Sunday Selfies - Ethel's Been Sucked In...

… Into the selfie rage!!!

Hi all! Its Sunday, and for the first time ever, Earl's World! will be participating in a brand new blog hop (to us!), Sunday Selfies! (More information later on the hop itself).

So, Ethel's been trying out some selfies. And she managed to get this one...

Considering she's new to the rage, it wasn't a bad snapshot at all! In fact I was rather impressed with her newfound ability to take beautiful and quirky selfies.

We're delighted to be joining, for the very first time @ EW, the Sunday Selfies Blog Hop, very kindly hosted by The Cat on My Head - thanks guys!

OMD! Only 4 days left to vote for Earl and I in the Dogs Monthly Magazine's HiLife Best Friends Trophy 2014!!!

Please CLICK HERE to see our main post on why you should and how to vote for Earl and I in this special award that means the world to us! Just see the bottom of the post to click on above to see how you can vote - thanks SO much, and we will be eternally grateful!

We're an incredible pair of very best friends <3

Sepia Saturday - Why its Important to spend Quality Time with each Dog Individually

Do you have more than one dog? Well this is the post for you - and if you don't, then you can still read this beneficial post with much interest!

Its Sepia Saturday today, meaning we join our good pal Ruckus for the amazing blog hop, as proud co-hosts! (More on that later)

Today, it wasn't raining. I woke up thrilled and excited! For it not to rain - why, what an opportunity to seize! And on the weekend too!! Pinch me! Because where we are, we see rain a lot at this time of year.

Anyway, I knew the plan of action as soon as my eyes first blearily opened - go out and get some quality dog training in with both dogs! But I knew I was missing something. But what on Earl's World was it?! Ah ha. I'd got it. It was to spend a day working each dog and getting right down to some proper stuff with them. As anyone with more than one dog will know, having more than one dog is more work - that work going up the more dogs you have!! So spend time with each dog as an individual, keep and strengthen that special bond, and you will get even further in dog training. There are, of course, times to have fun and work your dogs together so that they get on with life together, and listening to you together and living in harmony in general, however, individual time is important.

So what did I do and how did I handle my one-to-one with Earl then Ethel? Well, allow me to virtually demonstrate through the blissful and jolly art of skilful blogging…

Our Day of Individual Dogginess:

Earl was first. My main goal with him today was to work on some Freestyle and linking pieces and tricks/stunts together, as we're working on some Heelwork To Music (HTM), hoping to one day get the chance to have a go at a YKC Crufts qualifier for the sport (you've got to have goals! We've already participated in one for agility!). So we went outside and I had a great time with him! He loved it just as equally as I did!! I managed to work him through some brand new stunts, which were VERY impressive indeed! And complicated. Definitely more advanced. Anyway, this was successful, and I even got him working for a tuggy toy and ball throw-of, even though food will always float his boat as number one.

I also took my boy for a lovely walk, where I got out my camera and took a leafy snapshot on a large patch of grassy area where we cross. It was a great, special walk! As I normally have to put all my effort and thought into lead training my mad little devil (AKA Ethel!!!).

Balancing the ball...

And playing with the ball for balancing the ball!!

On our lovely, lovely walk.

We then returned home, Earl pretty much ready for a snooze on my human bed (obviously)! I put him inside, and he creeped happily and tiredly away. NOW! To unleash the wiry bundle of pure madness and noise! A screaming puppy was calling from her comfy crate, aroused by our return. I waited until she'd calmed a little… at least to a more acceptable state of being and mind… and unleashed the beast. Sorry girl. It was, by the way, now getting darker.

She rushed madly out with me, pelting around and then diving on me, performing the 'rebound' several times, in which I'd never even taught her. A natural superstar.

What I wanted to mainly work on with her was her wing work and pole awareness. Plus her left and right senses and start work on another beneficial trick that would come in in the agility field in the future (so many ins!!).

I started with her, and she loved it! I got her working for a tuggy, and when she seemed to get bored and less motivated by the toys, I brought in the fast food:

THANK YOU TO MISFITS, WHO PROVIDE ME AND MY CLEVER DOGGIES A BRILLIANT AND MUCH-LOVED SNACK THEY ADORE TO WORK FOR!

