2/3 the way there

We just got back from Rudi's fourth training class. She did awesome. The trainer brought her own dog Murphy to class and he was so cute. He is such a well trained dog it's unbelievable. I hope one day Rudi can be as well behaved. Rudi learned how to properly greet dogs. Her and the other trainee didn't greet each other too nicely, but when Rudi did it with Murphy she did great. The other dog in the class is a puppy and very rambunctious so that is probably why. We have totally gotten rid of the clicker now so that is an accomplishment for sure.

Home Stretch

So I'm finally back from my UF weekend and I have mixed feelings. I have to say I didn't love it. It wasn't anything special for me. We went out two nights, I stayed in Ashley's sorority house, and I even sat in on one of her classes, but I couldn't see myself there. It may have been the person I stayed with or just that weekend, but I for sure now know that UF is not the school for me. My dad has been trying to bribe me with a new car and money in the bank when I graduate, but it's just not there. I am going to visit University of Maryland this weekend (I know I'm always gone) which I am extremely excited about. Tomorrow is Rudi's fourth training class so I am reviewing everything with her tonight. She is a little rusty because we didn't have class last week but she picks it back up fast. I feel a little empty not having to do noodletools anymore, but it is nice to have one less thing to do!

UF!

Tomorrow I am leaving for UF for four days. I am staying with my friend Ashley Ginsberg who's a sophomore there so it should be interesting. I have grown up hating the Gators so I must admit I am definitely biassed. I also have always wanted to go out of state so thats another reason not to like it, but I am going into it with an open mind and we'll see how it goes. I am obviously not going to be able to train with Rudi this weekend, but I have heard my mom trying to do some of the tricks with her and using the clicker whenever she is going to give  her a treat, so she is definitely in good hands. I will miss her. We have gotten so close since I've started this project it is very nice. I can't wait to get her into hospitals and nursing homes, that is what I'm looking most forward to.

Rudi's New Haircut

This Tuesday was supposed to be Rudi's fourth training class, but it got cancelled. It actually worked out very well because it was one of my busiest days and I was beyond exhausted. This will push Rudi's graduation back one week, but I'm not too worried. It will give Rudi and I more time to practice her skills and build upon them. I've been trying to ween her off the clicker and trying to use less and less treats. She still has time before they are completely gone so she's definitely in good shape. I've been thinking a lot about my final presentation lately and I am a bit nervous about it. I know it will all come together, but I just need to really get started working on it.

Cutie Rudi

Now that my cousins are all gone I wish I could say I could only focus on school, but midterms are this week and I am going to visit UF from Thursday to Sunday. My dad insists I visit and stay with a friend before I make any decisions. I am going to try to squeeze in all my blogs before I go, but that will probably not happen. I have been practicing with Rudi a lot lately and she is really getting the hang of it. I show all her skills off to everyone that enters my house. My entire family and most of my friends all know about my project so everyone always asks me how she's doing. It's definitely a working progress.

California Cousins

My two cousins from california came down Thursday to visit for their spring break. One is 23 and the other is 20 and we are all so close. I am so happy they are down, but that just means I probably will not get anything done until late sunday night. School is becoming so hard to keep up with now considering all the distractions of college decisions, visitors, work, and just not enough hours in the day. Work is going great, it's a lot but I like it. Rudi is doing great with her training. I am really proud of her. I am working on finishing my preview tonight so that will be a weight lifted off my shoulders. I want to enjoy my last two months of high school, but I also just want it to be over. Next week is Rudi's fourth training class. She only has two more after that, it' crazy! Another busy week ahead, but at lest it's midterms so it will be a short week. =)

Marathon Tuesday

Tuesdays are going to be my longest and busiest days ever! I have school from 7:30am to 10:45am. Then I go straight to work from 11:00am to 4:00pm. After work I rush home, change, grab Rudi and all of our training gear and drive to Sawgrass for obedient training from 5:00pm to 6:00pm. Once I'm done I rush home again to drop off Rudi and drive to the Weston Library for my Broward College class from 6:30pm to 9:15pm. I am tired just talking about it. It is a crazy day. I survived my first Tuesday and it was exhausting. I am going to just have to get used to it. The frustrating, but good thing in the end was that my Broward College class was cancelled this past Tuesday. I didn't find out till I arrived, but I was definitely relieved in the end. Rudi did great in her third training class. We learned the commands drop it, take it, leave it, and down. Rudi did great in all of them, but she struggled in down. I am really going to have to practice that with her at home.