It was an interesting and fun weekend but 3 days of trials with an hour and half drive one way made a long weekend for us. On Friday, Kiah got her JWW title and 2nd place, I am so proud of her. We are having some problems with weaves though, not sure what is going on and something we will have to work on. In standard, she took the dog walk instead of a jump and I am pretty sure by the confused way she looked at me I sent her there. No videos this weekend so no way to verify it.
On Saturday, no Q's but no zooms and she watched me, so I am still really happy with her runs except the weaves in both JWW and Standard.
On Sunday, she got a Q in JWW, got the weaves on the second try was a bit slow and we were over time almost 4 seconds. She was heading for a wrong jump but turned as soon as I called her and we finished the course without any other problems. Std was another story, she did not want to be there; had to keep calling her to do obstacles, no weaves and no energy. We did finish the course but I am sure we were way over time, never did check her stats.
I am thinking I may have given her and Keegs (he was there to keep her company) too many rich treats after her JWW run. When I got them home they both wanted to eat grass, Kiah ate enough to throw up and appeared to be more energetic afterwards. Next trial more praise and less treats.
Kiah's Q results are posted on the results page, didn't get any of the other run information and WAG only sends the qualifying information to you (found out later that they post all results on their web page so I have the information). They are fast sending result information, got it last night only a few hours after the trial ended.
Decided no trials for us in April, just classes starting back up again this week. Gas is high and I think Kiah needs a break for a while. I plan to enter 3 trials in May but not sure about June yet besides the clubs trial at the end of June. We will see how gas prices are at that time.
Agility Boxers; Agility training progress, trial info plus photos© & videos© of agility classes and trials.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Sunday, March 18, 2012
March 17, 2012 Car-Dun-Al Agility Trial
We didn't do as well as I had hoped. I could tell that Kiah was a bit anxious which stressed me so I wasn't as calm as I needed to be. Our first Open standard run was a bit slow, missed a jump and back jumped it, then she did not do the weaves correctly all 3 times. The last half of the course was good and we finished well. In Novice jumpers we had two refusals and ended up 9 seconds over SCT due to several minor zooms. The zooms weren't run around the course zooms and she came right back so that is an improvement. I didn't bring Keegs with us but plan to bring him next weekend maybe with him there she won't be so stressed.
I know I can't expect the same results as she had at our club where she is really comfortable but as long as she is having fun and continues to improve I will be happy. I know the dogs in excellent have their good and bad days so I can't expect perfect results every time. I will not get discouraged and will keep a positive attitude.
We didn't do as well as I had hoped. I could tell that Kiah was a bit anxious which stressed me so I wasn't as calm as I needed to be. Our first Open standard run was a bit slow, missed a jump and back jumped it, then she did not do the weaves correctly all 3 times. The last half of the course was good and we finished well. In Novice jumpers we had two refusals and ended up 9 seconds over SCT due to several minor zooms. The zooms weren't run around the course zooms and she came right back so that is an improvement. I didn't bring Keegs with us but plan to bring him next weekend maybe with him there she won't be so stressed.
I know I can't expect the same results as she had at our club where she is really comfortable but as long as she is having fun and continues to improve I will be happy. I know the dogs in excellent have their good and bad days so I can't expect perfect results every time. I will not get discouraged and will keep a positive attitude.
Monday, March 12, 2012
3/9-11/12 Forest City Agility Trial
What an awesome weekend; Kiah did well, I am so proud and happy with her progress. On Friday she got a Q in Standard, first place and almost Q'd in Jumpers but the last bar fell. She must have barely touched it since I didn't hear the tick. Someone said I slowed down so it pulled her back a bit; my bad.
On Saturday, she did well again but I was kind of over excited in standard, she followed everything I told her to do (at least what she could figure out) so we didn't Q. I calmed down in Jumpers but took her over the wrong jump on the way out so it was bad handler all day Saturday.
Sunday-Kiah was perfect and I did much better in my handling so we Q'd in both Standard and Jumpers. She got a 2nd in Standard and a 1st in Jumpers. This gave us our Novice Preferred Standard Title and our 2nd leg in Jumpers. I am on cloud 9 to see what an improvement she is making and we are both having fun which is the best part. I have videos I will post later.
Keegs, my silly, wonderful boy had fun at his first trial. On Friday he didn't do much more than take a few obstacles and visit all the bar setters on the course. Saturday was much better, not so much visiting and more obstacles and on Sunday he improved more. This weekend was exactly what I wanted to see from him, since the trial was at the club it was a great place for him to get trial experience. We may do a NADAC in April and then our club has another trial on June 30-July1 so I will enter him in that too.
