Well, once again I had great intentions to post more often but well....real life gets in the way I suppose...
So, on to the news..
This past weekend was the AB/NWT Regionals and Wicca and I competed and Qualified!!! It was a great weekend and I am very proud of my little dog. We have come a LONG ways in a year and I cannot beleive what a good dog she has become. We had some really stellar runs- and runs that made me go "oh my...that was rough." :o)
Over the course of the weekend we didn't have one blown start line or one blown contact. We had a few (I think 4 overall) knocked bars and of course some blown weave pole entries. We had AWESOME Gambles- we almost had the first one and she knocked the bar on the last jump (and we've been working SO hard at that...dammit ;o) )
The second one I rushed and she took the wrong obstacle but the point gathering was great. We got lots of mini gambles, and earned a lot of points. Her standard runs were not too bad- the one on Saturday was good. I did a decent job of handling her, the one on Sunday had a rough start- an awesome middle and a horrible end. She FLEW off the teeter- which was the second last obstacle, after doing the middle portion of the course beautifully- a long fast row of jumps without one bar down and then she goes and does a superman impression off the teeter. Her teeter fly off costed us 2nd place overall...not that I'm competitive... hehe
The jumpers were pretty good. Small amount of bars knocked, and only one weird Wicca moment...The saturday jumpers was good- Sunday was interesting. There were three tunnels in the middle of the course in clover leaf pattern. She was doing great- hadn't sucked into the wrong tunnel or anything. I sent her tunnel and she went OUT around them all...what a silly dog...she earned us a refusal and then with me scrambling to get where i needed to be I didn't give her directions soon enough and we earned an off course aswell....
So over all we earned 306 points..you need 300 to qualify....we made it by a hair and I am thinking seriously of going to Nationals...I still have some things to iron out but I think it will be something that I will always remember and I may not get another chance- they are raising the points needed next year by a 100 and well...ya never know...so I might aswell take the chance when I have it...
Oh- we placed third in our class and were only 20 points behind 2nd place...We did good, Wicca and I, and I am very proud of us....
I didn't get any pictures but there was a photographer there so I am going to scope out her website and see if she got any...
I will post more later about the other beasts...
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Sunday, May 27, 2007
untitled
So it is the end of may- and I haven't posted anything at all...
Sam is still lame- he does not seem to be really improving lately. It is pretty frustrating and I am not sure what I need to be doing now. I am going to contact a second canine rehab person- one that deals with dog sports. Maybe she might have more ideas or suggestions.
Wicca is great. She and I went into the Open ring for the first time a few weeks ago in Medicine Hat and it was pretty good. We didn't pass neither times, but her heeling was the best yet and she was pretty excited to be there! She broke her stays- and she walked over the broad jump once. So we have lots of things to work on. Agility wise we have been doing quite a bit. I went to a Terry Simons seminar and it was fantastic. I felt pretty good by the end of the weekend- usually I feel like I am not a good enough handler for my dog- but at this seminar I felt just the opposite! I did a damn good job with my dog and I am pretty proud of that.
I changed Jack's name to Vito. He came with the name Jack and I wasn't going to bother changing it but I know a few human babies named Jack and when I started thinking about names and the name Vito came up I knew it was him!
Vito is an amazing little guy- he gets cuter as the days go by. He is VERY border collie-like. He may be short but his little brain is hardwired to be a border collie! He is very smart and will pick things up after a few repetitions. Vito is sensitive but can be quite a little jerk all at the same time. He has been really fun so far to work with and he is becoming a toy maniac!!! He will tug just about anywhere and will actually work for a toy now. Vito is pretty much over his weirdness from when he first came. I have taken him everywhere with me and he is now running up to people and is pretty outgoing MOST of the time.
Sam is still lame- he does not seem to be really improving lately. It is pretty frustrating and I am not sure what I need to be doing now. I am going to contact a second canine rehab person- one that deals with dog sports. Maybe she might have more ideas or suggestions.
Wicca is great. She and I went into the Open ring for the first time a few weeks ago in Medicine Hat and it was pretty good. We didn't pass neither times, but her heeling was the best yet and she was pretty excited to be there! She broke her stays- and she walked over the broad jump once. So we have lots of things to work on. Agility wise we have been doing quite a bit. I went to a Terry Simons seminar and it was fantastic. I felt pretty good by the end of the weekend- usually I feel like I am not a good enough handler for my dog- but at this seminar I felt just the opposite! I did a damn good job with my dog and I am pretty proud of that.
I changed Jack's name to Vito. He came with the name Jack and I wasn't going to bother changing it but I know a few human babies named Jack and when I started thinking about names and the name Vito came up I knew it was him!
Vito is an amazing little guy- he gets cuter as the days go by. He is VERY border collie-like. He may be short but his little brain is hardwired to be a border collie! He is very smart and will pick things up after a few repetitions. Vito is sensitive but can be quite a little jerk all at the same time. He has been really fun so far to work with and he is becoming a toy maniac!!! He will tug just about anywhere and will actually work for a toy now. Vito is pretty much over his weirdness from when he first came. I have taken him everywhere with me and he is now running up to people and is pretty outgoing MOST of the time.
Friday, April 06, 2007
I can't believe it is APRIL!!!
Wow! It has been a while. I can't beleive I haven't posted anything since december.
Actually if the blogger people care most of the reason I didn't to begin with was the new google thing. Everytime I tried to log in it would freeze my computer. Ticked me off so I stopped trying.
Anyway...
Where to start.
There have been a few trials since December. Lots of fun training. A seminar which was awesome. Oh- and I have a new dog!
