Border Buddies

Who would have thought......

2009-08-02T21:08:00.002+01:00

...... that after all my moaning and terrible self pity things just stayed dull, but today it seems that Max and I had the right spirit and though we had an early running order in the Agility (No 7) it seems we had our act together and managed to come second. As I had an early run I didn't expect to stay there, but when I checked 2.5 hours later I was still second. I couldn't believe it and nearly started crying in the scorer's tent.... I know, I am a softy....

It was a nice show, yesterday I had 3 runs and 3 clear rounds (a 14th and a 17th place) and I just started being ok with that fact that due to my lack of speed I will not make any of the places with trophies any time soon.... I was proven wrong it seems. We were 1 second slower than the winner.... Not bad and I was close to tears the rest of the day.

We had lots of fun in the Pairs class and I messed up the Jumping, but nothing could spoil the day. The courses were all very nice and we had lots of fun.

We are slowly coming to the end of the season. This 2nd place really gave me some confidence that we can do it....

Beside, at the moment, outside of Agility, life seems to be mainly cr*p, so that made up for it a bit and gives me the highlights which keep me going! So thanks to Amanda Pigg (judge in the Agility class) for a lovely course ;-)

Here is the handsome Max with his rosette and our first ever trophy!

Jinxed it!

2009-07-18T21:00:00.002+01:00

It seem, that with my last post I jinxed it. Newlands today and not a single clear round. Ok, it was mainly my fault...

Having been ill for a week didn't help. When I tried to run in the Agility class (first class of the day RO 1, thought that would be a good sign ;-) ) I realised that having been in bed for 4 days and being unable to eat anything for about 6 days didn't help running or concentrating.
Anyway, Max did a nice round in Agility and really went for it, until the last jump, when he spotted his lead and went for it without doing the last jump. Unfortunately I can only beat myself up, as I placed it in a rather visible place for him from the second to last jump.... Oh well...

In the jumping he did a nice round but knocked a pole. He worked ahead nicely and again I had real problem moving!

Next was the Helter Skelter. I had entered Luke in this class, hoping there were no weaves, and we were lucky, there were no weaves. A lovely flowing course with a few handling bits.

Luke jumped the first jump, then headed straight for a tunnel, funny enough, the tunnel entrance didn't even face him. so he had to run around the tunnel to get in.

When he came out I took him bet to jump No 2 and we started again. This time he was much more focused and finished the course nicely... He missed another couple of jumps, but stayed in the ring, jumped beautifully and tried to follow my "instructions".

Max had quite a high RO, so we had to wait a while.

Max ran very nicely again, worked ahead but took one jump too tight and knocked a pole...
It is so lovely to work him.... I really enjoy it and I enjoyed to run Luke too. I am looking forward to compete with the 2 of them.... Some time next year.....

Next week I have no show, so will have to find something to keep me busy ;-)

Life in general and Agility in particular

2009-07-13T10:53:00.002+01:00

This year seems to be a bit of an odd one for me. Since February I had lots of problems with my car. I spend loads of money to get it repaired, but in the end I had to admit defeat when I was on my 3 rd alternator and still nobody knew what the actual problem was.

I was lucky though and was given a car by a friend of mine, which was a real life saver and I cannot thanks Paula enough for that very kind offer.

Not having a car was a nightmare. I missed training and shows and had problems taking the dogs for a really lovely long walk...

Now being mobile again I got slightly paranoid and always waiting for something to go wrong now. So far we managed to break the car key in the door and last weekend a passing car through up some stones and broke the rear windscreen! It seems never ending. So I wallow a bit in self pity in times, please forgive ;-)

Agility wise we are not doing badly. Max is quite reliable and so far we managed to come home with at lest one clear round from each show. Sometimes we even manage places. I was considering moving up on points, s we always seem 5-10 seconds behind the winner of the class...
But I realised I am not sure my confidence can keep up with this. Yes, it sounds sad, I know (remember, self pity time)
Max is great and very responsive, just recently I get so nervous in a ring, forgetting the courses or doing really stupid things. The effect is that I seem more hesistant and so is Max consequently. He is not the sort of dog who just blasts through a course, though he works ahead, he always keeps an eye on me and if I slow down, so does he. He is very sensitive so loses confidence immediately when he thinks he did wrong, so I always have to keep it light and happy and not beat myself up about mistakes. I cannot repeat stuff to often he doesn't understand (probably because I don't "teach" them right) as he then loses self confidence and goes into snail mode....

He had lovely contacts, but holding those made him pretty slow on the equipment, beside that he was worried (again) of not getting it right. Now I try to run his contacts. I am not sure that is a good idea, but worth a try ;-)

At the weekend I went to see a friend who gave me a whole day of her experience and helped me with Luke and max. She was amazing in helping to build up my confidence and suggested that we move up on points as Max and I seem to do better on handling courses. I will seriously contemplate this now, not sure I want to leave my comfort zone though :-O
It was amazing how much time she spend on rather building me up than my dog, as Max is already very good....
So why is it so difficult to believe that I can do it and we are actually doing quite well??
I am very pleased with Max. He is lovely to run. We (probably rather "I") are still to slow for that "win".

At the moment lots of stuff is going on in my life which need sorting out and maybe this is all undermining my confidence in general??? Oh, where is the psychologist when you need one??? ;-)

Friend took some lovely photos when we went for our days training , when I receive them, I will post some. She worked Luke for me and boy, did he work for her. He had lovely turns (something I am really struggling with him) and did very well. Next weekend he is entered in the Helter Skelter class at Newlands and I am very curious to how he will do.
I think I should have more faith in him, but I am still worried that he might leave the ring, run off etc... So ll fingers crossed it will go well.

Can't believe the season is already coming slowly to it's end. Where is time gone?

Easter and Airbeds......

2009-04-15T15:54:00.002+01:00

There is nothing straight forward in my life it seems.
Or maybe it is that I am not very organised. We had the Easter show booked and without checking any of the camping equipment we packed and hit the road....

We left rather late and when we arrived at Easter Egg'gility we just managed to put up the tent in day light.

But when it was time to go to sleep we realised our airbeds had already lost some air..... Unfortunately it didn't get better (does it ever when things are broken?) and after about half an hour of sleep, been woken up by barking dogs (not mine though) I realised the airbed was "down".
It wasn't very comfortable to sleep the rest of the night on the very cold and hard floor.
Still, we managed. Next morning the kids reported their airbed was down too.
Before we could solve these "less important" problems, we had to walk courses and I actually had the difficult task to wake up. Not easy!

The show was a 4 ring show and from our camping plot we could see the rings, which helped, as we couldn't hear the tannoy.

I can't remember the order of the class. I think first was Agility, Pauline Barr, another Wiccaweys supportr, judging. The course was lovely. Not naggy, just really nice to run, still containing handling bits. Max was brilliant and we managed a clear round, which turned out to be a 4th place in the end. That was a good start, despite broken airbeds... I still was dreadfully tired.

The jumping course was nice too, but I missed a massive trap when the dog came out of the tunnel they saw the weaves, but had to jump the jump next to it. I didn't call Max and of course he went into the weaves, silly me.
Then we had a Helter Skelter, which was nice too. Fast and flowing. It was combined 1-5 and we managed a clear round, but no placing.

