Lat night I took Shelby to agility class. We hadn't been in 3 weeks. I thought for sure class would have moved inside, considering sunset is at 7pm and class starts at 7:30, but I was wrong. We are out there using our car headlights for illumination. That's dedication! The nice thing about outside is that the space is bigger, so we can run full courses, where inside is smaller.
They were still working on the FCI tryouts jumpers course. Apparently they worked on the middle section for the past 2 weeks and the end last week. This time we worked the end section again, using rear cross rather than front cross. It was a series of jumps handled on the right in a loop, to a rear cross, then a choice of either serpentine or front cross. We worked the serpentine first.
The instructor had us work the section without dogs first. She played the role of the dog, and we were the handler. It was weird at first. But it really helped get the timing down. I went third, but did it perfectly the first time, so she had the other students be my dog and I ran it with them. It was kind of fun.
When it was Shelby's turn, I sent her out to a jump, but then I didn't bring my hand in enough for the next two jumps so she went off course to the dog walk. Then when we worked the rear cross, I didn't run the right line the first time, but the second time we got it. Shelby was running really fast and having a great time. She was very eager to work. I think practicing less is actually better for her.
Then we ran it with a front cross after the rear, rather than a serpentine. Shelby was a little too fast for me the first time, but the second time I was able to get there and execute correctly.
At the end, we ran the whole course, which was a disadvantage for me, since I ran the beginning 3 weeks ago, but not the middle at all, which is the toughest part. There are 12 weaves to a couple off jumps that are tricky. Shelby did ok. We had to restart the weaves a couple times. The first time she popped out at like #5, then she restarted but missed the first pole.
Then she went off course and was sniffing, but I started running and she came back and we finished the course. Overall, it was a fun class.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
NETC Fall Fun Day-Earthdog and Lurecoursing!!!
I just got the flyer for the New England Terrier Club fun day on October 24th.
They will have all levels, including Master, plus a meet the rats session for new dogs.
I am very excited about lure coursing. Shelby loves lure coursing, so I will definitely sign her up.
The
New England Terrier Club Invites you to an exciting day of Earthdog Training for ALL TERRIER BREEDS
Saturday, October 24th, 2009
At Glencoe Farm, 122 Hawkins St., Plainville, MA.
Please join us for a fun day of Earthdog training for dogs of any breed that have a propensity for ratting. The secretary’s table will open at 9AM and Master will be begin at 9:30 (draw), followed by the start of the Intro to Quarry. Our fabulous potluck luncheon will be at noon, please bring your favorite dish to share. At 1 PM we will resume with a ‘meet the rats’ session for your beginner dogs, and Senior, Junior and IQ will continue. We are pleased that we will be able to offer Lure Coursing for any terrier breeds.
Don’t forget that GBAEC is hosting an AKC sanctioned ED test October 25th in North Andover, MA. This is a great opportunity for last minute training.
Pre-Entries and Day Of entries for your convenience.
Pre-Entry $5.00 per dog/run. Day of entry $10.00 for the 1st dog/run and $5.00 for each additional dog/run.
Lure Coursing $5.00 per dog.
For more information please contact the secretary, Jan M. Silva at 508.994.3588 or NativefoxSFT @ Comcast.net (remove the spaces for the email to work), or Mary B. Smith at 508.695.3685 or mary.smith @ umb.edu
DIRECTIONS TO THE TRAINING SITE
FROM I495: Take Exit 15, Route 1A South. Take second right after lights for Wrentham Outlets onto Green St. Take first left onto High St. Go to end of High St. (about 3 miles). Take left onto Hawkins St. Go ¾ mi and #122 is on the left.
FROM I295: Take exit 11 for Rte. 114, Diamond Hill Rd. Head North on 114 to lights at intersection with Route 120. Take right onto Route 120. Take a left onto N. Attleboro Rd. Go ¾ mile and #122 is on the right just after the intersection with Fales Rd.
FROM PROVIDENCE AREA: I95 North to I295 South to exit 1B for Route 1 North. Proceed North to lights at the intersection with Route 1A and Route 120, (CVS Pharmacy will be in front of you). Take a left onto Route 120. Take third right onto Ellis Road. Ellis will change its name to High St and then Fales Rd – stay straight about 3 miles until the first 4-way intersection, (e.g. cross st.). Take a right onto Hawkins and #122 is immediately on your right.
