11.18.2010
Tsunka Waste' NAP NJC CGC
Brags: Waste' tested and got her CGC during our trip to Amarillo, Texas! A big thank you to the Amarillo Obedience Club for their big Texas hospitality!!
8.28.2010
end of August goings on...
it's been a busy August! shift change from 5 to 4 day weeks... i have my weekends back! i applied to work from home, didn't hear so applied for an IT position, got offered work from home, interviewed for IT position, decided I'd rather work from home, but now still waiting for the 'home visit' and office set up for home... nothing ever move fast in corporate america! nothing is set in stone yet.
Waste' got booted out of class. she was a bad girl and tried to 'herd' teddy. not pretty. so we've been working with Lynne Sherry 1on1... Lynne is FANTASTIC! I am always learning something new from her. Waste' is fab. she does EVERYTHING i ask her to... even if it's wrong... yep, that's called handler error!!
Dan is, as always, the most amazing man ever.
I have been diagnosed as diabetic, but trying to handle with diet alone... have given up all white carbs... taters, rice, pasta. clothes are even beginning to feel looser.
so, that's all fer now. ciao!
6.07.2010
odd...
I tried to copy and paste some info from FB into my post here and all I got was a big open nothing of a space. argh.
I Promise!
I will return to posting here... even if it is just a copy of my facebook status... I wish there was a way that FB would auto post my status to here... and keep it as a post... ah well.
Oh how I luv sleeping in!!! Dan has made coffee and CBS Sunday Morning is on the dvr.
here is a sample of some recent relevant posts...
pruned, trimmed, placed hoses, broke sprinkler, fought w/hoses, fittings and sprinklers, fertilized, did laundry, dishes, ordered pizza & wings, watched Young Victoria...
Oh how I luv sleeping in!!! Dan has made coffee and CBS Sunday Morning is on the dvr.
Now I'll put some bacon on the GF grill, cook up some eggs & taters, then start the day
I have a very good furbaby!!
garden is planted including, but not limited to musk melons, maters -cherry & large-, bell peppers, jalapenos, greens, spinach, lettuce, flowers, cilantro, dill, rosemary, lavender, basil... chicken stirfry w/rice noodles for dinner... now a shower and bed... i'm pooped.
Older that those... my Mom passed away the Sunday after Thanksgiving. She is with my Dad now and much happier I am sure. We had a wonderful memorial ceremony in April when their ashes were interred at Jacksonville National Cemetery.
I'm working a new shift... Tuesday thru Saturday, 6am - 3pm. mostly liking this, altho this puts a glitch in reenactments and agility trials.
Speaking of agility. We have resumed! Waste' LOVES the new rubberized contacts! she will now actually run down the backside of the A-frame.
Dan is still the main man in my life... he always makes me feel so lucky. :)
Now, we need to be lucky enuf to win the lottery!!!
7.01.2009
First ever 'away' agiltiy trial
What a great weekend! We won 2 first places, got our second novice preferred title and an open 'Q'! Will post some photo's too.
2.08.2009
2nd Agillity Trial
2 more Q's and our first Title! NPStd
She was fabulous and I am so proud of her... and me for not going off course!
I'm posting videos tonight - you can see them on my You Tube page... including a rare moment of her sleeping, bellyup on the couch.
She was fabulous and I am so proud of her... and me for not going off course!
I'm posting videos tonight - you can see them on my You Tube page... including a rare moment of her sleeping, bellyup on the couch.
12.21.2008
12.09.2008
3 Ribbons!
We made it through our first Agility Trial!
You know, I haven't been posting lately because she has become so gooooood, that was all I had to say... not much material! The bad things are so entertaining! But so are the exceptional things...
Yep, we did Novice preferred jumpers with weaves and Novice preferred standard on both Saturday and Sunday. She was amazing.
We got an off-course early on the first run - just an overrun to the wrong jump, but finished the rest with no faults and under time.
Our second run brought us our first ribbon ever... 2nd place with just 5 faults.
Sunday we had 2 runs and 2 first place ribbons including one course @ 23 seconds.
I couldn't ask for more!!
I hope to get some video up soon... Dan came with me as moral support, puppy sitting and videographer. He is so good to me. :)
You know, I haven't been posting lately because she has become so gooooood, that was all I had to say... not much material! The bad things are so entertaining! But so are the exceptional things...
Yep, we did Novice preferred jumpers with weaves and Novice preferred standard on both Saturday and Sunday. She was amazing.
We got an off-course early on the first run - just an overrun to the wrong jump, but finished the rest with no faults and under time.
Our second run brought us our first ribbon ever... 2nd place with just 5 faults.
