned, or actually taught herself, was to jump up on the stools... but we had her jump on and off the stool through her hoop.... while wearing her tutu.

We went to the local SPCA's Bark-a-Rita Ville fundraiser which was a lot of fun (last year it rained and we didn't stay long). There was food and beverages, music, and an awareness walk. Olivia spent the evening eating dropped snacks off the ground and thoroughly enjoyed herself. I wore a purple wig and Olivia had bat wings on.. .and surprise! We ended up on the front of the Sunday paper the next day.

For Halloween Olivia and I had matching Steampunk costumes, both made by my wonderful mom. Brian had a few Steampunk accessories to go with us. We won third place at Downtown Dogs' costume contest, ate snacks, had our photo taken, and received tasty looking dog cookies.

I'm excited to be back blogging. I really have missed it. I can't wait to re-connect with everyone!

Olivia Graduated [AGAIN]!

Olivia has officially graduated from all the classes that Petsmart has to offer us. Yay, Livie!

She doesn't do everything perfectly, but I now have the tools and know how to continue working with her. I hope to take her to some sort of agility class next, however, she does seem to be entering into her teenage stage and she is being a little bit rebellious and totally dislikes and tries to avoid any form of control over her. Debra, our Petsmart trainer, tells me this should pass around Olivia's second birthday. Wonderful. Just one year, four months to go then! *rolls eyes*

Olivia graduated last night with a very feisty little Schnauzer named Sophie and a big eight month old Doberman named Harvey. Harvey doesn't have small dog siblings and find their small size to be a bit unnerving it seems. But Harvey seems to have taken a liking to Olivia and the two actually played a bit last night.

Mommy's little graduate :)

the graduates together (L->R: Harvey, Olivia, and Sophie)

Olivia and Harvey playing together

Another Fun Day

Yesterday I spent my morning like I bet most people are these last few days leading up to Christmas. I was shopping. For my mom. My mom has accumulated a lot of knick knacks over the 30-40 years and I'm sure a lot of them are gifts I picked for her. This year I wanted to give her something she would actually use and enjoy and was having a hard time. I ended up getting her software for her one sewing machine (she loves to sew). But after witnessing some truly spectacular grid-lock and the best *cough* sarcasm *cough* driving I've ever seen, I was ready to unwind. That morning I'd promised to take Olivia to the park and I planned to make good on that promise.

I went home to get her and headed back out to town. I'm not sure our walk was relaxing... Olivia was trotting along cheerfully which forced me to power walk, but we had fun together. She found a stick (she loves sticks) and really enjoyed sniffing out all the smells. I had a good time watching her enjoy the park so much. This all caused me to come up with an early New Year's Resolution:

To take Olivia out for walks at the park, etc. more often.

It's not something I really think of because Olivia and Fern get so much exercise running around our farm. Unlike a lot of dog owners, I can just open the back door and let them run free instead of having to walk them every time they have to go potty. But it's not about exercise. It's about spending time with my little Olivia, putting the phone away (except to take photos), and enjoying being outside playing together.

After the park we headed to Petsmart to make up the first two classes of the Advanced class that we missed. Olivia's trainer was so excited to see her, and Olivia was excited to see Debra as well! We worked on sitting when meeting a friendly stranger, loose leash walking going into heel, waving, and touch. We go back on Friday for week three and Olivia FINALLY will get to meet her classmates.

happy to be back in class

Last night after we got home and took care of the horses my parents, Olivia, and I (Brian's in NJ for work) went to the local five star hotel for the Christmas caroling party (they allow well behaved dogs in the hotel bar/lobby/lounge). Olivia wore her Christmas dress and got to have her photo taken (again) with Santa. Everyone fawned over her and everyone wanted to tell me how their sister's boyfriend's great aunt's nephew's uncle has/had/is getting a Boston. It's so funny to me that it seems every where I go with Olivia some stranger(s) comes up to me to tell me about their experience with Bostons (or sometimes with Frenchies). We had a great time, although my arms did hurt a bit from holding Olivia all night. There were a lot of people and I didn't want to risk her getting stepped on but she was also tired. Olivia weighs a whopping 15.8 lbs now!

Heel means... what?

Last thursday at the first session of Olivia's Intermediate class at Petsmart we did "sit with distractions" and step 1 of "heel". Everyone did well with the "sit" but no one quite got the "heel". In Puppy class the dogs were taught to sit in front of us. So naturally every time I would stop walking, Olivia would shoot out in front of me and sit. I would guide her back to my side, have her sit, and take off again telling her "heel". Then the next time I stop, same thing. It was frustrating. She was confused. I was glad when it was time to go home.