I just have to add how wonderful agility people are; so many have seen our struggles the past few years and came up to us to congratulate us. My club members have been so supportive and my trainers are the best in the world. Renee and JoAnne thank you so much for helping us get this far and for your continued support.
On Saturday, she did well again but I was kind of over excited in standard, she followed everything I told her to do (at least what she could figure out) so we didn't Q. I calmed down in Jumpers but took her over the wrong jump on the way out so it was bad handler all day Saturday.
Sunday-Kiah was perfect and I did much better in my handling so we Q'd in both Standard and Jumpers. She got a 2nd in Standard and a 1st in Jumpers. This gave us our Novice Preferred Standard Title and our 2nd leg in Jumpers. I am on cloud 9 to see what an improvement she is making and we are both having fun which is the best part. I have videos I will post later.
Keegs, my silly, wonderful boy had fun at his first trial. On Friday he didn't do much more than take a few obstacles and visit all the bar setters on the course. Saturday was much better, not so much visiting and more obstacles and on Sunday he improved more. This weekend was exactly what I wanted to see from him, since the trial was at the club it was a great place for him to get trial experience. We may do a NADAC in April and then our club has another trial on June 30-July1 so I will enter him in that too.
I just have to add how wonderful agility people are; so many have seen our struggles the past few years and came up to us to congratulate us. My club members have been so supportive and my trainers are the best in the world. Renee and JoAnne thank you so much for helping us get this far and for your continued support.
Wednesday, March 07, 2012
If I knew then what I know now - Don't get discouraged, it may take time.
Dog Agility Blog Event Day, please visit all the blogs (http://dog-agility-blog-events.posterous.com/pages/2012-march-if-i-knew-then-what-i-know-now):
I would like to share one of the most important lessons I have learned in the past year; don't get discouraged, it may take time. I know everyone hears "this is supposed to be fun for you and your dog" when they are learning agility but hearing it and actual practice is often difficult when you are a beginner and have a beginner dog.
My Boxer Kiah is my first agility dog, she can do well in class situation but has a difficult time at a trial. I have some pretty awesome agility trainers and she knows her obstacles well. After 2 years of trialing and not doing well at trials due to zooms, refusing to do equipment and inattention, I was really getting discouraged. It showed in my confidence, my lack of confidence in her at trials and trialing was no longer fun for either of us. Kiah even got to a point where her head was hanging down, apparently with dread, when we went out to practice a run in class. I was afraid I was ruining her and was thinking about retiring her last March when my agility trainer suggested I take some private lessons from an obedience trainer.
I felt I knew my dog, things in theory I knew but really didn't know, if that makes sense. The trainer is awesome and I learned so much. I learned that Kiah is "soft", her feelings are hurt easily and she is "hard (lots of drive)" when she is obsessing with something and nothing penetrates that obsession. I had one obedience class with Kiah when I first got her and although we practiced some basic obedience at home it was not enough for the her. It is a continuing process and without continued training you backslide. With the help of the trainer, I began to learn more about controlling her, making her want to work with me and have fun doing it. We try to practice almost everyday, she gets excited when I tell her we are going to train. I keep it short and then we play for a while. My confidence is coming back; we are beginning to have fun again and are doing much better at trials. I am prepared to take baby steps with her and each step forward is a joy.
I heard somewhere you should start a journal and write in it every day. Mine will say; DON'T GET DISCOURAGED. KEEP IT FUN!!!! I also plan to post it on my refrigerator so I see it often :-)
So if you are having a similar experience, don't get discouraged. It may take some time to find the trigger that makes you and your dog a team but it will come. Just remember to smile, have fun and enjoy the experience with your dog.
I would like to share one of the most important lessons I have learned in the past year; don't get discouraged, it may take time. I know everyone hears "this is supposed to be fun for you and your dog" when they are learning agility but hearing it and actual practice is often difficult when you are a beginner and have a beginner dog.
My Boxer Kiah is my first agility dog, she can do well in class situation but has a difficult time at a trial. I have some pretty awesome agility trainers and she knows her obstacles well. After 2 years of trialing and not doing well at trials due to zooms, refusing to do equipment and inattention, I was really getting discouraged. It showed in my confidence, my lack of confidence in her at trials and trialing was no longer fun for either of us. Kiah even got to a point where her head was hanging down, apparently with dread, when we went out to practice a run in class. I was afraid I was ruining her and was thinking about retiring her last March when my agility trainer suggested I take some private lessons from an obedience trainer.
I felt I knew my dog, things in theory I knew but really didn't know, if that makes sense. The trainer is awesome and I learned so much. I learned that Kiah is "soft", her feelings are hurt easily and she is "hard (lots of drive)" when she is obsessing with something and nothing penetrates that obsession. I had one obedience class with Kiah when I first got her and although we practiced some basic obedience at home it was not enough for the her. It is a continuing process and without continued training you backslide. With the help of the trainer, I began to learn more about controlling her, making her want to work with me and have fun doing it. We try to practice almost everyday, she gets excited when I tell her we are going to train. I keep it short and then we play for a while. My confidence is coming back; we are beginning to have fun again and are doing much better at trials. I am prepared to take baby steps with her and each step forward is a joy.
