First Conformation Class

Yesterday I took Gibbs to our first conformation class. It was so much fun, I think I've been bitten by the show bug already. The class was 2 hours long, but it was so informative and a good experience for us both.

My little guy just loves food... bait- even better. He was incredibly good. Didn't mind other dogs crowding him or moving toward him while he was stacked. What a good boy! Our breeder, Anne, was there. She said he is developing nicely and he is quite the mover! YAY! Now, had she told me the total opposite that he wasn't going to make the cut for the ring, I would have been disappointed but wouldn't have gone home to cry. However, hearing that he is looking like a show dog has me on cloud 9. :)

I made show bait that Gibbs absolutely loves. I think that I am going to save it only for handling class and for shows. I want him to be motivated and 'up' when he needs to be. Maybe saving his new favorite tid-bit will do that for us.

Here is the recipe, thanks for a fellow member of GoldenRetrieverForum.com, LibertyMe.

SALMON BROWNIES

These treats are so great for training. They aren't
slippery.
They don't crumble. They toss really nicely.

1-14 ounce
canned salmon drained or 2 cans of tuna packed in water, drained
2 eggs
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 ½ cups of flour (or more as needed to make
stiff dough)


Mix together. Press (or roll) flat on a cookie sheet to
about ¼" thick.
Spraying your hands with Pam® make pressing out much easier
Bake at 250° F for 30 minutes.
Cut into ¼" cubes and refrigerate or
freeze.


These freeze really well....however they must be used within
a day or two after thawing as they will spoil.

Ought-Oh

Daddy and Mommy took me to the park on Sunday. We had a great time running through the snow and playing. Daddy is so much fun, he lets me chase him and tackle. On Sunday, Daddy took his gloves off because they got wet and he was rough-housing with me and off flew his wedding ring....right into all of that snow! We couldn't find it anywhere. Believe me, I helped dig lots of holes in the snow! It's 5-6 inches deep, you know! Last night, we went back to the park with this thing that beeps. Beep...Beep...Beep... Mom called it a metal detector. Guess what?! We found Daddy's ring in the first 5 minutes. Lucky us! Good thing I didn't eat it when I saw it in the snow. Woof!

Gibbs

Look Out! Mommy has a new camera!

She keeps sticking this big black box in my face. It sometimes lights up when she does it. I don't really like it, but she makes me look at it. She uses treats sometimes to bribe me... but I like food so it's okay with me!

Mom says that I'm growing up. What do you think?

We Have a Visitor

Abby, our friend's wild and crazy golden-poodle mix has been staying with us. In total, it will be about 4.5 days. I have to tell you, she is so hyper and nuts (and a few bones short of the box if you know what I mean), it makes me so incredibly thankful for Gibbs. I can tell that this little visit is stressful to him. Abby is overbearing and dominant- he never gets a rest. For the first day, things are always ok when Abby comes to visit. They rough house and wrestle and have a great time. The problem is this... she doesn't know when to quit. Gibbs gives all of the correct warning signs. He walks away, he turns around and doesn't make eye contact, but she just doesn't get it. The poor good boy is getting clobbered. Abby has been spending a little more time in her crate just to give Gibbs some peace.

On the brighter side, we're just headed for a walk. I usually allow Gibbs off-leash at this park. Abby honestly doesn't seem to respond to verbal commands. I know that she's been taught, but like I said... she's a few fries short of a Happy Meal. She'll stay on a long line!