Sunday we had 2 runs and 2 first place ribbons including one course @ 23 seconds.
I couldn't ask for more!!
I hope to get some video up soon... Dan came with me as moral support, puppy sitting and videographer. He is so good to me. :)
7.23.2008
another 8 weeks & Theatiki
We've begun our next set of classes... She is getting better all the time, so it's hard to not sound repetitive. Well, she must have read my mind because she decided to be a clown again last night.
Remember all the trouble we had with the teeter? Well, it has moved to the top of her favs to the point of obsession. As an example: a vertical towards the teeter, right hand turn to a left tunnel, out of tunnel and to the teeter. I set her up and stood IN FRONT of the teeter to block it (2 tries) and she all but knocked me over just to get to the teeter. We all had a good laugh over it. I realized that if I angled her a bit more and used more body with arm movement toward the teeter, then she gave in and did it right. Thank you Karen, our guest trainer for setting me straight!
On an 18th century note, we got to set up and use our new wall tent, cots and mats - I did wake up on Friday night to the biggest dang spider I have ever seen! I didn't realize I could still move that fast! It was a good weekend... we had a lovely pipe ceremony for Colleen headed by Mike Stevens. The weather was mostly good, the mulberries very sweet, but my bare feet still have a touch of purple stain and Waste's white belly had her share of pretty purple as well!
Remember all the trouble we had with the teeter? Well, it has moved to the top of her favs to the point of obsession. As an example: a vertical towards the teeter, right hand turn to a left tunnel, out of tunnel and to the teeter. I set her up and stood IN FRONT of the teeter to block it (2 tries) and she all but knocked me over just to get to the teeter. We all had a good laugh over it. I realized that if I angled her a bit more and used more body with arm movement toward the teeter, then she gave in and did it right. Thank you Karen, our guest trainer for setting me straight!
On an 18th century note, we got to set up and use our new wall tent, cots and mats - I did wake up on Friday night to the biggest dang spider I have ever seen! I didn't realize I could still move that fast! It was a good weekend... we had a lovely pipe ceremony for Colleen headed by Mike Stevens. The weather was mostly good, the mulberries very sweet, but my bare feet still have a touch of purple stain and Waste's white belly had her share of pretty purple as well!
6.28.2008
A very dear friend has passed
There has been a picture of my friend Colleen 'Hester' Gilbert on my blog for several months encouraging visitors to vote for her.
This past Wednesday, instead of leaving for Ft. Ticonderoga, NY for yet another jaunt into the 18th century, she left on a much longer trip to a far more fantastic realm.
Everybody loved Colleen. There have been posts on forums and dedicated pages throughout the web. This is my small contribution.
I'm including some of my favorite pictures that I've taken and one of Dicey, Me & Hester at Mansker's Station a couple of years ago. I was honored that she used one of my pictures as the front of one of her always anticipated Christmas cards! I also have to note that if it wasn't for Colleen, I may not have hooked up with the man of my dreams... Dan Russell.
Colleen, if you are reading this over my shoulder...
I am sooooooooooooo mad at you for leaving us without saying goodbye! I cannot believe you won't be there the next time we set canvas with a hug and a smile, a laugh and even a good, hearty belch. I miss you so much already.
4.08.2008
4.8.8 novice agility week 4
We had a combined class tonight and ran relays. I was surprised at how well she did... no running off to the other dog and total focus. We missed a very tough entrance into the weaves and I accidentally pulled her off the tunnel a couple of times... but she was very good in all.
4.04.2008
catching up... again
With the conversion from Insight to Comcast, I've been soooooooooooooo pooped that I don't even want to get on the computer when I get home. That translates into not checking my emails and not keeping up with my blog.
Hopefully things will slow down soon at work and I can get back to my regular schedule.
In the meantime, Waste' has been sound since our second acupuncture treatment and we started back with classes. I'm bringing her back slowly. The jumps are down to 16" and for the first couple of weeks the contacts were brought down low.
Last week was the first week we did the a-frame at full height and she nailed her contact without any hesitation.
The only problem that we've been experiencing is that, after a December through March layoff, she misses this sooooooooooooo much, her enthusiasm is uncontainable! LOL
She is running so incredibly fast and confident... even over the teeter... I know we'll be back on track in no time.
Reenactment season will also be starting soon. This month! I'm also looking forward to getting the garden started and the weather to finally turn warm.
It's all good.
Hopefully things will slow down soon at work and I can get back to my regular schedule.
In the meantime, Waste' has been sound since our second acupuncture treatment and we started back with classes. I'm bringing her back slowly. The jumps are down to 16" and for the first couple of weeks the contacts were brought down low.
