Norcal Golden Trial 11-11-12

I am bumbling my way though this, as I am a beginning blogger lol.

The past 2 days we were up in Santa Rosa competing with the boys.  I THOUGHT  I had NQ'ed in every possible way over the years but today was a new one for me.  On Chudleigh's standard run he came around the wrong side when I did a front cross and to keep from falling down when he hit me I threw my hand out to catch my balance, but I hit the wing and brought the whole jump down!  Yup, I dropped the bar instead of my dog!  Shame on me, except for that fiasco he would have q'ed.                       

With all of Chud's medical problems I bumped him down to novice preferred as he was unable to get even close to course time.  Wouldn't you know his first time in the ring doing novice jumpers he was so kerflummoxed at seeing only 6 weave poles that he popped out at the 5th pole looking for the rest, and this was just as I blinked and turned my head to see  where we were going next.  Now remember this is a dog with his AXJ so you would THINK he could handle 6 poles.  Um,  with boxers you don't think.                                                                                                                     

Yesterday in standard Chuds bailed on the teeter but did everything else fine.            

Yesterday Rollo was more confident in the ring and in both of his runs he ran over to introduce himself to the pole setter, eating up far too much precious time.  He made his open standard debut and it took him 2 tries to get the weaves so even if he hadn't gone visiting we wouldnt' have qualified.

Today I tried T2B with Rollo.  Um, in a nutshell he ran out of time due to a LONG visit with a pole setter.  He ran well though and I was pleased, the buzzer sounded when we were 3 obstacles from the finish.  

Rollo's open standard run today was better, no visiting and if it hadn't been for Trolls in the tunnels he would have qualified!  He aced the weaves, and galloped along paying great attention.  The tunnels were dark and the entry was straight on with a very sharp U in it.  Too scary, he popped out and refused to go back in.  Same thing with another tunnel.  Darn those tunnel monsters.

As I said earlier, Chudleigh's standard run would have qualified if I hadn't run into the jump.  He bravely did his teeter and I was very pleased.

Final class of the day for both of them was novice jumpers and they BOTH QUALIFIED!  Hallelujah, Charlie is always so pleased when "his" dogs qualify.  For some reason Chuds fluffed the weaves and popped out at the 5th pole but I saw it and brought him back around to redo them.  That ate up precious time so I ran as fast as I possibly could to save the run as the clock was not our friend.  I didn't collapse  and his 93 was all time faults.

Thankfully there were about 18 dogs until Rollo went in which game me time to catch my breath.  This dratted congestive heart failure is such a nuisance sometimes.  Rollo missed a jump and we had to circle  and redo it which ate up time so his score was a skin of his teeth Q with an 85. 

Chuds has really aged and I think he looks a lot like Zorro with the greying eyebrows.  He sees the oncologist next week for a recheck but so far so good.  I am still trying to get his prednisone weight off, and it is a hard battle.  The drugs really messed up his metabolism.                                                                       

                                                             

                                                              

Hi!

The girls saw snow last weekend!  Coffee for the first time.  At first she didn't want to step on it but was fine once she did.  We went to visit our nephew as the cold front arrived.  We had a beautiful  sunny/ blue sky five hour drive through the mountains until about a half about out when the snow started to blow.   David is north of us and at higher elevation.  Next afternoon the sun was out and snow started to melt.   The girls had a great time running with their dog,  Hobbs!  When we got back to Durango a few days later we were back to upper 60's and sun.  We did not have snow or rain here.   We are in a drought so either is wished for!

I've enjoyed hearing what Christy and her gang have been up too.  I hope the rest of you will keep in touch now that Donna has set this up for us. 

Healing thoughts go to Donna and Mike after their accident.  

Sydney, Echo and Coffee

Views and Wildlife

View from Rim Drive a few minutes from our house.  That's the high school, fairgrounds and Recreation Center next to the Animas River

 Below you see the bear prints I spotted on the driveway a week ago.  This morning this fellow showed up in the back at 7:50.  Earlier at 7:15, Coffee barked from the window and I saw a mother and two cubs.    I pressed a "boat horn" they had here and away they went!  The recent fires, plus the drought have the bear looking for food.  They like to eat acorns and fruit.  We have oak trees on the property!

