Yesterday Spot and Shelby were entered in the Bo Gee CPE trial in Deerfield, NH. Spot was entered in Wildcard 3, Standard 2 and Jackpot 3. Shelby was entered in Snooker 4, Standard 3 and Jackpot 2.
Wildcard was up first, but wasn't the first class of the day, so we got there around 8. I was working as scribe in Wildcard 1-2. We didn't run until about 9:30 or so. The course started with a jump to the weaves, so I pretty much knew it would be tough going. Spot was raring to go and took the jump and entered the weaves, but then ran into the center of the ring. So I just took off running towards the tunnels and he came with me, which was great. So we did a couple tunnels and the last 3 jumps. I wanted him to have fun because lately he's been doing a couple obstacles and then leaving the ring. After this trial, I am moving him to level 1 enthusiast, so I really had nothing to lose and no expectations.
The next run was Snooker level 4 with Shelby. This was a fun course, with the 7 being a 3-jump serpentine. Two of the reds were close to the serp, then there was another close to the front of the course, and one in the middle. I wasn't sure how Shelby would do, but decided to try 1-7-1-7-1-4 as my opening, and it worked. When we started, I didn't cue the side of the serp I wanted, but she took the jump, so I needed to think fast to save it. The rest of the course was fine, and Shelby was running fast and happy. We Qd with 40 points and a second place! This was Shelby's first time back at Bo Gee since she ran out of the ring after another dog two years ago and I wasn't sure how she would be. I had Marjorie at the exit just in case, but Shelby was fine.
Next up was Standard 2 with Spot. After seeing the course, which was a jump to the A frame, then also the dog walk and the weaves and the teeter, I just felt it would be too much, so I scratched. I thought Jackpot was next, and I had both dogs in Jackpot, close together in the running order, so I moved my car closer to the ring and was hanging out for a while. Good thing I did, because suddenly I heard them calling for Shelby! I had totally forgotten she was entered in Standard! I hadn't even looked at the map, so I glanced at it quickly, then did the walk through and then we were second dog up! The course was pretty nice, good flow. Our only bobble was the weaves. I tried to send her on the offside, and she entered at the second pole, so we had to do them again. We were also 3 seconds over time. But we still Qd and got a 2nd place, so that was great.
Jackpot was a non-traditional. Spot was entered in level 3 and Shelby in level 2. The jackpot was that you needed to do three different obstacles and then the table. Originally the judge intended that we could not do three jumps as our jackpot, but she changed her mind, thank god! My opening for both dogs was the same: jump, teeter, double, jump, jump, tunnel, tunnel, tunnel, tunnel, and then the closing, 3 jumps. Spot got through the first tunnel then took off towards the exit. I called him back and he came and took another tunnel, then the buzzer went, so I was able to get him to do three jumps and the table. We got exactly 40 points we needed and were 5 seconds under time. That finished his level 3 Jackpot and his level 3 strategy games title!
Shelby was up next, and I did the same course, up to the first tunnel. She was a little nervous on the teeter. After the first tunnel, I brought her behind it to a jump, and then was planning on the weaves. But the buzzer went and I didn't want her to do the weaves because if we faulted them we would be done. So I carefully guided her to do three jumps, but after the second one she ran to the table. I called her back and got the third jump, but we ended up 5 seconds over time. It was a bummer because that would have finished her level 2 title. Oh well...
So overall, a good day, with lots of fun and a few Qs. It was very cold in the morning and windy all day and I got windburn on my face, which really hurt!
Our next trial will be at Act-Up in Seekonk on May 12-13.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
All Dogs Gym CPE Trial, February 11-12, 2012
This weekend I entered Spot and Shelby at All Dogs Gym. Spot was entered only in Level 2 Standard each day. Shelby was entered in everything else.
Saturday started off awful because I woke up with a migraine and nausea. So I slept in for a bit, and got there about 8:30, still feeling pretty bad. Luckily there was still room in the crate room, and I hadn't missed our first run. First up was Shelby in Jumpers level 3. It was a good course, and Shelby was excited. We started out great, but then she got the zoomies a bit and ran up to say "hi" to the ring crew. Then she started sniffing in one area. And then she pooped. Just one little piece. I know it wasn't stress. There is one part of the ring where they have puppy play time and a lot of dogs were sniffing. Shelby sniffed pretty much all weekend.
Next up was Snooker level 3. The 7 was a combo of a weaves and a jump. I ended up doing 1, 7, 1, 3, 1, 4. Then we made it through 5 in the closing, so we Qd! She did have to try the weaves twice, so I was worried we wouldn't get through the closing with enough points.
Then we had Fullhouse. Shelby ran well, but when we came off the dogwalk she started sniffing. I got her attention and she took the tunnel, but then was sniffing again, so she used up some time. We got all our requirements, but we were 8 seconds over time, so no Q.
Spot then ran Standard level 2. He was really slow on the dogwalk descent, and also on the A frame, so we didn't get halfway through the course. But we were done by about 4pm, so I was happy to get home early.
On Sunday, Shelby was up first in Colors level 3. It was a good course, and I thought we would do well, but unfortunately Shelby started up the dogwalk, which wasn't the correct obstacle. So, because you are not allowed an off course in level 3, we didn't Q, but otherwise had a great run.
Next was Wildcard. This I also thought would be a pretty good course for us. The dogwalk was the second obstacle, so I figured no problem! Well, I guess I was being a little too aggressive, because I pushed her past the entrance to the dogwalk, then she went around a jump. So I consciously slowed down and she did great the rest of the course, but we were over time, so no Q.
Last course of Sunday was Jackpot level 1/2. No problem! Well, at one point, Shelby got so excited she ran right past the tunnel I wanted, so that used up some time, but then we got the gamble, so I thought we had a Q. When I looked at the sheet, it turns out we didn't get points for the weaves, so we were short on points. And apparently way over time, which surprised me. Again, no Q.
Spot was running at the end of the day in Standard level 2. I didn't really have much hope of a Q, because there was a dogwalk and A frame and weaves. He actually ran well, had a little trouble with the A frame, but then totally shut down at the weave poles after entering correctly. So that was a bummer. But he was happy to run.
It was a long weekend, but fun and glad I went.
Saturday started off awful because I woke up with a migraine and nausea. So I slept in for a bit, and got there about 8:30, still feeling pretty bad. Luckily there was still room in the crate room, and I hadn't missed our first run. First up was Shelby in Jumpers level 3. It was a good course, and Shelby was excited. We started out great, but then she got the zoomies a bit and ran up to say "hi" to the ring crew. Then she started sniffing in one area. And then she pooped. Just one little piece. I know it wasn't stress. There is one part of the ring where they have puppy play time and a lot of dogs were sniffing. Shelby sniffed pretty much all weekend.
Next up was Snooker level 3. The 7 was a combo of a weaves and a jump. I ended up doing 1, 7, 1, 3, 1, 4. Then we made it through 5 in the closing, so we Qd! She did have to try the weaves twice, so I was worried we wouldn't get through the closing with enough points.
Then we had Fullhouse. Shelby ran well, but when we came off the dogwalk she started sniffing. I got her attention and she took the tunnel, but then was sniffing again, so she used up some time. We got all our requirements, but we were 8 seconds over time, so no Q.
Spot then ran Standard level 2. He was really slow on the dogwalk descent, and also on the A frame, so we didn't get halfway through the course. But we were done by about 4pm, so I was happy to get home early.
On Sunday, Shelby was up first in Colors level 3. It was a good course, and I thought we would do well, but unfortunately Shelby started up the dogwalk, which wasn't the correct obstacle. So, because you are not allowed an off course in level 3, we didn't Q, but otherwise had a great run.
Next was Wildcard. This I also thought would be a pretty good course for us. The dogwalk was the second obstacle, so I figured no problem! Well, I guess I was being a little too aggressive, because I pushed her past the entrance to the dogwalk, then she went around a jump. So I consciously slowed down and she did great the rest of the course, but we were over time, so no Q.
Last course of Sunday was Jackpot level 1/2. No problem! Well, at one point, Shelby got so excited she ran right past the tunnel I wanted, so that used up some time, but then we got the gamble, so I thought we had a Q. When I looked at the sheet, it turns out we didn't get points for the weaves, so we were short on points. And apparently way over time, which surprised me. Again, no Q.
Spot was running at the end of the day in Standard level 2. I didn't really have much hope of a Q, because there was a dogwalk and A frame and weaves. He actually ran well, had a little trouble with the A frame, but then totally shut down at the weave poles after entering correctly. So that was a bummer. But he was happy to run.
It was a long weekend, but fun and glad I went.
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
Shelby debuts at All Dogs Gym CPE Trial, December 31, 2011
On Saturday, the last day of 2011, I took Spot and Shelby to All Dogs Gym in Manchester, NH for a one-day CPE trial. Spot and Shelby were both entered in Jackpot, and then Spot was in Wildcard, and Shelby was in Snooker.
