Photo Fun :D

Pictures!!!

I know!!!

I've been bad about blogging. Honestly, we haven't been doing much lately- shame on us! We did however go out to BF3 with mom and Bessie this weekend. The little man was a little distracted with Bessie there, but we worked through it and had some really nice "backs."

We are going through withdrawels *hint *hint :)

Trial!!

We have officially sent our schtuff off for Pickle's first AKC trial on January 27!!!

Better

Ok... we did much better today. I atleast believe that he understands what I am asking :D

Directionals

Ok... seriously- chihuahuas are not terriers!!! He has "right" down so well, how come left turns are so friggin hard. We worked for 15 minutes on lefts, but I seriously don't think that he understood a single thing we did today. I'm not frustrated, but come on- he's normally a really smart dog! We'll try it differently tomorrow.

Lesson Schtuff

We had an awesome lesson today!!! I think that Pickle must be a cold weather dog- he was so fast today! We worked on a bit of everything today: weaves, teeter & directionals mostly. We got a few runs of straight lined weaves that looked great- I am officially changing his weaves to go-go-go. Jamie set up a course that was very curvy- a course that would be very useful to have directionals on- definitely showed us what we need to work on. Pickle did the cours, but it wasn't pretty, a little to much spinning. We broke down the directionals with 1 jump working on lefts and rights... apparently he is a "right-sided dog." So we will be working on that for the next little while:)

Pictures!!!

Here's a taste... hopefully more pictures soon!






and yes, that was a "stand" at the table!!!






To check out more pics from the event: http://siriusphotography.smugmug.com/Agility%20Trials/409399

Pickle is in Level 1, 8"

Brags!!!

***EDIT***
*New pics added to the right...*

I've been dying to write in here all week!!!

Last weekend was Pickle's first "official" agility trial! I signed him up on the day of the trial... my mistake was- "oh its cheaper to go ahead and do the whole weekend!" So I signed him up for 9 classes, 4 standard runs, and five games split over saturday and sunday.

Our first game was a blast! It was tunnelers... they were so small (I seriously thought Pickle was going to look at them and give me the paw. There was a total of about 7 tunnels that made up the course, and boy were those turns tight! Pickle performed like a champ- but I sent him the wrong signal so we got on "off course" on that round.

The next run was hang-ten. This game looked a lot easier than it actually was. The idea is that each type of obstacle has a different point value. The goal is to complete obstacles adding up to ten (not going over) then bank those ten points by jumping through the tire jump. Our first and second sequences were flawless! Then when I attempted the 3rd sequence I had planned out, I lost him. The sequence was jump-tunnel-teeter. For some reason the teeter scared the crap out of him (he stayed scared of it for the rest of the day). After bailing of the teeter, he made up his own course for about 15 seconds (the run is for 60 seconds). I finally got him back in control, but not soon enough to finish another sequence. Luckily, level 1 only has to get 20 points- so the little man got his first Q!!!

Our next run was a nightmare!!! It was our first standard run... it was an easy course set up in a figure 8 pattern with the table in the middle. Well, we get through the 1st 2 obstacles, and Pickle sees the judge in the middle of his course and runs to her barking. I was kinda sorta embarrassed at this point. I get him undercontrol and continue the course. The teeter at this point has scared the bajesus out of him so am there baby talking him at the teeter... didn't work this round. After this round, I put him back in his crate for a nap.

Our next round was our second standard run. It was beautiful! He even did the stand at the table- which we haven't really worked on!!! He thought about running past the teeter, but I called him off and brought him back around... it wasn't pretty, but he did it. We Q'd in this round with 5 seconds to spare!

The last run of the day was connect the dots. Again, all the obstacles had point values, the contacts had the highest value. We smoked this class as well bringing in our third Q of the day!!!

Pickle's first run on saturday was another game. The name off it is eluding me right now, but it was very similar to gamblers. This was by far the best run of the weekend!!! He was so on! He was the only level 1 dog that completed the gamble perfectly with out hesitation! I think gamblers is going to be his game! We Q'd here as well!!! With this Q, Pickle won his very first title!!!!!!!! So now, he can be referred to as The Wicked Pickle TG1! I'm so proud of the little guy! Mom came out got to see him run.

