Fun Match

Our debut in Novice Obedience is looming ever closer (September), and I'm starting to get nervous...

Up til this point, I've still been talking in the ring (like "good heel", "good boy", etc), but this time I wanted to be completely silent except for the allowed verbal commands, and see how he did. And I think he actually did better than he does when I'm jabbering to him! I still used treats in between exercises though.

Also, I haven't done much with him for the past several weeks because we've been renovating the house and I just haven't had the time or energy. I was curious how he would do today because of the break, but I guess it was good for him too.

And before anyone reprimands me - I don't usually train in flip flops but I was in a hurry to leave the house and didn't think to put on tennis shoes. And at least they weren't mis-matched this time :P



Comments and critiques welcomed and appreciated.

There were a couple crooked sits on the on- and off-leash heeling, and there was one point during the figure 8 that he didn't sit when I halted - not sure why... maybe since we hadn't gone a complete figure 8 before the judge stopped us, he anticipated keeping going? Not sure. And I think he picked up a paw as I returned for the stand for exam - which I didn't see at the time, and apparently neither did the judge because she didn't say anything to me about it. His front on recall was slightly crooked but the finish was good. The sits/downs (not in the video) were good except he sniffed the ground a bit on the down and I have to tell him to leave it.

Other than that, I was really happy with how he did, especially since I didn't talk to him at all :)

One thing I need to work on is my footwork for the about turns. I need to make it more like a pivot with my feet together, instead of stepping forward and spinning on the spot. I just don't think about it at the time so I really need to remember.

Maybe we'll be ok after all! At least Qualify =)

Saturday Morning Training

It's been forever (it seems like) since Red and I have been able to make it to class on Saturday morning. I haven't done ANY training with Red for a few weeks, so we were long overdue for some training. I was dead tired this morning but Red was raring to go. It was evident that I wasn't really with it this morning because it wasn't til I got there that I realized I had 2 different tennis shoes on...

There were only three of us there today - me and Red, Michelle and Maisy, and John and Jackson. So it wasn't as structured as usual and there was free time to work on our own things individually.

Heeling - getting better with more attention. Did it off-leash this time. We didn't heel as long today, which is good because sometimes I feel like we do it for too long and both of us get tired. Ended on a good note after a particularly good 360 right turn and great focus afterwards.

Figure 8 - also improving though still a little bumping on the inside. I have no idea why, but Red keeps his head down the entire time during the figure 8. I don't understand why this is any different from any other heeling we do? I get the feeling he doesn't like this exercise. Not sure what I should be doing about this.

Stand for exam - excellent, no problems here.

Recall - the shining moment of our morning. Red gave me a perfectly straight front on recall!!!!! I was floored - I can't remember him ever doing such a great front on recall. He earned himself a jackpot for that, and lots of exuberant praise and play. Hopefully he keeps it up!

Sit/Stay - did it on our own since the other two were working on different exercises. Which was good because it was a good distraction for Red. He did great, no problems.

Dumbell - still retrieving really well. He seems to want to let go too soon so I sort of teased him a couple times to proof his hold. He dropped it once, and I said "oh no! What happened?" and he promptly picked it back up and held it til I took it.

Jumps - starting to work on sending out to the jump instead of running by it with him. He seems to be picking it up. He definitely knows the word "over" and he loves to do the jumps, so that's good.

I had him off leash for everything today except the figure 8. He just followed me around and was a very good boy. There was an agility tunnel set up so I had him go through it a few times, which is good for him.

Weekend Up North

James, Red and I are back from a long weekend up north (northern Michigan) at the cabin on the lake :) It was a nice weekend - a little on the chilly side for July, but at least it was mostly sunny and didn't rain!

Red had a blast on the boat and in the lake, as usual. Here are some pics from the weekend. click to enlarge thumbnails


Suited up and ready to go




"Can't you fuel this thing any faster?? Let's gooooo"




The Doberlean




"I want in too!"




I love the sky in this pic




Redders :)




Letting the wind blow through his hair.. er.. ears









Even though his eyes are shut, I love this pic




A vacation isn't complete without...

Lots of goodies



Massage



Hanging out with friends


And relaxing on the lake...

We were waiting for some people to meet us at the boat, but Red wanted to go on the tube NOW




Redders loves the tube :)








James and Red






Fun and relaxing weekend! Hope we can go back again soon :)

Big Red

Red has been looking more "filled out" and solid to me lately, but I hadn't had him weighed in awhile. Last time he was weighed was maybe 3 months ago or so, and he was just a shade over 80 lbs.

Well, I took him to the local clinic for a weigh in today, and he is now 91 lbs!!! I knew he was bigger, but I had no idea he had gained 10 lbs! And not in fat either. He's just shy of 2 1/2 years old, so I'm not sure if he will gain anymore or not, but wow!


Here are some pics from today (click thumbnails to enlarge)