My son was brave enough to run Jake. Unfortunately Jake took advantage of being handled by a child and just did what he like. He was rather naughty when he wee'd at a tunnel (Jake that is) He really should know by now!

We had Nina, Luke and Robbie in the "Any Size" class. All dogs were a bit taken by surprise and didn't really know what was expected. Oh well, was their first time in the ring.

After the classes were finished we had to make the decision to go home or find replacement airbeds. People organising the show were so friendly and helpful. So off we went venturing into Stratford, where we found a big Tesco. We were lucky and they had 2 double airbeds for sale....

So decision was made, we stayed. We filled up on food and Brownies (as we are running this unofficial research about, where to buy the best Brownies. So far Co op is first)

We had a lovely night on our new airbeds.....

Next day, after a good nights sleep, I felt much better.

First class was the Pairs. Max and I went first and came home with a clear, then my daughter ran with her dog and they went clear until they reached the last jump and there he knocked a pole, What a shame, but great run!

I then ran my Agility and Jumping, again lovely courses. We managed to go clear in both and ended up with a 6th and an 8th place.
Later back to Any Size classes, where my daughter ran Nina and to our surprise managed a clear round! Well done!
Next was Luke and I. he was much more focused this time. He flew over the first 3 obstacles, then there was a turn and I didn't call him early enough, being used to Max following my every shoulder movement, didn't work with Luke though ;-)
He took the turn too wide and missed the jump.
Back on track then heading for the tunnel. He worked ahead of me into the tunnel, missed another turn coming out of it. Then back into another tunnel and heading for the finish where he arrived far before me.
He only missed 2 jumps and I was well happy about his performance.
I was worried that he might leave the ring or had to say hello to other dogs watching, but he was a very good boy!

Then the disaster hit, my NEW airbed was broken and deflated.... After trying to sleep on the floor again I decided to sleep in the car.
The next day I felt horrible as I had hardly any sleep.

Not a good start for the day. We managed to get a clear in the Agility, but Max was incredible slow, so we were out of places. In the Jumping he knocked a pole at a tight turn and in the Helter Skelter I pulled him off the jump....

It seems that at a 3 day show max is totally deflated (like my airbed ;-) ) on the third day. I have to look into it and find out what could be the reason. Maybe a lack of stamina, or am I just expecting too much?

He did the same last weekend at the UKA show. On the third day he seemed terribly tired and was very slow...

My daughter came home with quite a few clear rounds too.

So all in all a nice weekend, despite broken airbeds. ;-)

UKA Scrambles and spelling mistakes....

2009-04-06T13:48:00.002+01:00

Ok, embarrassing things first.....

I was told I have lots of spelling mistakes in my blog. I want to apologise for those. I don't always re-read what I wrote, as I am sometimes in a hurry (most of the time in fact) beside, my keyboard is rather knackered and some letters don't work well (good excuse, don't you think???)

Maybe I should put a disclaimer, like: "all spelling mistakes made on purpose to see if you pay attention..." ;-)

Anyway, back to Agility....

We went to the UKA Scrambles show over the weekend. We were soooo lucky with the weather, though the Friday started a bit grim and grey....
We actually didn't want to go, but then through change in plans, dog related, as usual, we decided to go after all.

There were nice courses. But I felt completely unprepared. Being watched by my trainer didn't help either. Think that what "stage fright" must be like ;-)

We got eliminated in the Steeplechase, as I got so worked up about the "Snake" (FlickFlack for any northerners who might read this) in the course that I started getting hysterical when approaching it... Not like me really. Anyway, things fell apart then...

The Agility class was in the afternoon and though we got a clear, Max was very, very slow... I was wondering if he was tired or if he needed more motivation.... Or if he shouldn't have had the run around over lunch... To our surprise we found out that the round though slow, was not only clear, but a 6th place in the end.

Saturday was amazing. I had 3 runs and 3 clears.... of which were 2 places... In the Jumping I came 3rd (my first ever 3rd place with Max) and a 7th in the RC Qualifier Agility. The Agility course was rather tricky, as it was the same course for Beginners up to Champs.... There were 8 clear rounds in the Beginners classes....

Funny enough, I had a conversation with my daughter ring side, that I won't bring a cake to training (to celebrate) unless I have 1st, 2nd or 3rd place.... There you go, get the baking tray out again ;-)

Sunday it seems Max and I were tired... I didn't get it together. I couldn't even memorise the courses. I walked the Power and Speed and immediately had forgotten the course. When we ran it, I just ran according to what I thought was right... nd we went clear. Got another one in the Agility....

The highlight of the day though was my daughter having her first ever clear round and it even turned out to be a 3rd place... You should have seen her face. She was glowing... Sometimes I wish you could somehow capture those feelings and get them out when you feel low.... She was so happy. She managed 2 places over the weekend.... She was very proud and so was I. :-)

Alan was so nice to take a picture of Max in action and he sent it to me by email! Thanks Alan. The first ever Agility picture I have of Max....

More training days and the start of the season.

2009-03-30T14:01:00.003+01:00

For a while I felt a bit like deflated tyre.... It seems that the fun was out of Agility somehow and motivation was difficult.

Now I had 3 training days and it seems things don't look so doom and gloom anymore.

The last training day was with David Munnings. I had Luke in the morning class and Max in the afternoon class.
I enjoyed both classes, though strange enough it seems that Luke went totally flat after about half the time. It seems when he has a walk in the morning he is less ready to work or too tired to work, which is surprising, as he seems to be able to run for hours...

But with Luke and Agility it is still early days. I wanted to enter him in some Any Size classes this season, but might change my mind now, as he didn't work very well on the Saturday. But as I said, early days.

Compared to that, it really is a joy to work with Max, very responsive, very eager, very bright. Not saying Luke is not, but he always seem to have his own agenda and sometimes doing fun stuff for himself (like sniffing the ground) takes over. If I didn't know better I'd think he is a Spaniel or Sprollie.

But back to Max. We worked on turns, distance control and contacts. And I was very happy to see that Max can easily keep up with the higher Grade dogs, the problem really is myself as I m lacking the experience of a higher grade handler.

But it gave me a good confidence boost to see him working so well.
I got a few ideas how to improve his contacts and of course to think more about my handling. Not sure I will succeed with that though :-/

On Sunday I had my first ever judging appointment at the Waverunners UKA show. I was soooooo nervous. Saw myself eliminating people who went clear, because I forgot the course. Needless to say I didn't get much sleep at night.

When we arrived, the course was already set up (lucky me) and it just needed a bit straightening up.
I had a rather nice ring manager who was very helpful.

My children were stars as well, my daughter scrimed and the boys were doing other jobs at the ring. Helping tirelessly.

Judging was great fun as it gave me a good opportunity to watch other people run their dogs and watch their handling.

I think it all went very well (though weird when you have to judge your trainer :-O ) I didn't get any complains and looking at the dogs, they seemed to have enjoyed themselves.

At the end of the day my feet, back and legs were aching and I was very tired and happy to go home. I got a lovely judges gift from Renee, thanks :)

My dogs though were glad when the day were over an they could have a run around and enjoy themselves too. Poor dogs being stuck in the car all day.

I booked quite a few shows and hope the weather will be kind this year and Max and I will manage to work together and improve our relationship.
Now I am looking forward to the season and to all the shows I booked....