Jackpot was a non-traditional in which you had to take a specific jump, then get 10 points any way you wanted, then take the jump again, for a total of 12 points. If you did it correctly you would get 20 points. Spot was first, since he was jumping 4 inches. He was so slow and pokey, we only got through about 6 obstacles before we ran out of time. Shelby did very well, she was excited to be running and took all my cues. However, I messed up the course and we didn't get the 20 points, so no Q. :-( But it was still a great debut for her. I was very happy that she didn't seem nervous and didn't need to go check the entrances for other dogs, etc.
Up next was Spot in Wildcard 3. It was a doable course for us. The choices were the Tunnel (a) or A Frame (b), then a jump (a) or teeter (b), then a tunnel (a) or 2 jumps (b). My plan was tunnel, teeter, 2 jumps. Spot was raring to go this time, but He ran by the tunnel, and almost out of the ring! I called him back but then he took the A frame! So he took a long time standing at the top and then coming down. Once he was off, he ran to the exit, so I just went with him.
Finally it was Shelby's turn at Snooker level 3. We needed 36 points. This was a tricky course. It had a panel jump! They are legal, but this is the first time I've seen one in five years. It was part of the #7 combo of a panel jump and single bar jump. It was possible to get all 7's and a few people did, but my plan was 7, 6, 5. Shelby went around the 7 panel jump but I brought her back and she took it fine. Then we took the single jump and the next red jump, but then she started sniffing like crazy. I thought I was stress from making a mistake, so I just ran happily to the table and she followed. Afterwards, I saw a lot of dogs sniffing there, so there must have been something in that area. It makes me feel better that maybe she was just a little distracted and not really stressed. I am going to try to enter here there as much as I can this winter. I'm so happy she was able to have fun and not worry.
Jackpot was a non-traditional in which you had to take a specific jump, then get 10 points any way you wanted, then take the jump again, for a total of 12 points. If you did it correctly you would get 20 points. Spot was first, since he was jumping 4 inches. He was so slow and pokey, we only got through about 6 obstacles before we ran out of time. Shelby did very well, she was excited to be running and took all my cues. However, I messed up the course and we didn't get the 20 points, so no Q. :-( But it was still a great debut for her. I was very happy that she didn't seem nervous and didn't need to go check the entrances for other dogs, etc.
Up next was Spot in Wildcard 3. It was a doable course for us. The choices were the Tunnel (a) or A Frame (b), then a jump (a) or teeter (b), then a tunnel (a) or 2 jumps (b). My plan was tunnel, teeter, 2 jumps. Spot was raring to go this time, but He ran by the tunnel, and almost out of the ring! I called him back but then he took the A frame! So he took a long time standing at the top and then coming down. Once he was off, he ran to the exit, so I just went with him.
Finally it was Shelby's turn at Snooker level 3. We needed 36 points. This was a tricky course. It had a panel jump! They are legal, but this is the first time I've seen one in five years. It was part of the #7 combo of a panel jump and single bar jump. It was possible to get all 7's and a few people did, but my plan was 7, 6, 5. Shelby went around the 7 panel jump but I brought her back and she took it fine. Then we took the single jump and the next red jump, but then she started sniffing like crazy. I thought I was stress from making a mistake, so I just ran happily to the table and she followed. Afterwards, I saw a lot of dogs sniffing there, so there must have been something in that area. It makes me feel better that maybe she was just a little distracted and not really stressed. I am going to try to enter here there as much as I can this winter. I'm so happy she was able to have fun and not worry.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Riverside CPE trial, December 10-11, 2011
Last weekend I took Spot to Riverside Canine, a facility in Nashua, NH only 30 minutes from home. We signed up for 3 classes on Sat and 2 on Sun.
On Sat, we skipped the first class, so rolled in at a decadent 9:30. We had plenty of time. Our first class was Colors level 3. We got off to a good start, but then we got to the weave poles and Spot did a good entry, but then walked off. He didn't want to come back and get them. I don't know if this was due to their location in the arena-they were in a dark corner near the kitchen...
Next was Wildcard, and again off to a great start, but those poles got us again! They were in the same location and Spot just did not want to do them and stopped working, so we left the course.
Last was Jackpot, which was traditional. The gamble was the outside tunnel entrance, a jump, the tire and the table. Definitely do-able for us. Spot ran the opening very well, was with me and wanting to work. The buzzer rang while he was in the gabble tunnel, so I moved back over the line and sent him back in, but he took the wrong entrance. That was ok, since the judge had told us the gamble doesn't start until the dog takes the correct tunnel entrance. So I tried to send him back in again, but he wasn't getting it, so I moved over the line and then finished the rest of the course. I was disappointed, but happy he had worked we me on course.
On Sunday we were entered in the first two classes of the day, Jackpot and Fullhouse. It was a non-traditional Jackpot where the gamble was the A frame, a tunnel of your choice, then any other obstacle of your choice and the table. I was bummed when I saw the A frame requirement because I knew Spot would have trouble with it and he did. He used up a lot of time, so we got whistled off before we could finish.
Next was Fullhouse, and I was able to do a course that had all jumps and tunnels, and the seesaw, which he likes. It helped that the double was considered a joker, and worth 5 points. I chose a course that would give us 26 points, when we needed 23 to Q. We made it through the course, but at the last tunnel, Spot hesitated, and the buzzer went, so I hustled him to the table, not sure if we made time. Luckily, we were .5 seconds over, which gets rounded down, so we got a Q and finished our Level 3 Fun Games title. Spot was the only level 3 8 inch dog to Q in that class!
We are headed back to Riverside next Sunday for 3 more runs. We will see how it goes.
On Sat, we skipped the first class, so rolled in at a decadent 9:30. We had plenty of time. Our first class was Colors level 3. We got off to a good start, but then we got to the weave poles and Spot did a good entry, but then walked off. He didn't want to come back and get them. I don't know if this was due to their location in the arena-they were in a dark corner near the kitchen...
Next was Wildcard, and again off to a great start, but those poles got us again! They were in the same location and Spot just did not want to do them and stopped working, so we left the course.
Last was Jackpot, which was traditional. The gamble was the outside tunnel entrance, a jump, the tire and the table. Definitely do-able for us. Spot ran the opening very well, was with me and wanting to work. The buzzer rang while he was in the gabble tunnel, so I moved back over the line and sent him back in, but he took the wrong entrance. That was ok, since the judge had told us the gamble doesn't start until the dog takes the correct tunnel entrance. So I tried to send him back in again, but he wasn't getting it, so I moved over the line and then finished the rest of the course. I was disappointed, but happy he had worked we me on course.
On Sunday we were entered in the first two classes of the day, Jackpot and Fullhouse. It was a non-traditional Jackpot where the gamble was the A frame, a tunnel of your choice, then any other obstacle of your choice and the table. I was bummed when I saw the A frame requirement because I knew Spot would have trouble with it and he did. He used up a lot of time, so we got whistled off before we could finish.
Next was Fullhouse, and I was able to do a course that had all jumps and tunnels, and the seesaw, which he likes. It helped that the double was considered a joker, and worth 5 points. I chose a course that would give us 26 points, when we needed 23 to Q. We made it through the course, but at the last tunnel, Spot hesitated, and the buzzer went, so I hustled him to the table, not sure if we made time. Luckily, we were .5 seconds over, which gets rounded down, so we got a Q and finished our Level 3 Fun Games title. Spot was the only level 3 8 inch dog to Q in that class!
We are headed back to Riverside next Sunday for 3 more runs. We will see how it goes.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Bo Gee CPE Trial, October 22-23, 2011
Last weekend, Spot was entered in the last outdoor trial of the season at the Deerfield Fairgounds in Deerfield, NH. We were entered in Standard 2, Colors 3, Fullhouse 3 and Jackpot 3 on Saturday, and Standard 2, Wildcard 3, and Colors 3 on Sunday.
We got there Saturday about 8am, they were already running Snooker, which we hadn't entered. There were no course maps left, but I saw one on the table, so I took it. No one said it was theirs, so fair game. The courses looked challenging, but do-able. However, Spot had other plans. The first run was Standard. Spot had a lot of energy, but wasn't connecting with me, so he was running past jumps, not coming back, etc. Next was Colors. This run again was not very good. This time we got majorly stuck at the weaves. He would do one pole, then stop, or run off. I left in the middle of the course because he was not into it. The third run was Fullhouse, and I started him off in a straight line: jump, tunnel, jump, then a front cross. Spot did the three obstacles, but then blew me off and ran to the table. After that I decided to leave for the day and skip Jackpot because there was no way we were going to be successful. I was really disappointed and on the verge of tears because I knew we could do these courses and we really need to finish level 2 Standard if we want to go to Nationals. The indoor trials are few that actually have standard, so we only have 3-4 more chances to get 2 Qs.
On Sunday I tried to have a positive attitude. It was freezing when we got there, only about 34 degrees. Again, no course maps! Luckily someone brought one back, but I still only had level 3, no level 2 standard map. Our day began with Standard 2, and we actually did pretty well. The A frame was a little slow and the weaves took us 2 tries, but I thought we had a chance to Q. Unfortunately we were 11 seconds over time, so didn't make it. Next was Wildcard. We started out ok, but got to the weaves and Spot just would not do them. Finally I got him to do them, but then we got whistled off for max course time. The last class was Colors, and I thought we might be ok, since it was a short course, but again, we started and did 5 obstacles, and then Spot ran to the exit.
