It's interesting to see what traits Bella has adopted through her breed mix. When she was initially brought home, the heeler in her was so dominant, I remember having to hop around and yelp because Bella was darting at the heels of my feet nipping hard. She's since learned that it's not a very nice thing for me, and so resorts to following me with her nose. Up and down the stairs I'll go with a little wet touch here and there behind my knee.

As Bella has been growing up, the springer...

bellapup

I was away for a few days for Christmas to visit my parents, and couldn't take Bella with me because my mother is a bit afraid of dogs.

I was worried that when I returned, Bella wouldn't have remembered some of the new training we've been going over, so imagine my surprise when I gave the command "tip toes" and she immediately got up on her two hind legs and stood there for a good 20 seconds or so. I know a big part of her retaining it was the fact that I've been using...

bellapup

This topic came up last night as I was having dinner with my best friend, and it's just interesting how everyone has quite a clear concept in their mind of what a bad dog owner is like, and yet there are so many that either don't care, or don't see it.

Now I have to preface this by saying that I'm in no way saying that I'm a perfect dog owner...I know I have my faults and I'm working on them just as I'm working with Bella. She's my first dog ever, so sometimes I'm extra reflective...

bellapup

Okay, I admit after trying to see how far I could get Bella to learn tricks without a clicker, I realize now I can do some things much easier with a clicker.

So I finally broke down and bought one.

I started by getting Bella accustomed to the sound meaning she did good. I went to the tried and true tricks and click treated her each time. Now I've started to alternate between giving her a treat and giving her a petting. She's been responding very well to it and has...

bellapup

Today, I discovered the heaven of all dog parks!

I happened to be driving to a friend's house, who lives about an hour away from me, and found that there was a dog park close to where they live.

I didn't expect it to be as wonderful as it actually was. This was a park truly designed with dogs in mind. There was an entire huge lake created just for the dogs to jump in, swim around, fetch balls, etc.

The moment I have been waiting for happened today....

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