Training Day

2009-02-22T17:07:00.003Z

I have been to a training day yesterday. We were so lucky as the weather was glorious. It actually got quite warm around midday.

The training day was with Natasha Wise and I thoroughly enjoyed it. We trained some tight turns, which in theory I seem to understand now, not sure the practice will get any better. Then we did contacts and weaves. It was quite interesting to get her idea how to make Max's contacts more reliable and faster, as he sometimes creeps down the dog walk or even waits just before the contact zone. So I think some contact work needs to be done. It was amazing to see how he speeds up in the weaves, when somebody was holding a tuggy toy for him. Couldn't believe his speed. So now need to find somebody at training to motivate him with a toy, while I run next to him.

All good fun anyway.
Next weekend we had planned to go to the Agility Addicts show, which I had entered weeks and weeks ago. Unfortunately, though entered really early, we didn't get in. Next time I better enter before the schedule comes out ;-)
So next weekend needs reconsidering...

At the moment I have little Hugo here.... (I know, excuse the name) he is 5 month old, black and white collie and looking for a new home.

He was a bit big for his boots when he arrived, but now learnt that he is not the king of the castle... Let's hope I can find him a lovely new home with lots of exciting stuff going one. He is still very puppyish for being 5 month old. He enjoys to go out with my lot. A typical curious and cheeky puppy :)

Agility Addicts Christmas Show

2008-12-29T08:21:00.002Z

Yesterday we went to the Agility Addicts Christmas Show. Until the last minute I wasn't sure if we were going. It was so cold and getting up early when we are all off on holiday is not my favourite past time. But as Chadiga and I were awake anyway we thought we just do it then.
The roads were empty early in the morning and we managed to get there in 2.5 hours....
Though we missed the Fancy Dress competition and were not able to walk the jumping course, but at least we were in time for all our classes....

And what can I say, Max was on top form. We had 4 runs and 4 clear rounds. We got 2 places, a 12th in the jumping and a 9th in the Agility Christmas contacts.....
A clear round in the Agility and Max even managed to go clear in the pairs. Unfortunately our pair partner, Chadiga, got lost on the course and got eliminated ;)

The whole day was great fun and I didn't regret going. Though it was weird, when I go to shows down south, you always see the same familiar faces. Now I hardly knew anybody....

That was our last show for this year...
Max really came a long way this year and gvce me lots of fun when working with him.

Now I just have to figure out, how to speed him up. (There you go, ambition got me now ;-) )
We get placings, but are usually between 6 and 10 seconds slower than the winning dog.

Any ideas how to speed Max up??? It probably would help if I ran faster, but don't think that will happen any time soon.
He works ahead nicely, so no complains there either...

Any suggestions welcomed :)

Thanks and a happy new year to you all!

Merry Christmas and a happy new year everybody!

2008-12-24T09:14:00.003Z

Just recovering from a very heavy flu, been in bed for 4 days (oh the joy!).

I hope that everybody will have some lovely days coming up.

Enjoy yourselves and I hope you all will have a peaceful and quiet time.

Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

Today

2008-12-13T20:33:00.002Z

It was cold, windy, rained an awful lot. The streets were flooded. Amazing how quickly roads can turn into streams.
Nevertheless I went to the Anju simulated Christmas show. Not that many people turned up, probably due to the weather.
Still, it was great fun. Max was good, but decided to run his contacts, so I had to let him do his A Frame again, which gave us an "E". The course was lovely. Not too easy, not too difficult.
As Chadiga was down with the flu, I decided to take Luke along for a little training. He is not doing Agility for so long so I really just wanted to put him in a different environment to practice.
And I was amazed. He approached the contact equipment on his own accord. Though his contacts are not very good at the moment, he didn't shy away from any of the equipment and did them all well, except for the weaves, which he doesn't know well enough to do them on his own. And he was running on medium height, s he doesn't do full height jumps yet.

In the jumping class Max was great in the first run. Luke was absolutely unfocused. Stopped and sniffed and said hello to the judge (Wendy).
So before the next run we did some focus work and he did really well. We managed a clear round! Yeah. Due to the lack of people we even managed to turn it into a 3rd place. Well done Luke. Your first ever place! And he even won a trophy, a cute squeaky toy.

In Max's second round I waited with him at the start to get him going a bit with a "ready, ready, ready". And off he went and was 2 seconds faster than before, unfortunately he knocked a pole. Never mind!

It was great fun, but I was happy when I could go home, very cold and wet.

Decided now to enter Luke in March's C Side show in the run for fun class. Let's see how it goes!

Halfway through December already, nearly.

2008-12-12T09:41:00.002Z

I don't know where the year has gone. I can't believe it is nearly the new year already.
This year was quite mixed with ups and downs.
The dogs are doing fine. I decided to give Luke a break from sheepdog training, as he is just too full on and he gets worse. Think we need some more obedience before we continue. But he is doing very well at his Agilitytraining.
He is the sort of dog who is always everywhere with his nose and his brain, but never where he is suppose to be. So I have to really focus him on "work". Lately he started playing up a bit, obviously Testosterone is kicking in. This seems to be the time for the "snip". I have no intention to breed anyway, so why make life harder for him and myself. Particularly as Luke likes the girls sooo much ;-)
SO in 2 weeks time, just before Christmas he is booked in....

A few weeks ago Chadiga and I went to the simulated show from Anju. It was lots of fun and eventually Max managed a clear round... Well done MAx!
He is still too slow for placings though. He went to the vet this week for his rabies jab and weighed in with 20.7kg. So I think he has to loose a kilo or 2. Though he is quite leggy and doesn't look fat, rather muscled... Let's see how it goes.
Beside that, it is definitely my handling slowing him down.
Other than that I am very happy with him. He is responsive, keen and we have lots of fun together :)

Tomorrow we are at another Anju show, today is my last day of work for this year (doesn't that sound good??? ;-) )
and we aare heading for Christmas. So far I was able to avoid all the stressed shoppers and I hope I will continue to do so.

I am looking forward to a quiet time with the children and the dogs. Let's hope the weather stays dry....

Bits and bobs

2008-11-20T10:07:00.005Z

Not much going on at the moment.... We went to the C-Side show last Sunday. I didn't really feel like going, but then the night before I had weird dream about Agility. So I got up early and we all went in the end. I offered the boys to run Jake. Though I know it is not always easy to run him, as he can be a bit of an "arse".... You have to be firm with him.

Anyway, we had Starters Agility and Jumping (Grade 1-3) and Open Agility and Jumping (Grade 1-7)

Max managed a 15th place in the Agility, unfortunately I lost the plot in the jumping and we got eliminated. But he ran beautifully.
The Open classes were really difficult. In the Agility I forgot to tell Max there was a snake and he back jumped the wrong jump. In the Jumping he missed his weave entry, which was a rather difficult one...

Junus first ran Jake in the jumping class and did really well. Jake didn't even think of coming back to me.... Unfortunately Junus forgot the course and got eliminated :)))

Then Noah tried Jake in the Agility class. JAke was a real handful and didn't want to move at all for him. Noah was really disheartened and was close to crying....
So I went into the ring and helped a bit, for which we got eliminated of course. ;-)

But at least Noah got him around the course, sort of....

I was very grateful to the judge who let Noah get on with it. In the end she gave Noah a "Judges Special" rosette, as he didn't give up and carried on.

