Friday, 28 March 2008
I was supposed to be going to Spring at Shuttleworth tomorrow and was umming and ahhing about going but have just heard that they are towing caravans in and the ground is already like the end of a wet Supadogs week so I'm staying at home as I don't want the possibilty of any of the dogs getting hurt. I'll take them for a nice long muddy walk instead.
Wednesday, 26 March 2008
Easter Celebration
We were very lucky in that the show was able to move most rings indoors so unlike most of the other Easter shows it wasn't cancelled.
Saturday was very windy and snowed quite a bit but because the sun came out the indoor school warmed up a bit but Sunday although the wind had dropped it was freezing indoors and out and my lot were shivering sitting in the car even though they were wearing coats so I decided to just do Tom's 1-3 Agility and Suzi's 4-7 Agility and then came home.
Saturday was a great day as both Dudley and Suzi got places and Ton didn't go off on a sniff fest. I really enjoyed the courses we did judged by Lisa (Chi's Mum) indoors and a jumping round outside judged by David Isbister, and was chuffed to bits when Suzi came 10th in the 4-7 jumping. Dudley got an 8th in his 1-5 Agility and only threatened to bite me at the start so fingers crossed this is a sign of things to come.
On to Sunday, Tom's 1-3 Agility was first and I managed to get first in the queue so he didn't get distracted by queuing for too long. He did a stonking clear even with some paniccy calling of Tom,Tom,Tom instead of calm directionals:) He was in the lead for the rest of the class which while I was pleased in one way in another I didn't want to win as that would have meant winning into grade 4 and I want to run him at grade 3 for a bit longer, the whole of the summer if possible so he really settles. We ended up 2nd as the last dog beat us in a time of 32.16 against Tom's time of 32.25. I know these aren't the fastest times ever run over an agility course but I don't care.
Saturday was very windy and snowed quite a bit but because the sun came out the indoor school warmed up a bit but Sunday although the wind had dropped it was freezing indoors and out and my lot were shivering sitting in the car even though they were wearing coats so I decided to just do Tom's 1-3 Agility and Suzi's 4-7 Agility and then came home.
Saturday was a great day as both Dudley and Suzi got places and Ton didn't go off on a sniff fest. I really enjoyed the courses we did judged by Lisa (Chi's Mum) indoors and a jumping round outside judged by David Isbister, and was chuffed to bits when Suzi came 10th in the 4-7 jumping. Dudley got an 8th in his 1-5 Agility and only threatened to bite me at the start so fingers crossed this is a sign of things to come.
On to Sunday, Tom's 1-3 Agility was first and I managed to get first in the queue so he didn't get distracted by queuing for too long. He did a stonking clear even with some paniccy calling of Tom,Tom,Tom instead of calm directionals:) He was in the lead for the rest of the class which while I was pleased in one way in another I didn't want to win as that would have meant winning into grade 4 and I want to run him at grade 3 for a bit longer, the whole of the summer if possible so he really settles. We ended up 2nd as the last dog beat us in a time of 32.16 against Tom's time of 32.25. I know these aren't the fastest times ever run over an agility course but I don't care.
Thursday, 20 March 2008
Training Vids
Here's one of Tom last night, I was particularly pleased with this run as he did a really good 'steady' and wrapped round the wing even though I hadn't given him much room and there was the potential for him to back jump.
WooHoo
Last night was a sniff free night!!!
I have loads of video that I will be downloading over the next couple of days to prove that Tom does non sniff agility.
Weaves - last night I really wanted to see how solid his weaves were and the course we were doing gave me the opportunity to do that. I tried recalling him in from half way up - in he went, I sent him in and crossed behind - no problems, I pushed him hard through with shushing - speeded up and even managed to get him in the weaves after a long gap from the seesaw. I was as pleased as punch with him and he didn't miss one entry or pop out early. Next week I'm going to get someone to time him as he does them. I'm also going to time some dogs this weekend so I can compare his and Suzi's speeds as I'm interested to see how quick other dogs can get through so I've got something to work towards. If I find that they don't compare favourably I wont lose sleep over it but will try and do more work with them.
Contacts - Well Thomas got every one, I can't say the same for Dudley who seemed to take great pleasure in missing them all. I must be doing something different with Duds as he didn't used to leap off the dog walk like that. Thomas is getting much more confident on the seesaw too but I MUST STOP LOOKING AT HIM as this makes him creep like he was doing on the dog walk. I think it's because I've had 'keep your eye on your dog' drummed in so hard I forget you don't need to eyeball them to keep your eye on them.