So I haven't practiced until today with it because I was dreading it. But it didn't go so badly as we tromped around the kitchen island. This time I kept the treats next to my thigh to keep her next to me instead of out in front. This helped keep her there when I stopped too. Definitely need more practice, for both of us.

Mommy's Little Graduate

So... as you may remember from my wordless wednesday post, Olivia graduated from puppy class! WOOHOO! I put her in her fanciest party dress and my mom and I attached a silvery, glittery, graduation cap hair clip (left over from my graduation in May) to an elastic and Olivia dutifully wore it on her head. All the other pups came in their birthday suits and so Olivia really stole the show. The new class that had their first day right before our class began really got a kick out of her too :)

Olivia and I are already starting the Intermediate class on October 2!

(When I get my hands on my dad's camera chip I'll post some more grad photos)

The Graduate!

... and her "diploma"...

... and the Graduate with her proud mommy!

One more week until graduation!

So last night was Olivia's last puppy class before graduation next week! I'm such a proud mommy! These past five weeks have gone by so fast and I feel like Olivia has really made progress. She was so shy when it started and now she loves another puppy she was once afraid of. She has really come out of her shell in social situations with other dogs. I was so pleased last night when her trainer looked at me and said that Olivia is the smartes Boston Terrier she's ever worked with and that Olivia must have very good blood lines. What a compliment! This week we learned "stay" and "shake (hands)". Olivia picked it up soooo quickly!

Look at these silly puppies playing! (Olivia and 

Piper)

Mommy's Little Super Star

Without fail Olivia always ends up being the star of puppy class. She ends up doing something to call attention to herself and then everyone "aw"'s and compliments her. That's not to say the other dogs aren't cute by any means, but they just don't have as big a personality as Olivia does. At last night's class she was giving all the boy dogs kisses.

What I just don't get is why she's so good and obedient there and then I get her home and it's like she sticks her fingers in her ears and goes "I'm not listening lalalala" and continues doing what she wants. Especially when I call her, which she is getting a little better about, but still she likes to play 'you can't catch me'. When she's out in the barn with me I never have her loose around the horses but still someday there may come a day when she is I need to get her fast... I guess we just have to keep working on it. *sigh* lol.

Olivia at Puppy Class waiting for her turn

Olivia, the trainer Debra, and I

practicing come when called and sitting when Olivia arrives at my feet

good girl, sit!

Leave it! Drop it!

Last week Olivia learned "leave it" "drop it" and "down" (as in lay down). Olivia learned to leave and drop it using food and I was so shocked that she actually left it or dropped it because of how absolutely food driven she is. And I was soooo proud because she was the only puppy who actually would do "down". What a good girl! We also got Olivia signed up for the intermediate level classes starting in October after her puppy class ends. So that will be exciting.

We've been swamped with house guests on and off for a week now and I tell you, Olivia has never met a stranger. She loves everyone who comes in here, shaking her butt and wiggling, sometimes giving a little bark. I don't think we've met anyone who doesn't like her too. Haha. No one can resist that little squishy face and those big bulgy eyes of hers.

I can't believe how much I love this little thing. She's just so flippin' cute. She's my almost constant companion, my black and white shadow. I hate that she's getting so big! I wish she'd stay is size (roughly 9 lbs) forever. But she won't and that's ok too lol.

More on puppy class and puppy tricks

I think Olivia loves going to her puppy class. This week she was playing with that same golden puppy from the orientation class I took her to two weeks ago. They had so much fun pinning each other and rolling around! It's week we learned how to walk loosely on the leash and "come". I've been dill evenly working on "come" ever since and don't go anywhere without my handy-dandy clicker or ziplock full of puppy training treats (I really like the Blue Buffalo Bits. They're the perfect size and Olivia loves them). As long as she's getting a treat, she comes running when called. Of course, like most dogs who are food driven, she knows when I don't have the treat bag and then ignores me.

Last night I put Olivia in the bigger crate we have (still small enough for potty training purposes but gives her a little more room than the other one) because she is now taller than her first crate and longer than it as well. My cat insisted on peering at Olivia though the side holes because I have the front gate covered for this specific reason and made Olivia whine. Good thing it was time to get up anyway.