 This buck was spotted out the front window.  There is a salt lick there and a small water "hole".

I almost forgot, I spotted a coyote this week on the driveway while walking.  It was almost the size of Coffee!  The deer and coyote are more brown in color than the ones in CA - and they are not as thin!

Hope your summer is going well.  We are still unpacking but take time to explore the area or run errands each day.  Miss you all!  Sydney

Just received an e mail from Sydney, boy is she having adventures in just getting their stuff. Here is a quote from her email- Two weeks late  and what a day that was!   Friday at 9 -  Driver calls to say he will be here at 10 a.m.  He calls back at 10 a.m. to say that his semi cannot make it through the “round abouts” in the housing development!  We meet him and drive him to a rental company to rent a small truck.  The driver and two men make multiple trips back and forth the mile to our house.  It takes 7 hours!   It was wrapped and loaded in 4 hours in Napa.  At 4:30 while unloading the last load we get one of those Colorado thundershowers.  For 15 minutes it poured like mad - the men put the beds together.   Sam and I both worked like crazy while they unloaded.  Pointing out what went downstairs etc. and Sam unloaded his books in his "Wine and Book" Room.   It was a very long day.   Just think that included clothing.

Hello from Colorado

Echo and Coffee were great travelers

 When we arrived they enjoyed looking for chipmunks and bunnies down on the patio!

We often see deer and and bunnies.  The chipmunks love siting on the patio in the morning to munch on whatever they eat.  They are SO CUTE!  Two nights ago we saw a black bear 70 ft from the front door.  I had just come back from a walk at 8:45!

Thinking about  you all.  Have a great "rest of the summer".   Sydney

Good Bye Zorro...........................

It is with much sadness that Good Bye is said to Zorro.....................

Zorro will be missed by his family Christy and Charlie along with the other dogs at home.  He will be missed by his agility friends and others who know him.  Zorro accomplished much is his short life, he and Christy earned agility titles, obedience titles, rally titles, but most of all the title of friend!!  That is a title that will be with everyone who knew him.  Zorro was treasured by Christy and for that I know Zorro is blessed.  He had an incredible life, got to do much and see much.  But again most of all and the most important was the love he shared with his family.  With heavy hearts right now over the loss, but to brighter days and the memories that you will  always have. 

Be sure to go back and review the November 8th post for a slide show of Zorro......

Rain! and April Schedule

Class is cancelled for today.

April and Summer Schedule:

 Wednesday evenings

5:45 to no later than 7:30

(length will be depend on size of class)

PLEASE

Be on the arena ready to walk the first exercise at 5:45.

Let's all help set jump bars.

See you soon!

One In A Million

Am/Ntl/Intl CH Starline's Magnum Champagne, UDX, VER, RAE, JH, NA, NAJ, OAP, AJP, CGC 

March 3,
We continue to work on rear crosses, and the dogs and handlers are progressing nicely.  We also did a LOP, which all handled well.  For the teeter exercise, Rollo did a full !!!height teeter!!!!!!  Good boy!!!  We had a visiting dog and handler in class, offering a good distraction, I was trilled that Ube did not go visit during his runs, which is a hugh success for us.   More rear cross work this week, and other course work.  Keep it up, your doing a good job handlers!!!!

Saturday, February 25
This week in class we continued our work on rear crosses.  Building on what was done in previous weeks, improving our dogs and our skills.   The building of teamwork.

Am exercise was done doing GO's to the table and over a line of jumps.  More teeter work was done with two teeters added to the exercise.  
During the week, practice your rear crosses without equipment.  We have done this in the past but here is a quick reminder.  Sit your dog in front our you.  You take a couple of steps back (directly behind the dog) and then take a couple to the right or left, lets do this one to the left, so your current position is two steps behind the dog, and two steps to the left of the dog.  Start moving to the right side of the dog, as your pass behind the dog, the dog should turn its head to the right, praise and release.  It the dogs looks the other way, stop and start again.  If you have questions, let us know.

