Bath

Preparing for his approaching show debut it was time for a bath. Actually, his first since leaving Monica's. Propably doesn't rank very high on his list of favorite things but he took it like a man :-D, much better than brushing which he detests.

Match Show

Riva and I went to a match show yesterday (January 6th is a public holiday in Finland). It was his first real show experience, he came along to a couple of shows last summer, but he wasn't shown. This time we were in the ring and testing the things that we have been practicing for his conformation debut at the end of January.

The show was in a big supermarket parking garage and full with people and dogs. Eventhough he was a bit overwhelmed in the beginning, he wasn't really afraid and after a while he was quite comfortable despite of the crowd and noise. I have always liked his very polite and appropriate manner of approaching strange dogs and he showed that it hasn't changed. He doesn't go rushing to a strange dog but greets very politely and if the other seems to be likeminded, is ready to strike up some play. But it the other is less friendly, he is smart enough to just let them be.

He also performed quite nicely in the ring. Stacking didn't go quite as well as in practice but reasonably, he stood very nicely when the judge examined him and we managed a pretty nice gaiting routine around and back and forth. I got some good showing tips from a couple of more experienced handler friends but I still have things to learn in how to show him to his advantage, he's a very different dog from my smooth.

Long silence

Well, we have been just living a regular life = nothing special to report. Riva has now been spending days loose in the bedroom for over a month and has still behaved, mostly. A few new teethmarks have appeared in the handles of my two dressers (easily replaced) and he shredded the foam matress I put for him (he prefers to sleep on the floor, apparently he is hot) but apart from that he has behaved himself.

I have started to see a more serious side of him that reminds of his mother Ally. He is not a happy-go-lucky, goofball puppy anymore. He has learned that inside you are supposed to settle down and rest, he doesn't try to entice Jambi into playing inside anymore, like he did when he was smaller. Outside they still have a blast. And he is starting to stand up for his rights. The other day I gave the dogs rawhide chews and, as usual, Jambi finished his in record time and started to skirt Riva and his chew, just in case he could steal it. Riva lifted his lip to tell Jambi "this is mine and I will defend it" and at that point I told Jambi to get out of the room to let Riva finish his in peace. Jambi is a maniac when it comes to anything edible... Riva doesn't defend food or chews or even real bones from me, though.