Hi Everyone!
Sorry I’ve been quiet for a while…my human, Hsin-Yi, has been very busy and she is so tired in the evenings that she just wants a break from the computer, so she hasn’t been able to help me with blogging or visiting friends for days! 
And then yesterday, I even had to go to creche because she was out all day at a modelling shoot and my humans don’t like to leave me alone for that long. Actually, I am very used to staying at home by myself and mostly just sleep the day away (which I do even when Hsin-Yi is home!).
In fact, before Hsin-Yi started working from home – when she used to have to work outside- she would leave me alone at home from 8am until 4pm every day! But first she spent a long time gradually getting me used to being left for longer & longer periods (first 5mins, then 10, 15, 20, 30mins, 1hr, 2hrs, etc) so that I would not develop separation anxiety.
She also always left me with special yummies like stuffed Kongs and bones which I never got at other times, so I really looked forward to my “alone time”.
And my humans were also always careful never to make a fuss of me when they were leaving or when they returned – they just ignored me completely for the first 5mins and only gave me attention & cuddles when I had calmed down a bit. This was also in our old house where there was a door from the laundry into our garden, so I could go outside to toilet anytime I wanted and drink water and play with my toys or chew bones, etc.
But in our house now, they can’t leave the folding doors open for me to go into the garden so they don’t like to leave me for longer than 5hrs at a time, in case I need the toilet (although I never ask to go out, even when Hsin-Yi is home! I normally only toilet 3 times a day: when I wake up, on my afternoon walk and then before bedtime).
But just in case – if my humans have to leave me for longer than 5hrs, they usually take me to stay with my trainer, Flip Calkoen, for the day at his training centre, Flip’s Top Dog (The Stables, Ellerslie Racecourse, Auckland, 09-5221228)
Me with my trainer, Flip Calkoen, and other creche friends
I love going to Creche Day at Flip’s! 
Flip only creches dogs of his clients so he knows all their temperaments and whether they have any “issues” and which dogs can be safely put together.
Whenever I go, I always have a great time playing with lots of different doggies and making lots of new friends…
Meet my friend, Molly the Jack Russell pup!
Molly likes taking me for a walk!
This is Winston, Hsin-Yi's favourite - she says she just wants to eat his face up!
Max & Nancy, the Golden Retrievers
Jet the Cross-breed
Playing with my creche friends...
Wheeee!
…as well as seeing old friends, like George the Bernese Mountain Dog (who was at the Rachael Hale photoshoot) and Bruno, the Sharpei-cross
Me & my ol' buddy, George
Bruno the Sharpei-cross with little pup, Kaha
As well as letting us play, Flip will also do some training with us during the day – which is really good for stimulating our minds and of course, reminding us of our manners around other dogs & humans!
We all love working with Flip so much that even when it’s not our turn, we all keep following him around! 
Doing Agility together!
Practising a group Down Stay...
Often, there will be a doggie there doing the “Maximum Impact Programme” (MIP) – this is a special training programme where the owner brings the dog to Flip’s training centre from 10am to 4pm every day for a week (just like school!) and Flip does some intensive one-to-one training with this dog – and then after that, he does 5 private sessions with the owner over the next 2-3 weeks.
Flip doing MIP training with Spencer, the Standard Poodle, while the others look on...
(Hsin-Yi: This programme is especially good for owners who have lost confidence because their dogs are completely out of control (eg. dog aggression issues) or whose dogs have learnt naughty habits for a long time and ignore them all the time or who just are really struggling with how to handle their dogs for training….
These dogs benefit from Flip’s skills & experience so that they learn things correctly (or “re-learn” how to obey and have manners) - and then Flip shows the owners how to handle, control and train them. It makes things a bit easier because in a normal class, the trainer has to coach the owner to coach the dog – and it can be hard getting it right if both owner and dog keep making mistakes. With MIP, the dog is already under control, knows the commands and what it should do in each situation (eg. walk past another dog nicely on loose leash) and so Flip can just concentrate on coaching the owner. Flip also corrects any bad habits the dog has learnt and teaches it alternate behaviours in those situations, so it is more easy for the owner to manage the dog again and regain their confidence.
Of course, the owners still need to put in the time & effort for training themselves because otherwise their dogs will behave for Flip but will revert to their old bad behaviours with their owners – but at least this way, it gives everybody a ‘fresh start’.)