We had over 2 hours until our next run which was our third standard run. He ran great the first half, did the teeter perfectly! I got so excited about the teeter performance, I was not focused on the run... I sent him past the tunnel right on out of the arena, when I called him back, he was so confused he jumped right on over the tunnel- hahahaha. He finished the course, but we didn't make time, my mistake. At thispoint he'd already run seven runs that weekend- by the time I got him out of his crate to warm up for his 4th standard run, he was so tired- he wouldn't even tug with me (for those that know him, he loves to tug). I decided to take him out of the final 2 runs, he was too tired. Nine runs on one weekend is a lil much for a 12 month old. I am so pleased with him! He worked really hard for me, paid attention, and worked through the tough stuff! He's gonna be a force to reckon with! :)

Thank you to Dori, Rhianne, and Mom for coming out! I'll try and post pictures soon! I am waiting on the photographer to upload the pics!

Private Lesson

The Midget Man had an awesome training session last night!!! He was so excited about work and so attentive! We worked on weave entries and contacts mostly. His weaves are really coming along... a couple of weeks ago I thought he was never going to get them.
Jamie gave us something new to try on our contacts- I am going to put him into a down at the base of the dog walk. I still want to try for a running contact on the a-frame, so for now- we are using stride regulators. So far so good.
Private lessons seem to work better for us at this time, he focuses on me more, and he seems to stay happier (more excited about agility).
Looking forward to playing at chuting stars friday night!!!

Weaves

This weekend there is a TDAA trial in Mckinney (teacup agility) and it is so tempting to go since they have same day registration. We definately have things that we need to work on- namely weaves, so I decided to close my channel weaves and see what the little monster would do. HE NAILED THEM!!! I was so excited... I honestly did not think he was ready for that (I wonder if he can repeat that performance elsewhere though).
I have a private lesson tomorrow, and I am going out to chuting stars on friday night with Dori. Depending how the little devil does, I might take him to the TDAA trial for fun... maybe even just do tunnelers.

Things to work on...

WE had a make-up class yesterday morning for our handling skills class. We mainly worked on wraps, threadles, and 270's. Pickle can do these blind folded at home, and did pretty well in class- but we reverted back to being more interestesd in all the other dogs in the class. I had a couple of times where I could call him back to me, but several times I had to go collect him. He is so good when there are no other dogs present, I really just need a way to work on distractions.
Jamie (my instructor) is moving and will no longer be able to offer classes at her home. I've looked at other places to train, but haven't found anything that I find compatible with my schedule or my liking. With the new job, I do not yet know what my work hours will look like, I know for the first month I'll be working pretty long shifts. I'd hate to sign up for a class and then never be able to attend. I think for know I'll take a few privates here and there until my schedule figures itself out.

Blah

Not a whole lot going on lately. Pickle and I have a handling class on saturday, then wednesday we'll have a private lesson to focus on our weaves. If things go pretty well this week, I am thinking that I will take him to a fun match next friday night... depending on what the vet says about his ear- he's lost a patch of hair around his ear- talking to the vet-> she thinks its just fungal, but we are going to run a few tests this week.
The job that I've been interviewing for months (atleast it seems that way) was offered to me- I do believe I am going to take it. My current company keeps making all these promises to me, but none of them have happened- this new opportunity is to good to pass up. It is a full commission position, so I will be broke for the 1st two months, but I'll be ok. EEKS!

Grrrr

I know its been a long time, but we haven't had class... and I haven't had much to post about. Since I had been putting off the weaves and pretty much not looked at them for weeks- I decided to pick them up again. I wasn't getting the desired affect with the channel weaves so I tried luring a time or two. It seemed to click and he magically seemed to understand the weaves- on the down side, they are not super fast. I only lured one training session then went back to channel weaves- I think its made a positive difference. My goal now is to speed them up (I think that once the weaves are outside he will run them much quicker).

Thats all for now- hopefully I will get to go pick up my teeter this weekend!!! :D

I know...

My computer died... R.I.P.

Any how, we had a weekend full of agility! We started off will a focus class on Saturday that we worked on crosses both front and rear, with a couple of flase turns as well. We had a rough start where I "might" have been a little grumpy at first causing the lil man to shut down a bit. My goal is to stop saying negative phrases when Pickle does not do exactly what I am asking- keep trying to remind myself that it is probably something I am doing that is causing the behaivor.

Sunday was better as far as attention and positive behaivors. We worked mostly on object discrimination and crosses. He still is a contact sucker... hehehe, we'll have to work on that. We also did courses as well... I think he is coming along so nicely. I really do need to work the weaves with him more- right now I think that we have hit a learn plateu on them, maybe I need to find a different approach... we'll see, I'm afraid I'm gonna cause him to hate the weaves (I kinda stopped working them at home for the time being)

Monday night we had our handling class. I rushed home from work, threw Pickle in the care, and high tailed it to class. He was so hyper and unfocused... thereby we did not accomplish much in class. I will learn to wear him out a bit more...

