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!