Yesterday at creche, the MIP dog was a black Standard Poodle called Spencer who was REALLY timid and scared of everything. When he came in, he would just sit in the corner and not make eye contact with any of us doggies or the humans…
(Hsin-Yi: Dogs like this actually really benefit from having training and getting them to “work” because that encourages them to put their trust in their handler and helps them gain confidence. ’Making’ them to do things (eg. Heeling around other dogs, having to do a Down Stay, etc) and giving them firm but gentle handling gives them a structure and boundaries which makes them feel much more secure and helps them relax – much more than just fussing them and reassuring them and molly-coddling them for being frightened & nervous, which only makes the problem worse as it is rewarding a fearful state of mind.)
Spencer doing Heeling ('attention-walking') with Flip
In fact, by the end of the day, look at him!
Happy, confident, relaxed boy, Spencer!
Of course, while I love creche, the best time of the day is when my humans come to pick me up! 
I had a great time at creche but it’s good to be home!
Sunning myself in the garden today...
******
Thank you to everyone for your encouragement and helpful suggestions following my post on my 1st Agility class! Unfortunately, Paul got a headache from all the barking and was very grumpy on the way home – and has said that he won’t come back to class with me again! 
He hates loud noisy places and I have to say, the barking was really deafening, especially in that big echoing riding arena. So without Paul filming, I don’t think I will be able to take video to show you my progress every week, as I don’t think even Hsin-Yi can hold a camera and run an agility course at the same time! Hee! Hee! 
But she said she will try to persuade Paul to come out again for my last class so that hopefully I can show you how I have improved…IF I have improved – ha! ha! That’s a big IF!
But anyway, I enjoyed my 2nd class and am really looking forward to my 3rd this week. The club people decided not to let me do the Tyre Jump again because although I could just about squeeze through, I was bumping my hip on it every time and getting my back leg caught in it sometimes – so they decided it really was too small for me to do safely without injury.
No progress on the Tunnel yet but again, it might just be too small. Even if I can fit in and do a belly-crawl, Hsin-Yi says it may just be putting too much stress on my joints to make me crouch & crawl like that, since I’m such a big heavy girl and it would also be very uncomfortable and unfair. None of the other doggies have to do a belly crawl just to get through – and certainly not for the 3 metres+ length of the tunnel! Plus they started bending it in class last week so that would make it even MORE difficult!
I had a bit of a disaster with the Chute thing 
– they were not holding the end open for us anymore like the 1st class so I went in and stopped in the middle because I couldnt’t see anything and got stuck and panicked! I was thrashing around like a fish in a bag. Hsin-Yi was actually laughing at me (can you believe it? 
) and said she wished she’d caught it on video because it was the funniest thing (well, it wasn’t funny for me!) - I was thrashing around so much, the whole chute was moving around the arena so the club people had to rush in and help me find my way out again – and then reposition the chute to where it originally was!
Oh, and we started learning Weave Poles and I didn’t do too bad on those! Which was good as there is so much I can’t do because of my size that it was getting a bit boring just doing the Jumps!
Well, I’ve got lots of other things to catch up on (haven’t posted in nearly a week!) but I’d better post this first. Hope everybody is well and sorry if I don’t get round to visit you all for a while!
Hi Honey:
I’ve been busy too, so sorry I haven’t been around more often. Looks like you have lots of fun with all your buddies at Creche! I’m glad you have some place nice like this to go!
your pal,
Bruce the cat:)
Hi Honey and Hsin-Yi,
I want a Flip!! He seems amazing from what I can tell from your post and previous posts. I’ve never heard of Creche but I assume it’s just like what we call Doggie Day Care only you get a real qualified trainer to stay with the dogs and train them as well.
I’m bummed we won’t be able to see your weekly agility class but understand that Paul doesn’t like all the barking, etc. I’m sorry you got stuck in the chute….that must have been funny to see but you must have been terrified.
Thanks for the great pictures of your day.
AARF Ms. Kasha
& Denise
hi Honey--don’t forget the rule that blogging is just for fun and you have to take breaks sometimes--there are too many bloggies to update you will go crazy.
we have never heard that word chreche before but that guy flip seems like a perfect guy--what more could you want in a man--lol!
we love the pic from 2005 of you sprawled out on your back on your bed--hehehehe!
and we would love to see pics of your human’s photoshoot if she is allowed to post them! we think your momma is soooooooooo beautiful!!!
Hi Honey!
