Funky Monkey

After SKC came Avon show. I also spoke to Emma about fitness after discovering she had been an athlete and competed in the Commonwealth games, wow. So the plan was to eat a banana and drink loads water before our first run. Considering I never eat breakfast especially at a show as I fret to much about missing walking courses and exercising the dogs ensuring they are warmed up and happy. However I stuck to the plan and whey hey WI the monkey came 3rd in Agility, guess what I had for lunch? A banana roll and a bottle of water, came 8Th combined 1-3 agility. On the Sunday more bloody banana's got her 5Th in agility and I missed walking the course 14Th in jumping which was a bit disappointing as she only had one wee stutter, the energy was a wee bit low and running up the hill to finish I was a bit slow. I could not help remembering the same show the previous year, when I left the show in tears as I was unable to channel her energy to focus on agility so she was biting and barking at me and was so frustrated I made the decision to pull her from competing at shows until we got sorted. What a difference, it became the turning point for our relationship. Again have got to thank Kenny for changing our relationship and his patience in going over and over my handling of ma Monkey increasing my confidence in my ability as a handler, which created the Funky Monkey.
Our last show was Weardale and she had some good and not so good runs. Mucked up her weave a few times and I was staying behind her walking in case she skipped in the middle or missed the last pole. I have worked on this since we came home as she needed to learn my position was irrelevant to her completing the weave. I had changed my command to saying Yes when she entered and go when she finished. Now I say Weave and let her concentrate on doing it while I run ahead or away. It is the only time I reward her with her motivator in life her Ball. Any way she got 13Th in Agility and didn't get placed in jumping!! OMG I was thinking I have a slow sleuth instead of a Monkey. But after looking at it walking at the weave, made a difference to her time. In the jumping which was comb 3-5 when we came of the course the judge shouted down well done and the the lady doing the leads said that was fantastic (she weaved great) so bit deflated at not getting placed.
Felt good putting new style of handling into practise in the ring where before my competitive streak would have went for a fast clear. Some of the things she did were awesome.
Her sister in Ireland has had her own challenges and won 1-4 combined agility so moves to grade 4. I am so proud of Rhu and her pups and long for the day we wave bye bye to grade 3 as she is a capable wee Monkey and needs to move on.
Rhu has been doing really well this season my change of style is easier to practise with her she is like a remote control press the button an you get what you ask for!!
Logan is going to be a big boy next week and do his first agility break. Am a bit apprehensive as he has not done the A frame or see-saw yet. Still at same stage of 2x2 weave. He is 14 months now and am scared I muck him up. Think the break will be good for him. I had got loads of wine stashed away, and loads of things to catch up on so a nice relaxing break with loads of sunshine is hoped for. TTFN