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!

[Diane]

Enjoyed the stories Jane! Best wishes tomorrow on the test!!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Oh, JD, I'm shocked and dismayed. I've been counting on you to keep Guinness on the "straight and narrow". He looks up to you....you're his mentor, his hero, his idol. To Guinness "you da man"! Now I learn that you planned the "caper". I must admit is was a stroke of "Doodle genius", and you would have been very proud at how well Guinness executed your strategy. I think he was willing to forgo the pinking shears for the pleasure of ravaging the new toy while his poor brother, Murph, could only watch and not participate. Think of how satisfying that was for him, since Murphy takes away ALL Guinness's "good stuff". Anyway, I know your Mom had a "talk" with you, so I'm hopeful this will be an isolated incident and will not develop into a crime spree. I'm sure it was just a momentary lapse, and I've told Guinness he must learn to be more of a leader and not resort to peer pressure.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Jackdoodle and I are keeping fingers and paws crossed for a stellar TDI evaluation tomorrow! I know Guinness will make you proud!
Murph, my little big man, we're very proud of you for sucking it up on the grooming thing! Good job!
Jane, I hate to be a stoolie, but I feel I must tell you that Jack was the instigator in the stolen toy episode. Apparently, he sent Guinness a message advising him to get those pinking shears out of the bag and hide them, in order to prevent any further humiliation by way of bandana. Of course, he didn't know there was a toy in the bag when he gave this advice. Guinness was distracted by the toy and really only punished himslef, because the pinking shears are still safe and ready for the next holiday photo shoot. Jack has been given a lecture and has promised not to encourage theft in the future.

[cheryl & oliver]

All finger and toes and paws crossed here for you for tomorrow...Try to be calm, lol, (that was meant as a joke, I would be just as nervous as you) And as fo The G-man, he is just too smart and too funny, I had a dog that would hit the ice cube button on the frig when he wanted ice, but I didn't know he was doing it, I thought we had a leak in the water line, until one day I caught him doing it...,They can be very resourceful when they want to be, lol...Let us know how it goes tomorrow please. And wtg Murphy, you are learning that grooming is a good thing...

[Christine & Shelby]

Guiness... such a smart doodle! Shelby and I will be wishing you the best tomorrow for your TDI test! Be sure to let us know how it goes. Don't be nervous.... you know this stuff!!!

[BG and Gavin]

Guiness! You dog! He may have a future as a cat dog burglar.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Wishing you the best of luck tomorrow for your testing! I know those nerves very well. Will be watching for an update tomorrow to see how you do. You are already a year ahead of me. I didn't even take Sophie to test until after she was 2. She just was not ready to test when she was a year old.