Last week was the first week we did the a-frame at full height and she nailed her contact without any hesitation.
The only problem that we've been experiencing is that, after a December through March layoff, she misses this sooooooooooooo much, her enthusiasm is uncontainable! LOL
She is running so incredibly fast and confident... even over the teeter... I know we'll be back on track in no time.
Reenactment season will also be starting soon. This month! I'm also looking forward to getting the garden started and the weather to finally turn warm.
It's all good.
1.26.2008
Sorry that I have been derelict!
Waste' went to the vet and got put on meds and house arrest... the main result being Dan and I driven a bit mad.
Her limp gets better then worse... then better for days. It's almost like she sleeps wrong and it falls asleep.
I called the vet back for another follow up, but she has not yet returned my call.
I am considering going to an alternative vet in Battleground, or Noreen in Brookston. But concentrating on just getting her to rest right now...
In the meantime my place of employ, Insight, is changing over to Comcast. It's going to be a slow, soft transition... all the behind-the-scenes stuff changing first.
It amazes me at how many customers are flipping out over 'the change'... it began officially on January 1 and was advertised as such.
Immediately customers began jumping to conclusions. They assumed all changes were going to happen on that day without any prior warning or preparation. One customer called in December all mad that we have not warned him or made any preparation yet. I tried to explain to him that the preparations begin on 1/1 and that it will all be just fine. He called me a liar and accused me of not being straight with him.
Some customers - with bad debts - called in trying to set up new accounts assuming that any debts with Insight would be wiped out. Then they got angry when they found out that they still have to pay them or get sent to collections.
It's been an interesting month at work to say the least and I'm sure we'll see more interesting things to come.
Please wish Waste' luck with her lameness and send some good energy her way if you will.
Her limp gets better then worse... then better for days. It's almost like she sleeps wrong and it falls asleep.
I called the vet back for another follow up, but she has not yet returned my call.
I am considering going to an alternative vet in Battleground, or Noreen in Brookston. But concentrating on just getting her to rest right now...
In the meantime my place of employ, Insight, is changing over to Comcast. It's going to be a slow, soft transition... all the behind-the-scenes stuff changing first.
It amazes me at how many customers are flipping out over 'the change'... it began officially on January 1 and was advertised as such.
Immediately customers began jumping to conclusions. They assumed all changes were going to happen on that day without any prior warning or preparation. One customer called in December all mad that we have not warned him or made any preparation yet. I tried to explain to him that the preparations begin on 1/1 and that it will all be just fine. He called me a liar and accused me of not being straight with him.
Some customers - with bad debts - called in trying to set up new accounts assuming that any debts with Insight would be wiped out. Then they got angry when they found out that they still have to pay them or get sent to collections.
It's been an interesting month at work to say the least and I'm sure we'll see more interesting things to come.
Please wish Waste' luck with her lameness and send some good energy her way if you will.
12.19.2007
Tweener weeks, Fun Night
happy hump day b4 Christmas!
We didn't go to fun night doing relays last week, 'cause she came up with a limp again... other foreleg this time. :( We did do a ring rent that Thursday and she started out fine, but started limping toward the end of the hour. I think I just didn't wait long enough. By the time of our next Fun Night, she was fit as a fiddle and ready to run.
This was our last 'fun run' for the year... next Tuesday will be Christmas and the following new year's! a few of us still have some plans to rent the ring for some extra work in the meantime...
We did a 'tunnelers' run and a 'touch and go' run last night... with a Christmas twist.
Tunnelers is just like it sounds... no jumps or contacts or weaves... just tunnels and the table.
it starts with a right 90d tunnel to 2 tunnels side by side and we have to take the right one which bends another 90d right, to a left 80d tunnel to another left 90d tunnel back to the right side of that double tunnel - this time the right side going the other way and out to the table. put the dog into a down-stay, walk to a people table loaded with Christmas presents. Pick one and unwrap it - some were wrapped with duct tape and other nasty stuff to make us slow down - I got one of those and it was a skinless tennis ball - icky! If your dog moves, you have to leave your present, reset your dog and return to unwrapping your present. Then, once unwrapped, you have to carry the present with you as you finish the course...
from the table thru 3 more tunnels!
First, I have to say that I did not bring a difficult to unwrap present. I put several squeakies and a large biscuit in a bag... just carrying them is what presented the difficulty! too much fun. :)
I was a bit concerned because she has been having some dis-interest problems with tunnels lately... she did opt for the left tunnel two or three times and we finally got the right one... she all but fell asleep in her down-stay... no inclination to move there at all... what a good girl... then she ran by a couple of tunnels looking for something else... but she came back and got them just fine.
after we all got our presents, we did a 'touch and go' course... this added contacts to the tunnels... it was the tunnel to the dog walk to a tunnel to the a-frame, to the right side (far side) of the tunnel to the teeter, a hard right (40d) to a tunnel to a left 90d turn to the dogwalk (easy to cut corner and slide off), to a right 90d to the table to 3 more tunnels.
this time, after we completed our course, we got to 'steal' someone else's gift.
