Magic II | December 2021

Magic II | December 2021

Magic II has been having lots of fun with George working on various skills. She had her check-in with Margaret ( our Training Program Manager) in December to see if she could reach her KPIs in certain areas. Although Magic had some really nice moments in her check-in...
Magic II | November 2021

Magic II | November 2021

Magic II has been doing wonderful work while training remotely with George. Overall she has settled well with just a few quirks that are being focused on when training, and she is coming along nicely with those. On one forest off-leash romp, Magic had too much fun and...
Magic II I October 2021

Magic II I October 2021

Magic II has been doing wonderful work while training remotely with advanced sitter George. Overall she has settled well with just a few quirks that are being focused on when training, and she is coming along nicely with those. On one forest off-leash romp, Magic had...
Magic II | September 2021

Magic II | September 2021

Magic II has been enjoying trying out different paths. While working together, Ashley noticed that Magic was sometimes quite activated by all of the other action happening in the kennel and on-site. And that Magic couldn’t always practice her calm and get all of the...
Magic II I August 2021

Magic II I August 2021

MAGIC II has been doing great practicing her self-regulation and focus with Ashley. Magic has also been working with other handlers and is showing that she can transfer that obedience to them. Magic has dabbled in possible careers and is still deciding what suits her...
Magic II I July 2021

Magic II I July 2021

MAGIC II is an energizer bunny! She is always raring to go and loves everything to do with training sessions; she gets jazzed as soon as she sees her leash and collar. After spending some time working with a smoke alarm, Magic has decided that hearing dog work isn’t...
Magic II I June 2021

Magic II I June 2021

MAGIC II has been continuing to show improvement in her co-operative care handling and her focus around various distractions. She has been going on field trips to practice all her obedience, defaults and focus while in various environments. Magic took a bit of a break...
Magic II I May 2021

Magic II I May 2021

MAGIC II has come far in her co-operative care for nail trims. It is still slow and steady wins the race, but she is able to have one handler only working on her nail trim. Way to be brave, friend! Magic’s distraction work is also coming along as she bonds with Ashley...
Magic II I April 2021

Magic II I April 2021

MAGIC II joined Ashley’s string in April. Magic has a lot of spunk and is eager to work! She has shown some stress and aversion to nail trims, so Magic has been working with Ashley to build comfort and confidence with this. Magic has been showing progress in...
Magic II I March 2021

Magic II I March 2021

Bittersweet that our Magic II will move on into Advanced Training on April 6th!!!! Of course, we’re very happy that we all succeeded and that advanced trainers will come to know Magic’s many positive qualities as we do. Of course, we’re very sad to...
Magic II | February 2021

Magic II | February 2021

The pre-Advanced Test was on February 12th. That morning we reviewed many behaviours and completed the duration challenges, stand & sit & down for just over the required period of time: 4 min. & 6 min. & 21 min. Respectively, with distractions of toys...
Magic II I January 2021

Magic II I January 2021

We have focussed this past month–especially the last week and the weekend on the Pre-Advanced Testing. Despite COVID, we visited Lansdowne Mall and local shops maneuvering tight spots with people present. Duration is strong with a 4 minute stand, a 6 minute sit...
Magic II | December 2020

Magic II | December 2020

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! May we conquer COVID and return to person-to-person classes in 2021!!!! December was a good month with sequencing practise for Dana’s request: as many commands in 1 minute as possible. As well, we have been practising duration stand in a high...
Magic II  |  November 2020

Magic II | November 2020

On November 12 Magic had her spay surgery; therefore, it was a quiet month although Magic appeared to be feeling quite back to her former self just two days after her surgery. However, we followed PADS advice and maintained a quiet on-leash life-style for 14 days. The...
Magic II | October 2020

Magic II | October 2020

This month, we’ve done more of the same practice of training behaviours, as previously, with progress evident in two areas. Duration: on Oct. 10, out of curiosity, decided to try Magic in test-assessment times; success with stand, 3 min.; sit, 6 min.; down, 20...
Magic II | September 2020

Magic II | September 2020

LIVE THEATRE is back, and we attended the United Players’ opening night production, “A Hundred Words for Snow” —  wearing masks, sitting well apart for 80 minutes, with no intermission.  Magic was placed between Michael’s & my chairs...
Magic II | August 2020

Magic II | August 2020

On August 12, we enjoyed what I called “a perfect walk” because during both on leash and off leash walking, we met and passed dogs with no lunging. WhenMagic is off leash I will say, “go say hi”, and she has a very good recall when I say:...
Magic II | July 2020

Magic II | July 2020

Magic finished her heat cycle this month, so given that restaurants have opened, we took her to the Jericho Tennis Club for the first time since pre-COVID.  Initially it seemed that she’d forgotten how to do a “Go In”; however, she eventually did...
Magic II | June 2020

Magic II | June 2020

Time outdoors in the garden is always welcome. With the green light from PADS to go out & about in cape, we toured the neighbourhood on June 23, visiting shops & setting up photo ops: loose leash walking, Stationary 2000 Post Office, Bosley’s toys, &...
Magic II | May 2020

Magic II | May 2020

The context for this month is important: retirement = time to pursue pleasure.  Our routine for most mornings is to go for a walk, have breakfast, and then Magic keeps my feet warm while I do 30-45 minutes of embroidery. Magic has been able to roll without going...
Magic II | April 2020

Magic II | April 2020

We miss going out and about to places like: concerts, theatres, restaurants, and puppy class! Thank goodness for nearby Pacific Spirit Park (photo “Jump on” and photo “Go in”). Training behaviours check list used daily; progress in all areas...
Magic II | March 2020

Magic II | March 2020

Before mid-March and the shut-down of most things, I attended VSO at Orpheum and a noon-hour concert at UBC. I also ate at UBC golf course restaurant where Magic is very welcome. Since mid-March, we have continued daily walks in nearby woods (photo). Magic follows the...
Magic II | February 2020

Magic II | February 2020

In the past few weeks Magic has been to the noon-hour concerts at UBC, symphony concerts: UBC at The Chan (photo), VSO at Orpheum and Vancouver Opera at the QE (photo). She had excellent default behaviour with ‘go in’ and settling with duration at all of...
Magic II | January 2020

Magic II | January 2020

SNOW is January; homework was to be sitting and lying in snow (photo). Magic loved running in the snow. Noon-hour concerts resumed at UBC which was good opportunity to practice “Go in” and “Down” for the hour. We went to our Grandson’s...