Close work

In class this week we learned a couple of new things. One of the sequences was a pinwheel with 4 jumps. I send Vega over the 1st 2 and then draw her across my feet and then sort of do a rear cross back out. I did this badly in class. Vega, of course, did it brilliantly with Katrina. Anyway, we’ve been practicing and I’m getting better at it. We did it several times last night in both directions.

I’ve also been practicing Vega’s contacts and they are getting better. She’s not 100% yet but she is more consistent. All in all I’m still pretty happy with our progress.

I put locking washers on the weaves poles yesterday and I’m hoping that makes the less weavamatic like. We’ll try that here in a bit.

I started training with FAAD two years ago, in September of 07. I’ve been asked several times lately if I’m competing next month but I’ve only been training with Vega since October of last year. I have to remind myself occasionally that Vega and I have only been training 11 months though and she’s only 17 months old. We’re doing okay, I think, and are shooting for next spring or summer.

Now off to build a tire!

PFFDS DOCNA May 2009

I can honestly say I’ve never enjoyed groupie-ing (I can make up words too!) a trial more. The weather was really nice for trialing (though a little wet on Sat.) We get the friendliest people at our trial. Everyone’s really nice and fun to talk to. Cindi (the judge) is very relaxed and laid back. The food is good. The facility is fabulous.

So the big news of the weekend (for me anyway) was that I got to run Snakes N Ladders with Baby! THANK YOU, KATRINA. I have never been that nervous and had that much fun at the same time. It’s nice to run with a dog that is already a superstar. She made it very easy for me and I got the opportunity to learn a lot. I now know that I can do this. I was a little worried about having the guts before. I also know I’m god-awful clumsy and I haven’t even seen the video yet! I’ve already started a workout plan that incorporates a lot of balance games. Hopefully that’ll help. I just had so much fun. I’ll post the video when I get it.

I feel very lucky to be part of this group.

Foot issues

Apparently I have a polyp on the outside of my left heel. It’s not worth removing but is worth wrapping for 4 weeks to relieve pressure. Let’s hope it just goes away.

Practice

This is mostly so I can keep track of what I did and I think I’ll do this every practice so I keep track.

Weaves:
She did well but I really have to line her up and point them out or she won’t see them. We will start doing just weave entries.

Contacts:
At the end of the dog walk in the back yard… did well.

Front Crosses:
She did well, I manage to get her most of the time as she was trying to fly by and get her over the jump so it was definitely an improvement.

Restrained Recalls:
After teaching Alyssa to hang onto Vega this worked really well. Vega was awesome.

Per a book I’m reading I completely started over with her following my finger. I put her on the side and as soon as I moved if she didn’t swing around I gave cookies. We quit when she stayed next to me from the kitchen to the living room (10″-12″).

We also got three feet into a box.

I think it was a good day and she was really done when we finished the outside work.

Monday night class

I think Dash and I had a really good night. We got every combination done (well). He’s got an amazing WAIT and I’m sure when we get to a start line someday he’s going to make me proud. He did upright weaves once at the end of the evening but then wasn’t able to do them again. In his defense he was probably tired since he’d been played with for 2 1/2 hours by then. He’s doing much better about not whining and barking in class. He only does it now when I try to talk to someone other than him! He’s an awesome dog and it’ll be great when I can keep up with him.

He’s signed up for the contact class Thursday after Vega’s 1st puppy class. I’ll start getting some pictures… just for Dash’s “Dad”.