Anyway, then I moved on and taught her to run through my legs. Soon, I hope she'll master the leg weaves like my man.

I played with her too, interacting and engaging in a cute little chase game around the garden. I also engaged in gentle tugging games with her, however not that much, as her teeth are still fragile and developing - not to mention becoming loose and falling out altogether!! Must be gentle.

Then, we went walkies. We took Earl, however my mum held Earl as I trained Ethel. She was great, remained at a wonderful, enjoyable and easy heel position throughout the walk, the exception being when we walked through a deep alley of leaves and it absolutely threw her! She galloped through, trying to keep afloat! But she loved it and had a great time being, simply, a puppy.

(You can tell it was darker by then! And it was only just after 4!)

Over and right - see how I got her tight round the 'wing'!!!

Motivated by the tuggy? Success!

It was a great day, and as I write, I feel as though I made a great deal of progress with each dog. Time well spent!

So, here are my thoughts on the importance of individual dogginess all summed up in bullet-point form:

~ Individual interaction with each of your dogs for a good period of quality time means that you can keep and strengthen that bond between you.

~ By doing this, you can also see the progress of each dog individually, so you know which route to take next in training.

~ You can work with one dog without the disturbance of the other(s).

~ You can ensure each dog prefers spending time with YOU rather than the other dog(s). All dogs MUST get on with each other, however, they must look to you as the best thing in their world, and choose you over the others to play with and come to, the vast majority of the time.

~ You can make real progress - your dogs have different strengths and weaknesses in training I am sure, and individual sessions make you move forward. Without moving forwards, you'll become stuck and won't be able to improve training. And without training, you're really not going to succeed and have happy, easy dogs that are a pleasure to live with!

In addition, also let your dogs all have good quality GROUP time, to rough-and-tumble, chase each other, tug safely and controlled on a tuggy, however make sure this is balanced out with individual time in order to share a balanced relationship with your fur family as a whole in the long run.

We're once again delighted to be co-hosting the brilliant Sepia Saturday Blog Hop very kindly main-hosted by Ruckus The Eskie, our very best pal!! Thanks for being such a great host to host with!!

OMD! Only 5 days left to vote for Earl and I in the Dogs Monthly Magazine's HiLife Trophy 2014!!!

Now we're making this a little shorter now, as its taking up so much of our post space… but please CLICK HERE to see our main post on why you should and how to vote for Earl and I in this special award that means the world to us! Just see the bottom of the post to click on above to see how you can vote - thanks SO much, and we will be eternally grateful!

We're an incredible pair of very best friends <3

Also, we've opened up a new, interactive, reader-friendly page on the blog, called Noticeboard and Chat Functions - which is a Noticeboard for any news you would want to know or could help with/benefit from, plus a chat section for our readers and viewers to talk to each other. Topics, for example, could include introductions, pet issues, questions and answers, and blogging. The topics are not limited to that however the page is closely monitored frequently. Have fun! I hope its used well!

Paws Up! Its Friday! - Pet Parade - Black Friday

Hi all! Its Friday again, meaning its time for all of us to put our PAWS UP, with us here @ EW, to get prepared for the weekend of fun coming up and wrap up the week with a big doggy smile!

As a lot of you will know, today is Black Friday. Meaning plenty of opportunity to get our paws on some deals.

This much-favoured occasion is the start of festive shopping around the time of Thanksgiving. And we have some great Christmas doggy products to buy for your pooches, put on your own Christmas list for Santa or buy dog loving/owning friends, coming up soon on the blog, to kick the season off!

Have you got your paws on any deals today, for your pets?

We're delighted to be once again joining our main host, Rascal and Rocco, and friendly co-hosts of Jan's Funny Farm, Barking From the Bayou, Bionic Basil and Love is Being Owned By a Husky! - thanks again, guys!

OMD! Only 6 days left to vote for Earl and I in the Dogs Monthly Magazine's HiLife Trophy 2014!!!

Please CLICK HERE to see our main post on why you should and how to vote for Earl and I in this special award that means the world to us! Just see the bottom of the post to click on above to see how you can vote - thanks SO much, and we will be eternally grateful!

