At Shelby's class on Friday we had a really interesting course. It opened with a chute, and I wanted to do a lead out, but Shelby hasn't been trained to do the chute with a lead out, so I ran it with her on my right. I thought it went ok, but Denielle said we all should have run it with the dog on our left.
The end was a series of jumps to a tunnel, then 4 jumps staggered, so you really could only do rear crosses. For Shelby I think it was easier since she's small. It was more difficult for the larger dogs because jumps 2 and 3 were really close together. Basically we had to stop forward motion and almost do a flip to get the jump. Shelby did well. She's always been good at rear crosses.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
The Escape Artists
This morning I let Spot and Shelby out around 7 and went to lay down for a few minutes. Well, an hour later, I go to look for them and they are not in the yard. Panic! I get dressed and hop into the car to drive around the neighborhood calling them. My only thoughts are hoping they don't get hit by a car or attack someone's cat. Thankfully it was early Sunday morning, so not much traffic.
I drive around, but don't see them. As I pull into the driveway and turn off the car, I hear barking, so I drive off again, but find nothing. Just as I'm heading home, I hear Shelby barking and it turns out a neighbor was able to get a leash on her, but Spot ran away. She told me which way he went so I grab Shelby and drive over and see Spot in someone's yard. I called him and he came right away, which was great.
I don't know what I would have done if I couldn't find them. Thank goodness for the woman who found them. I know they've been digging around the fence a lot, but I didn't think they were able to break through. It turns out they escaped the same way Spot did before-through the corner of the gate. They were able to squeeze through the gate and the chicken wire. I did some more work and hopefully they can't do it again.
I drive around, but don't see them. As I pull into the driveway and turn off the car, I hear barking, so I drive off again, but find nothing. Just as I'm heading home, I hear Shelby barking and it turns out a neighbor was able to get a leash on her, but Spot ran away. She told me which way he went so I grab Shelby and drive over and see Spot in someone's yard. I called him and he came right away, which was great.
I don't know what I would have done if I couldn't find them. Thank goodness for the woman who found them. I know they've been digging around the fence a lot, but I didn't think they were able to break through. It turns out they escaped the same way Spot did before-through the corner of the gate. They were able to squeeze through the gate and the chicken wire. I did some more work and hopefully they can't do it again.
Friday, June 27, 2008
late to class
Last night Spot and I were late to agility class. It was only partly my fault. I left a couple minutes late, but then they were doing construction on 495, and it was down to 1 lane, so I got stuck. We were about 15 minutes late.
We warmed up and then did some dog walks, some tires, some chutes and a few jumps. Then Carolyn set up a jumpers course for us that had 10 obstacles. There was a wing jump and a front cross. Spot did ok, but I wasn't looking where I was going and mis-directed him a few times! Totally a case of handler error. He did have some trouble with the wing jumps and going around them instead of over.
I think the issue is he needs me to be closer to the jump to support him, but he's so fast, I'm not used to getting there. Shelby is slower, and I don't need to be as close, so it's a challenge.
I'm a little concerned that Carolyn isn't as disciplined as Denielle. Like with Denielle, we did jump practice sending from all angles, around the clock, and also worked more on weave entries. We're kind of winging it with Carolyn. She seems more concerned with enthusiasm, which is valid, I think. With Shelby I was always very serious about training and I think that put a lot of pressure on her which would cause her to disengage and/or slow down. So we'll see what happens. I think next week we're moving up to Intermediate!
We warmed up and then did some dog walks, some tires, some chutes and a few jumps. Then Carolyn set up a jumpers course for us that had 10 obstacles. There was a wing jump and a front cross. Spot did ok, but I wasn't looking where I was going and mis-directed him a few times! Totally a case of handler error. He did have some trouble with the wing jumps and going around them instead of over.
I think the issue is he needs me to be closer to the jump to support him, but he's so fast, I'm not used to getting there. Shelby is slower, and I don't need to be as close, so it's a challenge.
I'm a little concerned that Carolyn isn't as disciplined as Denielle. Like with Denielle, we did jump practice sending from all angles, around the clock, and also worked more on weave entries. We're kind of winging it with Carolyn. She seems more concerned with enthusiasm, which is valid, I think. With Shelby I was always very serious about training and I think that put a lot of pressure on her which would cause her to disengage and/or slow down. So we'll see what happens. I think next week we're moving up to Intermediate!
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Bo-Gee CPE Trial, Deerfield, NH-June 21, 2008
Yesterday I packed up the car and headed to Deerfield NH for the Bo-Gee CPE trial. I had to leave the house by 6:30. Ugh. I was so tired. I got there by 7:30, mainly because there was no traffic.
