footsie

Her foot hurts a lot more than she lets on. Tracking tonight was BAD, yes, capital letters. WORSE than tracking this weekend (yes, apparently that's possible). I couldn't figure out what was going on with my dog, she was NOT my dog.

My dog's foot hurts. Sorry kiddo!

She started limping on our walk after tracking and it's pretty tender. No more injured, but she is on strict rest. No romping in the field, no tracking... rest the darn foot stupid handler!

My poor dog. She tried, and looking back, demonstrated some very conflicted behavior. She knew her job but just couldn't do it.

She holds no grudges, and I'm sure she'll be ready to track like never before when given the OK. Our certification is being pushed out, but life happens. We'll get it!

A purist I was not...

Yesterday on the way to Costco, the boy and I stopped at Gander Mountain. I still hadn't found or constructed anything to use for carrying things in tracking or hunting, so I was on a mission. When we got there I realized I'd been meaning to get a Dokken (dummy) for a LONG time, but just hadn't. I found a multi purpose vest (ok, Kevin did) AND got a pheasant dokken. It is big, but not HUGE, so I figured it would be the correct size. It IS a little large, but not TOO large.

Last night I brought Bailey and the dokken to the cabin to work for a bit. I'd planned on shaping it, like I've shaped all of her retrieves. She picked up the parts that are designed to NOT feel good being picked up (tail, head, feet...) and was certain she could NOT fit her mouth around the body.

When I got home from the vet today I wanted to see if she really couldn't carry it. I opened her mouth, put it in (a tight fit in the VERY center of the bird, a good fit at both ends), and she did not appreciate that. I threw the bird thinking she may pick it up correctly... nope, by the string!

In the end I put it in her mouth quite a few times then c/t and let her release it. She still didn't like me putting it in her mouth, and wouldn't take it when presented, but I took her out in the yard and threw it. Wouldn't you know she went out, picked it up CORRECTLY and brought it back! Profuse praise and treats. GOOD GIRL!

One more throw and I got the same CORRECT response. VERY GOOD GIRL and we ran for more treats.

I don't know if it will last or not, but she CAN carry it correctly, and we still have LOTS of work to do, but it's a start.

Now lets hope her foot holds up and heals up well (and SOON)!

a reminder

"Time waits for no one.

Treasure every moment you have."

Someone at the party today asked about my tattoo. Every time someone asks, it makes me remember that time waits for no one. Live your life and enjoy it. My tattoo helps me remember that gone from this earth is not gone and is certainly not forgotten.

bum foot Bailey

ARG! We had to GREAT sessions on the contact practice board today. She was doing what I wanted! RUNNING down the board. I added another board to the other side of the snowmobile trailer (so it was similar to a dog walk) and she was performing correctly with that too.

Now my dog has a cut pad. *scream*

It's not bad, but we've never dealt with this before. I was out of vet wrap (I know, what dog owner, especially a SPANIEL owner, is ever out of vet wrap) so I had to run to the store to get some. I cleaned it with peroxide, applied Vitamin E, gauzed and vet wrapped it. She now has a hot pink foot.

Buzz wants to show you the stop sign at the end of our driveway. Isn't it cool? We get a new one about every ten years. That neighbor has hounds we like. They're happy, healthy, and QUIET!

Field Adventures

Bailey and I started our field adventures today. I have to say that I was SUPER impressed by my dog (though our instructor, not so much, heh). She was a goooood girly.

A few notes before I forget.

-Apparently my dog is out of condition. She needs to build more stamina and muslce per Don.

-He was VERY good about not pushing the issue of an e-collar. The fact that we had two very successful whistle recalls reinforced that, GOOD GIRL.

-We have to work on retrieves with a bird (I knew that going in). She did eventually pick it up and carry it, but was very reluctant to at first.

-We have a break to work on "things" until after Labor Day!

Now... from the beginning, I think!

We arrived a little early (my plan) so we walked a little bit while he worked a Brittany and some kind of long haired pointer. She was able to relax quickly despite kennels of dogs barking and carrying on. She was walking on a loose leash with a fair amount of attention before he came back. We worked a little more while he went to plant a chukkar for us.

Plan of action was to release her on the pigeons. He let the pigeons out and we released her. She checked the pen (smart girly) and then got to work immediatly. This is where he told me I need to shut up, unless I am praising my dog. JUST like any other sport, LET HER WORK IT OUT (has it been drilled into my head enough yet? Probably not). I got better as we progressed but hah... She flushed quite a few pigeons and he started firing blanks after she flushed. The first one she reacted to slightly and the rest about the same. He wasn't closeby when she flushed, so the gunshot wasn't extremely loud.

After we played with pigoens, we headed to where he planted the chukkar. She wasn't quite sure of what she was doing anymore and it took a lot of coaxing for her to flush the chukkar, since we had to get so close for her to flush it, the gun went off nearly right over her head. That was not ok with her, and she backed up quite a few steps before sitting and staring. She did NOT bolt, which is the good news, and she DID pick up the chukkar (with some coaxing, and me telling her directly to "take it"). After that we threw the bird and had her practice picking it up. Before we quit she was going to get the bird and holding it while I pet her.

I had to talk this one through with myself (and a friend)... Don doesn't want me to take the bird from her immediately when she returns. He wants to build a solid hold first. He's having me pet her/praise her while she is still holding the bird. It didn't make sense at first (I'd want to be working the real thing) but it does now. Since she doesn't have a reliable retrieve, and no hold to speak of... I do want to get her comfortable with holding it and carrying it before asking her for it.

All in all, I was very pleased. Despite her looking like a brainless pretty dog, she's still got some instinct in there. Looks can be deceiving.

Our homework is to work on retrieving the bird (I now have a chukkar in my freezer) and working around gunshots.

He's confident we can do it, and I'm getting there. If I knew what this was all about, I'd likely have more to say on the matter!

Phew! Now I need to get my bike tire fixed so we can work on conditioning.

Training Notes-agility contacts

I've had issues with the dogs more and more regarding contacts. They were both taught a 2o2o but it became slower and slower. Lots of factors I assume. Being a bad trainer, I just disregarded a stopping contact with Buzz and now he runs. It's not trained (shhh...), I just assume he's going to run through the zone if I slow down a little, and he does. Maybe it's carry over from his 2o2o. I could say it is (because I really don't know).

Anyways, Bailey's are the worst! She literally crept down ALL contacts (not really in fear, just... like it was a trained behavior, to be slow, which is probably was). So after hemming and hawing and trying a few different things, today we actually did contact work. I know she will stop, and knows how to stop, but I'm going to abandon that if I can find a training partner.

