Schnauzers & a Shihtzu

My dogs are really funny.  Yesterday I got out the agility equipment and some really yummy training treats.  Finnegan immediately jumped over and through repeatedly without a problem.  But once I brought out the treats, he followed my hand as it went around the equipment!  One time Tom sat with Finn at one end of the equipment and I  was directly at the other.  We wanted to see what he would do.  When I called him, he ran as fast as he could around the equipment to get to me.  He is so cute!

Georgie, who is 13 years old with some residual vestibular symptoms and very mild hip arthritis on one side, demanded to go over the jump bar and get her treat.  That girl will do anything for a treat.  I placed the bar at the lowest setting (only an inch or so off the ground) and she immediately ran and jumped over it.   She isn't really jumping, she's just running with a little hop, a lot less than going up the stairs into the house, and I'll only let her do it a couple of times.  But she is very proud of it!  It's wonderful to watch her.  She is so beautifully stacked and has a proper show gait.  When she completes her task, she stands in all her glory showing everyone how beautiful she is.  She makes us laugh, but you can't laugh at her directly.  She really pouts because that is not respectful.

Molly has her repertoire of tricks which she will perform at the hint of a treat.  Finn has watched her twirling and mimics her.  Winston on the other hand SITS!  That's his only trick.  No matter what I try to show him, he backs away and sits.  I've asked the other dogs to explain it to him, but they just push him aside and start doing their tricks!!!  

One of the things I get Winston to do is wear out Finnegan.  When I get home from work, I open the back door and tell Winston to Get Him!  The boys rush outside and Winston chases Finn around the yard, both of them going as fast as they can.  Winston comes back to me and I tell him repeatedly to go get him.  Finnegan doesn't like to fetch, but he'll carry a toy in his mouth and Winston tries to get it.  They continue this until I think they've worked off some steam.   The girls get their hugs while all of this is going on.  Male dogs are so rambunctious.  When I just had Annie and Georgie, they never chased each other.  They ran right next to each other.  

Meanwhile the parrots are in the background shouting out commands.  "Georgie, wanna go outside?", "Finnegan, come here", "Molly be quiet", "Shush Winston".... coming home is not relaxing at our house, but it does make you laugh.  Fortunately, it doesn't take too long for everyone to settle down.