As some of you may have heard, my blog friend, Ludo the Sheltie had this great idea called “Tricky T-Days” where us doggies who learn tricks would post regularly every Tuesday or Thursday, to show you what we’re learning.
It’s funny – I’d just been thinking of starting something similar – sort of like “Honey’s dancing tutorials” – because so many of you commented or emailed after the ‘Marching Legs’ trick and said you’d like more lessons like that! 
But before I start showing you how I learn any specific tricks, I think it’s really important for you to understand the way I learn tricks: that is, with clicker training.
If you have a good foundation in clicker training, you can learn anything! I promise!
Of course, you don’t have to use clicker training to learn tricks but it makes it much easier for us – and it’s also a really nice way for us dogs to learn: it makes us really love training!
So next week, I’m going to post an “Introduction to Clicker Training” video – I know a lot of you already do this with your humans but for those that don’t and who might like to try, I thought an easy step-by-step video would be good. So look out for that next week!
And after that, I’ll do a video each week on how to learn many of my dancing moves and tricks, such as backing up, high fives, side-stepping, spins & twirls, etc.
OK – so as my 1st Tricky T-Day, I’m going to show you the fancy new moves I’ve been learning for my new dance routine “Me & My Shadow” – this is the first time that Hsin-Yi and I are working with a target stick in a routine!
These are quite advanced Freestyle moves for me so Hsin-Yi is very proud that I have managed to learn them all in the last 2-3 months!
But, as Ludo said, we only do short 5mins bursts each time…so if I can learn all these fancy tricks with just 5mins morning and night for 3 months, you have no excuse!
(And like Ludo said - doggies who say they can’t do things because of their breed are being very silly! Look at me! I’m supposed to be a dopey, “difficult” breed only good as a couch potato…and I’m learning fancy moves worthy of a Border Collie! If you believe it, you can do it!!)
OK, so here are my new fancy moves:
So what do you think?
And we’ve also finally started trying to dance it with the music (so hard!) – here’s how I’m doing so far…
The competition is on the 18th July so I don’t know if we’ll be ready in time – EEeeek!!
ps. Sorry I haven’t had the chance to come around and visit your blogs in a while! Will pop over as soon as I can!
Hi Honey
We just dropped over to say hello having read about you on Khyra’s blog. Congrats on all you do – we’re big believers in Clicker training to – it was one of the methods used to train me as an Assistance Dog. We hope you drop by when you get the chance.
Take care
Clive and gang
Hi Honey!
Pawesome videos! Thanks so much for sharing them and teaching us your tricks – you are such a talented girl! I hope my mom will try this out with me too!
xo
Those were fantastic. I really like this new routine. Let us know how the competition goes!
WAY TO GO HONEY ! You’re one very talented dog, following Amber-Mae !
How I wish I can be like you
Cody
You are doing such a GREAT job Honey!! We loved the videos!!
Fantastikh stuff AGAIN!
Tank woo fur sharing your fancy paw-work!
I fall into the khategory Ludo mentioned
I do intend to get my Doggy Nanny to assist my mom in snagging a short video of my talents!
Once again, tank woo fur the pawesome pakhkage!
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra and Her Mom
That was spectacular Honey!! Wow, you’re awesome:)
absolutely incredible – you are a true inspiration
wodrow sweetie mj
Wow you are really learning fast! You have a great attention span for sure (maybe cuz your mom is good at training). My moose has an awesome attention span and is patient and makes great eye contact so I know I could do so much more with him (even though I am not the best at training). You have motivated me to work harder on some tricks! He has learned lots of stuff really fast, I am just lazy! We do use clicker training and it is so much fun for him. He was afraid of it when I first brought him home but now he gets excited when I pick it up!
Anywho, good luck on getting ready. A month is like 7 months in dog time Ha ha! We know you can do it!
Oh my goodness, we could watch this all day long – Mom so wishes she could see the competition. You two are just pawesome and awesome.
Woos, the OP Pack
Pee Ess, we are really looking forward to your clicker videos.
Wow, great dance! We are one of those who asked Honey and Hsin-Yi about clicker training. So, we really appreciate your clicker training videos! We hope we can show you our tricks too in the future.
AWESOME! We truly are in awe at what you’ve accomplished. And, it has given Mom some more motivation to try some of those moves with me : )
Cheers!
Jackson
Looking great already! You’re such a talented pair that you’re sure to be ready in time for the competition. Looking forward to seeing the final version.
OMG Honey you are my idol! You are so smart and you worked hard too! I’m sure you will do really well at the competition and impress everyone!
Oh Honey, love what you’re doing!! Good luck with all that training now!
Hi Honey,
That’s so pawsome how you dance together with Hsyin yi. We wish you good luck for the competition and believe that you’ll absolutely be ready for it.
Licks,
Adele, Vincent & Bella
Hi Honey, it was really great to hang out with you last night with the kids. Were you tired at the end of the session? I was. I slept all the way home in the car. You were great with the kids. I really like you. Love Beatrice x PS I have a cat called LeRoy
thank you for all those lovely comments on my blog! i love reading them–and i know it is hard to comment when there are so many blogs to read!!!
yes–Honey and Saige do indeed have a lot in common huh? we both wanted small runt females and got HUGE dogs! Everytime I see pictures of Honey I am dumbstruck by her size–she is absolutely exquisite and so healthy looking!
