We Did It Again!!!!

We Won!!!! Taz did it again. A beautiful round and a first win at Nov Steeplechase. The weaves were much better as well - there is light at the end of the tunnel; it's a very long tunnel but there is definately a glimmer at the end of it.
Dylan did some very nice work for me as well. He used to do lots of rubbish with a few really good bits thrown in now it's the other way round. Still having trouble with straight lines though.
We are competing again at the weekend - infact we are staying in a friends camper tent so that will be a new experience for both me and the dogs. Will report back later.

Still Trying

We have been practising hard this week to try to help Taz to weave. He seemed unable to weave at all now - couldn't even do it in training. He used to have a lovely one step action but now his legs are all over the place - he really is having a crisis at the moment. So we have gone right back to the beginning and got the channel weaves out for him - we are now back to being able to do it in training but it remains to see if he can do it in the competition ring. We will find out on Saturday; as this is when our next comp is. Still doing the straight lines with Dyl - he can do them beautifully if I am not moving but as soon as I run - he herds me!!

We Did It!!!!!!

Well what a few days we have had. Thursday, Friday & Saturday was The Devon County Show and we had been asked to take part in Lauren's Devon Dog Agility display on Thurs & Fri. This is a wonderful opportunity for the dogs to work in front of lots of people, with loads of noise and things going on around them. Taz & Dylan were stars - not for their performance but for the fact that they were not bothered at all by the occasion. I was very proud of them both.

We were unable to go on Saturday as we had already entered an agility competition and what a day it turned out to be for us.

Dylan tried hard, he is doing very well but has a long way to go. Taz was his usual self - very enthusiastic but unable to do his weaves in the jumping (our 1st run). As agility came next I thought I would train his run - his contacts were very good and he ran past the weaves as expected just as they called time. So I left the ring with my nose in the air hoping that Taz thought he was leaving because he hadn't done the weaves as asked.

Then came the steeplchase which turns out to be a qualifier for the Dog Games Final at a big show in August. I watched the people go in front of me and they all handled it different to how I had planned - you question yourself then and think about changing but I decided to stick to my original plan. Boy am I glad I did. WE WON!!!!!!




Here is Taz with his 'red' rosette and goblet for winning the 'Dog Games' qualifer.



What a dog!!

My Mate Mary!!

Mary Ray has been and gone and once again it was a very sucessful event.

As you can see, she used Taz as a demo dog. She is pictured here proofing Taz's stay. I am glad to say that he remained rooted to the spot! I was so pleased because when I walked in with him she remembered his name; I suppose it helps that one of her dogs is called Taz as well but I will cling to the belief that it's because he is sooooo lovely.

Dylan really strutted his stuff for me........ it really helps if you have a food motivated dog and Dylan will sell his soul for a titbit. Mary told me that I should be entering obedience competitions with him but I don't know about that; perhaps one day.

Good Boy!

Taz gets a well deserved pat from Mary.

Here is Emily with her dog Hendrix. Can you tell from the picture he is a devil dog? Seriously though she is working very hard with him and doing well. Hendrix is a rescue dog and like most rescues he comes with some baggage but Emily is slowly unpacking his case and revealing the very lovely dog underneath.

Planet Zarg!!!!

Well what a terrible weekend. I don't know what planet I was on but it wasn't earth! We did manage to have some good bits at Blackdown agility show but there was some pretty awful stuff as well. Taz, as usual couldn't do his weaves; and this put me off my stride completely. I totally lost my flow, didn't know where I was on the course and made a complete pig's ear of things. Hey ho - I'll blame the dog!! His contacts though were to die for!!! Good boy!

Dylan is still showing improvement although still a long way to go. Those darn straight lines, when will judges learn not to put them in their courses!! I was really pleased with his steeplechase; there was one little bit that he struggled with but it was a difficult part, the rest of it he found a breeze and it wasn't an easy course.

You must always come away with something postive so......Taz's contacts were fantastic and we will continue to work on his weaves. Dylan is really starting to work away from me and we will continue with his straight line work. I do love this agility lark!!!

Practice makes perfect

Mary Ray is coming in 2 weeks time and as always I am really quite excited. It is a really good event and fills me with enthusiasm, the poor dogs usually wonder what has hit them for a while after Mary has been.

My new field - I have discovered that you have to be very disciplined with yourself and practice things that you find hard rather than the things that you enjoy. This week we have been concentrating on 'out'; taking the back of the jump rather than coming in the gap; after a fashion we have had some success at this -and will continue with the same next week. In addition Sally; we are of course still doing straight lines with Dylan; the perpetual herder:-)

Dirty monkey

and here's what a dog looks like that has rolled in slurry. I prefer the photos (and smell) of your boys!