Today Tanya called me up and asked if I wanted to join her at Willard's Woods. I had been thinking about going, but it was so gray I was still in my pjs when she called!
But I decided we should go, since we haven't been in months. The dogs were so excited to be there, especially since they hadn't seen Hallie in a couple of months. Tanya also brought Coraline in a sling, and she slept the whole time. I was a little surprised since the weather was so chilly-it was only about 32 degrees. But Tanya said she's been taking her every day.
It was a nice walk. The dogs all behaved and stayed pretty close. I did have cookies, so that helped. :-) Cara had a good time too. We met some nice dogs and had a nice chat.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Blind Cross Body Line
This week we started working on the "blind cross body line" technique. My instructor feels now that it's the best way to handle serpentines and threadles. This theory is credited to Greg Derrett. I know his is the system she feels is better, as opposed to Linda Mecklenberg's system.
Basically, before we were cueing the serpentine by using the inside hand and turning our shoulders toward the dog, while keeping our feet moving forward, like a false turn. With the body line method you use the inside hand but actually turn your entire body, continuing your forward motion by backing up. It's kind of like doing half a front cross. The whole premise is that the dog should drive to your reinforcement zone, which is always in front of you. In Linda's method the dog drives to the heel position, as I understand it.
I see the benefits to both methods. I think really just having a method puts you ahead of the game. But it's really hard to run forward, then switch and back up for a few steps and then run forward again! Plus, Shelby understood the other way just fine. I don't know-my instructor thinks this new method will help with 180s or something down the line. I'm keeping an open mind.
Basically, before we were cueing the serpentine by using the inside hand and turning our shoulders toward the dog, while keeping our feet moving forward, like a false turn. With the body line method you use the inside hand but actually turn your entire body, continuing your forward motion by backing up. It's kind of like doing half a front cross. The whole premise is that the dog should drive to your reinforcement zone, which is always in front of you. In Linda's method the dog drives to the heel position, as I understand it.
I see the benefits to both methods. I think really just having a method puts you ahead of the game. But it's really hard to run forward, then switch and back up for a few steps and then run forward again! Plus, Shelby understood the other way just fine. I don't know-my instructor thinks this new method will help with 180s or something down the line. I'm keeping an open mind.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Mending Fences
Well, I hate to push my luck, but I think I've finally secured the yard. I've been letting Shelby out untethered for the past few days. I supervised closely the first couple of times, but I've been letting her stay out there alone and just checking in. When she comes to my call I give her treats, so she's been very willing to come in when I ask.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
A fun Friday night
Last night Spot and Shelby both had class and for the first time in a while I was able to leave work at 5 and wasn't totally stressed out before I even got there.
Spot's class was good. It was only Spot and Molly. We worked on the various obstacles and then did a sequence. Spot is really motivated, which is nice, but he's so eager he just takes obstacles on his own. I guess I don't have to worry about independent obstacle performance! We are working a bit on proofing his contacts. Last night I noticed that he tended to break his stay when I would lean away from him, so I'll have to work on that.
When we did the sequence he had a hard time going from jump 1 to jump 2 because it was a 90 degree turn. So we worked on that. He's doing well on front and rear crosses.
In Shelby's class we had Ben, Lilly and Skippy. Shelby loves Ben and he loves her. So we have to keep an eye on them or they will start playing. Shelby was also trying to get Lilly to play.
The course was pretty easy, with one tricky section at the opening. Our first time, Shelby wasn't really paying attention and I was trying to go fast, so I wasn't supporting her at certain points and it was just not pretty. The second time through Shelby was more settled and paid attention more and we did well.
Spot's class was good. It was only Spot and Molly. We worked on the various obstacles and then did a sequence. Spot is really motivated, which is nice, but he's so eager he just takes obstacles on his own. I guess I don't have to worry about independent obstacle performance! We are working a bit on proofing his contacts. Last night I noticed that he tended to break his stay when I would lean away from him, so I'll have to work on that.
When we did the sequence he had a hard time going from jump 1 to jump 2 because it was a 90 degree turn. So we worked on that. He's doing well on front and rear crosses.
In Shelby's class we had Ben, Lilly and Skippy. Shelby loves Ben and he loves her. So we have to keep an eye on them or they will start playing. Shelby was also trying to get Lilly to play.
