I have had a lovely weekend including 2 days training with Dave Munnings. I don't think I did too badly, Dyl was a good boy, with only the occasional spin/bark. I'm glad he did it because it's no good going to these things saying you have a problem and then the dog does everything perfectly. Dave said that he couldn't believe Dyl has a problem going on cos to watch him in full flight he looks like he will go forever. He recommended that I do a lot of 1 and 2 jump excercises, and work them further and further away from the jump. The last jump is the worst (and always has been). Dave thought it might be because Dylan doesn't want to finish. I then told him that when I throw his toy at the end he picks it up and runs into the middle of the course and lies down it's almost like he's saying I want more, also when we are up the field and it's time to go , we set off back to the car and when I get there I only have Taz with me and Dylan is lying amongst the agility equipment - He always come immediately I call him, but it makes you wonder that perhaps Dave is right. (He does the same at Sally's.)
Good news on the moving front - we have built a new industrial unit for our business and are in the process of moving. Poor Pete has had to work all weekend making sure things get safely from old unit to new and thankfully things seem to have gone ok. I shall be glad when the move is complete and we are totally in. It is a worry and Pete is not sleeping very well at the moment (and he has a nasty cold) but hopefully things will soon settle and we can get bac to normal. At least there is nothing major to worry about (at the moment - see nothing to worry about and I'm worrying about that!!)
I have a competition at the weekend - UKA in Cornwall. I am not expecting to do anything at this show because I am in the process of trying to change my handling system and the dogs are wondering what on earth is going on. No that's not true really - they are fine with things, it'me, I have to work on my timing etc, when I get it right it will be good as Dylan really tightens up his turns, I didn't know he could turn so well! Trouble is in competition you only get one go at it. Must walk the course properly and work out what goes where and when!!

A New Year Dawns

Happy New Year everyone!

I'm off to the Golf Club soon for lunch - as if I really need more food!! I shall be glad to get back to my now normal diet; for those of you that don't know me well; since January 2010 I have changed my eating habits completely - in an attempt to be more fit and healthy - I now feel so much better and have managed to lose 3 stone in weight but there is still more to go.
2011 I am hoping is going to be a good year for us; work wise, home wise and dog wise.
Last year I didn't quite manage to achieve my goals - although I exceeded my wildest dreams in UKA, it was Grade 3 (or above) Kennel Club that I really wanted - well it will have to be this year. As I have previously said, I have confidence now that Dylan will be able to achieve this - he is more than capable, I just mustn't let him down. Training starts again next week and now that the weather has improved we will also be able to get up the field to practice.
Sigining off for now..........watch this space

Last one of the year

All the shows for this year have now finished with the final one for us being last Sunday. I look forward to next year with great enthusiasm. Dylan finished with yet another win in the agility. I am so proud of this little dog. He tries so hard for me and when we fail it is my fault and not his. Our next outing is not until middle of Jan and we are bound to be unbeatable (he he) as I will have had a couple of training sessions with Dave Munnings by then, so look out world here we come!!!!
I want to wish all those going to Olympia the very best of luck and above all I hope they enjoy themselves even if not successful. I will hopefully be watching on the telly or live streaming.
To everyone else; have a lovely christmas and a happy new year.

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

How I hate the winter. Dark mornings, dark evenings, cold, wind, rain................doom & gloom. Would like to be able to get up the field more but the weather just won't allow it. Today the weather was good but I had too much to do to go - why is it that whenever I am able to go, the weather says 'NO' and when the weather says 'YES' I am unable to for whatever reason.

I have decided that next season things will be different for Taz.
I've noticed that the couple of time he got his weaves, I'd just chucked him at them and hoped for the best, the times he missed; I'd almost baby'd (is this a word?) him which I would never do in training. He got his entries most times and then turned around and came out only for me to put him back in (learnt behaviour?). Next season we will keep going....... hopefully he will soon cotton on and just keep going himself. What ever happens it can't be any worse than what we've got at the moment. He knocks poles like there is no tomorrow and is starting to fly his contacts so I am just going to enjoy him. No pressure any more Taz, we are just out for fun - (apart from your contacts which will ALL be held and should you come off before being released you will be put back on).

I love my dogs! They are such happy people. Always ready for an adventure, always ready to curl up for a cuddle, always pleased to see me :-)

More Red Rosettes for Dyl

We went to a local limit show this weekend and boy did I enjoy myself!! It was great to see my friend Sue again, I haven't seen her in ages although we have talked on the phone (alot!!), but the icing on the cake was my little boy. Not only did he win the jumping but he also won the agility. 2 lovely red rosettes and 2 lovely trophies.
I have been looking back over my blog and it was at this show 12 months ago that Dylan had his first proper clear round and won the class; it makes you realise what a long way he has come in a year!

Sorry, sorry, sorry. I haven't posted for so long! Well so much has happened since my last post that I will just summarize things - Dylan continues to go from strength to strength. In July he was in a class with over 236 dogs in it and to my amazement he won!! He is still only Grade 2 at KC but we haven't done that many KC shows and he has had a couple of unlucky runs - he fell off the dog walk at one show and would definately have won had he managed to stay on - never mind our time will come and I truly believe that now! At UKA (which I have done more than KC) Dylan started the season as beginner in performance and steeplechase. He is now Senior in both and has more than half the points required to go champ in steeplechase (that's quite frightening). Taz also started as beginner in performance and won an agility class which put him up to Novice, in steeplechase he has also gone up a grade from Novice to Senior. I seem to have a huge pile of rosettes home here with lots of trophies.Oh I am very pleased with my little doglets.


There has been another major event in the past few days - Emily and Paul have got marred. It was a wonderful day and even the weather was kind to us. Emily looked absolutely stunning. I was very proud of my little girl, her brother - who scrubbed up very nicley and my husband. In fact I was rather proud of my whole family.