FALL MAKES ME FRISKY

Fall is clearly in the air. The aspens and cottonwoods are showing color. I am full of mischief! Must be the cool air.

Kinsey continues to work like a madwoman. Saw, saw, saw. Chop, chop, chop! She's busier than any beaver. I continue my supervisory duties. When not supervising I busy myself chasing squirrels which I have no chance of catching. But, they chirp and I chase.

Speaking of squirrels, they may be busier than Kinsey. If the amount of pine cone workings I see is any indication this is going to be a bigger than normal winter.

Kinsey continues to wonder if I will ever leave puppy hood behind, personally, I have my doubts. It's just too much fun to steal things I shouldn't and chew things I know aren't meant to be chewed. In three days I will be eleven months old so one year is right around the corner. Some days I drive her to distraction and she can be heard mumbling "I'm going to give you to someone who lives in an apartment and works all day. See how you like that!" It does give me a wee moment of pause. But, I know this is an idle threat, she loves me too much. Could you imagine?!

In order to keep her off balance I do things every now and again that make her so proud. For example; the other day a friend came to lunch. We were just coming in from working in the woods as the guest arrived. We both jumped out of Mr. Toad to go and greet her. Naturally, I go there first. Then Kinsey ask me to go back and get the Frisbee. We take a Frisbee along when we work so Kinsey can toss it whilst she works. You'd think I would be plenty occupied by the woods but no I still like to chase my Frisbee.

Anyway, Kinsey says, in off hand way, "Go get the Frisbee out of the car" and returns to greeting her friend. I trot off to the Toad way over in the shed, retrieve it and bring it back to her. Now see, it's things like this that keep me out of that apartment. I'm no dummy. I give her just enough to keep her in love with me. The rest of the time I delight in driving her nuts!

©Kinsey Barnard

Me in Shadow, our little tow car. Noticed how the thing I'm resting on is crooked. I chewed the string that holds it up off so I could stick my head out. Aren't I clever?!

See, even when I'm bad Kinsey can't resist me! Cuz I'm just so cute!

Up periscope. I always like to keep an ear out so as not to miss anything.

MY BAD

My bad. I haven't written on this blog in quite some time.

Summer seems to be a crazy season. So many things to do. Lots of work at the ranch, which bores me spit less but must be done. Lot's of company coming to enjoy marvelous Montana. I love company and meeting new people.

We have been back to the Salish Mountains. We found a trail that Kinsey wants to explore further but we weren't prepared to go so far. If we are going more than an hour out she likes to take a larger pack that has enough on board to spend the night in case of an accident. I'm looking forward to checking this trail out. What we've seen so far has been beautiful.

My training is coming along nicely. I'll probably have my last private lesson next week. The problem I'm having is; when I'm in a classroom I'm good as gold and the instructor is quite impressed with me. But, the second I get out in the forest I go kookoo. So many wonderful scents. I'm like a kid on crack. :)

In sad news; a young (25 years old) photographer Kinsey thought very highly of both as a photographer and general all around good guy passed away. His name was Patrick Orton. He had an incredibly promising career ahead of him. Patrick loved extreme sport photography and had taken some awesome images of people doing crazy things. He liked to do crazy wild things himself. He liked to jump off things and a couple of weeks ago he jumped off a bridge in Sand Point and that was the last thing he did. What a tragedy. Here is some of Patrick's work. PATRICK ORTON

Below are a few recent photos.

This was the view from the trail we found in the Salish Mountains. You can just make out the peaks rising up in Glacier National Park in the far distance.

I am so darned cute!

This is Red Bird one of my favorite toys.

This is Miss Piggy. She is my most favorite toy. It's Kinsey's favorite toy too because instead of that annoying squeak, that I love , it makes a lowing pig sound. Very funny.

©Kinsey Barnard

IT'S WILDFLOWER TIME IN MONTANA

Saturday we took a hike up the Blacktail Trail. The wildflowers are really starting to come out now. I've never experienced them before. They are so pretty!

