In Brief

We had our first trial of the year this last weekend and it went as well as I could have hoped. The Rabbit was in fine form, getting his crazies out first thing in Standard on Saturday then managing 4 out of 5 Q’s for the rest of the weekend. Steeplechase, Adv Gamblers(!), Grand Prix(!!) and Adv Standard. He was a bit silly, I was a bit ridiculous, but somehow we managed together to keep it together for the most part. At least enough to eek out the Q’s where it counted. He got many, many compliments this weekend on his cuteness and uniqueness which I gladly acquiesced with.

Not to say I don’t have a million more things I should be working on with the Rabbit (nothing new, all the same–ie. contacts and weaves), but it bears repeating that I love him lots. I’d felt rather disconnected from him after some holiday family drama and time apart, but I think we are back together mentally again. All it takes is a bit of extra training time, a weekend trial and getting to sleep under the covers with me for a few nights (Pete was out of town so the dogs get to take turns sleeping in their rightful spots on/in the bed!). I just need to remember to always support him out on the course, and as long as I do that, he really sticks his neck out for me. He saved me big time in our Standard run on Sunday after my horrifically slow FC off the Aframe. He darted around me and went exactly where he was supposed to—how he knew to do that, I have no idea. Same for his read on the Gamble on Saturday. I am still in awe of how that worked out…

I also am finally finding my “true agility friends” as Laura told me I would quite some time ago. She was right, it does take a while, but you start to figure it out after a few false fits and starts. We had our little oasis of niceness and normalcy at this weekend’s trial, lots of positive chat and support. I was pretty oblivious to the majority of general trial-related griping until I made the mistake of going home and looking at facebook. Bleh. Anyways, I am finally finding the good people. And it makes it just that much more fun. Which, we often forget, is why we do this in the first place. Lots of trials coming up in the next few months, looking forward to it.

Goals, née Resolutions

I’m not that great with resolutions. They seem kinda corny to me, not to mention I never really keep up with them. At least for the long term. I do however, like “goals”. Not so much starting over and admitting you were blowing something off in the first place as continuing on with specific road markers to guide you. So, these are our goals for the year.

Forest:
- clean up his contacts (go back to upholding actual criteria for his 2o2o DW. keep training the Aframe to remove the two-hit fly off issue we have once he gets really moving)
- finish his AX title (we’ve been in Excellent Standard for over a year and somehow only have one Q. That takes talent!)
- finish his AAD title, move up into all Masters
- get a Grand Prix Q
- if the GP Q happens we can think about nationals… but… I don’t know if we’re ready for all that. Plus the whole team thing is so over my head. I’d be terrified to let other people down, especially people I dont know very well… I would love to go on a roadtrip journey though, thats what I think is most appealing to me about the whole Nationals thing.
- keep him running “up” and happy, give him fair/equal time for training (at least the amount he needs, which is honestly not all that much)
- keep him fit, which should be easy as long as he is getting enough training, hiking and off leash time
- get his CA (Coursing Ability) title, or at least get him out coursing as much as we possibly can. That honestly is more important to me than any titles or agility accomplishments. The kid just wants to RUN!

Phin:
- keep working on the basics. clean up his heeling and get an actual “swing” (I hate heeling, which is evident in my resistance to training it). get better sits, downs from a distance. get a stand on verbal.
- keep working on handling–both agility handling on the flat and more importantly, everyday let-me-look-in-your-mouth handling.
- make a decision about his dogwalk–running or 2o2o–and stick with it. I have been waffling on this for this exact reason; I know once I decide I cant go back, so I am stalling. I may keep stalling and give him a few more months to see if age helps at all with running the plank (instead of thinking its a bounce obstacle). In the meantime we’ve starting training an isolated 2o2o on equipment/props that hopefully wont confuse the issue.
- try some fun runs and practices in the Spring
- technically he could start running AKC as early as March, and I know he could do Novice JWW just fine, but I think I will be waiting ’til May at the earliest. There are 2 back to back AKC trials down in SD in May, so we’ll see if he’s ready for that by then.
- try to have him ready for USDAA starters in the fall. He’s eligible in June, but September-October is probably more realistic.
- keep looking for somewhere we can train outdoors with a good teacher, ideally who knows Mecklenberg, but thats a stretch down here in SoCA.
- get up to see Rachel Sanders at least once, hopefully more than once, for some guidance.
- do some coursing with him as well, he loves it almost as much as the other brother.

