After nearly a week at Colina Havanese (while Dan heli-boarded in Alaska and I explored Portland), Ada had a heartfelt …
and happy
and panty
and slobbery
… reunion with her pack.
Naptime!
-- Tessa
On Saturday we took Ada on an 8-mile hike in the Marin Headlands (an area that may become closed to dogs if the GGNRA’s proposed changes go through).
The weather was perfect and the views spectacular.
Despite the steep ups and downs...
Ada did really well.
(Except one particularly intense section when Dan gave her a lift.)
The Marin Headlands is one of few areas near San Francisco where you can take a hike with your dog. A few trails even allow dogs to walk off-leash if they are under voice control (which is a much more comfortable and relaxed way to hike since you won’t be constantly tripping over a tangled leash).
During our hike we passed by about a dozen other dogs on the trail. Unsurprisingly, ALL of them were politely trotting along a step of two behind their humans. I didn’t see one canine that was threatening the environment or anyone’s enjoyment of it. When this is the situation a vast majority of the time, it just doesn’t make sense why the GGNRA thinks dog-access needs to be restricted.
-- Tessa
While Dan and I hit the slopes, Ada spent the weekend with our friend Petra, who was so kind to send us many cute photo updates.
in the car.
at work.
in the photo booth. (Looks like we need to brush Ada's teeth more often!)
on a pee pad. (Apparently she has forgotten what those are for...)
in camouflage.
in a comfortable position?
Needlesstosay, we were pretty excited to get these cute updates throughout the weekend. Thanks Petra!
-- Tessa
There is something I love so much about how Ada sleeps curled up like a little nugget when the weather gets cold.
And I especially love that she’s cuddled up with Dan’s hat.
I just want to jump in and snuggle my nose right under that ear. Must resist!
Oops I woke her up!
I guess she’s still pretty cute when she’s awake. Snuggle time!
-- Tessa
An unseasonal snowstorm in Seattle meant Ada got to play in the snow for the first time over Thanksgiving.
I expected her to dislike it since she hates getting wet.
But to my surprise, she loved it.
-- Tessa
For my birthday Dan got me two lessons with Kathleen of Heart Dog Agility and an overnight in the Santa Cruz Hilton.
Princess Ada could get used to this.
We had lessons with Kathleen on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. Since Ada is just a beginner so we just learned some basics including how to effectively train using a clicker.
We started off with Target Training which helps Ada learn to interact with her environment to get a reward.
Ada gets a treat for touching the target with her nose.
Ada gets a treat for walking to and then touching the target.
Then I had to get her to stand in a box without luring or gesturing. She just had to try things and see what would be rewarded.
First she gets a treat just for touching the box.
Next she gets a treat for stepping into the box.
Finally she gets a jackpot (3 or 4 treats) for standing all feet in the box.
We finished off with Kathleen helping Ada overcome her fear of walking through a tube.
Ada weighs her fear of the tube against the deliciousness of hot dog.
Although Ada has a long way to go before she’s an agility champ, I think we’re all excited to learn more and it was terrifically fun. What a great birthday!
UPDATE: Something to aspire to: National Finals Small Dog Agility Course (video) and National Finals Large Dog Agility Course (video)
-- Tessa