Yesterday I took some picture while I walked the dogs. I like this of Luke.....

Might put the others on here as well :)

November already

2008-11-07T09:21:00.002Z

Looks like the year is coming to an end quickly. Where has it gone?
Last night we resumed training. I went through with the decision to not keep on training Jake and Robbie. One need to save money somewhere..... :(
So I just had Max and Luke to take. It was difficult for me to get back into training again. Somehow all the enthusiasm of the summer is gone. I hope it is just an autumn/ winter thing.
Both dogs did very well. Luke is very clever and picking things up so quickly. I am really impressed. Max is just his usual enthusiastic self... :)

Went to sheepdog training as well and Jake did very well. He was promoted to work out in the field and it was a joy to work with him. So different to doing Agility with him. Luke is still a bit of a nut case and very hard to stop.

I am hoping that one day he will get there, but maybe not...

Today the dogs seem to want to create havoc today. They love to keep me on my toes :-S

Might post some sheepdog training pictures later.....

Jake the sheepdog

2008-10-18T08:18:00.002+01:00

Last week I had the opportunity to "test" Jake on some more sheep than just 5 and in a huge field not a small paddock.
He worked very well in a small paddock and though Sarah said that she thinks he could move a bigger flock of sheep easily, I wasn't so sure.
Anyway, Jake didn't go to fetch the sheep, but once we reached the flock, he was amazing. He drove them behind me, so that I could walk leisurely in front of him. He did a cracking job. Though having no directionals as such ( comebye and away) he instinctively knew what to do.
I could send him to do anything, but he would be very happy to move a flock with sheep with me and keep them together.

I was in awe... He was amazing and really seemed to enjoy himself. He was lying down behind the sheep when asked and stopped when I told him to. Well done Jakey!

Luke was a bit more pushing and it took him about 10 minutes to settle down. In those 10 minutes he just ran circles around the sheep without doing anything else and without harming them.
Then he started driving them towards me. And though he was a bit fast, he was really good. Not as good as Jake though ;)

All in all a lovely experience seeing them enjoying themselves so much. I was overwhelmed to watch them.

Reflection

2008-10-13T13:33:00.002+01:00

The Agility season is over now and though I still have a few indoor shows, it feels very much s if the exciting Agility show time is gone.
We have break from training as well at the moment.

I am seriously considering to take Jake out of training. One is a financial aspect, as everything just gets so expensive, but as well, as I don't see an improvement in Jake. He has good days and bad days (like me really ;) )
I am sure he wouldn't do worse at shows without regular training. Maybe I let the kids run him from time to time to get some experience. On the other hand, he always looks for his mummy when he is in the ring with them.... So maybe not such a good choice after all.
Then there is Robbie, who does Agility, but without too much enthusiasm. He would be equally happy without it. He is not the fastest dog anyway and I just keep going with him to actually do something with him other than taking him for a walk.
He is not interested in sheep, so that rules that out....

All these decisions ;)

All in all this season was very nice, though we had the kennel cough and some shows were cancelled due to rain. But I feel like I have learned and awful lot and working with Max is so much different than working with Jake.
I had a few great training days. Would be nice to have the odd one during the winter, but we shall see.

Other than that, I really would like to spend some more time training some of my dogs at sheep, but it seems a very costly hobby, unless I would own some sheep :-O

Mid Downs Show

2008-10-06T08:33:00.002+01:00

Well, let's just forget about Mid Downs Show. The weather was awful and I wasn't even sure if I should go.
But I did in the end. Arrived too late, so missed walking the course. Chadiga came along to run Jake.
While waiting in the queue we got soaking wet, though wearing waterproofs.
Max did very well, but came out of the weaves one pole too early. That was a surprise, as he was excellent at last training.
Oh well, never mind. I probably didn't work him good enough.
Jake was just an Ar*e in the ring. Didn't do t al what Chadiga was saying.
as they broke for lunch then we decided to go home to get into some warm cloth. Not sure I wanted to return after being in the dry though.
After getting warm at home again I decided to go back. When we arrived the Jumping class came to and end, so I booked Jake and Max in, but told the caller and the ticket person that I have to go back and get Jake after my run with Max.
Anyway, Max knocked a pole, so I took him back, got Jake and when we came back the class was closed :(
I was a bit miffed as I told 2 people I will be back, but weather was bad and I expect everybody wanted to go home.

That was my last KC Show of the year. Now only a few unaffiliated ones. Training broke up for another 4 weeks, which is a shame as Luke just seem to get the hang of it. The garden is too muddy to train at the moment, so we have to wait for better weather. Yeah right.

This week I have booked another sheepdog session, that should be fun! :)

Larkin with his first clear round rosette!

2008-09-29T14:01:00.003+01:00

What a good boy :)

Pairs

2008-09-29T13:55:00.002+01:00

Forgot to mention the Pairs. Chadiga and I tried this class first at Paws in the Park. It was so much fun. Max went first and had a cracking clear round. Chadiga went second with Jake and he went clear up to the last obstacle. He stopped before the obstacle and looked at me, sitting behind it. Then he run underneath the jump, to make matters worse, when Chadiga then called him he back jumped the last jump. What a shame, as it was really good. The judge even came over to tell us that it was one of the best runs he had seen that day, if not for the last jump.... Oh well, it was great fun nevertheless.
So again we entered at the UKA show. Max got 5 faults for running around a jump. Then it was Chadiga's turn. And..... She must have confused the class and took her own line :D
She went the totally wrong way, no idea what she was thinking about, you would think with 15 her brain is still working well....
Still the class was great fun and I am sure we will do it again. Next time she might better use Larkin though ;)

UKA Waverunners Show

2008-09-28T20:25:00.003+01:00

We were lucky with the weather, the sun was shining, though it started as a foggy day.
We actually arrived late and Chadiga and I had no time to walk the Steeplechase course, which was our first course. So we were watching for a bit :)
The course was a lovely flowing course, really nice. Unfortunately Mx decided that he caannot go to the tunnel on his own, came back to me, i sent him again and he went into the wrong end :-S Silly boy.
The rest of the course was good.
Chadiga took Larkin in the course and managed to get a lovely clear round with him. Well done girl!

The Agility course was rather difficult, jusged by David Munnings, I heard a few voices saying that it is much harder than beginners course. Lots of eliminations, due to strange weave entry and lots of side changes and little pully and handling bits.
Max managed a clear round, so we had to wait all afternoon to see if he got a place. And in the end he managed a 6th place, what a good boy. The jumping wasn't that easy either as you had the weaves right after the tunnel, when the dogs blast out of the tunnel. Lots of dogs ran past the weaves, so did Jake, as I called him off the tunnel and he started his usual barking routine :(
and ran past the weaves. He then found the entry and finished with 5 faults.
Max managed to find the weave entry and got a clear round which then turned out to be an 8th place.

I tried the power and speed for the first time with Max, unfortunately I changed my plan of handling (never a good idea) last minute and instead of a reverse turn on front of the seesaw, I wanted to cross behind the following jump, which pulled Max off the jump and he knocked the poles down.
Too bad.

Next day, Sunday we were back. Lovely weather again, very sunny :)

At the Helterskelter Max decided to shorten the course and go for his lead after half the course.... I have to remember to keep the lead away from the finish or the course at all, so he doesn't leave the ring.
In the Agility he managed to run around the tunnel instead of going in, well, never mind....
Chadiga ran Jake in Agility and he missed a jump to look for his mummy... Naughty dog!