Diego:
- stay fit, happy and healthy
- give him lots of love for being a good “TM”

Me:
- look into permitting and local laws for future business plans
- get my CPDT-K”S”A certification (Certified Pet Dog Trainer–Knowledge and SKILLS Assessed).
- teach my upcoming classes with an open mind and truly learn from my students
- be EXCITED(!) about teaching Obedience!
- find more agility and performance training mentors I can speak with regularly and openly about Phin and our training goals and challenges
- stay positive, calm and collected, regardless of what is going on around me.

Happy 2012.

He’s Official

He being, “officially”, now AKC- and USDAA-registered Los Rios’ Gut Feeling. AKA Phineas. A crazy sounding name with a few months of well-pondered reasoning behind it.

Los Rios is the name of my family’s ranch, still in existence, but unfortunately no longer in our family. It was my grandfather’s and his father’s apple ranch in the San Bernadino mountains, I’ve talked about him here after his passing last year. I am not certain, but there are plans with some of my remaining family members to keep things alive in some way shape or form, and down the road, my dream is to be a part of Los Rios the next. And, of course, all the dogs will be a part as well, so Phineas has been deigned the founding canine member of the Los Rios kennel name.*

The “Gut Feeling” part is sort of obvious, but also has a double-meaning. Obviously I took a leap of pure dumb faith when I decided to take him. I knew it wouldnt be easy and I did it against both my and other involved parties’ best judgement. However, I now know my instinct was correct, and he is becoming exactly what I was hoping for, a brilliant performance dog. To top it off, one of my favorite Devo songs is “Gut Feeling” and its eerie, bizarre tone is quite fitting for Phin. Really powerful and unique and capped off at the end by crazy rock out mayhem… I was driving a few months ago and it came on unexpectedly, and it just struck me as so him…. I think its a perfect fit.

Los Rios’ Gut Feeling aka Phineas at 12-13(?) weeks.**

In more Phin news, he has made me feel better about his ability to operate “normally” in public. We stayed at a friend’s house for New Years last night. This AM we walked quite a bit and graced two separate breakfast/coffee establishments. He was extremely well-behaved (as long as his brothers weren’t kegging off on their own little tirades—yappers), and even solicited petting from a “mature” gentleman who was parked next to us at a nearby table. I think the elements that made him okay with this specific guy were, 1) the outdoor, unfamiliar environment, 2) the fact that he had been able to acclimate to this man from about 20′ away for a good 20 minutes before we got up to leave and walk near him, and 3) the fact that the guy remained seated and had a pretty calm energy. So… at least I am narrowing down his triggers. He seems to be mostly set off by restricted space, sudden environmental changes and areas that he feels are “his”–ie the training center and home. Also in both my parents homes he is a bit of a liability, so I am learning where he needs to be carefully managed. But today he got a gold star—holding his mat stay with his bros while little kids roared around us, birds darted in and out of the bushes and other (less-well-behaved, ahem) dogs barked and strained at us.

Proud of my boy today, a great start to a New Year. Happy thoughts to all of you.

+++

* I propositioned Pete to change Forest’s name as well but was denied. So Forest shall remain, just Forest. Such a simple name for such a complicated dog….

** Yes, I was a rotten person and put a GL on this squalling puppy. Feel free to yell at me…

Rollercoaster

Wow. Yesterday was a Day. One of those days where I ran the entire gamut of emotions, from being so happy I wanted to cry to actually crying for well, the usual reasons you want to cry.

I was at the first day of Wags’ annual seminar with Rachel Sanders. For anyone who hasnt read my effusions on Rachel before I’ll recap briefly; I love her. She is fun but honest. To the point and constructive without making you feel like a total ass. She can be direct, but it is also interspersed with “good for yous” and “that was a great try”. Plus she has a great sense of humor and always has some silly story to share. I also was graced with the presence of quite a few of my favorite agility friends, and I’d been looking forward to this for months.

