Tuckered out!

I had a lot to say to my Dad when he put this silly Christmas hat on my head. Sheesh!

I worked hard today. It really started last night. Mom and Dad kept bringing all this stuff into the house and my furniture was rearranged. Kind of freaked me out! Dad put up this lit tree thing right where I nap and then Mom built this little Precious Moments village with a tree and she wouldn't let me pick up the little people. Dad built a Santa & reindeer decoration and strung a bunch of lights around a ton of snow men.

Then I noticed there was a strange beast in my yard and it was making noise. Turned out to be Dad's ATV and I climbed on and Dad took me for a ride around the yard. Again, it freaked me out a bit, but in the end it was okay.

We had to go for a long walk today before my training class at 2pm with Liz Diver. There was another dog with major issues in class today. He is only 8 months old, but he is HUGE and does a high pitched cry because everything is so exciting to him. He reminds me of my vet's dog that passed away, but Dr. Shaw's dog was prettier. I squished myself under my Dad's chair until class started. Jerry, the other trainer, came over to evaluate me. He said that I was pretty shy today and that wasn't normal. Mom told him about the Christmas decorating and the ATV and he said, "Ahhh." I guess that means my behavior was normal for there being change?

We worked on everything we worked on last Sunday, but now Dad is taking treats away! What is up with that? I like treats. I will do just about anything for them. Yeah, a pat on the head is nice, but come on, I am a growing boy!!! I need me some treats!

We came home to more decorating and I am exhausted. I fell asleep between the cushions of the couch upside down I was so tired! Mom says that they wore me out and well, I would tend to agree. I think it will be an early bed time for me if the open the big bedroom door I will sack out on the bed and wait for Mom to come to bed and read.

I am Hugh

Thanksgiving, cleaning & decorating!

• Thanksgiving was surprising for everyone! I have only ever been around one little kid and he is the neighbor kid and he is as scared of me as I am of him, so we never really got off on the right foot. So going to Uncle Tom's & Aunt Shirley's house with all the grandkids around..let's see there was Isabella (I chewed on her pig tails and she just patted me and smiled, she isn't even 2!), Peyten is 3 and she wasn't too keen on me until later in the day (I kept trying to steal her rubber frog toys) and Chase is 2 and I got to clean up his face for him. I didn't freak out and Mom was proud.

Cousin Posie was there and I got to play with her a little bit, but then Gizmo showed up and the fun stopped. I don't like Gizmo. Why? I don't know. Dad said it is the first dog he has ever seen me not like. Giz is 3 and I pretty much tried to take his head off. Mom said "big teeth and all!" She said it wasn't behavior she wants to praise either. Mom also said that Gizmo has kinda an OCD thing going - (I don't know what that means) he kept bugging me and bugging me and wouldn't let it drop. Finally his Dad, Adam, had to tell him to "leave it" and believe me I was the "it" and he didn't want to leave me!

I got to meet Sarah and Scott - Mom & Dad didn't think they were going to get to see them so it was a cool treat Mom said. Scott has more tattoos than Mom!!

In the picture I am sitting on the coffee table. No, this is not something I am allowed to do. I was happily watching Alladin with the closed caption on (I am a smart Poodle, you know!) when vacuumming occurred - I will not get eaten by the vacuum cleaner!! I sneezed when the dusting began. I really sneezed when I ran into the windex that Mom was shooting on the front window! The decorating has not begun yet, Mom and Dad are trying to find the best layout because they are worried that I will try and crawl under the tree. See I am weird. Weird for a poodle, Mom says. I like to crawl under things and sleep. The tighter the space the happier I am. I still get into Marcus's dog house although I am much to big for it now. I like crawling behind the rocker. I guess where they usually put the tree is where I like to nap the most. What is the worst that could happen? I knock over the tree? Meh..not me!

We picked up my prize from Double C that I won for coming in 2nd place in the calendar contest. I think Mom is trying to be thankful and not be disappointed in what was given to me, but she isn't really talking. I think she is worried about sounding ungrateful, when she really is grateful. I look forward to the calendar coming out in December and I know Mom is too!

While I have been typing I think they have stopped cleaning - I should go check out what is going on. There has to be something I can get into?!

I am Hugh

Dog training, voting and being silly...

