A day at the lake!

Today we took Hemi to the lake for the first time. We knew the other 3 poodles were not that "in" to the water, but Hemi has always been up for trying new things, so we thought we'd give him a shot. He wasn't so much into the "swimming" aspect, but he LOVED running back and forth in the water. I stood on land with the camera, and he would RUN out to Gene, hopping through the water, and then turn and RUN back to me. He had a blast! I took nearly 100 photos, but will not post them all here! (just a few of my favorites) I think they do a very nice job of showing the pure joy he felt! Enjoy!

That photo ^^ was actually after the swim, a little bonding time with Daddy!

Looks like there will be many more visits to the lake for Hemi! Besides, it's a GREAT way for him to run off some steam!

ATCH Kyra-Boo Houdini

Today, Gene and my brown-eyed girl, Kyra, finished their ATCH in grand style! Kyra had always been a velcro dog, but thanks to some patience and a wonderful trainer and mentor, Kyra and Gene learned to embrace distance work, and become increasingly proficient at it! Thanks Pamela!

It was great to finish such a great title at home, and with most of our local dog friends and many of Kyra's fans ringside! And a special thanks, of course to Judge Judy! Providing some wonderful courses, encouraging words before the run, kind words after the run, and most importanly, SMILING for the photo op!

So....how many more legs for ATCH II?

SBM seeks MAH for long term relationship!

Boo is putting an add in the local paper seeking an agility handler with some Skillz! He has been working so hard for me this weekend, but I keep making a little mistake here and there that have cost us a Q. Friday, he got a bonus Open FAST Q that he didn't need. Today, he got his first Excellent FAST Q! I was so proud of my boy! He has not had the best luck with contacts- but we have been working to make him more successful. The send bonus for yesterday AND today were basically the same- the open bonus was teeter/tunnel- the excellent bonus was teeter, tunnel, jump. I got not video from Friday, but was lucky enough to get his FAST run from today on video:

The standard course was one of the ugliest, crunchiest, tightest, ugliest (oh, said that one already) course I believe I have ever seen! As I sat and watched the 8" dogs take the numerous off courses, and then the 12" dogs, and then the 16" dogs, I came to the realization that if the little dogs had problems with it, I was most likely screwed.

I watched the "big name" handlers each bite the dust one after another, and began to dread doing this course! Given the fact that the total Q rate for this course was about 10%, I didn't really hold out much hope. There was the sheltie eating tunnel in one corner, the tight turn after the ONE spot where the dogs could really stretch up and gather some speed, the backwards triple that seemed OH so inviting, and the triple threat of dogwalk, A-frame, Table coming out of the tunnel. During the other jump heights, the crowd began mumbling the words to "Another one bites the dust" as dog after dog after dog fell prey to "the course from Hell!"

Given all of that, I have to say, I am VERY pleased with my boy's run. HE executed FLAWLESSLY, and didn't become a victim of the many traps set up on the course. We were near the end, and Boo gave me the most wonderful A-frame he has ever given, and I didn't have the extra waiting time I usually have to cross to get the weaves. Unfortunately, I was out of position and tried hard to correct it, but just couldn't. The judge didn't call the first refusal, and we were still alive, but I just couldn't get him lined up. The result was a NEARMISSQ, and it is on video. I am VERY proud of this boy, and can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and it is NOT an oncoming train! It is a bucket full of Q's!

Here's hoping tomorrow brings MORE Q's!

AUSSOME ASCA weekend!

Three runs from this weekend- the 2 best, unfortunately, were not caught on tape. The first 2 are Boo, the last one is Hemi's jumper's Q. (The first video includes a special message from Mike!)



Boo finished the weekend with 5 out of 10 Q's, a 1st place, a second place finish only .02 behind first, and was runner up high in trial! I couldn't be more proud of my little man!



Hemi is doing the dogwalk consistently in class, or has the last several weeks. He is not hesitating and requiring zero assistance from Gene to do the dogwalk. Hopefully, sometime soon, that will transfer to a trial setting. When it does- LOOK OUT AGILITY WORLD!

Tea Party 4/15/2010

Tea Party tonight:  This was a large banner they had up for everyone to sign.  This will be rolled up and delivered to Washington, DC

One of may favorite photos:

How true THIS is!

Where old meets new---the times may change, but the message still rings true today:

Then there are the *new* messages!

Hey....some of us OWN poodles! 

And...inventive new products!

DAWG turns 25

Texas' oldest agility club continued it's 25th anniversary celebration this weekend.  I decided to share some of the photos I took while I was there:

First, a group shot of the wonderful Veteran dogs in the Veteran's parade:

A few of our Members' dogs:

Buster

Vrai

And, Baron

I LOVED this look:

And..Flurry:

And, I found this shot humrous...

Happy 25th Anniversary to DAWG.  I have only been involved a few years, but it's not only the oldest agility group in the state, it's the BEST!

NO!

I had an interesting conversation with some friends today regarding the use of the word "NO" and it's uses in dog training, and the conversation was interesting enough that I thought it should be shared.  It started as we were discussing a dog that has a tendency to sniff on the table during an agility trial.  We all agreed that, with the particular dog, stress was the major factor.  It was brought up that the usual tendency for someone who has a sniffing problem, is to utter the word "no" at a trial, and expect the dog to quit sniffing and become MACH  material immediately!  This seldom works.  The conversation regarding the reason this doesn't work went something like this (author retains the right to paraphrase and/or alter the exact conversation in order to make delivery of said message more effective):

B:  Let's play a game of trivial pursuit.
M:  Sure
B:  What piece of a WWII mess kit was referred to as a pus blanket?
M:  Hrmmm.. Bread?
B:  No
M:  Napkin?
B:  No
M:  Crackers?
B:  No

There was a lag in the conversation as we started at B, waiting for more information.  None was forthcoming.
I googled this, and even called my Dad- a career military man- to try and glean the answer to no avail.

So, what does this prove?  I have given my 3 best answers, and have offered other behaviors, and still do not know what the correct answer is.  I also do not have enough information to answer the question.  All I have is "no". 

When it comes to dog training, I'm not about what works, I'm about what makes sense to me.  This makes sense to me.  Dogs learn best (as we all do) when the information provided is black and white.  Simply teaching the dog "no" can make them stop one behavior, but doesn't provide them the information they need to perform the correct behavior, and this can cause undue stress on the dog.