I tried the Time, Fault and Out for the first time and it was great fun. Jake managed to obstacle 8 :-s and went in the wrong end of the tunnel :-O
Max flew around the course and I had real problems keeping up with him.... Boy, he was fast. Unfortunately when we came back to the start for another round he jumped the finish jump...... Oh well.....
When I later checked on results Mac was actually in 6th place, but there were only 6 places, so he got a clear round.

All in all a really nice weekend! Thanks Waverunners!

Next is Mid Downs then ;)

Can't believe it!

2008-09-17T21:40:00.003+01:00

Can't believe it is September already.
So what has happened in the meantime?

We went to a few shows and got a few places. Max managed an 11th place in the jumping at Caerphilly. It was a lovely show, though I didn't really feel like going. Weather was a bit mixed to start with.
But when we arrived it perked up and we had a lovely time, though we forgot to pack jackets and rain stuff. Typical!

I didn't go to the Pembroke show, as the weather was just foul.

Then we had Bridgehouse at the end of August. We were lucky with the weather and Jake managed an 18th place in Agility and Max managed a 9th place. I was very happy. Next day (Surrey DTC) we were not that lucky. Though I felt much better than the day before, Max flew over the courses, but knocked a pole in every course.

Then we had Paws in the Park and to my surprise Jake managed a 5th place in Agility. No idea how we managed that :-O
But I was very happy.
The Paws in the Park itself was very disappointing in comparison to last year. The Agility show was nice, beside that we were parked miles away from the rings. On Sunday the kids ring partied all day and had lots of fun. Unfortunately Luke came home with lots of bites round his legs and groin area. No idea what it is. At the moment I put some Lavender and Tea Tree oil on it and hope it helps.

Now the Agility season is nearly over. What a shame.

We haven't been to any sheepdog training lately, but might go at the weekend.

That was my quick update, sorry it is so short....
Doubt anybody reads this ever anyway.... Probably better this way ;)

Collies, Collies, Collies

2008-07-12T11:30:00.005+01:00

Looks like we are over the kennel cough now. Thank Dog for that. But it wasn't as bad as I expected. On Thursday we were back at training. It was very nice. Even Merlin, who was an utter nut case before decided to actually work for me. Good boy! And he was fast. Wow. I was very impressed, if only he would set his mind more often on working, rather than watching the other dogs.

On Friday we went up to Norfolk for a herding lesson with Sarah Jenkins. She is a fabulous trainer. So calm and gentle and always full of praise for dog and handler.

Luke was full on with the sheep. He has much more stamina now and really made me work hard. Now I know why "sheepdog people" are always slim ;)

But I managed in the end to keep Luke behind the sheep quite steady. That was really good. This time he actually came back to me very often, even when I didn't want him to.

I wanted to try Merlin on sheep too, as he likes to herd the other dogs.
And after his initial barking at the sheep he actually wasn't too bad. Not bad for show dog anyway ;)

Then Chadiga asked me to try Jake. I was already very tired and wasn't looking forward to another full power session or a dog eating sheep ;)
What a surprise Jake was. He was gentle and calm and just steadily brought the sheep towards me. It was a pleasure to work with him so that Sarah said next time we go out in the field with him. Wow, what a surprise. Maybe his destiny is not Agility after all, but being a good herder.

Here is a YouTube link of Jake's session.

And Merlin on sheep.

Jake...

Dog's hospital

2008-07-07T09:00:00.002+01:00

With Luke on the mend things started looking better. Then last Saturday Max started retching. First I thought something was stuck in his throat, but after a while I realised it must be something else. I looked up kennel cough on the internet and all the symptoms did fit.
Unfortunately I had 2 shows that weekend which I then forgot about :(
Instead I went to a sheepdog trail on Saturday. It was very relaxing to watch and made me realise how difficult it is.
If I ever get that far with Luke, I am not sure we will be any good. It seems so complicated. On the other hand, why worry now, as he doesn't even stop on sheep or does anything in a controlled fashion ;-)

Max is better now, his cough is gone. I gave him Wiccaweys kennel cough remedy and it helped a great deal. Unfortunately all the other dogs came down with kennel cough heavily. Especially Nina and Larkin. They are still coughing.
So no Agility training for us at the moment.

Luke change is amazing. I don't know if it is because he feels better now or if it has to do with the sheepdog training, but his recall improved, he is much more responsive in general, very bright and very very lively ;-)

He looks much better too. Shiney coat and bright eyes....

This week I am off to see Sarah again. I will take some of the other dogs too and try them on sheep.
Then next week I go together with Mary. We share the journey, which will help with petrol. Especially with ever rising petrol prices :(

I have entered Pembroke show now, but actually sent the entries off too late. Not sure they will accept them.
I was wondering if the kids and I could go to Scotland instead. Always wanted to go up there, but it is a pretty long drive...
We shall see.

Worrying times

2008-06-17T09:31:00.002+01:00

On Sunday the 14th of June Luke started limping after the walk. It wasn't an extremely long or strainious walk, so I was wondering why.
On Monday morning I took him to the vet to get him checked out. The vet couldn't feel anything and send me home with Rymadil tablets.
In the afternoon the kids rang me at work that Luke had started vomiting blood. So back home and off to the vet again.
Poor Chadiga, it was her birthday and we seemed to spend it at the vet's. Anyway, the vet took n x ray and said his lung looks congested. By then Luke was anemic. So the vet referred us to the vet hospital. So off we went to Worthing.

They took Luke in and the kids and I went for a pizza as a birthday treat for Chadiga.

Anyway, Luke spent a few days in the hospital, the vet pretty quickly guessed that it is either rat poison or Lungworms, so started treating for both but nevertheless did more tests to be absolutely sure.

On Friday the got the results, Lungworms. When I looked it up it really fitted with all his symptoms.
Now he is back home and his usual bouncy self. Left me with a vet bill of £1200. I just hope and pray the insurance picks the bill up or I am in deep trouble.
On Sunday we went to sheepdog training. I really start to like this more and more. Luke was very full on and managed to blister his paws.

I really would like to try all dogs on sheep, but not sure I can afford that :-O

June already

2008-06-04T16:12:00.004+01:00

Time seems to be flying by. Is that because I get older and suddenly time seems much more precious or is it just that I have much more to do?

Well, back to Agility and dogs..... Supadogs was a bit of a disaster, weather wise.
Saturday and Sunday was lovely weather, but it started raining the night Saturday to Sunday, which turned tha pathways into mud baths.... Walking or driving was terrible.
Saturday it was very hot.
Jake and Max did quite well, Chadiga managed to get her first clear round with Jake in the junior classes. Well done, girl!
This time he didn't run out of the ring and seemed quite focused.
Jake and Max managed some few rounds, but no placings. Max managed a clear round in the jumping, though the third last obstacle was a tyre. I tried to stop him there to help him through, but he just went on and flew through the tyre. What a good boy. Of course stopping him made us very slow.
Jake managed a one clear round, in the jumping. Max managed a clear round in the jumping and the Agility class.
He was such a good boy.
Unfortunately due to the rain falls starting Sunday evening the rest of the show had to be cancelled as the venue was partly flooded. What a shame. Especially as I paid around £127 in entry fees :(

At the weekend we had entered UKA show in Walton on Thames.
Lucky us the weather was lovely. Chadiga entered Larkin in the Steeplechase, Nursery and one Casual jumping class. He was ok to start with but got worse over the day. He has the bad habit at jumping up at Chadiga and starts nipping her arm, hand etc instead of working ahead. In the end she was quite frustrated.