Our first drill was a reasonable course of 10 obstacles that was perfect for Phin. He ran it wonderfully but unfortunately, it was punctuated by him having to stop and gag a few times, mostly in the beginning. However, he got over it quickly and ran like a champ. It was the longest we’ve ever worked at jumping at one stretch and he was just awesome. At the end of our turn Rachel said he was great, “phenomenal” was actually the word she used. I was so happy, so relieved that my ego about this dog wasnt just in my own head, that I really wanted to cry. I was so beyond excited that I let that cloud over the fact that I should have pulled him out right then and there due to the coughing.

I did end up taking him out an hour or two later after one more gagging incident. Forest and I ran a lackluaster turn then we bowed out. There was some attached work drama that came up as well that put me in a foul mood, but I slowly growing a thick skin. We drove straight to the vet.

Phin has been to this vet maybe three times for just routine shots and etc. While he has never loved being there, he was definitely a bit more on edge yesterday than he had been in the past. I had him in the room for a few minutes and seeing how tense he was I went back to the car to get some treats and his Gentle Leader. We went back to the waiting room and did some sitting, downing and backing up which helped him get more comfortable, or at least took his mind off the scary stuff. I warned the vet tech that he was shy around new people and he was okay with her other than trying to scoot away as she took his temp. Then the vet came in (a new one, every time I go to this clinic it is someone else)  and it all went downhill rapidly from there… He wouldn’t let her look in his mouth, he was very skittish but never growled or froze, he only was trying to escape. The vet started asking me if he has always been like this, and I said yeah, his fear of strangers is getting worse. This threw her for a loop and suddenly she’s asking me if I use positive reinforcement training and advising that I see a behaviorist or a trainer. I dont really remember what I said to her but whatever it was was probably in a snotty tone. Ugh. I mentioned that they could not control him at 8 weeks in the vets office (true story), so in some ways this was an improvement, but I dont think she believed me. She took him away to do Xrays to rule out an obstruction, telling me they may have to sedate him. I almost lost it at that point.

She came back, saying he was better away from me and that they didnt sedate him but that it took three people to hold him down for Xrays. I wish they had sedated him honestly. The vet was nicer to me for the rest of the visit, but I am done there. I came home and broke down on the phone with Pete telling him about my day.

I love this dog so much and he is showing me how spectacular and awful—by other people’s standards, not mine—he can be within just a few hours of each other. Maybe if I spend a tenth of the amount of time on handling and socializing as I do on agility he can be better? I dont know, but I am exhausted. Regardless, I am trying to focus on the positive, with the understanding that I have a lot more work to do. I also I need to learn to be more okay with my own opinion of my dog and not be so affected by others… Oh yeah, and find another vet too.

The Beast Turns One/Pack Dynamics Part 2

Tomorrow is Phinny’s birthday. Well it may not be exactly it, but I figured December 12th would be an easy one to remember and its in the general ballpark within a week or two. Lotar–Shit Puppy–Phineas Fungus Littletard. Nugget. Doug. Spaz. These are all his names, from not only me but his ex-owners, fosters, fan base.

I can’t believe I’ve had him almost a year. And then again, he feels like he’s always been here. I have moments with Forest where I like/love him so much it hurts, then not that much later he and I are looking at each other like we don’t know each other and haven’t gone through the years of co-existing and learning together. I haven’t ever had that with Phin, though it may happen eventually. He is always right here, waiting for the next project I have for us to do together, for better or worse.

That’s not to say he isnt annoying or aggravating on a daily basis. His minor effects are that he steps in poo frequently, destroys every toy within a five mile radius, slams Forest into doorways and walls, knocks over the occasional lamp or eats a stray remote. His less minor effects include resource guarding, reactivity to strangers, and separation anxiety. But, goddammit, he is one hard working, intelligent dog.

He continues to amaze me with what he learns–how swiftly he picks things up and how I can cut corners (again for better or worse) because he reads what I want and where I am going before I do half the time.That may be the biggest trap with him–the temptation to rush because he is so game to do anything I throw at him. A lesson in self control for me I guess.

