By Jove ... I think he's got it!

Sky has been amazingly good in class this week and things are finally coming together for us in obedience.  We are becoming more of a team and he is really thinking.  Three things stand out:

1. After we were done 'slithering' (heeling down the long side of baby gates) we changed exercises and went onto 'recalls'.  Sky did a really nice recall but was a little confused by the baby gates that had been left out in the 'ring'.  He knew that he'd previously been asked to go around them so he did, on the way back to me for his front 'exercise' ... bless
2. We were doing 'go outs', which he is usually very good at.  However, doing a 'go out' to a blank wall, without any kind of guidance is very difficult.  He went all the way out on his own but got to the wall and didn't know what to do so he found a wall support and went and sat by it ... only about 8 ft off target.  So cute ;-)  I showed him where I wanted him to run to and next time he was perfect, good proofing exercise.
3. On Tuesday we did 'directed retrieves' but we made it a little harder by putting dark cookies on a clear plate so that they didn't show up on the dark floor.  I sent Sky to the plate and he went all the way out to the plate but didn't see the plate or the cookie :-(  I had to show him where it was, this was proof that he is following my directions and not just running to the plate with the cookie on it :-)

I'm so proud of my boy this week! 

On Monday we started training for scent discrimination, I have never done this before so it is very exciting ... Sky likes it too as it involves lots of tasty cheese!

Naughty, naughty Kohl

What is it with dogs running off just recently?  

I was bringing the dogs back behind our house after their morning walk and Kohl decided to go down the bank onto the grass next to the private road to poop.  Of course, he didn't come back up the bank but continued down the road to visit our neighbor's dog!  I didn't want to go onto their property to get him (we are in dispute with them over who is responsible for maintaining the grass along the private road ... the grass that Kohl pooped on!)  Anyway, luckily another neighbor came along in her car and on hearing me chatting with Lilian, Kohl came to investigate.  All this was too much for Sky, who had been waiting patiently in the yard!

With both dogs under control I came home and decided to play ball with them in the yard, but not before putting on their Invisible Fence collars.  This worked out fine, no disputes and everyone was happy.  It must have been while I was wiping off Sky's feet that Kohl stole the tennis ball and brought it into the house!

Now, what is the sentence for absconding and theft I wonder?  Other than losing his off-leash privileges ;-)

Yogi's Sunday morning visit ...

Mike & Linda have a new Berner puppy from Cindy Switzler  at Werlmind Bermese and his name is Yogi.  He is about 12 weeks old and growing fast!

Yogi got to meet Ghost and was very good with him.  When Ghost had enough of being sniffed, he just hopped up on the sofa out of harms way.

Yogi also got to meet Sky and then Kohl for the first time ... it was very uneventful, as we would want :-)

Seattle Dog Show : Agility

We went to the Seattle show today.  Both dogs were entered in STD and JWW for today and tomorrow (Saturday and Sunday).
 
Because of Stephen's injury he could not run either dog but Don Rosen kindly agreed to run Sky in Nov STD.  They both had a lot of fun and Sky managed to win over the crowd.  Most importantly Sky made all 3 of his contacts, but ultimately Sky ran off around the ring looking for us so no Q's.  It was the first time anyone else had handled him so he did pretty well ... at least he didn't jump out of the ring.
 
Stephen and Sky's next "event" is going to be a Barb Davis Seminar next weekend.  It's not looking like Stephen will be fit enough to run so he'll either just audit or practice distance control ready for FAST.


I'm going to take Sky back into Seattle tomorrow to give him some more socialization and work on his attention.

No competing this weekend

Stephen's out of action for running agility at the Seattle Kennel Club show this weekend :-(  He'll just be spectating.  


Yesterday the physio confirmed the diagnosis of a torn calf muscle.  He's at home with his leg elevated and wrapped in ice, back to the physio tomorrow for further treatment.


At least I'll be able to train Sky so the weekend won't be a complete write-off.

Update on Stephen's fitness ...

Stephen went swimming this morning without any ill effects.  His leg is still swollen but hopefully the physio will help with that, he has 2 sessions scheduled before Seattle: Tues & Thurs.  Let's keep our fingers crossed that he gets better quickly!

Next Trial: Seattle Sat 12th & Sun 13th March

Several of our friends have asked about coming to watch Stephen and 'the boys' perform agility at Quest Field next weekend at the Seattle Kennel Club Dog Show.  

It is difficult to calculate what time they will be running but below are approx times:

Saturday 12th

Kohl around 10am and 2pm

Sky around noon and 4pm.

Sunday 13th (don't forget clocks go forward one hour!)

Kohl around 9pm and 2pm

Sky around noon and 4pm

Basically, his runs will be pretty evenly scatted throughout both days.
 

There is only one problem ... while competing with Sky yesterday, Stephen had a bit of a disaster and tore his left calf muscle.  He was unable to complete the course and had to retire from the competition, here's a link to the video if you're interested http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyuA4xwXmbo.  He was due to compete again today but is at home resting.  This week he will undergo intensive physio so that he will be able to compete next weekend.  He is determined to run Kohl even if he is not able to run Sky.  I will keep this blog updated with his progress.

Whatever the outcome, we hope to see you at the show next weekend, there will be plenty to see and, if you're a dog lover, you're sure to enjoy!