Thankfully I hadn't entered Jumpers, so we were able to pack it up and head home around 3:30.
It was a disastrous weekend all around. Shelby go to play with me a little, so that was nice. Not sure exactly what I can do to get Spot's head back in the game.
We got there Saturday about 8am, they were already running Snooker, which we hadn't entered. There were no course maps left, but I saw one on the table, so I took it. No one said it was theirs, so fair game. The courses looked challenging, but do-able. However, Spot had other plans. The first run was Standard. Spot had a lot of energy, but wasn't connecting with me, so he was running past jumps, not coming back, etc. Next was Colors. This run again was not very good. This time we got majorly stuck at the weaves. He would do one pole, then stop, or run off. I left in the middle of the course because he was not into it. The third run was Fullhouse, and I started him off in a straight line: jump, tunnel, jump, then a front cross. Spot did the three obstacles, but then blew me off and ran to the table. After that I decided to leave for the day and skip Jackpot because there was no way we were going to be successful. I was really disappointed and on the verge of tears because I knew we could do these courses and we really need to finish level 2 Standard if we want to go to Nationals. The indoor trials are few that actually have standard, so we only have 3-4 more chances to get 2 Qs.
On Sunday I tried to have a positive attitude. It was freezing when we got there, only about 34 degrees. Again, no course maps! Luckily someone brought one back, but I still only had level 3, no level 2 standard map. Our day began with Standard 2, and we actually did pretty well. The A frame was a little slow and the weaves took us 2 tries, but I thought we had a chance to Q. Unfortunately we were 11 seconds over time, so didn't make it. Next was Wildcard. We started out ok, but got to the weaves and Spot just would not do them. Finally I got him to do them, but then we got whistled off for max course time. The last class was Colors, and I thought we might be ok, since it was a short course, but again, we started and did 5 obstacles, and then Spot ran to the exit.
Thankfully I hadn't entered Jumpers, so we were able to pack it up and head home around 3:30.
It was a disastrous weekend all around. Shelby go to play with me a little, so that was nice. Not sure exactly what I can do to get Spot's head back in the game.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
CATS CPE Trial, September 18, 2011
On Sunday I entered Spot in the CATS CPE trial at Wheelock Park in Keene, NH. We actually drove up Saturday afternoon to check out the location and set up our tent. We stayed overnight in Brattleboro, VT. The venue was really nice, on a baseball field, with two rings and plenty of room for tents. Also was great to be there with agility friends Marjorie, Julie, Nancy, Mary, Juli and Patricia.
Spot was entered in Standard 3, Colors 3, Jackpot 3, Snooker 4 and Jumpers 4. He Q'd in Standard, Colors and Snooker.
First class was Standard. We did the weaves on one pass, but I really had to baby him through them. We had one bobble at the A frame. There was an obstacle discrimination with the tunnel under the A frame, and I pulled Spot to the right for the A frame, but then he actually didn't take it, and ran by it, then took the tunnel underneath. That was ok, because coming out of the tunnel up the A frame was a nice approach, and he handled it fine. We got a 5 pt fault and were 4.8 seconds over time, so we were super close to not Q'ing. If we hadn't had that bobble we would have been fine. I think I just overhandled that part.
Next was Jackpot, which was non-traditional, with 3 possible gambles. We could even do all 3 gambles if we wanted to! I had a good plan, but I added in a tunnel at the last minute, and then didn't have enough momentum to get the gamble before the time was up.
Next was Colors 3. The opening was tricky. It was a jump to a tunnel, the they were kind of parallel. So I lead out into a moving front cross and it worked well. After the tunnel, the choice was A frame directly in front of the tunnel, or a jump to the side. I wanted the jump, because the end of the course was much better than the A frame course. I did a front cross out of the tunnel to bring Spot over to the jump, but he didn't want to! He started towards the A frame, and I called him, so he stopped and looked at me, then looked at the A frame, then finally took the jump. We did the weaves ok, again I really had to baby him. But then the end of the course was a line of 5 jumps and he really picked up speed for the finish.
Next was Snooker level 4 in the other ring. We had to wait around a while for this one, just because the lower level ring had fewer runs and was going much faster. The Snooker course was awesome for us because there were no weaves! The 7 was a combo of a tunnel and a double, which was tough because you can only take the double one way. Some people did try it, but I thought the entrance to the tunnel was ugly, so I avoided it. I was able to find a line from a red over the 5 jump, to another red, which made for a fast opening. Then we did a front cross over the 2-jump 6 combo. One of the jumps for 6 was also a red, so we took that again, then the 5 again, and headed to the 2 jump. For some reason Spot balked at the 2 jump and I was worried he wouldn't take it, or would back-jump it, but he got over it. 3 and 4 were tunnels, and then 5 and 6 were a threadle. We got through the first half of 7 before time was up and ended up with 39 points and Q. I have to say that was a really fun run.
Last run of the day was Jumpers 4. Since the lower level ring had finished, they set this up while Snooker was finishing, so we got to walk pretty quickly and get going. This course was very twisty, with a pinwheel and a funky opening. I couldn't quite figure out what I wanted to do, but I ended up doing a serpentine opening. Spot read it fine, but then didn't take the third jump, so I brought him back, but it seemed to sap his energy and momentum. He walked through the rest of the course and we ran out of time. Oh well.
Spot was really tired by the end of the day. When I put him in his crate, he was already sleeping as I loaded up the car! I think 4 runs a day is his limit now. I need to figure out how to get his Standard 2 finished so we can try to enter for Nationals!
Spot was entered in Standard 3, Colors 3, Jackpot 3, Snooker 4 and Jumpers 4. He Q'd in Standard, Colors and Snooker.
First class was Standard. We did the weaves on one pass, but I really had to baby him through them. We had one bobble at the A frame. There was an obstacle discrimination with the tunnel under the A frame, and I pulled Spot to the right for the A frame, but then he actually didn't take it, and ran by it, then took the tunnel underneath. That was ok, because coming out of the tunnel up the A frame was a nice approach, and he handled it fine. We got a 5 pt fault and were 4.8 seconds over time, so we were super close to not Q'ing. If we hadn't had that bobble we would have been fine. I think I just overhandled that part.
Next was Jackpot, which was non-traditional, with 3 possible gambles. We could even do all 3 gambles if we wanted to! I had a good plan, but I added in a tunnel at the last minute, and then didn't have enough momentum to get the gamble before the time was up.
Next was Colors 3. The opening was tricky. It was a jump to a tunnel, the they were kind of parallel. So I lead out into a moving front cross and it worked well. After the tunnel, the choice was A frame directly in front of the tunnel, or a jump to the side. I wanted the jump, because the end of the course was much better than the A frame course. I did a front cross out of the tunnel to bring Spot over to the jump, but he didn't want to! He started towards the A frame, and I called him, so he stopped and looked at me, then looked at the A frame, then finally took the jump. We did the weaves ok, again I really had to baby him. But then the end of the course was a line of 5 jumps and he really picked up speed for the finish.
Next was Snooker level 4 in the other ring. We had to wait around a while for this one, just because the lower level ring had fewer runs and was going much faster. The Snooker course was awesome for us because there were no weaves! The 7 was a combo of a tunnel and a double, which was tough because you can only take the double one way. Some people did try it, but I thought the entrance to the tunnel was ugly, so I avoided it. I was able to find a line from a red over the 5 jump, to another red, which made for a fast opening. Then we did a front cross over the 2-jump 6 combo. One of the jumps for 6 was also a red, so we took that again, then the 5 again, and headed to the 2 jump. For some reason Spot balked at the 2 jump and I was worried he wouldn't take it, or would back-jump it, but he got over it. 3 and 4 were tunnels, and then 5 and 6 were a threadle. We got through the first half of 7 before time was up and ended up with 39 points and Q. I have to say that was a really fun run.
Last run of the day was Jumpers 4. Since the lower level ring had finished, they set this up while Snooker was finishing, so we got to walk pretty quickly and get going. This course was very twisty, with a pinwheel and a funky opening. I couldn't quite figure out what I wanted to do, but I ended up doing a serpentine opening. Spot read it fine, but then didn't take the third jump, so I brought him back, but it seemed to sap his energy and momentum. He walked through the rest of the course and we ran out of time. Oh well.
Spot was really tired by the end of the day. When I put him in his crate, he was already sleeping as I loaded up the car! I think 4 runs a day is his limit now. I need to figure out how to get his Standard 2 finished so we can try to enter for Nationals!
Monday, August 29, 2011
Gemini CPE Trial August 27-28, 2011 (Hurricane Irene Edition)
Last weekend Spot and Shelby were entered in the Gemini Dogs CPE trial. I like trialing here because this is where we train, and they have a chain link fence with gates, so I can close them for Shelby and be sure there will be no problems. The August trial is traditionally miserable weather, and this year was no exception. Saturday actually wasn't too bad. It was overcast, but then got really humid and warm around noon, then started raining about 3pm. The Sunday trial was cancelled due to the hurricane, which bummed me out because I lost about $75...
Shelby was entered in all 4 classes, Spot only in Standard and Wildcard. The day started with Fullhouse. I had a good plan and it was going well when for some reason Shelby decided not to take the tunnel, but instead to run around it a couple times. Of course by doing that we ran out of time so no Q.