See you next week..........................

Class on February 18th -
We started off the class with brownie walnut cookies as a tribute to both Ube's third Birthday on Feb. 12th, and the 18th was four year since I lost Derby.  Yesterday I realized it was Zuni's Birthday, so the celebration should have included her.  It was a celebration of life, here and after.

Class, on this day we continued work on the rear cross.  The exercise was harder and more difficult for several of the dogs (except Coffee), always one in the group.  We did a teeter exercise that was a circle going teeter, tunnel, jump, tunnel, teeter, tunnel, jump, to a different teeter.  Now this exercise was challenging for all handlers.  Ube and I had problems going to the second teeter wanting to take the tunnel, where everyone else had problems on the first pass, with the dogs wanting to take the second teeter instead of the tunnel.  It was really fun to watch, maybe stressful for the handler, but still fun to watch.   Oh, I don't want to forget that Rollo did a full teeter, on both the second and third height adjustments.  Keep it up, your almost there.   

Also we need to give a hey, wippee, to Christy and Chugs, for a great job at the trial on Sunday and Monday.  The Q'ed in Time to beat, 13 dogs ran the course and only 5 qualified.  Keep it up. 

This week for those at class we will continue working on the rear cross, and also another teeter exercise.  Can't wait until the weekend...............................................................

Saturday, February 11
On this day we worked on the rear cross handling move.  I lot of time was devoted to this as this can be a difficult move for some dogs and handlers.  Towards the end, the dogs started picking up the cue.  Which is staying behind the dog and deceleration. 
We also did a weave pole drill, a lead-out pivot drill, and worked the teeter more.  Before we knew it, class was over.  On the 18th, we will continue our rear cross training.  So have a good week until then............

Saturdays Class, February 4th -
For this class we covered the following:

An exercise was done incorporation all of the Front Cross positions that we have worked on over the past few weeks.  Those at class has some struggles, but end the end everyone was successful.  We did another table exercise, trying to trick the dog into going to the table but they were just to smart on this day.  Another exercise was a teeter sequence, and with Sticker we just worked on the teeter itself and advancing his position on it.  The a weave pole exercise was done and the scooby doo dogs are going a great mob with the weaves.  A small jump grid was done, and also the jump spider.  It was a very nice morning and everyone seemed to enjoy the morning. 
Sorry for the delay in getting this posted, this Saturday we start work on the rear cross,,,  see you later.........................................

Saturday January 28th
In class we reviewed the "Go" command, FC on the outside of the box or jump,  Teeter exercise, with the dogs going at the teeter with speed and drive maintaining a position on the end of the teeter until release to the tunnel ahead. 
Just for those of you who are curious I can't give you the exact starting date on the teeter, I don't have that training log out, but on January 21, 2011 we worked with the dogs and squirt cheese on the bottom of the teeter.  They've come a long way!!!! 
The FC exercise we did on both the right and left sides, did you or your dog have more problems on one side, if so not it, and remember it.  That is very important information.  Till next week, happy training......................................

Class Saturday January 21 -
This class had a focus on two handling moves, the Front Cross and the the check command.  Each of these handling moves was done at least twice in different exercises. 


The front cross that was worked on was the diagonal front cross.  This is a front cross that is preformed on a diagonal line between two obstacles, with the handler crossing as close to the next obstacle as possible. 


The check is preformed when the cog is asked to turn back, or around a jump.  The handler does not pass the plan of the obstacle when this command is being used.  It is also used when the dog is ahead of the handler. 


Next was the teeter.  Dogs that can handle the teeter did it three times coming off of a jump. 


Other pieces of equipment used was the tire, jumps and tunnels.  Weather was cold, stormy and windy. 


Have a great week, and see you Saturday...............................

Week 1 Review

This year we will post what was worked on each week in class.

This Saturday was a cool but sunny day.

We worked on:

Front Crosses

Teeter Tunnel Teeter

Jump and Tunnel Sequences

Weaves

The dogs seemed happy to get back to agility!

