Achieving Goals

Congratulations to Maggie and MACH2 Riley for reaching their second MACH. It takes a lot of dedication, practice and perseverance mixed with a big dose of love to accomplish this title. Riley needed to earn 750 points (earned by seconds under course time) and 20 double Q's (qualifying in EXB Jumpers & Standard in the same day). That was for his first MACH. They did it a second time for their second! Way to Go!

Just beginning their career in Agility, Christy and Zorro earned their Novice B Jumpers title this past weekend. We wish them many happy training days and trials as they form a team. Enjoy the Journey!

Playing Tug

I'm still working with Coffee on playing tug with me. She has a soft hold/bite and I need to be careful that I don't jerk the toy out of her mouth. Watching dogs play tug with each other, especially an older dog and puppy is helpful.

Here are two 40 sec. videos of Echo playing with Ube. Watch the interaction. How Echo re-offers the toy after pulling it out and let's Ube win quite often.

Too bad my camera has no sound. Echo "hums" the whole time!

Stay Challenge!!

If you don't know what to work on with your dog between now and the next class, here's an idea. For the next class we are going to have a challenge. Who can do the farthest lead out stay. No, your dog will not be required to do the jumps, but will be required to stay. The challenge will start at 5 feet and will continue to 25 feet. Dog moves you're out!! That means lifts rear, creeps forward, etc. If you succeed at 5 feet the next challenge will be 10 feet, then 15 feet, 20 feet and 25 feet. If there is a tie we will have a tie breaker. This will be done in each class. Good luck practice those stays in front of a jump. a tunnel, a tire, etc. The first piece of equipment you sit your dog in front of could be any piece of equipment. See you in a couple of weeks!!!

Schedule revisions

Please check the post below for revisions. Two Wednesday classes in June are canceled. The changes are in italics and in a lighter color. There will be only one Focus Class in June and topics have been added. The arena will be closed for two Thursdays.

We will be in Auburn, Washington with Susan Garrett. If you are interested check her website or contact us.

Mark Your Calendar

EVENING CLASSES
These are 6 week sessions. Dropping In is not permitted
.
Session 3
May 20, 27, June 3, 10, July 8, 15
Session 4
July 22, 29, Aug 5, 12, 26, Sept 2

Class #1 at 5:40 Be on the field ready to work at 5:40
Class #2 at 6:45

If everyone plans to arrive on the half hour, you'll all be on time!

THURSDAY OPEN ARENA
Starting in JUNE the agility arena will be available for practice during the summer from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Note: arena will be closed on June 18 and 25.

One side of the field will concentrate on jumps, tunnels and/or weaves. The other will have the contacts. We will have sequences marked with cones. If we have any handling suggestions, they will be posted by the water faucet. You should use the time to improve your skills not run long courses. If someone else has run a 10 obstacle sequence and you want to do only the A-frame, figure out the length of time or perhaps work it while they walk their course. Please DO NOT move equipment!

Cost is $5 for a dog enrolled in a 6 week session.
$13 for dogs not enrolled in a session.

FOCUS FRIDAY at 6 p.m. on select dates below
Each class will focus on one skill (i.e. weaves, 270's, rear cross)

June 5 - REAR CROSSES
tentative dates for future classes:
July 10 - WEAVE ENTRIES
July 31
Aug 21 or 28 or both

Cost per class:
$10 for a dog enrolled in a 6 week Wed. session
$18 for dogs who are not

Next Focus Class

We will not be having a Focus Class in May.

Friday, June 5 is a date we are considering. Pencil it on your calendar and let us know if you are able to come. Which of the following would you like to FOCUS on: weave entries; contacts; rear crosses; serpentines; 270's?

It's Hot!

It's hard to resist putting up puppy photos. The other day when Sam and I puppy sat, it was interesting to see how quickly Ube realized there was a big hole with water in it! I missed the first shot in which he didn't get this close but immediately turned away and knew it was there after that.

Looks like we're in for some hot weather the next few days!

Ube Being Funny

Sam and I puppy sat today. We had a lot of fun with the busy boy!