We're an incredible pair of very best friends <3

An InLinkz Link-up

Wordless Wednesday - Ethel says Celebrate Life Itself with some Wine from the Rack! (But not Dogs) & PetPlan Thanksgiving Plan!

Thanks to our host again, BlogPaws

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Whoops! We're talking on a Wordless day!!! But hey - this is a very important and fun at the same time announcement for you guys. After talking about PetPlan's PAWsome 'Eat This, Not That' Guide a few Mondays ago now, we were delighted to receive more news from them about their Thanksgiving Guide for pet safety this season. We don't personally celebrate Thanksgiving where we are, however we know a lot of you out there will.

See their additional page for Thanksgiving Dangers to pets HERE!

And see their cool and cute treats and other recipes for Thanksgiving that are 100% SAFE for our furry pals HERE! No doubt we'll be trying these out ourselves soon!!

PetPlan and I hope this helps you this Thanksgiving season, and you have some fun making some festive treats for the occasion, and steer well clear from the hazardous risks including food we as humans enjoy.

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THERE IS ONLY 1 WEEK LEFT TO VOTE BEFORE IT CLOSES! GET VOTING PLEASE!

Don't forget to cast your kindly vote for me and Earl for the Dogs Monthly (Magazine) HiLife 'Best Friends' Trophy 2014, if you haven't already. This award means the world to us, and to get it would be totally incredible and lifting. Our relationship is special - if you missed the post, visit it HERE and see for yourself fully.

To vote, email Kathie.L@abmpublishing.co.uk with 'Best Friends' in the subject box. In the main body, write 'I would like Summer Clark and Earl to win the HiLife Trophy 2014' (or something along those lines, stating CLEARLY our names). That's all, you can then hit send! Alternatively, write to Best Friends, Dogs Monthly, 61 Great Whyte, Ramsey, Huntingdon PE26 1HJ. Voting closes on 4 December 2014, so get your votes in ASAP, and support one wonderful little terrier and the human girl he has 'saved'!

Every vote counts, and we are eternally grateful for EVERY single person who votes. Thank you SO SO SO much for your such generous voting!!

Earl and I are a fantastic pair, with an incredible relationship and story <3

Black & White Sunday - Suds Ahoy! & Terrier & Wire-Coat Bathing Tips

Today, Earl got a wash. That's right… and he was a little put out at first, as they are! Earl has never relished in baths or showers, and today was not really any different! Before we did it, he sat there and whined, like he knew it was coming… even after a LONG walk and LONG play, running around and enjoying tiring times with his little 'house-sister', Ethel of course!

We applied the suds, and I think he enjoyed this better than being rinsed. Ugh, water. That's what his idea of the stuff is! 

Anyway, he much preferred his towel down, which was a little like a relaxing massage in his mind (good thing), and mostly, absolutely threw himself into the hair-drying afterwards!! Yep, we used a hairdryer!!! And he loved it! You see, natural fur-drying was not an option, as he couldn't go outside to dry as it is wet and cold. Not an option…

Trust me, it wasn't easy getting photos!!!

So instead, we placed him in front of the roaring fire with a chew bone and let him dry off snuggly and toasty. The perfect way.

Bathing terriers & wire-coats - my best tips:

~ Do not bathe on a very regular basis, as this could strip your dog from his/her natural coat oils

~ Your terrier may be stubborn to bathing, you know them! Wilful characters they are, but don't let them get the better of you! Persist and get the job done! Your terrier will feel better afterwards!

This is for terriers and wire-coated dogs, and dogs without wired fur, this will differ. Look into your own breed of dog and type of fur/hair to see how you can successfully bathe them.

How does your dog take to bathing?

We're delighted to be participating in the Black and White Sunday Blog Hop, very kindly hosted once again by Dachshund Nola and Sugar The Golden Retriever - thanks again, guys!

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Also, don't forget to cast your kindly vote for me and Earl for the Dogs Monthly (Magazine) HiLife 'Best Friends' Trophy 2014, if you haven't already. This award means the world to us, and to get it would be totally incredible and lifting. Our relationship is special - if you missed the post, visit it HERE and see for yourself fully.