I heard somewhere you should start a journal and write in it every day. Mine will say; DON'T GET DISCOURAGED. KEEP IT FUN!!!! I also plan to post it on my refrigerator so I see it often :-)
So if you are having a similar experience, don't get discouraged. It may take some time to find the trigger that makes you and your dog a team but it will come. Just remember to smile, have fun and enjoy the experience with your dog.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
2/26/2012
Almost to the end of February so decided to go to the club to work with Keegan on his weaves and a jump sequence. Keegan will knock bars not because they are too high but I think it is because he doesn't control his back feet well yet. One of the trainers suggested putting up several jumps in a row at different heights and at a closer distance so decided to give that a try.
There was a teeter, 12 pole weaves, 2 jumps and a tunnel already set up so just added 4 jumps to that to have a mini course. Set the jumps at 20, 16, 24, 12, 22 and 16 in a row; the first couple of times he knocked bars but then got the hang of it and didn't knock any more bars. We do really well on one side of the weaves but need to practice more on both sides so I can do either at a trial. Keegs still needs more practice for his entrances, he is getting better but sometime still misses them or runs right by the weaves.
Worked Kiah on the same sequence, she knocked a bar the first time too but the rest of the time she did them all without a problem. I also realized a couple of times that I could give her better cues to show her where to go or to give her a better angle to successfully complete the obstacles. She really gives me a workout and I love it.
In less than two weeks we will have our clubs 3-day trial and I am really getting excited. Kiah and I have a trial almost every weekend in March. I am hoping we finally get out of Novice; keep your fingers crossed for us.
More soon!
There was a teeter, 12 pole weaves, 2 jumps and a tunnel already set up so just added 4 jumps to that to have a mini course. Set the jumps at 20, 16, 24, 12, 22 and 16 in a row; the first couple of times he knocked bars but then got the hang of it and didn't knock any more bars. We do really well on one side of the weaves but need to practice more on both sides so I can do either at a trial. Keegs still needs more practice for his entrances, he is getting better but sometime still misses them or runs right by the weaves.
Worked Kiah on the same sequence, she knocked a bar the first time too but the rest of the time she did them all without a problem. I also realized a couple of times that I could give her better cues to show her where to go or to give her a better angle to successfully complete the obstacles. She really gives me a workout and I love it.
In less than two weeks we will have our clubs 3-day trial and I am really getting excited. Kiah and I have a trial almost every weekend in March. I am hoping we finally get out of Novice; keep your fingers crossed for us.
More soon!
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
February, 2012
Classes have been going well for both Kiah and Keegan.
Keegs continues to improve each week but is still having some issues with associating names of obstacles. His contacts are really good but he does not stay on the contacts which I don't have a problem with as long as he doesn't jump off. Weaves are better but we still have to work hard on entrances and building some speed. It will be interesting to see how he does at his first trial (at our club) in March.
Kiah is still doing well in class but we haven't trialed since early December so I am not sure how she will do in a trial environment. We are on the wait list for her first trial in March but we will have the clubs 3-day trial the next week and Keegs will be there to keep her company. She continues to watch me and pay attention.
My goals is to run both dogs like I do "most" times in class. I need to run them with the expectation that they will follow me and not wait for them. When I wait for them it slows them down and they don't pay attention. I also need to work on front crosses which I will really need to do well so I don't get in their way.
Keegs continues to improve each week but is still having some issues with associating names of obstacles. His contacts are really good but he does not stay on the contacts which I don't have a problem with as long as he doesn't jump off. Weaves are better but we still have to work hard on entrances and building some speed. It will be interesting to see how he does at his first trial (at our club) in March.
Kiah is still doing well in class but we haven't trialed since early December so I am not sure how she will do in a trial environment. We are on the wait list for her first trial in March but we will have the clubs 3-day trial the next week and Keegs will be there to keep her company. She continues to watch me and pay attention.
My goals is to run both dogs like I do "most" times in class. I need to run them with the expectation that they will follow me and not wait for them. When I wait for them it slows them down and they don't pay attention. I also need to work on front crosses which I will really need to do well so I don't get in their way.
Friday, January 13, 2012
January, 2012
Hope everyone has had a wonderful start to their New Year.
Classes will be starting up next week for both Kiah and Keegan. Kiah and I did do some special classes during the break, they were a lot of fun. We did a Standard, FAST and Tunnelers course but missed the Jumpers course.
