Early May, Mother's Day and Teaching the Newbie

I used to think where did the day or where did the week go? Now it's where did the months go?

We have come full circle nearly one full year of trials and while we take a weekend break for the summer, I'm already contemplating mid-week night trials just to keep all our skills 'sharp'.

We had a great Mother's Day Weekend having spent Saturday Volunteering at Camp John Marc preparing the Camp for its' summer season. "Camp John Marc partners with community and health professionals and organizations to provide high quality camping experiences year round to campers and families who have a chronic illness or physical disability."

         

 ...Yes... that is Cathy working that pressure sprayer!

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Mother's Day we had brunch, shopped for more property and of course spent time with the 'kids' including our oldest:

Luke... The Wonder Dog"

 

As friends are really improving with their youngees I decided a few months ago that I too would step-up with my Zack's training and am really focusing on him qualifying for Champs in 2014. Whether we go or not remains to be seen, but qualify... we will hope!  I've chosen to work on his weaving and keeping his speed up in the process. Too often I think trainers can stunt their dogs progress by putting so much effort on the dogs weaving cleanly yet compromising speed in the process. I see no reason that you cannot teach them both at the same time.  Just a thought.  Stay tuned on his progress... as we continue to try to........... Run As One!

 



February and Video Runs

So a few .... mind you just a few?... folks have told me that they want to follow the Blog and that I should write more fequently even if just a brief point or tip or two. So.....

It has been a fast two months. It's just February and we've hosted three Run As On Agility Trials already this year!. All have been a blast. So much fun watching all the dogs and handlers trying... trying ... trying to Run As One!

More on the trials later.

Tip: Video Runs... Short Story!

Quick lesson to be learned... Have your head around the preparation of who and what you want videoed. Also, for Contact Classes "Instruct Videographer to Stand By The Judge!" Our first Regular Saturday morning was a debacle. You know how you rush to get your dog 'cause you're first up. Then.... I saw the 'filmer' out of position...they could not see 'both' downside contacts...unbeknownst to me the video phone froze. (yes it was an Iphone, but I think it was a memory issue). 

 

Now I'm on the line.. Judge says: "Good Luck", a bit frustrated, feeling pressure to get going and losing focus on the task at hand... I think 'heck with it just go for it anyway'. "OK" through obstacle #1 Wyatt goes, then onward starting up #2 Dogwalk... Just then, the scribe (seemingly harmless right?) yelled to the judge that she could not see him. For a split second I was not sure what she was yelling.... at the time...was there a loose dog? an emergency?? Hot coffee spilled???  Something pretty important??? I looked back over at the scribe... quickly comprehending what she said ..another second or two goes by as I give her a look and say her name to question essentially.. "Why are you Yelling while we're running???"

 

Meanwhile Wyatt had gone on doing his job and was waiting for me at the end of the dogwalk. Wyatt hears me say something  (to the scribe) and as I turn back he decides "Maybe dad said go? Which way? 50/50 chance"  and with that... Game Over! :)
 

Needless to say we improvised that run:) ... And had a better plan from that run on. Sooooo, save yourself that lost run and have a better first plan than I did. 

 

The upside was I decided that if that was the worst thing to happen to us all weekend ( which it was) then we would be ok :) ...And We Were! No harm done. Wyatt ended up having some Amazing Bonus attempts later that trial. A few are below.
 

So... have a Good Plan... to Run As One!
 

Hope this makes you smile.