Thursday, March 12, 2009

Teeter Terror

I know what I like and I know what I don't.


I used to be afraid and I had my mind made up.

The teeter board, which is a piece of agility equipment that looks like a see-saw, was NOT to my liking. I'm down with all the other pieces of equipment—jumps, ramps, A-frame, tire jumps, chutes, tunnels and even a bit of weave poles. But the teeter board was my nemesis.

I dug in my heels and refused to even go near it.

Then, Mr. & Mrs. Alpha hired me a private coach. She is even more clever than a border collie. By the end of our first hour together I agreed to walk almost half way up one side. She had me feasting with each step and I didn't remember to be uneasy for almost 4 whole feet. But not even a liver snap would get me anywhere near the top.

Yesterday, the Alphas decided to home school me. They took a trip to Home Depot and returned with all sorts of manly looking parts. I took one sniff of the big 12' plank and became mildly intrigued.

They put together a teeter for me and Ms. Alpha armed herself with a fist full of chicken. I could not resist this lure—even while walking up in the air on a wobbly board. Before I realized what was happening, I was casually strolling up and down the teeter board.

And I LOVED it. Now, the Alphas are so enthralled with me, my bravery and skill.

Once again, I reign supreme!
Who's the MAN???!!!

See for yourself. This video even comes with directions!

32 comments:

Khyra The Siberian Husky said...

Behold the power of chikhken!


Or is that khat?


Khongrats!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Mango said...

The teeter tooter is really hard. You did a great job and even learned to hit the target on the way down.

I think I am going to need home schooling too if I want to improve.

Kisses,
Dexter

Jan's Funny Farm said...

You have a smart mom and dad. They did a good job of helping you conquer your fear of the teeter board. That almost looks like fun. Especially the chicken part. Any left over?

Agatha and Archie said...

HA HA!You have her wrapped around your paw!! Tee hee! A fistfull of chickenWAY TO GO!!! Of course we would not go on that thing even for a fistfull of cookies and chicken but that's us..ove A+A

Tom and Tama-Chan said...

Awesome, Fenway! You're a champ!

Amber-Mae said...

Good job with the teeter Fenway! I used to be terrified of the teeter a year ago but after a while, I was okay with it. Not exactly loving it but I'm willing to do it when asked to. Though I think it'd be better if your Mom held on to your soft collar(which will around your neck) & slowly walk you up & to the other end of the teeter for a few times 1st because once you find there's an easier & faster way to execute the teeter(jumping off it before even touching the contact on the other end of it) you'd might do it again & again & again. It'll be a habit. Just like me with the weaving poles. My Mommy was silly to allow me to skip poles & then still reward me. Damn! I skip poles again & again & again & just will never do it right even after many months has passed & how many corrections I got. Hehehe! But keep it up! Would love to see you in action in a course.

Butt sniffs,
Solid Gold Dancer

Life With Dogs said...

It's always a challenge to get them to teeter. But once hooked... :)

Andrea said...

Love it!! Sophie would NOT do the teeter at all...she used to turn her head away...like if she didn't see it, then it wasn't there! lol!! Then we took 3 months off from agility..went back and she flew over the teeter like it was nothing! Love that Fenway's tail is wagging as he goes over it...a true agility dog! Good work...way to stay with it! :)

Maggie and Mitch said...

Your mom is very clever, Fenway! Great job on the teeter terror! You mastered it!

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch

Eric said...

Rocking Fenway!!! Smart dude!! Well done to you and your Mom. I used to do agility and never minded the teeter but then you have a collie sensible brain and I have a schizo wiry one!!

Wags, Eric xx

NORWOOD UNLEASHED said...

Fenway!
I think u outsmarted everyone. Good move protesting about one piece of equipment.. it got u some tasty chicken over and over.
Q:How many humans does it take to get a border collie over the teeter totter?
A: As many humans that have chicken.

hee hee! Burp! I've been in the green beer again..
Norwood

Niamh said...

Yay Fenway!! You are so brave. And your alphas were good to make your own teeter at home. Chicken is a wonderful thing.

Your friend,
Niamh

GoldenSamantha said...

Fenway - you are the pawsome dude! Wow - what quick progress - I wouldn't deign to touch that thing! You are "the man" indeed! AndI love the directions - those are priceless for agility folk! You go Fenway!
Love and Admiration,
Sammie

Lorenza said...

Good job Fenway!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Scottie the 'cutie' said...