Jake had 2 clear rounds in the jumping each day, a total of 4 clear rounds in jumping and Steeplechase. Max had a clear round in the Agility each day.
Seems that I have to be more accurate when I do jumping courses with Max. He is a cracking dog and could do very well in jumping classes, as his contacts doesn't slow him down, but then he is burdened with a crap handler :(
Oh well, maybe one day I will know what I am doing :)

Now I don't have any shows till the end of the month, but will go to some sheepdog clinics in June. Not sure that might become my second "doggy" hobby :)

I took Luke to Sarah Jenkins for a sheepdog lesson. I was so worried that he would go for the sheep, but Sarah was very impressed with him. I hope it will help me with solving some of his problems. He has crap recall, liked to chase birds, planes, cars etc. Fortunately he stopped chasing cars and planes now and since the sheepdog lesson his recall slightly improved.
He was brought up in a crate in his former home, so the moment he is let outside he tries to stay away from me as he thinks it will be his last opportunity to go out. We have little steps forward, but sometimes a few backwards. Now at least he comes back indoors, most of the time. Not always though. It can be very soul destroying when he buggers off outside to play with water and just totally switches off.
But he just loves to work. Last night I did hide some treats in the garden for him to find and he really enjoyed that. His tail was wagging nonstop. We did some simple obedience training too. Sit, flat, lefts and rights. I tried a "roll over", but he is very reluctant to lie on his back. Maybe he feels vulnerable then.
I lured him through the weaves with a treat, what I actually don't like to do, but hey ho, he was so eager to do them and not at all worried. I enjoy those moments with him, but then he suddenly seems so far away again and really worried.....

Chadiga made a few videos of Luke herding and I hopefully upload them here now, otherwise one is on YouTube :)

But, oh boy, did my calves hurt after the 1 hour session. Must be the constantly walking backwards. Wonder if it will ever get better. Had real problems walking the next days ;-)

Looks like the upload doesn't work, I just insert the Youtube link then....

Again no updates :(

2008-05-19T15:40:00.005+01:00

I am really sorry, but I never seem to come around to update my blog on a regular basis.

Quite a few things happened. At the UKA show in Horsham, Patenden and Waverunners, Jake got a second place in Agility. Max did quite well, too, but had a few hang ups. On Sunday I actually had to put him back into a casual class again, as he had lost his confidence, again, but after that he was brilliant. he had some really good runs, I just should get my brain in gear.
Chadiga did run Jake in 2 classes, but he takes very much to leaving the ring to look for me. She ran Larkin in the casual jumping and got a clear round! Well done Chadiga :)
The show was end of April....

At the beginning of May I had entered the Shrewsbury show.
So we drove up there prepared for camping. The car was fully loaded, no inch of space left for anything.
We were very lucky with the weather. Saturday was wonderful sunny.
Jake was very good and got me 3 clear round, always too slow for placings though.
And to my utter surprise Max managed a clear round in a quite tricky Agility course. I was over the moon. With all the problem we had I didn't expect him to get a clear round. I was so happy, walking on cloud no 9....
On Sunday we had rain and I felt very tired and was basically rubbish. Never mind ;-)

We had planned to stay till Monday (bank holiday), but one of the dogs (I think) was nice enough to puncture one of the airbeds and as it was too late for a replacement we packed up and went home. I was so happy to sleep in my bed again :)

The next show was Tunbridge Wells. It was a glorious weekend weather wise... It was HOT!
Was a bit of a problem with dogs in the car, but I found a shady spot under a tree.
Jake was good again and managed 2 clear rounds. Not bad! One even turned into a placing, we managed a 16th place in the Agility class. Well done Jake.
In the jumping class the first obstacle was a tyre. All my hopes for Max vanished when I saw it, as he is scared of the tyre.
I talked to the judged, explained my problem and asked, if, in case he refuses, I can lean through the tyre to lure him.... She was very nice and said "whatever is best for your dog". To my utter surprise Max jumped through the tyre without any problems and went clear in the round. He was quite slow, which was basically my fault, but I was soooooo chuffed.

Now we are looking forward to Supadogs which will start next weekend and will end on Thursday.

I had 2 lovely training days with Toni Dawkins. She is brilliant in explaining things. Just too bad I am so terribly coordinated. Always said that my dogs need deserve better handlers ;-)

I worked with Max in the garden and tried snakes and pull throughs, as I am quite rubbish at them. I find it amazing how quickly he picks things up. He is such a clever boy.
If the weather stays dry I should practice this really every day just for a few minutes, plus some weaves to get used to some awkward weave entries....

That's for now, let's see if it takes me another 6 weeks before I have the next update :-O

Again no updates :(

2008-05-19T15:40:00.000+01:00

Max's Birthday

2008-04-08T15:55:00.005+01:00

Today is Max's birthday. Well, at least we decided it is today, as nobody knows for sure.
We adopted him in October and he was about half a year, so we decided that his birthday was 6 month before we adopted him....

He had a lovely long walk today and now is happily chewing a bone.
He grew into a lovely and handsome dog. Not that I am biased at all ;)

He was found at the age of 4 month wandering the roads of Ireland, full or worms and terribly scared. He was brought over to Wiccaweys, where he went into a foster home.
I fell in love with his picture on the Wiccs website, but when we went up for a weekend to help, I was told that people where coming to meet him. So at least I had the chance to meet Max in the flesh....
He was a very scared puppy when we met and immediately attached himself to me.
The people who were thinking of adopting him then decided he is not the right dog for their circumstances....
So I was asked to look after him for the afternoon.....
And I just couldn't imagine to let go of him after that....
There was just the problem to convince Sarah and Paul, that I am the right home for him...

Well, the rest is history. he came home with us and I never regretted it. He is a lovely, but very sensitive dog. I have to be careful how to work with him, as he is easily shattered and so is his confidence...
Agility gave his confidence a real boost, if I teach him gently....

Here are some recent pictures of my handsome boy :)

His first rosette for a 3rd place in a UKA casual class (he didn't even went clear..... oops, but nice nevertheless :)
)

2008-04-07T16:07:00.001+01:00

A picture of my garden on Sunday and a picture of Robbie in the snow...

The weeks passing by

2008-04-07T15:49:00.004+01:00

The weekend before last I took Max and Jake to South Eastern Agility Show.
I was a bit fed up with Jake and his nonstop barking in the ring, so I decieded to run Max instead. As it was an unaffiliated show and we had no chance of winning anything, I thought nobody would mind.
We did the jumping and he did it very well except for the last obstacle, which was the tire. he just ran underneath.
In the Agility course he knocked a pole and ran underneath one jump, but he did the course wonderfully and his contacts were brilliant.

I then went home to fetch Chadiga and she ran Jake in the Accumulator to get used to running him and vice versa. Whereas I ran Max in the Grade 1-7 Agility. Max was fabulous, he flew over the obstacles, got all the turns and did all I asked him to do. The second last obstacle was a seesaw and when he was on the pivot point he slipped and fell off. Poor him. It didn't put him off though and we finished the course. He would have gone clear if he hadn't fallen off. He was such star.