Then it was Standard level 2 for both dogs. Spot was first. It was a doable course, but we only got about 3 obstacles in. He took 2 jumps and the dogwalk, then went in the tunnel and wouldn't come out. While I was doing the walk through, I had a friend hold him, since we were the first dog on the line. That's when it started to get hot, and I think he got a bit heated and needed the shade of the tunnel. Shelby was next and I was super pleased by her performance. She really gave me full attention and we ran well under time for a Q and first place.
Next was Wildcard. Spot and Shelby were both entered in level 3. One of the wildcards was a set of weave poles vs a double, then there was another set of poles, so I decided to take the double with both dogs. Spot went first and he was much better, since the sun had gone in again at this point. However, we had an off course and then he couldn't get through the weave poles, so no Q. Shelby was a little nervous as we were setting up, so I wasn't sure if she would perform well. I kept eye contact with her pretty much the whole time, and tried to cue 2-3 obstacles ahead and she did very well. I thought we Q'd until I saw the scores and we had a major fault, which I think must have been a dropped bar at the double.
Finally was Snooker for Shelby. By this point it was raining pretty hard. My parking area had flooded with about 2 inches of water, so I had put the dogs in the car. I had a pretty good plan, needing the do the closing through #5 to Q. We were doing pretty well until we hit the weaves at #4, then Shelby smelled something and started digging in the grass, then started rolling around. Everyone got a kick out of it, except me, since we blew our time and didn't get a Q after waiting around and getting soaked.
So we only had 1 Q for the day, but two others were really close for Shelby. Even though he didn't Q, I was pleased with Spot's performance because he did the A frame and the dog walk no problem, so I don't think there are any issues from his tumble last week.
Shelby was entered in all 4 classes, Spot only in Standard and Wildcard. The day started with Fullhouse. I had a good plan and it was going well when for some reason Shelby decided not to take the tunnel, but instead to run around it a couple times. Of course by doing that we ran out of time so no Q.
Then it was Standard level 2 for both dogs. Spot was first. It was a doable course, but we only got about 3 obstacles in. He took 2 jumps and the dogwalk, then went in the tunnel and wouldn't come out. While I was doing the walk through, I had a friend hold him, since we were the first dog on the line. That's when it started to get hot, and I think he got a bit heated and needed the shade of the tunnel. Shelby was next and I was super pleased by her performance. She really gave me full attention and we ran well under time for a Q and first place.
Next was Wildcard. Spot and Shelby were both entered in level 3. One of the wildcards was a set of weave poles vs a double, then there was another set of poles, so I decided to take the double with both dogs. Spot went first and he was much better, since the sun had gone in again at this point. However, we had an off course and then he couldn't get through the weave poles, so no Q. Shelby was a little nervous as we were setting up, so I wasn't sure if she would perform well. I kept eye contact with her pretty much the whole time, and tried to cue 2-3 obstacles ahead and she did very well. I thought we Q'd until I saw the scores and we had a major fault, which I think must have been a dropped bar at the double.
Finally was Snooker for Shelby. By this point it was raining pretty hard. My parking area had flooded with about 2 inches of water, so I had put the dogs in the car. I had a pretty good plan, needing the do the closing through #5 to Q. We were doing pretty well until we hit the weaves at #4, then Shelby smelled something and started digging in the grass, then started rolling around. Everyone got a kick out of it, except me, since we blew our time and didn't get a Q after waiting around and getting soaked.
So we only had 1 Q for the day, but two others were really close for Shelby. Even though he didn't Q, I was pleased with Spot's performance because he did the A frame and the dog walk no problem, so I don't think there are any issues from his tumble last week.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
American K9 Country CPE Trial, August 19-20, 2011
This weekend Spot and I went to a CPE trial at American K9 Country in Amherst, NH. The judge was Denielle Stasa.
I like this venue pretty well. It is indoors with padded footing, the equipment is nice, and there is a good amount of room. I can't really trial Shelby there though because the way the ring is, there isn't room to set up a gate chute, so I wouldn't risk it at this point.
Spot was entered in Snooker 4, Jumpers 4, and Fullhouse 4 on Friday, and Snooker 4, Fullhouse 4, Jackpot 4, Standard 2 and Wildcard 3 on Saturday. We ended up scratching Standard 2 and Fullhouse on Sat.
Friday started out with Jumpers. Spot was very energetic and did some extra running which resulted in 2 off courses, then he skipped the tire, but we just kept going since I knew we weren't going to Q anyway. Next was Snooker 4. This course didn't have any weaves, which was awesome for us, however the A frame was the 7 and while I could have gone for it, Spot has some issues with the A frame now that he is 13 years old, so I decided not to risk it. I had a plan the just included the A frame once. I guess Spot didn't like the plan, because he first went to the table in the middle of the run, then I got him back, but he left the ring...see the video.
I didn't have super high hopes for Fullhouse at this point, but we continued on. I made a plan that was a lot of tunnels and jumps and the A frame one time. I was going pretty well until the end, when Spot was on the A frame. He was near the top and I was ahead of him and he tried to go too fast off the A frame and took a tumble, rolling over on the floor. He got right back up, and we did a tunnel and a jump and finished the course. I checked him over, and he didn't seem sore, so I figured I would just keep a better eye on his A frame performance on Saturday.
Saturday I brought Shelby with us for the day, even though she wasn't running. It was a hot day and I set up my tent outside rather than inside because the crate room was open only to competing dogs. Saturday started with Snooker. This was a tough course for us because the weaves were #4, so I had to figure out how to get enough points, yet not do the A frame multiple times. I decided to run a course that would get us enough points if we could finish the poles, and we did, so we got a Q. Spot did the A frame with no problem, so I figured we were good.
Wildcard 3 was next. It was a very do-able course. The first choice was the A frame or a tunnel, and I was going for the A frame. Spot ran around it, and then didn't want to retry it, so I had to do the tunnel. We kept going but used a lot of time at the poles. Then on the up part of the dogwalk, Spot was very tentative, and I'm not sure why. The buzzer rang while we were on the dogwalk so we ran out of time on that one.
Jackpot was next. Again, a very do-able course. I planned to do all jumps and tunnels, no contacts. Spot got set up and we started, but his heart wasn't in it. He was running so slow. It was more like walking. We ran out of time halfway through the gamble, so no Q there. Then I decided to make it a day and we scratched Standard and Fullhouse.
Looking back, I'm still not sure if he was just tired, if he was sore, if he could tell I was in pain from my back...but he seems to be acting normally now, jumping on the furniture, etc. We have a trial this weekend where I am running Shelby in everything and Spot in 2 classes per day, so we'll see how he is there. It would really be too bad if Spot's agility career were over...especially with Nationals in New York next year.
I like this venue pretty well. It is indoors with padded footing, the equipment is nice, and there is a good amount of room. I can't really trial Shelby there though because the way the ring is, there isn't room to set up a gate chute, so I wouldn't risk it at this point.
Spot was entered in Snooker 4, Jumpers 4, and Fullhouse 4 on Friday, and Snooker 4, Fullhouse 4, Jackpot 4, Standard 2 and Wildcard 3 on Saturday. We ended up scratching Standard 2 and Fullhouse on Sat.
Friday started out with Jumpers. Spot was very energetic and did some extra running which resulted in 2 off courses, then he skipped the tire, but we just kept going since I knew we weren't going to Q anyway. Next was Snooker 4. This course didn't have any weaves, which was awesome for us, however the A frame was the 7 and while I could have gone for it, Spot has some issues with the A frame now that he is 13 years old, so I decided not to risk it. I had a plan the just included the A frame once. I guess Spot didn't like the plan, because he first went to the table in the middle of the run, then I got him back, but he left the ring...see the video.
I didn't have super high hopes for Fullhouse at this point, but we continued on. I made a plan that was a lot of tunnels and jumps and the A frame one time. I was going pretty well until the end, when Spot was on the A frame. He was near the top and I was ahead of him and he tried to go too fast off the A frame and took a tumble, rolling over on the floor. He got right back up, and we did a tunnel and a jump and finished the course. I checked him over, and he didn't seem sore, so I figured I would just keep a better eye on his A frame performance on Saturday.
Saturday I brought Shelby with us for the day, even though she wasn't running. It was a hot day and I set up my tent outside rather than inside because the crate room was open only to competing dogs. Saturday started with Snooker. This was a tough course for us because the weaves were #4, so I had to figure out how to get enough points, yet not do the A frame multiple times. I decided to run a course that would get us enough points if we could finish the poles, and we did, so we got a Q. Spot did the A frame with no problem, so I figured we were good.
Wildcard 3 was next. It was a very do-able course. The first choice was the A frame or a tunnel, and I was going for the A frame. Spot ran around it, and then didn't want to retry it, so I had to do the tunnel. We kept going but used a lot of time at the poles. Then on the up part of the dogwalk, Spot was very tentative, and I'm not sure why. The buzzer rang while we were on the dogwalk so we ran out of time on that one.
