Training and "Nuts"

I've just been reading my last blog entry and think it is about time I updated with Reno's progress!!

Alan Bray's training was really interesting because Reno wasn't impeccably behaved at all.   

He made me look like I'd never trained his contacts before.  He ran across the Dog Walk so fast he lost his legs and had to bail out so I resorted to putting his target out again.  At least this has made me realise that he does understand what to do but when he's around different Dogs he gets over excited and becomes a little show off!!

The weekend after we had a bit of time at the Paddock working on weave entries and then a great game of "Belgian Ball" with his Buddies, Brennan and Tiber, afterwards (not sure why Reno looks so fat in this photo?  He really isn't!!)

Last Sunday was Agility Nuts and I was a bit apprehensive about running Reno but I had nothing to worry about as he was a really good boy.  No clears, but great contacts, handling and waits, and a good attempt at the weaves in a couple of courses.

So onto this week..................We have been really spoilt with some great training! 

On Monday night Jo spent quite a bit of time with us tightening up our handling and actually admitted that we are improving. 

Lucy Osborne came to train us on Tuesday night and offered a lot of help with getting Reno's weave entries.  She advised going back to channels and off setting the 2nd pole a little more. He loves Lucy and I could tell he was trying so hard to get things right for her.

Today we had another training session with Lucy - 3hrs this time. By the end of the session Reno was beginning to look like a professional :-)

No training on Monday (Jo's away) then Dog of the Month on Tuesday to see if the training has paid off.

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:-)

Higher and Lower

So last weekend started with a trip to LKA with Lynne and Deco. 

Lynne was so excited about Deco's first Champ Show and the prospect of qualifying for Crufts but it became very apparent when we got there that it wasn't going to be easy for her.  Minor Puppy Dog had almost 20 entries and we were so surprised how old the Puppies looked.  Even Deco's litter brothers had a full adult coat and acted like adults (there's one behind Deco at the end of the Video).  Lynne wasn't surprised when Deco didn't make the cut as he was much too excited and wouldn't stand still to be examined.

Maybe Deco would be better suited to Agility?  I'm working on persuading Lynne :-)

Sunday was Kiros's first Veteran competition at Nuts and he was amazing.  Can’t believe how fast he can go, especially over the lower contacts! He was eliminated in Agility as I didn’t stand a chance keeping up with him, 10f in Speed and Power (can you believe he knocked 2 poles on Medium!) but he won the Jumping and TYOL.  Always a star!!


I was a little apprehensive about how Reno would perform at Nuts as he hadn't been to training for a while but actually had nothing to worry about as he was a really good boy.

Agility – Stopped on all of his contacts but kept releasing before I gave command so had to be put back on!!

Speed and Power (timed jumping course then 1 sec deducted from time for each successful contact and weaves) – Nice fast clear in Jumping then good See-Saw and A-Frame, missed weave entry (went to sniff Santa on wall!)and self released Dog Walk so had to be put back on! So 2 seconds off his Jumping time got him 2nd place. His second Trophy and a place higher then the last show.  I was amazed and delighted!!
Take your own line – decided he wanted to kiss the Judge (Ann) rather than weaving.

On the whole he is a lot more focused in the Ring.  He is still trying to find excuses not to weave but is much more willing to come back and give it another try which is something I can work on when the weather improves.

The next Nuts show is on the 9th of Jan and if he continues to improve I'm considering enter him at Hargate or Dog Vegas in the New Year.

I want to finish this post by wishing all the best of luck to Reno's Auntie Rusty and Dave in the KC Olympia Stakes Final tonight.  Whatever happens it is an incredible achievement to qualify an ABC for this final and we are immensely proud of you.

Good luck also to Jo and Keisha on Monday in the KC Olympia ABC Final.  I know from personal experience what an amazing day you are going to have.  Enjoy every minute of it.  We'll be cheering you on. XX

Pain in the Neck

A week ago last Tuesday Kiros woke me up at about 3am in a lot of pain.  Unable to lay down or turn around.

Initially I couldn't work out what was wrong, and started to panic, but after watching him for a while realised that the pain appeared to be in his neck.  

The Vet thinks it was either muscular, arthritis, slipped or hardened disc and gave him a dose of pain killers and a weeks worth to come home with. 

Now he's finished the dose he is completely back to normal, if not better.  So much so that he has been running around like a puppy in the Snow!!

The weather has caused a bit of disruption to my work this week but has given me time to get all of the Xmas decorations up and I think they look lovely with the Snow on the ground.

Unfortunately the Snow has also meant that Ade and my favourite event on our Christmas calender - Lincoln Christmas Market - has had to be cancelled :(

To make up for it we went to Melton today and I managed to pick up three new baubles for the Tree - Isn't it supposed to be bad luck not to get at least one a year?!!

I'm really looking forward to next weekend.  Off to LKA with Lynne on Saturday for Deco's first Champ Show and Agility Nuts on Sunday.  I'm not Judging so should have time to concentrate on running Kiros and Reno.