What Did You Do With Your Dog(s) Today?

Today we went to the park, then we practiced our loose-leash walking, and then drove through Starbucks for a good-girl pup cup. Now we’re fixing to take a Saturday nap. Hope everyone is having a nice weekend!

Ripping it at Binky Lee Preserve in Chester Springs, PA. It was in the 50s today so we’re making good use of it before temps plunge later this week.

Also, here’s a pic from yesterday. Apparently Bitsy’s pup cup was life-changing, and now I can’t have my own Starbucks without her thinking there’s something in there for her; she recognizes the cup. I had to transfer it to a different mug in order to enjoy it without 👀 …

Guess I need to think about what training goal is next as whipped cream has assumed the throne of high-value treats! (Yes, I know it should be given infrequently and in small quantities).

More leash-walking practice for us today. Today and (almost) every day. We did not do it for the last 2 days in the “feels like zero” temps. This is a big area of focus because my goal is for Bitsy so be a “go-anywhere dog” and maybe even therapy some day. She is a curious and confident girl, loves everyone, so we work on engagement with me and we practice loose-leash often. It’s really starting to click now, she turned 10 months old yesterday. We had a great day today, went farther than ever in the neighborhood, passed another dog (on the other side of the street), really good stuff. It’s really exciting when things start to come together and are consistently reliable. Also she looks so cute when she’s out there just bebopping along, tail wagging and having a great time. ❤

Today we used a Mendota dog walker for the first time (you can’t see it under all of the neck hair, and she is also wearing her normal collar for station identification because we are out in public). One of you recommended Mendota (I think Jersey Chris?) on a thread about harnesses. I liked it. May try a slip lead proper next.

I can get a few fingers under the Mendota, and I think that is the proper fit? But I welcome corrections if it should be higher, lower, looser, etc.

Do you guys in the northern Midwest play broomball at all? I knew a guy from Minnesota and he said it was big there. It sounds like a way to be glass-half-full about ice. 🙃

Today we had a play date with my friend’s lovely chocolate lab, who is one month younger than Bitsy. Until recently, there was a size disparity, so we didn’t try play dates. But now they are pretty much even and the girls had a great time. I’m fussy about play dates for Bits. It wasn’t something I scrutinized enough when I first got her, and I made one or two bad matches (not for temperament, for size) until I wised up. Thankfully nothing ever fazed Bitsy, she remains friendly and comfortable and eager to play with others. I was happy to see her have such a great time today!

They were both so muddy but only mine showed it - straight to the shower she went when we got home. Now she’s resting by the fire.

We got out of the house today for the whole morning due to contractors in the house.

Went to the park, did the zooms and made sand angels on the volleyball court, and then finally said hello to our new friend Teddy. I am cautious with to whom we’ll say hello but Teddy’s owner is really nice and responsible (we speak from afar) and I love how he always says, “I know you’re training, let us know if you ever want to say hello.” So today we said hello. Teddy is 13 and very nonchalant. Bits was boisterous but settled and agreed to just stare at him lovingly.

Then we went to the pet store and Bits got to shop for her own bully sticks. We go everywhere that is outdoors, I realized, and we need more indoor activities. She was a little spooky in the pet store but some delicious ham and taking it slowly made it ok.

I was so excited that I got this pic of my gorgeous girl until I zoomed in on it and see that there’s a huge snot rocket across her snout. 😂 I also took some glamour shots from the other side but the snot rocket was really impressive on that side, too.





Sweet boy Teddy is a cool customer.

Yesterday we went to the park and Bitsy found a children’s riding crop, which is so odd because there would never be any horses at this particular park but whatever - we love collecting garbage so that’s what we did!

Then I had a meeting in the afternoon and I got some help picking out an outfit. No dogs allowed at the meeting, at least not yet (but give me time, lol) so she had to stay home.

Preparing to entertain today so no outings. Played in our own yard. Bitsy found the head of a rodent. I noticed this because she took a dive and was rolling vigorously at the edge of our meadow. This is only for dead things or excrement. I guess I was glad it was a dead thing? Better than a whole bath? Anyway, I traded her for a fake rodent which she thought was ok, but not as deliciously smelly as the real one, which my husband tossed over the fenceline. He is always throwing away the most delicious things!

Now she’s inside literally drooling at the birds in the yard while I cook.

Bitsy is having a great week. On Monday she had a play date with her new best friend, Perry, the chocolate lab who is her same age and size. Then yesterday our neighbor’s sweet and gentle senior dog Kingston was waiting at the gate of our fence after helping to get the mail. He is such a nice boy. Bitsy is so boisterous, but he’s tolerant, and we monitor to make sure he’s not bothered by her, and that it doesn’t turn negative. He has waited at the gate two days in a row so we gather that he likes it! He also is tremendously faster than her - he must have some sighthound in there somewhere - and when he wants to he can turn on his afterburners and leave her in the dust! I’m glad that she’s getting socialization with dogs I know, like, and trust. I think it’s very good for her.

Bath day. And sulking about it! 😂

We have two choices in greater Philadelphia today: Rain in the am or high winds after noon. We chose rain. In hindsight, it was a real junior varsity move to give Bits a bath yesterday! I wasn’t watching the weather this week. She loves to splash in all of the puddles. I could prevent this, but I don’t, because I like to let her be a dog’s dog. It’s just dirt and mud, it won’t hurt anybody. She has the best time!