Emberville as the Sprinkler repairs continue.

 

Teething.  It's got to be teething.  Would you believe Ember pulled the partially filled kiddie pool about five feet across the patio while doing a destructo-chew on the edges?

I mentioned that the Sprinkler guys did not come on Monday, due to the muddy conditions.  They showed up about 9 a.m. on Tuesday.  Thankfully by then, I generally have Ember's morning routine completed.  We have had our breakfasts (Prisoner's, Ember's, and last my own).  We have been on a "big girl" leash walk, while mommy continues to try to teach Ember manners about what it takes to earn that walk.  We have taken care of biological needs.  Mom has done poo patrol, and emptied the pool and put it away for now.

Ember has already frayed a couple of leashes.  

Today's private session with a trainer was very enlightening.  Added to what I've heard from other lab owners, Ember's biting, chewing, eating everything in sight is not atypical.  The severity of the appearance on my own hands and arms are at least partly due to my age and how thin my skin is.  It is not as much damage as it seems to be.  Honestly, it is not as painful as it looks!

The pink leash was on its maiden walk this morning, and already she has gone for it.  The trainer recommends "trading" her one of the good training treats to get her to leave the leash alone.  She doesn't get the treat unless she drops the leash.

I was also given advice regarding the timing and mechanics of the delivery of rewards.  I need to ask only ONE thing at a time of Ember, and reward immediately by swooping the treat low and directed at her chest, so she doesn't get the chance to jump up for it (or bite).  Begin to delay the delivery of the treat if she gets too excited, mouthy, or jumpy.

The non-verbal ignoring of her when she's jumping is something I could beef up, too.  Remaining calm when she's being crazy, too.  If she gets into that overexcited state, a time out is NOT a punishment, it's a reminder that it's time to chill out.  None of this is new, but it was reinforced that I am not ruining my dog!

A couple of hints about dealing with the hunger mid-day by having a treat-training session.  I also got a new slow-feeder to try out ONLY for the kibble, not for treats, and never unsupervised.  This one gets put away when not being used for a meal.  But that is also true of the puzzles I use with food.

Oh, yes, and don't try to pet or comfort while she's overexcited (reactive).  She won't find it comforting, just let her work it out.  It is totally OK to do the "search for treasure" game with treats to distract her and help her come down from that state.

Here she was being "a very good girl" for the trainer.

When we got home, Ember had been thoroughly challenged mentally, and was ready to sack out on the couch!

The day had extra challenges as the sprinkler maintenance guys managed to cut my internet provider line!  So this blog entry waited until mid-afternoon.

When we got home from the trainer, the internet was fixed (another whole work crew from ALLO).  Hooray!

Once they got to the "wiring" part of the sprinkler repairs, they found it puzzling how the original installer had wired things.  But while we were off meeting with the trainer, they figured it out, and they are almost done.  They were burying the wires again.  Now to keep Ember from digging them up before the sod gets laid!

A massive tree root had broken one pipe connection, which meant they needed to drill under the sidewalk and change what "zone" one or two of the sprinkler heads were in.

I've always been fascinated by how infrastructure is built.  We rely on it every day in our suburban lives, but how much do we think about what it takes to build a bridge or a highway, or even something as small as a sprinkler system!

They finished up a little after 5 p.m., but may be back to add some topsoil to the part they had to tear up, due to the tree root.  Other than that, my home is my own... until Monday when the tub/shower conversion crew shows up.

And my bank account?  Well, the bill for all of the hard-scaping (patio pavers, river rock, sprinkler repairs, etc.) arrived on Monday.  I went ahead and paid it, even though it's not nominally due until the 15th.  No sense considering that money mine when it's already committed.  So... time to start saving again, as soon as that tub/shower conversion is paid for (it's already half paid for).

The flags on the sprinkler heads and for the gas line have been removed.  Ember will not be tempted by THAT nuisance for a while now.

Life is good.  Spark on!