PRE-ENTRY INFORMATION
For your convenience email/snail mail entries will be accepted up until the closing date of 10/20/09 with the understanding that if you send an entry you will be responsible for paying for that entry whether or not you attend on the day of the event. Please include the following information, Your name and address and phone number, your dogs’ name, age, sex, and breed. The name of the person who will most likely be handling your dog. Be sure to indicate what levels you are signing up for: ‘Meet the Rats’, (includes intro to tunnels), Intro to Quarry, Junior, Senior, Master, or Lure Coursing. You may enter as many times at as many levels as you like. Please note that the larger terrier breeds, unless they are young pups, will only be able to enter ‘meet the rats’ and Lure Coursing.
Send or email pre-entries to Jan Silva at nativefoxsft @ Comcast.net or 18 Stackhouse St., New Bedford, MA 02740. If sending by snail mail please include your payment.
They will have all levels, including Master, plus a meet the rats session for new dogs.
I am very excited about lure coursing. Shelby loves lure coursing, so I will definitely sign her up.
The
New England Terrier Club Invites you to an exciting day of Earthdog Training for ALL TERRIER BREEDS
Saturday, October 24th, 2009
At Glencoe Farm, 122 Hawkins St., Plainville, MA.
Please join us for a fun day of Earthdog training for dogs of any breed that have a propensity for ratting. The secretary’s table will open at 9AM and Master will be begin at 9:30 (draw), followed by the start of the Intro to Quarry. Our fabulous potluck luncheon will be at noon, please bring your favorite dish to share. At 1 PM we will resume with a ‘meet the rats’ session for your beginner dogs, and Senior, Junior and IQ will continue. We are pleased that we will be able to offer Lure Coursing for any terrier breeds.
Don’t forget that GBAEC is hosting an AKC sanctioned ED test October 25th in North Andover, MA. This is a great opportunity for last minute training.
Pre-Entries and Day Of entries for your convenience.
Pre-Entry $5.00 per dog/run. Day of entry $10.00 for the 1st dog/run and $5.00 for each additional dog/run.
Lure Coursing $5.00 per dog.
For more information please contact the secretary, Jan M. Silva at 508.994.3588 or NativefoxSFT @ Comcast.net (remove the spaces for the email to work), or Mary B. Smith at 508.695.3685 or mary.smith @ umb.edu
DIRECTIONS TO THE TRAINING SITE
FROM I495: Take Exit 15, Route 1A South. Take second right after lights for Wrentham Outlets onto Green St. Take first left onto High St. Go to end of High St. (about 3 miles). Take left onto Hawkins St. Go ¾ mi and #122 is on the left.
FROM I295: Take exit 11 for Rte. 114, Diamond Hill Rd. Head North on 114 to lights at intersection with Route 120. Take right onto Route 120. Take a left onto N. Attleboro Rd. Go ¾ mile and #122 is on the right just after the intersection with Fales Rd.
FROM PROVIDENCE AREA: I95 North to I295 South to exit 1B for Route 1 North. Proceed North to lights at the intersection with Route 1A and Route 120, (CVS Pharmacy will be in front of you). Take a left onto Route 120. Take third right onto Ellis Road. Ellis will change its name to High St and then Fales Rd – stay straight about 3 miles until the first 4-way intersection, (e.g. cross st.). Take a right onto Hawkins and #122 is immediately on your right.
PRE-ENTRY INFORMATION
For your convenience email/snail mail entries will be accepted up until the closing date of 10/20/09 with the understanding that if you send an entry you will be responsible for paying for that entry whether or not you attend on the day of the event. Please include the following information, Your name and address and phone number, your dogs’ name, age, sex, and breed. The name of the person who will most likely be handling your dog. Be sure to indicate what levels you are signing up for: ‘Meet the Rats’, (includes intro to tunnels), Intro to Quarry, Junior, Senior, Master, or Lure Coursing. You may enter as many times at as many levels as you like. Please note that the larger terrier breeds, unless they are young pups, will only be able to enter ‘meet the rats’ and Lure Coursing.
Send or email pre-entries to Jan Silva at nativefoxsft @ Comcast.net or 18 Stackhouse St., New Bedford, MA 02740. If sending by snail mail please include your payment.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Spot is injured
I don't know how he did it, but Spot has injured his toe on Thurs.
