What a weekend

Well another weekend of ups and DOWNS.. to start the weekend off Friday was Amy's Birthday so after a lovely home cooked meal we spent a few hours in the pub celebrating. Luckily we had Saturday off to recover! Ellen and I did some training in preparation for Packington, which was good as I felt i had started to see where I was going wrong with my handling. I was really pleased with Maisy on Sunday as although there were still plenty of mistakes she was really listening and I didn't get the out of control feeling once, on Monday I really felt I was letting her down, Maisy has really upped her game now and I just couldn't keep up, I had a bit of a wobble but was really lucky to have Jo to talk me round and ended up running a brilliant 1-7 Helta Skelta not the easiest of rounds but by some miracle I managed to take control and we came out with 5 faults for the weaves, I think over the whole weekend Maisy only took a few poles down so a HUGE thank you to Jo for her wise words.

I can't remember how everyone else got on but I can say I saw lots of rosettes being flashed around and i know Ellen got a third in her jumping class and has a lovely trophy to show for her efforts.

This weekend we are at Derby for agility and have a YKC flyball qualifier at Hatchford Brook, fingers are firmly crossed for a Crufts ticket!!

Finally Happy Birthday to Kathryn for Yesterday, I hope you had a day of thorough spoiling from Ian and the poochesXX

Weekend Starts here

Woke up this morning to clear blue skies, today we have a day off so lots of housework to catch up on before 2 days of agility at packington with Maisy. This afternoon I plan to put in some final training and to paint my see saw.
This morning my husband was practicing his golf in the garden with 4 very willing helpers, no dogs were hurt in the making of this video.... but look at those socks!!

Reactive People!!

Today I have a Bee in my bonnet!! I hate the way that some people insist on using labels for their dogs instead of dealing with issues and working through them, asking for help and listening to advice given. All too often owners grasp onto one way of thinking blocking out reason. Dogs are NOT Humans.. they are pack animals and if we as pack leader show the way with conviction our K9 partners will willingly follow. How, in a litter of 9 innocent babies can one become "reactive" thus making the breeding questionable? my answer is - In a household with 2 dogs both who have "issues" surely this must make the handling, training questionable, not the dogs breeding?? A little information makes some people belive they have all the answers, with animals we never have all the answers, if in doubt ask for help take on board good advice and discard all the rubbish, there will be plenty of it, and some from people who really should know better.
The person responsible for this rant will know who they are if they read my blog, dissapointed doesn't even begin to cover how I feel about the comments which I have read today. I didn't post a comment on your blog as I know you have trainees who probably think you have all the answers - clearly you do not.

It's Monday again

After another hectic, fun packed weekend I find it's Monday already! where does the time go? On Saturday Maisy and I travelled to Worcester for Agility, the weather was a bit hit and miss a bit like our rounds, the last round of the day was jumping where Maisy was really listening out for my commands, at one point she was so far ahead of me as she ran towards the wrong fence I only managed to say "no" and she turned and took the correct fence!! I must admit I was very lucky.. we only had a couple of poles down so I was really pleased with the last performance.
Yesterday Amy and I loaded the dogs into the truck bright and early and went to Arbury hall in Coventry for Flyball, we had both teams racing Summer and Ben were in the Boomerangs while Maisy and Dylan were joined by Kody, Ronny and Keisha in the Bandits team. Both teams had been drawn last in their respective divisions so we really weren't under any pressure and could enjoy the day. Summer was measured and we are very happy to say she is a HEIGHT DOG meaning when she runs in a team the jumps can be set at 12" instead of 14. this was to be Summers first time competing in a proper competition and ran really well, and she really seemed to enjoy it, Ben had only been put down as an emergency dog but found himself running in all three legs in the morning, he had a great time but in the end his legs told him it was time to stop. The rest of the team ran really well despite the horrendous weather, Summers brother Smartie and Hamish ran all day never putting a paw wrong and little Rags found it all a bit much deciding sniffing all the judges was far more interesting than getting the ball. both teams came away having done really well, the Boomerangs came 5th and after some very exciting racing and some very fast times the bandits came a very respectable 3rd, Kody was having his first outdoor tornament and ran his little socks off, he is a joy to watch as we witness his confidence grow each time, he certainly is a fast dog and there is almost certainly more speed to come our PB of the day was 19.75 seconds Woop Woop Jo has had a fantastic weekend, as Ronny won into grade 5 Agility on Saturday with Keisha being placed 2nd, he also won the jumping what a star.
I Judged division 2 in the pouring rain and at points hail, it was much easier than I thought, and can't wait for the next one.