I can't remember the trials very well. I will have to look back in my record book to see how we did. Training wise we have been doing a ton. Wicca and I are doing well. I am learning -still- how to handle her and I have seen a lot of improvements in her. We have been doing lots of jump work- still- and I dropped her to 6" specials in AAC. I was getting really frustrated about the one knocked bar thing and I really think that part of her problem is her build. Although we had Kim Collins here for a seminar in march and she disagrees completely- she said that it is me (of course) and Wicca not knowing how to jump. Which I kinda disagree with because we have done jump work- but not enough I do admit to that. So anyway- 6" is better for her physically regardless.
Sam was doing fantastic. He is such a good boy and we were working hard at getting some more distance work, better discriminations and jump patterns. And then he went lame. It sucks. I was very sad. I have since realised that he IS okay and will not die. nor does he particularily feel alot of pain so it is okay. It took a while to say that really. Anyway- it was a week before the seminar- I noticed he was a bit lame on a monday- put him on full rest for a week and he seemed to be better. Did a few things at the seminar with him and by sunday afternoon I knew something was definitely wrong. I waited a week- again lots of rest. Took him to the vet- he gave me anti-inflammatories and said no stairs, no jumping. It is for sure his right hind leg- but the vet could not diagnose the actual problem. We did xrays which showed good hips, good knees and no obvious problems. A week later and he was still limping. Again to the vet- a different one this time. She gave me more anti-inflammatories and strict crate rest. Sam is very unhappy. He is grouchy and miserable therefore everyone else is.
Last week however a dog physio lady named Genie came to see Sam and the difference is amazing. He is doing SO well. She has come a total of four times now and she really knows what to look for and what to do with him. We have been strictly following vet orders of crate rest, and between that and the physio he is doing well. He will be off his feet for at least another four weeks and off agility for at least 3 months. It sucks. He wants to play and really puts up a fuss when he is left home. Poor Guy...
On to other news, I have a new dog. There, I said it. I HAVE A NEW DOG!
wow.
His name is Jack or Jackson or Jack @$$, depending on the day. He is a border collie, corgi cross who is very adorable. His story is a typical one- he was purchased by a family with four children two of which have no idea about how to play with a puppy. So by 16 weeks old little Jackson had taken a few chunks if face off them and was a very suspicious and angry little puppy. I took him to foster. But after the first few weeks he has grown on me. I am a sucker for "problem" dogs I suppose. Jacks issues are food possesiveness, he can be a bit snarky with other dogs, he isn't always friendly to people and he really hates being told what to do!!! Besides all that he is a doll and I am growing more and more in love with him. He is a genius- really. He is very smart, very food motivated and has this border collie sweetness that I don't realy have with the corgis. I am in love, and Jack is staying even though I really don't need another dog, and I really didn't need a mutt, but oh well. :)
So that is my life the past few weeks in a nut shell. I have been working my tail off to buy a car, fix a car, insure a car, get a license etc. and then had to shell out the majority of that money for Sam.....some things never change I suppose.
Now that my computer seems to not mind the whole google sign in thing I will be back to posting on a regular basis.
-amanda
Actually if the blogger people care most of the reason I didn't to begin with was the new google thing. Everytime I tried to log in it would freeze my computer. Ticked me off so I stopped trying.
Anyway...
Where to start.
There have been a few trials since December. Lots of fun training. A seminar which was awesome. Oh- and I have a new dog!
I can't remember the trials very well. I will have to look back in my record book to see how we did. Training wise we have been doing a ton. Wicca and I are doing well. I am learning -still- how to handle her and I have seen a lot of improvements in her. We have been doing lots of jump work- still- and I dropped her to 6" specials in AAC. I was getting really frustrated about the one knocked bar thing and I really think that part of her problem is her build. Although we had Kim Collins here for a seminar in march and she disagrees completely- she said that it is me (of course) and Wicca not knowing how to jump. Which I kinda disagree with because we have done jump work- but not enough I do admit to that. So anyway- 6" is better for her physically regardless.
Sam was doing fantastic. He is such a good boy and we were working hard at getting some more distance work, better discriminations and jump patterns. And then he went lame. It sucks. I was very sad. I have since realised that he IS okay and will not die. nor does he particularily feel alot of pain so it is okay. It took a while to say that really. Anyway- it was a week before the seminar- I noticed he was a bit lame on a monday- put him on full rest for a week and he seemed to be better. Did a few things at the seminar with him and by sunday afternoon I knew something was definitely wrong. I waited a week- again lots of rest. Took him to the vet- he gave me anti-inflammatories and said no stairs, no jumping. It is for sure his right hind leg- but the vet could not diagnose the actual problem. We did xrays which showed good hips, good knees and no obvious problems. A week later and he was still limping. Again to the vet- a different one this time. She gave me more anti-inflammatories and strict crate rest. Sam is very unhappy. He is grouchy and miserable therefore everyone else is.
Last week however a dog physio lady named Genie came to see Sam and the difference is amazing. He is doing SO well. She has come a total of four times now and she really knows what to look for and what to do with him. We have been strictly following vet orders of crate rest, and between that and the physio he is doing well. He will be off his feet for at least another four weeks and off agility for at least 3 months. It sucks. He wants to play and really puts up a fuss when he is left home. Poor Guy...
On to other news, I have a new dog. There, I said it. I HAVE A NEW DOG!
wow.
His name is Jack or Jackson or Jack @$$, depending on the day. He is a border collie, corgi cross who is very adorable. His story is a typical one- he was purchased by a family with four children two of which have no idea about how to play with a puppy. So by 16 weeks old little Jackson had taken a few chunks if face off them and was a very suspicious and angry little puppy. I took him to foster. But after the first few weeks he has grown on me. I am a sucker for "problem" dogs I suppose. Jacks issues are food possesiveness, he can be a bit snarky with other dogs, he isn't always friendly to people and he really hates being told what to do!!! Besides all that he is a doll and I am growing more and more in love with him. He is a genius- really. He is very smart, very food motivated and has this border collie sweetness that I don't realy have with the corgis. I am in love, and Jack is staying even though I really don't need another dog, and I really didn't need a mutt, but oh well. :)
So that is my life the past few weeks in a nut shell. I have been working my tail off to buy a car, fix a car, insure a car, get a license etc. and then had to shell out the majority of that money for Sam.....some things never change I suppose.