We're just working with a board propped up on our snowmobile trailer. Today the only time I could get her to canter down it was if I had a bowl of food sitting a couple feet in front of it. That's ok, I suppose, but it's not what I want. What I want is to be able to RUN (me run...) and have someone else click for her RUNNING so then I can treat. Problem: I don't have a local training buddy (pity party is short, I promise).

Possible Solution? Bring board inside and utilize the Treat and Train (now made by Premier and labelled Manners Minder) a friend is letting me borrow. (Which by the way is working fabulously. We've made so much progress on household rules and such... mat work is going well. I'm so impressed by this machine, I NEED to buy one for myself!)

Semi-brilliant... hah. It won't take away the "lure" part I hate, but it will make it less annoying for me.

Time to clean the board so I can put it in the bedroom hallway (the presence of cats in the hallway is nearly non-existent).

Other suggestions welcome to. My ultimate goal is to have reliable running contacts. This slow contact thing is killing me! I am NOT slow and even if I RUUUUUNNNNNNNN, she makes her way down the contact and does a 2o2o. GOOD DOG, I suppose...

Oh, and Buzz just rocks. He says "I can run mom, LOOK AT ME" as he goes galloping and LEAPING. That one didn't get any food and the rest were good. Silly old man. I hope he has that much enthusiasm in September!

Versatility Titles

VS=Versatile Springer (parent club, ESSFTA, certificate)

Lots of different ways to achieve this certificate, but I have to become a member of the parent club first! :-)

If we can do it, the only way would be a CT (Tracking Champion), JH (Junior Hunter), CDX (Companion Dog Excellent), PAX (Preferred Agility Excellent something or other).

-------------------------------------------

VCD=Versatile Companion Dog (AKC title program)

Requirements: CD, TD, NA/NAP, NAJ/NJP

Bailey has her CD and NJP plus 2 Qs towards her NAP.

VCD2=Versatile Companion Dog 2

Requirements: CDX, TD, OA/OAP, OAJ/OJP

Bailey has one CDX Q and nothing else. :-)

VCD3=Versatile Companion Dog 3

Requirements: UD, TDX, AX/AXP, AXJ/AJP

VCD4=Versatile Companion Dog 4

Requirements: UDX, VST, MX/MXP, MXJ/MJP

Very few dogs have a VCD4.

Goal Dates

I never set goals by dates, but I am now.

The first goal is to be ready to run in a Junior Hunt test by October 17 as it is the last of the season semi-locally.

The other goal is to be ready for our TD by October 25 so we can test locally (less than an hour away).

This means I need to focus on working my dog. REALLY working my dog. Not just puttering around.

We have Agility (NADAC then AKC) in the beginning of September and Obedience at the end. We CAN do all of this! We CAN!

Now I need to go write training plans and get my clipboard out so we are actually working these behaviors regularly.

for Kristen and Karin

Two friends in particular can't imagine how I could have so much dog "stuff." By "stuff" they mean collar/leashes/harnesses/etc. I've created a Bailey-pictorial to show what some of it is for. The most frequently used stuff that is.

First up we have the Hunting Collar and Leather Leash

Exciting news... Bailey and I are going to finally be doing Hunt Tests! In honor of that, since she HAS to wear orange... I ordered a new collar when something else needed to be ordered. Isn't it purty? I LOVE it, it's not obnoxious like most orange hunting dog collars, and it feels good. It's made out of the "fake leather" material.

Next up is the Lupine combo collar and matching leash.

This collar has rabies tag, microchip tag (both of those in a quiet spot) and a Boomerang tag with contact info. The leash has a permanent attachment of a Noz 2 Noz poop bag carrier.

The "obedience/rally" collar.

Not that I train with it, ever, but it's what she shows in. Soft, supple, rolled leather. Attached to that is a short (purple, of course) and thin leash. It's all I need, less to be bulky if I ever needed it. (We do have a 6' leash to use for the rally Excellent honor.)

The Tracking Harness.

A premier product that I love. Love, love, love it. Thanks K!

The flexi "set-up."

Since I don't want her to learn to pull, I can't use the flexi attached to a collar. Thus we have an "H" style harness for flexi walking.

Car Harness (Roadie by Ruff Rider)

And the customary "multi-collar" picture! What you can't see is her "Princess" collar from Big Dogs that she wears the most.

That's a few of her collars/leashes/what have you, and their purpose.

Oops--APDT Video

I forgot to post it... oops.

Scent Articles

The dogs and I have been working on scent articles more and more, now that I understand a little more about how to teach them. I refuse to spend hundreds of dollars on fancy schmancy articles so we are using spoons and leather work gloves. Or rather, Bailey is. Buzz is using canning jar lids--he only needs metal.

Tonight I was able to successfully work 3 metal with Bailey and she was "actively working" the pile. And getting the correct one. I was clicking after the pick up tonight. I think we had four successes and then an incorrect. When I moved into her to pick up the correct article, she didn't know what to do with the one in her mouth. She has been taught not to drop anything unless told to, so she was very conflicted about that and I took it from her with the tongs. The next time I sent her she frantically grabbed an incorrect. Gargh. Packed up the metals for tonight.

Moved onto leather which was more of the same. She frantically grabbed an article, but it wasn't a stress response, I don't think. It seemed more like a game we used to play--pick up.

So, as Kristen would say, "go back a step." And we will, tomorrow. Tomorrow we will work two metal articles and I will click for sniffing/touching the correct one. I then plan to work a scented leather with an unscented metal. Try to set her up for success.

In other news, I worked Buzz in the shadows of the basement and he was CLEARLY responding to my light-clicker. He was breaking position to come to me for his reward. YAY! We worked downs and it was gooooood.

The dogs and I have been doing quite a bit of training, I just haven't had time to post about it. Yesterday we went tracking, in the heat... in case we need to track in the heat. Bailey's track was only aged about 15 minutes but it was hot, dry, and we worked pavement. She was great until our turn on pavement, she had to work it a bit but we did get it and find the final article in gravel. I'm trying to get her on as many surfaces as possible right now so we actually stand a fighting chance of being able to run a VST test (my ultimate goal).

I'll try to be better about posting training updates, so I can get more feedback too.

agility related words and thoughts...

The dogs and I headed out to TCOTC last Friday to help with the Fundraise for some fellow dog community members who lost their home and everything in it to a fire. This included their three dogs and cat. I can't even begin to imagine how horrific the experience was and still is. My heart still aches when I think about it. The generosity and caring of our community shined through though when a friend organized a benefit fundraise for them.

Friday I "judged" UKC obedience. Our friend Sheila with her dog Fena was the only one, but we had fun together, twice! After that I fiddled around and signed up to work my own dogs.

After putting Buzz and Bailey nearly last on the obedince list, we headed to the agility area.