Shelby was entered in Wildcard, two rounds of Standard, Jackpot and Colors. Wildcard went well. It was the first run of the day, so Shelby was a little excited. She ran off course to check out the photographer, but I called her back and we finished without any faults. We got a Q, but no placement because we took so long to finish.
They divided standard into level 1 and level 2, and ran both rounds of level 2, then both rounds of level 1, so we had to wait about 2 hours. That's what I hate about trials-the waiting and waiting around. Anyway, finally it was our turn. Round 1 was a challenge. The course was easy, but Shelby seemed unsure and I really had to work to keep her with me, cheering her on a praising her like crazy. We got it together towards the end, but we ran out of time. Denielle pointed out that I needed to support Shelby more and run much closer to each obstacle and take the course one obstacle at a time. So the next run I did just that and we had a clean run and a 4th place finish. It seemed like I was babying her, but if that's what I needed to do, I would do it. It feels like regressing when we get such great distance in practice, but a trial is more stressful I guess.
Our next run was Jackpot. The jackpot was actually pretty easy. Deneille helped me think about how to run the course in order to get my points and be in good position when the whistle blew for the gamble. We had one bobble. The opening was a jump, then tire, and I intended Shelby to take 2 jumps to the right, but she headed toward the A frame and we almost collided. Shelby went to right past the jumps, so I kept going and called her to the tunnel, then a double jump, a single jump and the teeter. I was mildly worried she would bail from the teeter because sometimes with a strange teeter she gets unsure. But she did great. After that I planned a single jump and into the tunnel. I don't know if the teeter banging or the judge's voice on the microphone but she looked back for a second and missed the jump. But she went right into the tunnel. We still had time, so I send her throught the tunnel again and the gamble whiste blew. I would have thought since we were in the tunnel we would get points for that, but we didn't. The gamble was a jump to the near tunnel entrance, back to the jump then to the table. Shelby did great, but hesitated at the table, and then the whistle blew so we ran out of time. But I was proud of Shelby anyway-she did great.
The last class of the day was Colors, which is simply 2 courses and you have to choose which one you want to do and take it in order. It was late in the day and everyone was hot, so most people were choosing the course with 2 jumps instead of the A frame, but I knew Shelby liked the A frame, so I did that course. I heard people at the judging table say "ooh, she's brave"! Shelby did great, no bobbles, and we finished in 25 seconds. I know we Q'd, but don't know what place we got because after waiting around for over an hour for the score sheets, I just needed to leave.
I think the level 1 and 2 courses were pretty easy, when looking at some other courses I've had. They were all very flowing and you could do them with only 1 or 2 side changes. I almost was over analyzing, looking for traps, like "it can't be this simple."
Shelby was entered in Wildcard, two rounds of Standard, Jackpot and Colors. Wildcard went well. It was the first run of the day, so Shelby was a little excited. She ran off course to check out the photographer, but I called her back and we finished without any faults. We got a Q, but no placement because we took so long to finish.
They divided standard into level 1 and level 2, and ran both rounds of level 2, then both rounds of level 1, so we had to wait about 2 hours. That's what I hate about trials-the waiting and waiting around. Anyway, finally it was our turn. Round 1 was a challenge. The course was easy, but Shelby seemed unsure and I really had to work to keep her with me, cheering her on a praising her like crazy. We got it together towards the end, but we ran out of time. Denielle pointed out that I needed to support Shelby more and run much closer to each obstacle and take the course one obstacle at a time. So the next run I did just that and we had a clean run and a 4th place finish. It seemed like I was babying her, but if that's what I needed to do, I would do it. It feels like regressing when we get such great distance in practice, but a trial is more stressful I guess.
Our next run was Jackpot. The jackpot was actually pretty easy. Deneille helped me think about how to run the course in order to get my points and be in good position when the whistle blew for the gamble. We had one bobble. The opening was a jump, then tire, and I intended Shelby to take 2 jumps to the right, but she headed toward the A frame and we almost collided. Shelby went to right past the jumps, so I kept going and called her to the tunnel, then a double jump, a single jump and the teeter. I was mildly worried she would bail from the teeter because sometimes with a strange teeter she gets unsure. But she did great. After that I planned a single jump and into the tunnel. I don't know if the teeter banging or the judge's voice on the microphone but she looked back for a second and missed the jump. But she went right into the tunnel. We still had time, so I send her throught the tunnel again and the gamble whiste blew. I would have thought since we were in the tunnel we would get points for that, but we didn't. The gamble was a jump to the near tunnel entrance, back to the jump then to the table. Shelby did great, but hesitated at the table, and then the whistle blew so we ran out of time. But I was proud of Shelby anyway-she did great.