There isn't all that much to say about the hike except that Kinsey tripped over a branch and nearly wrecked herself. Luckily all she got was a skinned and bruised knee. She refers to these spills as her bone density tests.

The main thing about the hike was all the flowers so pictures were the thing. I think my personal photographer is starting to get her mojo back.

Our favorite photos go into my online gallery. I am providing the links for the next two because they are so much nicer to look at than the ones I can upload to the blog.

MY PORTRAIT with a wildflower background.

MY EYE Kind of an artsy thing Kinsey did of my eye in black and white.

Last but not least, this is what I want for my bumper sticker.

Bye for now.


©Kinsey Barnard

KINSEY BARNARD IS THE WORLD'S BEST PHOTOGRPAHER!

I'm changing my story from that last post "I NEED A NEW PHOTOGRAPHER" . I think it may be a matter of survival.

You'll never guess what Kinsey did to me! She dumped me at the vets. They drugged me. I passed out. The next thing I knew I woke up in a cage with a very bad pain in my tummy! I looked down and someone had shaved me, cut my tummy and stitched it up! The anesthesia made me pop my cookies all over myself. Wow! Am I going to be careful what I say from now on! What a frightening experience. Maybe I was abducted by aliens but I don't think so.

Kinsey has since tried to explain to me what actually happened. It seems I went in for a common procedure called spaying. That's where they remove my baby making parts. I think I'm OK with this because I really am not interested in making babies. I like being an only child.

I'm supposed to be taking it easy for ten days so I don't pop my stitches. That's a way long time. No running or jumping. No being me. This is going to be way boring. The good news is I am not having to wear that mortifying head cone because I have no inclination to lick my incision. There are benefits to being precious.

I'll sure be glad when my time out is over.

©Kinsey Barnard

Precious puppy held captive. Send help!

I'm not supposed to be in this chair.

Under the weather.

Come on let me out. I'll be careful.

I GOT TO GO TO BRITISH COLUMBIA!

One of the very cool things about being a puppy is that just about everything is new to me.

Last week I got my very first trip to British Columbia. Such a trip doesn't require a lot of travel from where I live. In fact, our ranch is only a mile from the border on the Montana side.

Kinsey has this place she really likes to visit on the Bull River. It's called the Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep Project. It was my first time but Kinsey has been coming here for ten years. The Bull river runs through the project and has the most beautiful aqua colored water I have ever seen. Kinsey says this is because the river is fed by glacial waters. The river was low because it's been so cold there hasn't been a lot of melt yet but it was still pretty.

I got to get my feet wet in the river but I was none too happy Kinsey wouldn't let me off my leash. I think she was afraid I would do something stupid like go out too far and get myself washed away.  Anyway, it wasn't nearly as fun as our recent trip to the Koocanusa(see photos)

There is a nice hiking trail in this place so we set off on a walk to see if we could find the sheep. We didn't have to go far before we found them lounging in the sun on the side of a hill. It was probably a good thing I was on a leash because I got a little excited. Kinsey got excited too because there was a ram in amongst the ewes. She's only seen a ram here a couple of times in ten years. Usually, it's just the ewes and frequently it's nobody at all. The sheep just watched us and didn't seem to care much that we were there. They were a little curious about me as I was about them.

After Kinsey took some pictures we took off on the trail and had a good hike. There is still a lot of snow on the Kootenay Rockies. The mountains were very pretty.

I really like this British Columbia place and hope we come back here a lot! I know Kinsey likes it too so I'm betting we will. Yey!

The Bull River

Me in the Bull River

Big Horn Sheep

Ram with his harem

Ewe with her baby.

Big Horn ewes

WATCHING OVER MY DEER FLOCK

We've been very busy here at the ranch. I'm mostly supervising Kinsey's work. I also give her play breaks which we both enjoy. Yesterday we did a bunch of brush burning. I'm not real keen on fire. I'm also not ready to make friends with the four wheeler. I'll keep my own four on the floor thank you very much! We also took the kayak out to the big pond. I thought about trying to hop in the kayak with Kinsey but chickened out.