Isn't it funny, not, when people say don't they go so much better when you tell them left and right. I know that they do but in the heat of the moment I have trouble remembering who I am let alone which way's left :)
Hopefully see some of you at Easter Celebration.
I have loads of video that I will be downloading over the next couple of days to prove that Tom does non sniff agility.
Weaves - last night I really wanted to see how solid his weaves were and the course we were doing gave me the opportunity to do that. I tried recalling him in from half way up - in he went, I sent him in and crossed behind - no problems, I pushed him hard through with shushing - speeded up and even managed to get him in the weaves after a long gap from the seesaw. I was as pleased as punch with him and he didn't miss one entry or pop out early. Next week I'm going to get someone to time him as he does them. I'm also going to time some dogs this weekend so I can compare his and Suzi's speeds as I'm interested to see how quick other dogs can get through so I've got something to work towards. If I find that they don't compare favourably I wont lose sleep over it but will try and do more work with them.
Contacts - Well Thomas got every one, I can't say the same for Dudley who seemed to take great pleasure in missing them all. I must be doing something different with Duds as he didn't used to leap off the dog walk like that. Thomas is getting much more confident on the seesaw too but I MUST STOP LOOKING AT HIM as this makes him creep like he was doing on the dog walk. I think it's because I've had 'keep your eye on your dog' drummed in so hard I forget you don't need to eyeball them to keep your eye on them.
Isn't it funny, not, when people say don't they go so much better when you tell them left and right. I know that they do but in the heat of the moment I have trouble remembering who I am let alone which way's left :)
Hopefully see some of you at Easter Celebration.
Wednesday, 19 March 2008
Easter is coming
I can almost guarantee that the weather over the weekend will now be sunny, warm and dry because I have just spent a blooming fortune on new golfing waterproofs and a bright orange umbrella. I tried the jacket on and looked at the price and although expensive I thought it wasn't bad for the set but when I went to pay I realised that they were priced seperately by then I really liked them and thought 'what the hell if they are as good as they say I'll be snug, dry and warm for the next 3 years anyway' and to be fair he did give me some money off. I went for golfing ones as they are soft and don't rustle like the normal nylon ones which will hopefully mean they don't catch the attention of a certain terrier and I will also be able to move easier in them.
I'm on holiday next week which I'm really looking forward too as it means som long walks with the dogs and also some chilling in front of the telly.
If you see any Anzac biscuits when you are shopping grab them as they are really scrummy, they are a combination of butter, oats and golden syrup, at least the oats are good for you :)
I'm on holiday next week which I'm really looking forward too as it means som long walks with the dogs and also some chilling in front of the telly.
If you see any Anzac biscuits when you are shopping grab them as they are really scrummy, they are a combination of butter, oats and golden syrup, at least the oats are good for you :)
Monday, 17 March 2008
Mid Downs
Don't think I've ever been to Ardingly on such a warm and pleasant day, well at least most of the day was warm and pleasant but it did start to rain in the afternoon but luckily all my runs were indoors.
The Grade 3-4 Agility was a really nice, flowing course but with enough handling to make it interesting but with no naggy bits which in my mind is what they should all be like but that's an arguement for another day and another place. I ran Suzi first and she was brilliant, really up for it but not over the top and she actually listened to me and got all her contacts, we had to do a pipe tunnel then straight in the weaves and out she zoomed and straight in getting a lovely clear in 27.31 seconds and was in the lead for a while but eventually ended up in 3rd place. The dog that came 2nd did it in 27.30 seconds so just shows how close the finishes can be. Thomas was also very good and was only slighly distracted but this caused us to miss the A frame completely so I carried on and he did the rest of the course lovely and managed the tunnel to weave entry with no problems but did pop out of the last one, I decided not to put him back in as I don't think it would have achieved anything.
The grade 3-7 jumping was a very fast blast and once again Suzi was great and got a really nice clear although quite a way off the pace but still pretty nippy. Thomas on the other hand just put his nose down and that was it. I think that the end where this ring was it the one they use as the collecting ring when they do showjumping and it was really stinky so I can't really blame him but it was quite embarrasing as I couldn't catch him and he wouldn't come to me.
Dudley's grade 5-7 agility was really naggy and I thought I was going to end up disappearing up my own backside at one point and although Dudley wasn't too bad it was not the sort of course that suits us as there were lots of potential ankle biting bits.