“Creche” sounds so much more sophisticated than what we call it here in the States — “Doggy Day Care!” Looks like you had a great time hanging out with your friends and Flip. I bet he could make me shed some of my stubborn terrier ways…
Your pal,
Petey
Thanks for all the really cool pictures Honey! Don’t worry if you take some time off from your bloggy, everyone has to do that every once in a while!
Kisses
Boxen and Bella
Hey there Honey! Nice to hear from you! I love the pic of you on your back on your bed! Creche (I only know this word to mean manger in French which kinda makes sense to me) sounds like doggy day care? Big fun whatever it is! My Brother’s dog went to something like MIP though he was already a pretty good boy, just a pupppy. and he is one awesome dog! I really want the help of a trainer for walking and recall but worried I will get working with a trainer and not like how they are doing it. I have heard one trainer in my area is ‘good’ but not sure what that means (i.e. I don’t want someone jerking on my Moose’s leash etc). We have been working on this but I am just not confident in my handling and would love some inperson coaching. I need to look into it in the fall when things slow down a bit.
Sorry that the noise made Paul grumpy. I don’t like noise either but when the noise is in an echo-y type place I get a little extra freaked out by it and it is what I imagine someone who is clausterphobic feels in tight spaces. I totally can’t focus and pretty much only think about getting out of there! Maybe in a few sessions you can get him to go with ear plugs in! If the place is all fluorescent lights, that bugs me too and sunglasses help. It seems like sensory overstimulation with too much noise and light. Anywho… we understand about Paul!
Good luck with future agilities though and we look forward to updates!
Moose + Dana
That looks like a fun place with so many friends to play with. We would love to go to such places so that we can play with other doggies too.
I LOVE that picture of you on your back on the bed! How adorable! I’m glad you’re having fun in agility and it’s okay that your human can’t take video because of mean ole Paul. Do try to convince him to go to your last lesson though. That would be great.
Oh and I wouldn’t have laughed at you, nope.
Jackal
hello honey its dennis the vizsla dog hay wow that pikcher of yoo and molly givs noo meening to the fraze “say hello to my leetel frend”!!!! ok bye
Hi Honey! you´re such a lucky pup!
that place called creche looks super fun! and your trainer means business!
I have to stay at home alone from 10h30 to around 18h30 … but Sara´s aunty comes around 14h to have a walk with me!
big licks to you all!
Pu
Hi Honey!
Don’t feel too bad about your mom laughing at you, my mom has laughed at me in some every uncomfortable and silly positions alot. Fortunately, I now a little sister who does everything silly so Mom laughs at her more
Tail wags,
Dixie
We can see you had fun! It’s so great to see you playing with the other doggies!
Sorry about Paul! We really would like to see you again during your agility lessons!
Your bone is so big!
Kisses
Rufus and Indie
Honey!
I understand about your Paul going to agilities. My Master doesn’t like too go too much which is why there aren’t many movies of little Pee-Wee. That play class looks like fun. You even did a little bucking bronco, huh?
I am the same way. Since Master works from home I am usually never alone for more than 5-6 hours and rarely even that. I, however, like to pee EVERY time I go out just in case.
Slobbers,
Mango
That place is just great, wish we had a place like that here. There are facilities for pups to go and hang out with other pups, but to be able to get some training at the same time is just awesome. We loved your little friend Molly, what a good girl you are to be so nice to even the teeniest of pups. We think your agility club needs to invest in some equipment for bigger dogs, bet more people would go then.
Tail wags, the OP Pack
Wow, what a full service creche! Flip sounds amazing. Maybe we should move to NZ!
As always, we really enjoy following your adventures.
hi honey
that creche sounds fun
we have sort of creches to but we dont go there (el’bow snors to lood)
we want that !!!! do you wanna chare?
and that bone
kissies
El’bow and Hauwii
That place looks like a good time!
Glad you had fun at your second agility class, despite the scary chute incident. Hope they hold open the chute for you next time…so you can see the “light at the end of the tunnel”
Woo, Honey! That third picture down?!? You are soooo dreamy! I just love that. Zim likes the pix of you with the cat and with your friends. Both of us boys agree -- you are one mighty cute girl!
That creche thing looks ok. I mean -- if you have to be away from home, that looks like a place you could stay busy and have fun stuff to do. That little Jack Russell was mighty cute walking you around! Ha wooo!
Luv,
Dave
Hi Honey!