I'm getting taller, which is really cool. I can reach things on the counters, I'm not supposed to jump on, way better. Growing has it's advantages. I recently snagged a cube of butter. Unfortunately, Kinsey is catching on to my increased stature and is moving things and farther from my reach. I also got a hold of her Kindle. Whoa, that wasn't a good idea.

There are bunches of blacktail and whitetail deer hanging about. Since we don't have any livestock I pretend they are my herd and keep watch over them. I've decided they shouldn't get too near to the house so I push them back sometimes when I think they are too close. But, those dudes are big and sometimes they push back! I nearly got clobbered in the head the other day. This is dangerous work! Below are some photos of me tending my deer flock.

 ©Kinsey Barnard

 

I'M A NAUGHTY PUPPY!

Well, not really. I was such a brat yesterday I thought Kinsey might dis-own me. I mean I was into everything. The best trick I pulled was dumping over the trash can right after she dumped the vacuum dirt in it. I mean there was fine dust everywhere and my little white toes were brown. You shoulda heard her squeal!

I know I'm not supposed to get in the trash but the reaction I got to dumping it was just too delicious. It was so much fun I invented a new game. I go and flip the lid just enough to make a clap and Kinsey comes running. This is so much fun!!!

It was washing the bed sheets day and I really helped out there. (See photos)

Every time Kinsey let me out to get rid of me, there I was right back at the door. No getting rid of this rapscallion. I thought she was going to pop her top. I did qualify for a couple of time outs in the crate. I didn't care though because each time I was ready for a nap anyway. By the time she let me out I was ready to rumble and I did!

Later in the afternoon I did do something Kinsey thought was very special and redeemed myself a little. A bunch of deer showed up. They came to within 15 feet of me and I just sat on the deck steps and watched. I don't know what the big deal was but if she likes it, and treats for it, I'm gonna keep on doing it.

©Kinsey Barnard

Helping make the bed

Getting comfortable on Uncle Koty's couch

More help with the bed making

Proper little herding dog just quietly watching the herd

WATER! WATER! EVERYWHERE!

Kinsey was right. That last storm was winter's swan song. Today was just the nicest spring day anyone could want, sunny and 65 degrees.

It looks like the blacktail deer have finally left for the high country. They have kinda put a crimp in my afternoon frolicking. Kinsey has been afraid to let me loose when they were around and I don't blame her there. Those guys are big and feisty. Today the deer were nowhere in sight so we took off through our woods to check things out. Imagine, I have forty acres to run around on. Eat your hearts out city dudes!

When I first arrived here at Dancing Deer it was winter and I was scared to death of water, keep in mind I was just a puppy. The ponds were partially frozen over and Kinsey was scared to death I'd fall in and drown. By mutual consent we have avoided the ponds. Today we finally checked them out and guess what? I'm not afraid anymore. In fact, I'm liking water more and more. Yippee! This is so great because there are two ponds and streams and creeks and oh my goodness water, water, everywhere. I bet I'll be swimming in those ponds before long. I'm not sure Kinsey is as thrilled by all this as I am.  That pond water is kinda stinky and the bottoms are definitely mucky. Oh, well, that's her problem not mine. It's good to be a dog!

I don't know exactly what I weigh now. I was 25 pounds the last time I was at the vets and that was a couple of weeks ago. I must be growing cuz every morning Kinsey looks at me as sez "I swear you grow in the night!"

©Kinsey Barnard

Playing with the deer in the safety of my enclosure

Pretty much in there

Racing down a hillside after getting the whistle call

Me looking beautiful by the pond

WOW! WE HAD A TON OF SNOW TODAY

We really had a bunch of snow today probably the most since I've lived here. Kinsey says it is winter's swan song. I don't know that she knows what's she's talking about but I do know she's hoping it's true.