Jackpot was next. Again, a very do-able course. I planned to do all jumps and tunnels, no contacts. Spot got set up and we started, but his heart wasn't in it. He was running so slow. It was more like walking. We ran out of time halfway through the gamble, so no Q there. Then I decided to make it a day and we scratched Standard and Fullhouse.
Looking back, I'm still not sure if he was just tired, if he was sore, if he could tell I was in pain from my back...but he seems to be acting normally now, jumping on the furniture, etc. We have a trial this weekend where I am running Shelby in everything and Spot in 2 classes per day, so we'll see how he is there. It would really be too bad if Spot's agility career were over...especially with Nationals in New York next year.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
A New Year
Wow, I can't believe it's been six months since I posted!
We've been very busy with Agility and Earthdog.
Spot has been working on the last leg for his Master Earthdog title, but we weren't able to get it this season. He has a problem in that he likes to back up when it is time to take him out of the tunnel. So we will work on that this Spring. Also, his mark could be better, so we'll work on that too. Spot will be 13 in July, and I am starting to see he is looking older. He still has energy and loves to work, which is good. And earthdog isn't too taxing, so I hope he can compete for a many more years.
We've also been working on agility. Spot is in level 3 in everything except Standard, because he can't weave yet. So we are working on that. We recently tried using a target at the end of the weaves, because he understands this concept from the jump grid work we did. He seemed to pick it up really quickly and we have been practicing a little bit each night. I entered him in Standard level 2 in a trial in February, so hopefully we will be ready!
Shelby has also been practicing agility. She competed in early Sept in Vermont at Muddy Paws. My instructor suggested it because the ring is in a barn and we were able to close the doors so no other dogs would be around. Shelby was nervous, and very alert to other dogs, so we worked on that. She was happy to do agility, but did disconnect to go check the doors to see if other dogs were around. I hoping to enter her in the next trial at Gemini, since we can close the gate during her runs. We'll see. I wish I could trial with her, because she is really skilled and it is fun for me, but I don't want to stress her out.
We've been very busy with Agility and Earthdog.
Spot has been working on the last leg for his Master Earthdog title, but we weren't able to get it this season. He has a problem in that he likes to back up when it is time to take him out of the tunnel. So we will work on that this Spring. Also, his mark could be better, so we'll work on that too. Spot will be 13 in July, and I am starting to see he is looking older. He still has energy and loves to work, which is good. And earthdog isn't too taxing, so I hope he can compete for a many more years.
We've also been working on agility. Spot is in level 3 in everything except Standard, because he can't weave yet. So we are working on that. We recently tried using a target at the end of the weaves, because he understands this concept from the jump grid work we did. He seemed to pick it up really quickly and we have been practicing a little bit each night. I entered him in Standard level 2 in a trial in February, so hopefully we will be ready!
Shelby has also been practicing agility. She competed in early Sept in Vermont at Muddy Paws. My instructor suggested it because the ring is in a barn and we were able to close the doors so no other dogs would be around. Shelby was nervous, and very alert to other dogs, so we worked on that. She was happy to do agility, but did disconnect to go check the doors to see if other dogs were around. I hoping to enter her in the next trial at Gemini, since we can close the gate during her runs. We'll see. I wish I could trial with her, because she is really skilled and it is fun for me, but I don't want to stress her out.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
A Busy Weekend
This weekend was all about the dogs. On Saturday we were at All Dog's Gym for a CPE agility trial and Sunday we went to a New England Terrier Club earthdog fun day.
On Sat, Spot was entered in Snooker level 2, Fullhouse level 3 and Wildcard level 2. Snooker was first. It was a pretty easy course. The 7 obstacle was a combo of a jump and a tunnel. My plan was to do 7 twice and 6 once in the opening. It started out red, 7, but Spot ran around the jump part of the 7 obstacle, so I had to call him back, but then he took the next red, and then 6 jump, then a red, and then the 7 combo. The 2 obstacle was the tunnel, which was bidirectional in the opening and the closing, but the way we did it, Spot took the tunnel as part of 7, then I had him turn around and go back in, which worked fine. The closing was a big circle, so the flow was really nice, and we were able to run fast, which Spot likes. We got 50 points and first place. One question that came up for me (when scribing Snooker 3, 4, 5, C) was that people faulted the combo color, but just got a zero and were able to keep going. In May at the Act Up trial, I did the same thing but got whistled off...which I think was incorrect.
Next was Fullhouse. It was all levels together. Spot does better with contacts, but contacts take longer to complete, so it definitely was something I had to keep in mind when planning our course. Generally I like to do back to back tunnels when possible, and in this case there were 2 chances to do that, but I realized we could get the same number of points faster by doing the tire back to back, so that's what we did. The course was jump to the A frame, which I led out to, then 2 jumps, which Spot ran around the second one, so I called him back. In hindsight, I should have kept going, just for timing sake. Then I did a tunnel back to back, a front cross to the dog walk, then the tire 2x and a jump, and then we headed to the table and the buzzer sounded just as we hit the table, so I timed it pretty good. We got 26 points, and first place. Although Spot scared me at the start of this run! We walked in to get set up and as we approached the jump, Spot decided to take it while still on leash, and I ended up jerking him back in mid-air and he knocked over the jump. Thankfully he was fine. I guess he was just wanting to do some obstacles!
Then we had to wait a while for Standard to run. We didn't enter because Spot can't do poles yet. The last class of the day was Wildcard. We needed 2 As and 1 B. The first choice was the A frame (B) or the tunnel (A). The second choice was the tire (A) or the double (B) and the final choice was a jump (A) or the weaves (B). We chose the A frame, the tire, and the jump. I lead out to the A frame, and it went really well until the last two jumps, which Spot ran around and I had to call him back. We Q'd and got third place.
On Sunday, we went to the New England Terrier Club earthdog fun day. Spot ran Master and Shelby did IQ. Spot did well in ME, except for removing him (again). He backed up, but then came back and I was able to open the cover and praise him a bit, and then he was actually ready to come out. Shelby did IQ, and I was disappointed, because we took a step back and just did the short straight tunnel. She worked the rats, but not as well as she did at the Gardner practice. So I don't think I'll enter her at Brimfield.
On Sat, Spot was entered in Snooker level 2, Fullhouse level 3 and Wildcard level 2. Snooker was first. It was a pretty easy course. The 7 obstacle was a combo of a jump and a tunnel. My plan was to do 7 twice and 6 once in the opening. It started out red, 7, but Spot ran around the jump part of the 7 obstacle, so I had to call him back, but then he took the next red, and then 6 jump, then a red, and then the 7 combo. The 2 obstacle was the tunnel, which was bidirectional in the opening and the closing, but the way we did it, Spot took the tunnel as part of 7, then I had him turn around and go back in, which worked fine. The closing was a big circle, so the flow was really nice, and we were able to run fast, which Spot likes. We got 50 points and first place. One question that came up for me (when scribing Snooker 3, 4, 5, C) was that people faulted the combo color, but just got a zero and were able to keep going. In May at the Act Up trial, I did the same thing but got whistled off...which I think was incorrect.
Next was Fullhouse. It was all levels together. Spot does better with contacts, but contacts take longer to complete, so it definitely was something I had to keep in mind when planning our course. Generally I like to do back to back tunnels when possible, and in this case there were 2 chances to do that, but I realized we could get the same number of points faster by doing the tire back to back, so that's what we did. The course was jump to the A frame, which I led out to, then 2 jumps, which Spot ran around the second one, so I called him back. In hindsight, I should have kept going, just for timing sake. Then I did a tunnel back to back, a front cross to the dog walk, then the tire 2x and a jump, and then we headed to the table and the buzzer sounded just as we hit the table, so I timed it pretty good. We got 26 points, and first place. Although Spot scared me at the start of this run! We walked in to get set up and as we approached the jump, Spot decided to take it while still on leash, and I ended up jerking him back in mid-air and he knocked over the jump. Thankfully he was fine. I guess he was just wanting to do some obstacles!
Then we had to wait a while for Standard to run. We didn't enter because Spot can't do poles yet. The last class of the day was Wildcard. We needed 2 As and 1 B. The first choice was the A frame (B) or the tunnel (A). The second choice was the tire (A) or the double (B) and the final choice was a jump (A) or the weaves (B). We chose the A frame, the tire, and the jump. I lead out to the A frame, and it went really well until the last two jumps, which Spot ran around and I had to call him back. We Q'd and got third place.
On Sunday, we went to the New England Terrier Club earthdog fun day. Spot ran Master and Shelby did IQ. Spot did well in ME, except for removing him (again). He backed up, but then came back and I was able to open the cover and praise him a bit, and then he was actually ready to come out. Shelby did IQ, and I was disappointed, because we took a step back and just did the short straight tunnel. She worked the rats, but not as well as she did at the Gardner practice. So I don't think I'll enter her at Brimfield.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Bo Gee CPE Trial June 25-26
Last weekend I entered Spot in the Bo Gee CPE trial at the Deerfield Fairgrounds in NH. We entered 2 classes on Friday and 3 classes on Sat.