Now that my computer seems to not mind the whole google sign in thing I will be back to posting on a regular basis.
-amanda
Friday, December 01, 2006
Wicca earns her CD
Wicca finished her CD degree last weekend at the Calgary Canine Center. She already had one qualifying score from Medicine Hat in the summer and recieved the last two needed on the the 26th of November. We have been training alot and she has improved so much in the past few months. At the trial however she was pretty rotten, she was actually nervous I think but even with encouragement do you think she would sit? not a chance. So we missed every sit, but we had a decent recall, good heeling, and she did her long sits and downs no problem. Now we can pursue our Open and Utility exercises full time. She has pretty much all the open exercises down pat and we just need to polish and fine tune some small stuff. We haven't worked much on out of sight stays though so will be tackling that fixing some other problems that popped up.
I am very proud of her even with her poor performance. She is a great dog and is still young, she has quite a bit of growing up to do, and she and I need to learn to work better as a team. It is all a work in progress I guess!
I am very proud of her even with her poor performance. She is a great dog and is still young, she has quite a bit of growing up to do, and she and I need to learn to work better as a team. It is all a work in progress I guess!
Saturday, November 11, 2006
agility stuff
Well, lots has happened in the past few weeks. I guess I'll start in order
Agility Trial- Balzsac
-Sam Q'd in Jumpers. Wicca ran really well, still blowing me off on contacts, missing weave entries, but had good start lines
Private Lesson with Shannen- Was awesome! We had a blast and Shannen always has really great ideas for stuff- She suggested I actually put a command to a "tight" around a jump for Sam and Wicca, and also had some really good reminders about being consistent with the little things- treating low on contacts, demanding a nose touch etc. Also she showed us the "gates" on the weave poles and I am totally going to try that with Sam- he has been the hardest dog to teach weaves, I think this will just help him to "get" it. Overall, It was very worth the drive and Sarah and I are going to do it again on the 25th of Nov.
Have been practicing alot lately, Sam offered 6 poles by himself, no gates, and I was about 8 feet behind him. He is really starting to get it, I am so excited! Wicca is doing awesome with her contacts and start lines. I feel that we are finally getting somewhere. There are moments of brilliance in this dog- of course she usually burst s my bubble by promptly [plowing into a jump or something stupid.
Nov 11- AAC Agility trial- Calgary agility
We went up just for the day and my dogs did awesome. No Q's but huge improvements with both of them.
Sam weaved 12 poles in Adv. Std. It was amazing- he nailed the entry and stayed in the whole way! He was a very good boy all day and had some great runs. I think I may have to be more clear with him what I expect for the contacts though. With all this confidence his speed is way up and he missed two contacts today. And I need to start incorporating the spread and the double more into training- both dogs knocked those today.
Wicca had rock solid start lines, and STUCK EVERY CONTACT! I am so happy with her, she was really really great today, she nailed a few weavepole entries and overall was jsut a really great dog today.
-amanda
Agility Trial- Balzsac
-Sam Q'd in Jumpers. Wicca ran really well, still blowing me off on contacts, missing weave entries, but had good start lines
Private Lesson with Shannen- Was awesome! We had a blast and Shannen always has really great ideas for stuff- She suggested I actually put a command to a "tight" around a jump for Sam and Wicca, and also had some really good reminders about being consistent with the little things- treating low on contacts, demanding a nose touch etc. Also she showed us the "gates" on the weave poles and I am totally going to try that with Sam- he has been the hardest dog to teach weaves, I think this will just help him to "get" it. Overall, It was very worth the drive and Sarah and I are going to do it again on the 25th of Nov.
Have been practicing alot lately, Sam offered 6 poles by himself, no gates, and I was about 8 feet behind him. He is really starting to get it, I am so excited! Wicca is doing awesome with her contacts and start lines. I feel that we are finally getting somewhere. There are moments of brilliance in this dog- of course she usually burst s my bubble by promptly [plowing into a jump or something stupid.
Nov 11- AAC Agility trial- Calgary agility
We went up just for the day and my dogs did awesome. No Q's but huge improvements with both of them.
Sam weaved 12 poles in Adv. Std. It was amazing- he nailed the entry and stayed in the whole way! He was a very good boy all day and had some great runs. I think I may have to be more clear with him what I expect for the contacts though. With all this confidence his speed is way up and he missed two contacts today. And I need to start incorporating the spread and the double more into training- both dogs knocked those today.
Wicca had rock solid start lines, and STUCK EVERY CONTACT! I am so happy with her, she was really really great today, she nailed a few weavepole entries and overall was jsut a really great dog today.
-amanda
Monday, October 23, 2006
Fun Weekend
We had a great time at the Training Troop Trial in Blazsac this weekend. I had Wicca entered in the whole trial and Sam in four games- Snooker, Jumpers, Gamblers and Team.