She nailed each and every one of her contacts and waited while I led out... she hit the teeter so hard I thought she was going to slide off... She had her claws dug in so deep, that she was losing traction... but she stuck it and gained a big jackpot for that!
like before, we drew names for order of go... we were lucky enough to get picked last so i got to trade our tennis ball for some Bil-Jacs and huge biscuits.
We got some amazing feedback from the advanced handlers again... She just makes it so fun!
We all wish you all the Merriest of Christmases and the Happiest of New Years!
Love, Trish, Dan & Waste'
We didn't go to fun night doing relays last week, 'cause she came up with a limp again... other foreleg this time. :( We did do a ring rent that Thursday and she started out fine, but started limping toward the end of the hour. I think I just didn't wait long enough. By the time of our next Fun Night, she was fit as a fiddle and ready to run.
This was our last 'fun run' for the year... next Tuesday will be Christmas and the following new year's! a few of us still have some plans to rent the ring for some extra work in the meantime...
We did a 'tunnelers' run and a 'touch and go' run last night... with a Christmas twist.
Tunnelers is just like it sounds... no jumps or contacts or weaves... just tunnels and the table.
it starts with a right 90d tunnel to 2 tunnels side by side and we have to take the right one which bends another 90d right, to a left 80d tunnel to another left 90d tunnel back to the right side of that double tunnel - this time the right side going the other way and out to the table. put the dog into a down-stay, walk to a people table loaded with Christmas presents. Pick one and unwrap it - some were wrapped with duct tape and other nasty stuff to make us slow down - I got one of those and it was a skinless tennis ball - icky! If your dog moves, you have to leave your present, reset your dog and return to unwrapping your present. Then, once unwrapped, you have to carry the present with you as you finish the course...
from the table thru 3 more tunnels!
First, I have to say that I did not bring a difficult to unwrap present. I put several squeakies and a large biscuit in a bag... just carrying them is what presented the difficulty! too much fun. :)
I was a bit concerned because she has been having some dis-interest problems with tunnels lately... she did opt for the left tunnel two or three times and we finally got the right one... she all but fell asleep in her down-stay... no inclination to move there at all... what a good girl... then she ran by a couple of tunnels looking for something else... but she came back and got them just fine.
after we all got our presents, we did a 'touch and go' course... this added contacts to the tunnels... it was the tunnel to the dog walk to a tunnel to the a-frame, to the right side (far side) of the tunnel to the teeter, a hard right (40d) to a tunnel to a left 90d turn to the dogwalk (easy to cut corner and slide off), to a right 90d to the table to 3 more tunnels.
this time, after we completed our course, we got to 'steal' someone else's gift.
She nailed each and every one of her contacts and waited while I led out... she hit the teeter so hard I thought she was going to slide off... She had her claws dug in so deep, that she was losing traction... but she stuck it and gained a big jackpot for that!
like before, we drew names for order of go... we were lucky enough to get picked last so i got to trade our tennis ball for some Bil-Jacs and huge biscuits.
We got some amazing feedback from the advanced handlers again... She just makes it so fun!
We all wish you all the Merriest of Christmases and the Happiest of New Years!
Love, Trish, Dan & Waste'
12.05.2007
NCA week 8
This was our last class of the 8 week session again. Time flies when you are having agility fun! As is our habit, the 4th and 8th weeks we meet as a combined class and run courses. This time we did standard and jumpers.
The standard course started over a vertical (1) coming home and a right 180d to the teeter (2). Off the teeter there were two verticals (3&4) at precarious angles, left and right, the 2nd dropped us on the left side of the weaves (5) - a hairy angle! Then to another vertical (6), the right side of the gray tunnel (7), up the dogwalk (8) and onto the table (9). From the table we went back toward the dogwalk, but went into the yellow tunnel (10), out to a vertical (11), hard 90d left to the 6 jump (12), hard 90d right to another vertical (13), up the a-frame (14), another vertical (15) and the chute (16).
Not one of the novice dogs got the 10- 13 combination. There was nothing novice about it... it was evil and we told the course designer so... (he is part of the advanced group). He took it with dignity and a sense of self-satisfaction. He knows we love the challenge! After we ran the course the first time, we walked it with him and discussed the ways we could have handled it better.
