Roma at 22 Weeks

Roma at 20 weeks

Roma at 19 Weeks

Roma at 18 Weeks

Roma at 17 Weeks

Fun Match Results!

Saturday Nov. 3 we did a fun match. I ran Tilda at 4" instead of her regular 8" height. She didn't knock one single bar the whole time!! The fact that she didn't knock one single bar is wonderful! She was still launching, but that is something that might just take time. Her contacts need some work. I was thinking more about my handling this time. I am trying to get better in my handling area. Though I don't think it was all great, I did try to think about it. In our first run I had a moment of 'what's next' after the chute.

Buddy ran at 16" a height lower for him too. He ran good, he had more speed! 

Gracie ran good too. She was running her regular 12" height. 

Roma at 16 Weeks

10/26 and 10/27 Trial Results- Gracie Gets a New Title

October 26 and 27 we were at an agility trial. Tilda had some really nice runs. Though we NQ'd she is running with some nice confidence. Still knocked some bars and had some fly offs. We are still taking our jumping class. I messed up too in our Jumpers run on Saturday :)

Buddy NQ'd in all his runs too. On Friday he just didn't have the drive to run. 

Gracie Qualified in Jumpers with Weaves on both Friday and Saturday. She got her MXJ title on Friday!! 

Roma at 15 Weeks

10/12 and 10/13 Trial Results- Tilda's First Trial since June

Last Friday and Saturday (10/12 and 10/13) we had our first agility trial since June! I have been doing a jumping class with Tilda since July and we are still taking it. So, I got to see how her jumping was coming along.

Tilda: On Friday both runs were nice. We still had dropped bars in both runs, however, Tilda seemed to run the course smooth and seemed to have more confidence! Which are both really great things! Tilda's contacts were okay, I don't think we had any actual fly offs, but it was close. I can't complain too much though, because I should have been working with her earlier on those contacts. In her Jumpers run Tilda stopped short in the weave poles and she didn't seem to have quite the same drive as her first run (STD). Also, in Tilda's standard run, she was about 20 seconds under time!   

Saturday was wet, cold, and rainy :) What a day it was! Our Standard run was interesting. The problems that we had, or at least some of them, were probably my fault. It's different running in the mud :) I wanted to do a front cross in front of the chute, but didn't get out in front of Tilda. So I tried a rear and that didn't quite work. There was a place to fit in a front cross, however I skipped it because it was so muddy in that area. So I went with a rear cross using the jump before the dog walk. I don't do many rear crosses, but Tilda did take the jump, but she knocked the bar. I think she might have knocked another bar in that run too. Other things happened, but we don't need to go into them :) You can see for yourself in the video. . .

Tilda had a really nice jumpers run and only knocked 1 bar, but again had problems with her weaves. In both her STD runs the weaves were fine. 

Tilda's Runs: 

Gracie had 2 double Q days! 2 double Qs closer to a MACH and more points closer to a MACH :)

Buddy did not Qualify in his runs :(

Roma at 14 Weeks

Roma at 13 Weeks

Roma at 12 Weeks

Roma at 11 weeks old

Plus. . .Tilda and Roma playing together!

Puppy Adventures #4 - Roma Update

Tilda and Roma have been doing great together! Here is an update:

Roma seems to be going to the door some of the time!

Roma and Tilda have really been playing a lot together!!

This morning Tilda took a piece of food from Roma's bowl, something I don't want Tilda doing all the time. But, I was happy to see Roma didn't show any aggression!

Tilda has still be taking her ball away from Roma :)

We filled a wash bucket/tub with water to see if Roma likes the water. She seems okay with it; she likes it better than Tilda.

Roma has been going on the teeter (the board is on the base, so it is tipping).

Today Roma met some different neighbors and neighbor dogs. It went pretty good. Roma maybe showed her teeth at the one dog, but I tapped her on the nose and said 'hey'. Roma did want to play; the neighbors other dog was running around, trying to play with her. Then Tilda wanted in too :) The other thing, while we were talking to the neighbors, Tilda pushed Roma down. Tilda put her front paws on Roma and just pushed her down. Tilda really is seeming much more confident.

Tilda, The Search and Rescue Dog!