Bailey has always had a definite slat dislike. Her contacts are not super fast, but with slats they are painfully slow! The slats at class are rubber, she's ok with those... we're making progress in the speed department. Friday was a painfully slow day--now that I think about it, TCOTC has wooden slats on their a-frame and dog walk. ARGH!

Not only were her contacts slow, but she was spacey and weird in general! I thought back to the only other times we've shown at TCOTC and they were all like that! Obedience, rally, AND agility! I wonder what it is?! I thought we could work through it, so I signed her up for another ring time in agility but we barely made a dent. She was a completely different dog than I'm used to. I'm still trying to think of why!

In the obedience ring though, she was on fire. Great girly, no odd behaviors, responding to cues VERY well.

I just don't know! Do I sign up to take classes, so I can work my dog in the building? Do I just avoid the building (entirely possible, we don't have to trial there), or what?

I'm quite confused. I do know we need to work our contacts again, but that means I need to get a new board and such because my oldish-but GOOD board was burned! How sad! It was painted and sanded and great... *sigh* oh well.

Anyways, I don't know how to help my dog. Or what I should do in the future. My response to things lately is a terrible one "she's 9.5 years old." Don't let me use that excuse, I need to be a better trainer!

Rabies Challenge Fund-Budget Shortfall

This arrived on one of my yahoo group lists. I plan to donate, as this is very important!

Greetings,

The goal of The Rabies Challenge Fund Charitable Trust is to extend the legally required interval for rabies boosters to 5 and then 7 years, based on the findings of the rabies challenge studies currently underway at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine. If the studies’ results demonstrate that the rabies vaccine confers 5, and possibly 7, years of immunity, there would be a significant impact on controlling rabies and reducing adverse reactions associated with the vaccine.

Today I am writing to ask for your help. The Rabies Challenge Fund relies on donations to finance the multi-year challenge studies that began in November 2007. Due to the economic downturn, the Fund has a $125,000 shortfall for the third year of the studies, scheduled for this fall. This deficit threatens the future of the research.>

Costs for the studies’ third year are $175,000. Since January, we have raised nearly $50,000 of that amount. We need to have eighty percent of the total funding for the year’s budget in hand to begin the third year of the studies. Please contribute what you can, as soon as you can.

*All donations received will be used to finance the direct research costs of the rabies challenge studies.*

With your help, we can raise the $125,000 necessary to complete the third year of the 5 and 7-year rabies challenge studies. Tax-exempt donations can be mailed to The Rabies Challenge Fund, c/o Hemopet, 11330 Markon Drive, Garden Grove, CA 92841. Credit card donations can be phoned in to Hemopet (specify they are for The Rabies Challenge Fund) by calling (714) 891-2022, ext. 13.

Thank you for your support of this important work.

Sincerely,

Kris L. Christine
Founder, Co-Trustee
The Rabies Challenge Fund
http://www.rabieschallengefund.org/

ledgespring@lincoln.midcoast.com
mailto:ledgespring@lincoln.midcoast.com>

Successful efforts by The Rabies Challenge Fund over the past year leading to changes in state rabies laws/municipal ordinances to the 3 year national standard:

Cheyenne, Wyoming
Wichita, Kansas

State of Alabama
State of Arkansas
State of Rhode Island

The Rabies Challenge Fund Charitable Trust is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization [Fed. EIN # 84-6390682].

Trial Entries!

I'm dropping trial entries in the mail today! Whee!

MMBC NADAC

9/5 & 9/6

Buzz & Bailey are both participating in the Veterans Parade

Saturday

Buzz-Open Jumpers, Novice Tunnelers, Novice Weavers

Bailey-Open Regular, Novice Jumpers, Open Tunnelers

Sunday

Buzz-Open Jumpers, Novice Touch N Go, Novice Tunnelers

Twin Cities Minniature Schnauzer Club

9/26 & 9/27

Bailey-Open A

We will be running in the ACTS NADAC trial too, just don't know what yet as the premium isn't out yet!

APDT photos and a video

We'll start with the really bad one. Dog is great, judge is good... just ignore me ok?! Not only is the lens dirty (Mom's p&s) but I look like a heyena!

So I tried to get a photo of just Buzz with his ribbons. Did those turn out? Nope! I don't care anymore though. I present to you, Buzz with his Level 3 Q/2nd, Level 2 Q/2nd and Level 1 Q/1st!

Maybe I'll try again tomorrow, or I'll just give up!

Old Man Joint Support

I got quite a few "how do you keep him acting so young" this weekend at the trial. Buzz is 11 now and acts like he might be turning five. He's been on a "health care plan" since we started competing semi-competitively (which is all we do hah) in dog sports.

I can't remember exactly what we did in the beginning but I know what we do now!

He takes a joint supplement (Glyco-Flex II) twice a day. This is a double dose for him because we found it works well to be giving it to him twice a day as opposed to once (which I would be doing with Glyco-Flex III).
From the Glyco-Flex website:
All of our new Glyco-Flex ® formulas contain 600mg of Perna and 100 mg of Dimethylglycine. In addition to that Glyco-Flex ® I contains 500mg of Glucosamine HCl. Glyco-Flex ® II contains 750 mg of Glucosamine, 500 mg of Methylsulfonylmethane, and Manganese. Glyco-Flex ® III contains 1,000 mg each of Methylsulfonylmethane and Glucosamine along with Vitamins E and C, Grape Seed Extract, Glutathione, Selenium, and Manganese for additional support. http://www.glycoflex.com/glyco-flex-canine.php

He receives at least 4000mg of Fish Oil daily. This serves multiple purposes, but the main two are for his joints and to combat his allergies. (If he gets ahold of something he shouldn't... like crappy treats someone left on the floor near his crate at the trial... I will "overload" him and that really helps with him reacting less to the foods he's allergic to.)

And the part that some people will agree or disagree with. My vet gave me Rimadyl to "keep on hand" for if I do overdo it with him and he comes up sore. Despite having a good massage program and chiropractic schedule, there are times we overdo it. I use it quite sparingly, but it allows him to be happy and continue doing the things he loves.

With these things, he gets to stay active without hurting and that is what REALLY helps him out. He may not be as fast as he used to be, but darn it if he doesn't have MORE fun.

He also stays at a good weight (right now we're almost back to his "good weight" after gaining weight on crate rest... erg) to put less stress on all parts of his body.

What do you do?

MMBC APDT

Fun trial, good runs, and a very good dog.

