Beginner Earthdog class

Last Saturday I took Shelby to DOGS Learning Center for her first earthdog class. We missed the first class because I was hosting my annual brunch. But we didn't miss too much, since the first class was mostly getting used to the liners and the rats, both of which Shelby has seen before.

There were 2 other dogs there. One was Carmen, a mini schnauzer and the other was Cassie, an Australian terrier. They both did well. They were pretty comfortable going through the tunnels, even when we had a couple of liners together without a gap, around a corner. They weren't afraid of the rats, but not super into them either.

I was not totally pleased with Shelby. We were inside waiting for Carolyn to come and when the 2 other dogs came in Shelby growled at them. I corrected her right away, but she was still pretty vigilant once we went inside. Once we started working, she focused on me and the work and was ok with the other dogs being near. However she did want to go over and check out their tunnels!

Shelby had no problem with the tunnels. She didn't seem scared at all, which is surprising, given that in the real tunnels she hesitated at going in. I thought she would have a stronger reaction to the rats because she's barked at them before, but she only stared and would chase them if Carolyn moved the cage.

Overall it was a nice start and I think she will do well in IQ and possibly even JR.

Friday night agility with Shelby

Our class on Friday night was very interesting. The course was pretty hard, but do-able. There was an unusual opening, with 2 jumps, then a rear cross over 3, and another rear cross to the dog walk. From there, the tunnel, which was an obstacle discrimination because the table was there as well. From the tunnel, it was the teeter, then another obstacle discrimination between the tunnel and the A frame. There was a choice of handling the teeter and the tunnel on the right or the left, depending if you wanted to layer the A frame or not. That was if you handled the teeter on your left. If you handled it on your right, you would have to do a rear cross coming out of the tunnel. I chose to layer the A frame, just because I don't often get the opportunity and it's a good skill to have. So the first time we did it, I didn't talk to Shelby while she was in the tunnel, so she turned the wrong way coming out. But the next time it worked fine. After the tunnel was a jump, then a 3 jump serpentine with a flip over the last jump, which can be tricky, but Shelby is a great flipper! Then another jump to a 180 and the A frame. Then a pull to the tunnel under the A frame, to the weaves. I thought this would be tricky, but Shelby took the poles like a pro. Then finally, the tunnel and the table to finish. On top of this interesting course, there were 3 people and 3 new dogs who stayed to watch from the previous class. So I kind of let Shelby do a drive by during the warm up, just to take the edge off. Then while we were running, she did turn to go over and say hello, but I called her and she turned right back around, so it was good. A very fun class!

Jen Pinder Seminar

On Friday and Saturday I took Shelby to Riverside Canine in Nashua for a 2 day seminar with Jen Pinder. There is a CPE trial coming up there in Jan, so it was good to get Shelby used to the facility, if nothing else.

I was on the fence for a while because I wasn't sure if this was too advanced for us, even though it was an intermediate session. Just because we're competing at the novice level and are pretty inexperienced, in relation to a lot of people. I got an e-mail saying a couple of spots had opened and asked if we would be ok and they said yes, so I signed up, and it wasn't cheap. Most of the people there were very experienced and had been doing agility for a while. Plus, it seemed most of them had taken a private lesson with Jen on Thurs, which I don't think is really fair because then they're ahead of the other people who just take the seminar.

Well, I think I wasted most of my money. Don't get me wrong, I got some good handling advice, but Shelby was only really interested in participating half the time. She did what she hasn't done in a while, which is work for 2-3 obstacles and then disengage and check out other stuff. So I got the usual "you have to be more exciting" advice. Then that stopped working and I got advice to be more forceful, which worked a little. Then Shelby stopped even wanting treats, so I got criticized for not working hard enough to find a toy that motivates her. Shelby has never been one for tugging or other treat toys, but of course she was all for it when the instructor tried it, so I looked like an idiot who doesn't know anything about her own dog. Plus, since she was so detached, I wasn't really able to send the way I know she can, etc. and it made me feel like I haven't accomplished anything with Shelby. Oh-Shelby also decided to go after another dog in the seminar. This is a new thing since last weekend. Now she goes after small light-colored dogs and attacks them. Just what I need!

I do think Jen is a good instructor because she tailored her advice to each participant and was able to break down problems to see exactly which part needed working on, and things to practice.

So, maybe in a year from now, we'll try again and have a better experience. I think this was a long seminar for me and for Shelby, since we've only ever done 4 hour seminars before and this was 2 eight hour days. I just don't think Shelby loves agility enough to be "up" the whole time.

Flyball again

Well, this Sunday flyball was not so great.

Spot regressed and didn't do the turns all that well. But he is still very enthusiastic. When we first started, he would get all revved up, but not really understand how to channel it into running and getting the ball. He would get all jumpy when I would try and handle him. Now he gets it and sometimes I barely get a chance to set up before he's off on his own.

Shelby was distracted by all the other dogs. The way it is set up, they have two runs next to each other. The beginner run has fencing around it, but the other one doesn't. Shelby is small enough to jump through the holes in the fencing, which she did while a Yorkie was practicing on the other run. She actually got aggressive and was growling at the other dog, which Shelby has only done once before. It does happen every once in a while at flyball practice, so no one freaked out or anything. But Shelby couldn't really recover, so we only practiced the recall, having her chase me, which she is really good at. ;-)

We have no practice for 2 weeks, so I should be able to get in some training with retrieving the tennis ball.