The course was pretty easy, with one tricky section at the opening. Our first time, Shelby wasn't really paying attention and I was trying to go fast, so I wasn't supporting her at certain points and it was just not pretty. The second time through Shelby was more settled and paid attention more and we did well.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Progress turns into frustration
Well, today it was a really nice day and I had planned ahead and purchased more chicken wire and wooden stakes so I could finally make the fence more secure. Shelby had been jumping one section of the fence, and I had put up chicken wire there, but I realized there were 2 other sections that needed help too.
I had pretty much finished up on the fence, so I decided to let Shelby off the long lead. Things were going well until my neighbor came over and said hello, and asked if both the dogs were out. I said yes, why? It was a weird question. So then he says, "oh, then I guess this is one of yours right here." IN HIS YARD!!!! Somehow Shelby had found a different spot and got out. It was a rotted spot near the ground that she was able to queeze through.
I go running in the house, grab a leash and some treats and go out to the street. Thankfully my neighbor saw where she was, just down the street. She was digging in something and I was able to walk up and offer her some treats and get her on leash.
I was feeling really good, then BAM! brought right back down. I have some pieces of fence that need to get replaced, but I really don't have the money right now, so I have to make due with chicken wire and strategically placed rocks. Ugh.
One positive note: I found Shelby's collar that I thought was lost forever. Now I don't need to go get a new rabies tag.
I had pretty much finished up on the fence, so I decided to let Shelby off the long lead. Things were going well until my neighbor came over and said hello, and asked if both the dogs were out. I said yes, why? It was a weird question. So then he says, "oh, then I guess this is one of yours right here." IN HIS YARD!!!! Somehow Shelby had found a different spot and got out. It was a rotted spot near the ground that she was able to queeze through.
I go running in the house, grab a leash and some treats and go out to the street. Thankfully my neighbor saw where she was, just down the street. She was digging in something and I was able to walk up and offer her some treats and get her on leash.
I was feeling really good, then BAM! brought right back down. I have some pieces of fence that need to get replaced, but I really don't have the money right now, so I have to make due with chicken wire and strategically placed rocks. Ugh.
One positive note: I found Shelby's collar that I thought was lost forever. Now I don't need to go get a new rabies tag.
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Dogs 101 on Animal Planet
I've been watching the new series Dogs 101 on Animal Planet. It's been exciting because I actually know some of the people in it.
The show with the dachshunds showed Bailey and Reese, and some other people I know and was shot at a trial in Brimfield MA, and then the episode with the westies featured Nancy Gauthier and her granddaughter, who I see all the time at earthdog. They actually shot some footage at my club's trial earlier this year. Very cool!
Here is a link to a video of Bailey and Reese-at about 4:00 in.
The show with the dachshunds showed Bailey and Reese, and some other people I know and was shot at a trial in Brimfield MA, and then the episode with the westies featured Nancy Gauthier and her granddaughter, who I see all the time at earthdog. They actually shot some footage at my club's trial earlier this year. Very cool!
Here is a link to a video of Bailey and Reese-at about 4:00 in.
Skipping School
Oops-I'm a bad mommy. I skipped class on Friday with Spot and Shelby. I was just not in the mood after driving home in the rain, through traffic, after a long week. It was much more attractive to stay in and be cozy. The dogs didn't seem to mind...
Sunday, November 02, 2008
A good class this week
Spot and Shelby both have class on Friday now, which is kind of good because it saves on gas, but it definitely makes for a long night. Spot has class from 6:30-7:30 and Shelby from 7:30-9 or 9:30 depending on when we finish.
Spot is doing well in class. Usually there are only 2 other dogs there, sometimes just 1 other. We're working on obstacle performance, targeting, working the clock and front and rear crosses. We haven't been doing weaves at all, which I need to bring up. I feel like we've taken a step back and are taking things really slowly. Spot doesn't care-he just loves going to class! He is happiest when he has a job. He was being really independent, taking the teeter without my cue-same thing with the A frame. We did work on the A frame release and throwing the toy.