His intensity can be overwhelming for me at times—he plays tug so hard he may pull my arm out of the socket one of these days, and he is on alert at all times. Its hard to shut him off. He alarm barks a lot at home, and I still have a lot more work to do with his reactivity issues.

But under his non-stop bull in the china shop persona, he has a pure sweetness. We were heading into the lobby at work the other day, and a mom and son, about 5 maybe came out the door right on top of us. I startled a bit, just because I am always on guard with him around anyone new, especially when the environment suddenly changes. The little boy landed almost on top of him, said “Oh, hi doggie!”, and threw his arms around Phin’s neck. I was worried Phin may knock him over or at least aggressively lick his face (gentle is not in this dog’s vocab), but instead, he threw his head up and stood stock still, nose to nose with the kid, wagging his tail, clearly reveling in the moment. It was so sweet, and yet terrifying at the same time.

I know expectations are not a good thing. Setting up for disappointment and all that. But I can’t help it. I have high expectations for this dog. I dont know where exactly we are going, but I know it will be good. Very good.

Brain Dump — aka December Seminar #1

We arent doing any trials this month, instead we are going into full bore seminar mode. At least they are about as far apart form each other as possible while still within 30 days of each other, but I have a feeling at the end of it all I wont know what to do with myself. Or maybe I will, I guess thats the point.

Today we had day two of a handling seminar with Daisy Peel.* My biggest takeaway from the whole thing was how much I really, really like the Mecklenberg-based system. I have already been doing it for a while, but having someone who really, really knows it like the back of their hand explaining to you the endless options you have to work with, starting with the foundational six cues, was very enlightening.** And, it made me feel more confident that I will also be able to competently handle Phin using that system, even though he is fast and powerful.

Actually, one of my concerns was that because Forest is “not-fast” and Phin is the opposite that I would have trouble transitioning between the two. However, Daisy made me run my ass off this weekend, which, lo and behold, got Forest moving. I have been in a place for a while where I understood this concept, but there was a disconnect between my understanding of just running anywhere fast and the actual proper locations to get him going—as in often times needing to go in waaaay deeper somewhere to keep him moving instead of sending and taking off away from him. With Phin, I will be able to direct and run, but with Forest, he needs the support.

I was for the majority of the session, the lone “non-Border Collie” handler, and I am 99% sure I was the only one there running their first agility dog. That was a little tough at times. It was a Masters handling seminar that I somehow squeaked into through the backdoor, and the level was high, but we hung in there. Clearly, I was not on the same “foundational playing field” as most of the others and was laid into a bit about it. I get it, I am not in denial, but I am all the more proud of my pound-puppy-cum-first-ever-agility-dog. He is not going to go overseas ever. Maybe not even to Nationals, ever. Hell, if we even ever qualify for Nationals and/or get an Excellent/Masters title I’ll be happy with him. I think he is pretty awesome, hands down.

Main points from my notes;

• Run with him, pacing him so that you don’t get too far ahead, either abandoning him or slamming on the breaks. He does not need that many turning cues.
• Watch your dog always, even on the startline. Eye contact is one of the six cues. Walk a course assuming your dog will be running behind you, with your head turned back, see how that changes your perspective.
• Shut up. Stop “cheerleading”/pushing him to go faster. Only verbal should be obstacle cues or verbal markers for correct decisions or good efforts. Pay attention to his decisions and try to reward the right ones at least with a verbal–this will help build confidence.
• She also had some funny one liners about a few things, especially blind crosses. She said “They are not sexy, don’t do them just because they’re sexy!” Her point was there’s a time and a place for them, but it needs to be the right time and place.

So really it boils down to; run faster, shut up and support your dog. I think can do that. The training better contacts part however….. Ugh. Thats a never-ending battle that probably will go with me to my grave.

* I did have video from yesterday, but my Lumix  point-and-shoot is suddenly is shooting a different file format that my computer doesnt like. Ergh. We’ll see if I have the patience to figure that out or just abort the files.

** I realize I sound like one of those crazy “system” Nazis. Maybe I just am a believer! For me and for my dogs anyways. It clicks with me so I am officially on the APHS train. Their main spiel is that you are using mostly “natural” cues as opposed to trained cues. Seeing how quickly Phin has picked up on my handling with a minimal amount of jump training makes me believe it. Thats my pitch, I’ll shut up now.