One night we were going for our walk and while walking we saw a gray and white cat. He was acting kind of weird; slowly walking. Tilda was pretty wound up about seeing a kitty cat. As we walked by him, Tilda was pulling toward him. All he did was just sit there, he didn't seem to mind Tilda or Roma or us.

Part of our walking pattern includes us going back up that way, where the cat had been. We did not see him this time, but I could tell Tilda was trying to search him out. 

Not long after, the neighbor went out looking for her cat. Well, that cat we had seen was her cat (which I had kind of thought). We were going to help her look for him and I thought maybe Tilda would be helpful; since she likes to chase kitty cats and that she was looking for him when we were up that way the 2nd time. Off we went, up the road on the search for a cat. 

When we got up the road, I kept Tilda on a leash, we wouldn't want to look for a cat and dog :) Anyhow, she was wound up and I told her to 'find the kitty cat'. She searched around a little bit and then we spotted him. Tilda had led us to the general area of where the cat was. What a good girl helping find 'kitty cat' :) 

Roma at 10 Weeks

Puppy Adventures #3 - Things Are Really Starting to Take Shape

Yahoo!! Roma and Tilda are really starting to get along! They have both been playing inside the house together. They are a lot of fun to watch! Roma seems like she submits to Tilda; she'll often be on her back. And it's not just Roma that wants to play, Tilda keeps going back for more too :) The other thing is, is that Tilda seems more confident about taking her ball away from Roma.

On Thursday they were both sharing the outside water bowl after playing! No aggression over 'who drinks when.' Eating time has been going good as well. Tilda's still kind of nervous about it, but that might just take a little while for her to get over.

Night time has been okay. Roma made a lot of noise last night when I put her in after the last potty break. I let it go on for a little while, seeing if she would calm down by herself,  then I finally got up and banged and shook the crate. A lot of noise sure can come out of a little dog :) But, on the bright side it was only at that time and then in the morning when she was ready to get up. We were gone last night and had her crated. We did play with her for quite awhile when we came home, but she still maybe wasn't quite ready for bed. We'll see how tonight goes. I want to be careful with what kind of correction I use while she's in the crate. I don't want the crate to become a 'bad place' and then she really doesn't like it. Ideally she should like her little crate. She's been doing pretty good if we stick her in there during the day or during eating time (our eating time, not her eating time).

Yesterday (Friday) Roma met Buddy and Gracie. I needed to step in and do a little correction, as she was growling and this didn't seem to be out of fear, more like she wanted to try to be the boss. It took 2 corrections and then Roma fit right into the pack, not a problem after that.

Also, yesterday Roma ran over to the door. I put her leash on and then she started to scratch at the door. She went right outside and went potty! Later, after coming home from meeting Buddy and Gracie she had an accident by the door. Maybe she is starting to get the idea. Now today Roma had an accident that wasn't by any means near the door. But, it might be a start, that she is starting the understand how it works :)

Puppy Adventures #2 - Another Day with Roma

Yesterday Roma tested Tilda again and I corrected it. Other than that, it has been mostly peaceful. Tilda is still kind of nervous around her. But that is something that might just take a couple of days or weeks. Tilda just needs to learn that when Roma barks, it's not going to hurt her; when Roma tries to play with her, that it's just play and can join it; when it's eating time, nothing bad is going to happen. Tilda and Roma were actually playing outside this morning again. Which is fun to watch, but also good to see them playing together. 

Roma has been sleeping in my room, in a crate, because we are trying to have more togetherness for Tilda and Roma. She started making noise in her crate before I took her and Tilda out for the last potty break, at about 10:30. She seemed like she did have to go out, she went right out the door and pooped fairly quick. Good thing outside and not in the crate again :) After coming inside and putting her back in the crate she made more noise for a little while and then settled in. Roma then started to make noise a little after 6:00 am, which is fine because that's when she usually wakes up. Tilda stayed on my bed through all the noise at night and then went under the bed in the morning when I told her it was time to wake up. But I am glad Tilda didn't go under the bed at night because of all the noise. 