Took Kiah on a couple of long walks with my sister, BIL and their two Springers. I let Kiah off leash, she did really well; I was proud of her and how far she has come in her training. We ran into another couple with a boxer and the two boxer girls had a blast running together. I also got brave and let Keegs off leash on one of our walks, he was really good and minded very well too. The dog walk is in a wooded area with cement paths for walking your dog but also people walking by themselves or bicycles. You can also take a wooded path for your walks too but we stay on the cement path. We have had beautiful weather for this time of year so it has been really enjoyable. I have not been not brave enough to take both dogs at the same time as they do tend to be a bit crazy together. Maybe later this spring I will see how they do.
I have high expectations for Kiah this year and Keegs will be entered in his first trial in March. It will a be 3-day trial at our club so he should feel pretty comfortable. We will see how well he does at the trial before I enter him in other trials.
More later as classes start back up.
Classes have started back up. Just a few notes as to things we need to work harder on.
Kiah: Haven't been working her in obedience as much and I can begin to see her slipping so that will be a priority for us in February. March will be a busy month if I can get in all of the trials I have entered.
Keegan: He is entered in our club's trial (FCDTC) all 3 days in March, his first trial ever. I really need him to learn distance and entry on weaves. He has a much harder time learning names and associating with an obstacle but he is getting there. He will be my velcro dog.
Classes will be starting up next week for both Kiah and Keegan. Kiah and I did do some special classes during the break, they were a lot of fun. We did a Standard, FAST and Tunnelers course but missed the Jumpers course.
Took Kiah on a couple of long walks with my sister, BIL and their two Springers. I let Kiah off leash, she did really well; I was proud of her and how far she has come in her training. We ran into another couple with a boxer and the two boxer girls had a blast running together. I also got brave and let Keegs off leash on one of our walks, he was really good and minded very well too. The dog walk is in a wooded area with cement paths for walking your dog but also people walking by themselves or bicycles. You can also take a wooded path for your walks too but we stay on the cement path. We have had beautiful weather for this time of year so it has been really enjoyable. I have not been not brave enough to take both dogs at the same time as they do tend to be a bit crazy together. Maybe later this spring I will see how they do.
I have high expectations for Kiah this year and Keegs will be entered in his first trial in March. It will a be 3-day trial at our club so he should feel pretty comfortable. We will see how well he does at the trial before I enter him in other trials.
More later as classes start back up.
Classes have started back up. Just a few notes as to things we need to work harder on.
Kiah: Haven't been working her in obedience as much and I can begin to see her slipping so that will be a priority for us in February. March will be a busy month if I can get in all of the trials I have entered.
Keegan: He is entered in our club's trial (FCDTC) all 3 days in March, his first trial ever. I really need him to learn distance and entry on weaves. He has a much harder time learning names and associating with an obstacle but he is getting there. He will be my velcro dog.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
December Classes & Trials
We didn't do well at the club's trial in early December. Kiah went back to her old self, zooms and ignoring me but it was a really long day for her as I worked some of the morning classes. She did surprise me though, the club had our trial at a facility that had volley ball going on and Kiah didn't try to go through the netting to get to the balls. I was very proud of her for that.
I was a bit discouraged after the trials and missed a few of the last classes but they will start back up again in mid-January. Due to the weather in the mid-west we won't do any trials until the beginning of March. I hate to lose the money if the weather is too bad to drive (I am a wimp!!!!). We will consider doing a NADAC or a CPE since I can often do day of show entries in those venues.
I will register Keegs in AKC in January, he is already registered in CPE. Our club's next trial is early March so I might enter him in 1 class each day and he can keep Kiah company, maybe she won't be so depressed.
With the holidays it is very busy so I probably won't post again until January.
Happy Holidays to everyone from Kiah, Keegan and me.
I was a bit discouraged after the trials and missed a few of the last classes but they will start back up again in mid-January. Due to the weather in the mid-west we won't do any trials until the beginning of March. I hate to lose the money if the weather is too bad to drive (I am a wimp!!!!). We will consider doing a NADAC or a CPE since I can often do day of show entries in those venues.
I will register Keegs in AKC in January, he is already registered in CPE. Our club's next trial is early March so I might enter him in 1 class each day and he can keep Kiah company, maybe she won't be so depressed.
With the holidays it is very busy so I probably won't post again until January.
Happy Holidays to everyone from Kiah, Keegan and me.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
November classes & trials
With Thanksgiving and everything else going I have a lot to catch up with.
Classes - We didn't do classes the week of Thanksgiving but did have classes the week before. In Keegs class we practiced distance and more rear crosses. I can't get too far from Keegs or he will come to me so I know what we need to work on.
In Kiah's class we practiced front crosses and 270's, really a fun and productive class.
