Author Archives: annieriecken

You want dog tricks?

Posted on February 10, 2013 by annieriecken

I stumbled upon video of this talented little Jack Russell terrier recently. I am particularly impressed with the little pup’s picking up trash trick, and, as it’s on my list of developing tricks, that carry the shopping basket trick is … Continue reading →

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More science to support positive training

Posted on February 7, 2013 by annieriecken

Over at Science of Dogs there’s a post about some research that confirms that when new behaviors are positively reinforced, the learning lasts longer than learning which receives negative reinforcement (punishment). Lighting the Pathways of Reward and Punishment. Again, this … Continue reading →

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Banner day

Posted on January 29, 2013 by annieriecken

On Sunday, Chico and I tried competing in an agility trial from a different sanctioning body. All our other trials have been organized under the auspices (as well as rules and culture) of the American Kennel Club (AKC). AKC only … Continue reading →

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Entertaining el Poocho

Posted on January 24, 2013 by annieriecken

It’s way colder out than feels good for more than about ten minutes, and while multiple short walks keep Chico and me from going completely stir crazy, it really isn’t enough exercise to keep him happy. They say that if … Continue reading →

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Unbroken chain

Posted on January 23, 2013 by annieriecken

A fresh coat of snow, maybe 1.5 inches, fell the other night, and it was just deep enough to capture the motion of Chico’s feet as he did a dog trot down the road.  

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Routines

Posted on January 19, 2013 by annieriecken

Living with Chico has helped me develop routines. Dogs, I learned, like routine. As soon as I wake up, we go outside because Chico hasn’t had access to his bathroom for eight or ten hours and fair is fair. Then … Continue reading →

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You have to laugh

Posted on January 12, 2013 by annieriecken

Looking for something on my computer today, I found the video of the very first time Chico and I tried an agility trial. This was a “B Match” – a chance to run a regulation course, in a trial setting, … Continue reading →

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Three years

Posted on January 10, 2013 by annieriecken

Today is the third anniversary of Chico’s ‘got ya’ day, the day he came to live with me. On that day I didn’t know he was going to be my dog. If you’ve read my first posts, you know I … Continue reading →

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DC adventures

Posted on January 8, 2013 by annieriecken

For a week or so, Chico had to do a lot of not much while my siblings and I attended to some family business, and he was really quite gracious about it. When we started moving a number of boxes … Continue reading →

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2012 in review

Posted on January 1, 2013 by annieriecken

As 2013 starts, my best wishes for health and happiness for you and yours, and for some peace and sanity on this planet. WordPress offered up a summary of activity on this blog during 2012. I found it kinda interesting, … Continue reading →

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