The 2-4 combination presented a challenge to most of us, but since I'm really working on her contacts and stays, I left her on the teeter and took a good lead out over the next 2 that got us to the weaves in good shape. I did a rear cross behind the entrance to the weaves which (I thought) put me in good position for the tunnel to dog walk. Matt was surprised it worked for me, 'cause he thought it would send her to the left tunnel, but it didn't. It worked great! I was the only one of both groups who did that.
Then there was the table to tunnel. I took a lead out and stood in front of the dog walk to force her into the tunnel... that put me so far behind her at the out of the tunnel that i had her spinning left and right thru that evil combination I mentioned above. We never went off course, but wasted a lot of time.
During the walk-thru, Carrie said I should trust her more and send her out to the tunnel... I did on the next run and it worked great, but we were still discombobulated thru the evil combo!
The a-frame thru to the finish didn't present any problems at all. As a matter of fact, on the second run - for practice sake - Rosie & Jetta and Karen & Sadie stayed in the ring to distract us... and not one little glance their way thru the whole thing! :-D
The jumpers course was next. The same first jump (1), going away to an offset vertical (2), then the original jumps 3&4 (3&4) and a right bending line to a square oxer (5), a 90d right to a vertical (6), a pinwheel left (7&8) to the right side of the gray tunnel (9), out over a vertical (10) to the weaves (11), left over 3&2 (12&13), across the ring over a vertical (14), 90d left over a right pinwheel (15,16,17) and finish going home over 18. phew!
I was sure I was going to go off course, but I didn't. I led out past the 2nd jump and almost to the third... I heard an "ooooooooooo" from the class... this was a brave thing... maybe foolhardy even... it would have worked if I hadn't gotten jumpy and pulled her off the 2nd jump... but at least we tried! I also got ahead of her and pulled her off the weave entrance... my bad... but we got them on the second try... everything else she nailed... she even worked way off from me thru the pinwheels and we got some great rear crosses in! when finished we received great applause and someone even asked "can she do windows too?". Oh, I'm so proud of my little girl!
Next week is a 'tweener' week and there is rumor of a relay race... hmmmmmmmmmm
stay tuned...
The standard course started over a vertical (1) coming home and a right 180d to the teeter (2). Off the teeter there were two verticals (3&4) at precarious angles, left and right, the 2nd dropped us on the left side of the weaves (5) - a hairy angle! Then to another vertical (6), the right side of the gray tunnel (7), up the dogwalk (8) and onto the table (9). From the table we went back toward the dogwalk, but went into the yellow tunnel (10), out to a vertical (11), hard 90d left to the 6 jump (12), hard 90d right to another vertical (13), up the a-frame (14), another vertical (15) and the chute (16).
Not one of the novice dogs got the 10- 13 combination. There was nothing novice about it... it was evil and we told the course designer so... (he is part of the advanced group). He took it with dignity and a sense of self-satisfaction. He knows we love the challenge! After we ran the course the first time, we walked it with him and discussed the ways we could have handled it better.
The 2-4 combination presented a challenge to most of us, but since I'm really working on her contacts and stays, I left her on the teeter and took a good lead out over the next 2 that got us to the weaves in good shape. I did a rear cross behind the entrance to the weaves which (I thought) put me in good position for the tunnel to dog walk. Matt was surprised it worked for me, 'cause he thought it would send her to the left tunnel, but it didn't. It worked great! I was the only one of both groups who did that.
Then there was the table to tunnel. I took a lead out and stood in front of the dog walk to force her into the tunnel... that put me so far behind her at the out of the tunnel that i had her spinning left and right thru that evil combination I mentioned above. We never went off course, but wasted a lot of time.
During the walk-thru, Carrie said I should trust her more and send her out to the tunnel... I did on the next run and it worked great, but we were still discombobulated thru the evil combo!
The a-frame thru to the finish didn't present any problems at all. As a matter of fact, on the second run - for practice sake - Rosie & Jetta and Karen & Sadie stayed in the ring to distract us... and not one little glance their way thru the whole thing! :-D
The jumpers course was next. The same first jump (1), going away to an offset vertical (2), then the original jumps 3&4 (3&4) and a right bending line to a square oxer (5), a 90d right to a vertical (6), a pinwheel left (7&8) to the right side of the gray tunnel (9), out over a vertical (10) to the weaves (11), left over 3&2 (12&13), across the ring over a vertical (14), 90d left over a right pinwheel (15,16,17) and finish going home over 18. phew!