Wicca had a great weekend- she ran really well for me- getting the masters gamble but not enough points...She had some moments of Frenzy but I only took her off early once. Her best run was a standard- We had a great start line (the no leash thing works amazing!) and made it half way around the cours with no faults and the whistle blew- the timer malfunctioned- so we got a re run- we had some faults (two bars I think) and I made her redo her dogwalk but it was smooth and felt good. She had a good jumpers run aswell but I was too far behind from where I had planned to be and didn't handle it very good. Snooker was a bust (as per usual :o) ) She right off the bat changed my plans but I thought quick enough and salvaged the opening- we were just starting the closing when instead of taking the tunnel she took a jump that was beside it...too bad....The last run of the weeekend (literally)- Std 3- She and I worked really, really, well together. I was where I needed to be and I thought that we did really well. Her bar knocking this weekend wasn't bad at all- maybe one or two per run but she is getting much better about it.
Sam had a good weekend aswell. He got the Gamble but ran out of time so didn't Q- but it was still a great run. Snooker was really fun- He did really well but dropped a bar in the closing...
His Jumpers Run was amazing- he ran fast and took direction really well. He had a bobble at the tire (refused it two times before taking it) but he still had the third fastest time in the class! So now he moves up to Advanced Jumpers at the next trial. Team he was a little wild! He ran really wide over jumps and out of tunnels so had a few off courses- but.....he weaved 12 poles! I was amazed...he did it with very little help from me and was pretty quick about it!
I am going to start entering him back in standard runs soon.
Things I need to work on:
Sam
- tight turn on jumps
-tunnel/tunnel discriminations
-tire
-weaves
Wicca
-contacts (sticking)
-weave commitment
-spread/double
Wicca had a great weekend- she ran really well for me- getting the masters gamble but not enough points...She had some moments of Frenzy but I only took her off early once. Her best run was a standard- We had a great start line (the no leash thing works amazing!) and made it half way around the cours with no faults and the whistle blew- the timer malfunctioned- so we got a re run- we had some faults (two bars I think) and I made her redo her dogwalk but it was smooth and felt good. She had a good jumpers run aswell but I was too far behind from where I had planned to be and didn't handle it very good. Snooker was a bust (as per usual :o) ) She right off the bat changed my plans but I thought quick enough and salvaged the opening- we were just starting the closing when instead of taking the tunnel she took a jump that was beside it...too bad....The last run of the weeekend (literally)- Std 3- She and I worked really, really, well together. I was where I needed to be and I thought that we did really well. Her bar knocking this weekend wasn't bad at all- maybe one or two per run but she is getting much better about it.
Sam had a good weekend aswell. He got the Gamble but ran out of time so didn't Q- but it was still a great run. Snooker was really fun- He did really well but dropped a bar in the closing...
His Jumpers Run was amazing- he ran fast and took direction really well. He had a bobble at the tire (refused it two times before taking it) but he still had the third fastest time in the class! So now he moves up to Advanced Jumpers at the next trial. Team he was a little wild! He ran really wide over jumps and out of tunnels so had a few off courses- but.....he weaved 12 poles! I was amazed...he did it with very little help from me and was pretty quick about it!
I am going to start entering him back in standard runs soon.
Things I need to work on:
Sam
- tight turn on jumps
-tunnel/tunnel discriminations
-tire
-weaves
Wicca
-contacts (sticking)
-weave commitment
-spread/double
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
...
The dogs have been doing great lately. I changed jobs a while back and now work at the Boarding Kennel where we keep our agility equipment- Which means a) that the dogs get to come to work with me! and b) that we get to do even more agility!
In even the short time I have been here I have seen noticable results. I work the dogs every time I bring them for about 15 minutes. This is on top of our regualr practices.
Wicca's weaves are very much improved- no frustration, hitting entries and she is nailing contacts and we also practice "stay" she has to stay while Sam is working and it almost kills her but she does it....mostly...I think that this will really pay off at trials.
Sam is doing really, really, well- he is such a neat dog. He is in advanced standard now- which means he has to be able to weave without me- so he didn't get to play at the last trial at all and only gets to do a few games at the next one....So weaves have been a major project but I am happy to say that with the extra practice he's finally getting it....I have him entered in Nov in one advanced titling so we'll see how that goes.
We are off to a trial this weekend in Calgary and then there is another one In November, and I entered Wicca in an Obedience trial at the Canine Center for Nov29.....aaagh! We have been practicing alot and she is doing really well so hopefully we can keep it up and come away with a leg or two!
-amanda
In even the short time I have been here I have seen noticable results. I work the dogs every time I bring them for about 15 minutes. This is on top of our regualr practices.
Wicca's weaves are very much improved- no frustration, hitting entries and she is nailing contacts and we also practice "stay" she has to stay while Sam is working and it almost kills her but she does it....mostly...I think that this will really pay off at trials.
Sam is doing really, really, well- he is such a neat dog. He is in advanced standard now- which means he has to be able to weave without me- so he didn't get to play at the last trial at all and only gets to do a few games at the next one....So weaves have been a major project but I am happy to say that with the extra practice he's finally getting it....I have him entered in Nov in one advanced titling so we'll see how that goes.
We are off to a trial this weekend in Calgary and then there is another one In November, and I entered Wicca in an Obedience trial at the Canine Center for Nov29.....aaagh! We have been practicing alot and she is doing really well so hopefully we can keep it up and come away with a leg or two!
-amanda
Monday, September 25, 2006
Start Line
Sarah and I ventured to Medicine Hat for the day on Saturday- I had Wicca entered in just three standard runs. Sam is still figuring out the weave pole thing so until he gets it he won't be running much at trials anymore....
So- our first run was pretty bad. Wicca was frantic at the start line- didn't knock the first bar however....She did blow the contact on the dowgwalk- so i made her do it again- she ran the first half of the course pretty well after that. -And then she blew the wall...so I picked her up and ended the game. Wicca was a little annoyed I think....
I have been playing around and testing different things at trials- we have our warm up down pat and it seems to work fairly well.. We do heeling, attention, weave through legs, over a few jumps, stretching and stays.