The Year 2011 in review……………………………………..

During the course of this year our young dogs have been introduced to quite a few agility moves and groves.  Some of which either the dogs and or handlers are not proficient at yet, but both have been introduced to the move, or piece of equipment.  I am going to list a few of the things that the dogs have been introduced to this year. 

Send to the crate; sent to the tunnel; front cross, rear cross, lead out pivot; serpentine, 270 turn, treadle, go’s, tug on table, pinwheels of all shapes and sizes; teeter training, tug on contacts, tight turns, loopy turns, tire, broad jump, triple jump, all sorts of jump grids, transitions – acceleration, deceleration; box work, focus ahead, 180 turn check, side, close, one jump exercised call offs, etc………………………………… Whew, I’m tired from just listing some of the things we did this year!!!!

Let’s not forget the WEAVE POLES!!!!  Many, many accomplishments.  Be proud of yourself and your dog, you have done a great job. We can no longer refer to this class as the beginning class they are now called the Scooby-Do class,  because we can do.  

In 2012 we will tackle CONTACTS. 

What will the year 2012 hold, only things that dreams are made of……  Many more happy days of training to you and your dog(s). 

The advanced class will continue working on and improving
both the dogs skills and the handlers.  So that both of you are comfortable with any move necessary in a trial situation.

HAPPY NEW YEAR - FROM SYDNEY AND DONNA

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS!

SEE YOU IN THE NEW YEAR!

                      photos & design by Jennifer Burns

Congratulations Chudleigh!

Another New Title for Chuds!

Congratulations to Christy and Chudleigh on their Novice FAST title.

They have also earned their Open Jumpers and Standard titles this year!

WELL DONE!

Thanksgiving!!!!

Just want to wish everyone a Great and Happy Thanksgiving!!!  This is the start to the holiday season.  Enjoy yourself, your family and of course your four legged friends.  Ube say Hi to all, and hopes each of his friends has a great day and gets lots of leftovers!!

Happy Thanksgiving

Looking for inspiration and fun? checkout the video contest on Susan Garrett's blog http://susangarrettdogagility.com/ New videos posted each day until she gets the 16 finalists posted. The Nov 14 post has a link to some free video webinars...check inside! If you are looking for a early Christmas gift for yourself you might want to check out the newest Recallers course which is about to begin! Meanwhile have a Happy Thanksgiving weekend!

Happy Birthday Zorro!!

Remember you can see a larger picture on You Tube if you click on the logo.

Homework Assignment

Watch the video and answer the following questions in the comments.  Write your comments down before posting so you are not influenced by others observations.  To view the video larger, click  the "You Tube" button.
1.  Which dog(s) need to improve their footwork?
2.  Which dog(s) improved in the one practice?
3.  Which dog(s) have good footwork?
4.  What did you observe by watching the slow motion.

As you can see, video taping your practice can be very helpful.   Bring your camera if you would like us to film you in class.

Weaves Oct 19

Watching the dog's "footwork doing the weaves makes me think we need to set up the exercise in Ch 11 Stage 12 "Fancy Footwork".  Hopefully we can set it up for this coming Wednesday.

Zuni Gone 4 years today

And still in my heart!!!

Weaves Stars

Weaves Oct 5

We had some great successes and some good attempts.

Keep working and your pup will soon be a WEAVE STAR!

Congratulations!

Word just in that Jennifer and Kerry earned an Open FAST leg on the weekend!

Congratulations!

Chudleigh and Christy had a great day on Saturday. 

Chuds earned his Open Standard Title and a leg in Excellent Jumpers.

Quote of the Week

A well-trained dog will make no attempt to share your lunch.  He will make you feel so guilty that you cannot enjoy it.
Helen Thomson

Weaving Wonders!

Good job everyone!

Congratulations!

This just in from Christy (last night):
The flying white boys cleaned up in the novice FAST ring today.  They both took a 2nd place in their respective classes for their first ever FAST leg.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Look who turns 2 today!