A Peek Into the Future

This weekend was fun. Quite fun really. We headed out for another USDAA trial up at Irwindale at the Santa Fe Dam.* We had just graduated up to Advanced across the board a few weekends ago, and are just starting to dip our toes in the scary waters of Tournament classes. I have asked a lot of people what the rules are for qualifying and how you go to Nationals and all that stuff, but I swear I havent got the same answers twice. Regardless, I will worry about that when and if I have to, for now we’re just enjoying the change up of course styles. Steeplechase is our favorite for now.

Forest was honestly a speed demon—for him anyway—this weekend. All of our runs were mostly fluid and pretty with the exception of a wonky Grand Prix run. He actually had speed and was on a roll and I just wasnt ready for him and we got out of whack.**  All of our other runs I was really happy with–both Advanced Standard, Steeplechase + final, and Snooker. We Q’ed in Steeplechase yesterday and Standard and Snooker today. We still have some contacts issues to work out on the Aframe, but I feel like I am ready to focus on that again finally. His contact percentage this weekend was definitely better than it was 2 weeks ago, as were his weave entries.

The two highlights of the weekend though were not during our runs. Firstly, after my Steeplechase final run this AM–which I did not walk as I am a lagger and got to the show site late–one of my agility heroes, whom I have never spoken to before, told me I had a great run. Wow! That was really flattering and surprising for me. This person wins almost everything in the border collie class (aka 22″) and is a brilliant handler. Every time I see him running his dog I stop what I am doing to watch. He uses very little verbal and is so fluid and efficient. That was awesome, especially considering we were not the fastest dog and we were last out of all the finalists! I guess I must have done something right.

The second highlight was later in the day. I had been crating the dogs out of the car as it was cool and I was also being lazy. I recently fixed Forest’s soft crate and he was in it in the car. Phin and I were off working to the north of the rings. I had my back to the parking area when I hear someone yelling “loose dog!” I turn to see what looks like a hairless rat terrier running off in the distance and think to myself, “thats a nice looking little … Wait a second. Jesus H Christ! Fooooorest!!!!”

I’ll be damned if he didnt hear, then see me from a hundred yards away and come bee-lining straight for me right into my arms for the rest of Phin’s cheese. It may not seem like a big deal, but to me it was. The dog who ran away from me for years—and who still will in certain circumstances—came straight for me at top speed the second he heard his name. And even bigger is that he busted out of the crate to look for me. Not to chase squirrels or take a joy ride marking the park, but becasue I have finally built value for myself over the last 3 years. So he got lots of cheese and praise from me for having such a wonderful recall, then back into the car into one of the wire crates locked shut. He is such a little bastard, always confounding me and making me happy at the same time.

So, I think that may actually be the last trial for us this year. We have two upcoming seminars that are going to put dents in my wallet and I figure it may just be time for a break anyways. I like to go easy on him, and I think he’s earned some rest. I feel like this weekend was a look into how he will be as a “mature” agility dog. Not the fastest, but consistent and athletic and dependable. I know once we get into Masters I will be humbled, but thats okay. Regardless, I am so very, very happy with my Bun.

 

*Last time I was there I had a lot less grey hair—as in none—and was probably wearing flannel. It was hot and lots of bands played, but my main memory was being stuck in traffic for like a hundred years trying to get in and/or out of a one entrance park with 10,000 other cars. This weekend wasnt like that at all, hah.

**That also, not surprisingly, was the only run I have video of from the weekend. I am becoming superstitious about having people video me, it never seems to be on the “right” runs. So today when Romi asked me if I wanted her to film me, after about a half-second of deliberation I refused. I am not a superstitious person by rule, but maybe I am becoming one…

Admission

I have a (semi-) dirty secret. That I dont really like to talk about, but it’s bugging me enough—and few enough people will actually read this—that I have to get it out. Phineas, the super-star all-around-awesome, “perfect” puppy, is reactive. Yep, there it is. I said it. It has been burbling to the surface for a while, but I’ve been in denial. I was hoping it was just him going through his fear period, or being a puppy, or whatever other excuse I could come up with at that moment, but it has now gotten to the point where I am realizing its not going away.