The next run (Std#2) I took her lead off before we got in the ring and took advantage of a timers delay and set her up and made her wait- I walked away- and rewarded the stay, came back to her and released her and played with her. and then set her up again. It was amazing! I did it two times before they were anywhere near ready for me and we actually had a solid start line! It was a good run- except for the dogwalk and wall contacts she didn't stick- (I made her redo them...) but otherwise I felt good about it. She took my direction really good- and wasn't too frenzied.
Std#3- I did the same thing at the start- no leash up to the line, down, stay, release and reward, set up- lead out and Go! It seemed to work really well. This run was a bit better- She still broke her contacts but she was very controlled- and listened really well- she even almost had perfect weaves! She blew past the entry but the second time I sent her in she went in no problem....
So I think some key things I learned-
Long Warm Up- which is hard sometimes with her being the first dog.
No rushing at the start line....
Leash off before I get her in the ring- I am confident she won't leave me and take off onto equipment.
Be confident in the lead out....
Sarah had a great day with Bird- his first time in Masters Standard and he Q'd Bang, bang, bang...to get his MAD! What a great guy!
Gyp and Wicca got to have some girl time and played well together for the most part- Wicca is pretty selective as to who she'll interact with- she's very much a dog snob....
-amanda
So- our first run was pretty bad. Wicca was frantic at the start line- didn't knock the first bar however....She did blow the contact on the dowgwalk- so i made her do it again- she ran the first half of the course pretty well after that. -And then she blew the wall...so I picked her up and ended the game. Wicca was a little annoyed I think....
I have been playing around and testing different things at trials- we have our warm up down pat and it seems to work fairly well.. We do heeling, attention, weave through legs, over a few jumps, stretching and stays.
The next run (Std#2) I took her lead off before we got in the ring and took advantage of a timers delay and set her up and made her wait- I walked away- and rewarded the stay, came back to her and released her and played with her. and then set her up again. It was amazing! I did it two times before they were anywhere near ready for me and we actually had a solid start line! It was a good run- except for the dogwalk and wall contacts she didn't stick- (I made her redo them...) but otherwise I felt good about it. She took my direction really good- and wasn't too frenzied.
Std#3- I did the same thing at the start- no leash up to the line, down, stay, release and reward, set up- lead out and Go! It seemed to work really well. This run was a bit better- She still broke her contacts but she was very controlled- and listened really well- she even almost had perfect weaves! She blew past the entry but the second time I sent her in she went in no problem....
So I think some key things I learned-
Long Warm Up- which is hard sometimes with her being the first dog.
No rushing at the start line....
Leash off before I get her in the ring- I am confident she won't leave me and take off onto equipment.
Be confident in the lead out....
Sarah had a great day with Bird- his first time in Masters Standard and he Q'd Bang, bang, bang...to get his MAD! What a great guy!
Gyp and Wicca got to have some girl time and played well together for the most part- Wicca is pretty selective as to who she'll interact with- she's very much a dog snob....
-amanda
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Pictures
Monday, September 11, 2006
Sam ADC!

Well- I entered Sam at his first full AAC trial and he earned his Agility Dog Of Canada! I can't believe this dog! I entered him even though he still isn't weaving properly but thought that the ring experience would be good for him....Well- he weaved for me (with some help) and managed to qualify in five runs! Three standard Q's - which gives him the ADC and a Snooker Q!
He worked really, really well for me...
Wicca was great this weekend too! We had our best run ever and almost had the masters gamble (the buzzer went before she could hit the table) but wow! she worked really hard- we had one awesome weave entry- great contacts (except for two runs- which i reinforced and made her do correctly), great tables and even had a few start lines...
The funniest part of the whole weekend is that with Wicca and I it is apparently impossible to get a Snooker Q and Sam did it on his first try!
What a great weekend!
Friday, August 25, 2006
End of Summer
Well it is almost the end of Summer. I have been very, very busy. Every weekend I have either worked or attended some sort of dog event. The dogs are all doing great- and they have all done alot over the summer. I will just sort of highlight what has happened.
Starting with the most recent
August long weekend- AKC Show
-Sam earned a leg on his Rally title with a 205/210
-Sam earned a NADAC Tunnelers leg
-Wicca ran both NADAC and CKC- was a raving lunatic mostly but we had some really good runs.
Paws N' Effects Trial- beginning of August....I think
Wicca ran pretty well. I need to be a better handler for her but we are working better over all as a team. Sam did really well. He is very consistent and is learning what dog shows are really about- fun!
Shannen Jorgensen Seminar July sometime
Awesome! It was a very good seminar and I learned alot about my dogs. It was a great weekend and it was really nice to have some feedback on Wicca and Sam. She had some really great advice that seems to be helping a bit with the bar knocking and teaching her that there are consequences for her actions. Also learned some really handy things for teaching weave entries and such....
Kate has been really good- she hasn't been out to any of the above events but I have taken her a few times out to agility and have jsut enjoyed being around her. I'd like to find something that her and I can do together but unfortunately I just don't have the time or the means right now...
Those are the highlights- And the stuff that I can remember off hand. Now that my life is hopefully slowed down a bit I will be back to keeping track of stuff here.
When I have time I will come back and type exactly what the dogs did and stuff.
Starting with the most recent
August long weekend- AKC Show
-Sam earned a leg on his Rally title with a 205/210
-Sam earned a NADAC Tunnelers leg
-Wicca ran both NADAC and CKC- was a raving lunatic mostly but we had some really good runs.
Paws N' Effects Trial- beginning of August....I think
Wicca ran pretty well. I need to be a better handler for her but we are working better over all as a team. Sam did really well. He is very consistent and is learning what dog shows are really about- fun!