BRAGS

Congratulations to Kerry and Jennifer for earning their first Excellent Jumpers leg last weekend with a 2nd place! Way to go Kerry! This weekend, Chudleigh and Christy were thrilled with their 2nd Open Standard leg for a 2nd place on a very hot day in Dixon! GREAT JOB!

Having Fun with Weaves!

photo by Jennifer Burns

Having Fun with Weaves!

photo by Jennifer Burns

Having Fun!

photo by Jennifer Burns

Having Fun!

photo by Jennifer Burns

Having Fun!

Thank you Jennifer for taking such wonderful photos of our dogs enjoying themselves.
Keep checking the blog.  New photo will be posted in reverse alphabetical order through Monday.

photo by Jennifer Burns

Weave pole pictures

Take a look at the attached link, these are weave pole pictures for the Canadian nationals. pure enjoyment on the dogs faces.


http://ttlphoto.com/archives/3099#.TkKEyiZT6Go.facebook

Quote of the Week

One rattle of the biscuit tin and you've got friends for life.  They sit and stare with solemn eyes, and if you don't take the hint, you get barked at.
Janine Chubb, age 10

Quote of the Week

"....people who keep dogs (or cats, for that matter) live longer on average than those who do not.  This is not some kind of pro-canine campaigning fantasy.  It is a simple medical fact that the calming influence of the company of a friendly pet animal reduces blood pressure and therefore the risk of heart attack."
Desmond Morris

Quote of the Week

Humankind is drawn to dogs because they are so like ourselves - bumbling, affectionate, confused, easily disappointed, eager to be amused, grateful for kindness and the least attention.
Pam Brown

Happy Birthday

Today is Kerry's Birthday!

Always young at heart.

Quote of the Week

Most dogs don't think they are human; they know they are.
Jane Swan

HAPPY 4th OF JULY!

Have a great weekend!

Cricket it 12 Years Old Today!!

Today Cricket is 12 years young today. I really can't believe she is that old. Today
would also be Pei's birthday. I know Cricket misses him all the time as I do.

Happy Cricket and Pei!

Quote of the Week

Histories are more full of examples of the fidelity of dogs than of friends.
Alexander Pope

Happy Birthday

Echo is 9 years young today!

Quote of the Week

Dogs feel very strongly that they should always go with you in the car, in case the need should arise for them to bark violently at nothing right in your ear. 

-- Dave Barry 

Quote of the Week

There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face. 

-- Ben Williams

Congratulations Striker

Dogwood Hollow Strike the Gold, RA, JH, CGC 

Last weekend Striker and Helen Marie earned ribbons early in the day.  Winner's Dog in the Conformation Ring and titling in Advanced Rally.  He now has 10 conformation points.  We will keep our fingers crossed for this weekend's 4 days of shows... all majors.

Weave Poles - Beginning Class

Beginning Class people, please post or email us weekend dates that you have free after June 18th. We would like to start the weave poles off with a two hour class focusing on them, to get a good start. Include the day, Saturday or Sunday, the time, AM, or PM. After we hear from everyone, will come up with a time (hopefully) for us to get together for the start of our dogs weave careers.

Win Photo

What a handsome boy he is!

Quote of the Week

Happiness is a warm puppy. 

-- Charles M. Schulz 

June 1, Rain, Rain, go away

CLASS IN ON!!!! SEE YOU AT CLASS!!
This evenings class will it be or won't it be????


Am email will go out around 4 pm to let you know if class will be held.
If the weather clears up we will have class.
Start huffing and puffing and blow those clouds away.

So check your email, or you can call my cell phone, sent to you by email.

Happy Birthday

Chudleigh's Jumping Up to Say He's 4 Years Old

Stars of the Day Chudleigh and Kerry

Today at the Tracs Agility Trial both Chudleigh and Kerry finished their Open Jumpers title with Style!!!! Both dog and handlers came home with GREEN ribbons and Chudleigh added to it with a BLUE Ribbon. Now they get to enter the Excellent Jumpers ring, may the Force be with you!!!!

Our hats off to you both, Christy and Jennifer for your accomplishments!!!!
I just watched a video of Kerry's and Jennifer's run, and they did a real nice job, good way to title!!

