Author Archives: dazzlesmom

Tonight, Voodoo earned 2 more Level 2 nosework Qs!  So now he is only 1 Q away from each title so far in level 1 and level 2.

I have joined a “52 weeks of dogs” photo group. Each week a new challenge is posted and the photographers in the group have to try to take a photo of their dog that meets the theme.

Week 1- Color

Week 2- Faceless portrait that communicates a message (“Mom, this hat isn’t going to work for me”)

Week 3- Photo that tells a story

Taken on MLK day with a statue of James Bradley in Covington, KY. I had a few different thoughts on this challenge, but the fact that it is MLK day swayed me to use this statue.
I wasn’t certain what pose I would choose, but I think this one tells the most “story”. I got another from a different perspective that I also really like, but don’t feel it has as much “story” in it (also below).
I think the chosen photo speaks of the desire of many dogs to connect with humans, while the humans are too busy or not really there for the dog. I used selective color and the leading lines to draw attention to subjects.

In this one, Voodoo was listening/watching the “waves” hit the shore from a barge that passed by.

First Level 2 nosework Q:

Trial 1- Only 1 dog out of about 8 qualified and even when I pointed out to him which containers had odor, he gave ZERO indication that there was any odor. So I’m wondering if the odor used was super light, because one of the containers was a little pail with just crinkled paper covering the tin. And he stuck his nose right into it a few times, but gave no indication at all. It was the same Judge that we had for his first level 1 run when only 1 dog out of several qualified.

If anyone is on facebook, you can get more timely updates on Voodoo by visiting his page:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1624424201217618/

Went to the Newport Aquarium today for the first time. They have a lot of interesting creatures and displays. Not sure I can say it’s worth full price admission though, so I’m glad I took advantage of the holiday special to save $8!

This huge tree was in the mall area we had to go through to get to the aquarium.

He liked these falling bubbles, but I didn’t let him eat too many of them 🙂 Surprisingly, none of the kids mobbed him!

Living dangerously (or going for the treat I put in there) 🙂

This gator is HUGE! 15+ feet long! Because Voodoo is sitting closer to the camera, it makes the gator look smaller. But a toddler would be an single gulp snack for this guy!

I had a hard time getting a photo here without a bunch of kids climbing on all the frogs.

Posing with the penguins

Voodoo’s favorite was the otter. It was the only creature he took interest in and the otter was interested in him too!  It is in the water looking at him in this photo.

And it came up and looked right at Voodoo!  But he wanted to bark at it, so I got him out of there.

Video of Voodoo and the otter: https://vimeo.com/196536055

Also saw these strange creatures called “upside down jelly fish”: https://vimeo.com/196536464

Voodoo’s first visit with Santa! We went to Bass Pro Shops this evening and found that the line was about an hour long, but since we were there I decided to wait. If you look at the crowd photo, the arrow is pointing to a barely visible candy cane WAY in the distance where the turn to Santa was located.

Shortly after settling in to wait, Voodoo gave up on being patient and he got Dazzle to play. I was afraid their rough housing would get out of hand and wipe out one of the small children running all over so I put Voodoo in the cart to help him settle and he did really great there! He was able to greet (& kiss) the staff and kids and others passing by, without jumping on them and it kept him off his brother 🙂 Dazzle was a pro and was mostly standing patiently by my side, but he went to get attention from the folks saying hi to Voodoo.

Arrow showing the turn, WAY in the distance

Waiting patiently in line

Still waiting…

Almost to Santa!

Free printed photo and frame from Bass Pro Shops

Voodoo’s first snow! When he first looked out the sliding glass door, his hackles went up and he started barking very menacingly. He was surprised that the yard had changed in appearance so dramatically. Unfortunately I didn’t have the camera ready yet, so I missed that reaction.

In spite of his initial uncertainty, he had no problem going out to investigate it. Final verdict seems to be that he loves it as much as Dazzle does!

Video: https://vimeo.com/195494122

Voodoo tried his paw at CWAGS nose work on Wednesday night and got his first Q! He got the Q in the second trial. On the first trial, almost no one got it, even experienced dogs working on their ACE title that rarely NQ. So I’m not surprised he didn’t get that one.

We definitely have to work on his indication, because I think he found it in the first 4 sec. but he didn’t stay with it and then he got frustrated because he knew he found it but I didn’t read him correctly. And I was a bit shy in calling the find after the first NQ.

Video: https://vimeo.com/195144026

Since the trial on Wednesday, I have been down and out with a cold. Pretty sure I picked up the bug last weekend when a few people at the barn hunt trial were sick. I’m starting to feel a bit more human now though, thankfully.

The boys aren’t used to the inactive routine, but have been pretty good about chilling out when I ask them to do so. But now that it’s been 4 days, it’s getting harder and harder for them. This photo was taken on day 1.

He is 8 months and 1 week old!

He only had 3 NQ between Instinct and Master (2 in Nov. that were my fault and 1 in Master). That in itself is an amazing accomplishment!

But to go from Instinct to Master title in just under 2 months (between 10-9-16 and 12-4-16) is very rare for any dog, but at his age, it’s mind boggling!I am constantly blown away by the abilities of this puppy!

Video of his last 3 Master runs for his title! https://vimeo.com/194290136

At one day over 8 mo. old, Voodoo earned his Senior level Barn Hunt title with no NQs!  And he then went on to get his first 2 Master legs on Sunday!  The next trial I had planned to attend was the one I’d be Judging in February, but when I found out there was still some openings, I couldn’t resist trying for his Master title this weekend.  So I entered at Muncie for Friday and Sunday (Saturday was full). He needs 5 Master legs total and already has 2, so he has 4 tries to get the 3 legs needed.  Master level is really hard and back to back Qs is not the usual result, so I’m not holding my breath. But it would be really cool if he can get it at 8 mo. old!

Video of his Senior runs: https://vimeo.com/193405723

Video of his Master runs: https://vimeo.com/193410462

Other News:

The day before he turned 8 mo. old,  I measured him at 22 5/8th, so just over 22.5″ tall! So only 1 inch shorter than Dazzle now!

Once again this puppy blows my mind!! I’m almost embarrassed to say this is only his SECOND nosework training session with me! The breeder introduced the litter to Birch oil odor before their eyes opened and a couple weeks ago I did ONE “intro to odor” session in which I paired the odor tin in a box with treats that were put into the box through another hole. The other day I was cleaning up in the training area and decided to try some nosework hides for him. Granted, he has had several Barn Hunt sessions, so he knows how to follow a whiff of odor to source, but he did incredible!

We haven’t been doing much except working on stuff Voodoo already knows. But I did get out today to enjoy the last of the warm weather before the bottom drops out tomorrow. I got some action shots of Voodoo and a few of Dazzle as well.

Stride for stride

Both racing for the Jolly ball

Dazzle won this race

Flat out in the field

How does he not trip over his feet?

He loves to retrieve

Profile shot at almost 8 mo. old

Profile shot at almost 8 mo. old

Front view at almost 8 mo. old

Cell phone photos:

Happy and shiny and soaking up the sun

Dazzle being a “hall troll”. He lays like this so Voodoo can’t get past

2 bones are better than one

Voodoo and Dazzle continue to get along wonderfully, but they are both bed hogs!

Voodoo was 43.6 lbs at his last vet visit (Nov 9th)