I'm hoping that Thomas outside will be easier than Thomas inside and that I will be able to chill out a bit and let him enjoy himself, I had a long talk with someone on Saturday afternoon and realised that for Suzi's first season she just had fun and if she went wrong it didn't matter and I just laughed which I've really got to do with Tom or neither of us are going to have much fun. This is going to be easier said than done as I know he can do it so well, the red mist comes down as soon as I'm on the start line and I don't know how to stop it even though I tell myself that I've not had him a year yet and he's only been training for about 6 months. I think it's the sniffing that gets to me as if he was off taking the wrong course and stuff but still doing the equipment I think I could probably laugh it off as this is what Suzi used to do but once he puts his head down I can't get him to even look at me let alone come back. Think I really might have to go for a large dog next time so my ankles and the ground are further away and less of a distraction :)
Enough of me feeling sorry for myself my little white one is going to be the star this year, I have the Rescue League final to look forward to and I'm going to try and qualify her for the UKA Royal Canin final and would love her to win into grade 5 by the end of the season.
The Grade 3-4 Agility was a really nice, flowing course but with enough handling to make it interesting but with no naggy bits which in my mind is what they should all be like but that's an arguement for another day and another place. I ran Suzi first and she was brilliant, really up for it but not over the top and she actually listened to me and got all her contacts, we had to do a pipe tunnel then straight in the weaves and out she zoomed and straight in getting a lovely clear in 27.31 seconds and was in the lead for a while but eventually ended up in 3rd place. The dog that came 2nd did it in 27.30 seconds so just shows how close the finishes can be. Thomas was also very good and was only slighly distracted but this caused us to miss the A frame completely so I carried on and he did the rest of the course lovely and managed the tunnel to weave entry with no problems but did pop out of the last one, I decided not to put him back in as I don't think it would have achieved anything.
The grade 3-7 jumping was a very fast blast and once again Suzi was great and got a really nice clear although quite a way off the pace but still pretty nippy. Thomas on the other hand just put his nose down and that was it. I think that the end where this ring was it the one they use as the collecting ring when they do showjumping and it was really stinky so I can't really blame him but it was quite embarrasing as I couldn't catch him and he wouldn't come to me.
Dudley's grade 5-7 agility was really naggy and I thought I was going to end up disappearing up my own backside at one point and although Dudley wasn't too bad it was not the sort of course that suits us as there were lots of potential ankle biting bits.
I'm hoping that Thomas outside will be easier than Thomas inside and that I will be able to chill out a bit and let him enjoy himself, I had a long talk with someone on Saturday afternoon and realised that for Suzi's first season she just had fun and if she went wrong it didn't matter and I just laughed which I've really got to do with Tom or neither of us are going to have much fun. This is going to be easier said than done as I know he can do it so well, the red mist comes down as soon as I'm on the start line and I don't know how to stop it even though I tell myself that I've not had him a year yet and he's only been training for about 6 months. I think it's the sniffing that gets to me as if he was off taking the wrong course and stuff but still doing the equipment I think I could probably laugh it off as this is what Suzi used to do but once he puts his head down I can't get him to even look at me let alone come back. Think I really might have to go for a large dog next time so my ankles and the ground are further away and less of a distraction :)
Enough of me feeling sorry for myself my little white one is going to be the star this year, I have the Rescue League final to look forward to and I'm going to try and qualify her for the UKA Royal Canin final and would love her to win into grade 5 by the end of the season.
Wednesday, 12 March 2008
A thought and a question.....
How come Dudley who was a perfect angel at Crufts, never put a foot wrong, didn't eat any other dog including a whole row of collies on Saturday, wagged his tail all weekend, played with hundreds of children, didn't wander off when let off the lead around the stand, no one who met him will ever believe another word against him.....how come I can't get round an agility course at a show without feeling those terrier teeth attached to my ankles :)
I pondered on this all the way home on Sunday while he slept like a little baby looking as cute if not slightly cuter than Tom and could come up with nothing sensible other than perhaps I should trade him in for a sheltie or better still swap him for an Obay when the owner's least expect it, think I may have been a bit over tired at that point as the fact that he hasn't got a pointed nose may have got this manoeuvre noticed before I'd managed to run more than a couple of cars away.
Think I may try the shouting 'OW' and running out of the ring technique on Saturday see if it makes a difference, if not at least it'll give the judge something to laugh at.
Tom and Suzi are fun and great to have around, most of the time anyway, but Dudley is my little soul mate and if him having fun means my ankles feel the brunt of it I'd rather that than they way he was at the end of last season when he walked round most of the courses and seemed to be really hating it so perhaps the Obay owners wont need to watch their dogs quite so closely when I walk past.
