Downland

Today was Downlands and even though we woke up to about an inch of snow I decided to go anyway because it was indoors. Dudley had 2 runs today and the first was G1-7 agility, the little terrierist wouldn't wait so it was lucky I could get away with a running start and he spent much of the course attempting to bite my ankles but by shouting 'out' at him every time he made to grab me I was about to get him round in a reasonable time for him. There was a large contingency of medium merlies there which came 1st to 5th so no place but I was really happy that he was enjoying agility again, his jumping was a lovely course set by Amanda Pigg and apart from a missed weave entry which was probably my fault he did a really nice round so a successful day with regards to him.

Suzi was a bit cold even with her coat on and never runs at her best like that so I was pleased to get 2 clear in the steeplechase and the jumping, her agility would have been better if I hadn't confidently and in a very positive voice sent her into the weaves instead if the up the seesaw. Oh well there's always next time and she did get all her contacts which I'd struggled with at training last week.

Now to Tom, I'd love to say that things had been fantastic and to be honest parts of each round were brilliant but other parts were just a complete sniff fest and in the jumping I got completely lost and stood right in front of the jump he had to go over then forgot where to go next, 'Oh cock' as James May would have said.

All the time we were there the snow kept coming down so I thought I'd take them for a walk on Ashdown Forest on the way home. Dudley loves snow and gets very over excited, Thomas wasn't too sure but soon got the hang of dashing about in this funny white stuff until we came round a corner and met a snowman which was very scary and had to be barked at in a very manly way. Suzi hated it and stayed right behind me for most of the time.

Here are a few photos, I would have liked to take more but the battery went of the camera about 10 minutes into the walk. The first couple are at the stables this morning when I went to turn out my pony Fenella.

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.

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.

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.

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 :)