Shannen Jorgensen Seminar July sometime
Awesome! It was a very good seminar and I learned alot about my dogs. It was a great weekend and it was really nice to have some feedback on Wicca and Sam. She had some really great advice that seems to be helping a bit with the bar knocking and teaching her that there are consequences for her actions. Also learned some really handy things for teaching weave entries and such....
Kate has been really good- she hasn't been out to any of the above events but I have taken her a few times out to agility and have jsut enjoyed being around her. I'd like to find something that her and I can do together but unfortunately I just don't have the time or the means right now...
Those are the highlights- And the stuff that I can remember off hand. Now that my life is hopefully slowed down a bit I will be back to keeping track of stuff here.
When I have time I will come back and type exactly what the dogs did and stuff.
Saturday, May 27, 2006
May 20 something....
How time flies!!!
I can't believe it is already the end of May....Summer has just begun and already every weekend is crammed full of dog stuff!
Here is some doggy news....
Wicca earned a leg on her CD- she did really well but was quite stressed about half way through our routine...I think that although I thought we had gotten past her obedience ring nerves she still has quite a bit of growing up to do...I am going to wait probably another year or so until ptting her back in- In the mean time I am going to get her out to as many fun matches as I can.
Agility wise we have been working hard. Regionals is coming up in a few weeks and there are still quite a few kinks to work out. We are working really well together- finally. But there is still a lot of training on both our parts...I have been working on my handling, and being able to get where I need to be and have stopped worrying about her- She is learning to listen even when she is excited and is consistently holding a start line, not popping of the table and is less frustrated about the weave poles.
We are having a seminar the first weekend in July and I am hoping she will have some good tips and suggestions for us.
Here is a cute picture of Sam and I- at a Rally seminar...Whenever I reward him he jumps straight up like a Kangaroo!
He is doing great. His heeling is getting better and better. He is a very happy, up beat heeler and I'd like to keep him that way. I am also working on his weaves. i have decided to try Susan Garret's two by two method and it is going really well. The rest of his agility stuff is going awesome. He is much more confident on his contacts and and is a great jumper. I have started doing harder sequences and am hoping to enter him in August at the AKC show...
Kate is awesome. She is coming "out" about once a week either to obedience, agility, or just to run around the training yard and seems to be enjoying herself. She is really turning grey these days....but is still acting young and being cute.....
More updates and new pictures coming soon!!!!
I can't believe it is already the end of May....Summer has just begun and already every weekend is crammed full of dog stuff!
Here is some doggy news....
Wicca earned a leg on her CD- she did really well but was quite stressed about half way through our routine...I think that although I thought we had gotten past her obedience ring nerves she still has quite a bit of growing up to do...I am going to wait probably another year or so until ptting her back in- In the mean time I am going to get her out to as many fun matches as I can.
Agility wise we have been working hard. Regionals is coming up in a few weeks and there are still quite a few kinks to work out. We are working really well together- finally. But there is still a lot of training on both our parts...I have been working on my handling, and being able to get where I need to be and have stopped worrying about her- She is learning to listen even when she is excited and is consistently holding a start line, not popping of the table and is less frustrated about the weave poles.
We are having a seminar the first weekend in July and I am hoping she will have some good tips and suggestions for us.

Here is a cute picture of Sam and I- at a Rally seminar...Whenever I reward him he jumps straight up like a Kangaroo!
He is doing great. His heeling is getting better and better. He is a very happy, up beat heeler and I'd like to keep him that way. I am also working on his weaves. i have decided to try Susan Garret's two by two method and it is going really well. The rest of his agility stuff is going awesome. He is much more confident on his contacts and and is a great jumper. I have started doing harder sequences and am hoping to enter him in August at the AKC show...
Kate is awesome. She is coming "out" about once a week either to obedience, agility, or just to run around the training yard and seems to be enjoying herself. She is really turning grey these days....but is still acting young and being cute.....
More updates and new pictures coming soon!!!!
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
update
We have been very, very busy over the past month. The dogs are all doing great and are enjoying our mild winter (we have only had a few cold, snowy days)
We have been to two trials in the past few weeks- in the middle of the month we went to an AAC trial in Calgary where Wicca ran very well- she earned two Q's- one in advanced Gamblers and one in Team....her other run were pretty good but her lack of a solid start line and my lack of control did us in on the other runs. This past weekend was a One Day NADAC Games trial and it was a lot of fun. I have never played tunnelers, touch 'n go or Weavers before so it was really neat to see. I of course didn't enter Wicca in tunnelers- I feared her little brain may explode by the third tunnel...but Sam played! He did great. It was his first competition ever and he had a blast. The first one he was a little hesitant but still Q'd, but by the second one he was way more confident and dove into the tunnels like a mad man- earning a second Q!
I had Wicca in two touch n go games...touch 'n go is just tunnels and contacts so I figured Wicca would love it...she did....a little too much....
The first course she did pretty well....her "oops" were my fault- I didn't give her clear enough directions...the second one Wicca was pretty wound up...blew her start line out right and by the middle of the course was a crazy beast and I picked her up to take her off......I am sure we'll get our act together someday....I hope....
In the mean time we don't have another trial for a few weeks now so I am going to take that time and work on start lines...at this point with her all I care about is that she stays on the line...I have to change my criteria and be tough about it...no couching, no whining, no scooting....no breaking....I'll keep you posted....
With Sam I am going to start working on weaves. This past weekend he proved that he is ready to be out and handled being in the ring like a pro...we just need to improve his contact equipment performance and start those weaves.......
Kate stayed home both of those weekends but I did take her out to practice last week. She had a great time...I kept things really short, only ran her about 4 or 5 times and quit as she was showing signs of being bored....hopefully we can get her back into the groove sometime this summer.....