November 19th we went to a trial in Libertyville (WAGS), was not a good day for us. I will say Kiah did most of the obstacles but in JWW she zoomed, it took me a while to get her back. I think we finished the class over by almost 20 seconds. In standard she was her pokey self again and finished that class over too. It was a very disappointing day.
The Thanksgiving weekend trial at Cudahy was so much better. Kiah went off course in Standard but we Q'd JWW on Saturday. We also did T2B but were overtime both days so got whistled off. On Sunday we would have Q'd in Standard but Kiah ran out of the ring and got whistled off. She did come right back in and it was a great run so I am still really happy. In JWW we got whistled off, I swished my hand in front of her face to get her attention because she was sitting there scratching; the judge thought I touched her. I looked at the video and can see where the judge may have thought I did but it you look at it slow motion you can see I didn't. I have the videos from this weekend and will post them at the end of this post.
Next weekend is our FCDTC trial and am keeping my fingers crossed we do as well. Kiah has 1 Q each in JWW, Standard, and FAST now. I would love to have at least one title to end the year with but if we don't that is OK too. I feel good with our progress so far, as long as it continues and we are having fun I will be happy.
Classes - We didn't do classes the week of Thanksgiving but did have classes the week before. In Keegs class we practiced distance and more rear crosses. I can't get too far from Keegs or he will come to me so I know what we need to work on.
In Kiah's class we practiced front crosses and 270's, really a fun and productive class.
November 19th we went to a trial in Libertyville (WAGS), was not a good day for us. I will say Kiah did most of the obstacles but in JWW she zoomed, it took me a while to get her back. I think we finished the class over by almost 20 seconds. In standard she was her pokey self again and finished that class over too. It was a very disappointing day.
The Thanksgiving weekend trial at Cudahy was so much better. Kiah went off course in Standard but we Q'd JWW on Saturday. We also did T2B but were overtime both days so got whistled off. On Sunday we would have Q'd in Standard but Kiah ran out of the ring and got whistled off. She did come right back in and it was a great run so I am still really happy. In JWW we got whistled off, I swished my hand in front of her face to get her attention because she was sitting there scratching; the judge thought I touched her. I looked at the video and can see where the judge may have thought I did but it you look at it slow motion you can see I didn't. I have the videos from this weekend and will post them at the end of this post.
Next weekend is our FCDTC trial and am keeping my fingers crossed we do as well. Kiah has 1 Q each in JWW, Standard, and FAST now. I would love to have at least one title to end the year with but if we don't that is OK too. I feel good with our progress so far, as long as it continues and we are having fun I will be happy.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Classes the week of 11/7/11
Keegs pre-novice class-We worked on rear crosses tonight and do we have a lot of work to do on sending Keegs out ahead of me. He stays with me too close and when I try to rear cross he stops right before the jump turns to look at me and can't figure out what he needs to do. He is doing really well on his contacts so that is a good thing. For some reason he just wasn't in much of a mood to do agility, perhaps it was something I was projecting since I was tired.
We didn't make it to class for Kiah, they were talking about black ice on the roads and I wasn't in the mood to mess with it for the 40-45 minute drive to class. Next week the weather looks good so I should be able to make it to both classes.
We didn't make it to class for Kiah, they were talking about black ice on the roads and I wasn't in the mood to mess with it for the 40-45 minute drive to class. Next week the weather looks good so I should be able to make it to both classes.
Tuesday, November 08, 2011
Sunday practice
On Sunday took Kiah and Keegan to the club to practice agility and obedience. Kay took a couple of videos for me so I will post them later. It was their last runs and Keegs was getting bored, he had done really well the run before. I will have to remember with him not to overdue or he will begin to hate agility. Kiah did well except for the handling errors on my part, had one area just couldn't send her right which you will see on the video.
Kiah did OK in the obedience practice, there were some others working their dogs in obedience while we were practicing. We have only worked at home and once at the club in the agility area so it was really good for her and me to have the distractions. I really need to work on keeping her close to me and paying attention. I am having a tough time with getting her to stand from a sit so a lot more practice on those for us.
Here's the video from Sunday
Kiah did OK in the obedience practice, there were some others working their dogs in obedience while we were practicing. We have only worked at home and once at the club in the agility area so it was really good for her and me to have the distractions. I really need to work on keeping her close to me and paying attention. I am having a tough time with getting her to stand from a sit so a lot more practice on those for us.