Changing Faces

If you scroll down to the bottom of all the posts you'll find a slideshow of the Tandem Dogs. The oldest photo was taken in 1996. Donna had the Belgian and Aussie and I had the two Shar-Pei. Somewhere about that time an obedience judge at a seminar dinner asked me if I'd ever thought of having another breed. I very honestly said no I loved the breed and was/had been doing tracking, obedience, conformation and agility with them. I eventually had 5.

It matters not what breed we have or what we do with them, because they all become special. Susan Garrett believes that a dog comes into her life for a reason. Mine certainly have and I could tell you a life's lesson or two I learned from each of them. Mine have also come into my life at very important times. The Shar-Pei had various health problems and Pei, my Aussie, came at one of those times as did Echo, my Collie. Coffee Bean came before I knew I would loose Pei.

As Donna starts down a new road with Ube, I wish her lots of joy, love and fun. If in the process they gather a bucket load of ribbons and titles it will be frosting on the cake, because Ube was meant for Donna and Mike!

They Grow Up So Fast!

Friday is Coffee Bean's 2nd Birthday.

It is also the day that Donna and Mike pick up their new puppy Ube.

Happy Birthday Coffee!

Congratulations Donna and Mike!

Welcome Ube to a whole lot of fun and endless possibilities!

Happy Easter to everyone! Enjoy the weekend with your dogs and family.

Sue and Indy - Beautiful Contacts!!

Video of Sue and Indy - Good job, watch and pay attention to the contacts, they are GREAT!!!

May Evening Classes

The majority preferred Wednesday evening for class.

May 20, 27, June 3, 10, 17, 24

Class #1 at 5:40
You can arrive at 5:30 to be on the field ready to work at 5:40

Class #2 at 6:45

If you have never taken the opportunity go visit Susan Garrett blog, do so now. Check out the comment for today April 1st. There is a video from the 1950's. It is a great video. Inspiring, funny, and just plain good.


http://susangarrett.wordpress.com/

A Beautiful Sunday

Everyone did a great job setting bars and getting to the line on time yesterday. Hope you enjoyed the rest of a beautiful day.

Remember to mark April 15 on your calendar for the Focus Class. Let us know in a comment if you are planning to attend. If you have a suggestion for future topics/skills let us know. For example: weave entries, contacts, rear crosses etc.

Here's a photo of the Tandem Dogs taken last year. Donna will be adding a youngster very soon to the mix of colors/breeds.

Focus Class

Focus class - We are going to be adding something new, Focus classes. We will be offering a focus class outside of the regular classes. During these classes we will focus on things like Contacts, Weave pole entrances, Serpentines, etc. If you have something you would like to see a focus done on, let us know. Suggestions always welcomed.
The first focus session will be April 15th at 6 pm, This class will focus on Starts. Running with, LOP, push, Front cross, and others. Length of the class will be 1 hour to 1.5 hours. Once we move to evening classes, we will most likely move these classes to Fridays. We will do at least 1 a month possibly 2. Cost will be $10.00 if dog is already enrolled in a class, or $18.00 if dog is not enrolled in a class.

Weekend Report

Rain managed to stay away from the trials this weekend although the wind and cold remained. I think everyone was surprised to find the sun out today!

We've heard from most who attended the agility trial. On the whole handlers were pleased with their dog's performances. Some q's, some not, but I think everyone went away knowing where work/practice needs to be done. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and we'll have time to practice before the Davis weekend.

Several went to obedience/rally trials on Sunday. Christy and Zorro came away with two blue ribbons in advanced! - Congratulations.

See everyone on Sunday.

Evening Classes

When you respond to your day of the week preference, please indicate the other evening as to if you can make it that night or if it is impossible, (choices 1 is Monday, my choice 2 is Wednesday. or #1 is Monday, #2 Wednesday, can not make). It will make the planning easier. Thank you!!

Class Dates for Next Session

Because of a rain make up, the new session starts on Sunday March 29 and will be only 5 weeks. Dates are March 29, April 12, 19, 26 and May 10. Cost is $75. Please make checks out to either Donna or Sydney. Thank you Katherine, Dick and Helen Marie for paying in advance.

EVENING CLASSES
After the May 10 Sunday class, we will be switching to evenings. Both classes will be on the same night. Would you prefer Monday or Wednesday. Please reply in the comment section and list your preferences as #1 & #2.

Can the first class come at 5:30 and the second at 6:30? Let us know.