Oh the Irony!!!!

Mothers Day evening we were having a lovely dinner, cooked by my Hubby, at my Mother-in-Law's house.  We even brought out the birthday cake we got for my hubby earlier in the week for dessert.

There Herkimer was, laying down, minding his own business.  He was even off to the side, just like he was supposed to be... when what did I decide to do??  Walk over him to get to my seat and a piece of cake.

As I brought my second foot (the right one) over Herkimer, the toe of my sock got caught in the zipper of his vest pocket.  I lost my balance (which I don't have much of to begin with) and went down.  Herkimer didn't attempt to try to get up while I was stepping over him -- again, exactly what he was supposed to do.

So today, after a bunch of x-rays - I have an avulsion fracture of my right big toe!  No wonder it hurt!  And turned a lovely shade of purple!  AND I tore my favorite "Woof" socks!  Sheesh....

I'm just VERY glad Herkimer didn't try to stand up - I don't want to think how THAT would have ended...

Dog = 1; Klutzy Owner = 0

Despite the broken toe, our obedience class went extremely well tonight!  My son joined me and helped work with him -- he did okay (my son that is).  Herk on the other hand was wonderful.  I think he really understood the corrections that the trainer made last week, because we didn't have a single problem with the other dogs.  He would alert to them, but a "Leave it" brought him right back.  Herkimer breezed past the greeting a person with a dog and the loose leash activity.  We even walked out together (him and I), past the dogs from class and the ones waiting in the store front - without an incident!  Whoo Hoo!

By no means is this problem fixed.  But he knows what he is supposed to do, so that makes it easier to move up to stronger distractions and meeting dogs outside class.  And that is what I'm doing later in the week.  I'm taking Herk to the puppy class (by the same trainer) during the socialization part.  And I have a couple friends lined up to work on the meeting part with different dogs.

It really is amazing how much difference a structured obedience class makes!  The progress, not only Herkimer has made, but the other dogs as well!

Before the toe incident, we also started taking him out to public places (where dogs are not likely to be) and started practicing.  He was overly distracted but followed commands very well.  His biggest problem came when we stopped to talk to someone, look at merchandise or pay at the register.  He lost his focus and roamed around too much.  But what do they say??? Practice, practice, practice.  He will never relax in a new place if I don't keep taking him out.

Progress is a beautiful thing!

Oh -- and he didn't eat anything in the house today!  (granted, I was home by 12:30 because of my toe - but I'll take any progress in THAT department).

Ahhhh... separation anxiety

Is so much fun to deal with!  NOT!  We have to start all over with crate training... and we have renamed Herk to Herkimer Houdini!  I honestly don't know how he got out of the crate earlier in the week - the one space he created doesn't look even remotely close enough to big enough for him to squeeze through.

So, for safety sake (his) we've been letting him stay outside the crate during the day while we are at work.  However, his love for chewing things is getting costly!  I need to replace my 4th heating pad now.  My favorite bedspread (an antique quilt) is shredded - as is a set of sheets, bed ruffle and actually the bed, the door to the bedroom needs painting, our one window shade has got... ahem... a few marks in it and we've lost countless socks, underwear and shoes.  Whooo boy!  I know I'm missing things, but it's better to forget...

Good thing he is so darn cute and the fact that he loves me best, makes it easier.  Also, I love reminding my husband that part of the problem is HIS fault - because he didn't follow my directions regarding the crate while I was away at Scout Camp, and subsequently Herkimer got out a few times -- and as most doggie owners know that once they figure something out, they just try harder each time...

Anyway - he is doing GREAT on his obedience training!  He understands the "look" command, which is used to keep his attention on me -- and he improves daily on actually following it as I increase the distractions while training.  His sitz, plotz and hier (sit, down, come) are almost perfectly consistent and I'm getting a pretty good distance between us and he holds those positions.  WHOO HOO!

We are now going to start taking him into places, like stores, since his response to commands are so good.  I have to avoid anyplace that may have dogs because that is still a problem for him.  We have been working on that really hard, and during class he is getting much better -- but I just don't have the strength to make a proper correction when he spontaneously lunges at another dog.  Aja, the trainer, has taken him a few times and worked with him in class and then he responds better for me -- but since I can't take Aja with me everywhere I go... we need to find another way.

So, instead of buying the flash for my camera that I was going to get - I'm getting a professional E-Collar for Herkimer.  That way my correction along with a proper E-Collar correction will get the same results and should hopefully get us through this issue.  Aja will work with me on it once it comes in.  We only have a few weeks before the class is over and we need to test for the Canine Good Citizen test -- the one thing I'm worried about is meeting dogs without reacting.  Keep your fingers, and paws crossed that we can work this one out....

Once we cross that HUGE barrier (the being friendly with other doggie issue), we won't have to worry as much about leaving him alone at home - because then he can start coming with me every time we go out.  Work is the only issue -- until the medical group that shares our office space moves, there is no place for Herkimer to be in the office.  He can't be in the way of patients and that's exactly where he would be --- BUT, they are working on moving and then I'll have an office!

Progress is a beautiful thing....

Excuses...

as to why I haven't posted!  I was sick and then I got BUSY with Scouts... we have had two obedience classes since last post, and we are making progress.

He did great tonight even without actually working with Herkimer this week, since I was up at camp for a Scout Leader training.  (WOW, was that fun - exhausting! but FUN).

When I get myself caught up a tad - and I can actually find my dining room table... I'll post more!

Cheers