agility

We competed in a Nadac agility trial last weekend and had tons of fun! We still don't know what we're doing but we haven't quite given up yet! Tunnels are THE BEST!!!!

I was committed to running faster, being ahead of my dog and giving her the information she needed before each obstacle. I did not always achieve that goal...
It seems like I'm stuck in my old handling ways and can't get out! I forget to talk to her and I forget to RUN. I still can't lead out, that is bad, I know. But she is oh so much fun. I do so love my beasty girl!

Here is a Jumpers course with one knocked bar. I was rushing her on the last line of jumps causing the bar to come down.

And here was a Regular course that worked out well! We had another Regular run where she took out a hoop and then one more where she took out a whole jump, but was not hurt, thankfully!

Do you think someday we will get it together? In the mean time I will enjoy each run!


Also, I am training my sister's border collie!

dog Spring

Suddenly I am in the mood to write a little! And share some pictures. I do like this blog just so I can look back on it and see the things my dogs and I have done together and how we have changed.
Indi and I hiked the hills this morning. What a warm Spring we're having, very dry and unusual. It's nice for hiking but I know we need the rain!

Recently Indi has started being a little more suspicious of strangers than she had been. Especially people in hats or wearing large back packs. When she sees them coming toward us she stops and stares and then sometimes jumps off the trail like she's spooked when they pass us.

I started carrying string cheese (the almighty string cheese) on our walks and it has helped a lot! Whenever I see a person coming toward us I wait for Indi to notice them and then she gets a Yes! and a bit of cheese. She is doing so much better. I don't know what changed for her but she has always been a little suspect of new things and people. Her level of spookyness had risen though and I didn't like it!

Meanwhile, Rye turned 14 on Valentine's day! He still hasn't aged that noticeably. He doesn't have the best night vision anymore and has a little bit of a limpy shoulder but other than that is a happy healthy guy who loves his food and his walks around the neighborhood and chasing Indi at the park. I wish I could get rid of those tear stains!

I have been cooking for the dogs to supplement their dry food. A common dish is turkey and sweet potato stew with turmeric added for it's anti inflammatory properties. 

With breakfast they get yogurt or cottage cheese plus a spoonful of coconut oil on their kibble and then for dinner a mix of the stew and the dry food plus fish oil and a vitamin E. Rye is on adequan injections for arthritis plus has been to work several times for therapy laser treatments. It's sure nice working for a vet! Sometimes....

Until next time, Indi reminds you to find the joy in the small stuff! Like sticks! Sticks are the best. 

Fit dog Friday

I wanted to share a little strengthening exercise I have been trying to do with Indigo about two or three times per week. I use her kibble (Acana Pacifica at the moment) and do it in the mornings before work. I made it up so don't take my word for anything!
To start, kneel down and bend one leg up so your dog can crawl under it. Lure them under with one piece of food and then toss a second piece a bit further so they go all the way through and stand up. Show them another piece and lure them the other direction and repeat! If they don't want to go all the way through at first, just be patient and give lots of rewards for each attempt at going under further and further. Some dogs aren't comfortable with crawling under your leg like that.
I have her do about 10 repetitions back and forth and then walk around a minute and then another 10 or so.
If you have bare floors like we do I think it's nice to use a rug or a dog bed for your dog to crawl on so it's not so hard on their elbows.
I feel it strengthens her hind leg muscles.
A video:

Happy Fit dog Friday!

Last AKC show of the year

Earlier in October we ran in our last AKC trial for the year. I do believe we are improving! We did three days total and came away with one qualifying Open Fast run and one Q in Excellent Standard. That Standard run didn't make it onto the video camera, sadly.

Indigo had a grand time.

 

 

 

She only appeared to be possessed in a few of the photos. See the drool?

 

 

 



Here is a just one "little" (ok, pretty large) thing Standard run that I was happy with other than how aweful she was at the start line, arguing with me about the stay. The error was taking the tunnel after the first few jumps and I am not sure how she saw that as an option!

She kept more bars up than she has in the past. And hopefully I am learning to run her better so she CAN keep the bars up!

 

 

Fat tail.

 

 

 

 

Here is a Novice Jumpers run in which I clearly called "come" in time, don't you think? We've been practicing coming sooner! She does try really hard to go the way I want her to it's just so hard when she just wants to stretch out and go as fast as she can. We almost had this one!

 

 



 

 

We get to do a Nadac trial this weekend. Can't wait to TUNNEL!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 



Happy Halloween!