I pondered on this all the way home on Sunday while he slept like a little baby looking as cute if not slightly cuter than Tom and could come up with nothing sensible other than perhaps I should trade him in for a sheltie or better still swap him for an Obay when the owner's least expect it, think I may have been a bit over tired at that point as the fact that he hasn't got a pointed nose may have got this manoeuvre noticed before I'd managed to run more than a couple of cars away.
Think I may try the shouting 'OW' and running out of the ring technique on Saturday see if it makes a difference, if not at least it'll give the judge something to laugh at.
Tom and Suzi are fun and great to have around, most of the time anyway, but Dudley is my little soul mate and if him having fun means my ankles feel the brunt of it I'd rather that than they way he was at the end of last season when he walked round most of the courses and seemed to be really hating it so perhaps the Obay owners wont need to watch their dogs quite so closely when I walk past.
Tuesday, 11 March 2008
Crufts
Tom stayed with Dad while Dudley and I went to Crufts on Saturday and Sunday as he had been asked to be on the Border Terrier Discover Dogs stand.
Dudley was really good and spent the whole two days being touched, stroked and cuddled with his tail wagging all the time. Johnny Vaughan from Capital Radio came to the stand and made a real fuss of him and was rewarded with lots of kisses and wiggling.
We were both shattered by the end of the weekend and Duds spent all day yesterday fast asleep.
I managed to get to the arena to watch the Novice Cup on Saturday and saw Nancy's run with Niamh who wasn't naughty at all. My friend Tania had qualified with her small BT Tally and came 2nd, it was her first time at Crufts and I don't think she stopped smiling from start to finish.
Dudley was really good and spent the whole two days being touched, stroked and cuddled with his tail wagging all the time. Johnny Vaughan from Capital Radio came to the stand and made a real fuss of him and was rewarded with lots of kisses and wiggling.
We were both shattered by the end of the weekend and Duds spent all day yesterday fast asleep.
I managed to get to the arena to watch the Novice Cup on Saturday and saw Nancy's run with Niamh who wasn't naughty at all. My friend Tania had qualified with her small BT Tally and came 2nd, it was her first time at Crufts and I don't think she stopped smiling from start to finish.
Friday, 7 March 2008
Crufts
Good Luck to everyone going over the weekend especially Mac Card with Spud in the champ class on Sunday.
I'll be there both days as Dudley has ben asked to be on the Border Terrier Discover Dogs stand so if you're there come and see us.
I'll be there both days as Dudley has ben asked to be on the Border Terrier Discover Dogs stand so if you're there come and see us.
Thursday, 6 March 2008
Well we hade a practically sniff free session last night, the school had been raked over the weekend so don't know if that had something to do with it but he even went straight past the horse poo!
The first half was mainly straight ups and downs with us working on sending our dogs ahead into the tunnel and over the A frame which meant I was able to just run which I think really helped as he didn't get the chance to catch a whiff of anything. He worked so well and I was able to run wide of both the tunnel and the A frame.
We had weaves and dog walk in the second half and he worked equally as well with just a quick detour when I said left too quickly. We did collapsy tunnel to weaves with no problems either.
All in all it was a very good and positive session which we both enjoyed. I'm not expecting miracles as I know that Friday he'll probably be back to sniffing but hopefully if we get a few lessons like last night he'll get the message it's much more fun to actually do agility with me than me chasing him round trying to catch him or walking away completely.
The first half was mainly straight ups and downs with us working on sending our dogs ahead into the tunnel and over the A frame which meant I was able to just run which I think really helped as he didn't get the chance to catch a whiff of anything. He worked so well and I was able to run wide of both the tunnel and the A frame.
We had weaves and dog walk in the second half and he worked equally as well with just a quick detour when I said left too quickly. We did collapsy tunnel to weaves with no problems either.
All in all it was a very good and positive session which we both enjoyed. I'm not expecting miracles as I know that Friday he'll probably be back to sniffing but hopefully if we get a few lessons like last night he'll get the message it's much more fun to actually do agility with me than me chasing him round trying to catch him or walking away completely.
Tuesday, 4 March 2008
C Side - 2nd March 2008
How lovely to go to Golden Cross and the weather be sunny and dry, the show was great as usual and the courses were nicely thought out and put together.
1-3 agility was first judged by Wendy Fassam who drew up a course that was lovely and flowing but with enough handling to make it interesting. I thought Tom might go and see her as he knows her but no problems there I don't think he even saw her. Due to some handler errors at the start he kept going round the first jump until I just did a running start. He got all his contacts and some really good bits but was still sniffy and not responsive to me calling him or catching him. On to the jumping which was also a lovely course but the rot had set in and he just ran past the start, after a really good wait, then proceeded to very much do his own thing although he did go into the weaves ahead of me and stayed in which made the whole thing worth it.
