Moving.

Moving to agilitygurl.wordpress.com

Time.

18 months can seem like an eternity or it can seem like a short time. It all depends on what's happening.

The magic number in agility is 18 months. You get your puppy, train train train for their big debut at 18 months...it seems like forever away when you are holding an 13 week old fuzzball. But we've all found out that no, it's actually just around the corner.

This is something that I've personally struggled with and the one thing that I would preach to all beginners: 18 is NOT the magic number.

Dash is now 21 months old and has not run at a trial. The guilt that I've felt is enormous. Like I've failed him somehow...21 months old! He should be out there by now! It doesn't help that everyone around is constantly asking you as to why you're not running, what's he currently working on, well how much longer, he needs to be out there, well hurry up!, how old is he now?, etc. etc.

Here I have this wonderful dog that would go to the moon for me and I am frustrated that we aren't out there...I mean sheesh! Everyone else is trailing at 21 months old! Why aren't we out there?!

Then I remember that I love Dash to pieces and it doesn't matter what age he makes his debut.

It's taken me a long time (18 months!) to get over that magic number. Once in awhile it gets me but I've realized that every dog has his issues so there is no set age. Take your time, enjoy the ride.

Running Contacts.

Do you hear the whispers now? Can you see everyone giving you the crazy eyes?

"Did she just say running contacts?"

I am training Dash to have running contacts and yes, I am serious. We are currently enrolled in Silvia Trkman's online course and learning tons. But while I am learning tons, I am also having to modify some steps for Dash.

Buts that's ok. Silvia promotes doing what is best for you & your dog. She knows we're not all the same and that's what makes agility fun anyway.

Fun Match Pictures.

Both Dash and I competed in our first fun match this weekend. We had a blast and I am SO proud of my babydog. Even if he did poop mid-run...I mean, it happens right?

Recallers.

Dash and I are part of this cool online course that 1 or 2 of you may have heard of, Recallers!

One thing that I quickly found out that Recallers is not purely about recalls, rather is focuses on the relationship between human and dog. During the course you play daily games that are fun, easy and quick and as a result of these games, you become your dog's "cookie". So because your dog values you so much, your chooses to come to you over any distraction that may pop up. Hence the name Recallers.

Dash and I took a month off from ALL agility work so we could concentrate solely on our new course. I was afraid that our skills would deteriorate but I really need Dash to be able to look past distractions so we can do our best out there.

So after a month of Recallers here is what babydog can now do:

-Recall away from play with other dogs
-Come with just one command
-Is learning that failure does not = give up.
-Stay in crate while I work with others dogs. No screaming either!
-Confidence in me

These are some MAJOR things for us, and after doing some agility this morning...I can honestly say we have improved greatly. We are more of a team and my teammate is really starting to trust me now.

Here is Dash demonstrating his awesome "It's Yer Choice".

This week:

This week's agenda is as follows:

-180's. Keep moving them father and farther apart. We're about 9ft apart now.
-Front Cross Front Cross Front. Did I mention Front Cross?
-RZ work with and without jumps.
-Beginning stages of Rear Cross.
-Wraps.
-Pulls.
-

I made the above drawing simply because 1) I'm bored at work. 2) Who doesn't like to paint? but soon realized it was a tad TSD. Only difference? Mine suck.

Front Crosses.

When I first started the Front Cross, I hated it. Hate is probably not even the right word...more like despised it.

But you have to understand why they made me uncomfortable. I am a horrid dancer. I look like a mixture of 'girl having seizure and a clown doing some exquisite ballerina move. Except the clown looks bad. Real bad. So I know that I looked awkward doing those front crosses that Greg Derrett could effortless pull off.

So I did them over and over. Eventually Dash stopped getting confused and I started looking better. I still don't think I look Derrett-esque but much improvement from 'girl having seizure' days. My poor dog can now follow my body movements and seems to know what to do before I even do them. (Isn't that why we all get Border Collies?)

I'm now in love with my front crosses! I can do them on grass. I can do them on cement. I can even do them running! I mean it's so bad that I now do them with my daughter as we come down the stairs. Bad, right?