Shelby is doing well in class. No hint of her disinterest from the trial 2 weeks ago. She's very excited in class, but focused. Last month I was having a so-so night and Shelby picked up on that and was having trouble with weaves. Denielle said she didn't think Shelby had independed weave performance, and I protested that she did, we were just having an off night. Plus I saw pictures from the trial and Shelby had great form. Well, last night the course had weave poles twice, 10 poles each time and Shelby did great. I rear-crossed the poles the first time and it didn't bother her, she drove to the entrance and kept her head down and did them perfectly. I was really proud of her, especially since the poles were near the gate and the other dogs were sitting right behind it. The second time we did the weaves she got all the way to the end but missed the last one, so we tried again. She got to the same spot and just stopped and looked at me, so I stood there and looked back! Finally I gave her a hand signal to take the final pole and she did it. I like to let her think about what to do before I step in. One surprise was some diffuculty Shelby had with the tire. She kept jumping through the side. I had to really step into the pocket and support the tire.
On Sunday I went to see Carolyn's new place in Hudson. It wasn't quite what I expected. It's a little small. Kind of long and narrow. Not sure how it would look with a full agility course set up. Supposedly there is space for an outdoor agility ring in the summer, but I didn't see it. She had demos of agility, carting and rally.
Spot is doing well in class. Usually there are only 2 other dogs there, sometimes just 1 other. We're working on obstacle performance, targeting, working the clock and front and rear crosses. We haven't been doing weaves at all, which I need to bring up. I feel like we've taken a step back and are taking things really slowly. Spot doesn't care-he just loves going to class! He is happiest when he has a job. He was being really independent, taking the teeter without my cue-same thing with the A frame. We did work on the A frame release and throwing the toy.
Shelby is doing well in class. No hint of her disinterest from the trial 2 weeks ago. She's very excited in class, but focused. Last month I was having a so-so night and Shelby picked up on that and was having trouble with weaves. Denielle said she didn't think Shelby had independed weave performance, and I protested that she did, we were just having an off night. Plus I saw pictures from the trial and Shelby had great form. Well, last night the course had weave poles twice, 10 poles each time and Shelby did great. I rear-crossed the poles the first time and it didn't bother her, she drove to the entrance and kept her head down and did them perfectly. I was really proud of her, especially since the poles were near the gate and the other dogs were sitting right behind it. The second time we did the weaves she got all the way to the end but missed the last one, so we tried again. She got to the same spot and just stopped and looked at me, so I stood there and looked back! Finally I gave her a hand signal to take the final pole and she did it. I like to let her think about what to do before I step in. One surprise was some diffuculty Shelby had with the tire. She kept jumping through the side. I had to really step into the pocket and support the tire.
On Sunday I went to see Carolyn's new place in Hudson. It wasn't quite what I expected. It's a little small. Kind of long and narrow. Not sure how it would look with a full agility course set up. Supposedly there is space for an outdoor agility ring in the summer, but I didn't see it. She had demos of agility, carting and rally.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
NETC Earthdog Fun Day
Today I took Spot to Glencoe Farm in Plainville, MA for the New England Terrier Club Earthdog fun day. I was excited because they were offering a non-sanctioned test including Masters level. Spot finished his Senior title in August. We had never tried Master and I thought this would be a good opportunity to try him out.
The rules for Master are that the dogs are tested in a brace, which means 2 dogs at a time. The first part of the test is the "walk up." The two owners walk with the judge and the two dogs off leash through the woods on a pre-determined path that has been scented in a few areas and has one false den. Your dog must show that they are hunting by ranging in front, behind and along side the trail, sniffing and investigating. You must also be able to call the dog back to have them check areas you indicate. The dog must investigate the false den.
When you reach the tunnel, the dog needs to find the entrance and mark. The rats are placed behind bars at the entrance of the tunnel. Once both dogs have marked the entrance, the first dog is allowed to enter the tunnel while the second dog is tethered and required to "honor" the working dog. After the first dog finishes, they switch places.
The Master tunnel has a couple extra obstacles. It has a constriction which makes the tunnel narrower for a short section and it has a roller, which the dog has to crawl over. The dog has 90 seconds to reach the rats and then has to work the rats for 90 seconds. Then you have 15 seconds to remove the dog from the tunnel.