I was sure I was going to go off course, but I didn't. I led out past the 2nd jump and almost to the third... I heard an "ooooooooooo" from the class... this was a brave thing... maybe foolhardy even... it would have worked if I hadn't gotten jumpy and pulled her off the 2nd jump... but at least we tried! I also got ahead of her and pulled her off the weave entrance... my bad... but we got them on the second try... everything else she nailed... she even worked way off from me thru the pinwheels and we got some great rear crosses in! when finished we received great applause and someone even asked "can she do windows too?". Oh, I'm so proud of my little girl!
Next week is a 'tweener' week and there is rumor of a relay race... hmmmmmmmmmm
stay tuned...
11.28.2007
NCA week 7
had class last night and she was fantastic... we still had some problems with our rear crosses (that's where she is on one side of me and we have to turn towards that side... making me cross behind her to go towards the next jump) not only does she not understand it, i am having some coordination issues with it myself. instead of landing on the opposite lead, she lands on the near lead and spins a 180 b4 going to the next obstacle.
except for a couple of 'let's go visit with Marley' episodes towards the end of class, her focus was great!
except for a couple of 'let's go visit with Marley' episodes towards the end of class, her focus was great!
11.21.2007
NCA week 5&6
Well, we skipped last week 'cause I was sick and could not breathe with a head cold and chest congestion. But we made it this week and we're feeling oh-so-much better!
I don't know if it was the break, but she was very, very good last night... we started on the teeter - since she had spooked so badly on it 2 weeks ago. Our high-octane treat last night was steak. It was pretty funny when I made dinner last night... on one burner was hamburger helper for Dan and I, and the other burner was steak for the dog... it just seemed wrong...
Anyway, with great encouragement and lots of little steak bites... she is, once again, friends with the teeter. We also worked on the broad jump and a-frame - she did great on her contacts with the a-frame! After we switched sides we worked on obstacle discrimination again... this has been, and continues to be a big challenge... I put her right in front of the tunnel and she still tried to scoot around me to go up the dog walk. We've decided to start 'paying' her more for tunnel work (treats) to make them more enjoyable. Lynn did say that sometimes we take tunnels for granted and that can lessen their value to the dog.
After a few practice runs, she was doing better... but this still needs a lot more practice. we also did some weaves and combinations to the weaves... I really have to work on my handling skills there... if i stop or slow down, she misses a weave and if i get ahead of her, she skips a weave...
Above all, her focus was 98% better! She only started to run over to the other dogs once and i growled at her to come back and she did... of course she got steak for that too! (coming back, not running away).
There is a 'show 'n go' this Sunday which is basically a mock show. I think we'll try it to see how we do... at least it will be fun.
I don't know if it was the break, but she was very, very good last night... we started on the teeter - since she had spooked so badly on it 2 weeks ago. Our high-octane treat last night was steak. It was pretty funny when I made dinner last night... on one burner was hamburger helper for Dan and I, and the other burner was steak for the dog... it just seemed wrong...
Anyway, with great encouragement and lots of little steak bites... she is, once again, friends with the teeter. We also worked on the broad jump and a-frame - she did great on her contacts with the a-frame! After we switched sides we worked on obstacle discrimination again... this has been, and continues to be a big challenge... I put her right in front of the tunnel and she still tried to scoot around me to go up the dog walk. We've decided to start 'paying' her more for tunnel work (treats) to make them more enjoyable. Lynn did say that sometimes we take tunnels for granted and that can lessen their value to the dog.
After a few practice runs, she was doing better... but this still needs a lot more practice. we also did some weaves and combinations to the weaves... I really have to work on my handling skills there... if i stop or slow down, she misses a weave and if i get ahead of her, she skips a weave...
Above all, her focus was 98% better! She only started to run over to the other dogs once and i growled at her to come back and she did... of course she got steak for that too! (coming back, not running away).
There is a 'show 'n go' this Sunday which is basically a mock show. I think we'll try it to see how we do... at least it will be fun.
11.07.2007
NCA wk 4 - combined
class last night was nerve-wracking and fun...
Twice during each series we combine the advanced and novice classes and run a full course as if we were at a show. we did the F.A.S.T. class and had a chance to run it twice.
That stands for Fifteen And Send To. The object is to accumulate points within a set time frame, 32 seconds for the 20 inchers. There are 15 obstacles of varying values and a 'send to' combination. The 'send to' is a distance challenge. For novice this means a line on the ground 5' away from 2 - 3 obstacles that I have to, literally, send her through from that set distance. There are 6 bar jumps (1 pt each) that can be taken up to a value of 6 points and 9 other obstacles (2-10 pts) can only be completed 1x for points. Weaves are mandatory - 6 for novice.
The first time thru I tried to do too many obstacles, and ran into a few glitches - so ran over time...
