Training Tips

If you are not signed up for Susan Garrett's e-mail newsletter, you may want to do so before March 1. The newsletter is free. She will be sending her subscribers a training tip a day for the month of March. You can read about it on her blog: susangarrett.wordpress.com or go directly to her website: clickerdogs.com to sign up. The subscription button is top right corner of her web page.

Good luck to those trialing this weekend! Let's hope for dry weather.

Ticket To Ride

For those who never knew him and for those who did, here's a glimpse of my boy Pei. You've heard Donna and me mention him and now you'll know why! No matter how the run went, we always had a fun time. Donna called him an E-Ticket. That he was!

Thank you Donna for the videos. Now include one of you running Standard with Pei.

Class February 21th

We will have class on Saturday, First class at 9:30, the second class will start at 10:30, earlier then normal.

CLASS THIS WEEKEND

Rain is in the forecast for Sunday. So we thought we would offer classes on Saturday. Same time, same place. Please respond on the blog or email if you can attend. At approximately 8pm this evening we will post on the blog if there is class on Saturday and the times.

More Rain Games

Check out Susan Garrett's blog for today.
http://susangarrett.wordpress.com/
She mentions the many benefits of crate games.
The puppy pictures are SO CUTE!

10 Ideas

for indoor training

Crate Games - use them to:
1. Practice the stay with the door open
2. Put leash on dog, drop leash, stand up, walk away. Dog should still be in crate!
3. Send to the crate from distance and angles. It could be the tunnel!

Travel Board
4. 2 on 2 off with nose touching
5. Getting on from angles
6. Lateral distance
7. Run ahead and Front cross, dog should be 2 on 2 off!

Miscellaneous
8. Fast Sit or Down
9. Teach a trick
10. Set Goals

Be sure to reward correct responses, especially after any incorrect ones.

RAIN & Drawing

In case someone is in doubt, here's the verdict. Class is canceled due to rain. We need the rain but let's hope next Sunday morning is dry.

We will draw one of the 5 names for the Valentine Drawing next Sunday. Sneak peek: 1 hour private lesson and doggie treats!

Prize Week, Class Schedule

Since this week is Valentine Day, we are going to do another prize. Leave a comment before Sunday morning, to be eligible for the drawing. Another nice prize may await you!!!

Class Schedule: the next session class dates will be: March 8, 29, April 12, 19 and 26, May 10th. The current session has two weeks remaining. Subject to change due to rain. Times to remain the same. In May we will return to evening classes. The weekend that we are not doing classes are trial weekends If you're interested in watching, let us know and we'll give you information and what where and when.

Also, purpose of the blog, I have been saying for a long time that we needed to do a web page. But, I just never took the time to do it. Then in one week’s time, I got two notices to look at different people’s blog, and I decided that Tandem should do one. So…………….that’s how it started.

What do we want to see the blog used for? Many things a means to communicate with students, for students to post their accomplishments, but mainly, I hope to get students more motivated and perhaps inspired to work and train their dogs. Setting goals is important, work on a cross that you have problems with, make it a positive not a negative. We hope by our setting goals, meeting them and sharing them with you to motivate you. Improve your sit stays, downs on tables, lead out pivots, etc. All of these are small goals which help us reach the larger goal. By sharing we hope to inspire you to set and reach new goals. What can I do to help inspire you?? Let me know!!!

What would you like to see in the blog? We are open to all comments. if you don't want to post your comment on the site, then email us.

Goal - To Roll!!!

GOALS!! I stated in the newsletter that my short term goal was to teach Inc to roll. Here it is:
Doing a roll from a down, sit and stand.

So we have actually completed two of our goals already the roll and our Open Fast title. I need to come up with another short term goal. I'll keep you posted. Let us know how your coming along with your goals. Catch you later!!

The Winner Is...

Three people made (or tried to) comments on the Weather blog. Julie called last night to say she tried. Today, Pat Shultz drew from the three (Jennifer, Helen Marie & Julie).

AND THE WINNER IS... Julie!
Congratulations on winning 1/2 off a class session. Julie was not at class today because Shelby had emergency surgery yesterday. We wish Shelby a speedy recovery.

Remember to check the blog for news and future drawings. In order to leave a comment, you must join as a follower of Tandem. It only takes a few seconds to sign up.

Agility Invationals on TV

Don't Forget - AKC/Eukanuba National Championship 08/09 Saturday 5pm (satelite time may be different) on Animal Planet.

Weather

Sunday Class - Looks like the weather should be dry on Sunday with rain expected next week. If the weather is questionable, you should check this blog. We will post cancellations. The first three people who comment on this message will have their names included in a drawing for a prize. You will need to become a follower in order to leave a comment. Click on "Follower", it will only take a second.

If you are in the 9:30 class, please let me know what stage of the weaves you would like set up to practice. Either either e-mail me or post a comment here. You can wait until Saturday, but to be in the drawing, you'll need to make a comment now.

WEAVE POLES

Weave Entries - Saturday's novice standard course had a difficult entry from the dog walk to the weaves. You may have noticed from Christy's video that she had to do a rear cross into the weaves with Zorro in Novice Jumpers. It is especially important for those of us who are just starting our dogs on weaves to work those entries in the very early stages while the poles are still open. AND to continue to challenge our dogs from other pieces of equipment.

REACHING GOALS - Today Coffee did 12 weaves on her second try. It was so exciting! I told her she was a genius but I think that belongs to Susan Garrett's method. We began training on Jan 1st!

Also on Saturday-

Also on Saturday, Sydney and Echo got their second leg in Open Fast with a 1st place!!!! And Sydney ran with Inc for his Open Fast Title. Thank you Sydney for titling my guy when I wasn't up to running!!!! Both dogs did a great job all day Saturday. Great start to this competition year!!!!!