To vote, email Kathie.L@abmpublishing.co.uk with 'Best Friends' in the subject box. In the main body, write 'I would like Summer Clark and Earl to win the HiLife Trophy 2014' (or something along those lines, stating CLEARLY our names). That's all, you can then hit send! Alternatively, write to Best Friends, Dogs Monthly, 61 Great Whyte, Ramsey, Huntingdon PE26 1HJ. Voting closes on 4 December 2014, so get your votes in ASAP, and support one wonderful little terrier and the human girl he has 'saved'!

Every vote counts, and we are eternally grateful for EVERY single person who votes. Thank you SO SO SO much for your such generous voting!!

Earl and I are a fantastic pair, with an incredible relationship and story <3

Sepia Saturday - Half Dark Half Light

Hey! Its Saturday, meaning its the day we cohost Sepia Saturday with our good pal, Ruckus! And its also the start of the weekend, meaning happy relaxation (or not, BOL!) for us.

Today, I want to show you a fascinating image I took whilst the rare sun was out this season. Its of earl, half of his face in the sun and half out. It looks like he's half blonde half black!!!

I just love this photo - its so quirky, and I also love picking out little lovely parts of photos and analysing them! Its always so fun and interesting - I love photographing my boy and girl!!

We're delighted to be co-hosting the Sepia Saturday Blog Hop with our dedicated and good pal main-host, Ruckus The Eskie - thanks again pal, we make a great team!!!

P.S. Just to WARN everybody, y'all may experience some page issues if you attempt to view a page on the blog over the course of the weekend, due to some important simplifying changes I am making to them this weekend. This is solely to enrich the reader experience and make it easier. Thanks - they should be back to normal soon.

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Also, don't forget to cast your kindly vote for me and Earl for the Dogs Monthly (Magazine) HiLife 'Best Friends' Trophy 2014, if you haven't already. This award means the world to us, and to get it would be totally incredible and lifting. Our relationship is special - if you missed the post, visit it HERE and see for yourself fully.

To vote, email Kathie.L@abmpublishing.co.uk with 'Best Friends' in the subject box. In the main body, write 'I would like Summer Clark and Earl to win the HiLife Trophy 2014' (or something along those lines, stating CLEARLY our names). That's all, you can then hit send! Alternatively, write to Best Friends, Dogs Monthly, 61 Great Whyte, Ramsey, Huntingdon PE26 1HJ. Voting closes on 4 December 2014, so get your votes in ASAP, and support one wonderful little terrier and the human girl he has 'saved'!

Every vote counts, and we are eternally grateful for EVERY single person who votes. Thank you SO SO SO much for your such generous voting!!

Earl and I are a fantastic pair, with an incredible relationship and story <3

Paws Up! Its Friday! - Pet Parade - Winter 'Light' (or not…)

… Is a great annoyance for photographers (professional AND hobbyist!) and pet owners!!!

Yo, folks! (New ways of saying hi everyday, BOLBOLBOL!!) Its Paws Up! Its Friday! time again this week, with us at Earl's World!  Here today, we just love to share some Friday fun and frolics, getting involved with cool blog hops for the day at the same time! Today, we are glad to say (that rhymes BOL!!), we are joining in the Pet Parade Blog Hop (see bottom of this post for more info). We hope you enjoy the post again today, and have a fine evening. Lets roll on today - one step closer to the weekend!!!

Today, I want to share the annoyance of light for both general photographers (outdoor/nature ones especially) and pet owners. The light in winter… well, you may as well not call it light! After half four here in the UK, late October, November, December, January and early February, the skies are black, and natural light is a light year (BOL, light, haha, I'm so funny…!) away from our thoughts and camera lenses.

That is why recently, on our blog, you will have noticed many posts including photos with a beautiful radiator and its little generator thing behind Earl, and tiles after tiles, shining weirdly because of the flash behind Ethel. And if its outside, its practically one of the dog's faces over a black background - no trees, grass, flowers, or anything, because I am simply not here in the day to catch that 'lighter' time!!