We ran the bonus first. That was a tunnel to the tire at a 5' distance. She aced that. The plan was to turn left to the square oxer and we made that - after jumping 1 extra jump (no harm), then on to the tunnel... well, she shot over to the chute - backwards - looking for the entrance, silly girl - didn't find it so went for the tunnel, then teeter. She stopped half way across the teeter and jumped off... not sure why, but she just spooked. Since this was for time, we continued on to the a-frame and weave poles - she missed her entrance, so those 10 pts did not count. We tried the teeter a second time with the same results :( and then finished the course... 44 secs and 43 points.
We tried a different course 2nd time around. The bonus send to was great and we stayed on a left pinwheel of 3 single jumps to the tunnel to the chute and on to the weaves... missed our entrance again. :( then up and over the a-frame to the finish. The only glitch was the weaves which gave us a score of 53 (50 for a q) and a time of 24 secs!! woo hoo!!!!!!!!
After everyone ran their second course, we had a chance to school the teeter and weaves with not very much success... looks like we'll have to do some remedial work on both!
Overall, tho, I am very happy with her... she was even VERY well behaved outside of the arena. I hope to get some of the video of it posted on my blog over the weekend.
Twice during each series we combine the advanced and novice classes and run a full course as if we were at a show. we did the F.A.S.T. class and had a chance to run it twice.
That stands for Fifteen And Send To. The object is to accumulate points within a set time frame, 32 seconds for the 20 inchers. There are 15 obstacles of varying values and a 'send to' combination. The 'send to' is a distance challenge. For novice this means a line on the ground 5' away from 2 - 3 obstacles that I have to, literally, send her through from that set distance. There are 6 bar jumps (1 pt each) that can be taken up to a value of 6 points and 9 other obstacles (2-10 pts) can only be completed 1x for points. Weaves are mandatory - 6 for novice.
The first time thru I tried to do too many obstacles, and ran into a few glitches - so ran over time...
We ran the bonus first. That was a tunnel to the tire at a 5' distance. She aced that. The plan was to turn left to the square oxer and we made that - after jumping 1 extra jump (no harm), then on to the tunnel... well, she shot over to the chute - backwards - looking for the entrance, silly girl - didn't find it so went for the tunnel, then teeter. She stopped half way across the teeter and jumped off... not sure why, but she just spooked. Since this was for time, we continued on to the a-frame and weave poles - she missed her entrance, so those 10 pts did not count. We tried the teeter a second time with the same results :( and then finished the course... 44 secs and 43 points.
We tried a different course 2nd time around. The bonus send to was great and we stayed on a left pinwheel of 3 single jumps to the tunnel to the chute and on to the weaves... missed our entrance again. :( then up and over the a-frame to the finish. The only glitch was the weaves which gave us a score of 53 (50 for a q) and a time of 24 secs!! woo hoo!!!!!!!!
After everyone ran their second course, we had a chance to school the teeter and weaves with not very much success... looks like we'll have to do some remedial work on both!
Overall, tho, I am very happy with her... she was even VERY well behaved outside of the arena. I hope to get some of the video of it posted on my blog over the weekend.
10.31.2007
NCA week 3
we started out class running a 'jumpers' course, then we broke up into our groups and worked on portions of that same course.
Rosie warned us this is no novice course...
the course started out with 2 pinwheels, 1 left (1,2,3) and 1 right (4,5,6), creating an 'S'. then a hard 90d left turn to a straight tunnel (7), a vertical (8), the right hand side of a 180d tunnel (9), a hard left 90d to a vertical (10) and on to another, very big, right pinwheel including a triplebar (11,12,13), back thru the right hand side of the #9 tunnel (14) to a vertical (15), to the weaves (16). out of the weaves a hard 90d left and back out over the #2 & #1 jumps (17,18).
when we ran the course we had a couple of tough spots... after the #7,8 combination, she was so far ahead of me that she went to the wrong side of the tunnel... then i got so flabbergasted that i went off-course and pulled her off the #12 jump and skipped it entirely... then, after the weaves we missed our left turn and she bolted over the #3 jump instead of the #2. That was a tough spot for everyone, including the advanced dogs.
we did have one shining moment... i led out past the first 2 and sent her right thru both pinwheels to the tunnel. most of the others had problems with that combination.
after we broke up into groups we worked on the 8-14 combination. she did try to run off a couple of times but was 'herded' back to me by lynne and rosie. after that she stayed pretty focused. then we swapped sides and worked on #1 - 6. since that had not been a problem in the first place, it was just fun to do it again... then we merged the class back to work on the 16-18 combination and she nailed that on her first try. :)
so, needless to say... i was pretty proud of my little girl last night!