Flyball & Agility

After a lovely weekend off this weekend we are well and truly back to our normal hectic lifestyle!! On Saturday Maisy and I are heading to Worcester for an agility show, I think training went quite well last night but it will all change on the day, hopefully I will control my commands and give Maisy the best chance of that illusive clear round. Sunday we have a very busy flyball competition at Arbury Hall, The Brickyard Boomerangs are racing in the first division of the day, these dogs haven't raced since January so anything could happen, but we have decided to put Summer into the mix as she has really started to enjoy it in training. the next division is the Bandits turn, I'm really looking forward to it as it's our first one outside this season and the dogs always run much better on the grass. I have been asked to judge division 2!!! this will be my first judgeing appointment and I am very nervous, luckily I will have Jo and Amy on the lights to give me a bit of much needed support... Hopefully I won't make too many mistakes, I'll have to swat up on the rules!!!

QUALIFIED FOR CRUFTS 2010

Today Amy and Kathryn attended the Young Kennel Club show at Stafford. Both girls had entered the 17 - 24yrs handling due to a minor problem with Amy's car we decided it would be better for her to take Maisy instead of Dylan. and I'm very proud to say they won the class qualifying for next years crufts, Kathryn also gave a great performance with Diesel and came 2nd so really well done girls. Amy was also entered in the obedience with Summer, unfortunately either the long wait for the class or something spooking her took her mind off the job and Amy ended up withdrawing her halfway through the round, Maisy often takes Summers mind of the job, but it's only inexperience and I'm sure she will redeem herself at the next one. Meanwhile I took the boys out for a lovely walk in the sun, Ben has come back a little stiff!! so back to a few days of lead walking for him, I wish he would take it easy when his legs hurt but thats a collie for you.. Yesterday my parents came for lunch, dad took some lovely pictures of Maisy and Summer below.

bank holiday weekend

Darian day was a great success, Sheila and Hills managed to put on a great event. Luckily I was on hand to help the men errect the various tents etc.. But it was a great day and so nice to see all the Darian owners enjoying their dogs, I particuarly enjoyed the flyball in the afternoon, everyone joined in and we really saw some dashing Darians in action.

Amy missed the morning events due to being at Rugby obedience show, Summer was a star and worked her socks of to Amy's delight, I have to say Summer has really come into her own in the past few months the teamwork is a joy to watch, They have a crufts qualifier next weekend so we will keep our fingers crossed for a good result.

Today Clare and I travelled to Newbury for Vine agility, Maisy had a nice jumping round with just 5 faults in the weaves and an ok agility round, but a bit more contact training needed, b ut I did manage a difficult cross which was encouraging, I know that clear won't be far off now, but I must keep cool in the ring as it really makes a big difference. Charlie came away with 3 really nice clears, he is a really cheeky chappie, we had some lovely cuddles waiting for his run, little monkey. Jo had a fantastic agility round with ronny coming 2nd, he was steaming around the olympia qualifier when he very unfortunately crashed into the weaves, however Keisha came up trumps with a fabby clear I'm still waiting to see if they qualified... I hope so as I would love a trip to olympia.

Ellen and Hamish had a 2nd in agility on Sunday, I must say the video on their blog is brilliant, Hamish looks on really good form, come on little man, lets get that win. and Crafty and Anne had another clear, people keep telling me it was their first but actually it's the 2nd because I was their for the first earlier this year, but really I am so pleased for them, you see what a bit of confidence will do for you.

ultimate pet show

Today Maisy was awesome!! Some days are just amazing, Amy and i went to the NEC for the ultimate pet show today were Maisy and I were in an agiltiy demo, It was a brilliant day and Maisy was brilliant, we felt like stars as we walked around the show between demonstrations, people kept stopping us asking to pet Maisy and to say they had seen her perform and thought she was brilliant. I must admit she really did me proud. there was a 40 weave challenge too Maisy ran as first dog and I think you will tell how good she was weaving like a star.

On the way home we stopped of to see CLare's new puppy Hardy, He was sooo cute and the pictures don't really do his cheeky side justice. Tomorrow we are heading to Stratford for the first Darian day, Amy is joining me later after her obedience competition, so plenty to chat about again tomorrow