Saturday we did Level 3. The first course kicked our booty and we NQ'd. A very fun course to run but he didn't take either jump. Lots of speculation, and it's up for discussion, I may post details at a later date and look into it further. Our second run in Level 3 I lowered the jumps to 12" (yay APDT having modifications) and it went smoother, though not entirely better. He still took one jump awkwardly and wouldn't go out to the other, so I had to move with him. Regardless, the rest was very nice and we Q'd with a 183 (5 points on the jump, we only got 6 of the bonus points, so there's 9 already). We had a retry on two stations (6 more points, we're up to 15 hah). Anyways, very happy.

Sunday we worked for our first double qualifying runs, and we got it! Q/207/1st in Level 1 B and Q/203/2nd in Level 2 B. He was VERY good for these runs. Yay Buzz!

I do have a video from our level 2 run that I still need to get off the camera!

If you have APDT in your area, go try it... it is a BLAST! You can actually get out and MOVE. There IS room for heeling!

New Stuff

And the header above, but it's not formatting quite right with this layout... it is the 750 pixels wide they allow, but that doesn't take up the whole header space. It looks funky. Arg!

Bailey's friend

See, she really does have a friend. He stays out of her personal space... what a good puppy he is!

Tracking Dogs

Bailey's half sister is a tracking maniac. Addie earned her CT this spring. She is the third generation to do so. Her grandma Rosie and her mom Taylor both have their CTs. Bailey and Addie share the same sire, he doesn't track. Addie's aunt (Taylor's litter sister) also has her CT.

Maybe Bailey can be a cool kid too and earn hers. That may be motivation to keep working my dog! :)

Training 7/16/09

I'm working my dogs consistently again. Go me!

Today I laid a track for Bailey as soon as I got home from work. We haven't tracked since we've been at camp... oops!

Terrain: recently hayed field, two small patches of tall grass

Conditions: very windy, 63 degrees

Aged: 15 minutes

Yards: ~400, 2- 90 degree left corners, 1- 90 degree right corner, 1- 45 degree left corner

Success! Bad start as she wanted to follow the scent along the patch of tall grass but I held her and she got right to work. Beautiful corners. No air scenting on them and no checking out other options. Took the corner and ran! FUN track, and fast too.

Buzz and I worked obedience then. I really, REALLY want to trial him this fall for his UCDX. We worked heeling. Improvement from last night. He's been spacey so I walk briskly in another direction when his attention wanes. He catches up with me, I re-cue heel (hand on stomach) and off we go. We worked a lot of short (3-6 steps) heeling with lots of halts. We still have work to do but he was better. Then we practiced a sit-stay. I sat him about halfway down the drive way and walked to the mail box and back. He held it like a rock. GOOD BOY! I wasn't out of sight but we've had an issue with distance lately. I'm hoping to get at least two more sit-stays in today.

I plan on laying a track early tomorrow morning for both dogs. I need to decide on a location for Bailey's still though.

Reason is 10

A local dog. A wonderful video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rkm-EyHRuCA

MAC AKC Standard-Bailey

Yeehaw, 100% Q rate!

I'm celebrating because it doesn't happen often! The dogs and I did AKC rally, AKC agility, and UKC rally this weekend. Both dogs qualified in everything they were entered in! Yeehaw!

Friday-AKC rally in Duluth with Bailey
She worked REALLY well and got a 94 in Excellent. We had the off set figure 8 with food in the bowls and I lost her nose twice to that. Bad trainer, we haven't worked around food in a while. She returned when I realized what had happened! We also had to retry a station, and I think we had one out of position, right at the beginning. But she worked REALLY well for me. First place, by time.
Our score in Advanced doesn't really reflect how well she worked, hah. We got a 99 and third place. She was still good, we completed the principle parts of the exercise but it wasn't fluid like our Excellent run.
Earned us QQ #4 for her RAE.

Saturday-AKC agility at Soccer Blast with Bailey
*Novice FAST, my first time playing it. Understood the rules well enough to qualify! First place too (though we may have been the only 16" novice preferred dog to qualify heh).
*Novice Standard (I have the video, just need to get it up), we had a disagreement about the table but otherwise it was a nice, smooth run. She has an auto down on the table and it was a sit that day. She got on the table and proceeded to have a very slow down, so I cued sit. She thought I'd lost my marbles. I said, "I really DO want you to sit" and she did... slowly. Need to work on auto downs again before our next AKC trial. I want her to down first, but FASTERRR! That was her second standard Q.
*Novice Jumpers was PRETTY! She was my fast doggy again. Leaving nails longer DOES help. She got her weave entry but couldn't stay in them so we had to redo them, but were still over 10 seconds under course time. We both liked that course. And she earned her NJP on that run! Good girly!

Sunday-UKC rally with Buzz
*sigh* This was his first obed/rally trial since being deaf, and outside to boot! He did what I asked, but it wasn't pretty. He had no sustained behaviors. He stayed within the rally heel range mostly and performed all principle parts of the exercises but... blah. We qualified with an 80 and we need work. He of course, enjoyed soliciting play from a shiba and schmoozing the crowd.

100% Q rate... I'm excited.

OFA

The nerdiness has exploded. Both of my speutered, never bred dogs, are in the OFA databse now.

Buzz

http://offa.org/display.html?appnum=1313481#animal

hips, elbows, cerf, pra

Bailey

http://offa.org/display.html?appnum=1216954#animal

hips, elbows, cerf, pra, thyroid (though it shouldn't be there!)

I think I have a problem... that's the first step right? Admitting you have a problem? :-)

Duluth!

I'm so darn excited! We're headed to Duluth in the morning. I miss it SO much! Bailey and I are showing in rally, ExB and AdvB. Saturday we head to Soccer Blast in Burnsville for AKC agility, and Sunday Buzz gets to play in UKC rally!

the Baby

the Rascal

I don't know what's up with the resizing/formatting on here, you can't click to make it full size... grarg! I can't resize it on here anymore, I have to do it before hand so it gets TINY to fit in here...

/end whine... it's a good picture of a naughty kitty!

the Bailey

Ribbons

I love my new camera. That doesn't mean I actually know how to use it yet. This is the best of what I took, as you'll see. I'm uploading the outtakes because they're pretty darn funny. Anyways, here's Bailey with her 2 Q ribbons, 2 placement ribbons, and 1 new title ribbon for her NAC!

And on to the humor!

Insert your own captions...

Oh, about camp...

it was a blast and I can't wait until next year. I keep forgetting to write about it, so for now, here's a basic list of what we did at camp!