We have been to two trials in the past few weeks- in the middle of the month we went to an AAC trial in Calgary where Wicca ran very well- she earned two Q's- one in advanced Gamblers and one in Team....her other run were pretty good but her lack of a solid start line and my lack of control did us in on the other runs. This past weekend was a One Day NADAC Games trial and it was a lot of fun. I have never played tunnelers, touch 'n go or Weavers before so it was really neat to see. I of course didn't enter Wicca in tunnelers- I feared her little brain may explode by the third tunnel...but Sam played! He did great. It was his first competition ever and he had a blast. The first one he was a little hesitant but still Q'd, but by the second one he was way more confident and dove into the tunnels like a mad man- earning a second Q!
I had Wicca in two touch n go games...touch 'n go is just tunnels and contacts so I figured Wicca would love it...she did....a little too much....
The first course she did pretty well....her "oops" were my fault- I didn't give her clear enough directions...the second one Wicca was pretty wound up...blew her start line out right and by the middle of the course was a crazy beast and I picked her up to take her off......I am sure we'll get our act together someday....I hope....
In the mean time we don't have another trial for a few weeks now so I am going to take that time and work on start lines...at this point with her all I care about is that she stays on the line...I have to change my criteria and be tough about it...no couching, no whining, no scooting....no breaking....I'll keep you posted....
With Sam I am going to start working on weaves. This past weekend he proved that he is ready to be out and handled being in the ring like a pro...we just need to improve his contact equipment performance and start those weaves.......
Kate stayed home both of those weekends but I did take her out to practice last week. She had a great time...I kept things really short, only ran her about 4 or 5 times and quit as she was showing signs of being bored....hopefully we can get her back into the groove sometime this summer.....
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
news
Well I am glad the holiday season is over....it always seems like an awful lot of work for one day....
Anyway, we are back from an AAC agility trial this past weekend and boy was it fun. Wicca was a dynamite! This was the first full trial and her first runs with weaves and she did great. She nailed her entries and only popped out when there was 12 and a tunnel after but I made her work through it and I was very proud of her. Her pole knocking was minimal- and overall I was very impressed with my little girl she ran fast and listened very well.
We have yet had the chance to run Snooker- she breaks the line and we end up getting whistled off right away- this was our third try and we blew it yet again...what a goof she is....
Her jumpers round was amzing she had the fastest time- of 19seconds! She was flying AND listening.....
Team was so fun- Kaleb and her were team partners and it was a blast.....Wicca ran her half clean.....Her first clean anything.....Kaleb was showing off for her and had a few faults but it was still a really great run....
Her standard runs on saturday were okay- she held her contacts but I wasn't paying attention and didn't handle her very well....
Her sunday standard was awesome- we layered part of the course, nailed 12 weaves and if not for the end jump/chute discrimination we wound have Q'd....I told her chute and wicca took the jump instead....It was my fault- I should have stayed in her head more instead of just assuming she would take it....
Overall it was a fun weekend....We slept in the barn which was an adventure (but not as bad as you would think) and even though It was an exhausting weekend I am very satisfied with how my dog and I did....
We do have some things to work on though
-staying down on the table- she likes to hover and is a bit slow going into the full down
-start lines.....I didn't have them for much of the weekend....
Anyway, we are back from an AAC agility trial this past weekend and boy was it fun. Wicca was a dynamite! This was the first full trial and her first runs with weaves and she did great. She nailed her entries and only popped out when there was 12 and a tunnel after but I made her work through it and I was very proud of her. Her pole knocking was minimal- and overall I was very impressed with my little girl she ran fast and listened very well.
We have yet had the chance to run Snooker- she breaks the line and we end up getting whistled off right away- this was our third try and we blew it yet again...what a goof she is....
Her jumpers round was amzing she had the fastest time- of 19seconds! She was flying AND listening.....
Team was so fun- Kaleb and her were team partners and it was a blast.....Wicca ran her half clean.....Her first clean anything.....Kaleb was showing off for her and had a few faults but it was still a really great run....
Her standard runs on saturday were okay- she held her contacts but I wasn't paying attention and didn't handle her very well....
Her sunday standard was awesome- we layered part of the course, nailed 12 weaves and if not for the end jump/chute discrimination we wound have Q'd....I told her chute and wicca took the jump instead....It was my fault- I should have stayed in her head more instead of just assuming she would take it....
Overall it was a fun weekend....We slept in the barn which was an adventure (but not as bad as you would think) and even though It was an exhausting weekend I am very satisfied with how my dog and I did....
We do have some things to work on though
-staying down on the table- she likes to hover and is a bit slow going into the full down
-start lines.....I didn't have them for much of the weekend....
Monday, December 19, 2005
lots to talk about
Well...still no home computer...it sucks....
anyway last weekend we went to calgary for another ckc agility trial. Wicca was a maniac!! She had a great time but I definatly have to work on self control with her. We had a hold up at the start line so we had to wait for quite a while and by the time we were ready to go Wicca was so wound up she was screeching before we even started...I ended up pulling her right off the course when she blew her contact on the wall...I have never had to do that with her...Wicca is a work in progress...
We did have some really good runs though- she earned leg #2 for her novice title.
Scent hurdle was fun- we earned 35 points.....
I have Wicca entered in a couple AAC trials coming up soon so that will be fun- her weaves are awesome and I have been working on building some self control with her-
I have a revised list of things we are going to work on over the winter
-table (fast approaches, no flying off)
-start lines
-tunnel entry discriminations
and jumping
she was really good at the canine center- she had to jump safer and the 12inches made a difference to her...she barely knocked any poles....but I think AAC 10inches will be a lo of knocked bars to start with....
what can I say...I got what I wanted a high drive dog that loves agility....
anyway last weekend we went to calgary for another ckc agility trial. Wicca was a maniac!! She had a great time but I definatly have to work on self control with her. We had a hold up at the start line so we had to wait for quite a while and by the time we were ready to go Wicca was so wound up she was screeching before we even started...I ended up pulling her right off the course when she blew her contact on the wall...I have never had to do that with her...Wicca is a work in progress...