Friday was planned to start at 4, but got off to a little bit of a slow start. The first class was Jumpers, and Spot was entered in Jumpers level 3. Spot and I really weren't in sync for this run. He ran around 2 jumps, then had an off course, and we were over time, so no Q. Second run was Jackpot. It was a non-traditional Jackpot and you needed to take 3 single jumps for the jackpot. Spot did much better in this run. I tried to keep him running, using the tunnels, and not as many jumps. There was a combo of 2 jumps worth 5 points, but Spot ran around the second jump, so I just kept going. I had planned it so we were in the area where the jumps were when the whistle blew and it turned out to be really good. Spot had just entered a tunnel when the whistle blew, so I was able to call him out, then send him over 3 jumps, then the table. A lot of people either were on the A frame when the whistle blew, or their dog took another obstacle on the way to the jumps,so they didn't Q. But we did!
On Saturday we were entered in Snooker level 2, Wildcard level 2 and Colors level 3. I moved Spot up to Colors level 3 not realizing there would be weaves. Oops! We started out well. My plan for Snooker was not to go for 3 7's in the opening because the flow would be not so good, so instead I went for the 3 tunnel, a 6 jump, and the 7 A frame. This made a little loop, which worked well for us. Spot finished the entire course and the whistle blew just as he jumped onto the table.
Next was Wildcard. This was a pretty easy course, but Spot didn't want to get set at the start, so I ended up running with him instead of leading out as planned. And he took the first two jumps, but then didn't take the tunnel, which was a wildcard. He never misses tunnels, so I wasn't sure what was going on. The rest of the course he did well, except for running around a jump, but I brought him back around and then we finished the course and got a Q.
Last was Colors. The course was super easy except for the poles. He did great with the first 5 obstacles, which were jump, jump, tunnel, jump, tire. But then he just basically ignored the weave poles. I almost got him through, but then he wouldn't do the last one, so I just tried to finish the course, but I guess he was stressed out because he skipped a couple of jumps. Oh well.
So it is becoming imperative that Spot learn weave poles at least at a basic level, or all I will be able to enter him in is Jackpot and Fullhouse and Jumpers!
Friday was planned to start at 4, but got off to a little bit of a slow start. The first class was Jumpers, and Spot was entered in Jumpers level 3. Spot and I really weren't in sync for this run. He ran around 2 jumps, then had an off course, and we were over time, so no Q. Second run was Jackpot. It was a non-traditional Jackpot and you needed to take 3 single jumps for the jackpot. Spot did much better in this run. I tried to keep him running, using the tunnels, and not as many jumps. There was a combo of 2 jumps worth 5 points, but Spot ran around the second jump, so I just kept going. I had planned it so we were in the area where the jumps were when the whistle blew and it turned out to be really good. Spot had just entered a tunnel when the whistle blew, so I was able to call him out, then send him over 3 jumps, then the table. A lot of people either were on the A frame when the whistle blew, or their dog took another obstacle on the way to the jumps,so they didn't Q. But we did!
On Saturday we were entered in Snooker level 2, Wildcard level 2 and Colors level 3. I moved Spot up to Colors level 3 not realizing there would be weaves. Oops! We started out well. My plan for Snooker was not to go for 3 7's in the opening because the flow would be not so good, so instead I went for the 3 tunnel, a 6 jump, and the 7 A frame. This made a little loop, which worked well for us. Spot finished the entire course and the whistle blew just as he jumped onto the table.
Next was Wildcard. This was a pretty easy course, but Spot didn't want to get set at the start, so I ended up running with him instead of leading out as planned. And he took the first two jumps, but then didn't take the tunnel, which was a wildcard. He never misses tunnels, so I wasn't sure what was going on. The rest of the course he did well, except for running around a jump, but I brought him back around and then we finished the course and got a Q.
Last was Colors. The course was super easy except for the poles. He did great with the first 5 obstacles, which were jump, jump, tunnel, jump, tire. But then he just basically ignored the weave poles. I almost got him through, but then he wouldn't do the last one, so I just tried to finish the course, but I guess he was stressed out because he skipped a couple of jumps. Oh well.
So it is becoming imperative that Spot learn weave poles at least at a basic level, or all I will be able to enter him in is Jackpot and Fullhouse and Jumpers!
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Earthdog practice!
Today we had earthdog practice in Gardner. Of course, I was too tired to show up at 9, so I rolled in around 10:30. Thankfully a few other people arrived after me, but the early arrivals were a little peeved, I could tell.
First I tried Shelby in IQ. In the past, she hasn't wanted to go around the corner in the tunnel, so we started with a straight piece and she went in no problem. So then we just added the corner piece. She was hesitant, but when she backed out a little I gave her a little push and encouraged her to go back in, and she did. She was really working the rats well. She barked, dug and bit at the bars, which is great.
So then we added another piece to the tunnel, and she went in and hesitated just a second and then went around the corner all on her own. We did that twice to make sure she was good with it. I'm very excited-I hope this is the breakthrough she needed. Hopefully we can practice again next Sunday if it doesn't get cancelled.
Spot was last. I actually took him to the IQ tunnel because we just needed to work on taking him out of the tunnel. So we took all the pieces out except for the end piece and had someone stand in the tunnel so he couldn't back out. He worked and I took him out, then put him right back in, and we did that about 5 times. Hopefully it reinforced that getting taken out means he gets to go again, not that the fun is over. We'll see what he does next week!
First I tried Shelby in IQ. In the past, she hasn't wanted to go around the corner in the tunnel, so we started with a straight piece and she went in no problem. So then we just added the corner piece. She was hesitant, but when she backed out a little I gave her a little push and encouraged her to go back in, and she did. She was really working the rats well. She barked, dug and bit at the bars, which is great.
So then we added another piece to the tunnel, and she went in and hesitated just a second and then went around the corner all on her own. We did that twice to make sure she was good with it. I'm very excited-I hope this is the breakthrough she needed. Hopefully we can practice again next Sunday if it doesn't get cancelled.
Spot was last. I actually took him to the IQ tunnel because we just needed to work on taking him out of the tunnel. So we took all the pieces out except for the end piece and had someone stand in the tunnel so he couldn't back out. He worked and I took him out, then put him right back in, and we did that about 5 times. Hopefully it reinforced that getting taken out means he gets to go again, not that the fun is over. We'll see what he does next week!
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Courses from this weekend
Here are the courses from this weekend.
Standard level 2-Almost Qd-slightly over time.
We Qd in Level 3 Jumpers-our first level 3 Q!
We Qd in Colors level 2, finishing our Colors level 2. We did the circle course.
We did not Q in Jackpot due to a handling bobble on my part.
We did not Q in Snooker level 2 because Spot got distracted then back jumped a red.
In Wildcard level 2 we only got as far as jump 1 before Spot disengaged and I left the course.
We did not Q in Standard level 2 because we can't really do weaves yet, and Spot wasn't engaged in general. We left the course after he skipped a tunnel and A frame.
We did not Q in Fullhouse because we did not get enough points.
Standard level 2-Almost Qd-slightly over time.
We Qd in Level 3 Jumpers-our first level 3 Q!
We Qd in Colors level 2, finishing our Colors level 2. We did the circle course.
We did not Q in Jackpot due to a handling bobble on my part.
We did not Q in Snooker level 2 because Spot got distracted then back jumped a red.
In Wildcard level 2 we only got as far as jump 1 before Spot disengaged and I left the course.
We did not Q in Standard level 2 because we can't really do weaves yet, and Spot wasn't engaged in general. We left the course after he skipped a tunnel and A frame.
We did not Q in Fullhouse because we did not get enough points.
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Gemini Dogs CPE Trial June 5-6, 2010
Well, I had high hopes for this trial held at our training center, but it didn't turn out very well. We got 2 Qs out of a possible 8. We came close on 2 more, but Spot showed some behavior I wasn't very happy with.
Saturday was miserable. The temperature was about 82 and sunny, but the humidity was also very high. It really sapped my energy, and I think Spot's too. I definitely didn't plan my courses too well. Plus, I was working every class and it was just too hectic. I didn't really have time to study the course maps.
First class was Fullhouse. If I recall correctly Spot broke his startline say, and then ran around jumps and we were over time. Next was Standard Level 2, which I knew Spot would have trouble with the weaves. He did the course well and I got him through the weaves with some effort, but we were 6 seconds over time, which meant 6 fault points, and you can only have 5 faults to Q. So 1 second faster and we would have made it. Next was Snooker. The 7 point obstacle was the A frame, which Spot likes, so I planned to do that twice, then the 3 tunnel. Spot got through the A frame the second time, took the next red, but then disengaged and was sniffing. When I called him, he back jumped the red, so that was the end of that. Last was Wildcard. We started, took 1 jump, then Spot disengaged and was sniffing and the judge gave us a majot fault, which I still don't really know why. She didn't really give me a chance to get him back in line. So when that happened I just left the ring and Spot followed me.
Sunday the weather was iffy. It was cooler, but it rained and there was a threat of thunderstorms all day. We started with Jackpot, and it rained. By the time we went, it had stopped, but everything was soaked. It was a non-traditional Jackpot where the gamble was a tunnel/A frame combo in any order, then a distance to a jump and table. Spot actually did really well, and was faster than expected so I had to fill time by having him take the A frame and tunnel a few times while I waited for the whistle. Once the whistle blew, I asked him to do the A frame, and then the tunnel, but when I released him from the A frame I didn't come out far enough and he turned around and went back up. I kept going, because I didn't hear a whistle, and we completed the rest of the gamble. Some people thought I got it because they didn't think Spot had actually come off the A frame, only turned around, but in the end we did not Q.