Rosie warned us this is no novice course...
the course started out with 2 pinwheels, 1 left (1,2,3) and 1 right (4,5,6), creating an 'S'. then a hard 90d left turn to a straight tunnel (7), a vertical (8), the right hand side of a 180d tunnel (9), a hard left 90d to a vertical (10) and on to another, very big, right pinwheel including a triplebar (11,12,13), back thru the right hand side of the #9 tunnel (14) to a vertical (15), to the weaves (16). out of the weaves a hard 90d left and back out over the #2 & #1 jumps (17,18).
when we ran the course we had a couple of tough spots... after the #7,8 combination, she was so far ahead of me that she went to the wrong side of the tunnel... then i got so flabbergasted that i went off-course and pulled her off the #12 jump and skipped it entirely... then, after the weaves we missed our left turn and she bolted over the #3 jump instead of the #2. That was a tough spot for everyone, including the advanced dogs.
we did have one shining moment... i led out past the first 2 and sent her right thru both pinwheels to the tunnel. most of the others had problems with that combination.
after we broke up into groups we worked on the 8-14 combination. she did try to run off a couple of times but was 'herded' back to me by lynne and rosie. after that she stayed pretty focused. then we swapped sides and worked on #1 - 6. since that had not been a problem in the first place, it was just fun to do it again... then we merged the class back to work on the 16-18 combination and she nailed that on her first try. :)
so, needless to say... i was pretty proud of my little girl last night!
10.24.2007
NCA week 2
we tried some of the things I mentioned last week... kept her in her crate at home all day except for potty runs at noon and 3. no breakfast or dinner. when we got there I put her crate just outside the arena and kept her in there between runs. also brought a toy to tug with if she did really well...
we split the arena front and back this time instead of side to side... it seemed we had more room that way. our group last night was just 2 dogs... Waste' and Marley. Marley is a superfast, supercharged, very sweet mix. she makes Waste' look slow. because she is so active, she drives Waste's herding instinct crazy. hence, the crate. this worked very well early on in the class. we took turns with Marley working first at 24", then us at 20". the first exercise was simply a jump to a 90d left turn to the a-frame, concentrating on our contact on the a-frame. always for us, concentrating on handler focus. Waste' first bypassed the a-frame and ran right for the other group. Lynn was waiting for it and scolded her back to me. It made an impression. the second time thru she hit the a-frame and down contact, looked at the other dogs, then looked at me... big treat for that! then we did a pinwheel to the chute. she took off for the other dogs after the 2nd element of the pinwheel, Lynn scolded her again - a little harsher - and it made an even stronger impression. the 2nd time thru she nailed it. ah, i love a quick learner!
then we moved to the back side of the arena. we did several combinations - each one was better than the last... dogwalk to tunnel to weaves, weaves to tunnel to dogwalk, dogwalk to tunnel to jump to teeter to tunnel and finally jump to right hand tunnel to weaves.
after awhile, going into the crate between runs worked well, but then she started getting bummed out... but she was doing better in the ring at that time, so i pulled out her new tug toy which she decimated! i think if i just brought a couple of shop towels that she could tear up that would make her happy... she does LOVE to shred!
all in all it was a good class... i hope we keep up this trend...
we split the arena front and back this time instead of side to side... it seemed we had more room that way. our group last night was just 2 dogs... Waste' and Marley. Marley is a superfast, supercharged, very sweet mix. she makes Waste' look slow. because she is so active, she drives Waste's herding instinct crazy. hence, the crate. this worked very well early on in the class. we took turns with Marley working first at 24", then us at 20". the first exercise was simply a jump to a 90d left turn to the a-frame, concentrating on our contact on the a-frame. always for us, concentrating on handler focus. Waste' first bypassed the a-frame and ran right for the other group. Lynn was waiting for it and scolded her back to me. It made an impression. the second time thru she hit the a-frame and down contact, looked at the other dogs, then looked at me... big treat for that! then we did a pinwheel to the chute. she took off for the other dogs after the 2nd element of the pinwheel, Lynn scolded her again - a little harsher - and it made an even stronger impression. the 2nd time thru she nailed it. ah, i love a quick learner!
then we moved to the back side of the arena. we did several combinations - each one was better than the last... dogwalk to tunnel to weaves, weaves to tunnel to dogwalk, dogwalk to tunnel to jump to teeter to tunnel and finally jump to right hand tunnel to weaves.
after awhile, going into the crate between runs worked well, but then she started getting bummed out... but she was doing better in the ring at that time, so i pulled out her new tug toy which she decimated! i think if i just brought a couple of shop towels that she could tear up that would make her happy... she does LOVE to shred!
all in all it was a good class... i hope we keep up this trend...
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