Going Off-Leash and then Going Hiking!

Took Valentine out to the off-leash area a couple times yesterday to work on her agility.  She did great.  In the above picture she is chomping on a milk bone after we quit working.

Valentine is always very eager to please, and she loves to run around the wooded trail.  We cuddled, we did training, we played with a rope toy, and she finished it all off with a milkbone.

I love this girl.  She is so sweet, and she really enjoys her time with her human friends.  Today, she went on a hike at Arabia Mountain with Charlotte.  She said she saw a lot and had a lot of fun.  She wasn't scared of the signs this time!  She overcomes her fears so quickly.  We did not get any pictures of the trail, but we got one of her greeting staff member, Heather, when she got back.

         Contact Laura at lmckelvey@pawsatlanta.org if you would like to foster or adopt Valentine.

Class 2: Georgia Tech Campus

 

Here we are in the Canine PhD parking lot.  We had the dogs settle and then practice walking with each other before heading to campus.

 

There was a lot to see along the way!  Valentine's coat almost matched this outdoor scultpure .

 

 

Here we are in front of the gym.  There are a lot of people coming and going.  Vally was startled by two men who came out the door talking and wearing bookbags, but she handled it very well.  I was able to maintain her attention, and she kept working even though she knew they were there.

 

After working hard, we took "a break" by letting the dogs sniff around in a green area.  They really seemed thankful for the little bit of extra freedom and were more eager to work when it was time to go back to the city streets.

 

Valentine was startled by this water meter.  She had never seen one before.  We helped her overcome it.  Meredith acted like it was the most interesting thing in the world, which made her want to come over, and then Charlotte gave her treats.  Later in the walk, Valentine cautiously walked up to another one of her own volition, and we were so proud.

 

Can you see Tech in the background.  We are working on "placing" on a short ledge.  The little girl walking by on her way to swim lessons thought Vally was super cute!

 

 

Doesn't Vally look stunning on that green grass, relaxing in the sun?

 

 

This is Vally's role model.  This pup and his mom work so hard and have come so far.  They are truly an amazing team.

 

In class, owners are often given great information about things they can do in the home to help their dogs feel more secure and loved and, therefore, behave better.  This is always a little difficult for Charlotte and me to hear.  We wish we could offer these things to Valentine, but we know we can only do so much.  We dream of the day that Vally is in an adoptive or foster home where she can get the love she needs.  Contact Laura if you might be able to help with that! lmckelvey@pawsatlanta.org

 

 

Valentine Loves to Learn and Play!

 

 

In the videos above Valentine is playing with staff member, Laura, in the offleash area.  Vally loves to run up and down the ramps and through the tunnels.

In the above picture Valentine is in her first Oudoor Training Class at Canine PhD, and she is doing great!  Charlotte and I were so proud of her.

Vally is watching another woman and her dog practice walking by.  She is excited, curious, and a little antsy about it.  There is a train going by.  Cars are curving through from time to time and a very reactive pomeranian just walked by with his owner.  There is so much going on, but she stayed on her best behavior!

Vally needs a foster home or an adoptive home.  Please contact Laura at lmckelvey@pawsatlanta.org for details!

Body Language

I saw this online the other day, and I wished that everyone with a dog or who approached dogs had been able to study this chart.  They are so misunderstood by us! 

Last Day of Indoor Class

 

It was Valentine's last day of indoor classes.  She did an amazing job!  We had her out in the room walking parallel to the other dogs, and we taught her the new trick, "spin."  She loved it.  It was a fun way of getting more hotdog bits.

In the above photo, MarLee is helping another dog in the class.  This pup has a home and amazing owner who brings her to class.  We cannot wait until Valentine has an owner too!

Valentine has graduated and will start outdoor classes next Saturday.  These start at 8:30 in the morning much to staff member, Laura's, dismay! :)  For Valentine, it is no big thang.  She wakes up at 7:30 every morning and class is fun!

If you or someone you know might be interested in Valentine contact Laura at lmckelvey@pawsatlanta.org

August 3, 2013

Valentine worked with two wonderful trainers this Saturday, Betty and MarLee.  They taught her to sit and lay down on her own, without being told.  She did it because she knew she would get a treat.  Valentine got a lot of treats and had a really fun day with Charlotte.  You can tell by the doggie smile she is giving in this picture!