I thought I'd dig out the pictures we've snapped of Otto, our two-year old Weimaraner. As it turned out, I found a LOT of photos, and videos, saved on cameras, iPhones and hard drives. These covered his short history, from the day we picked him up from a breeder out near Camden, to recent training sessions in the local park, and of course to our weekly sessions at dog school, held by the Western Suburbs Dog Training Club.
Above: Some shots of Otto as a very small puppy. Like most young dogs, he grew at an alarmingly fast rate, quickly becoming too large to comfortably fit the various beds and crates we'd bought for the new arrival.
A few 'firsts' for Otto: Visiting Bunnings, meeting the cat, seeing me videoing him!
The flyball challenge! Flyball is a competitive sport where the dog has to run and jump over the gates, grab a ball at the furthest point then turn and return at speed before dropping or releasing the ball in the owner's hand. For serious enthusiasts of flyball, check out the Australian Flyball Association's website. We watched a flyball competition one year at the Easter Show - two teams of four dogs racing over the hurdles, tapping the pedal at the end of the first lap which releases a ball that the dog grabs and takes back over the hurdles. Once done another dog does the same. The competitiveness at these events is electric - the dogs really love the action.
Back in 2013, we visited the Sydney Easter Show and were excited to find that flyball was part of the events - here are a few shots of the dogs jumping over the course. Clearly all of them really loved the action and competition.
Above: Here's the Flymaraner in action. Here's a series of snaps taken at the fenced-off section of Blackman Park in Lane Cove.
Above: The 'Flymaraner' in action.
First birthday cake - Natalie made this scrumptious looking cake from a recipe posted by Recipe Tin Eats - all the ingredients are of course dog-friendly. We tried a small amount - it was actually quite OK, not a favourite but - mashed potato and yoghurt topping? Not bad! Otto liked it a lot.
Here's Natalie training Otto to stand next to her lag so he can walk on a loose lead - and NOT go running off to investigate something that might be more interesting on the other side of the park. Though he's getting increasingly better at heeling, he's still in the habit of not always coming back when called - so I hold him on a very long loose lead, just in case.
Here's Natalie trying to guide Otto over a raised walkway - good training for developing balance and general confidence. The biggest drawback is trying to get Otto to walk slowly! Being young, and very excitable, he only has one speed, and that's 'faster than us...'
Exercising on the dog friendly beachat Kissing Point
Canine 'personal space' (or lack of it).
Otto given the painterly treatment using a software program called Dynamic Auto Painter