Agility

• Obstacle training-teach an independent performance of each obstacle
• Sequencing-how to piece the obstacles together, fluidly
• Handling-where, when, and how to guide your dog around the course

Obedience

• Handling-footwork, spacing, turns
• Heeling-attention, pace, duration
• Stays-sit/stand/down, distraction, duration, distance
• Dumbbell Retrieves-pick up, hold, deliver
• Recalls-distance, distraction
• Rules-each level, each exercise, problem solving

Showmanship

• Handling-turns, patterns
• Stacking-free stacking, hand stacking, baiting
• Gaiting-finding the appropriate gait for individual dogs
• Rules-turns, health and body questions,
• Breed Information-size, color, origin, disqualifications, acronyms

Tracking

• Equipment-harness, articles, flags (start and corners), line, treats
• Varied methods of beginning-article tracks vs food tracks
• Articles-what to use (socks, toothbrush, spoon, etc.)
• Surfaces-tall grass, short grass, wet grass, gravel, dirt, pavement, concrete

Conditioning & Massage

• Myofascial release
• Exercise ball-core strengthening
• Stretching
• Massage
• Icing techniques

Health

• Nutrition-how to choose a dog food, calculation of caloric requirements, how to safely diet a dog
• Health Check-how and why to preform a basic health check on a dog
• First Aid-discuss first aid procedures and practice preforming them
• Sports Medicine-how sports can impact dog health and how to prevent injuries

Service Dogs

• Different types of service dogs
• Behaviors necessary for different service dogs
• Legal rights of service dogs
• How to interact with service dogs
• how service dogs are raised
• Practice training foundation service dog behaviors

Crafts

• Dog themed cupcake decoration
• Jump construction
• Square Shaped Tug toys
• Braided Tug Toys
• Donated to a service organization

OFA news!

Buzz's results are in!
Hips-Good EN-11737G132M-VPI
Elbows-Normal EN-EL1231M132-VPI

One thing I can scratch off the list!

/Darrrnit why couldn't he have come from a good breeder!

Ooooh!

We came home with a new NAC!

I think I forgot my dog doesn't run well on the astro turf. Buzz runs well on it, and I love it because it's air conditioned, but I think Bailey was running cautiously. After three slow, for her, runs I took her to Michelle, the massage therapist. She said there didn't appear to be anything wrong. A bit tight on one side, but nothing bad. My dog tried, but certainly wasn't flying.

We missed a tunnel entrance in tunnelers, so over time and NQ.
ALMOST got the chances challenge, but I got a back jump, so NQ.

Q and 3rd in Jumpers! She ran better, but at one point slowed to a trot around a corner. That definitely made me think it's the surface.

Q and 2nd in Regular to finish her NAC!

She tried today, I just don't think astro turf is her thing. We run there again next weekend, but it's AKC so we'll have more time. After that, I guess no more air conditioning for Bailey and I!

Bailey-heeling, etc.

Tracking

Reinforcing Weave Entries

Upcoming Events

Bailey and I are entered in three trials in the next two weeks. I am so excited to trial!

Next Friday, July 3rd, we are running in the MAC NADAC trial at SoccerBlast!

• Novice Regular
• Novice Chances
• Novice Jumpers
• Open Tunnelers

The Friday after that, we are will be traveling to Duluth for the rally trial.

• Rally Excellent B
• Rally Advanced B
  

Saturday we're running in the MAC AKC trial at SoccerBlast.

• Novice Standard Preferred
• Novice Jumpers Preferred
• Novice FAST Preferred

http://geocities.com/arohaspringer/BaileyResults.html

I'm going to try to be good and bring the camera for videos as well as ribbon photos!

And just because I feel like it. We need

• 1 more chances Q for our NCC
• 1 more regular Q for our NAC
• 2 more jumpers Qs for our NJC
• 2 more tunnelers Qs for our TN-O

• 7 more QQs for our RAE

• 1 more jumpers Q for our NJP
• 2 more starndard Qs for our NAP
• all three fast Qs for our NFP

Website Update

I put in a spot to enter Buzz's OFA results and then reconfigured Bailey's health information. A new blurb on her page...

Bailey is Genotypically (DNA) Affected with Progressive Retinal Atrophy. She is currently unafflicted at nine years old. Since the results of her DNA test and the affected result, she has taken a 2mg lutein supplement and 2000+mg of fish oil daily. To date, she still has full vision without any signs of PRA.

She is also hypothyroid. Her full thryroid panel sent to MSU revealed a very low normal. Only one point within the range. Based on her behavioral changes, we decided to treat her with a low dosage. She receives 0.3 mg of Thryoxine twice daily. This has made a huge difference in her life. Bailey contributes to the large number of dogs who have responded incredibly well to treatment of a low normal thyroid. Despite having an OFA number for being within the normal range, she is hypothyroid and on treatment.

We made the draw!

Bailey and I will be at the MAC AKC trial on July 11th! We'll be running FAST for the first time.

Less than two weeks...

before I leave for Ohio!

Ohio 4-H Teen Dog Experience

Check out the About Us page!

I am so excited!

Don't be too sure!

It seems like everytime I blog about something, the animals have to prove me wrong! Remember when I said the Kirkland was working for Buzz? Yeah. Not so much. He's back on California Natural and doing better, but now I'm fighting a battle with his clogged eyelid pores because of too much oil (but extra oil is necessary for keep his allergies in check).

Oi vey! I want to wash his darn eyelids with an astringent, but that's not safe. I need to discuss with my vet what would be safe, because I need to keep giving him extra oils!

The cats are ALL doing wonderfully on the Kirkland though *crosses fingers* and it is considerably cheaper than what I was buying for Baby that she didn't want to eat. Snot!

I should do another post but, meh. I ordered Cosequin for cats a while back because it was "the right thing to do" since I have two boys and an old girlie. I started just giving it to Baby but the saw it is supposedly good for the urinary tract. Now the boys get it too. Good or bad, Baby gives EVERYONE the "What FOR!" if they invade her space and RUNS and plays outside. It's only been what? a month, so I'm impressed! All these products I never thought I'd need that are keeping my animals happy and healthy. I'm glad they were invented!

New Website

Nope, I haven't created one, but I need to. Geocities is shutting down and I think it's time for an upgrade anyways. I went from a tripod site, to this one and now I think it's time I learn to do some real HTML work.

Does anyone have any suggestions? If I have to buy a program, I want it to be good, obviously. I'd like to learn more about HTML though, ideally.

So... help?!

Buzz

Sheesh dog!
I'd been meaning to get Buzz xrayed for years now, but something else has always come up and I've felt like I could push it out further. Last Thursday (Hey, I've been busy!) he was xrayed. I told the vet we were not going to sedate him. But that didn't work as he howled in pain whenever they tried to stretch him out to get the xray. Hello bigger problem. My good dog was biting and in very obvious pain when we tried to take the xrays. That concerned me enough to have him sedated so we could get a clear shot.

My dog has a fractured pelvis.

His hips and elbows looked really good though, especially for 11 years old.