He is great with most other dogs, loves-loves-loves children, good with women, and hit or miss with men. I am still figuring out his exact hot button in the male department, but I do know he does NOT like older people, particularly men with grey hair. I also think he reads them and makes a snap judgement, depending on what else is going and and his general arousal level. He is okay in crowd situations—he can be anxious but he keeps it together. However when we are somewhere relatively isolated and a male or designated “scary figure” comes into our space, he may lose it. He growls, barks and lunges at designated scary person. And especially being that he has a “bully” look about him, it is not cute… At all.

(As I am writing this my boyfriend just let two guys into the house without giving me a heads up. All the dogs went apeshit and Phin growled at one of them. Awesome. Luckily they are young {in the “good” category for Phin}, relatively dog-savvy , and followed instructions, so it all settled very quickly, but I’d prefer them not to rehearse these scenarios… Ugh.)

I am really horrified about this. Horrified at myself. I was so convinced that I did the right things by having him at work everyday, taking him to agility trials and friends’ houses. I sit in puppy class weekly and lecture people on the importance of properly socializing their puppies early. Do as I say not as I do, I guess. Apparently what I did do wasnt enough.

His reactivity hardly is debilitating like it is for so many dogs. But I am technically these days a “dog trainer“. Note the italics. I was hoping/planning to have a bomb proof dog to teach with. That is not impossible at this point, but this situation is a very large, unanticipated speed bump.

Really, I should not be surprised as he is very high-energy and easily aroused. He does bark at the drop of a hat, and is super-aware of his environment at all times. If I had wanted a mellow dog in the first place, he wouldnt have been an option.

I guess when we choose puppies with specific purposes in mind, we may only focus on the traits that fit our purpose and be blind to those that may not be so practical. Or at least thats what I did.

So now, all I can do is work to solve the problem the best I can. I was really upset about the whole situation this morning, so as much as I was temped to dwell on it, I just dove in and we went to the fancy mall near us that allows dogs. It went really well, no issues at all, but I was on edge almost the whole time, stuffing him with cheese every few seconds. He was greeted by two different families—and very carefully managed by us. He was cautious about the first; mom, dad, and three boys, but luckily they were more interested in Forest than him so he had time to assess them before they wanted to interact. He was appropriate with them, even giving dad a very quick lick. Thankfully, he was joyous with the second family–grandma, mom and young daughter. He loves him some giggly little girls and we ended on a high note with that.

I am coming to grips with the whole scenario and I’ll just have to manage it as it happens. I also am thankful that BAT came into my consciousness right at the perfect time, so that has already proved a useful tool along with the usual Control Unleashed stuff. We’ll keep on keeping on, and who knows, maybe I can find some cooperative agility folk to work with us as well. Wish us luck.

Whirlwind weekend; chickens, ballrooms and tunnel phobia

We’ve had a busy last few days. I got to go to two days of the APDT conference, which I have to admit I was a bit skeptical about. I enjoyed clicker expo back in January, but wasnt sure if I’d go back, and I expected this to be similar. Except for of course the chicken part which I was fired up about. I was fortunate to sign up early enough to get a spot in one of the Click a Chick workshops. It was awesome–those buggers are fast and furious and make you realize how atrocious your timing actually is. I am at the point where I am clicking dogs literally, for four to six hours a day, and none yet have been even close in speed and accuracy demand to my chicken Bertie #5. The poultry are not into messing around apparently. I would do a chicken camp in a heartbeat if the time and funds ever allow.

Also got to see some great speakers and overall really enjoyed my time there and felt it was well-spent. I am marinating on some other thoughts I hope I find time to write about later, but I’ll leave it at that for professional stuff.

On Sunday we squeaked in one day at a local AKC trial at my favorite five-minutes-from-my-house location. Forest was a super-star again, winning his Ex A JWW class (technically I should have moved up but I didnt realize it until last minute then forgot about it til too late… oh well). He also was so great in Standard–nailing all contacts and his weaves, but I had another tunnel discrimination freak out and totally over-handled/over-thought it, blowing his mind and sending him off course onto the dog walk. I am so freaked out by tunnel disciminations these days that I go into analysis paralysis mode and end up making things way more complicated than they need to be. Lucky for me he at least humors me and soldiers on. Hopefully now that the pendulum has swung from me not handling them at all to me over-freaking about it I can get back somewhere in the middle.