The last class of the day was Colors, which is simply 2 courses and you have to choose which one you want to do and take it in order. It was late in the day and everyone was hot, so most people were choosing the course with 2 jumps instead of the A frame, but I knew Shelby liked the A frame, so I did that course. I heard people at the judging table say "ooh, she's brave"! Shelby did great, no bobbles, and we finished in 25 seconds. I know we Q'd, but don't know what place we got because after waiting around for over an hour for the score sheets, I just needed to leave.
I think the level 1 and 2 courses were pretty easy, when looking at some other courses I've had. They were all very flowing and you could do them with only 1 or 2 side changes. I almost was over analyzing, looking for traps, like "it can't be this simple."
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Saturday Earthdog Practice
On Saturday we had practice up in Gardner at the Fish and Game club. I love that site. There's a lot of grass, shade and a pond for the dogs to cool off in.
We were running late (of course!). I just could not make myself get out of bed. Anyway, we got there at 11 and it was in full swing. I saw that they were working IQ and starting JE. So I decided Shelby could go first. Gloria was doing the training. She decided not to break up the tunnel and put the rats where Shelby could see them. She wanted Shelby to want to go all the way. So I put Shelby's head in and waited, but she really wasn't getting it. Gloria and I switched places and I called Shelby through the tunnel and she came right in. And she worked the rats really well. She was scratching and digging and barking and whining. So we switched back and ran her a few more times. The last time was tough-Shelby really didn't want to go in, and I felt bad holding her there, but we didn't want to end on a failing note either. So I was patient and eventually Shelby went in one last time. As a reward, I let her swim and try to catch frogs for half an hour.
Then it was time for Spot to practice Senior. I released him, and instead of going right in, he ran over to a couple of tunnel pieces that were sitting on the ground. After that he ran over to the entrance but popped out and looked at me, then finally went in. He went into the false den, then came out the entrance again, back in to the false den, then finally found the rats. He worked like a champ and did a perfect recall, so I'm very confident he'll have an SE title by the end of the summer. Spot had a great time in the pond as well. He was loving chasing all the frogs and tadpoles. I almost thought he was going to actually swim, but it didn't happen.
We were running late (of course!). I just could not make myself get out of bed. Anyway, we got there at 11 and it was in full swing. I saw that they were working IQ and starting JE. So I decided Shelby could go first. Gloria was doing the training. She decided not to break up the tunnel and put the rats where Shelby could see them. She wanted Shelby to want to go all the way. So I put Shelby's head in and waited, but she really wasn't getting it. Gloria and I switched places and I called Shelby through the tunnel and she came right in. And she worked the rats really well. She was scratching and digging and barking and whining. So we switched back and ran her a few more times. The last time was tough-Shelby really didn't want to go in, and I felt bad holding her there, but we didn't want to end on a failing note either. So I was patient and eventually Shelby went in one last time. As a reward, I let her swim and try to catch frogs for half an hour.
Then it was time for Spot to practice Senior. I released him, and instead of going right in, he ran over to a couple of tunnel pieces that were sitting on the ground. After that he ran over to the entrance but popped out and looked at me, then finally went in. He went into the false den, then came out the entrance again, back in to the false den, then finally found the rats. He worked like a champ and did a perfect recall, so I'm very confident he'll have an SE title by the end of the summer. Spot had a great time in the pond as well. He was loving chasing all the frogs and tadpoles. I almost thought he was going to actually swim, but it didn't happen.
Friday night agility with Shelby
Friday night's class was good. There were only 3 of us there. I brought my video camera and had Patricia take a couple videos. The opening was a jump to a tunnel, then an angled jump to the weaves. Then a series of jumps to a tunnel and we were supposed to have the A frame, but we didn't, so we did the tunnel twice. Then a jump and the broad jump. I had planned to do the tunnel, then a front cross to do the weaves on the right, then a jump and a rear cross to the next series of jumps, then a reverse flow pivot-ish move to get Shelby to the far entrance of the tunnel, then a front cross on the take off side of the jump, then back to the tunnel and run like hell to the end. What happened in the first attempt was I directed Shelby to the wrong end of the tunnel, and then she was sniffing all over, which the other dogs did too, so there must have been something there. Then to get her back, I ended up doing the weaves on the wrong side. The jumps went ok, and Shelby didn't totally read my RFP, because I was running toward to tunnel, not straight ahead, but I managed to pull her off the wrong entrance and into the correct one, and then the ending was fine.
The second time was better and I worked on a few things with Denielle.