Party time at TANDEM!!!!!

Magnum14 Years Young!!!!

Magnum turns 14 years old today!!!
Helen Marie says: "Magnum the Magnificent's 14th Birthday. Here is my favorite puppy photo of him. He is such a great companion, buddy, pal. My HEART Dog for sure!!! What a life that old 'dude' has had. He earned his CD at age 1, we got his AKC Ch at age 2 (owner handled). He has his UDX and 9 OTCH points. He earned his VER and his JH at age 12 1/2. He retired himself from Agility last year with am Excellent JumpersPreferred title and unfortunately short two legs from his Excellent Standard Preferred (old age caught up with him). He had four invitations to the Obedience Invitational and got to attend twice. AND he is the boy who survived virilent anal sac cancer at age 9. What this old man of mine has done and where he has taken me - so many of the things we did and the titles we earned together were FIRSTS for me - getting my feet wet and stumbling along with a dog who was willing to try anything I threw at him. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAGNUM!!!"


Happy Birthday to you Magnum, may you enjoy many happy days ahead!!

Quote of the Week

Dogs' lives are too short. Their only fault, really. 

-- Agnes Sligh Turnbull 

NEW CHAMPION - ROLLO!!!!!!

From Christy:

"Enormous announcement here, Rollo won BACK TO BACK 3 POINT MAJORS at Coyote Hills in Vallejo and FINISHED his championship with 17 points!!!!

He was BEST OF WINNERS today too.

Tomorrow he goes in as a special, and since I sent in his Woodstock entries for the 4 day cluster in June, he will special there as well. THEN he goes on a diet as breed Bostons are way fatter than performance Bostons.

This has been exciting and something I doubt I will EVER do again, but I can happily cross it off my "bucket list", One Champion dog, check!! "

Congratulations to you both, and he also just turned two years old. When Christy gets his win picture, I will post it. We always know the little guy was special. But remember - for the June shows, you promised him no more ear shaving!!!!

Celebration, now come on........................................................

Found this on Facebook - From Christy Rose

HUGE news flash, Rollo got a THREE POINT MAJOR today (Friday) in Vallejo!!! he looked great, and Janice did a spectacular job showing him for me. One more major and he is finished. There are majors tomorrow and Sunday for Boston boys so we have a chance. I told him when he is finished he won't ever have to have his ears shaved again.......

We are routing for you, Rollo!!!!

Congratulations!

Found this today from Helen Marie posted on facebook on Saturday:OMG!!! We went to dog show in Woodland today. Striker won his class. Striker got winners dog. Striker got best of winners. Striker got BEST OF BREED! Groups were at three, we got out of Sporting Group at 4:30 - didn't get a placement but being there was great! Oh, and he got 2 more points!

Happy Birthday

Rollo is 2 years old today!

Quote of the Week

You can say any fool thing to a dog, and the dog will give you this look that says, `My God, you're RIGHT! I NEVER would've thought of that!' 

-- Dave Barry 

Quote of the Week

Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot little puppies. 

-- Gene Hill

In Memory of Riley

Please let me always remember the lessons he taught me.  Rest well my friend.............it was a great ride.  Maggie

Quote of the Week

When you feel dog tired at night, it may be because you've growled all day long. 

-- Author Unknown

Quote of the Week

We long for an affection altogether ignorant of our faults. Heaven has accorded this to us in the uncritical canine attachment. 

-- George Eliot 

Happy Birthday!

Coffee Bean is 4 years old today.

Quote of the Week

To err is human, to forgive, canine. 

-- Author Unknown

Quote of the Week

They [dogs] never talk about themselves but listen to you while you talk about yourself, and keep up an appearance of being interested in the conversation. 

-- Jerome K. Jerome 

Weekend Trial Report

Rain again - or didn't anyone notice.  Agility trial in Dixon was moved to Sacramento area with none of the group attending.

Christy and Rollo competed in Breed over the weekend.  She said the ground was a mess so she carried Rollo from car to building hoping not to slip in the mud.  Rollo took reserve on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.  Friday he earned a 2 point win.  All he needs now are 2 Majors.