Next was Standard again. We started well, but then got the weaves and Spot didn't do them and we got a major fault, so I kept going, but then he skipped a tunnel, and then the A Frame, so I left the ring. After that was Colors, which we actually Qd in! The course I chose had fewer jumps and more tunnels so we could just keep on running as fast as possible. Spot actually listened and we had a good run. We came in second. The last class of the day was Jumpers level 3. This was a fast course as well, and the first 7 obstacles were the same as the Colors course we had just run, so I had high hopes. The course went well, except for one off course that was my fault. Spot took the near tunnel entrance rather than the out tunnel because I didn't cue fast enough. Really I should have been on the other side for that section. Other than that it went really well and we Qd and got 4th place.
So we were able to end on a high note, which was good. I really need to get Spot learning the weave poles, and also to go ahead and take jumps that are ahead of him.
Saturday was miserable. The temperature was about 82 and sunny, but the humidity was also very high. It really sapped my energy, and I think Spot's too. I definitely didn't plan my courses too well. Plus, I was working every class and it was just too hectic. I didn't really have time to study the course maps.
First class was Fullhouse. If I recall correctly Spot broke his startline say, and then ran around jumps and we were over time. Next was Standard Level 2, which I knew Spot would have trouble with the weaves. He did the course well and I got him through the weaves with some effort, but we were 6 seconds over time, which meant 6 fault points, and you can only have 5 faults to Q. So 1 second faster and we would have made it. Next was Snooker. The 7 point obstacle was the A frame, which Spot likes, so I planned to do that twice, then the 3 tunnel. Spot got through the A frame the second time, took the next red, but then disengaged and was sniffing. When I called him, he back jumped the red, so that was the end of that. Last was Wildcard. We started, took 1 jump, then Spot disengaged and was sniffing and the judge gave us a majot fault, which I still don't really know why. She didn't really give me a chance to get him back in line. So when that happened I just left the ring and Spot followed me.
Sunday the weather was iffy. It was cooler, but it rained and there was a threat of thunderstorms all day. We started with Jackpot, and it rained. By the time we went, it had stopped, but everything was soaked. It was a non-traditional Jackpot where the gamble was a tunnel/A frame combo in any order, then a distance to a jump and table. Spot actually did really well, and was faster than expected so I had to fill time by having him take the A frame and tunnel a few times while I waited for the whistle. Once the whistle blew, I asked him to do the A frame, and then the tunnel, but when I released him from the A frame I didn't come out far enough and he turned around and went back up. I kept going, because I didn't hear a whistle, and we completed the rest of the gamble. Some people thought I got it because they didn't think Spot had actually come off the A frame, only turned around, but in the end we did not Q.
Next was Standard again. We started well, but then got the weaves and Spot didn't do them and we got a major fault, so I kept going, but then he skipped a tunnel, and then the A Frame, so I left the ring. After that was Colors, which we actually Qd in! The course I chose had fewer jumps and more tunnels so we could just keep on running as fast as possible. Spot actually listened and we had a good run. We came in second. The last class of the day was Jumpers level 3. This was a fast course as well, and the first 7 obstacles were the same as the Colors course we had just run, so I had high hopes. The course went well, except for one off course that was my fault. Spot took the near tunnel entrance rather than the out tunnel because I didn't cue fast enough. Really I should have been on the other side for that section. Other than that it went really well and we Qd and got 4th place.
So we were able to end on a high note, which was good. I really need to get Spot learning the weave poles, and also to go ahead and take jumps that are ahead of him.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Photos from Act Up Trial, May 15, 2010
Spot was entered in the Act Up CPE trial on May 15th at Canine Mastery in Seekonk.
We were entered in Fullhouse 2, Snooker 2, Colors 2 and Jumpers 3. We Q'd in Fullhouse and Colors. I'll give the full rundown later, but here are some photos! Spot looks so happy and shows great form. I love the A frame picture where he's looking over at me.
We were entered in Fullhouse 2, Snooker 2, Colors 2 and Jumpers 3. We Q'd in Fullhouse and Colors. I'll give the full rundown later, but here are some photos! Spot looks so happy and shows great form. I love the A frame picture where he's looking over at me.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
GBAEC Earthdog Trial, May 22-23, 2010
This weekend the GBAEC hosted its first trial of the 2010 season. Spot was entered in Master both days and I entered Shelby in IQ Sunday morning just for the heck of it.
On Saturday, Spot was in the first brace with Buzz, a border terrier. The walk up went well, they both hunted together and Spot found the scent line on the way up. When we got to the tunnel, both dogs were ranging around and Buzz marked first. Once Buzz was picked up, Spot ran over and marked. He barked twice and the judge said, that's a good mark, pick him up. I was really surprised because a lot of judges want the dog to mark for a while and be really vocal. Also, Spot didn't stay at the mark, he left to come to me and be picked up, which I think some judges would fail.
Buzz worked first and Spot had to honor. Buzz actually wouldn't go into the tunnel. Spot was good at honoring, just barking a little bit. When it was time for Spot to work he went right in and got to the rats in about 20 seconds. He worked like a champ, and when it was time to take him out, the judge removed the cover, which I wasn't expecting, so I wasn't quite ready. Of course, he backed up, and wouldn't come out. Instead he backed up all the way to the entrance! the judge said the whole run was perfect up until that point and he would have passed if he had come out.
On Sunday, Spot was in the third brace with Phoebe, a female fox terrier who already had her ME title, but was going for the EE title, which is Q'ing in ME and SE in the same day. The walk up went well, Spot was hanging back a little more than on Saturday. He likes to run ahead, then stop and look back, then come to me, then run ahead again. Judges generally like this when the dog checks in on his own. I did have to call him back to check the false den, which was no problem. When we got to the tunnel, Phoebe was checking out around where the rats were, while Spot was checking out the whole tunnel. Well, the cover to where the dog gets taken out was left off the tunnel, so Spot went in! There was a momentary panic as the rat steward ran to where the rats were to make sure Spot didn't get to them from the other side. He was actually at the exit and was stuck because it was barred. So I went over and let him out, and then he was able to mark and did a nice job. He was a little noisy on the honor, getting excited when Phoebe was vocal, but not too bad.
Then Spot got to work the tunnel. He went right in and came out the exit, turned around and got to the rats. He worked the rats for 90 seconds, barking and digging, and then it was time to take him out. This time I opened the cover, and he backed up, but then came forward again and I was able to grab his scruff. I praised him a bit and let him work for a second, and the judge was telling me to get him out because I was running out of time. So I pulled him out, and we Q'd! So now we just need 1 more leg.
Shelby was entered in IQ on Sunday. I just wanted to see what she would do. I went in and I put her down and he nose picked up the scent right away. She followed it right to the tunnel and stuck her head in and then went in. I was optimistic, but then she came back out. She was scenting around, obviously interested, but not wanting to go in the dark tunnel. I went up and encouraged her, and she went in again, but even with the judge rattling the cage, she wouldn't go all the way. That's ok, I was encouraged that she followed the scent in. We just need to work on the corner.
Sunday, May 02, 2010
Spot shines at Bo Gee CPE trial
On Saturday, Spot was entered in the Bo Gee CPE trial in Deerfield, NH. He was entered in Jumpers, Snooker, Jackpot and FullHouse. He Qd in all 4, got 51 points in Snooker, 2 first places, and 1 second place. It was a great day!
Jumpers was first, and of course Spot was excited. He was fast off the start, but held his stay while I lead out. The course was pretty easy. Spot had a couple of jumps he ran around, but I was able to call him back and we finished the course under time. However, we were the slowest, so we got a Q but didn't place. Ok with me!
Next was Snooker. This was an awesome course because the 7 obstacle was a tunnel. So I did the 7 tunnel 3 times, and we finished the entire closing, earning 51 points out of a possible 51, getting a Q and first place. It was a thing of beauty if I do say so myself. I really planned well, calling him out of the tunnel each time, and calling him around the jumps so his turns would be tighter. He listened to me, did a great contact on the dog walk, did the tire twice correctly, and the only bobble was coming out of the 7 tunnel in the closing, I didn't get ahead enough and we almost collided on the way to the table. I need to check the scores once they are posted to see how many others were able to get 51 points. :-)
Then came Jackpot. It was a standard Jackpot, with the gamble being jump, tunnel, jump, table. There was a tunnel under the dog walk, and that was worth 7 points the first time, so I took advantage of that. I started with a single jump, then the double, then the tunnel once and then back again, then another jump, then the 7 point tunnel, then a 5 point combo, then the tunnel under the dog walk again. Then the whistle for the gamble blew, and we were in a great position for me to send away to the jump, then the tunnel, then I called him towards me out of the tunnel so I could send away to the second jump and then the table.