The second time was better and I worked on a few things with Denielle.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Spot the superstar
Spot had agility class last night, and I'm really happy with his progress. He's totally comfortable with the other dogs now and only barks periodically. I think I'm also learning how to keep his attention by being more excited myself. The one thing Spot doesn't really do too well is practicing rear crosses. However, I think that's because I'm trying to do them right up at the jump and not giving him room. So I want to practice that at home a bit more. We practiced contacts a lot last night and he's really good at staying in place even when I'm in varied positions, like behind him, to the side, turned away from him, etc. So last night I started having him hold the contact while I moved over to a jump and then released him over the jump. He's so easy to work with-he loves to work and get rewarded. Carolyn said he's doing really great, especially since he'll be 10 next month.
We ended the night with a 6 obstacle sequence of wing jump, bar jump, bar jump, chute, bar jump and bar jump. The first 2 jumps were in a line, with jump 3 being almost 90 degrees to the left, then a line to the chute and the two final jumps almost 90 degrees to the left again. The first time, Spot ran around the wing jump when I released him, so we re-set and I tried again, this time leading out a bit more in front of the jump and that was fine. He did fine over the next jump and then wasn't 100% sure about the chute, but he took it. Then I did a front cross, Spot missed the next jump, but I kept going and he took the final jump. The second time we ran it, he did it perfectly.
Carolyn also used Spot as the demo dog to demostrate how to use a toy to build some excitement. Coincidentally I had made sure to bring Spot's jackpot tug toy to keep him occupied. He got a little too excited I think! One of the other people in class said she wonders if Spot ever sleeps! It's funny, he's a total couch potato at home, but knows when to turn it on, I guess.
In other good news: I found out I did get in to the Bo-Gee trial next weekend in NH. I'm excited because there are 2 rings, and they are going to run levels 1 and 2 separately from level 3. That means no Cinders issue! The only thing is that it's an hour away from my house, so I'll have to get up at the crack of dawn.
We ended the night with a 6 obstacle sequence of wing jump, bar jump, bar jump, chute, bar jump and bar jump. The first 2 jumps were in a line, with jump 3 being almost 90 degrees to the left, then a line to the chute and the two final jumps almost 90 degrees to the left again. The first time, Spot ran around the wing jump when I released him, so we re-set and I tried again, this time leading out a bit more in front of the jump and that was fine. He did fine over the next jump and then wasn't 100% sure about the chute, but he took it. Then I did a front cross, Spot missed the next jump, but I kept going and he took the final jump. The second time we ran it, he did it perfectly.
Carolyn also used Spot as the demo dog to demostrate how to use a toy to build some excitement. Coincidentally I had made sure to bring Spot's jackpot tug toy to keep him occupied. He got a little too excited I think! One of the other people in class said she wonders if Spot ever sleeps! It's funny, he's a total couch potato at home, but knows when to turn it on, I guess.
In other good news: I found out I did get in to the Bo-Gee trial next weekend in NH. I'm excited because there are 2 rings, and they are going to run levels 1 and 2 separately from level 3. That means no Cinders issue! The only thing is that it's an hour away from my house, so I'll have to get up at the crack of dawn.
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Hot dogs!
Wow, it was hot today! I took Spot and Shelby to Boxboro for GBAEC practice. The temps were in the 90's with high humidity to go along. Thankfully there was some shade, but it was still pretty uncomfortable. Also there was a trough the dogs could immerse themselves in. Shelby was all over that! She was trying to dunk herself in the bowl of water I had for them to drink out of. Spot even got in, which is rare, so I know he was hot too. I even made sure to get photographic evidence!
I tried Shelby in IQ to see if last month's performance was a fluke or not. She wasn't as excited as she was last time, and we had to break the tunnel down and put the rats where she could see them, but she eventually warmed up to it. We needed to put the rat cage right up to the bars, then take out the bars and let her crawl through that opening as well. She did bark and growl and scratch, so I count that as success!
Spot was his usual perfect self. He is like a machine out there. I release him, he goes like a rocket into the tunnel, sometimes pops out the false exit, but then goes right back in and works until the rats are taken out. Then I don't even need to call him, he starts coming out on his own and usually comes out the false exit and comes to me. Everyone was like "wow, what a recall" which is nice, but I really take very little credit! For Spot, once the rats are gone, the main attraction is too, so why not get out of there?
Hopefully I will be able to go to practice next week in Gardner. The weather should be much better-in the 70's and Shelby can swim in the pond rather than the trough.