Conflicting advice but thus far he's on crate rest for a month. I've let him hang out with me during the day when all bedroom doors are closed and basement door is. He's a pretty lazy guy in the house. Tonight though he was getting all excited (nighttime does that to him) so he's been crated for a few hours.

Not too much information from the xray, but the vet did say it is already healing on its own, so it happened a while ago. I'm wracking my brain to think of WHEN or WHAT!!! He may have fallen off the bed at the river which is pretty high, and is set on a wood floor. His teeter fly off may have caused it but that was a front end thing really. He could have slipped on the ice. I really don't know. I just hope he recovers soon!

We'll re-xray in about a month.

Open A adventures

Our specialty was this weekend and I just entered Bailey in Open A as I didn't know where I'd be at in a lot of respects. I was helping at a camp on Saturday and we headed off to Elk River on Sunday. The new setting was great, socialized with friends, and my dog and I tried to act as a team.

Tried being the key word. I know how early (or rather, how NOT early) I need to get my dog out. I am good at gauging this in Obedience/Rally because we are typically crated close to the ring. Judge said she was ready to start and it took about 15 minutes for her to actually start. That's my fault I haven't trained our prep-time better but *sigh* learn something every time you trial (and I wasn't done learning yet).

Her heeling was good after she bumped me on the first turn and tried to front. YAY for teaching my dog to find heel position. Figure 8 was a little wide, but her right turns were beautiful. I was quite pleased.

Drop on recall was good. A little slow on the drop, but nothing to really complain about.

Retrieve on flat. My good dog waited for the word "fly" and flew out there. She was in such a hurry she grabbed the dumbell by its' bell. She can't carry it like that so she had to drop it and pick it back up again, correctly this time. Despite a poor pick up, she tried really hard.

I was flustered after that (actually happens quite rarely) and set her up WAY too close to the high jump. I was almost ON the line, ARG! I won the stupid handler award for that. I didn't even realize it until quite a bit later when I was trying to figure out why my dog refused the jump going out AND coming back. My poor dog, and it made me look like a complete Novice (which I am, but not usually like THAT). It's a good thing I know her performance is a direct reflection of my handling and training. I wasn't upset with her and her broad jump was very nice, she never shut down on me and stuck with me the whole way. Good Girl!

So, in a single run I learned a LOT about my dog and what we still need to work on.

1) Use her "relax" cue if I realize it's going to be a while and I can't crate her.
2) Begin to vary the warm up routine so altering it doesn't throw her completely.
3) PAY ATTENTION!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Specifically to distances from things!)
4) Trust my dog to do the job I've taught her to.
5) I need to build duration for her sit/wait at heel when we're not doing something but will be.
6) Everything else that I can't think of right now and will think of very soon I'm sure.

So, no Q for us, but hopefully soon. I'm entering Duluth on Friday and we'll play in rally that day again too. We'll get there, and I know we can do it, but I need to focus on MY job since I know my dog can do hers!

New Camera!

I got a Nikon D40 for Graduation! I AM SO EXCITED! It absolutely rocks.

Here's a sampling from tonight. I am a total amateur, but it has been FUN to play with.
My poor tortured dog.

The Old Ones

What do you do with the old ones,
The ones that are past, their glory gone by.
The ones that didn't win, however they tried.
The ones that did win, but later turned shy.
The first one you bought, that had a light eye.
They're eating their heads off, the food bills are high,

What do you do with the old ones?
Find them good homes is the answer, it's clear.
But the only good home mine wants is right here.
Their own special sofa, covered in hair.
They all cut teeth on the dining room chairs.
The safe and familiar paths of their days
The garden, the outings, their own funny ways,
That only I know...and even their food,
If not given by me, wouldn't taste half as good.
So now I'm deep in old ones, who are not good at all.
Who clutter the sitting room, kitchen and hall.
Who need to be brushed, to be walked, loved and fed,
Who want only me to put them to bed!
They're faithful and loving and set in their ways,
So I'm stuck with them all, for the rest of their days.
But I have to confess that when we do have to part,
I'll miss them so much...it will just break my heart.

Author: unknown

Happy Birthday

to my number one, best boy ever!

My Buzz turns 11 today (it IS past midnight now). Holy cow has time flown this past year. I've been away for his birthday four years in a row I think now. The old man doesn't know it, he just misses sleeping on my bed with me at night. What self respecting old man sleeps in a crate anyways?!

I am thrilled that my buddy boy is still here. Despite coming from poor breeding, he's still having the time of his life in as he begins his second year in the double digits! A few changes along the way but he's still the same Heart Dog. Deafness doesn't change who he is as a dog.

How do I say thank you to the dog who got me to where I am today? Well, I could give him exactly what he wants, and I will do that when I get home next Monday.

• Sleeping in bed with me
• Going for walks WITHOUT the young'n
• Digging for gophers
• Swimming (provided it isn't freezing out)
• Tracking (he'll come with me while I assist with a tracking class)
• A dinner of raw food... THAT is Buzz heaven

Life is a journey, a slow process of learning about yourself and the world around you, and something to be cherished. I am thankful every day for each day I have with my Buzz. The one who has listened to me babble on for years about everything. He has gone through every life changing event with me without so much as batting an eye. My first competition dog, though not who I earned my first title with, he currently holds the most titles. I've truly come to understand what it means to enjoy each day and each run. Live life to the fullest is what Buzz says, and live each day as if it were your last. Don't wait until tomorrow, do it today.

I hope he is around to help teach my future puppy what being a Great Dog is all about. He's a great puppy socializer and since I'll never have his legacy to carry on, I want the puppy to meet him.

Tonight, I'm toasting to you Buzz.
























If you made it through all of those pictures... congratulations!

a few photos

River-(white?) GSD/Chessie from Animal Allies yesterday, hilarious puppy.

Likely partially blind, has super splayed feet, SO happy though! He's a crazy puppy who is very mouthy with sharp puppy teeth! Very interested in people. When his ears stand up, he is even more adorable!

My Bailey

Taken on one of the first days back at the farm, she's wondering what the heck I thought I was doing going back to bed! Can't I see how BORED she is?

Best puppy ad I've seen in a long time!

Yep, they're "extra rare" because daddy is 1/16th Australian Sheppard (I took their spelling of it). Oooh, sign me up please! (For more info, just search for the farm name...)

And this photo is OLD!

Erin's kitty Fuser. Evil kitty who only cuddles with Erin and Steve. He's snarky, but you've gotta appreciate that I suppose.

New Building

Animal Allies, where I spent every Friday afternoon before heading home freshman year, has a new building! I'm so excited for them and I'm off to see it today. The new building is in a better location for the dogs, and it's a new building!

I'll definitely update when I get back.