Here's the video from Sunday
Tuesday, November 01, 2011
Classes the week of 10/31/11
Keegan's pre-novice class-Last night we practiced lead-outs, front crosses and lead-out pivots. On the first run Keegs did a zoom after the first couple of jumps and decided he wanted to play with the boxer puppy Addie. Once he settled down he did really well except for the two times he wouldn't do the tire. Not sure he has quite figured the tire out yet. No contacts were up so no contact work this week
Kiah's novice class-Great class, we did similar to what Keegs class did on Monday but more front crosses, pivots, etc. at the end of class we ran a full course. Kiah did really well, a bit distracted at first but then got her focus. I had a problem with one of the front crosses, couldn't keep her in the correct direction and missed a few times. It is a nice break to focus on just handling skills and then try to use them while running the course.
Kiah's novice class-Great class, we did similar to what Keegs class did on Monday but more front crosses, pivots, etc. at the end of class we ran a full course. Kiah did really well, a bit distracted at first but then got her focus. I had a problem with one of the front crosses, couldn't keep her in the correct direction and missed a few times. It is a nice break to focus on just handling skills and then try to use them while running the course.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Classes the week of 10/24/11
Keegs pre-novice class 10/24/11-Keegs is doing really well and is beginning to listen to direction better. If he does get ahead of me he is lost so just goes on his merry way. His teeter is much better, he does still have some problems after going over it a couple of times. Weird you would think he would be tentative the first time he goes over instead of the 3rd time. We also need to work on his entrance into weaves and work both sides of the weaves but he is still improving each time we work them. I am very pleased at his progress, if he continues to improve as he has been I may try him in a CPE or NADAC next summer.
Kiah's novice class 10/26/11-She was in a mood the first time we walked out to the course, play bowed and scooted so I was pretty sure she would zoom and she did. Told her down and front (after a big loop around the ring) and she did, woo hoo! Great runs the rest of the night from her, a few handling issues that messed her up but other than that she was so good. I just have to figure a way to get her not to zoom the first time out but still her up and happy.
I am excited, Kiah and I have 2-3 trials (wait listed on one trial) coming up in November and early December (our club's trial). After that we are taking a break from trials until March of next year. Never know what the weather is going to be like and most trials are 1-2 hours from me so not really up to driving in bad weather or losing my money. If there is a NADAC or CPE I can get in the day of show we might fit one of those in.
Kiah's novice class 10/26/11-She was in a mood the first time we walked out to the course, play bowed and scooted so I was pretty sure she would zoom and she did. Told her down and front (after a big loop around the ring) and she did, woo hoo! Great runs the rest of the night from her, a few handling issues that messed her up but other than that she was so good. I just have to figure a way to get her not to zoom the first time out but still her up and happy.
I am excited, Kiah and I have 2-3 trials (wait listed on one trial) coming up in November and early December (our club's trial). After that we are taking a break from trials until March of next year. Never know what the weather is going to be like and most trials are 1-2 hours from me so not really up to driving in bad weather or losing my money. If there is a NADAC or CPE I can get in the day of show we might fit one of those in.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Thursday practice at the club
Met Kay again at the club last night and we practiced on a jumpers course. Forgot my camera again but both Kiah and Keegs did pretty well. A little zoom from both of them then they settled down and did the courses pretty well. The last run was really good for Kiah but didn't do the last run with Keegs as he was bored and not really happy on his last run. I don't want to push him too hard, have him end up hating agility.
Kay showed me a few things in obedience that I can practice with Kiah and she worked with her for a while. It was fun watching them; I am looking forward to practicing the things she showed us.
Kay showed me a few things in obedience that I can practice with Kiah and she worked with her for a while. It was fun watching them; I am looking forward to practicing the things she showed us.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Fun Practice day, Sunday October 16, 2011
Went to the club early this morning for a practice with Kiah and Keegs; we met Kay and her Border Collie Jesse there. A course was already setup and we just had to do a few modifications so it would flow a bit better for us. Turned out to be a really fun course with a few places where they could have taken a wrong course to keep us on our toes.
Keegs did a bit of zooming but he is pretty easy to get back. I think he improves a bit each time we go but I need to start doing more distance work with him. I am trying to handle him like Kiah but I need to make some adjustments running him, just have to figure out what is best for him. I forgot to bring my camera which I will bring the next time so I can see what I am doing when he misses an obstacle; Kay says he really watches me so it might be I am not following through until he is committed to an obstacle.
Kiah was awesome! The start was towards the back of the course, so the first time I made her heal and walk with me to the start without a leash or collar, she stayed right with me. Did a really good wait at the start line, made all the obstacles except the start of the weaves and that was my fault. I had a hard time figuring out the best way to pull her from the jump to the weaves, once in she missed the last pole so we redid them and she did them all. The second time we walked out to the start she was happy and bouncing all the way to the start line. I can't tell you how happy that made me, I have seen her walk with her head down, so depressed you would think she was going to walk the plank or something. I did better on pulling her from the jump to the weaves but told her to weave too late and she went in at the second pole; I finally got it right the last run so she hit her entrance and did all the weaves.