We did have some really good runs though- she earned leg #2 for her novice title.
Scent hurdle was fun- we earned 35 points.....
I have Wicca entered in a couple AAC trials coming up soon so that will be fun- her weaves are awesome and I have been working on building some self control with her-
I have a revised list of things we are going to work on over the winter
-table (fast approaches, no flying off)
-start lines
-tunnel entry discriminations
and jumping
she was really good at the canine center- she had to jump safer and the 12inches made a difference to her...she barely knocked any poles....but I think AAC 10inches will be a lo of knocked bars to start with....
what can I say...I got what I wanted a high drive dog that loves agility....
Saturday, December 03, 2005
update
Well- my home computer is still busted.....it sucks....
anyway- thought I would update the blog with news about the beasties.
Kate is still enjoying being a house dog- she hasn't been out to agility or anything for a long while- she is jsut hanging out- keepin' the corgis' and the kitties in line...
Wicca is doing fantastic- I took her to the barn last week- well the week before and got a really good practice with her- Her weaves are fantastic-very consistent. I am excited about trialing her thi upcoming year. I have her entered in another CKC agility trial next weekend that I am pretty excited about- I will take her to the barn next week and work on jumping- with tunnel distractions- she seems to knock bars mostly when there is a tunnel as the next obstacle.....
Sam is so fun- he is such a good boy- a hard worker and really enjoys being with me. I took him to the barn this past week and worked on his contacts- they are coming...his jumping and directions are really great though- I will work with him all winter and have him ready by spring to trial-
We (Go! Dog Go!) are having a christmas party tomorrow which should be a lot of fun....
-amanda
anyway- thought I would update the blog with news about the beasties.
Kate is still enjoying being a house dog- she hasn't been out to agility or anything for a long while- she is jsut hanging out- keepin' the corgis' and the kitties in line...
Wicca is doing fantastic- I took her to the barn last week- well the week before and got a really good practice with her- Her weaves are fantastic-very consistent. I am excited about trialing her thi upcoming year. I have her entered in another CKC agility trial next weekend that I am pretty excited about- I will take her to the barn next week and work on jumping- with tunnel distractions- she seems to knock bars mostly when there is a tunnel as the next obstacle.....
Sam is so fun- he is such a good boy- a hard worker and really enjoys being with me. I took him to the barn this past week and worked on his contacts- they are coming...his jumping and directions are really great though- I will work with him all winter and have him ready by spring to trial-
We (Go! Dog Go!) are having a christmas party tomorrow which should be a lot of fun....
-amanda
Friday, November 18, 2005
Wicca Can WEAVE!
After months, and months...and months of practice and training Wicca can weave. I took Sam to practice last night instead of Wicca and brought home the "grown up" poles to work on this week with Woo- I was expecting to have to put the wires on a few times and gradually wean her off the practice poles to the real thing- Wicca said no problem and off she went- like a pro...
I was so proud of her I was jackpotting and jumping up and down like a fool...But wow did it feel good. Her weaving style is very neat- she bounces through the poles- and is fast and accurate. I can't wait for next week to practice at the barn with her....
What a great dog!
I was so proud of her I was jackpotting and jumping up and down like a fool...But wow did it feel good. Her weaving style is very neat- she bounces through the poles- and is fast and accurate. I can't wait for next week to practice at the barn with her....
What a great dog!
CKC Agility and First Title!
Wicca earned her first title! She got her SHD or Scent Hurdle Dog title this weekend. She was great- we haven't practice since august so I was a bit worried but she did great. We did agility aswell- her first CKC trial and her first time at 12inches....what a difference those two inches make1 Wicca only knocked two bars all weeekend- the extra inches make her pick up her feet....she had great contacts and only one "tunnel suck" moment. She came away with one leg towards her CKC Noice title. What a good dog!
I took Sam along for the weekend and he had a great time being admired by everyone. I got a chance to work him a bit in the warmup area and he was great- not the least bit worried about the other dogs and new place...
I took Sam along for the weekend and he had a great time being admired by everyone. I got a chance to work him a bit in the warmup area and he was great- not the least bit worried about the other dogs and new place...
Computer Problems....
So my computer has been down for almost two weeks now and it is driving me crazy...I still can check my mail everyday at work but miss everything else I do on the computer...you don't really think about how important it is until you don't have it...
Anyway- I have a few spare minutes at work so will catch up on everythin around here...
Anyway- I have a few spare minutes at work so will catch up on everythin around here...
Friday, November 04, 2005
News
I have been slacking off a bit it seems. I have been really busy with work, and boring real life stuff but Everyone is doing awesome. Kate is still just hanging out- she is enjoying her change of routine I think. Wicca is doing fantastic. Since the "weave pole breathrough" she has been getting better and better as the weks go on. This morning she nailed an off side entry out of a fast pinwheel, tunnel combination. We have a CKC agility trial coming up on the Nov.11th weekend that I am pretty excited about. CKC has no weaves but it will be really good practice for her contacts and jumping. She has to jump 12inches (compared to her usual 10) so I have been really working on her jumping.
Sam is learning a ton and is doing great. I have been working on his obedience a bit more lately and his heeling is coming...he is very exuberant and happy when we work and i love it.
Well- off to work I go...
Sam is learning a ton and is doing great. I have been working on his obedience a bit more lately and his heeling is coming...he is very exuberant and happy when we work and i love it.
Well- off to work I go...
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