Another Busy weekend

Yesterday Amy and I went to the Midlands Border Collie club Utility Day, Sheila had asked me to train some flyball. The weather was cold and we had a couple of hails storms but all the dogs that took part worked really well and most passed that section without too much trouble. Summer & Amy had a go at sheep herding, Amy was brilliant, and managed to herd them all up sucessfully, however Summer said "I'm not allowed to chase sheep so i'm not looking!! some sheepdog she is LOL once again, it's a very good job she's cute. Today was my final weekend obedience training, which means it is now really the competition season!! when I got home I prepared the caravan for next weekend and took Maisy for some agility training, it was her best yet, she was really working away from me and listening, I kept having troube with the last weave and I just couldn't get her to take it! then I realised I had managed to set up 9 weaves which just threw her as she wasn't coming out where she should do... clever girl. Below is a video of Amy and Summer at last weeks comp, as you can see she starts of really well, both Amy and I have watched it back lots and agree she is a star in the making.

video of amy and summer agility

weave training

just a quickie, i thought i'd post a couple of videos showing maisy's weave training coming on nicely, must try to do more jumping!!!

We are soo tired

what a tireing weekend, Flyball on Saturday was a mixed bag, Ronny got over excited as we were waiting ages for our first run and I think his excitement must have fed to Kody as although he started well his inexperience showed through with him deciding actually running through the start gate away from the pack was too much. The sports hall was really noisy and to an inexperienced dog it must have been very daunting. having said that we finished the morning having won 2 out of 3 races. during the break we revised tac tics and Jo decided she would run Kody in the afternoon which worked out much better, we are sure he will gain in confidence once we are outside, we had to remind ourselves that Keisha had been worried by her first proper race indoors too. Smartie had a great day and ran his little socks off, he went home a very happy but tired boy, as you can see from the photo, he really would have rathered travel in the cab with us than in the new cages with Maisy and Dylan.

Sunday was again an early start and a mixed bag for everyone, Maisy got her weave entrances and wasn't eliminated, mostly my errors although in the last jumping course she was a bit mental to say the least, and just flew with little regard for any of the obstacles... we still have a lot to learn, but I was really pleased with our progress even if it seems slow at times when I think back to last summer, we have come on in leaps and bounds. Summer started really well but as the day wen on her concentration lapsed, when she was in the ring she had one eye out for me, but I bet if I had taken her in she would have been 10 times worse looking for Amy.. so time will tell if Amy decides to continue I really hope she does but it's her call. Ellen and Hamish came away with a few little mistakes but they did get 90% of their contacts which is a vast improvement on her last show, and Clare and Charlie pulled out 2 clears and one unfortunate elimination when Charlie decided he knew the course better than Clare did!! we met all the mali pups who are zippy's brothers and sisters (mali-mania) they were gorgeous, Jo had Keisha and Ronny there too but I don't think she had a great day, although I think she was pleased with their performances. This week if the weather holds I plan to do a bit more training this week so hopefully more vids and pics to come.

Busy Weekend Ahead

This weekend we have a fun packed schedule - on Saturday we have a flyball competition in Sheffield, this will be Kody's first run for the Bandits, he is more than ready to rise to the challenge, lets hope Paul is up for it too!! Unfortunately Alice is unable to come but she has very kindly allowed me to take Smartie so that Maisy can sit out of a few races so as not to overstretch her before her agility competition on Sunday. It seems ages since our last Flyball show and we always really enjoy them, this week we have decided to introduce Kody into the team and try out a few different running orders which should hopefully stand us in good stead for the rest of the season. Sunday Amy and I have all 3 dogs entered again, although Dylan is only entered in one jumping class, i have been practicing his contacts but he is away with the fairies most of the time at a comp! Maisy and Summer are entered in 3 classes each, this weekend we are joined by Ellen & Hamish who now seem to have cracked their contacts making them very exciting to watch and Clare and Charlie, I think this weekend will be their first in grade 2. I would like to get a clear!! I keep saying that but it feels closer than ever especially as training at home is really beginning to pay off. Steve has finished my jumps so I need to get on and paint them, I have also enquired about a friend of ours who has said he will make me a see saw, obviously they will all be in "Flamingo Pink" I will take my camera this weekend so we can capture the proceedings, hopefully Hamish will get beautiful contacts!

Tuffley Agility

another early start, we had arranged to meet Kathryn and Anne at 6.40am and had decided to go the scenic route to Tuffley, which was a really nice change from endless miles of motorway. The weather was lovely and we arrived at the venue nice and early in time to walk the dogs and the first course - the Agility course seemed fairly straight forward with a couple of draws to watch out for, it started with a jump and straight into the weaves. Maisy and I usually muck up our first class so I just wanted to work on my handling rather than think too much about the course, Unfortunately Maisy decided not to take the weaves which was dissapointing because after that hiccup she flew round listening really well, I even managed to remember my left from my right. Amy and Summer ran beautifully, Summer has had very limited training but is so natrually tuned into Amy that she jumped her little heart out, and like Kathryn said Summer runs with a smile on her face! so come on Amy let the little girl have some fun!! the rest of the day went really well, the boxers had a great day with Gemma and Crafty coming away with great clear rounds in the Helta Skelta in great times and Dylan getting a 10th in the Jumping. Next week we are at Newark so now the season is really under way it's looking like we are at last on track for a few clears at least.

