Out & About

It's dark when Viva and I head out for our morning walk. This makes taking pictures a real challenge!

I really enjoy walking so early. It's quiet so low environmental stress for Viva. And it gives Viva and I time to practice her skills while strengthening our training relationship. It also tires Viva out which is good since she has a long time alone while we are at work.

The only thing I don't like about walking so early is that we see raccoons. I hate raccoons. I've been chased by them before and they are nasty and will mess up a dog if they feel threatened. The times we've seen them Viva has freaked out wanting to chase them - she thinks they are a cat. Oh sweet girl, they are nothing like a cat. So, the good thing about Viva's prey drive is that she often smells before she sees what she wants to chase. So when she starts amping up, we walk in the middle of the street and I'm on full alert of what she smells.

Off we go and you can see the I-90 bridge in the background.

We find a bunch of pottery items in someone's front yard.

Viva wasn't so sure of those odd things.

We head over to a Bradner Garden Park which is not far from our house.

Bradner Gardens Park is a unique collaborative partnership between City of Seattle Parks Department, Seattle Tilth, Washington Native Plant Society, King County Master Gardeners, P-Patch and neighborhood residents. All of the park's demonstrations are maintained by volunteers and are 100% organic.

Here's more about Bradner Garden Park

"I'm ready to go check this out!"

Lovely place for sure!

She wants to go into the plants as she's thinking there's something in there.

Good girl Viva for sitting and waiting.

"I'm just looking foster mom!"

We move through the gardens.

I love all the variety of plants.

Viva did not like this piece of art.

Viva was glad to move away from the scarecrow thing & watched to make sure it wasn't following us.

My guess is that wherever Viva was before her shelter stint, she never got out. She presents as a dog who was not socialized to things in the environment.

Pretty flowers!

Beautiful rainbow chard!

"Why so many pictures?!"

As we head home we passed by this beautiful plant!

A good little adventure!

Anyone who knows me, knows that I think Nose Work does amazing things for dogs and dog/human relationship. Nose Work gives the dog the power of choice, it builds your dogs confidence, it's a TON of fun and it strengthens the relationship between dog and handler. Catty and I compete in Nose Work but, you don't have to. In fact I know a lot of teams that don't compete, they just love the game of Nose Work and sharing that with their dog. Any dog of any age, size, behavioral issue or disability can do Nose Work. That's one of a thousand things that makes Nose Work awesome.

Here are some links (highlighted in green) to past blog posts regarding Nose Work with dogs that have been in our care. You can see the variety of dog and if you are new to Nose Work a lot is explained in the posts listed below.

Lots of New Rattitude dogs trying out Nose Work

From the time we adopted Catty, she had serious car sickness/anxiety. Since her adoption in 2010, we'd never been able to work through the sickness/anxiety. By just getting in the car she would do any of the following: drool, throw up and loose bowels and bladder . I then started incorporating Nose Work as a reinforcer for car rides. Here's the series of posts talking about this.

On going car work with Catty - Part 1

On going car work with Catty - Part 2

Since doing what I talk about in the above posts, Catty hasn't been sick in the car in well over a year. She now joyfully runs to the car because that means we are heading out for a Nose Work adventure.

Thanks to all this work, we were able to drive down to Oregon to participate in Nose Work Camp. It was full of fun!

Nose Work Camp - Part 1

Nose Work Camp - Part 2

We now attend Nose Work drop in classes. These are wonderful as our amazing instructor Erica Wells takes to great locations. Here are just a few in addition to Gas Works.

Catty rocks Nose Work class at the Ballard Locks

Nose Work is full of fun & adventures!

As I mentioned, Catty and I compete in the sport of Nose Work and here are some of those fun events!

Catty & I have fun at a Sniff-n-Go

Catty's nose has been busy

More nose work fun

Here are two great links talking about Nose Work

K9 Nose Work® Dogs: Hunting Machines in the Making

Canine nose work: Train your dog to use his nose

Are you now excited about trying out Nose Work with your dog? If so here's a listing of all the National Association of Canine Scent Work Instructors and you can search by your state!

Time for nose work class and Catty says "Lets do this!"

There was a lot going on at this early time of the morning. The 3 day Susan G. Komen event was going on and Gas Works Park was the first break spot.

Watching all the walking ladies in pink!

"I'm ready for my turn"

Here's a great youtube video talking about How dogs smell

We did all exterior searches - lots of fun for sure!

First search area that included a large area and the bathroom.

Catty actually picked up the odor when she was on the ground and started looking up. Telling me the odor was up! I put her on the counter and here she goes locating the odor.

When Catty finds the odor she gives me the look!

The search continues and this was an easy one for Catty

"Hello mom, I'm telling you it's here!"

Waiting for the next search area

Another large area and this area was really challenging for me!

"I love this game!"

"What's next?"

While we wait our turn we head down to the water.

Ducks in the water...

Catty was more fascinated by this very large pine cone in the water

Wondering if she should get after the ducks.

Some steps in the water...

Catty is a smart girl and she's realized she can't get to the ducks so, might as well walk the water line. She's no doubt looking for something to eat.