Ooh...chicken galore! I think I would walk all the way up and down if I got that much chicken! *grins* I hope Mom will use this with me IF she's thinking of sending me for agility! hehehe...=)

Hope you have a great weekend!

Scottie

Huskee and Hershey said...

**Huge round of applause**.. well done Fenway!! We are soooo proud of you (and insanely jealous since Herhsey can't do it AT ALL).. We can literally see you becoming more confident with each try (and mouthful of chicken!!)

Anonymous said...

Good boy Fenway! It would be better though if your Mom could lower the teeter some until you really gained confidence. You want to be running over that thing at a low height and then raise it up slowly. That's what our Mom did for us and it made the teeter less "terrorizing"!

Can't wait for you to join us at the agility trials!

Your sisters,
Smudge & Luna

Stanislaw said...

Awesome job Fen-man!

Big Pupi has the opposite problem with the teeter. He's a little... um... enthusiastic and speedy when it comes to agility and he'd run too fast over the teeter and it wouldn't have a chance to fall. He'd go shooting off the high end and not even bat an eyelash on his way to the next obstacle. They would have to place people around it to slow him down and hold him back! Crazy beast.

I'm in your camp, buddy. I like my footing to be solid. None of this crazy wobbly stuff!

Janet Minker said...

We ALL want a teeter totter! Puttin' the body in motion in FL. =)

Scottie the 'cutie' said...

Hi Fenway!

Thank you so much to you and your Mom for the link to the website and your pointers for us! Mom agrees with her walk...she always gets nervous when it comes to these things,so I guess it shows. We will definitely work on that...=)

Mom has heard of clicker training, but we have not seen it sold in the pet stores here. Hmm...probably we'd have to order one online =\ Anyways, Mom wants to know how does your Mom work off the treats dependency once you've gotten the exercise? She always has that problem with me...I only work when I see the treats in her hand. When the treats are not visible, I stray off after a few tries, and she gets quite frustrated with it! Any tips your Mom has would be AWESOME! Thanks again, and hope you have a great weekend!

Scottie

Emma Rose said...

Wow, Fenway, you are one handsome hunk of fur!!! I LOVED your movie. You are so brave to go up on that board. I think you are fabulous!

Love,
Emma Rose

tula said...

geesch! hoomans are relentless.. and no matter what.. out comes the chicken! I know all about that trick. Works almost everytime.

A big HOOOWWELLL for doing the teeter totter. I haven't tried it yet. Still working on weaving & the tunnel.

kisses,
tula

Samantha ~ Holly and Zac ~ said...

Well done Fenway!

That looks a great home made teeter.

Holly & Zac...XX

Raising Addie said...

Great job Fenway!!

That does look pretty scary. But you have it down now!

Lots of Luv & Kisses
Addie and Lucie

SGR said...

Woof! LOVE your photos ... way to go Fenway! Lots of Woofs! Sugar

Penny, Poppy & Patches said...

Great job, Fenway! Chicken can cure a lot of things!

Aire-hugs,
Poppy, Penny & Patches

k9sheena said...

Hey, Fen!

Looks like you finally conquered the teeter! It is one of my favorite pieces of equipment!
Tell your mom my mom hasn't had a chance to write her back yet. We had a long agility trial this weekend. We spent 11 hours at the trial site on Saturday and 9 on Sunday. We're all bushed!! Chaney failed to get the Elite Chances Qs AGAIN!!! Mom was not happy. But, otherwise, she had a decent trial. Would have been better if Chaney listened to mom on a couple of courses and didn't take the off course obstacles!
Way to go, bud!! :)
Skye

Far Side of Fifty said...

Way to go! You were very brave1 Love your blog and I will add it to my dog blog listings..I just love dogs..they are better than most people! :)

BCxFour said...

This video is FANTASTIC! I cant wait to get to Home Depot and buy this stuff so we can build one in the back yard.

Here is a tip: Throw a couple handfuls of coarse sand in a gallon of paint (I am going to use yellow for the contact section and blue for the rest of the board) and use it to paint the board - viola traction and preservation in one step!

This is going to be so much fun!

Anonymous said...

Awesome! And I even saw a famous pink flamingo from the former Himmelfarb/Minker residence in one of the shots....but, oh yes, Fenway rocks!
Much love- Alice the Poodle!

Country Girl said...

Fenway rocks. Found you on the blogosphere after I asked my readers where I could find border collies!
What a beautiful boy you have. My George is now 20 mos. old.

Luna "The Scruffy Yacht Dog" said...

Fenway,

You are a very quick learner and very food oriented like me. Great video.

Luna Licks,

Looney-tunes