Training going well

Had a great training session with Maisy last night, It's been up and down recently, more due to my handling and sending her the wrong messages than her ability, but last night seemed to come together, she successfully got all her weave entrances and was really listening to my verbal commands and was watching for my body signals, we only had a couple of hiccups with her fascination for the Tunnel which was occasionally more alluring than the obstacle I actually had given the command for, although with a bit more discrimination practice I am sure we can nail that too. Summer and Amy have also been practicing in advance of this weekends competition, apparently She thought it was far more sensible to race past the A Frame than to waste time going over the top!! but apart from that she is happily working at all the obstacles and will very soon be a speed merchant through the weaves just like her big sis. Dylan has been out on the equipment too this week, and as always he tootles around at his own speed, Amy and I are supposed to be sharing him on Saturday, but I expect Amy will steal him for all three classes as usual!! he is very dependable in the ring so long as you don't take your eye off him. hopefully I'll get some pics and video's to share next week.

Crufts Report

WoW what a fantastic Crufts we have had, there is quite a lot to get through so I'll take it one step at a time.

Day one - Amy was working on the YKC stand today doing her bit to promote the Young Kennel Club, Also today Laura was working Coral in the Starters obedience, and although she wasn't placed on this occasion for a baby she stood up well to the atmosphere and did her stays!!!

Day two - Shopping, we had a real girlie day today and enjoyed Crufts without dogs! brilliant

Day three - Again Amy was working so I took Dylan and Summer to do some agility training, Ellen came along with Hamish for some extra contact and weave practice

Day Four - we arrived bright and Early and walked Maisy in past the lake, luckily I had her firmly on the lead as she was really trying to get to the water for a swim!! after making sure everyone knew were to bench the dogs Amy and I took Maisy do watch Ronny in the Breed ring, he won his class and then went on to take reserve ticket, what a multi talented dog he is, we were very proud of him. later in the morning Jo bought him over to our benches so that he was ready for the flyball, the team had been prepped and all I could do was watch, they did me proud and raced into 4th place, all dogs had a few hiccups on the way but the team remained calm and managed a place in the ribbons. Amy then had her handling class with Ronny, Jo's mum came to help us with Ronny and Amy's hair! and in a large class they held their own, Ronny always looks after Amy, almost like a little sister and stood like a true gent while the Judge took his time to deliberate, unfortunately it wasn't their day but they will always be the winners to us. A few thank you's - Firstly to Jo, your mum Sheila and especially Ronny, Amy and I really do appreciate you letting us borrow him, and all your efforts.

To everyone who came to support the Brickyard Babies, seeing your familiar faces at ringside and hearing your cheers was brilliant, I hope we kept you entertained.

To the Babies - for all your efforts leading up to crufts and for pulling it together in the ring.

Amy and I stayed on to watch Best In Show, we were terribly bored throughout the group judging as it went on forever!! but Mary Ray's performance was just amazing and a reall inspiration for Amy to do more training. the BIS was exciting we really liked the poodle and were thrilled when it took reserve.

Crufts 2009

Well tomorrow sees the start of Crufts 2009. This year will be a little different to our normal experience, the aftermath from the BBC's take on the KC in it's expose into some pedegree breeds and breeders means there will be no TV coverage and many of the big sponsors have now pulled out which will leave big gaps in the normally crowded isles. This could be a good thing for the dogs as we move between benches and rings. Also this year although Amy will be working for the Kennel Club on the YKC stand on Thursday and Saturday we will be without Ben who has been at Crufts every year since 2006, he always loved the atmosphere and we will miss him, especially as he always used to spot someone in the crowd and run up to greet them thinking it was his beloved Granddad!! but he will be safely at home keeping dad company whilst he makes yet more jump wings ;-)) Alice has qualified in the flyball with Maisy and Amy has Ronny in the flyball and 17-24yrs handling on Sunday along with the other members of our Brickyard babies flyball team Sunday will be very busy - I hope the reported demonstraters allow us to keep ourselves and our dogs safe, we plan to steer clear of these idiots who in my opinion have not thought their argument through -Gggrrrr. I have this year decided that I am watching the Obedience Bitch ticket without distraction, I've taken friday off and have arena tickets, I am taking Amy and Ellen and I know Kathryn will also be there so they can all entertain themselves whilst I indulge myself, I have my favorites to watch out for, Philomena Barnes and Janet Alderidge, but more on that after the event.
Just a mention Laura Gardner whom I train and will be competing in the YKC starters finals with her home grown labrador pup Coral - Good luck but most of all enjoy your day.