Dog training class upgrade!

Another coastal walk

We had training class two nights ago, again Pepper was naughty by barking pretty much non-stop while we were standing around listening (I'll have to put up a video of her barking, its like a high pitched loud yap, occasionally interspersed with howly type noises, quite terrible. Peppers Dad says that it is highly embarrassing to have a dog that makes that kind of noise.) But whenever we had to "do" something, again she was all focused on me and a total star. At the end of the class the instructor said to me that he would like to grade me out of this class and put me straight into the intro to obedience class (so skip the next 6 weeks of this class (grade 1) and then skip grade 2 as well) Yay Pepper! We have to wait 2 weeks until the new class starts so we will keep going to this class cause its good for Pepper to socialise (and try and get this barking thing sorted)

Here are some pictures of the pups playing at the end of the class - sorry for the blurry-ness and terrible quality - my camera was dropped with the lens open onto a stony horse arena recently and hasn't been the same since (I'm working on getting a new one)

This is Pumba who Pepper lived with at the SPCA and Bugsey, who is 7yrs old. As soon as all the dogs get let off the leash he goes straight for the nearest dogs "ankles" and just latches on, no matter how fast the other dog runs. Brings the term "ankle biter" to life!

The white dog below is Kelly, her and Pepper get on really well, and the giant brindle is Aries, who belongs to one of the instructors.

Check out the blurry levitating pup on the right, weird.

Pep running round and round like a mad thing.

Eastern Walkway

Today was grey and cold and miserable. I'm working night shifts this week, which means that if I wants to sleep during the day without Pepper being a pest I needs to give her a good walk no matter what the weathers doing.We drove out past our usual beach to one of the walkways on the other side of the peninsula. Its called the eastern walkway and is another off leash dog walk area.



We ended up pretty much climbing a mountain (definitely didn't realise what we were getting ourselves into!)

But it was worth it, at the top were views of all sides of the peninsula (although it was pretty foggy so not too much to see today, on a clear day you can see all the way to the South Island)


And there was also a memorial to the soldiers that died in Gallipoli (which is a place in Turkey where lots of New Zealand soldiers died in world war one)

Vroooooooooooooooooooooom, time to go down the mountain!

At the bottom was a nice wee fresh water stream to paddle in and have a drink.

It was fun, we'll definitely do that walk again.

Another day, another trip to the beach

We go to the beach nearly every day. Pepper looooooooves it. loves it loves it love it!

On Honeys blog she had a picture of her face covered in sand (and a bit of slobber I'm sure). Well heres a beach-face photo to give her a run for her money!

When we got home look at who was waiting on the steps for us. Louie!
Where are you going? I'll be friendy, honest. I just want to lick you!

Tomorow night we start our first dog training class, its at a place called Central Allbreeds and we are doing their basic class called Grade 1 Canine Introduction that goes for 8weeks. We've both been really looking forward to starting, I really hope she behaves herself (but I'm sure Peppers just hagning out to ignore me so she can run around like a looney with the other dogs)

Evening walks at the golf course & more pony pics

How much is this doggie in the window? Not for sale sorry :)

We're pretty lucky where we live. We have a wonderful dog beach just 5 minutes drive away and less than 1min walk from my front gate is a huge golf course. Dogs are not allowed on the course itself but there are two tracks that run around and through it - the golf course loop and part of the city-to-sea walkway and dogs are allowed on those.

Its been pretty hot here during the day so we go up to the golf course after dinner, its really nice and a good chance for to practise loose lead walking on the way there and back.

Pep spotted 3 bunnies up on the hill and was after them!! But they were magical and disappeared somewhere and she lost them.

Some Toi-Toi which is fun to grap and let the fluffy bits get stuck everywhere
Don't know what this plant is but we thought it looked interesting

Also, I was sent some photos from the wee girls I used to help with riding. They went for a trip to a show and won lots of ribbons and also went riding at the river (I'm green with jealousy, I really hate to miss out on fun stuff like that!)

They also sent some pictures of me riding before we left to come back up North. I'm riding Denver who is half thoroughbred half Morgan and 5 years old. The children and I drove down to a wonderful place not far from my parents place in the South Island to do some cross country riding, which Denver had never done before. She was a super jumper and a real star.

Oh and congrats to Clive for being best in show! And to Honey and Cinnamon for all their winnings as well!!!! Well deserved :)