I wish we had been able to get into the trial this weekend so now we will have to wait until November to trail (hope we get in this one).
Since we are on a break, Kay and I hope to get a training in one night this week. I will bring my camera if we do.
Keegs did a bit of zooming but he is pretty easy to get back. I think he improves a bit each time we go but I need to start doing more distance work with him. I am trying to handle him like Kiah but I need to make some adjustments running him, just have to figure out what is best for him. I forgot to bring my camera which I will bring the next time so I can see what I am doing when he misses an obstacle; Kay says he really watches me so it might be I am not following through until he is committed to an obstacle.
Kiah was awesome! The start was towards the back of the course, so the first time I made her heal and walk with me to the start without a leash or collar, she stayed right with me. Did a really good wait at the start line, made all the obstacles except the start of the weaves and that was my fault. I had a hard time figuring out the best way to pull her from the jump to the weaves, once in she missed the last pole so we redid them and she did them all. The second time we walked out to the start she was happy and bouncing all the way to the start line. I can't tell you how happy that made me, I have seen her walk with her head down, so depressed you would think she was going to walk the plank or something. I did better on pulling her from the jump to the weaves but told her to weave too late and she went in at the second pole; I finally got it right the last run so she hit her entrance and did all the weaves.
I wish we had been able to get into the trial this weekend so now we will have to wait until November to trail (hope we get in this one).
Since we are on a break, Kay and I hope to get a training in one night this week. I will bring my camera if we do.
Wednesday, October 05, 2011
Classes the week of 10/3/11
Keegan's Monday pre-novice class - It was a fun class and Keegs did well. No zooms, did all the obstacles, pretty good contacts and much better weaves. He is also doing much better on the teeter-totter.
We practiced being judges, scribes, and timers for each others runs. It was fun and Keegs would have gotten a (pre-novice :-) ) Q if he hadn't knocked a bar on his last jump. Comments were: I have to run faster and not wait for him, he will follow me. Have to keep that in mind with Kiah too.
Kiah's Wednesday night class - On the first run she started to zoom, I yelled "NO" and she came back but I could see by the look in her eye she was thinking about taking off again. I got her attention and started running the course telling her OK, lets go and SURPRISE she actually came with me and finished the course. The second run was awesome, she hit the weaves perfectly and was soooo fast. No miscues and a perfect run, really fun run for both of us. I am so glad I had turkey as a special treat for her doing so well. We are still taking baby steps and seeing improvements but we are both having so much more fun!
We have a two week break before the next session but we have a run-through next week and some practices at the club before our next trial. Really looking forward to the next trial on the 22nd and 23rd.
We practiced being judges, scribes, and timers for each others runs. It was fun and Keegs would have gotten a (pre-novice :-) ) Q if he hadn't knocked a bar on his last jump. Comments were: I have to run faster and not wait for him, he will follow me. Have to keep that in mind with Kiah too.
Kiah's Wednesday night class - On the first run she started to zoom, I yelled "NO" and she came back but I could see by the look in her eye she was thinking about taking off again. I got her attention and started running the course telling her OK, lets go and SURPRISE she actually came with me and finished the course. The second run was awesome, she hit the weaves perfectly and was soooo fast. No miscues and a perfect run, really fun run for both of us. I am so glad I had turkey as a special treat for her doing so well. We are still taking baby steps and seeing improvements but we are both having so much more fun!
We have a two week break before the next session but we have a run-through next week and some practices at the club before our next trial. Really looking forward to the next trial on the 22nd and 23rd.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
No Classes this week
Bad day at work on Monday and wasn't up to going to class with Keegs so we just worked outside for a little bit. It was just way to windy to work long though.
Missed Kiah's class due to a late meeting at work. No more meetings for the group, it was our last meeting for the search committee. Can't wait to find out who the chancellor will pick as our new campus dean.
I don't have to work this weekend, no trials either plus the weather is supposed to be decent. I plan to relax, take the K's for walks and do some sessions with the K's outside. I should start to clean up the garden too, I enjoy it and have some good books to listen to while I am working. Maybe we will go to the club and practice this weekend since we missed classes!
Next week is our last class in the session and we will have two weeks off. Our next trial is the end of October; I am on the wait list for one day and hope to get in since I am #23 on the list.
Missed Kiah's class due to a late meeting at work. No more meetings for the group, it was our last meeting for the search committee. Can't wait to find out who the chancellor will pick as our new campus dean.
I don't have to work this weekend, no trials either plus the weather is supposed to be decent. I plan to relax, take the K's for walks and do some sessions with the K's outside. I should start to clean up the garden too, I enjoy it and have some good books to listen to while I am working. Maybe we will go to the club and practice this weekend since we missed classes!