I tried Shelby in IQ to see if last month's performance was a fluke or not. She wasn't as excited as she was last time, and we had to break the tunnel down and put the rats where she could see them, but she eventually warmed up to it. We needed to put the rat cage right up to the bars, then take out the bars and let her crawl through that opening as well. She did bark and growl and scratch, so I count that as success!
Spot was his usual perfect self. He is like a machine out there. I release him, he goes like a rocket into the tunnel, sometimes pops out the false exit, but then goes right back in and works until the rats are taken out. Then I don't even need to call him, he starts coming out on his own and usually comes out the false exit and comes to me. Everyone was like "wow, what a recall" which is nice, but I really take very little credit! For Spot, once the rats are gone, the main attraction is too, so why not get out of there?
Hopefully I will be able to go to practice next week in Gardner. The weather should be much better-in the 70's and Shelby can swim in the pond rather than the trough.
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Friday night agility with Shelby
Well, Friday was the fitting end to a weird and confusing week. Things just hadn't been going quite right all week. I was late to class, so we didn't really get to warm up and then the course was quite challenging and I hadn't really decided how to run it and I was up first! I did ok in the opening and through the middle to the weaves, but then I was way behind in the ending and we totally screwed up. I had it in my head how I thought it would go, but Shelby was really fast and messed me up. :-) But no one really did it well, so it was ok.
Tomorrow we are heading to Boxborough for earthdog training. I haven't been to this site before, but it's only 30 minutes from home, so why not? We also have earthdog training next weekend, which is nice.
But there aren't any trials coming up I don't think. The one that's usually in July in Brimfield isn't on the schedule yet. That would be a bummer. Last year it poured rain and the judge said Spot's run was the first time she ever wrote "splashing" as work. The tunnels were pretty flooded and some dogs didn't quite know what to make of it. But Spot went for it.
I'm hoping Shelby will still show promise in the IQ class. I would love to enter her in the next trial. I don't think I would try her in JE this season. I would want to do some training over the winter first with Carolyn at Gemini.
Tomorrow we are heading to Boxborough for earthdog training. I haven't been to this site before, but it's only 30 minutes from home, so why not? We also have earthdog training next weekend, which is nice.
But there aren't any trials coming up I don't think. The one that's usually in July in Brimfield isn't on the schedule yet. That would be a bummer. Last year it poured rain and the judge said Spot's run was the first time she ever wrote "splashing" as work. The tunnels were pretty flooded and some dogs didn't quite know what to make of it. But Spot went for it.
I'm hoping Shelby will still show promise in the IQ class. I would love to enter her in the next trial. I don't think I would try her in JE this season. I would want to do some training over the winter first with Carolyn at Gemini.
Friday, June 06, 2008
More Advanced Beginner Class for Spot
Last night was the first night in a new session of advanced beginner agility at Gemini with Carolyn Barney. I think this will be our second adv. beg. class. We've been outside the past 2 weeks, which surprised me. With Denielle we didn't go outside until intermediate class.
As a whole, I think Carolyn is moving us along a lot faster. We're already doing sequences of 4-8 obstacles, including front and rear crosses. It's an unusual class in that we have a mix of experienced handlers and beginner handlers, but they seem to be keeping up ok. Spot is doing great with his start line stays and his contacts. He loves all the obstacles as well, including the tunnel, chute, dogwalk and A-frame. He's doing well on the teeter, but we have it very low right now.
He still needs to work on control and focus. He tends to be very fast, but doesn't always know how to pay attention to me and where I want him to go, rather than just running. One thing that surprised me last night. We had a sequence of two jumps then a tunnel, and I didn't even cue the tunnel before he was off and through the tunnel from about 5 feet away. So on the one hand, I like that because I want my handling to be setting the dog up in the correct position so they know to take whatever obstacle is in front of them, rather than cueing every jump. But on the other hand, I want him to be checking in at this point in training.
As a whole, I think Carolyn is moving us along a lot faster. We're already doing sequences of 4-8 obstacles, including front and rear crosses. It's an unusual class in that we have a mix of experienced handlers and beginner handlers, but they seem to be keeping up ok. Spot is doing great with his start line stays and his contacts. He loves all the obstacles as well, including the tunnel, chute, dogwalk and A-frame. He's doing well on the teeter, but we have it very low right now.
He still needs to work on control and focus. He tends to be very fast, but doesn't always know how to pay attention to me and where I want him to go, rather than just running. One thing that surprised me last night. We had a sequence of two jumps then a tunnel, and I didn't even cue the tunnel before he was off and through the tunnel from about 5 feet away. So on the one hand, I like that because I want my handling to be setting the dog up in the correct position so they know to take whatever obstacle is in front of them, rather than cueing every jump. But on the other hand, I want him to be checking in at this point in training.
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