Yesterday Roma was chewing on a bone in my room. When Roma wasn't around Tilda started licking and/or chewing it. Which is another thing I'm glad she did, as it's fine and probably good for Roma and Tilda to share. 

Roma's diarrhea is better, it's more formed and just a little more on the squishy side. She continues to get pumpkin on her food; it's good for her anyways and Tilda gets some too :) 

Roma Chewing on a bone. Puppies need their bones so they can chew. 

Now, tonight Roma and Tilda played a little bit outside again. Something interesting happened, Roma seemed to submit to Tilda. She just laid on her back and Tilda sniffed her.  

Tilda is still unsure of eating time. Maybe in a couple days she'll realize it's all okay. 

Puppy Adventures #1- Roma Learns Some Lessons

We have had quite the adventures with Roma and it hasn't been 1 week yet :) For 1 thing, she has already started testing Tilda to see how far she can push Tilda. With some correction it has gotten better. But it was to the point that she was actually going after Tilda. And those puppy teeth don't help, Roma got me in 2 places; the thumb and the foot. Both places aren't in good spots. It was at the top of the thumb that she got me and on the foot, it's right where my sandal strap rubs. The first time Roma tested Tilda was when they were eating their supper on Friday. Then later that night we had them outside and Roma went at Tilda over her ball. There were about 2 rounds of this and the 2nd round Tilda got Roma on her back. Saturday, Tilda was eating a carrot and Roma went at her again (that's when my thumb got cut). Later we had a friend came over to meet Roma. She said hi to both Tilda and Roma and then sat on the floor with Roma. When Tilda came back over Roma growled at Tilda. Eating time Saturday night did not go well at all, Tilda pretty much didn't even want to eat. After that I ended up emailing the breeder that night asking for help. She had said if Roma growls at Tilda over her food, just tap her on the head. Well, we were going to need more than that, it was to the point that I didn't think that would really work. Before hearing from the breeder there was another incident over Tilda's ball and Tilda just walked away. We could tell Tilda wasn't going to step in and put Roma in her place. That night I heard back from the breeder. Her tips have worked wonderfully. . .So far :) Saturday night I had the chance to correct. After bring both Tilda and Roma inside after their last potty break for the night, I was going to give Tilda a treat (as usual) and a little attention, then I was going to do the same to Roma.Well, Roma came over by Tilda and me. I pushed her away because I just wanted to give Tilda a treat and attention by herself, Roma needs to learn to wait her turn. Anyhow, Roma started to growl at Tilda. I corrected that and she seemed to get the point. After correcting I went over to Tilda, gave her some treats, and attention. Roma just stayed back. I then went over to Roma. Eating time has been going better too. What it really all comes down to is letting Roma know her place and that we will not put up with that kind of behavior.

We were at the pet store and both Tilda and Roma had their noses by the treats. There was no aggression between them. Roma met some new people, Tilda was along too and there wasn't any aggression either. 

Now, for the 2nd thing, Friday night Roma met some of the neighbors along with 2 neighbor dogs; a Black Lab and German Shepherd. Both dogs are nice and they weren't trying to do anything to Roma. But Roma growled at them. I don't know if it was out of fear as she seemed a bit fearful. We will have to see how she meets other dogs.

3. Both Friday and Saturday morning Roma was getting sick (throwing up). We are pretty sure it was the probiotic that was making her sick. The breed gives probiotics to the puppies when they leave since it is a change for them. Tilda was on these too for 7 days. When we cut it out, Roma stopped getting sick. And these were supposed to help the tummy. . .It just shows you not to count out something that is supposed to be helpful when trying to figure out what is making your dog sick. 

4. Roma was quite every night, even the first night. But for some reason she decided not to be quite Sunday night. It really wasn't too bad, it could have been a lot worse. Monday night we also had noise, I'm not sure if she just wanted to get out or if she really did have to go potty. . .Read below to find out more about that :)

5. On Monday Roma had diarrhea. So she got pumpkin on her food. I'm not really sure what it is from. It could be from anything, maybe too much canned food, or because we have started mixing Roma's puppy food with Tilda's food, or maybe from the bone she has been chewing on, or maybe new treats, or maybe just from being in a new place with new things, or maybe it just happened. Monday night she had diarrhea in her crate. . .oh well, she couldn't help it. She was making noise, but how was I to know that she really had to go out or if she just wanted to come out? 