Helen Marie and Striker worked on Rally Advance and Beginning Novice (obedience).  Striker earned 2 legs in Rally Advance and his first leg in Beginning Novice.  He was robbed of a third Rally leg but that's another story. He showed in Breed on Thursday taking Winner's Dog and 1 point.  Friday he took Reserve.

CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH DOGS AND HANDLERS!

 Looking a bit tired after a very long day!

Rain, Rain Go Away

and don't come back until next year!

Let's do a DRY dance for April?

Reminder:
Evening classes begin April 6 -- weather permitting!

Quote of the Week

He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion. 

-- Author Unknown 

Ube Condition

Just wanted to update Ube is doing better and is stable. Ube had a internal bleed going on, for unknown reasons. The bleed has stopped, and it was before he needed to receive a transfusion. Hopefully after the blood works comes back we'll have a better idea of what the cause was or is. Ube is resting today at the vets, but if things go well, he should come home tomorrow. Keep thinking those good thoughts. And Thank you!!!!!

Good Thoughts for Ube

I need everyone to have good thoughts for Ube. He was neutered on Friday, and on Saturday evening we had to rush him to the vet. At this time, we don't know whats wrong with him, only that it has nothing to do with his being neutered. Please pass along good thought to him, wishing him well. Right now his condition is serious.

Quote of the Week

The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue. 

-- Author Unknown 

Recalls

I have been working on Ube's, recall and at the same time trying to improve one of my cat's recall, here is a video on it.

You Have to See This!

Check out the link below for a dramatic photo of an agility field in Japan about to be wiped out by the tsunami!  Everything looks so small in comparison to the waves.
japanagility.chipin.com/japan-agility-hit-by-tsunami

Quote of the Week

The more people I meet the more I like my dog. 

-- Author Unknown 

Quote of the Week

The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too. 

-- Samuel Butler

Happy Birthday!

To Academy Award Winner

Ebbtide MR. INCREDIBLE

Inc is 6 years old on Sunday!

Quote of the Week

One reason a dog can be such a comfort when you're feeling blue is that he doesn't try to find out why. 

-- Author Unknown 

Happy Birthday to my girl, Always in my heart!!

Today would have been Zuni's birthday. So in tribute to her, here is a picture of Forget-Me-Nots, since her registered name was Ebbtide Forget Me Not: Happy Birthday Girl, you are always with me!!

Quote of the Week

No one appreciates the very special genius of your conversation as the 

dog does. 

-- Christopher Morley 

New Title!

Saturday at 17 months Striker earned his Junior Hunter title.

He is now:

Dogwood Hollow Strike the Gold, RN, JH, CGC

Happy Birthday!

 Ube is two years old today.

The little boy is all grown up!

Quote of the Week

My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am. 

-- Author Unknown 

Starters Class Circuit

Starters Class - for you next class you will be doing a circuit. We decided to record it for you so you can see what you need to practice this week. It is recorded in two parts, Coffee and Sydney starting and Ube and Me finishing. The two dogs are together doing the circuit. But you and your dog will do it all. You will be allowed three errors, and then you are done. Here are the videos. Watch and listen and you will here what is being done.

Quote of the Week

If your dog doesn't like someone you probably shouldn't either. 

-- Author Unknown 

Happy Birthday

 Lea is 3 today!

She is happiest when running with her brother in the swampy water.

photos by Jennifer

Breaks Times Over - Exercises to work on

• Things we’ve worked on in the beginning class:
  
  - 3 positions of stays - Check
  - Long- Serpentine - Value 4 jump
  - Set jump - Release Cue
  - Send to Crate - Release from Crate
  - Your in, Your out - Send to Table
  - Send to Tunnel - Touch
  - Pull the board - Tire (12,3,6,and 9)
  - Front Cross - LOP (Lead out Pivot)
  - RZ Zone - Flat Work (ground)
  - Changed my Mind - Sit/Down commands
  - Stay
  
  These are just the ones off the top of my head -