Earl, seen here helping me experiment with light and the camera, having just turned on his light source for me...

As you can see in the above photo, my generous boy Earl has decided to help me out with light and camera experiments I have been running tonight. See, bad-quality photos annoy me out of my wits to the point of panic sometimes… maybe OCD? Maybe… but I post them more or less anyway, because, with a tiny little digital camera that seems to have some odd issues going here and there, its almost impossible or a 1 in 10000 chance of getting a super lovely and professional looking snapshot.

So, as an example, compare the above photo, with the flash activated, to this one below, with (annoyingly!) the flags deactivated manually.

Ahhh, the many comforts of indoors!

Now. I hate photos of terrible quality, where its fuzzy, and you can't see the image well or at all - *GROAN*! It makes me feel funny, BOL. And this is the problem we face as photographers at this time of dark, dank year. A lack of natural light to enhance our photos. And with my little digital thing, the flash sometimes makes the photo less sharp. I am personally sick of boring indoor photos however - so this winter time, I have set myself a challenge - scrap the negative outlook, and dress up the indoors as some fun scenery with that indoor theme, but make it look good and meant to be there - not just a horrid, blank radiator.

So, here are 10 of my best thought up tips for you this wintertime (5 for photographs, 5 for general doggy stuff):

Shoots

1. Befriend your flash - without it, you'd struggle to shoot quality images.

2. Enjoy indoors - make a room in your house look fun and photo-friendly for shoots.

3. Accept it and be flexible - Instead of swearing at darkness (that sounds so dramatic!!!), bathe yourself in it's opportunities, and try not to get cross if photos aren't always as you'd want, light wise.

4. Fiddle online - Attempt photo editing on your computer or other device. It may be your saviour or at least impact your work positively for adjusting light and sharpening images, etc.

5. Obsessing could upset your dog - Taking so many photos with the flags going off could really startle your dog's eyes. Instead, take a few, if not right have a break or settle with one! Remember, to a dog, photos mean only a horrid flash, so don't overdo it if you're taking photos of living beings…

General

1. Be an earlier bird - when you get in from work/school, go straight out for a walk if there is still some OK light. You can experience better views yourself, see your dogs safely, and even take some photos and see if the light is bright enough.

2. Don't put safety at risk - if its really dark outside, don't take your dogs out to run around madly. They could bump into something or you could loose sight of them. Instead, go for lead walks, both human and dog(s) wearing some reflective/light-up gear. If this doesn't sound fun or helpful, brisk up your pace for a better workout.

3. Make the most on man - use manmade lights!! They're there to help, and we couldn't live  without them!!! Put them on inside (this will also help with your photography) and even consider installing some in your garden, or if you run evening/night canine activities, light up your area very well.

4. Like the dark - the dark is cosy, and for your dog, great for non-distracted sleeps. After a walk, a dark, cosy place to sleep can be just right for settling them down.

5. And finally, for both of our categories stated here, enjoy. Enjoy a new way of photography for a little while, and smile at the chance for different and exciting photo-shooting opportunities. Indoor photos can be cute, funny, and beautiful too, and the flash can enhance this. Also, enjoy preparing for the dark with light-up/reflective gear - take your immediate family out for an evening walk together, dogs and all, all lit up, safely. 

Look out for further winter safety and holiday gift guides later on on the blog! 

Earl prepares for a funny dark pic… he closes his eyes and rests his head… 1..2..3.. shoot!

Tell me a bit about your 'dark photography' and how you cope in the dark seasons with taking good quality photos. Does your camera work well in the dark to adapt? Do you have a period of time for indoor photos?

We're delighted to be participating in the Pet Parade Blog Hop, very kindly hosted by Rascal and Rocco (our main host), plus willing co-hosts Jan's Funny Farm, Bionic Basil, Barking From the Bayou, and Love is Being Owned By a Huksy! - Thanks again, guys!

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Also, don't forget to cast your kindly vote for me and Earl for the Dogs Monthly (Magazine) HiLife 'Best Friends' Trophy 2014, if you haven't already. This award means the world to us, and to get it would be totally incredible and lifting. Our relationship is special - if you missed the post, visit it HERE and see for yourself fully.