Tibby
I am trying to catch up with all my friends and wanted to make sure I stopped in to say hello to you! Stop by my blog this week to see the fun stuff I am doing with Pink Baby!
What a grrrreat time woo must have had!
Tank woo fur sharing all those furiends!
Don’t worry about getting to my blog! My mom and I sooooo understand!
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
Dear Honey,
Mumma and I are so jealous of your creche! I could really do with that intensive program as I have become a frightened dawgy since I spent the whole day at my regular vet. Ever since then I am frightened of male hoomans that I don’t know. Mumma is very worried about what happened to me there and of course I can’t tell her.
I am sorry you got stuck in agilities! That sounds scary.
I love all the beautiful posing pictures of you in this blog post! Sounds like your Mumma might need a break. Give her plenty of smooches ok?
smooches,
Mr Darcy
Sure is nice to have that pawesome place to be while your humans have to do things!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza
HOney, you’re funny. Wish we could have seen you do that tunnel.
You do lead an interesting life!
Hi Honey
I just started going to doggy daycare last week -- my human and I decided I should go every once in a while so I can play with all the other puppies for a whole day.
My first day there, I did lots of singing, and I’m going to go back a few days a week for a little while, so they can train me to improve my singing, because I’m so talented.
When I was little, my human did just what yours did, and ignored me for several minutes when she got home. She said it was very difficult, because I was so cute! Now when she gets home, I don’t bark or howl or sing, I just stand quietly in the lounge room and wag my whole body and wait for her to get ready to come and get her special welcome-home puppy cuddles.
Oh, and I manage on one long walk in the morning, and a shorter one in the evening. I can use my private entrance to go out onto the balcony if I want to toilet, but I never do -- I used to, but then I stopped and my human is very impressed with me!
Hmmm… maybe I will blog about my doggy daycare experiences…
Puppy kisses
Sasha
Oh, Honey, that’s a great idea about the camera -- my human has a spare one, now, because she just upgraded to a better one, so she can leave the old one at doggy daycare.
Puppy kisses
Sasha
Hi Honey -- what a great post! Oh, we DO love to see doggies having fun and you all look like you were having a great time at doggie day care!
We don’t have anything like that here BUT our wonderful treat lady (who you’ve seen in our blog) who has three cairn terriers (one being Pippa, who Max is hopelessly in love with!) has offered us doggie day care if our humans ever find they have to be out for over 5 hours. Like you we’re able to cope very nicely on our own (as the puppy-cam has demonstrated!) but they just don’t like to leave us longer than the 5 hour cut-off! We’ve visited her house before -- basically we didn’t want to come back home, he he he!
It was so much FUN we’ve been wanting to move in ever since! Our female human has a training day coming up and our male human will be out working so we’re keeping ALL our paws crossed…. 
And -- ooooh -- if the delightful Sasha is inspired to post about her doggie day care too then this has made this post even more wonderful, he he he!
Schnauzer snuggles -- JD and Max.
Going to creche sounds awesome and Flip sounds like a great trainer! It was very cool that you got to help Spencer learn how to relax around all the other dogs.
Honey, you look FANTABULOUS sunning yourself! I’m glad you’re enjoying the ‘gilities and that the instructors are making sure that you don’t get injured on their eetie-bittie equipment!
Hey Honey, always update your blog. I enjoy reading it always at my past time. Do take care of your dog. He has a lot of good characteristics. I love it.
It seems Flip’s training centre is a great place for the dogs! We wonder why our humans don’t take us there!
What a fabulous creche. And if I ever get another dog (yes please) I’d love a Flip to help out. I an understand Paul’s decision. I love my human pups, but when I’m in a room full of them, I get a headache too!
Next time Hsin-Yi is busy, you can always come and spend some time with me- we might have to practise some time!
That was a fun post to read! I ws glad to see Spencer settle down. I love success stories.
You are lucky to have such a great creche to go to.
what an exciting week -- we love the pics of you on your bed in the yard
Thanx for all the support during Woodrow illness it is greatly appreciated
Deb -- Woodrow -- Sweetie -- MJ
Creche looks like a fun place! We would love someone to be paying attention to us most of the day while our Meowm is at work!
What a fun day at Flip’s. I wouldn’t mind to be left alone there with so many friends and things to do! The pic of you sunbathing in your garden is just too funny! Love, Dino
На Ваш блог знакомый в аську ссылку кинул. Оказалось ,что не зря
Понравилось. Тепрь постоянно читать буду 