Dog's Can Wine Too

This past weekend the company I work for hosted a social event for it's employees and significant others.  The event was a wine tour in Niagara Region, where we visited 3 different wineries; Flat Rock, Creekside and Featherstone.  Well, since my girlfriend wasn't able to attend with me, I had a different date with me.

On the drive to Niagara

We were on a tour and they drove us from winery to winery in their van.  The guide was more than happy to have Ilse along for the adventure.   Unfortunately, his talk about wine was a little bit boring for the pup.

Learning about wines

As we piled into the van, it was a tight squeeze for the 13 of us.  Ilse didn't seem to mind though.

At our second stop we had a quick lunch.  Ilse seemed a bit unsure though, I don't think the Pinot Grigio was an appropriate match for her Purina Pro Plan.

Despite the wrong wine pairing, Ilse decided to get on with her day and carry on with her posh attitude during the wine tasting.  

Fetching for a Break

Well it has been a longer Summer and yes, Ilse and I are still here and doing well.  I apologize for not posting more often.

I wanted to have a good post today about Ilse going to vote today in the KW By-Election, however, you're not allowed to take any photos inside the voting stations.   So, we went together and she was very well behaved.  I even had her sit and stay in the room with volunteers all around, as I walked away to cast my ballot.  I didn't want her to know who I was voting for after all.

This afternoon, I was sitting at my desk (I work from home) and was finding myself getting a bit stir crazy.   I decided and Ilse agreed that it was a good time to play some fetch in the back yard.  In the process we even found her lost Kong toy, so it was a win-win-win!

Here are some of the photos I snapped as Ilse would run back to me.

Ilse Update!

It's been awhile, but we're back.  I was on vacation for 3 weeks, and gone another week, then back at work trying to catch up, so blogging was not really my top priority. 

Anyways, to fill you in.  

Back in mid-May, I was taking a course at the University of Toronto.   It was a 5 day, 8hr day course and Ilse came with me for the entire thing.   This was her biggest working experience yet.   She started off a little excited and would have a hard time settling, but by the 2nd say she settled in and would sleep  beside me for hours at a time.   Overall, I was very happy with how she behaved.

Look how smart I am!

I was being too smart... must nap to recharge.

While in Toronto, I was staying at my friend Sean's apartment, and well Sean and Ilse got along just fine!

She looks MASSIVE here!

Then my girlfriend came to visit from New Zealand for 3 weeks and Ilse spent the 1st week with us at a friend's cottage and doing touristy things.  She even helped me wait at the airport.  2 of the weeks we went out to the east coast of Canada and Ilse was taken in by a volunteer family.   They said she was a delight to have and were happy to watch her for me.

Waiting at the airport

After the airport up at the cottage, Ilse discovered the wonderful world of water.  Here are 2 videos of her first couple times in the water.   I think she likes it!

Jumping off the dock

Running in for the first time

Had to carry her out at one point

Lastly, her we are at the CN tower.  I was asked for Ilse's service dog papers, but I didn't have them.  After a few conversations with security, I was able to convince them, that she was in fact a service dog in training.   

On the glass floor

Up in the skypod

At 360 Restaurant

Long post over!
- PK & I  

Ilse Treat on Nose Trick

Well, everything is going well here.   I recently introduced a halti to Ilse and she seems to be taking to it reasonably well.   The difference in her leash walking in night and day.   The first time I tried it, she barely tried going ahead of me, and we walked by several young kids and other dogs with minimal distraction.   Overall, I think it will be a great asset in our training.

   (older photo, but why not?)

On a fun note (not that the prior isn't fun in it's own way), I have taught Ilse to balance treats on her nose and wait for my "ok" for her to get it.   I keep testing her limits, making her wait longer, and she is doing well with it.   Last week I had a couple friends over, and showed them, during the waiting phase my one friend SB cried out "Peter!  Just let her have it!!"  She clearly felt like I was torturing Ilse by making her wait, I feel like it helps build the trust and respect between Ilse and I.   Ilse knows that she will get it, in time, but on my terms, not hers.   Good obedience if you ask me.

Here is a video of it.

Also, we're super excited that nicer weather is finally here.   More time to play outside!

- PK & I

Bowling Dinner Drinks

Well it was a pretty good date for Ilse and I.  This past Saturday the company I work for hosted a social event for their employees.  There was about 10 of us that went bowling in Cambridge to start off the evening.  It was going to be a long night out and Ilse was coming along for all of it.

Afterwards we went to a restaurant in Cambridge called "Kiwi".   We had a pretty good time, and Ilse was able to sit there quietly for most of the meal.  I could see she was having trouble staying still about midway through, so we went outside for a bit and I gave her a break.

After dinner, we went over to Moose Winooski's in Kitchener to watch NHL playoffs.   We were seated in the bar area, which has a floor, littered with peanut shells.   This was going to be a good test for Ilse.  While she was initially a bit interested in them, she gave up interest (after some coaching by myself).   We carried on with watching the game, and she laid by our feet.  After an exciting 3-2 overtime win by Ottawa [Go Sens Go!], we decided to call it a night.

Ilse still hasn't caught on to the fact that she can sleep whenever we are out and not moving around, but instead, she will just sit and watch everything going on, resulting in her being super tired when we get home or back in the car.   I think it took all of 1 minute for her to fall asleep in the car on the drive home.

It was a busy and long night for both of us, but I was proud of how well she did.   Still plenty of room for improvement, but a good outing overall.

Big Fetch for a Little Pup

A few weeks ago work took me to the exotic locale of Bruce County.   It was a long day and Ilse came along for the ride, to keep me company and to help navigate of course.

I was on a seemingly deserted country road and thought we could both use a break and get rid of some energy.  This was the result.

Nothing New

Well, not a whole lot has changed over here.  We go for walks and we play and we go out in public.

Last night I went for Mexican with a few friends in Cambridge.  While at the restaurant there was 2 young boys that were quite interested in Ilse (their parents ran the place).  So, they were constantly around and want to pet and interact with her.  What was good, was that Ilse did very well ignoring them and keeping focussed on me.  Despite missing out on conversation with friends, because I was watching these kids, it was a very good experience for Ilse and she did very well.

Oh, so I guess I lied, there is some new things going on.  A few nights ago, I purchased a new crate for Ilse, since she has grown into the one I had borrowed from EW.  She was a bit hesitant to it at first and whined a bit the first night, but I think she likes it now, and will go in there and sleep throughout the day.

Overall, things are good.   Here are some pictures!