To vote, email Kathie.L@abmpublishing.co.uk with 'Best Friends' in the subject box. In the main body, write 'I would like Summer Clark and Earl to win the HiLife Trophy 2014' (or something along those lines, stating CLEARLY our names). That's all, you can then hit send! Alternatively, write to Best Friends, Dogs Monthly, 61 Great Whyte, Ramsey, Huntingdon PE26 1HJ. Voting closes on 4 December 2014, so get your votes in ASAP, and support one wonderful little terrier and the human girl he has 'saved'!

Every vote counts, and we are eternally grateful for EVERY single person who votes. Thank you SO SO SO much for your such generous voting!!

Earl and I are a fantastic pair, with an incredible relationship and story <3

An InLinkz Link-up

Wordless Wednesday - Comment 'YES' if..

Thanks to our host, BlogPaws.

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Also, don't forget to cast your kindly vote for me and Earl for the Dogs Monthly (Magazine) HiLife 'Best Friends' Trophy 2014, if you haven't already. This award means the world to us, and to get it would be totally incredible and lifting. Our relationship is special - if you missed the post, visit it HERE and see for yourself fully.

To vote, email Kathie.L@abmpublishing.co.uk with 'Best Friends' in the subject box. In the main body, write 'I would like Summer Clark and Earl to win the HiLife Trophy 2014' (or something along those lines, stating CLEARLY our names). That's all, you can then hit send! Alternatively, write to Best Friends, Dogs Monthly, 61 Great Whyte, Ramsey, Huntingdon PE26 1HJ. Voting closes on 4 December 2014, so get your votes in ASAP, and support one wonderful little terrier and the human girl he has 'saved'!

Every vote counts, and we are eternally grateful for EVERY single person who votes. Thank you SO SO SO much for your such generous voting!!

Earl and I are a fantastic pair, with an incredible relationship and story <3

Monday Mischief - 'Don't Play With Your Food' she says...

Its a rule that must be ignored, says Earl!! Ethel disagrees with Earl and kind of agrees with me, and believes there is nothing wrong with simply scoffing your food down before playing. Therefore no playing with food at all. No opportunity at all. Earl would probably feel the same way, that is, if I hadn't accustomed him to doing all sorts for photo shoots before actually eating the food. THEN, he gets plenty of the little crunchers.

First, the three-treat-head-balance...

Secondly, the fake lick...

And finally, the mid nom!

I love all these PAWsome pics!! 

I actually find it quite surprising that Earl actually goes with these photos with all his happiness and willingness - he may love to snap them up and swallow them almost whole, however, he also loves performing and doing tricks for me! He has a reliable 'leave it' command, so I can place treats in front of him and he won't even touch them! And he wears that big doggy smile whilst doing as I ask. Working with me is his ideal thing to do (at loss of a better phrase other than 'thing to do'!!).

Does your dog allow you to take foodie photos, or do you find it hard?

We're delighted to be participating in the Monday Mischief Blog Hop very kindly hosted by Snoopy's Dogblog, Alfie's Blog, and My Brown Newfies - thanks again, guys!

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Also, don't forget to cast your kindly vote for me and Earl for the Dogs Monthly (Magazine) HiLife 'Best Friends' Trophy 2014, if you haven't already. This award means the world to us, and to get it would be totally incredible and lifting. Our relationship is special - if you missed the post, visit it HERE and see for yourself fully.

To vote, email Kathie.L@abmpublishing.co.uk with 'Best Friends' in the subject box. In the main body, write 'I would like Summer Clark and Earl to win the HiLife Trophy 2014' (or something along those lines, stating CLEARLY our names). That's all, you can then hit send! Alternatively, write to Best Friends, Dogs Monthly, 61 Great Whyte, Ramsey, Huntingdon PE26 1HJ. Voting closes on 4 December 2014, so get your votes in ASAP, and support one wonderful little terrier and the human girl he has 'saved'!

Every vote counts, and we are eternally grateful for EVERY single person who votes. Thank you SO SO SO much for your such generous voting!!

Earl and I are a fantastic pair, with an incredible relationship and story <3