My first dance competition-turned-demo ... and Mint's dance debut!

Hi. Cinnamon here!

Yesterday I performed my dance routine in front of an audience in a competition-turned-demonstration. Mint also danced for the first time in the busking competition after dance demonstrations.

The event was originally planned as a competition. But, unfortunately there weren't enough entries to make a competition, so I did my routine as a demonstration. Actually it was good that the event became a demonstration, as my Mum and I could thoroughly enjoy dancing without feeling too nervous. As you can see in the video, I didn't do as well as I did when I practised just over a week ago. Nevertheless, Mum was very happy with how I did. Yay!!

A year ago I had the first taste of dancing, when I entered the One-Minute Busking competition, two days after my friend Honey the Great Dane's human told my Mum about it. At that time, I was so excited and confused in front of an audience in a new environment that I kept sniffing, jumping, and barking. Mum says that I have improved so much within the last one year, which I hope you all agree.

After dance demonstrations, there was the One-Minute Busking competition. For those who are not familiar with it, it is a competition for novice dancers where they listen to music provided by the organiser for twenty seconds and after a five-second break they dance (do tricks) to the music.

This time Mint made his dance debut in the busking competition. For Mint who had never danced to music before, it was a totally new experience. But, believe it or not, he got to get the first place and received a badge and a bag of dog food as a prize!! Of course, both our humans were thrilled about his achievement. Mum says that she wishes I kept attention on her all the time like Mint. Yeah, actually I have to admit that he did much much better than I did in my first busking. He didn't sniff or bark at all.

Progress in my dancing

Hi! It's Cinnamon.

It's been very wet here in Auckland for the last several days, so I haven't been able to practise dancing at a tennis court of a nearby primary school where I usually practise with my Mum. On Thursday, Mum and I went to Ardmore New Zealand Kennel Club Exhibition Centre for training, as there is an indoor arena where I can practise whatever the weather is.

The arena is used by many different groups every day. (On Tuesdays, obedience nights, some seventy dogs gather there for training!) But, on Thursday only five people and their dogs, including us, were using the facility. As Mum had changed some part of our routine, we focused on the changed part at first and then did the whole routine. Here is a video of the latest version of our routine.



After doing the routine, Mum praised me for not reacting when another dog started barking in the arena (You can hear it in the video). I hope I can stay calm like I did on Thursday, when I dance at an upcoming competition.

Obedience Class #2

Hi. It's Cinnamon.

The owl charm I am wearing in the photo is
a present from my Japanese blog friend Mini the Beagle.

I went to my obedience class last night. This time Mint didn't attend his class because his stitches hadn't been removed yet after his neutering operation. So, I trained for the whole hour unlike last week.

Yesterday it was nice to see my instructor who hadn't been there for the first class because of flu. I know I am not a great obedience dog, but in the class the instructor used me as a model dog because she knows me very well, having taught me dancing since last October.

I already knew many of the things we were taught yesterday, because they are also basic moves for dancing, such as the Touching and Following the handler's hand. One of the things I was told to do for the first time was laying down between the handler's legs. My mum was pleased to see me doing it, because I used to be very reluctant to stay under her when I practised Paws trick sitting between Mum's legs.

At the end of the class there was time for off-leash free playing. But, at that time I did something very very bad. As soon as I was let free, I lunged at my classmate Indy. I don't know why I did it, but I just couldn't stop myself! Of course I was caught on the collar immediately and kept on the lead for the rest of the play time while other classmates were all playing happily. Mum looked really sad. I am sorry, Mum...

No playing with Mint is boring...

Hi! It's Cinnamon.

Mint had a neutering operation this week. Or, that is what I heard, but I don't understand what it means.

When my humans went out with Mint and came back without him on Wednesday, I wondered what had happened to him. He had been out with our humans, leaving me home alone, but he always came back with them. So, I was very worried about him. I looked for him in the house but couldn't find him. The house looked somewhat empty without Mint who always follows me around and often bites or licks me. I sometimes get fed up with him and growl at him, but I have never wished he were gone.

But, to my relief he came back with our humans in late afternoon on the day. He was much quieter than usual and stayed in his crate. Our humans told me that he has to stay quiet for several days and he is not allowed to run around. I tried to invite him to play together by bringing his favorite toy over to him, but our humans told me not to do that. I think that's unfair and boring!



I hope Mint will be allowed to play with me soon!!

Our first real obedience class!

Hi! It's Cinnamon.

Mint and I attended our first real obedience class at Manukau Dog Training Club yesterday. Although I had been in obedience trials, I had never trained in an obedience class apart from domestic obedience classes that I attended as a puppy.

Usually puppies attend the Puppy class or the Domestic class first before advancing to the Competition Obedience class. But, the instructors allowed Mint to start in the Beginner Competition Obedience class, as he could do some things taught in the class already.

A problem was that Mint's class and my class, Beginner class for those with some experience, run in the same time slot, from 6:30 to 7:30. But, after discussing with the instructors, Mum decided to work with Mint for the first half of the class and then with me for the rest.

So, I was watching what Mint was doing when I was waiting for my turn. I think he was doing very well.



To start with, he practised to move from Mum's front to her behind and sit in the heel position nicely with his nose right beside Mum's leg. Then, he practised trotting, following Mum's hand without jumping up to get the treat. After that, he practised sitting between Mum's legs.



Here came my turn. The instructor of the class is actually my dancing instructor. But, she was sick yesterday, so someone else taught us instead.

In addition to heelwork and sit and down stays, I practised how to lie down in the right way. I was told to lie down without moving forward. I didn't move forward when I lied down, but I tended to move sideways when I lowered my body. So, my Mum held food in front of my nose and moved it downward to prevent me from moving sideways. But, I was very confused because that way of guiding was similar to the one Mum uses when teaching the Bow trick!



Also, when Mum told me to stand, I couldn't help raising my right front paw to show her that I was willing to do the Limp trick, i.e. walking on three legs.