He came in from being in the yard and he was limping. At first I couldn't figure out if it was his leg, his foot, or what. Turns out it was the outer toe on his left front foot, which would be like the human pinky toe. The toenail was bent to the left. He didn't want me to touch it at all.
It's been getting better each day. He can walk on it but still limps. I didn't take him to the vet, because if it is sprained or even broken, they won't really do anything for it. I'm trying to keep him quiet and not let him jump on anything.
Not sure if we'll be able to enter the Bo Gee trial in a few weeks. We'll have to wait and see.
He came in from being in the yard and he was limping. At first I couldn't figure out if it was his leg, his foot, or what. Turns out it was the outer toe on his left front foot, which would be like the human pinky toe. The toenail was bent to the left. He didn't want me to touch it at all.
It's been getting better each day. He can walk on it but still limps. I didn't take him to the vet, because if it is sprained or even broken, they won't really do anything for it. I'm trying to keep him quiet and not let him jump on anything.
Not sure if we'll be able to enter the Bo Gee trial in a few weeks. We'll have to wait and see.
Monday, September 07, 2009
Bath Time!
Today Spot and Shelby both got a bath. This time I washed them in the kitchen sink. It has pros and cons. In the bathtub, the showerhead isn't quite as long and the dogs have more room to move around. Also I have to kneel on the floor, which can get awkward. In the sink, I can stand, so it's easier. The faucet is easier to use, but the dogs are tall, so it can be hard not to get water everywhere.
But we did ok. Both dogs were great. They were calm while getting bathed. Spot really enjoyed getting a massage. He's been itching because of allergies, so I thought the bath might help. Seems like he's itching less.
Shelby actually did better than usual. She generally will cooperate for about 5 minutes, but that's it. Today she was pretty calm and let me wash and dry her.
I decided to give both of them a bath because they will be staying with Holly next weekend while I stay in Boston for work. I figured it would be nicer if they were clean. If I feel like they're still not clean, I might take them to the groomer. We'll see.
But we did ok. Both dogs were great. They were calm while getting bathed. Spot really enjoyed getting a massage. He's been itching because of allergies, so I thought the bath might help. Seems like he's itching less.
Shelby actually did better than usual. She generally will cooperate for about 5 minutes, but that's it. Today she was pretty calm and let me wash and dry her.
I decided to give both of them a bath because they will be staying with Holly next weekend while I stay in Boston for work. I figured it would be nicer if they were clean. If I feel like they're still not clean, I might take them to the groomer. We'll see.
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Earthdog practice
On Sunday I took Spot and Shelby to Boxboro for earthdog training. I needed to work with Spot on not backing up in the tunnel when I open the cover, and I needed to work with Shelby on entering the tunnel and staying in.
I worked with Shelby first. She definitely was interested in the rats and she understood that they were in the tunnel. I released her and she went right in. We had the L shaped tunnel. She went in and saw the rats but then came out. So I stood in the end of the tunnel so she would stay in there. She turned around and I had Michelle open the cover a little bit so Shelby could see, and also move the cage around. That did it. Shelby started trying to get the cage with her paw and made some noise. So then I took her out and let her enter the tunnel again. That time was much better-she went directly to the rats and worked right away. I was very happy.
Then it was Spot's turn. We used the JR tunnel, since all we wanted to focus on was the very end. The first time, Spot didn't like me putting my hands in the tunnel. He got used to it though. The second time I ended up putting my hand under his butt, and he jumped out. That would be ideal if he would jump out on his own. The third time, as soon as I put my hand in, he jumped out. So I am definitely going to encourage that at our next session.
I worked with Shelby first. She definitely was interested in the rats and she understood that they were in the tunnel. I released her and she went right in. We had the L shaped tunnel. She went in and saw the rats but then came out. So I stood in the end of the tunnel so she would stay in there. She turned around and I had Michelle open the cover a little bit so Shelby could see, and also move the cage around. That did it. Shelby started trying to get the cage with her paw and made some noise. So then I took her out and let her enter the tunnel again. That time was much better-she went directly to the rats and worked right away. I was very happy.
Then it was Spot's turn. We used the JR tunnel, since all we wanted to focus on was the very end. The first time, Spot didn't like me putting my hands in the tunnel. He got used to it though. The second time I ended up putting my hand under his butt, and he jumped out. That would be ideal if he would jump out on his own. The third time, as soon as I put my hand in, he jumped out. So I am definitely going to encourage that at our next session.
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