Tuesday was truely a blast! We went to Chuting Stars and learned several of the games such a snooker, jackpot (gamblers), and colors! Pickle was so intune and so hyped up! I had so much fun... we were out there for 2 hours- I didn't notice how much running we had done till we got home- boy am I sore!!! Last night seemed to bring it all together, I coulsdn't help but walk away and think "so this is what its all about!" If you don't run agility- START!!!

Tired Pickle

Wow! What a day!!! Pickle and Felix went to the Operation Kindness "Hang Ten" day. The local water park opened parts of the park to the dogs for the last day of the season. Felix had a blast swimming around in the wave pool where as Pickle played mostly on the shore... every once in a while paddling out to see his momma. Pickle even went surfing for a while on momma's raft!

Needless to say after hours at the water park- Pickle slept through agility. All in all, it was a great day!

Baby Genius

Pickle was a star today! He started off today a little distracted because Bessie was in our class today- he hasn't seen her in months. After the inital sniff and greet, we got straight to work focusing primarily on weaves. We worked on several "entrances" to the weaves, in laymans terms, coming off of different obstacles and different angles to the weaves. The lil man did very well, we only had one pop out but that was the very first attempt (I'm going to blame handler error on that one). Dori did get some action shots of us today, but my computer is acting up a bit so I'll try uploading them later.

*Piccies are here*

Classes again...

Classes resumed today for the Pickulator and me. I'd love to say that it was a brilliant return, but the lil man hadn't seen his buddy Boomer in ages and I let him play with Felix before class (duh- bad move). So, with the mixture of tired and distracted puppy, I got a little frustrate- there by causing Pickle to shut down. I need to focus on being more positive so that Pickle continues to enjoy playing agility. Class again tomorrow night- more to post then.

I know...

Its been a while since I posted! We haven't had class due to weather, sickness, and a wedding. I believe classes will be resuming next week (YAY!!!) I must admit, I've been kind of lazy and we haven't been training much. Since I have the holiday off, I decided to take the lil monster out and work on directionals. Today was all groundwork- so no physical obstacles. We worked on "left" and "right: queues... which is kinda sorta working- about 70% of the time. I also worked on "outs" in an attempt to have him work further from my body, yet still maintain control. The maintaining control would be the key phrase, at about 10-12 ft of distance- I no longer exist to him at times.

Bien Bebe

Class was really fun tonight! I think Pickle has been going through a ton of puppy stages, but this one I love! He has been so "on" reading my body language, his focus has improved exponentially, and his speed is increasing! He gave be 100% of his attention during class tonight. Class tonight was a culmination of several things we've been working on such as wraps, distance work, serpentines, and backs. I like that Jamie gives us harder courses than what novice will be, so that when we start showing-> the courses will be so simple. One thing from class tonight that we will have to work on will be our sends- he likes working at a distance laterally, but does not like to get to far in front of me... somethin' to think about.

Finally...

I've been without internet for almost a whole week... AHHHH!

Our tuesday class was awesome!!! Pickle does so much better in smaller classes (less distractions). Let me preface by informing you that Jamie was not in the best mood- which means that the class is harder. We worked on distance work so that our dogs could work more independently from the handlers. My boy was a champ!!! He is definately a star! He worked so hard for me... we gradually increased the difficulty as the class progressed, eventually to leading to multiple obstacles between us and the pups.

*I'll add more later... sooooo tired

Bonus Class

Well, of course it rained today, therefore class was canceled. Luckily we decided to do a drop in class yesterday. Besides his need to play with the other pups at the beginning of class, it was a very productive lesson. We worked on directionals and wraps (tight turns).

*I'll add more later

**Will the infernal rain ever end!!! We worked on handling techniques that helped us tighten our turns and help the dogs read our body language better. We accomplished this by working on "wraps." Wraps are turns in the shapes of tear drops. We did very well after he got rid of his zoomies. Pickle is no longer allowed to play with other pups until he is done working... I hope this will help with the distraction aspect.

Keeping fingers, toes, and paws crossed class doesn't get rained out tomorrow.**

Better

We seemed to do a lil better in our class today. We are still going to have a lot of focus work ahead of us. His recalls are getting markedly better though.

We also did object discrimination tonight! Usually, this is not our strongest area, but tonight- he was awesome! He did not suck to any particular obstacle (usually the a-frame)!!!

On an even brighter note- he was sound, no stiffness, no soreness!!!