As we encountered so many tires in courses recently I asked Leah to do some tire training at classes.
Max was truly worried about them.
I was stupid enough to force him through the tire and the result was he hid in the tunnel and lost all fun in Agility. I could have kicked myself.
In the evening class there was another tire in the course and though I could lure him through he seemed to have lost the spark in general.

Friday morning the boys and I set off early to go to the UKA Scrambles show in Walton on Thames.
I had entered Jake, Max and Larkin. Max only in casual classes in Larkin just in nursery classes as a little motivation push for Chadiga.
First was Max's casual jumping. He wasn't really focused, but nor was I and we got 10 faults.....
Just nearly everybody else got eliminated. Was a baby class after all....
10 minutes later we had to re-run as they forgot to take our time, this time we were better, but slower....
Anyway, we got a 3rd place for this! (I call it lack of competition :) )

Then was Jake's class, first the Steeplechase.
And he was brilliant, we got a clear round!
I put Max in the same class but then the disaster began.... He started running under the jumps.... I was devastated....
And it is my own fault... I can only hope that it was because he was so tired and that I didn't put him off Agility again and destroyed his confidence. I am so stupid!
He did the same in the jumping class, so I took him out and didn't do any other classes.
Jake was too interested in the kids while in the jumping class, as they waited ringside with Max, but got a clear in the Agility.
We were to slow for placing, as usual..... ;-)

The boys were really helpful in looking after the dogs while I was running and comforting me ;)

Chadiga had to go to school and so couldn't even run Larkin!

I couldn't attend the show on Saturday but tried to go back on Sunday, while on the M25 we were surprised by heavy snowfall
and were sitting on the motorway. So I decided to go back home, which took us 2 hours. When we came home I was so tired that I didn't feel like doing anything else. The boys went outside for a few ours and lots of snowball fights.

Today it is back to work. But we went for nice walk in the morning and I took some nice dogs/snow pictures.... hopefully ;)

Terrible Weather

2008-03-28T15:16:00.006Z

Today it seems raining nonstop....
Horrible weather.
I am looking forward to the UKA show in a weeks time. Max's first show. I am really excited in how he will do. He will do 2 classes in standard height to start with...
In the coming shows he will do normal height. At classes he is doing "his" normal height nearly all the time, unless the turns are very tight.

Last Weekend was Easter Celebration Show. I had entered Jake. The weather was terrible. Snow, hail, rain and very, very cold.... I was frozen when I came home.
I only did one run and passed the others on to Chadiga.
She did quite well, though Jake kept looking for me and even left the ring once, to look for me. Cheeky sausage!

Here is a video of one of her runs.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyaeEtwt-YY

Sorry, cannot get the link to work :(

Mid Downs Show

2008-03-16T20:46:00.003Z

Yesterday I went to Mid Downs show to help with a ring party. The show was only for Grade 3 and above, so I couldn't enter.
It was awesome to watch some of the higher grades.
We were very lucky with the weather. But I was sooo tired when I came home, especially as I didn't sleep very well the night before. No, not because of nerves, that would be rather silly ;)
But somebody rang me at 1 am, then my neighbour let his dogs out at 3 am and then at 5 mine woke me up, so I took them for a walk. The result was that I was at the show rather early and was shattered when I came back home.
I took some pictures with my new camera, but wasn't impressed about the quality... I hope I will improve :(((

Today we had a very quiet day, especially as it was raining nonstop...

More interesting

2008-03-15T06:43:00.001Z

I would like to make this more interesting. Find the layout a bit boring. So if anybody has any suggestions, in case anybody ever reads this ;-)
Thanks!

I am so bad.......

2008-03-15T06:18:00.002Z

I m really bad in updating this, but time seems to fly by.

I had few really good 1:1 sessions with Nancy to help to sort out Max's jumping problem.
In the end, it seems it is really my problem.... Surprise, surprise. As he is such a sensitive dog he seemed to have picked up on my frustration immediately. Which then took away his confidence (easily done with him) and he shut down and usually went off for his contacts or rolled on the floor.
Now, with Nancy's help, I practice little tricks and routines while at class, to keep him focused and get him into work mode, beside giving him lots of positive reinforcement.
And it is wonderful to watch him, he seems so much happier now. His tail is wagging nonstop in class. Everybody else must think I am mad, letting him to "roll overs" and "eights", but as long as it keeps him happy. Now he seems much more confident and we slowly seem to get there.... (Wherever that is ;-) )

My first show will be Easter Celebration, but I only entered that with Jake. Max's first show will be the UKA Scrambles....

Junus started now to take Nina to Agility classes while Noah takes Robbie.
I m quite impressed with Junus. He really wants to work with Nina and though she is bit shy, he puts in so much effort and doesn't even mind to go all silly to get her attention. I offered him to run Max at a few shows, where he can try him in Junior or jumping classes. Junus seems quiet and understanding enough, not to upset Max.

Max and I worked on a "startline routine". The point hopefully is, that I get him into position at the startline, he starts focusing on me and does it because he wants to (Thanks Nancy :) )

I bought a new camera, full of hope the pictures of my dogs will get any better, but when I took it out last week pictures were very similar to before. Now I have to get my head around photography, as I have no idea about these things.

Today I am ring partying with Bridge House at Mid Downs and I might take my camera and give it a try.

I try not to leave so much time between the postings..... There is always hope ;-)

Wednesday, 6th of February

2008-02-06T09:00:00.000Z

I haven't written anything for a long time. Bad blogger me! Time just seems to fly by. It is already February. In 2 days time is Noah's birthday and I haven't prepared anything. Wanted to do it yesterday, but with the weather being so bad I didn't feel like going anywhere.

I took Max to the Chiropratic practice yesterday and they said there is nothing major wrong with him, preventing him from jumping.
I had a lovely private session with Nancy last with. Max was so happy afterwards as it was such a positive experience. He did really well.
It is just not easy to keep up in the regular training.

Depending how the training goes I am really torn between "year, we will get there" and "why do I bother".
Even if the dogs are excellent, then it is me messing everything up because I cannot focus or in general can't concentrate very well....

Now the boys show interest in Agility as well, but you never know how long it will last. Junus took now on to train with Nina, just general obedience stuff and perfecting the "elephant trick" Nancy showed us. Nina is a clever girl and very rewarding to teach.
I am contemplating now to let Junus start with her in Agility. But it is always hard to find a beginners course, or maybe start private lessons for him? Not really sure what to do.
Maybe it would get Chadiga motivated as well, as she goes to her Agility lessons with Larkin, but outside of lessons, she doesn't do an awful lot, which can be frustrating from my point of view. Maybe I should try different tactics of motivation.
I was thinking of taking them to the WAG show and let them run Jake. Maybe Chadiga doing the Agility and let Junus do the jumping???

Sometimes it would help to have somebody to talk to and share all those difficult decisions ;-)

Today it seems to be sunny, but that might change..... Would be nice to have a few dry days, we might even be able to use the garden again :))

I fenced a part of the garden off, which is very muddy and which is just outside the back door. Now the dogs took to jump the fencing :-s and are still in the mud :( Dogs, eh???