Suzi did a fantastic clear round in the 1-7 jumping even with some untidy handling but the timer didn't stop so we had to run again for time and she decided that she knew the course better and did some big loops and wrong jumps so we got a very slow time but she got a nice clear in the agility even managing to get her dogwalk contact which she usually decides needs jumping over.
Dudley enjoyed himself immensely which was nice but he jumped off the side of the dogwalk to bite my ankles and in the weaves got me just above the heel which must have looked worse as the judge asked me if I was all right. Not sure whether I'm pleased he's enjoying agility again or peed off that he's biting me.
1-3 agility was first judged by Wendy Fassam who drew up a course that was lovely and flowing but with enough handling to make it interesting. I thought Tom might go and see her as he knows her but no problems there I don't think he even saw her. Due to some handler errors at the start he kept going round the first jump until I just did a running start. He got all his contacts and some really good bits but was still sniffy and not responsive to me calling him or catching him. On to the jumping which was also a lovely course but the rot had set in and he just ran past the start, after a really good wait, then proceeded to very much do his own thing although he did go into the weaves ahead of me and stayed in which made the whole thing worth it.
Suzi did a fantastic clear round in the 1-7 jumping even with some untidy handling but the timer didn't stop so we had to run again for time and she decided that she knew the course better and did some big loops and wrong jumps so we got a very slow time but she got a nice clear in the agility even managing to get her dogwalk contact which she usually decides needs jumping over.
Dudley enjoyed himself immensely which was nice but he jumped off the side of the dogwalk to bite my ankles and in the weaves got me just above the heel which must have looked worse as the judge asked me if I was all right. Not sure whether I'm pleased he's enjoying agility again or peed off that he's biting me.
Saturday, 1 March 2008
Blimey it's been nearly a week since updated Tom's blog, I'll be getting in trouble soon.
After my lesson last Sunday I've been working hard in trying to stay neutral and calm when Tom goes off sniffing at training or wont be caught when we are out. Wednesday night was not a great success, I kept very calm but the little bugger kept running off when I went to pick him up, I walked out of the school thinking he may follow me but he couldn't have cared less but was caught when he ran straight into the arms of Becky who scooped him up - he was not impressed:)
Friday we went to a training day with Toni Dawkins and to be honest I wasn't looking forward to it and even thought about taking Suzi in case Tom's nose went into overdrive as I love Toni's teaching BUT he was fantastic and even though he did have a few sniffing sessions he quickly came back and did some really good stuff. I was really pleased with his dog walk as he went right to the bottom every time. Toni had us recalling them over the dog walk and sending them over while we stopped at the first set of legs.
I couldn't fault him at all apart digging a big hole in the sand while I was watching the other dogs, he even jumped a medium jump which we forgot to put down.
Friday night I took him training as usual and was just going to do a couple of things but he didn't seem tired at all after the morning and although he couldn't resist the interesting smells in some places he was much, much better and we had great fun.
I think he'll always find it hard to resist the smells at Fordcombe but hopefully as he get's more mature and experienced things will improve.
We're off to C Side tomorrow and I'm hoping there are no piles of horse poo to distract him. Watch this space.............................
After my lesson last Sunday I've been working hard in trying to stay neutral and calm when Tom goes off sniffing at training or wont be caught when we are out. Wednesday night was not a great success, I kept very calm but the little bugger kept running off when I went to pick him up, I walked out of the school thinking he may follow me but he couldn't have cared less but was caught when he ran straight into the arms of Becky who scooped him up - he was not impressed:)
Friday we went to a training day with Toni Dawkins and to be honest I wasn't looking forward to it and even thought about taking Suzi in case Tom's nose went into overdrive as I love Toni's teaching BUT he was fantastic and even though he did have a few sniffing sessions he quickly came back and did some really good stuff. I was really pleased with his dog walk as he went right to the bottom every time. Toni had us recalling them over the dog walk and sending them over while we stopped at the first set of legs.
I couldn't fault him at all apart digging a big hole in the sand while I was watching the other dogs, he even jumped a medium jump which we forgot to put down.
Friday night I took him training as usual and was just going to do a couple of things but he didn't seem tired at all after the morning and although he couldn't resist the interesting smells in some places he was much, much better and we had great fun.
I think he'll always find it hard to resist the smells at Fordcombe but hopefully as he get's more mature and experienced things will improve.
We're off to C Side tomorrow and I'm hoping there are no piles of horse poo to distract him. Watch this space.............................
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