Third Day of Class

Class went well today. I am really enjoying the class and the dog that has been pre-matched. The dog that I have been pre-matched with has been such a sweetheart. Very intelligent, well-behaved and a joy to have around. I could say the same about every dog in the class. 

We spent most of today on our feet working the dogs and training them to "alert" (touch us), and then after that we started training them to alert us to a timer beeping. It was hard for a lot of the class dogs. Some got confused and went to alert the trainers instead, which is understandable, as they've been spending months with the trainers. 

I was glad to get more active and hands-on with the dogs. This is normal, we will start having more and more hands-on with the dogs and not so much time in the classroom. 

Lunch provided by the "voluncheers" was delicious, as usual. It was chicken fettucinie alfredo, green salad, and garlic bread, with chocolate chip cookies for dessert. It is so wonderful that the "voluncheers" do this for our class, and I really appreciate it so much. I must get some of these recipes from the "voluncheers" as everything has been so incredibly yummy.

After lunch we did more soundwork training, then did several walks, where we go outside and practice commands with our dogs like "sit", "stay", "down", "heel", and "wait".

Then we came back inside and we learned about dog health, and dog grooming, including clipping nails which is nerve-wracking for me, and brushing their teeth, cleaning their ears and other places, etc. 

Sunday is our day off from class. Some of the classmates will probably tour this beautiful area. CCI recommends we all take it easy and rest up for the week ahead, which I agree with. But some people get revitalized by going outside or doing something new, so I can understand wanting to see some of this area.

Since I grew up not far from this area, I suggested some places to check out:

•  Bodega Bay and eating at the Tides Wharf restaurant (featured in Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds"), and going to Schoolhouse beach not far from there (most beaches in Northern California are rocky, but Schoolhouse is sandy and has great shells and sea glass). Of course, be extremely careful, as Northern California beaches can be dangerous - don't approach the edge of any cliffs, and don't get too close to the surf or turn your back to the ocean, as rogue waves can wash you away.

The Tides Wharf Restaurant & Bar

Sonoma County Beaches


•  Mendocino (even though it's a little far)

 Mendocino

 Mendocino County


•  Fort Ross (A Russian fort)

Fort Ross State Historic Park 

Fort Ross 

Ft. Ross on Wiki 


•  Jack London's home in Glen Ellen, and the town of Sonoma, especially visiting the Sonoma Cheese Factory (tours and deli), and walking around downtown and the Square

Jack London State Historic Park

Jack London SHP 

Sonoma Cheese Factory 

About the town of Sonoma 

Sonoma Square 


•  Petaluma Village Premium Outlet Mall

Petaluma Village Premium Outlets Mall 


Last, but not least: 

Since CCI is supported by Charles and Jean Schulz, there is the Charles M. Schulz Museum, aka the Snoopy Museum. There is also ice skating there.

Charles M. Schulz Museum

Snoopy's Home Ice