Today was our second puppy class...Mom was going to take pictures but she forgot the camera. We are working on "shaping." What does that mean? Well, something about shaping my behavior before I have a name for the action. I have to have the action 80% down and then Mom and Dad give it a name so that when they say it I know what action goes with the name. Dad said I did really well in class. Liz even used me for a demonstration and she couldn't get me to do the action she wanted wrong. She was going to show the correction, but I kept doing it right. Everyone was laughing, but I don't think they were laughing at me, but at Liz cuz I wouldn't misbehave.

The mean sheperd was there again. She scares me and everyone else there. Mom says she understands why she is there. I think she needs some private training before she comes in. Mom says she needs socialization and the correct correction. Mom says that she gets too focused on another dog before her owner corrects her. Mom says that if anyone can get her to function without attacking it is Liz. When we were leaving class Liz was bringing in her own pack members to work with the sheperd. Mom said she hopes it helps and works.

We worked on loose leash training - Liz had Dad running all over the place with me. Liz said, "keep turning around Michael. It may take you an hour to get to your destination, but keep turning around until Hugh puts his head where you want it." I guess I finally got it because we got to the truck and my crate and I got to take a nap! Whew! We also worked on "watch me," "easy," "heel" and "come." Mom says that I don't know that is what we worked on - yet. Liz said that the whole class was doing really well. She said we were the brightest - she said with two labs, a border collie, two poodles, a pom and a sheperd that we were a pretty smart bunch and weren't giving her to much anxiety. That's good.

Well, Mom says that the voting for the local calendar ends tonight at midnight. She told me to give a BIG thank you to everyone that voted every day and even if you just voted once she wanted me to make sure that I said that was really cool and thank you! Mom said we will find out in the Thanksgiving paper who makes it into the calendar and we will let you know. Pretty sure that the yellow lab that had a picture in will win the cover. Mom said she would be very pleased just for me to make one of the 12. Me too! Mom said that she is sure that Kissty, Kissty would be very happy not to get a status update with a request that she vote every day! Mom said she is pretty sure that she drove some of her friends crazy with the request. I say that a Mom's gotta do what a Mom's gotta do!

The picture for this blog post is the silly part. Mom has been working on laundry. When she would go into the big bedroom me, Miss Moose and Marcus would all hop up onto the bed like it was bedtime - well, except Moose knows she doesn't sleep on the bed because she is too big - Mom says that she is hopeful. Anyway, we all got up there and each of us curled up looking at her like well, are you getting in bed? She thought it was really funny that we were all ready for bed soooo soon. I am just plain tuckered out. I worked hard today. Marcus he will sleep anywhere Mom is and Miss Moose is always on Mom's heels no matter what she is doing. It seemed like the right thing to do...we did get kicked out.

I am Hugh

Dog training...

• I had my first puppy class...there were 8 other dogs..all different ages. There was a 2 year old very aggressive German shepard that I told Dad I would sit under his chair and behind his legs while that dog went by thank you very much. I didn't like her too much. There were lots of pups my age though. I got to meet them all. The one I liked the most was this shaved down pomeranian..I think his name was Teddy. He looked like a little teddybear. But all of them were nice to me.

There wasn't much to the class today because it was more orientation, but we started association training...I don't really know what that means just yet, but I tell you what - I got lots of treats!! Wooo hooo!! Mom and Dad took me for a long walk before class and they took me hungry. I thought it was pretty mean until I realized all I had to do was follow their hands and touch my nose to their hand and I got a treat. Taking candy from a baby!!! Not that I would do that..well, depends on the candy!

So Liz gave us homework...Mom and Dad have to make a list of commands and then they have to work on the hand association thing with me 20 to 30 times a day!! Can you believe that?? I have hit the mother load of treats!!!

I am Hugh

Time to Vote!!!

It is time to vote for me...Mom entered me in the local paper's 2010 Calendar Contest...there are lots of cute animals...but come on..this is me...Hugh!!!! Dad took this photo the first weekend I was in Oregon. I am much smaller and still really fuzzy.

I can't put in a direct widget address to get right to me, but I know that I am, so far, picture number 82...I think it changes every day, but I am around there. The web address is http://www.heraldandnews.com/ - you have to register to vote, but that's not soooo bad. I am shameless...please take a look and give me a vote! Your participation is much appreciated from this little poodle!

I am Hugh

Furlough day...

Dad says I am almost getting to big to be picked up! Doesn't look like it to me though..how about you?

