Wed. homework

After three weeks off we were back to our Wed. night class too.   Vega and I did better I think but we definitely have a ton of homework. 

Homework 1:    When we walk up to a start line Vega spins around in circles around me.  Unfortunately, this was caused in class I think.  I was spending too much time thinking so we did drills where I just had to tell her to get around and we would go without her stopping.   She expects that now.  Part of our homework is to fix that this week and when we walk up to start I’ve got some control over my dog.  I think it may take a little more than a week but I intend to get a good start on it. 

Homework 2:   I need to practice my shadow handling.  I’m running too far onto the jump I’m crossing in front of so it’s pushing Vega around it.  I actually was doing it on purpose because I thought that I was supposed to be heading that way but I have a better understanding now of where I’m supposed to be. 

Homework 3:   Contact work.  Vega has a very small set of criteria that need to be in place for me to get her in contact position… I need to be on her left, I need to be standing next to her, and I need to be facing forward.  Part of this is probably because of not really being able to practice much in the yard but this week (I hope) we can practice. 

I’m not sure since it’s supposed to rain all weekend but I’m trying to think of a way to bring one of the boards of the dog walk into the house or maybe the garage… I’m not sure but I’ll think of something.   

I’m also going to try to fit in some wraps and weave entries too. 

I felt better tonight about training, not that we don’t have a lot of work to do but we were a little more successful.

Training changes

Vega went to class for the first time in 3 weeks Monday night and it was pretty obvious we’d taken the time off.  She was so excited to be there and pretty crazy for a while.  It felt like she didn’t remember a thing we’d ever learned.  We haven’t practiced really since the first week in April, first because our backyard was covered in snow and then mud.   

During Monday’s class it occurred to me that perhaps we just aren’t at a level to play in that class yet.  We aren’t able to do most of the sequences and we aren’t able to adapt them to our skill level.  Perhaps Vega and I should be further along at this point but we aren’t and I’m afraid we’re going to cause injuries or bad habits by skipping steps.  Being in level 3 and being unable to be successful just causes me and ultimately Vega frustration.  We need to have smaller steps and more successes.    

So I’ve decided I’m going to drop this class.  This is a tough decision for me because there is so much to learn there but I honestly think it’s the right thing to do, right now.  I really enjoy everyone  in this class  and going to miss them a lot.  Geez, I’ve been training with Lorrie for almost two years!  It’s been my social life for a long time so that’ll be weird not to be there.  I guess it’ll just make trials (when we get there) even more fun with the added benefit of seeing friends.

Puppies playing

Last week my neighbor complained about Merlin barking so basically he’s not allowed in the yard without me.  The weird thing about this is now he’s more interested in being with me in the house too.  He’s been playing in the living room more often.  So I took some pictures of the Border Collies with their favorite toys. 

 

Boring couple of weeks

It’s been sort of a dull couple of weeks in our training.  First Vega went into heat so we’ve had to take 2 weeks off classes and then it snowed so we couldn’t go outside and play.  It’s still so muddy that we can’t really run in the yard but maybe by this weekend.

I’ve been sitting out of level 3 for two weeks and borrowing Flame for Young Guns for the last two weeks and it’s been fun and interesting and informative.  I love running with a dog and not being 6 feet behind him.  Last night we did front and blind crosses, teeter, dog walk, jump to the weaves.  It’s a lot easier for me to get the handling corrections when my whole focus isn’t just on racing Vega to where I need to be.  I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being able to slow down a little but I miss my girl and I’m ready to go back at it with her next Monday.  I think she’s missing it a lot too.

Blog has a new home

Welcome everyone that followed me to our new home.  Once I get done repointing all the pictures I’ll delete the blog on blogspot completely. 

Her is a picture of Alyssa playing with some of the dogs in the backyard before the snow.  The shepherd/greyhound mix is Abby.  She is a Hurricane Katrina rescue and very sweet.  She’s the original “bucket dog” that taught Merlin the value of a bucket.

Vega fashion statement…

Found a ball!

Vega finally went into heat last Wed. This was confirmed by Rip in their first Young Guns class. Poor boy couldn’t think. It was very reminiscent of what my classes were like when Greg or Kenette had the squeaky ball out. She’s been really good about wearing her panties and thinks she’s kind of cute with them on!   

Speaking of Vega’s first Young Guns class, it was fun. I made some decisions about commands. I’m going to use switch as my left or right command and wrap as wrap command. I think I will be one of those out there using the wrong word anyway so I might as well cut the words needed in half. Also getting the two syllable name out when we are doing something takes too long so I’m going to go with Pup. I called her that when she was baby and I can use it on all future agility dogs too!

Height check

At the USDAA trial over the weekend I finally got Vega under the measuring stick and she came in at a whopping 18 1/2″. I’m really pretty sure she’s done growing height-wise. She’s still at about 28 lbs. I think she’s so little, it’s like having a puppy all the time.

USDAA in Loveland this past weekend

Over the weekend I was head groupie at the Loveland USDAA trial again. I absolutely love this trial and can hardly wait to do it again next year. We have an amazing team at FAAD that is so impressive to watch. I was blown away by Morganne/Sage and Stacy/Wally (baby daddy) in Steeplechase. Both teams are just amazingly accurate and fast and just truly beautiful to watch. As everyone knows I get teary watching Steeplechase and this year these were the two teams that brought tears to my eyes. I hope someday Vega and I can be half as impressive someday.

I had a fabulous weekend. I am so unbelievably lucky to have such awesome friends that are always willing to let the “newbie” follow them around AND explain why they are making the choices they are in how to run the courses. You all know who you are and you all are so awesome and an inspiration to me. Thank you.

So while I’m on the subject I think one of the things that I love most about this sport is that almost everyone is willing to help a fellow competitor. If you are having a performance issue most people are willing to help with suggestions to help you fix it. I can’t think of any other sport where all the competitors are so giving with support and help to the very same people they are trying to beat later. It’s incredible.

I bought new leashes this weekend and didn’t realize until I picked them out that they don’t take credit cards. She wrote me a little receipt, gave me her card, told me to send a check and I walked away with the leashes! Dog people are awesome.

Finally a nose touch!

Last night I’m hanging out in front of the tv (it does happen occasionally!) and Vega is pitching balls at me when I decide to just put my hand down and make her touch it with her nose before I’ll throw the next one. Anyone who knows us knows this has been an issue for us.

I certainly got every form of paw possible while waiting and it’s a good thing I was watching tv because it took almost 20 minutes before she gave in and did it. YES! Oh good girl and lots of happy dance. After months of trying to get her to put her nose in my hand… FINALLY!

She’s not enjoying it much and doing it only about 75% of the time right now but soon…