Next week is our last class in the session and we will have two weeks off. Our next trial is the end of October; I am on the wait list for one day and hope to get in since I am #23 on the list.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Green Acres Boxer Rescue-Boxer Bash 9/24/11
My great niece and I took Kiah and Keegan to the Boxer Bash in Columbus yesterday. With all of our obedience training I was hoping that Kiah wouldn't freak out when she saw the Lure Course. She did start screaming as soon as she saw it and they hadn't even run the course yet.
She was the first dog to run and she got the bag about 3/4 of the way, tore it up pretty bad. They fixed it and added another bag and she got that one too. I wasn't sure if Keegs would chase it but seeing the other dogs do it made him want to. He did pretty well but half way around the 2nd time he was pretty much done.
Kiah's screaming freaked Keegs out pretty bad and he went after her when she made that awful screaming noise. Next year it will only be Keegs who goes; Kiah freaks so bad it scares me that she is going to have a heart attack or something. Keegs will do well without her along and it will be more fun since I won't have to fight Kiah all the time trying to get to the lure course.
Kiah got a yellow scarf to show she was adopted from Green Acres Boxer Rescue. When she finally noticed it after we left she looked at me like "where did this come from". LOL, all she could think about was the Lure Course.
Here are the links from the photographer at the bash;
Kiah Kiah2 Keegs Keegs2
Here are a few pictures Lisa took.
Kiah
Keegs
Lisa's Rocky
Crystal's Olive (I think this is at the dog park after the bash)
She was the first dog to run and she got the bag about 3/4 of the way, tore it up pretty bad. They fixed it and added another bag and she got that one too. I wasn't sure if Keegs would chase it but seeing the other dogs do it made him want to. He did pretty well but half way around the 2nd time he was pretty much done.
Kiah's screaming freaked Keegs out pretty bad and he went after her when she made that awful screaming noise. Next year it will only be Keegs who goes; Kiah freaks so bad it scares me that she is going to have a heart attack or something. Keegs will do well without her along and it will be more fun since I won't have to fight Kiah all the time trying to get to the lure course.
Kiah got a yellow scarf to show she was adopted from Green Acres Boxer Rescue. When she finally noticed it after we left she looked at me like "where did this come from". LOL, all she could think about was the Lure Course.
Here are the links from the photographer at the bash;
Kiah Kiah2 Keegs Keegs2
Here are a few pictures Lisa took.
Kiah
Keegs
Lisa's Rocky
Crystal's Olive (I think this is at the dog park after the bash)
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Q in Standard - 9/17/2011
Kiah got a Q in standard yesterday, I don't have a video but she was the only dog in her class that Q'd!!!!!, I am so proud of her progress. Wish us luck today, will post more later.
No Q's on Sunday; a zoom in jumpers and slow as molasses in standard. We did complete the course without obstacle faults but had a 36 second time fault. Kiah almost ran out of the ring but stopped, took her time to come back so between that and the slow weaves was basically what brought us over. I will post the video for the runs on Sunday.
Here is the video, please comment and let me know what you think we can do to improve. All ideas are welcome.
No Q's on Sunday; a zoom in jumpers and slow as molasses in standard. We did complete the course without obstacle faults but had a 36 second time fault. Kiah almost ran out of the ring but stopped, took her time to come back so between that and the slow weaves was basically what brought us over. I will post the video for the runs on Sunday.
Here is the video, please comment and let me know what you think we can do to improve. All ideas are welcome.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Keegs 8/29/11 Class
We practiced on correct weave entrances and contacts in class. Keegs is having a really hard time associating the word weave with going to the weaves plus I need to give hand signals to go through each pole or he will skip weaving and walk next to them. We just need to practice weaves more at home.
He did pretty well on his contacts but still needs to learn to "wait" until he gets his release command. I was proud of his teeter work; he did much better than he did at practice on Sunday morning.
At the end of class we did the whole course and NO ZOOM!!!!! What a good boy! We haven't practiced the chute a lot and he had no idea of what I wanted him to do but once I told him tunnel he went right into the chute. We have a lot to work to do yet but I am really happy with his progress overall, his willingness to work and follow me. I just have to be patient so I don't stress him out and push him too hard like I did with Kiah.
He did pretty well on his contacts but still needs to learn to "wait" until he gets his release command. I was proud of his teeter work; he did much better than he did at practice on Sunday morning.
At the end of class we did the whole course and NO ZOOM!!!!! What a good boy! We haven't practiced the chute a lot and he had no idea of what I wanted him to do but once I told him tunnel he went right into the chute. We have a lot to work to do yet but I am really happy with his progress overall, his willingness to work and follow me. I just have to be patient so I don't stress him out and push him too hard like I did with Kiah.
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