Spot did really well at the fun day. He stayed with the group, while investigating the area and hunting with the other dog. He came when I called and investigated the false den when I pointed it out. The only weird thing was that when we exited the woods into the field where the tunnel was Spot stayed really close and I had to tell him to go look for rats. He was second to mark the tunnel so he had to honor first. That was tough for him. He was barking and I had to give him treats, which wouldn't be allowed in a real test. Once he entered the tunnel he had no problem finding the rats in time. He worked the full 90 seconds. The only hitch was removing him from the tunnel. He backed up when the cover was removed and it took me 19 seconds to remove him. Overall not too bad for the first time and he had a lot of fun. Hopefully we will be able to practice a bit in the Spring.
The rules for Master are that the dogs are tested in a brace, which means 2 dogs at a time. The first part of the test is the "walk up." The two owners walk with the judge and the two dogs off leash through the woods on a pre-determined path that has been scented in a few areas and has one false den. Your dog must show that they are hunting by ranging in front, behind and along side the trail, sniffing and investigating. You must also be able to call the dog back to have them check areas you indicate. The dog must investigate the false den.
When you reach the tunnel, the dog needs to find the entrance and mark. The rats are placed behind bars at the entrance of the tunnel. Once both dogs have marked the entrance, the first dog is allowed to enter the tunnel while the second dog is tethered and required to "honor" the working dog. After the first dog finishes, they switch places.
The Master tunnel has a couple extra obstacles. It has a constriction which makes the tunnel narrower for a short section and it has a roller, which the dog has to crawl over. The dog has 90 seconds to reach the rats and then has to work the rats for 90 seconds. Then you have 15 seconds to remove the dog from the tunnel.
Spot did really well at the fun day. He stayed with the group, while investigating the area and hunting with the other dog. He came when I called and investigated the false den when I pointed it out. The only weird thing was that when we exited the woods into the field where the tunnel was Spot stayed really close and I had to tell him to go look for rats. He was second to mark the tunnel so he had to honor first. That was tough for him. He was barking and I had to give him treats, which wouldn't be allowed in a real test. Once he entered the tunnel he had no problem finding the rats in time. He worked the full 90 seconds. The only hitch was removing him from the tunnel. He backed up when the cover was removed and it took me 19 seconds to remove him. Overall not too bad for the first time and he had a lot of fun. Hopefully we will be able to practice a bit in the Spring.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Worst...Weekend...Ever
It's been a while since I posted. September is a really busy month and I had to take time off from agility.
This weekend I entered Shelby in the Bo Gee CPE trail in Deerfield NH. On Sat we were entered in Jumpers, Snooker, Jackpot, and 2 rounds of Standard.
The temperature when I arrived Saturday morning was 31! Brrr. I had my Winter hat, gloves and scarf on for the first walk.
Jumpers started out ok. Shelby went wide at a turn and I had to call her back. We got going again and were going pretty fast and she got ahead of me and ran around a jump. When I called her back she backjumped it. So we had one off course, but we got a Q and 4th place.
I was excited for Snooker. It was an interesting course. We got 1 red, the tunnel, second red and the Shelby took a pee on the course. That was a first for me.
Jackpot was next. Shelby wasn't really feeling it. I had to cheerlead her through the course. I just tried to keep in front hoping it would motivate her to keep up. It worked pretty well. When it came to the gamble it was jump, tunnel, jump, table. She did the jump but blew past the tunnel. I called her back and she got it and got the table, but we were over maximum time by 5 seconds. That really sucked because it was a short opening of only 30 seconds, rather than the possible 35. So we could have Q'd if we had just a little more time. We did get 3rd place.
Then came Standard Round 1. Again Shelby was slow and I was the head cheerleader. I really had to work hard to get her around the course. The A frame was super slow, the teeter was super slow. Our time was almost 90 seconds, so no Q. Round 2 was the same thing. We were a little quicker with a course time of 78 seconds, but still too slow so no Q.
I was disappointed with the day overall, but Shelby worked with me and paid attention. She just wasn't very motivated.
On Sunday we were entered in Standard, Jackpot, Fullhouse and Snooker. Our Standard run was crazy. Shelby missed contacts, ran around jumps, etc. I knew she wouldn't like the opening because it was a jump to the dogwalk, which was slatless. She tends not to like that I think because it looks like a teeter when you approach head on. Yesterday she hesitated, but I encouraged her and she continued. On Sunday she started, then bailed. We kept going and I had her for a while over a few jumps and a tunnel. Then we tried the weaves 3 times and she just wasn't even really trying, so we went on. At the end she ran around the last jump and left the ring. I called her back and she backjumped it and before I could get her over the right way the whislte blew, so we had an NT.