I was reading your blog yesterday to learn more about your raw diet. It looks yummy! lol. we have a farm here, with eggs, beef, chicken. We have our own bees for honey and we home make our yogurt and cheese! so even though they don’t eat raw, they are getting good organic variety.
I love the relationship you share with Honey, and can’t wait to see the dance routine in its final stages! sitting on the edge of my seat in anticipation!!!! You are right about how some smaller dogs are out of control and big dogs can be easily managed with proper training. i think big dog owners take their responsibilities more serious because people are quick to judge bigger dogs—yet it is the small ones who are often out of control–becasue the owners think because they are small, they pose no risk– which is sad.
well, i can not say that i weigh 20 kg less than my dog. In fact my goal is to weigh LESS than my 180 pound girl. HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
take care–can’t wait til your next post!
janice
I had never heard of international box day either…it might have been started by zoolatry:
http://zoolatry.blogspot.com/2009/06/international-box-day_19.html
What a brilliant idea! We’ll be looking for inspiration here – our dogs have a bit to learn!
WOW HONEY – YOU ARE REALLY AMAZING. I WISH I COULD DANCE. MY MOM DANCES W/ME SOMETIMES BUT I DONT HAVE ANY MOVES LIKE YOU’VE GOT. WITH MY LONG LEGS I BET I COULD SURE TRY, WE’LL HAVE TO GET A CLICKER AND LIL KIBBLE TREATS FOR ME… YOU’RE AN INSPIRATION THAT’S FOR SURE..
YOU’RE MY HERO HONEY… I LOVE DANCING..
HIGH FIVE
BELL & HER MAMA TOO
Oh, I simply ADORE this new routine of yours, Honey! LOVE IT! You are gracious and gorgeous, Hsin-Yi is the perfect trainer!
I can’t wait to see your tutorials and I even think I’ll begin my practise with clicker training!
Tell your Mommy that I am much more calm in my walks. Carla didn’t like the halti headcollar, but she loves the halti harness! I’m not very fond of it yet, but I’ think I’ll get used to that thing…
Please, keep posting about your amazing routine and, of course… about teaching us how to do things the better way!
Love
Pipa
Thank you for sharing your video’s. We think you are going to be great in July. You both look so good together.
Thanks for your comments on our blog. We will have to check the blogger timer setting to see if we can change it to our time.
Holly & Zac…XX
That was stunningly amazing! At obed. last Monday, I happened to ask our teacher about clicker training! I may start trying it with Sammie, cause it makes sense to me and working fluidly WITH Sam is so hard for me. The timing may be better this way – you are amazing! Hey MA – this is my time with HOney!
Hugs xo
Sammie
Hey buddy,
You have been nominated for Awesome Blog Award – head on over to The Bone Zone and cast your vote
love
Opy
Hi Honey!
I left an award for you on my blog!
And congrats on your nomination for the Awesome Blog Award!
xo
Hi, Honey!
Thanks for sharing your videos! You are soo good doing all those tricks!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza
Hi Honey
You are just so clever – we love to watch your videos. We told Ludo we bassets dont do tricks but our mum says she will watch your guide to clicker training and see if she can pick up any tips. We are both well settled now in our home so it might be worth a try!
Nothing ventured as they say – we have a pal who is a Great Dane called Sam – Bailey, in particular just loves him. As soon as Sam sees us he lies down so we can all play!!
love and kisses
Martha & Bailey xxxx
more fab vidieo’s the honey girl. our mummy is starting clicker training with us, and is very interested in watching or reading youe intro clicker training vid
slobbers and leans
We’re sure you’d do well Honey!all the best for your competition!!
Love,
Camry, Chevro and cayenne
Hi Honey! I can say you and Hsin-Yi are a true inspiration for my work with Rufus! You rock! I have never seen Rufus so happy!
Kisses
Rufus and Indie
Hi Honey!
Sorry it has tooked me so very long to see this.
Wow! You amazing Honey. Hsin-Yi be a very good dancer too and I sure her friendly patient manner really helps you do learnings and makes you want to work harder.
We wanna know how you decide what moved to put into a dance routine and how you choose your music. We has a bunch of moves ready but does not know how to put them all together. That would be a good next tutorial from you. We be performing sometime in August we thinks.
~lickies, Ludo
Now those are some hard dance moves! You are amazing Honey & Hsin-Yi! Honey, I really liked in the training video when you were practicing the going backwards move with Hsin-Yi behind you with the stick and as soon as she clicked your head turned SO fast and gobbled up your treat!
It was well earned. And Hsin-Yi has some great moves…it is fun to watch her when she gets into it. Sometimes, when you watch dogs dance with their humans it seems very regimented but with Hsin-Yi she is truly dancing and she has good moves…and so do you of course! Natural rhythm I suppose. 
And I have to say that the shake move is also one of my faves…too cute! Great song selection too! Good luck on the 18th! You will be great!
Kisses,
Nala
Oh my goodness, Honey! Your training is coming along brilliantly! You are going to knock ‘em dead, for sure!
wuv,
Gus and Waldo