SKC

Been really busy so bit behind with the updates. SKC was a good show shame about the handler. Monkey's first run was an Olympia qualifier and was a really nice course, I thought she would get round. Well was I wrong. Did the first bit lovely then pinged of the dog walk!! then didn't stop on the A frame after coming out of the weave consistently after ten poles I thanked the judge and left the ring OH Funky Monkey!! So spirits down she made a meal of it. Rhu tried hard getting two nice clears but did not get placed. So when home heavy hearted. As per norm I start to analyze what went wrong go over and over it in my head. Did I keep my hand up and change at the right time Eh no. But took no responsibility for her mucking up her weave, well until Kenny pointed out that she is still relying on me to help her and I am not helping her. She needs to learn now she goes in and stays in, so need to practise. I blame hubby (got to blame someone) for not doing enough to give me some free time to train!!! Any excuse to make me feel better. Also thought long and hard about my fitness and lack of stamina. I weigh out all their food each mealtime, don't give human food, all dogs eat toast and butter don't they? Am careful with amount of treats, hugs are nicer. Vary exercise level no less than 3hrs a day, on top of going to the field as all the dogs don't compete. Always ensure they are warmed up before they go into the ring. What do I do? Eat rubbish!! no time so it's the good old Mars bar and packet of crisp diet whilst on the hoof. So it is time to look at my own fitness and make some changes to be able to have bursts of energy when I need it most and still be able to breath. I have also been working hard on being more aware of my handling not doing things at top speed but trying to have a flowing run. The change in attitude of Monkey towards agility is phenomenal, even thou she can be a Funky Monkey sometimes.

Monkey and Logan 1-1

Had a training session which really made me look at the way I was handling Monkey and bad habits I was teaching Logan. I have a dreadful habit of dropping and pulling in m hand despite the rationale for this I can not fault her for checking with me, coming into make sure she is doing the right thing. Also not helping her is using both hands to guide her as I am giving her mixed signals. I know I am guilty of stopping waiting for her to complete e.g a star, but what I have taught her is when I stop you check with me before you go on like her Mum she is extremely sensitive to body movements responds accordingly. Kenny has now got me keeping moving but turning my body the way I am intending to go but using the hand nearest the dog to keep her moving. It is kind of hard to explain and I found it really difficult to do at first. But the idea was firmly lodged in ma wee nut so with new ideas and a refresh of motivation planned to go to the field to practise. However like the best laid plans of mice ad men we did not get to the field to practise but I did keep running through scenarios in my head. So, did we manage to put it in too practise at the show on 17th?




Show report in next blog as I am up at 6am tomorrow and it's time to have a glass of wine before going to bed.

Fair City Show

Saturday morning of to the show inthe rain! Monkeys first run was in agility and it was a straight forward course. Had a pole down on the slalom but got her weave so was pleased as she has been skipping pole 3. She became really naughty in her next two classes deciding she knew the course better than me. Skipped in one weave and came out headed to the tunnel for the big E. Her jumping was worse. Sunday she behaved herself and was 10Th in 3-4 agility and 11th in grade 3 jumping. Looking back all the errors were as per usual mine. None of her runs were smooth as I either stopped or dropped my hand. The weave for some reason she has been skipping a pole near the start or coming out on ten. However I am not going to change anything just going to train out the mistakes, I believe the reason so many have a problem with the weave is if they go wrong a new method is used which really confuses the dog.

Rhu was brilliant think she sensed I was a bit peeved and tired pulled out all the stops to cheer me up. Saturday she had two runs in agility and two 7th places. Sunday she was 2nd in agility and 11Th in jumping.

I was chuffed to bits but oh my handling lets me down, so it's back to 1-1 training with our agili guru Kenny.

Logans New Collar

After searching Sammy's stall we finally decided on a burgundy collar with a black edging to match the coat he got at crufts. Sammy was winding him up big time had him barking and jumping like a loony not that he needs much encouragement. I told Logan that if he loses this collar I will staple the next one on or get a ring put in his neck!!! He christened it with a splash about in the river, instead of being like normal dogs when they go deeper they swim not Logan he lets the toy go and heads sharpish for the bank running in the water like a right numpty he is so funny. Rhu was totally disgusted as the toy disappeared round the bend. I had to remind her she was the very same till I ventured into the water with her. Show report tomor so stay tuned.

Logans Collar

Off to the park we went in the pouring rain this morning hoping it would brighten up before we went to the show. The thought of putting the awning up in the wind and rain was not a pleasant one. Logan has been good in that he always comes back when shouted until today! Think I'll rename him Lord Lucan. One second he was following me the next he was gone. Obviously chasing deer was more exciting. I called shouted whistled nothing. My heart sank trying no to panic after 15Min's which felt like 15hrs a friend shouted that he was down the hill on the bottom path!!! he had been running up and down looking lost not sure what way to go. Well when I went to put his lead on his collar was gone so he either gave it to Bambi or there is a posh Rabbit running around in the park. Got them home fed and watered left them to sleep. Of to the shops to get goodies for the weekend and thought I best get some food for the other half. Wished I hadn't bothered went to put stuff in the freezer we bought just before new year and it was defrosting!! All the blessed food soggy,keep calm I thought be time to go to the caravan soon. Ha was I wrong again just finished getting organised to get a text saying ground was to wet if not necessary don't bring the caravan which I had already packed. Oh never mind I thought will go to Tentsmuir forest for a nice walk so found another collar for boy wonder. It was lovely and Logan only made one mad dive into the trees must have remembered getting lost came dashing back. What a good boy no sooner had I thought it than the little cherub found the muddiest puddle came jumping out as black as early hells waistcoat. Gets back to the van dried him of again no collar!!!! Still the good news is the show might go ahead which means I will be able to buy him yet another collar.

Agility!!

We went of to training on Thursday although it is not a puppy class Logan gets to practise his 2x2 weave and sits on the end of the contacts if not being used. The atmosphere is good for him. Funky Monkey was fab let down as per norm by me forgetting to direct her with my hands. My excuse is its a learned response from the bad old days when she used to bite me. Like her Mum she takes no prisoners and if I am to far behind she turns and comes back to me!! when I speak at the wrong times. Don't think I will ever learn ma wee lass is full of surprises. Had been working on straight lines and simple turns to right and left at the field with her, she was working four jumps in front and turning on command. Go training and jump jump to right she pretends she can't do it think she just likes me getting shit for it lol.
As yet we have not many comments on our blog, comments good and constructive will be well recieved, my shoulders are getting bigger and bigger to carry the load!!.