Sunday, November 23, 2014

Struggle with documentation

May be next year I will be better at blogging or logging since few people really read these. Even I haven't been back in ten months.

I am putting it on my phone so that I can make notes after training. 

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Flat Work Focus on Friday 1314

It was nice to take the guys out to the arena and not have them work on agility.  Elapsed time for training - 15 minutes.

We worked on following Mom.  Mom worked on keeping track of the boys.

Things I recognized that worked and others that need improvement.

Hold out the arm. This means that the treat is out there be it food or the toy. Keeps the dogs away from my feet. I am always worried about stepping on them since they are small. Work on running with arm out then work on varying the distance from me based on arm position.

Keep moving if I want to keep the dog moving. Going around the corner, the dogs were not taking the second jump because my feet weren't moving. Moms feet aren't moving we must be done. 

It was fun watching Henry's reaction to me not pointing any where and having to follow me.  When I finally pointed to the table or a jump he was relieved. Definitely, need more flat work.

Work on the warm up for me. AND the dogs. 

Do a trick to position the dog then start.

At the end connect with the dog. Then treat.

The best thing about this exercise was that when we were done. I let them loose in the arena. And they only wanted to follow me. They were not interested in chasing one another. So we walked around the obstacles and I directed them to one now and then.  It was funny that Gunner and Henry did the dog walk. When Gunner (in the lead)stopped at the end, Henry just nugged him over and ran through with Gunner staying there.

Need to work on chest pointers.

Saturday, September 28, 2013

We are both down with colds. It is amazing that we have been fairly healthy through this whole process. Managing a construction project and starting a business is a challenge. Has taught me a lot about planning and goals.

Things go by the way side when pursuing your goals. My house in town was never this messy. The dogs were bathed regularly.  Can't remember when they last had one.  We still survived.

Now on to the website. And blogging. Or should it be called documenting. Sharing? Not whining.

The one thing that I have sworn off this year is drama.  My anxiety level has gone when there is no drama.  I keep reminding myself of that.

So when we go to the Top Dog trial on Oct 20th. I will need to practice that. We have not been on a course since Feb 2011 when we splurged and went to a USDAA trial.  Even then with out training the boys and I did fine. Several Q's and first places.

Need to brush up on the trial rules for CPE. Back to planning. 

Friday, September 27, 2013

Well we are getting closer to the end of the construction phase and on to opening.

Just one more inspection. In the meantime there are still loose ends to complete. The landscaping must be in by Oct. 30. It is sitting waiting in pots, but the backhoe cannot go on until the arena soil amendments are turned under. The boards for storing my equipment are next to be installed.

I am sending my entry into Top Dog on Monday. We have not run a course in two years but I am going for at least Sunday.  The boys and I will do the best we can. It will be fun to see everyone.