Yesterday, I got to ride in the pickup for the first time. I like this a lot better than the Expedition where I have to get in a crate. In the pickup I get to sit up front and look out the windshield. Now that's my idea of stylin'!

Cute me chomping on my soup bone as the snow falls.

Some blacktail deer resting in the snow. I wanted to go see 'em but Kinsey wouldn't let me. :(

Me in the ranch truck. Uh, Kinsey forgot tell me to look at the birdie!

I MADE IT THROUGH THE NIGHT!

Well, this is news. I finally made it through the night without having to go out. This is great news for Kinsey especially since it is the first night in six months she has been able to sleep through the night without interruption. Before I showed up she was having to get up several times in the night to let Uncle Koty out. Koty had Cushing's Disease and couldn't hold his water. Boy, did I get a ton of kisses and good girls. The antibiotics seem to be working real good on my infection.

I have decided to refer to Lakota as Uncle Koty. It looks like I am going to be mentioning him a lot. He seems to be everywhere we go and Kinsey tells me much about him. I can tell her heart is still broken from his passing. I'm not jealous or envious. Because I know that if she loves me only half as much as she loved him I will be the luckiest dog in the whole wide world. She loves me already. I can tell.

Yesterday we hiked way up the Blacktail Trail. On the way Kinsey showed me where Koty died. She has memorialized the spot with a little rock pile. No one but us will ever know what it is.

I distinguished myself on the retractable leash. I've got that down pretty good. I've made mental note of how far out it goes and can gauge pretty good when I'm getting to the end so I can slow down. If I'm getting a little excited and look like I'm going to forget myself Kinsey calls out "Be careful" and I come to my senses and stop before I hit the end. Every now and again I just sit down and wait for her to catch up. That seems to please her so I'll keep that up.

Kinsey bot a whistle for long range recalls. I got it right off the bat and came running the first time she used it. That got me fresh cooked chicken! I spend a lot of time trying to figure out what she wants because when I do I get the best darned treats. Kinsey says we have a lot in common when it comes to food. We both live to eat. Uncle Koty was just the opposite. He ate to live.

We seem to really be hitting our stride and life just keeps getting better and better. I am a very happy puppy.

©Kinsey Barnard

Just discovered Timmy's bed. It's not looking like Timmy will ever make it back home.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

OK, it isn't my real birthday. It's my, I'm four months old birthday. I don't think I'm getting a party or anything. That's fine because it's been pretty much a party since I got here about a month ago. WOW, a month already. It's true, time really does fly when your having fun.

Yesterday, I hijacked this blog from my human. It already seems kind wordy to refer to my human as my human so I'm going to start calling her Kinsey which is her name. I mean no disrespect of course. It just seems simpler. She says it's OK by her.

Kinsey is a nature photographer. I don't really know what that means but I must be nature because, so far, all I've seen her photograph is me. One thing's clear, she really has an eye for beauty. :)

Kinsey is a single person which is turning out to be great. She has nothing better to do than lavish all her love and attention on me. My new home is forty acres of heavenly forest. We walk the property every morning and I get to race around like a tiny black rocket. Excruciatingly fun! Kinsey, has turned out to be my personal treat dispenser so I race around but never too far. When she calls, I come!

We went to the Flathead yesterday. I'm still not crazy about that darned crate. I'll jump right in it but the second I see that door closed I become a brat. Not sure why. I'll probably grow out of it.

Kinsey too me to Petco, where the pets go for my birthday. WOW! Was that ever fun. I instantly forgot every mannerly thing I have learned. I was so excited to see people, other dogs and those smells. Oh, my goodness, those smells. What a fabulous gift that was. I also got a new toy.

Kinsey has been very generous about toys. I've got a box full to choose from. The funny thing is the one she bot me yesterday was the least expensive of them all and I just love the silly thing. It's a tiny little, rubber bear that squeaks. I toss it in the air and throw it around like a kitten playing. Don't know why but I just love the little thing. Kinsey tried to take a picture of me playing with it but I manged to foil her attempts.