Uh oh

Class was not a stellar success today. We definately have some new obstacles/ challenges ahead of us. Apparently "da momma" is not his favorite any more... his classmates are way more interesting. At home we do not have the distraction of rowdy friends and he is a baby genius- then it comes to class time and he runs off to play (GRRR).
On another note... very worrisome- Pickle seemed a little ouchy on his right hind. I had him out at the lake yesterday, and he did run for an hour straight with Boomer. I am hoping that he just ran a little to hard and that is what made him a little stiff. Will definately be watching those legs!

Distance work

Tonight we worked on distance work- what that means is that we have the dogs in front of us, it allows them to be more independent from the handler. How we started was to have 3 jumps in a row then a pause table at the end. The pause table was baited with a piece of kibble. The first run through, we released at the final jump sending them to the table... next run through we sent them through from the second jump... then from the first jump. Pickle excelled at this exercise (he'd rather run the courses by himself sometimes). In the end, I was running pickle through the weaves, sent him to the a-frame, then through the jumps, to the table. This kind of distance work gets us ready for the gamblers class. Gamblers class is game division where for the first (45) seconds each obstacle has a point value, then a whistle is blown and the gamble begins. In a "gamble," there is a line on the ground that handlers can not pass, but must instruct their dogs from that line and negotiate obstacles. To qualify in a gamblers class, you must have meet the minimum point requirement, and complete the gamble in the alloted time. I think this will be my favorite class.

Table Work 2.0

So, its not a good idea to practise table work with the table against the wall. I decided to move it today... yeah, we're just bouncing off the other side. So tonight... we got to start completely over again with the table... lesson learned! Live and learn. :(

Table Work

Pickle now loves the table! He hauls ass then hits the deck... he's gonna be the coolest agility dog!!! :D I have starting feeding him on the table, as well as perform tricks on the table.

No class because of the awful rain- that will never end :'(

On a separate note (to whom who I plan on not speaking to) yes, I love to "play" with my dogs and ride my horse! At least I do the things that I enjoy and love, not hide behind stupid excuses. The fact that I enjoy these things, does not mean that I am lazy and will never be successful. Living moderately and happy is better than being rich and miserable.

Tire Jump

Alright! So we went to class last night, did some awesome object discrimination work (not usually our strength) and strung together some sequencing. All together things were flowing together nicely. Then we added the tire jump- oh the infernal tire jump. Pickle went around and under it, but managed to not go through it. All night the tire jump eluded us. So today, I decided that the tire jump was not going to me the death of us. I went to the hardware store and bought pvc and a dryer hose. I put the darn contraption together- and low and behold- the midget jumps through it... not one attempt to go around it. The little booger.

Spinning...

Why is it that hard to teach spinning? My dog will back up, but not spin! Grrrrr...

No Class :(

Will the rain ever end? I took Pickle and Bessie out to the volley ball court in my complex tonight to practise down-stays. Pickle is doing well- we acheived our goal of a 2 minute stay. (I'm adding 15 seconds each session) Quite honestly, my mom gave me the notes to the previous levels of classes. Instead of going through those classes, I am just doing the lesson plans on my own. We have achieved a major mile stone though- we are no longer fearful of the clicker... he doesn't love it, but then again, it doesn't send him running for cover anymore either. Things are starting to click more and more now!

First Fun Match!!!!

Pickle and I participated in our very first fun match!!! Pickle did so good, I admit- I did not think it was going to go so well. He was listening, didn't run off, and didn't get the sniffys (all major goals for me). We had 2 minor whoopsies, but they may have been out of our control... he popped out of the tunnel twice, later I found out that there was a jump standard left in there, and Pickle skidded down the a-frame, but it was steaper and slicker than we're used too. Afterwards, we practised on a different a-frame and did marvelous! All in all a very triumphant first time out, and a marvelous learning experience for us both. I am very proud of my Midget Racer! Over all- It was a very fun weekend!

Backs

We finally understand backs!!! We practiced backs to a single- once we figured those out, we threw in a second jump driving to a target for some distance work. This little guy trys so hard to please and makes it such a pleasure to work with. I can't wait to get video up!

Class double time!

Pickle was "on" today!!! We did weaves to jump-tunnel-jump combo followed up by a triple jump! He did everything full hearted- the handler (me) on the other hand was all over the place, I could use a little work. The midget did so well so he stayed for another class. Jamie decided to see what we could do- she gave us obstacles to do, but had us create our own solutions to navigate the obstacles... the speed racer definatly covered my butt for me!

Howdy!

I guess we're gonna start posting comments about our training successes and .... well, lets think positive ;)