Big Weekend for Guinness....and Murph Says "Okay" to Grooming

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Tomorrow is Guinness's TDI evaluation, and Guinness's Mom is a nervous wreck. Supposedly the evaluator that will be doing his test is extremely tough....what happened to "the luck of the Irish"! I'm doing a "dry run" with my trainer later this afternoon. I think it's going to all depend on what types of distractions the evaluator uses...what other dogs, will she use young children, how will she interact. There are lots of unknowns. He is certainly trained...it's all about whether or not he gets excited and whether he can keep his focus through the distractions. So, please cross those fingers and paws. I guess the worse that can happen is that we have to wait and retest in six months. I'd be disappointed, but it certainly isn't the end of the world.

Speaking of Guinness, I have a funny story. A few days ago we went to Petco to pick up a few things, and I bought the boys a couple of "Memorial Day" toys. I gave them two of the toys and put the third one in the bag in my closet where I store the "bandanas" that they refuse to wear and my pinking shears (my one and only sewing tool). I didn't think anymore about it for a few days. Last night I was in the closet and noticed that the bag seemed to be moved slightly. I opened it, and the toy was gone. So, I started looking...couldn't find it anywhere. I started thinking maybe I was losing my mind, and I had put the toy away somewhere else. Kept looking....no toy. I had noticed that Guinness was going under the bed more often lately...that's where he takes his "time outs" from Murph, but didn't think much about it. So, at bedtime I called Guinness (like always) to cuddle, and he didn't come. I saw that Murph is just laying by the side of the bed staring at him (still "hiding" under the bed). I got up and looked....there's Guinness with the new toy almost completely destroyed way under the bed. He must have found a way into my closet (which is not easy since I always keep that door closed), found the toy, took it out of the bag without moving the bag so that it would be noticeable, hid it way under the bed, and was coming and going to enjoy his little "stash". He had this little "gig" going for a few days. He was so disappointed when I took the toy away.

Now for Murph. He has made HUGE strides over the past two weeks in his "grooming fear". He will actually lay quietly now to be groomed. It clearly isn't something he enjoys yet, but he no longer is afraid. Thanks to everyone who gave me such great advice. We took things very slowly, starting with just a few seconds at a time and building from there. Brushes are out of the question with Murph, but he will tolerate the comb. There's no more fighting and "shaking like a leaf". You may remember that he actually growled at me a few times at the beginning, and there's no more of that behavior. He doesn't run now when I take the comb out, but he does head right for the "treat cabinet". I think this is reflective of the fact that he now trusts that I'm not going to hurt him, and he knows that I'm not going to give up. He's figured out that I'm relentless, and he's not going to win this one.

Have a great weekend everyone!

[DeeDee and Sheila]

Jane I am so happy for you and Guinness. Guinness and Murphy are so LUCKY to have a mom like you. I can just see Murphy "telling" on Guinness. And that little pistol!! He is smart as a whip. I tell you, Menses dog. Now is his training over? I can appreciate now how hard the "stay off" people command is for Guinness. Sheila loves to stand up and "dance" and I have to keep "sitting" her over and over. She has a natural reticence to new people, but you are right. With all the socialization going on, that is disappearing fast. I commend you on sticking with the training. Gooooooo Guinness! Are you up for training Guinness through college also?

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Great news!!! Congrats.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Guinness, I need therapy :)

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

CONGRATULATIONS GUINNESS and Jane. This is an exciting accomplishment. Doodles are so smart and so happy, how could he have failed!

[BG and Gavin]

Great work Jane! It must have taken a great deal of dedicaiton to get Guiness to this point. High five Guiness!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Congratulations to both of you! Now you can just relax and enjoy!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

YIPPPPEEEE! Congratulations, we're so proud of you both!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Guinness passed! I'm so proud of this guy...he did a great job. He's exhausted, and so am I. We've been practicing for days...no weeks...well probably more like months. The evaluator could see that he loves people, and he was able to completely control his exuberance today (probably because he was so tired). Now it's on to therapy work, and I just can't wait.

[Debbie and Thomas]

See....now how could a smart doodle like Guiness who has a knack for "innocent, but planned (because he hid his new toy so he would not get into trouble) theivery" EVER fail his test. Good luck you clever little doodle! Pls post to let us know how it turned out. I am so excited for him....keeping fingers crossed.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Sounds like the pups are feeling a lot better. Kennel Cough all better?

Good Luck. Can you wear out Guinness before the test so he can concentrate? I know when I have a lot of thinking to do some moderate exercise works wonders.