For a four month birthday this was a pretty great day!

©Kinsey Barnard

These are MY toys!

My New Favorite Toy

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY

Today I learned to climb up a ramp and into my crate in the truck.

I needed to learn about the ramp because my human's car is an Expedition and so tall I would need a pole to vault up in there without one. Believe me I know. I tried to make the leap and landed in a heap.

Initially my crate was pointed forward through the two center seats. But, after our trip down the mountain the other day, during the POISON SCARE, things have changed. Can't say I'm sorry about this because on the way home the stupid crate tipped over three times! The last time I was upside down with my bedding over my head. I wasn't scared or anything but I was insulted.

Now the crate is lashed down and pointing out the back window. I'm still too short to see much out the window but I don't care I'm just glad I won't be wearing my bedding on my head.

I say I learned this but I only say that to make my human feel good. The minute she pointed to the crate I knew exactly what to do and ran right up the ramp and into the crate. For this I got a great treat.  I did it so many times she ran out of treats . What a gig this is.

My best trick of the day was performed whilst we were playing Frisbee. My human tossed the Frisbee which I dutifully ran and picked up. Half way back I performed a very cool trick that I made up myself. I dropped the Frisbee on the ground upside down. This made a perfect little saucer which I promptly squatted over and piddled in. It must have been a great trick cuz it really got a reaction from my human.

Here's some photos of my cleverness.

There I go right in that dirty beast

Aren't I cute as I await my command to descend?

My human is just tickled pink at my cleverness. More treats for me!

It's tough work being a clever puppy

©Kinsey Barnard

ROUND HOLES AND SQUARE PEGS

A few nights ago, to the horror of professional dog trainers I’m sure, I aborted the crate training exercise of making Molly stay in the crate overnight. It had been almost three weeks and still Molly was screaming her head off and thrashing around in the crate. I did everything by the book. I left her to scream.

Then a few nights ago I woke to her screaming. It was so clear to me that these screams were not those of a spoiled puppy but the primal screams of an incredibly distressed being. I thought I had heard this distress before but people I thought should know kept telling me I was doing the right thing by making her stay in the crate and letting her whine. As I rose from the bed I said to myself “That’s it. We’re going to find another way. Screw the so called experts.”

When I entered the room I was bowled over by the fecal smell. I thought “Oh no! She’s pooped the crate again.” That would make it the third time in 19 nights. When I let her out there was no fecal matter present. We hurried outside and the little girl let fly. She had worked herself into such a frenzy she had given herself diarrhea and somehow held it. What I smelled was her gas.

I created a little corral beside my bed by blocking it off at the end of the bed and the wall. Molly slept there the rest of the night without making a peep. It was the best night’s rest either of us had had.

Molly is sleeping in her corral. I am sleeping in my bed. Molly gets up, moves around and paws the barrier if she needs to go out. No more whining. No more screaming. She seems happier and more trusting all the way round. I know I am. Also, worthy of note, she hasn’t had an accident in the house since she started sleeping with me outside the crate.

We haven’t given up on the crate. We have little exercises throughout the day where she goes in, puts in five quiet minutes and gets to come out. We are building up time gradually. I really have no reason to have her stay in the crate in the house but we are going to master it anyway. I have no idea why Molly has such a manic reaction to the crate in the house. She rides in the crate in the car without protest.

I have always thought of myself as a square peg in a round hole world. My thought process and method of learning has always been very different from most people’s. Because of this I thought I was useless and stupid. I couldn’t get anything. I was a misfit. In high school I was suicidal because of it. It probably didn’t help that my father constantly referred to me as a “dumb bastard.” It turned out that I had an IQ of 149. No genius but certainly not stupid. My mind and reasoning is just different from most people. Unfortunately, ours is a society that is only comfortable with conformity.

