2011 - The Year Ahead

OK.....so, again, it has been a horrendously long time since I last posted no my blog!!

Needless to say we had a great Xmas and New Year and are now getting back to normality. 

Our first Agility Nuts Show of the year was a couple of weeks ago and Kiros ran his socks of in Veterans, winning 2 classes, 2nd in another and then a big "E" in the one I played his Joker on (why does that always happen?). 

Considering Reno's lack of training in December I was quite pleased with most of his work but a little worried about his contacts.  Over the last few weeks he has made me think about what he really understands as his contacts are faultless at NADTC but he doesn't seem to think that the criteria applies elsewhere.

So, looking forward to the year ahead......I really want to get his contacts and weaves to the required standard for him to be competing at KC shows by 20th March 2011 - BCC of GB Show.

Here's the plan.........

WEAVES - I'm really proud of the fact that Reno has learned to weave purely by "shaping" using a combination of my interpretation of 2 x 2 and channels.  

BUT after having read Susan Garrett's recent blog entry it is clear to me that Reno is a "blaster" caused by the fact that I haven't worked the arc enough.  He can complete 12 weaves with a great action and really fast but doesn't pace his approach to them consequently skipping poles or missing the entry.

What I intend to do is to go back to basics (2 poles) and re-introduce the entry over the next few weeks building it up from there.  On the plus side he is now really enjoying weaving so I don't think he'll loose any of his speed whilst doing this.

CONTACTS - I'm not so sure how to get around this problem.  Reno has been target trained from day one and as I've said seems to have a very strong understanding of his contact criteria at NADTC.  I've even been able to take the target away and he reliably stops 2o2o and waits for a release.  However in competition (Nuts) he started releasing himself early that has evolved into not stopping at all and recently, at Lucy Osborne's training, he didn't seem to know where to stop at all!! He also did some really naughty A-Frames at Jo Rhodes training on Monday night so I had to resort to putting the target back out.

I'm really not sure if he doesn't understand or if he is being naughty.  Naughty I can cope with, seen it all before with Kiros and I like a bit of naughtiness.  Doesn't understand?  I guess it is just back to basics?

We've got some interesting training sessions coming up so I'm hoping for some ideas.  On Sunday we have 3 hrs training with Alan Bray but as it is at NADTC Reno may well behave impeccably.

Time will tell:-)