I wish I had more equipment, then I could do much more, if my garden ever recovers....

Oh well, better take the mutts out now, as long as the sun shines :)

Anju Agility Show

2007-12-18T11:02:00.000Z

last Sunday I took Jake and Max to the Anju Christmas Show.
I thought it would a good opportunity to run Max in a small show and especially as Leah allowed me to run him on medium heights. He still doesn't like full heights jumping.
Jake did quite well, in the first Agility run I forgot to send him into the tunnel again. Typical, my brain wasn't working....
He would have been clear, if I hadn't been such an idiot. Too early, my excuse anyway :)))
max was as usual so excited, that he was all over the place. He took a wrong jump in the Agility class and we were eliminated. But is contacts were really good and i was very proud of him.
In our second attempt Jake knocked a pole and max decided instead of going through the tunnel, he ran to the end to pick up his lead and tuck with it. When he came back he went the wrong way into the tunnel... Tough luck :))

In the jumping Jake was clear once. The other time he knocked a pole again.
Max was great in the jumping, but as the last jump was around a bend, just where the exit is, he waited at the gate to go, instead of completing the course. When I managed to get him back on the course he jumped the last jump the wrong way.
In his second attempt he was amazingly fast, till he passed by the exit gate again and the same happened again. Though this time he came back and jumped the last jump in the right direction. But I suppose we lost quite a lot of time through this and ended up with a course time of 24 seconds (even Jake was faster with 21) and I think the wining time was 16.58 or something like that. So we were far out.
But it was a nice show and a good experience.

I am looking forward to other events like this to get him used to work and not being so looney all the time.
I will try and enter him in "All sorts" classes next season to start with, to see if he can complete the course or head for the exit again ;-)

Max

2007-12-14T08:10:00.000Z

Stubborn

2007-12-14T08:00:00.000Z

Hi fans,

I went to another Agility lesson. Last time it was so wet that I didn't feel like doing much. Yesterday it was too cold.
I decided I don't want to work and even the nicest treats didn't work. I just turned my nose on them.
Then we moved indoors, well, that was different. I happily did all I was asked. Was actually fun. Then they had the strange idea to go outside again. STupid people, it was TOO cold!
So I thought I better stay at the gate and tell them I want to leave. Too bad they didn't give in to me and made me work again. HUMANS! What can you say???
Nevertheless I was lucky and could go home soon afterwards and curl up on MY sofa.

In the evening my mum asked to do the same things again we tried to do in the morning and guess what, I was happy to do them (I was very hungry by then, I have to admit)

This evening my mummy was mean and didn't let me go upstairs with her...
Oh well, I started singing a bit in the night, but gave up when nobody came to comfort me.... Silly people.

Lots of Love

Nina

Hi folks, (this is Max again)

well, I don't know what she is going on about. How can you not want to do anything? Silly sausage.

I went to classes yesterday and had loooooots of fun.
We did run around, jumping and in general all the things I like to do. My mum now wants to take me to a "sort of" Agility show at our club. I am already very excited and can't stop jumping up and down.
Nina doesn't know what she is missing out on. Well, she is a girl, what do you expect!

I am really looking forward to Sunday now.

Max

Rain

2007-12-07T08:16:00.000Z

Yesterday I had another so called Agility lesson. Well, it was very wet. I didn't really feel like doing anything. I just wanted to go home to MY sofa.
But then my mum had these lovely treats, they smelled so good. So I decided to do a few things. But I stayed well away from the other scary woman who was there, I think my mum calls her Nancy.

Anyway, we came home soaking wet and I was quite tired again, but not as tired as last time :))

I slept for the rest of the day, except when it was dinner time. I love dinner time :)
I love my cuddles. I like to sit on my mum's lap, especially when the other dogs getting attention, then I just push in and move them away. And these silly boys just go then. Ha!

Hi, this is Max again. My mum bought a jumper for me. What does she think I am? Fortunately it was too small and she had to return it. I am not a girl am I? I can stand the cold.
My mum said it would be better for my body when we go to training days or shows and there is lots of standing around, to wear something. Pah, that's all I can say. When she makes me wear the jumper I just won't move. End of story!

Picture

2007-11-30T17:30:00.000Z

Trying to upload a picture. Let's see how it works.

2007-11-30T07:47:00.000Z

Hi, it's Nina again.
Yesterday I had my first Agility lesson. Well, I have heard before, that it is lots of fun with jumping and running around.
I think the others told me porkie pies. I was asked to sit, to lie down, to stand up again. Then I had to walk through something with holes. I really had to concentrate to step into the holes. That was hard work, I can tell you. Then I was allowed to twirl around. Once I knew what I was suppose to do it was great fun.
The best thing of all was that I got some food everytime I got something right. That was great. I looooooove food....
Anyway, afterwards I was sort of crushed out. No idea what they put in my food, but I slept for the rest of the day. Dog, I was knackered.
Let's see if this Agility thing gets more difficult and more fun, so far it was easy peasy ;-)

Yours, a very tired Nina :)

Introduction

2007-11-26T08:12:00.000Z

Hello,

I am Nina.
I found a new home recently.
First I was very worried and was crying a lot, well, the whole night actually. But then I realised it is actually quite nice here. Nice walks, I am allowed to sleep on the sofa (I am small so I can sneak on ;-) ) and I get lots of cuddles. So all in all, not too bad.
Last week my new mum took me to a house where she left me for a while. They put me in a cage and then suddenly I fell asleep.
When i woke up I felt a bit achey and thought I let them all know and sang.... I like singing :-D
Well, anyway, my mum says I can't have any babies anymore now. Which is great. I already had so many babies, I think I need some "Me" time now and just enjoy life.
My mum said that she will try and take me to Agility training (whatever that is, I hope not more cages and sleeps) and she wants to see if i will enjoy it.
Well mostly I enjoy running around outside with my new mates. That's just fun.
My mum says as well that I need to lose some weight. How dare. She should start herself. What a cheek!

I do look really sweet and innocent, that helps a lot. I am a girl, so can stand up for myself. Though I am small, I know what I want.
Yesterday I walked around and nicked the bones of the others, they didn't even reaslise. Well, their problem if they don't pay attention :)

Now I need some more beauty sleep. Life is sooooo hard :)))

Hello, I am Max.
What a girlie Nina is. Really! Saying that, she is ok. Usually very quiet, except when my mum has to go, then she starts singing. I hope she will stop that eventually, it is quite annoying, though I like music, just not hers.

I already do Agility. She has no clue.
It is great fun. I can run around and jump over wooden bars. Saying that, lately I decieded to run underneath them. It seems so much easier. And if my mum wants to jump the bars, she can do it herself.
Mostly I like the tunnel and I could go through it over and over again.
But to be honest what I like most is that when we go to Agility is, that it is just me and my mum, none of the other looneys. And she has just eyes for me. That is the way it should always be!
I get lots of treats and she plays tug with me very often.
Last weekend we nearly did Agility all day, that was so much fun. I had my mum all to myself, lots of food and could still run around like mad.... Maybe that's why she calls me Mad Max????? ;-)

My mum says she would like competing with me, whatever that means, but she can't as long as I run under the jumps. Oh well, maybe she should provide better treats and I change my mind....

I better go and play with my Border Buddies now. Thanks for listening!

I'll be back, watch this space!

Max