It seems to me things are not much different for dogs. The so-called experts say this is the way it’s done and you’ll ruin your dog if you don’t follow the “rules.” I think you have to take professional trainer advice with a grain of salt and do your own thinking. Just like people, all dogs are not round pegs. I think this is especially true of the more intelligent breeds. Australian Shepards are one such breed.

Molly and I will just muddle along, two square pegs together. We are a perfect fit.

©Kinsey Barnard

CAESAR MILAN - I'M NOT IMPRESSED

I'm doing a lot of research on dog training now that I am raising Molly Montana . I remember when I was raising Lakota Sunrise it was not so easy, the research.  Encarta  was still a phenom, especially for those of us raised on the Encyclopedia Britannica. I think my internet browser was Netscape. It took a week and a half to load pages. A lot has changed. Information is at your finger tips at the speed of light.

What I'm about to write will be considered heresy by some I am sure. I have always been very skeptical of so-called "experts". It so often turns out that the only thing they are expert at is parting me  from my money. It can be true in any field where people are holding themselves out as "experts" for hire. Seems like so many are out for the buck.

With National Geographic validating him, Caesar Milan has become a media darling who no doubt has profited greatly. But, watch these videos and decide for yourself if his brand of training is really cutting edge or more of the old archaic way of dominating animals into submission. He plays on the "Horse Whisperer" but I think that's hype. Watch Robert Redford's movie "The Horse Whisperer" to see the difference. Or watch the movie "Buck" the real life whisperer.

Read this article and watch the videos regarding dominance or simply unruly behavior.  If you're like me you will come away thinking that Caesar Milan is out of date and out of touch. I believe in respect not dominance. As a kid I was stubborn and hard headed. I haven't really changed. Those who tried to bend me to their will through fear and domination were able to get me to do things but I had neither love nor respect for them and it made me even more stubborn. We humans are not so different from our pets on an emotional level.

One of the videos shows a scientist who admits to preaching the Alpha dog doctrine but now believes that doctrine is no longer valid. Thank goodness for people who are willing to admit their theories, although seemingly correct at the time, are no longer valid based on new scientific evidence.

I am disappointed in National Geographic for promoting Milan. But so many of my childhood icons have proven to be empty suits manipulating former integrity for monetary gain. Everyone and everything needs to be questioned these days. We aren't in Kansas anymore Dorothy.

©Kinsey Barnard

TIMMY'S GONE MISSING

Last night Timmy didn’t come in at bedtime. He usually hangs out on the deck at night and comes when I call. Last night he didn’t come. That wasn’t entirely unusual. Sometimes he misses the call but I get up later in the night and he’s there at the door waiting to come in.

This morning Molly and I went out for an hour and walked all over. I told Molly to find Timmy and she looked like she was looking. I called and Mollie sniffed and nothing. I went around and opened every outside door looking but no dice. I am very concerned for him because this country is full of predators; mountain lions, bob cats, wolves, coyotes. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. How I would hate to loose our little prince. I keep hoping I’ll look out on the deck and he’ll be there.

Whilst we were out looking for Timmy Molly did something pretty impressive. We came over a little rise and ran into a half dozen blacktail deer. They started to run. Naturally, Molly's instinct was to chase. She started after them but as soon as I said "NO!" she stopped dead in her tracks and looked back at me. I called her and she came. I attribute this amazing feat to focusing on the positive rather than the negative in my training method. I try to set her up for praise as opposed to punishment. Molly doesn't hear the word no all that often.  When she does it's usually a soft "no". I reckon the hard "no" was startling to her and got her attention. Once I've got her attention I've got her. 

Molly got her first ride in the Polaris Ranger 6X6. The Ranger is my main ranch vehicle and the one I put my snowplow on. She sat right beside me and took it all in like it was a carnival fun ride. Actually, I call the vehicle Mr. Toad after the Disneyland ride. What a little doll she is.

