Cassie - ref 282 - Collie x - approx. 1yr - HOMED

[Indianna]

Time for the 2015 up-date on my life thus far. I have decided (quite recently) that I am in charge of the rest of the pack, including the creature. I have been leading up to this for some time now, doing a lot of barking (mainly) if, as and when the other dogs go to the creature for attention. The creature has finally noticed that I am in charge and I don't think she is too happy about it . Got into a bit of trouble for racing after Nellie last night but she did run passed my bed I think my hope of taking over our world has been damaged beyond repair because I got into a LOT of trouble Was MADE (can you believe it made) to get back into my bed and had to stay there. Every time the other two dogs wandered passed me, the creature gave me such a look I didn't dare tell them off I know that the creature has got something called a book all about training Collies and I suspect she will be applying whatever is in this "book" to me. How tedious, she should just let me be in charge so I can get all the food, beds, toys (I keep them for myself) and attention but I suspect that will not happen Hope she doesn't get me any sheep as I am not too fond of them Anyhoo, I am sure 2015 will be interesting and I will let you all know how we get on. Collies rule (well, this Collie would like to ) but I don't think that will be happening .

[Indianna]

Was taken to my first 'fun show' last Sunday. I behaved very well in the hall, enjoyed watching the other dogs doing their HTM routines with their creatures. Would have loved to herd them all up. I really do get rather excited when animals and people are moving around. Anyway, our turn came and we twirled, twisted, circled but I forgot how to do leg weaves, I walked forwards and backwards and stayed at heel for some of it. The music was called something like Boots are made for walking and as the creature had wellies on (she really did) it was quite appropriate We 'won' a small bag of biscuits because we came 5th out of 9 dogs so I think my creature was quite pleased with me - well, that is what she told me After our class finished one of the judges came up and said, I was very good, very enthusiastic. I thought 'start running around and I will show you just how enthusiastic I can be' I had a bit of a mad turn one day when we were all out walking. A farmer came whizzing along the road on a quad bike with a big Collie running alongside. The creature opened a gate that we were going through and waiting thinking the farmer would drive through the gate but he zoomed over the cattle grid instead and the Collie managed to run along the edge of the cattle grid. Well, I started screaming and barking and pulling on the lead trying to go after them. My creature thinks I must have lived on a farm because I recognised that situation and really, REALLY wanted to go off with the farmer and his dog. I wonder if my creature will ever get a quad bike So that is my little life at the moment and I will keep you all up to date as things (good things) happen

[kaydoyle]

[Indianna]

Was dragged off to another competition yesterday and it was RAINING Anyway, we did our bit and we came fourth out of eight other competitors. I got a bag of biscuits and the idiot creature got a green rosette. Don't know why she is so happy about it, she can't eat it but I can eat my biscuits and she is not getting any of them. Making me get out of my bed, on a cold wet day and then making me walk to heel and do my other tricks that I like doing at home because I hear that lovely click noise and know that food is about to follow. I love that clicker, I really do I spoke to everyone in the hall just in case they had any spare food but they just petted me so I had to put up with that without any food being offered. Creatures are odd, aren't they

[kaydoyle]

[Indianna]

Time for an up-date. Jet is the sweetest little dog, she really is. Never takes her eyes off me and I cannot move without my little shadow following. I don't think it is any great loyalty to me but every move I make may give her the chance of some food. After more than 2 years I bent down to pat her yesterday and she ducked to one side. It makes me so mad that someone in her past has hit her and she cannot forget it. She does not get hit or yelled at anyway but it is completely unnecessary because she is so timid. Whatever past life she had must have been very harsh. It makes me so sad and mad in equal measure that she still thinks she is going to be hit. At other times she is very playful but it is all 'herding things up', including toys. She gets very wound up if the others are running around playing and she starts barking and trying to control the situation. I have recently (it only arrived today) purchased a DVD about basic obedience so we will be having a go at that at some point once I get a clue what to do. I think she would be very good at it but I might not be so good - watch this space Anyway, that is it for the moment from Jet-world

[Hebe]

Thanks for the update Indianna.
I'm delighted to find someone else who admits to not commanding total obedience from their animal companion. Harry has had the benefit of an excellent trainer as well as two terrific original fosterers but...we haven't managed to 'polish' him any further but so what! he's happy, we're happy and fortunately he's able to spend lots of time off lead, so his failures in that area largely go unnoticed.

He gets very wound up if there are any raised voices and barks loudly and well.. panics really, so we have to argue out of his hearing, which means we can't be bothered 'making an appointment' for a row. So more marital harmony I guess.
Cassie is gorgeous [my kind of dog] and yes it is sad how long it can take the sensitive ones to fully relax. T.G. she's in your loving hands.

[Hebe]

Sorry Indianna for calling Jet by her foster name.

[Indianna]

Do you know what, I hadn't noticed because my Cassie dog is still very much in the family so worry not. It's sad that our little rescue mutts are upset by raised voices. I do wonder whether they will ever forget the bad things that have happened to them. As you say, as long as they are happy we can live with the things they are not so good at. Coming when called is really the important thing.

[Indianna]

Can't have Nellie boo getting in touch without me Nellie is in charge of property protection and I will race out if she calls for back-up but I generally stick close to our creature. She often has some sort of food to hand. I help with the cleaning by licking up any crumbs or sometimes clear away any food from unguarded plates. The rule is, if food is within reach and the creature is absent, then the food is mine She is learning but does forget the rule at times We go to dog school every Saturday afternoon and I love the two trainers to bits. I grab every opportunity to go to them regardless of what I should be doing, they sometimes sneak me treats but I do return to the creature when called. What have I learned so far? Twirl and spin but could do that anyway, walk back, bow, static weave and walk weave, peek-a-boo and find the car keys once they have been hidden. Now learning to indicate that I have found the keys by lying down when I find them, learning to hold things in my mouth - not all at the same time obviously that would be mad! Have to learn to wipe my paws on a mat. The only thing I can't really do yet is sit up and beg, I usually stand on my hind legs and grab the creature with my front legs and mug her for my treat We have to do a lot of work on that one All in all life is quite jolly. Had a dental a few months ago and the vet found four bad/loose teeth so they were removed otherwise a clean bill of health. Been groomed and look fabulous Thank you for helping me DID, I owe you my life One day the creature will bring Nellie and I for a visit so we can all say thank you in 'person' (ppssst, Nellie and I are dogs, not persons - just in case you didn't know )