Next was Jackpot. I had a nice course planned with 2 jumps to the A frame, which Shelby usually likes. She took the 2 jumps and then went around the A frame to see the judge, which she never does. Then I tried to get her back and she went around 2 more jumps and then into the tunnel. But then she went off again, so I called her over and picked her up and we left the ring. I was really disappointed because Shelby was mentally checked out. I felt like I was putting in 90% of the effort and she was only doing 10%.
After that I decided that since Shelby wasn't feeling like doing agility, we were going to go home. I knew it would be a lot more fun for me! I was really frustrated to the point of tears. It's so frustrating when you know you are capable of so much more than what came out on the field. And it's not because of stress or nerves, it's simply a lack of desire. I know some people will say that I just have to find a better way to motivate her, but I'm doing all I can and I don't see what else I can do. So if Shelby needs more to compete then I'm obviously not the handler for her. We entered the All Dogs trial in Nov. Not sure if we got in. If we did, I'll be interested to see how she performs there. I really hope this was just an off day.
This weekend I entered Shelby in the Bo Gee CPE trail in Deerfield NH. On Sat we were entered in Jumpers, Snooker, Jackpot, and 2 rounds of Standard.
The temperature when I arrived Saturday morning was 31! Brrr. I had my Winter hat, gloves and scarf on for the first walk.
Jumpers started out ok. Shelby went wide at a turn and I had to call her back. We got going again and were going pretty fast and she got ahead of me and ran around a jump. When I called her back she backjumped it. So we had one off course, but we got a Q and 4th place.
I was excited for Snooker. It was an interesting course. We got 1 red, the tunnel, second red and the Shelby took a pee on the course. That was a first for me.
Jackpot was next. Shelby wasn't really feeling it. I had to cheerlead her through the course. I just tried to keep in front hoping it would motivate her to keep up. It worked pretty well. When it came to the gamble it was jump, tunnel, jump, table. She did the jump but blew past the tunnel. I called her back and she got it and got the table, but we were over maximum time by 5 seconds. That really sucked because it was a short opening of only 30 seconds, rather than the possible 35. So we could have Q'd if we had just a little more time. We did get 3rd place.
Then came Standard Round 1. Again Shelby was slow and I was the head cheerleader. I really had to work hard to get her around the course. The A frame was super slow, the teeter was super slow. Our time was almost 90 seconds, so no Q. Round 2 was the same thing. We were a little quicker with a course time of 78 seconds, but still too slow so no Q.
I was disappointed with the day overall, but Shelby worked with me and paid attention. She just wasn't very motivated.
On Sunday we were entered in Standard, Jackpot, Fullhouse and Snooker. Our Standard run was crazy. Shelby missed contacts, ran around jumps, etc. I knew she wouldn't like the opening because it was a jump to the dogwalk, which was slatless. She tends not to like that I think because it looks like a teeter when you approach head on. Yesterday she hesitated, but I encouraged her and she continued. On Sunday she started, then bailed. We kept going and I had her for a while over a few jumps and a tunnel. Then we tried the weaves 3 times and she just wasn't even really trying, so we went on. At the end she ran around the last jump and left the ring. I called her back and she backjumped it and before I could get her over the right way the whislte blew, so we had an NT.
Next was Jackpot. I had a nice course planned with 2 jumps to the A frame, which Shelby usually likes. She took the 2 jumps and then went around the A frame to see the judge, which she never does. Then I tried to get her back and she went around 2 more jumps and then into the tunnel. But then she went off again, so I called her over and picked her up and we left the ring. I was really disappointed because Shelby was mentally checked out. I felt like I was putting in 90% of the effort and she was only doing 10%.
After that I decided that since Shelby wasn't feeling like doing agility, we were going to go home. I knew it would be a lot more fun for me! I was really frustrated to the point of tears. It's so frustrating when you know you are capable of so much more than what came out on the field. And it's not because of stress or nerves, it's simply a lack of desire. I know some people will say that I just have to find a better way to motivate her, but I'm doing all I can and I don't see what else I can do. So if Shelby needs more to compete then I'm obviously not the handler for her. We entered the All Dogs trial in Nov. Not sure if we got in. If we did, I'll be interested to see how she performs there. I really hope this was just an off day.
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