Very exciting!

"go get him!"

Buzz being deaf cramped our style a little bit until I realized that I could have Bailey go get him for me. He was just becoming reliable off leash and was enjoying his new found freedom greatly, so I didn't want to take that away from him... but I couldn't just let him out because there was no way to get his attention if he was facing away from me!

That's when I discovered Bailey can run interference for me! We're still working on it but when I say "go get him!" she'll race out to him and get his attention somehow, then run back to me. This gets his attention and he's usually really good about following her back to me (for cheese, of course). On the odd occasion he doesn't follow her back, I send her out again. She understands this game and will pounce on him, run into him, or all of the above to get him to move.

What a valuable dog I have! :>) I'm nearly afraid she'll think it's acceptable to be the hallway monitor again, but hey... they both get to run and play now and I don't have to worry about losing a dog (or two)!

Very Good Dogs!

Bailey's Novice Jumpers run


Buzz's Novice Jumpers run... for his S-NJC!


Very good dogs qualified in all respective runs today! Our judge was kind enough to give Bailey a re-run on Regular round 2 because a car alarm went off while she was on the a-frame and she was obviously shaken. We re-ran and it was very nice!

Check out Buzz's Results and Bailey's Results for complete details.

Buzz Tracking

He does not have an article indication... and I'm sorry for the multiple shots of my butt. He was tracking! YAY!

The AKC...

http://www.underdogged.net/?p=362

I'm a hypocrit too, but to a lesser degree I suppose. I train at a club that does NOT host AKC trials and I (now) belong to the MMBC, a mixed breed club that is inclusive of all breeds (and mixed breeds) and only hosts trials that allow any dog to compete. I would not "need" to do AKC to compete in everything I want, except for tracking. Our only other tracking option is ASCA and those trials are few and far inbetween.

We are active in NADAC, CPE, and USDAA agility-in addition to AKC; APDT (and soon UKC) rally-in addition to AKC; UKC obedience-in addition to AKC; but we will only be doing AKC tracking. UKC is thinking about introducing tracking, but it would be part of their sport dog program and thus modeled after Sch tracking which is not what we train for. I suppose I could though!

Anyway, Katie always writes so well.

Trials

(I have the day off... can you tell?)

We trial on Saturday-NADAC agility-both dogs.

I sent in an entry for the TCVESSA specialty show on May 17-Bailey-Open A.

I've also got an entry for the MAC AKC trial at Soccerblast sitting on the table. I've got vouchers so Bailey's entered in Novice Preferred-STD, JWW, and FAST. Random draw, but I'm a "worker" and they've reserved 65 worker spots so I'm mailing it tomorrow because I don't know if they draw for that or if it's first come first serve.

There are more possibilities but I'm kinda waiting to see about this whole employment situation before I spend more money. Jobs schobs.

Oh, yeah, photos coming soon I hope. Working on editing them in between doing school stuff.

Keeping Count

After reading a couple of posts where people listed the number of titles their dog has... I decided I wanted to do that.

Buzz

1. RL1
2. RL2
3. RN
4. UCD
5. NAC
6. NCC
7. NJC
8. O-NJC
9. TN-N
10. O-TN-N
11. TG-N
12. WV-N

I guess Buzz has 12 titles! Go buddy go!

Bailey

1. RN
2. RA
3. RE
4. CD
5. TN-N

Baby dog only has 5. But what a good baby dog she is (and she has quite a few Qs in venues we don't play in much-USDAA & CPE).

Pretty cool stuff.

More Tracking

Saturday was a good tracking day! Bailey ran a 257 yard track with 3 corners and 6 articles. Completely new location, dry conditions, she was a good girl! A few things to work through, but overall I was very pleased!

The new tracking group is so much fun. The people are nice and very easy to work with.

We also went tracking today. I laid two short straight tracks for Buzz and he remembers what to do, so that is very YAY! I laid one track for Bailey that I aged 25 minutes (longest yet) and put 4 articles on. Her article indications were good, but twice I had to re-cue track because she stopped to sniff something in the field. Then I lost an article on my way out of the field so she had to go back in and find it, which she did... good girl!

I'm so excited to be tracking again!

Tracking!

I've been a good dog trainer and worked my dogs. Last night each dog ran a track and this morning each dog ran a track too.

Buzz ran both tracks WITHOUT the footsteps being baited by food! GOOD BOY! He's really starting to enjoy it, just when I was about to give up on him understanding what I wanted him to do! We're still working on a four foot leash and very short straight tracks, but I think we're getting it!

Bailey... shot off like a cannon on her aged (15 minutes) track this morning. Then she got tangled in her line somehow and stopped tracking. I recued "find your track" and she leapt out again, untangling herself and powering to the corner. I paused at the corner when I laid the track... she stopped to sniff that really hard, went the incorrect direction first, then double backed and headed off towards her last article. VERY nice article indication last night and this morning. We've got work to do still but we're having so much fun with this.

Bailey and I are going to group tracking on Saturday and I can't wait.

Confessions of a Dog Food Snob

Hereby referred to by DFS from now on. I, Megan Nelson, am a dog food snob of a rare kind. I fed questionable quality food for years until Buzz's reddness was attributed to an allergy. Thus began the search for a food that would help him out. Drastic improvement with numerous foods but nothing "fixed" him completely. I fed prey model raw as their sole diet for close to a year but when I had to go back to school without the dogs, mom refused to feed that "icky raw stuff" (this coming from the woman who grew up on a dairy farm... hmmm?). So the dogs ate a quality samon based food that seemed to appease Buzz's system enough for him to be less itchy.

I am a convert. They still eat raw, and I will go back to full raw as soon as I can (aka, get a real job and support myself completely) but this Costco dog food people have been raving about is well... worth the rave. Premium Edge labeled as Kirkland Signature, lamb and rice, was either introduced at an incredibly convenient time, or it's keeping his allergies at the same level the Fromm Salmon did!

If I wasn't going to see my friend who buys in bulk from the distributor for a few months, I was paying about $50 for 30# that would last me a little over a month because I always add things, and feed raw meals when I can, etc. When I was able to get food from said friend it was $30 for 40#. This stuff is $25 for 40# *nods* uhhuh! That's right. The DFS has been feeding her dogs something very different. I'm not even shuddering when I say that I feed Kirkland.

Who knew?




Ok, so I'm still going back to all prey model raw as soon as possible and until then they get as much as I can give them!

The Photo

*click to make full sized

Vet Visit

Maybe we're done for a while now?! Hopefully!

4DX for each dog
Bordetella (they're boarding in April and May)
Rabies for Buzz

I love being there, and I'm doing my last hours for quite a while on Saturday. I'm very sad I won't be seeing everyone frequently.