She is a confident little puppy. Because I have been working with Tilda on running contacts I have the teeter board on the ground. Roma has already been walking on it. 

And then of course, there is potty training :) There is nothing you can do about this. I think this is something that just takes time. We have started training her to use the bell to let us know when she has to go out, as Tilda does. 

Roma's walking has gotten better, she is getting used to the collar and leash. 

She is doing pretty good with her 'sits'. She already seems to know that if we don't give her the treat right away to sit. 

Monday morning Tilda and Roma were running around outside playing. Tilda had the zoom zooms and was really running around. It was fun to actually see them running around together!

This morning (Tuesday) Roma saw Lucy outside. Lucy is one of the feral cats we have around here and Roma was barking at her. Tilda likes to chase the cats, something I don't want her to do :)

A Big Update

Hello, I am back. I should have done this awhile ago. Since my last post, the following has happened.

Buddy and Gracie have been to 5 agility trials. In August: Buddy and Gracie Q'd last weekend in Jumpers. Gracie came in 5th place and got 10 MACH points. In July: Gracie Q'd in Jumpers for 6 MACH points. And at another trial, Gracie Q'd in Standard, took 1st place and got 22 MACH points!

As for Tilda, we have not done a trial since June and I can't say for sure when are next trial will be; maybe September. We are taking an online jumping class. It is really a neat class and I like the way it is going so far. The training is by way of playing games and it is about having fun. I do think Tilda's jumping had gotten worse overtime. If I go back and watch Novice runs, even her striding seems better. One thing that may be true, is that Tilda was just trying too hard. Which would probably mess up her striding. I am really hoping this class helps Tilda, as least a little bit. Here is the other thing, in May and June we did a total of 4 trials which would equal out to be 8 runs. Out of all 8 runs, Tilda at least knocked 1 bar in each run. Which seems like quite a bit, considering we have Q'd before and made it to Excellent. But on the bright side, she was clearing more bars than she was knocking :) I can't say now if the class is helping Tilda's jumping, I'll just have to wait and see.

I also really want Tilda to have solid running contacts. I have messed around a little with just having the teeter board lay on the ground. So maybe by the time our next trial comes up we will at least have a start to running contacts.

Now for the big announcement. We got a puppy!!! Yes, another Australian Terrier, a little red this time. Another girl Aussie, which we have named Roma. Let the puppy fun begin!! 

Brush Those Teeth!

Brushing your dog's teeth is a wonderful thing to do. It really doesn't take all that much time either. I brush Tilda's teeth everyday. Sure, I've missed some days, but I try to do it. I really think the best time to start is in puppy stage. Even though puppies don't really have dirty teeth, it's a great time to get them used to the brushing and it also keeps them from getting dirty teeth. I should have put more of an effort out to do so when Tilda was a young pup. She handles the situation fine, she is so good about it (although, I wouldn't say she really enjoys it). But, her teeth are a little dirty and maybe that could have been helped had I started brushing sooner and did it more often.

I usually will kneel on the floor when I brush Tilda's teeth and simply put her between my legs. This way I just have to lean over a little, open her mouth and start brushing. It does not need to be done this way. I can imagine this may not really work for a big dog. This is just one way to do teeth brushing. 


Don't use your own tooth paste, it isn't good for dogs. I recently got Tilda a new tube of doggie tooth paste, so far I like it. It's made by NylaBone and is made in the USA. It's also natural peanut flavored. The tooth paste I used before I got this was made in China, something I wasn't crazy about.  


It is best to brush everyday if you can. If you have a puppy, go ahead and start. If you have an older dog, go ahead and start. You may have to build your dog up to doing this, you might not be able to simply get in the mouth and brush. There is nothing wrong with taking time to teach this to your dog. Maybe you'll only be able to touch the brush to the teeth and that's all the dog will take. Take it slow and practice everyday getting more advanced in the brushing as your dog relaxes. Just because your dog doesn't like it, doesn't mean you should give up. Any brushing you can do will be better than not doing anything at all.    

Lil' Tilda