Last class of the day for us was Full House. It was pretty hot by then, so I wanted to make it as easy as possible for Spot, and planned a course with a lot of tunnels. There were 3 tunnels on the course and I did 2 of them twice. Also, there was supposed to be a triple as a joker, but they just used the double instead, so I used that instead of the A frame or dog walk. I did a single jump, then a tunnel twice, then the double as my joker, then another tunnel twice, then three single jumps, then a tunnel again, and then one more jump as I headed to the table. We ended up with 25 points, which is enough for level 4,5 C, so I consider that a success!
Overall the day was a huge success. I don't know if it's because Spot is so bomb-proof that nothing bothers him, or that I have more experience and can keep my head on course, but we are doing really well. Spot loves doing agility, but he's not so hyped up while he's waiting that he loses his edge. He's ok if we have to wait a little bit, and he's ok if I don't have food. He's happy just being with me and getting attention. I hope that he stays healthy and we can play agility for a couple more years.
Jumpers was first, and of course Spot was excited. He was fast off the start, but held his stay while I lead out. The course was pretty easy. Spot had a couple of jumps he ran around, but I was able to call him back and we finished the course under time. However, we were the slowest, so we got a Q but didn't place. Ok with me!
Next was Snooker. This was an awesome course because the 7 obstacle was a tunnel. So I did the 7 tunnel 3 times, and we finished the entire closing, earning 51 points out of a possible 51, getting a Q and first place. It was a thing of beauty if I do say so myself. I really planned well, calling him out of the tunnel each time, and calling him around the jumps so his turns would be tighter. He listened to me, did a great contact on the dog walk, did the tire twice correctly, and the only bobble was coming out of the 7 tunnel in the closing, I didn't get ahead enough and we almost collided on the way to the table. I need to check the scores once they are posted to see how many others were able to get 51 points. :-)
Then came Jackpot. It was a standard Jackpot, with the gamble being jump, tunnel, jump, table. There was a tunnel under the dog walk, and that was worth 7 points the first time, so I took advantage of that. I started with a single jump, then the double, then the tunnel once and then back again, then another jump, then the 7 point tunnel, then a 5 point combo, then the tunnel under the dog walk again. Then the whistle for the gamble blew, and we were in a great position for me to send away to the jump, then the tunnel, then I called him towards me out of the tunnel so I could send away to the second jump and then the table.
Last class of the day for us was Full House. It was pretty hot by then, so I wanted to make it as easy as possible for Spot, and planned a course with a lot of tunnels. There were 3 tunnels on the course and I did 2 of them twice. Also, there was supposed to be a triple as a joker, but they just used the double instead, so I used that instead of the A frame or dog walk. I did a single jump, then a tunnel twice, then the double as my joker, then another tunnel twice, then three single jumps, then a tunnel again, and then one more jump as I headed to the table. We ended up with 25 points, which is enough for level 4,5 C, so I consider that a success!
Overall the day was a huge success. I don't know if it's because Spot is so bomb-proof that nothing bothers him, or that I have more experience and can keep my head on course, but we are doing really well. Spot loves doing agility, but he's not so hyped up while he's waiting that he loses his edge. He's ok if we have to wait a little bit, and he's ok if I don't have food. He's happy just being with me and getting attention. I hope that he stays healthy and we can play agility for a couple more years.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Opening the Gardner site for GBAEC
Today we opened up the Gardner Fish and Game Club site for earthdog season. I seriously did not want to get up and get there this morning. It was rainy and cold, only 40 degrees. I didn't bring the dogs because I figured I would be dying to get out of there ASAP because I wasn't expecting too many workers to attend.
It actually wasn't that bad. There were about 20 people there to help, and the work went quickly. I helped put in Master and then finessed Junior. It only took about 90 minutes. Then I stayed and helped train Senior.
In hindsight, I should have at least taken Spot. He doesn't like to get wet, but it wasn't raining too hard and I think he would have enjoyed it. I was worried we would have to wait around to do training, but that went fast too.
Oh well. Next training day is in a couple of weeks, so I'm hoping the weather will be better.
It actually wasn't that bad. There were about 20 people there to help, and the work went quickly. I helped put in Master and then finessed Junior. It only took about 90 minutes. Then I stayed and helped train Senior.
In hindsight, I should have at least taken Spot. He doesn't like to get wet, but it wasn't raining too hard and I think he would have enjoyed it. I was worried we would have to wait around to do training, but that went fast too.
Oh well. Next training day is in a couple of weeks, so I'm hoping the weather will be better.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Spot Was an A** Last Night
Spot had agility class last night and was a total jerk. So much so that I was tempted to just leave, except I didn't want to waste the money.
We were warming up and everything was ok, and then he pooped. He tried to poop on the A Frame, but thankfully I caught him in time. That alone is not such a big deal-poop happens.
But all night he was sniffing the floor, pulling on the leash, and not paying attention to me at all. We did a jump grid and he would not get set up. He just kept running around. We were trying to work ow weave poles and he kept going over to the teeter instead. If Shelby had been there I would have put Spot away and worked Shelby instead.
At the end of the night we ran a course and that actually went well.
We were warming up and everything was ok, and then he pooped. He tried to poop on the A Frame, but thankfully I caught him in time. That alone is not such a big deal-poop happens.
But all night he was sniffing the floor, pulling on the leash, and not paying attention to me at all. We did a jump grid and he would not get set up. He just kept running around. We were trying to work ow weave poles and he kept going over to the teeter instead. If Shelby had been there I would have put Spot away and worked Shelby instead.
At the end of the night we ran a course and that actually went well.
Sunday, March 07, 2010
Bo Gee Trial at American K9 Country
On Friday, I took the day off and entered Spot in the Bo Gee trial at American K9 Country in Amherst, NH. There were 2 classes offered: Jumpers and Jackpot. Spot was entered in level 2 Jumpers and level 1 Jackpot.
Due to some crazy circumstances, I got really lost on the way there and was late, but thankfully there were running Jumpers tall to small, and level 345C, then 1-2. So we had a little bit of time to walk around before I walked the course and got Spot ready. He was a little crazy, so I wasn't sure how we would do.
The jumpers course opened with 3 jumps in a row, then a left turn to a double, 2 jumps, then a tunnel. Then 2 jumps to another tunnel, 2 more jumps and ending with a tunnel. I was able to lead out to the 3rd jump, but then Spot ignored jump 4 and decided to go exploring! I called him back, and did a rear cross between 5 and 6 to the tunnel, then he did fine with the next 2 jumps and the tunnel. I did a landing side front cross after jump 11, calling his name while he was in the tunnel, and it worked well to get him headed in the right direction coming out of the tunnel. Then it was easy 2 jumps and ending with the tunnel. Spot Qd and got 1st place!
Then luckily, Jackpot was all levels together, small to big. So we had time to cool down, I put Spot back in the car while they changed the course, and then the briefing. It was a non-traditional jackpot, so people had a ton of questions. The jackpot was a 2-part combination. You had to do jump/tunnel on one side, then the same thing on the other side. You had a choice of distance lines. The first line had both the jump and tunnel behind it, and that was worth 20 points. The second line only had the tunnel behind it and was worth 15 points. You could do the jackpot at any time during your run and didn't have to do them consecutively.
Spot needed 32 points to qualify. My plan was jump, A frame, double, dogwalk, jump, jump, jackpot 1, jump, jackpot 2 (for 15 points), then table. Spot ended up missing on of the jumps after the 1st half of the jackpot, so I added a tire at the end for 3points. We Qd with 35 points and got 1st place!
Overall it turned into a good day, even though it started out horribly. Spot just needs 1 level 1 snooker to finish his level 1 title!
Due to some crazy circumstances, I got really lost on the way there and was late, but thankfully there were running Jumpers tall to small, and level 345C, then 1-2. So we had a little bit of time to walk around before I walked the course and got Spot ready. He was a little crazy, so I wasn't sure how we would do.
The jumpers course opened with 3 jumps in a row, then a left turn to a double, 2 jumps, then a tunnel. Then 2 jumps to another tunnel, 2 more jumps and ending with a tunnel. I was able to lead out to the 3rd jump, but then Spot ignored jump 4 and decided to go exploring! I called him back, and did a rear cross between 5 and 6 to the tunnel, then he did fine with the next 2 jumps and the tunnel. I did a landing side front cross after jump 11, calling his name while he was in the tunnel, and it worked well to get him headed in the right direction coming out of the tunnel. Then it was easy 2 jumps and ending with the tunnel. Spot Qd and got 1st place!
Then luckily, Jackpot was all levels together, small to big. So we had time to cool down, I put Spot back in the car while they changed the course, and then the briefing. It was a non-traditional jackpot, so people had a ton of questions. The jackpot was a 2-part combination. You had to do jump/tunnel on one side, then the same thing on the other side. You had a choice of distance lines. The first line had both the jump and tunnel behind it, and that was worth 20 points. The second line only had the tunnel behind it and was worth 15 points. You could do the jackpot at any time during your run and didn't have to do them consecutively.
Spot needed 32 points to qualify. My plan was jump, A frame, double, dogwalk, jump, jump, jackpot 1, jump, jackpot 2 (for 15 points), then table. Spot ended up missing on of the jumps after the 1st half of the jackpot, so I added a tire at the end for 3points. We Qd with 35 points and got 1st place!
Overall it turned into a good day, even though it started out horribly. Spot just needs 1 level 1 snooker to finish his level 1 title!
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