Right now Olivia is sitting in her bed (big enough for at least ten of her) that she stole from our other bigger dog. She has a bunch of her toys piled up and is sitting on them. She looks super cute.

Puppy Class and Rainy Days

So Wednesday Olivia went to her first Puppy Class at my local Petsmart. She is such a smart cookie! Every time she heard the clicker she'd look around for her treat even when it wasn't me clicking. There are four other dogs in her class of varying shapes and sizes. A Yorkie mix (maybe part Schnauzer) named Kenny took a liking to Olivia right away, which was cute. He kept trying to come over and say hi!!!!!

Of course my little monster had to tell everyone who was boss and sat and barked at her classmates in a general way (she wasn't barking at anyone in particular). Her classmate's parents were amused by her very large attitude (which is one of the things I love about her, she's a little dog with a big dog's personality). She did her "watch me" "sit" and "release" commands like a little champ. My mom told me if this class goes well I should also take Olivia to the Intermediate and Advanced classes. I agree. A well-behaved obedient dog is also usually a safer dog for it. I'd also love to do agility with Olivia. She loves the crinkle tunnel I have for my cat ( she goes through it as well as jumps it) and she loves to jump over things and climb the barriers we set up for her. But in order to be good at agility she has to also be good at taking cues from yours truly.

Apparently next week she will learn to walk on a loose leash and sit politely for a greeting. The trainer also said that although it's not in Petsmart's curriculum until week four, she would teach us "come" because of how important a command that is. Why Petsmart doesn't realize this, I'm not quite sure, but "come" will be greatly appreciated here at my house especially because one of Olivia's favorite games to play is you can't catch me! Ha ha!

Yesterday my mom and I did something we should've on day one of bringing Olivia into the house, better late than never. We pulled up all the rugs and blocked the doorways from the kitchen to the rest of the house. This way Olivia has more freedom (spends less time leashed inside) and she's definitely happier for it.

Today it's monsooning and everything is flooded at our house. Olivia is not too keen on rain this heavy or our lawn when it becomes a lake. I have this really cute little rain coat for her that is red with white polka-dots (think Minnie Mouse). She's so adorable in it I can hardly stand it. Her butt sort of hangs out the back because it isn't quite long enough, but at least it keeps some of her dry! When she comes in I dry her off with our "froggy" towel. It's like one of those hooded toddler towels, it's a frog, but I bought it from an online dog boutique for our other dog, Fern. So now Fern and Olivia share it.

Hopefully the rain lets up sooner than later, although the weatherman predicts it for the next four days :/ Looks like I'll be creating new games for Olivia to help get rid of some of that energy...

Puppy Orientation Class

Olivia has gotten so big since I first got her. She seems like she may be ten times that size (maybe not, but she has grown). She three months old now, has the appropriate shots, and is signed up for Puppy Class at the local Petsmart (I'm really quite excited about it). This past saturday my fiancee and I took Olivia to the Puppy Orientation class that is held every saturday. One other puppy showed up for it and it was a really good socialization experience for Olivia. She tends to be shy around other dogs so letting her get used to the Petsmart obedience class area without the chaos of a lot of other dogs was really great. The other puppy was an 8 week old Golden Retriever and he was really cute. But as I expected, Olivia thought that hiding behind my or Brian's legs was a better alternative to having to be social.

The trainer went over all the usual puppy things, potty training, biting, crate training, handling puppies around small kids, etc. Then she started introducing the two puppies to clicker training.I'd already started a little bit at home with Olivia by clicking the clicker and giving her a treat without asking anything of her so she could learn what the clicker means: TREATS! After doing this same thing with Olivia and the Golden, the trainer moved on to actual obedience tricks. She did it with Olivia first and started with "watch me" to get Olivia to make eye contact with her, then moved on to "sit" and "release" (get up out of sit). Olivia, being the little treat monger that she is, was very enthusiastic to figure out what was needed in order to receive a reward. I was so proud of her (like any parent is when their child shows up all the other little kids). The Golden puppy being much younger than Olivia and only just introduced to the clicker was a little slower, but he did begin to catch on towards the end.

These three commands are what Olivia will learn on Wednesday at her first Puppy Class, and I've been working with her at home to continue learning them. Of course, she is more interested in biting my finger off trying to get the snack than she is in "watch[ing] me" so it's a little more challenging than it looked on saturday with the trainer, but we're getting there. I think it's kinda cool that she's old enough to do these sorts of activities now, makes her feel more like a grown up :)