The Website

is being a PIMA... I'm working to figure out why the pictures aren't showing. Hopefully I'll figure it out soon! ARG! Is it my host? Some are photobucket hosted, most are flickr... it doesn't seem to make a difference.

Difficult

I've been waiting to share this (unexciting) news for a while because I still haven't gotten him BAER tested, and likely won't until summer, but I think Buzz is deaf. There were a few insignificant events that left me wondering for a couple of months now, but some experiences at the trial as well as at home have nearly cemented it in my mind. If he is indeed deaf, that means no AKC tracking tests for us, and I need to look into the rules for UKC. Thankfully NADAC does not discriminate so regardless, we can continue to play our beloved game of agility.

Not that it bothers me in the least that he's likely deaf (or nearly deaf). I just dislike the fact that it takes away our chance of doing AKC tracking and I don't know of other tracking venues locally. UKC was looking into it but their's will be more like Schutzhund I heard. ASCA tracking isn't really around, but I guess I will look into it further.

I ran the trial this weekend using very few words and he was exceptionally responsive. I don't need my voice to run him in agility or obedience, and he should be working ahead of me on his own in tracking anyways. The only change I really have to make is finding another marker (since he obviously can't hear the clicker), a laser has been suggested to me.

We'll find out for sure in a couple of months, and I'm off to check on the UKC rules now. I'm going to assume APDT doesn't care since they are an inclusive venue to begin with.

ETA: We can continue to compete in UKC! :>)

Buzz's Chiropractor Visit

His pelvis was out of whack, left side specifically. She warned me about him being extra sleepy for a couple of days after the adjustment, but sheesh. He's a dork boy who fell asleep learning on a chair leg, comfortable, eh there old man? No agility this week as he's not supposed to do anything strenuous for about four days.

I did entries for the April 18th ACTS NADAC outdoor trial. Bailey's entered in Reg 1 & 2, Chances, and Jumpers. Buzz is just in jumpers. Should be fun!

a road traveled with my best friend

Buzz is a piece of me. This dog means the world to me. He is my partner in crime and my snuggle buddy at night. He takes life as it comes and rarely questions what I ask of him (that does NOT go for other people asking--you can ask my mother). He's a good boy who has taught me so much. This weekend we reached a milestone I thought we'd never achieve. We didn't get a NATCH, or even an elite title. Instead we got a much desired Qualifying run in Novice Weavers that was the completion of our Novice Versatility. I told him after he took a flying leap off of the teeter at class recently that he is NOT The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (get younger as you get older). Apparently he disagrees. He was feeling fine this weekend and ran amazingly well for me. At nearly eleven years old, he is playing a game we began playing nine years ago. We had a rough beginning but after some amazing guidance, we have achieved a goal I never thought possible. His first qualifying runs were in Jumpers and Tunnelers... WAY back on July 8, 2006. We didn't enter weavers until March 16, 2008 where he promptly showed me he was more than capable of being successful in the class. Listen to your dog right? (Don't forget to train your dog too!)

From his first title on 7/7/07 (lucky much?) to now, I've learned so much about him as a dog, me as a handler, agility in general, and life. Most of it is still in the gibberish stage but from what I have sorted through... live, love, laugh, learn, and remember what the founders of Life Is Good tell us "Do what you like, like what you do."

Thank you Annelise, for believing is us.

*insert biggest smile ever*

WE DID IT! I feel like we got a NATCH, but nope... just a WV-N which completed Buzz's Novice Versatility! It wasn't the smoothest run ever but we DID IT! Good good good good good boy! I have a surprise coming that I'll share, when it gets here! It wasn't smooth, so I figured we had no chance of qualifying... didn't check the book, didn't check with the trial secretary even though I brought the sheet up. I finally went to check to see how poorly we actually did and found out we'd qualified!!!!! Nice way to find out huh? Anyways, GOOD BOY! That was his second run of the day.

First up was Tunnelers. Both dogs were entered, Buzz in Novice, Bailey in Open. They were both VERY good dogs. Smooth runs, quite a bit under time. Bailey got her first Open Q with a second place! There was definitely (English Springer) Spaniel Power this weekend. In addition to my two we had Jester, Copper, Kenna, and Sadie!

Buzz's jumpers run was so smooth and beautiful. It felt fabulous! Qualifying and 1st place!

Buzz went 3/3 (with a first place) and Bailey went 1/1 (with a second place).

UCD Buzz RL2 NAC NCC O-NJC O-TN-N TG-N WV-N RN, Novice Versatility!!!

Kitty Cat

Everyone can be healthy for at least six months now! Baby went to the vet today for a thyroid check, and also because she'd created three sores from licking. It's likely an infection, so she was given an antibiotic injection that is supposed to last 10-14 days. We'll know if it's working or not in about five days, and we should have the results of her thyroid blood work on Friday.

I'm telling all of my animals to stay healthy! We don't need to see the vet monthly, as much as I love the people there... they can all remain healthy for a while now! I can handle the routine stuff... I don't like unexpected.

ONE WEEK!

We get to trial VERY soon! ONE week! I might explode trying to wait!

I'm so excited!

We haven't shown since AUGUST!

Tracking

Both dogs did two tracks today. Buzz is slowly getting the hang of this tracking thing and starting to get longer tracks. Bailey tracked like a maniac and I can't wait to get out regularly with her again.

Muddy dogs needed baths but muddy dogs are tired and happy. Good dogs. Tracking is FUN!

Oh Buzz!

Agility last night was frightening. My dog was speedy and confident and took a flying leap off the teeter! Yes, my Buzz had a fly off and came up with a mouthful of dirt and limping. My old man is not afraid of the teeter. I was walking him around the arena to see how he was moving and he tried to weave (stopped that one) and promptly did the teeter (with MUCH less speed, but no less enthusiasm). I then leashed my dog to continue walking him around. We walked and walked and walked. I'm very pleased to say he "walked it off" and is fine this morning. We still need to visit the chiropractor though, so I'm trying to see if we can get in next Tuesday.

We decided no more teeter--he won't see one in a trial ever because he only does NADAC, so there's no use in the chance of this happening again. Silly old man loves his contacts but he can't be trying to kill himself with his joyful, new found enthusiasm and energy.

Now that I know he's okay I'm calling him a dork. Scared me for a while though last night.

DORK!

WE WANT SUMMER!

Funny how this makes me think of summer and happiness huh?

Stimulus Control

Until I actually saw Kristen teaching stimulus control, I had no idea what the heck she was talking about. Now I understand and it's a marvelous thing! It... wow... helped me put quite a few behaviors on cue that I'd never been able to before.

Stimulus Control=Amazing. Must try to get video of it.