Molly is doing much better in the crate at night. Probably because she is now getting crate time during the day as well and her lungs are probably getting a little tired too. I think the reason she has been such a hand full is because at the trainers house she had no discipline at all and she was nearly the last to find a home at 12 weeks. That’s a long time to indulge a free spirit. She went directly from the house, via a doggy door, out into an enclosure to do her business. She was mostly tagging along with the adult dogs. It was just something she did on instinct. Then she got here and some stranger was trying to tell her when and where to do her business. Molly is not a shrinking violet. She dug in her heels. She is an extremely easy going puppy but she's nobody's pushover.

It’s been two weeks now and I think we are both starting to get a better handle on things. Puppy raising isn't for sissies.

©Kinsey Barnard

TODAY'S PHOTOS:

Molly looks for Timmy

Molly get her first ride in the Ranger

MELTING SNOW REVEALS TREASURE

Molly and I have been having a wonderful time roaming the ranch together. At first it was a little difficult for me trust that she just wouldn't start running and never look back. That was Koty's trick. Most dogs, Molly included will give some body language before they take off. Usually, it's the sneak look back over the shoulder to see if anyone is paying attention. Not so Koty. The minute he was aware that he was unencumbered he took off at a dead run without hesitating or looking back. He was driven to run wild and free.

So, I need training just as much as Molly as regards trust issues. I have to learn not to panic when the little monster takes off like a rocket out of my sight. It takes some serious self control for me to keep the voice moderated and not screeching for her to come back.

The recall to a treat has been working very well for us. In fact it has been like magic. But, now the snow is melting and revealing heretofore unknown treasures like Koty's old elk and moose bones and Timmy's poop. Why is it that puppies are crazy for cat poop? When I got Koty I lived in a place with an avocado orchard. Every cat for miles around seemed to use that orchard for their litter box. Koty was obsessed with the stuff. I remember being beside myself with worry until his breeder told me it was just something that puppies do.

The upshot of these treasures turning up is that I am losing Molly's attention. There is no treat made that can compete with cat poop. Game bones are pretty tough competition too.

Speaking of bones, Molly is an passionate bone hider. Shortly after she digs them out of the snow she slinks off and tries to bury them. It's really interesting to watch because the ground is still frozen so digging a hole isn't an option yet. She seems to favor the grass growing around tree trunks. After a little fruitless scratching at the dirt she places the bone close to the trunk and, with her nose, very carefully folds the grass down to cover it. Koty never buried a bone in his life as far as I know.

We are starting to work with a pet training clicker with some good results. The clicker seems to be able to do a better job of breaking through the poop obsession than my calling to her.

©Kinsey Barnard

TODAY'S PUPPY PHOTOS:

Checking out the woodshed

Snow on her nose

Spoiled? Not my dog!

SMALL VICTORIES

In puppy raising, as well as life, you have to take your victories whenever and wherever the gods deem to gift you. Last night Molly and I had a small victory. We still had intermittent whining but we made it though the night with one outing at three. At six we went out and Molly did her business like a pro. No messing in the crate. The ultimate victory will be all of the above without any whining.

No doubt about it, raising a puppy is not for the faint of heart. So far life with Molly has been pretty challenging. There must be a reason 64 year old women can't have children. The good news about puppies; they grow up pretty fast and before long all the puppy problems and challenges are forgotten.

Before Molly goes to meet Koty across that Rainbow Bridge, I could well be 80 years old. I think it's safe to say this will be my last puppy.  At that point I will adopt a more mature dog. I don't see myself without a dog as long as I am capable of being a reliable guardian. Damn, I am one puppy away from old age.

I actually thought I would adopt this time. There are so many good and loving dogs that need a home. In the end I just couldn't resist the puppy challenge. Man am I a glutton for punishment. :)

I have been doing a lot of research on the internet looking for a training program that resonated with me. I think I've found it. It's called The Dog Training Secret. It's a hands off approach based on positive reinforcement. 

Oops! I didn't notice Molly was awake. She made a mistake. She still isn't asking to be let out. She needs to go out whenever she wakes. Molly is like smoke. One minute she's there and the next she has simply disappeared.

Todays' Photos