Mom and Dad are off today. Mom for furlough and Dad for Veteran's Day. That means I get to be in the house which is okay by me!

Uncle Tom came to visit with Posie. Boy did little Marcus have a problem with her. Posie is the nicest dog I have met other than my pack and Marc was having none of it in his house. He chased poor Poosie out the back door. He actually nipped her three times!! My Mom was not happy with his behavior. Tom said to let them sort it out. Posie is a big dog, but she has an even bigger heart. Marcus is letting everyone know that since Oliver, TGH, died that he is the ruler of the roost, but Mom says that is still very bad behavior and could get him really hurt. Sheesh, as long as he stays off of me...no, I'm kidding, but really...

I think we were supposed to go hunting today, but the weather has turned poopy Mom says, so that is a no go. It has been good though. I got to go out and chase Mom around the apple trees and the trailer. I have this route that I take..I loop around one apple tree, around the post on the porch, back out around the rv in back and then around the apple tree. During this I am running by Mom and barking as I go by. It is really fun and it makes Mom laugh. Then I go take a nap and "store energy" my Dad says.

This Sunday is our first day of doggy class with Liz Diver. It sounds good now, but I have a feeling it is going to be lots of work! Mom says we can't have any bored poodles around here. Isn't Sunday made for sleeping in??

I am Hugh

Don't laugh...

Okay, Auntie Kiissssty, this one is for you...Mom says I look like I am in one of those old fashioned bathing suits. It's not so embarassing, at least I look manly. I do look manly right?

Today I was supposed to go and see Aunt Kissty early in the morning to get groomed, but my Mom and Dad forgot. Mom didn't remember until her cell phone rang while she was standing in the emergency room with my Dad. First time my Dad has gone to a doctor or hospital for himself in a very long time. His blood pressure was really high after training with me this morning. ER doc said he thinks he is fine, but that he really needs to get a physical done with a family doctor. Wheew, that's good right? I need my Dad. I don't know everything I need to know yet and I love him!

So I am still wandering around in different silly get ups from time to time. I still don't mind them much. Mom said she really wants me used to all kinds of stuff clanking on my or buzzing by my face so I am not startled. When Mom finally took me in to see Aunt Kissty...well, there was a terrier in there and he had skittery feet and was making a ton of noise. I didn't think that was too cool. Mom said, "see, you need to get used to stuff like that, so you don't freak out." What? Me freak out? All I did was go behind Mom and stand where my paws were on her back and peek around her to see what sort of freak of nature was coming around the corner at me. The scotty dog that came around the corner, meh, no problem, but sheesh the noise his feet made!!!

When Aunt Kissty came down to me she said I had really grown a lot. I was kind of shy with her at first and then all I wanted was to be hugged. I put up quite a yoddeling fuss when Kissty Kissty put me in the big dryer. She told Mom that I finally quit after an hour. She said that my fuss was much cuter when I was littler. Hmmm, I just don't know what she means..? I am sure my Mom will take a picture or two in all my fluffiness and I will share my handsome self with you.

I am Hugh

Sunday Training

• Well, it was a tough day for me with training....I was all over the place and I couldn't seem to figure out what I was doing and that I had done this before. Mom thought I was nuts and Dad, well, he says it is my stubborn stage and that it will begin to click again.
• The starter gun doesn't bother me at all - it never really did, but now when I hear it I am looking for something to fall. Mom says that is encouraging - that I am at least connecting the two together.
• It was such a nice day out in the field today that Mom just decided to run with me on my check line. She said that made more sense than getting frustrated with me. We saw five pheasant roosters. One actually crowed at us. Dad figures we startled it and that is why he crowed at us, but that rooster sure did run for cover once he realized what he had done!
• I heard Mom talking to Liz Diver..she is an animal behaviorist and is going to teach my puppy class. I hope I do well!
• I had fun with Moosey yesterday, but I did something naughty..I shredded her new purple scarf while we were in the kennel. Mom and Dad got home at the same time yesterday and Dad said, "Hugh shredded Moosey." Mom said, "Of course he did. And to think I was only gone 45 minutes. Oy!" She still have me a kiss though, so she couldn't have been too mad at me? =} I imagine that Auntie Kisssty is going to say, "oh that Hugh!"
• I am going to go curl up with my Dad - he is watching Harry Potter.

I am Hugh