More teething, field time

Teething continues, Saturday morning I was able to retrieve another tooth from Swing.  Not one of the big molars, but a molar nonetheless.  It was obvious that she wasn't feeling too good after an afternoon playing with Hank and doing a little puppy agility training.  When we got home she wasn't too interested in her supper but instead she headed to that nice donut bed of hers.  She snoozed until early evening and then she finally decided to eat some of her supper.  Sunday morning she was her chipper self and that made me happy.

After agility training on Saturday we pulled the pups out of the xpen to let them run around and stretch their legs, and take advantage of having the equipment to ourselves.  We called the pups over the jump bumps (plastic gutters) and had them racing through the tunnels, which were curved or had a 90 degree bend in them.  Swing took it upon herself to step up on the teeter and she was rewarded for having her back feet on the bottom of the plank in the contact area.  All I really wanted her to do was step up on it, turn around and then step her front feet off and leave her back feet on.  That happened twice and just as I commented that I was wondering when one of them would actually do the teeter, Swing walked right up the plank!  Thank goodness Howard and I were both in position, I caught the board as it tilted and Howard rewarded her when she was on the other end and the board was on the ground.  I seem to remember a Grayhart dog doing something similar when she was a pup, right Linda?  Anyway, she negotiated the obstacle about a half a dozen times without any prompting from me.  Now not to worry, she was totally supervised and rather than discourage her from doing it (and potentially creating problems down the road) I chose to run with it and reward the behavior that was offered.  I would not ask her to do the teeter as she is still developing and I will not chance her scaring or hurting herself.  Swing has been encouraged to offer behaviors and I think that is a key component in having a dog that wants to perform.  Yes, sometimes she does things I would not like her to do (like walk along the top of the couch and jump down off of it) and those behaviors are not rewarded.  I will do my darnedest to keep her safe while building her confidence in herself and her environment.

One thing I have found that does not thrill her is bird work.  She may be a late bloomer or she may not see the excitement in a bird.  Last weekend I showed her a dead bird and she was a bit hesitant about approaching it and after a quick sniff or two she was done.  She was more interested in socializing with the people than looking at that bird.  So maybe she'll change her mind when she is older and maybe not.  It is all good regardless, field work is low on our priority list.  Now Dodge is another story...

We are taking it easy this week since her mouth is sensitive.  I checked it and she does not have her lower canine that was dying as a result of the face plant she took a number of weeks ago.  I'm hoping the replacement tooth comes in just fine, as of now I do not see it breaking through the gum but the fact that she continues to suck on her gums tells me that there is a lot going on in that little mouth that I can't see.  I will tell you that her front teeth, upper and lower, are in and she takes great delight in leaving little nibble marks on my arms with them!

It's suppose to get a little wet and chilly later this week so I'll close with some shots of the gang enjoying the sun when Hank was visiting.  I only have one window where we get that nice sunbeam and as you can see, everyone crowds in there to get a piece of it.

 The bobsy twins

 The whole gang (Dirk is hidden behind Dodge, Swing on couch, Hank on floor)

 Swing close up

Hank relaxing