As Laurie said not long ago, he is a very “honest” dog, now especially that I (usually) do a better job of telling him where to go. He also saved my ass in Standard by blasting out of a tunnel full speed and having to crank back hard to make it over the next jump–lots of dogs would have just run around and punished me for not calling him earlier, but he knew what his job was. Such a good little rabbit to put up with me.

Phin and I had a very frustrating running contacts session today. I had put the plank up for the first time on the table and I dont think he made a single contact except for one where he slowed down because he was choking on a treat. Awesome. He hits that thing full blast and flies off the end. I think Silvia would say he needs to run more, which I guess is possible, but the thought of him going even faster is rather terrifying to me. I need to get out the video camera and see what the hell I can do to make it better.I am kinda on my own with this fun little project… I could be crying uncle and crapping out eventually but I am going to put it in writing here that I will stick to my guns on this. As long as it doesnt kill me or my dog. Which it could.

At least his weaves are coming along great. We arent exactly on Susan Garrett’s 12 poles in 12 days or whatever, but its coming along. He is hitting the entries for the most part from most any angle and we’re up to 4 poles. Almost ready to add another set of 2x2s.He has not yet learned to collect, so unlike his honest brother, he will blast past the entry if he is going too fast. So, no need to rush things on that front.

And as usual I need to scale back and work more on the basics. His swing/pivot still isnt where I want it to be and he can always use more stimulus control work. My dogs, not so great in the Stimulus Control department. I wonder whose fault that is?

- photos by Matt Miller

Mad Scramble

Again it’s been too long but I am not giving up! I had to call in sick on Monday and found the opportunity to do day-to-day shit I hadn’t had time to do. Like sit at the DMV and write blog posts.

In the last few weeks we’ve been backpacking, at 2 trials, and I took my CPDT test. Life has been nutty but basically centered around the dogs, lucky them.

I wrote a draft post about the backpacking trip and still need to upload photos so I’ll get to that eventually.

My test went well, I think. I studied a lot but there was some seriously random stuff in there that came out of left field. Like how/why you should deny wolf hybrids from an obedience class… Bizarre. I should get my results within 3 weeks or less. Then I should have a few letters to put after my name and my life will change! Ha.

On the trial front for the most part Forest continues to steadily get better. That doesn’t mean we’re getting more Qs but that he does continue to impress me with his attitude. He went thru 3 classes for 2 consecutive days this weekend, and we spent the night at my friends house where there was mad dog craziness going on. While I wanted to leave the trial and go home to sleep on Sunday he was still raring to go at the last class. So happy with him. Even though I lost track of where I was and effed up our gamble, our opening was speedy and beautiful and one of the best runs we’ve ever had. If I hadn’t blown it we would have had almost 20 more points than the next person. Ah well.

Phin is doing great. He is still a spaz but his little brain cells are finally all beginning to align. Our running contacts are coming along slowly–I have no reason to rush them. He’s also started running the Aframe very low–aka hitting it and super-manning over the apex and maybe or maybe not landing in the yellow. His enthusiasm actually cracks me up. I am just excited to have a fearless wild man of a dog.

Something pretty cool happened last weekend at the usdaa trial we were at. A woman who I didn’t know but whom I had seen running her dogs quite professionally throughout the weekend came over to me as I was playing with Phin.  She asked, “Who is he?!?” She was so funny. She told me he reminded her of her dog Elvis. Apparently Elvis was a very, very fast mixed breed who did quite well in the early days of usdaa (confirmed by her other expert friend and googled by me after the fact). She showed me a few pics and he does look like Phin. She told me she thought Phin looked great and that she was excited to watch him grow up. For me that was very cool.

Also looking into taking another class somewhere, somehow with yet another instructor. Laurie has cut back the amount she is teaching and between that and the fact that I now have 2 dogs to worry about, one class a week is not enough. How my bank account or current minimal free hours a week are going to jive with that concept I am not yet sure, but I am forging ahead anyway.

Onward…