Rally Titles

A few weeks ago I took a Friday off from work to take the girls to Queen City Dog Training Club for two AKC Rally trials in one day. In December Dally had earned the first two legs towards her Rally Novice title and Mesa had earned one leg towards her title, so I was hoping we could finish out both titles in one day. And the day was a success!

I entered Dally in only the morning trial because I figured she could pretty much get her title by going 3-for-3. And, she did. But let's just say, I don't think Rally is Dally's thing--she gets bored with it. And I have to keep my eye on her that she stays by my side and doesn't start walking behind me. Because of this, I was trying to do the course by memory and when it came to a point when I knew I had to go to the right to go into the serpentine, I did a 90 degree right turn. WRONG! It was supposed to be a 270 degree left turn. That meant Dally got a -10 points--she would have scored a 96 (good enough to place fourth), but instead she scored an 86. It was still a Q, but not a high score like she deserved. Oh well...it's the title that's most important, and she earned it going 3-for-3. She's now "Frontiers Honkytonkbadonkadonk CGC, AX, AXJ, AXP, AJP, RN"

While Dally plods along the course, Mesa tends to be uber excited to do anything, and since this was one week after her agility trial debut, she thought she could cheer on all the dogs at the obedience trial. And she had the advantage of going after Dally so I had learned my lesson and we did the 270 to the left and ended with a score of 95 and fourth place! She barked at me in excitement only a few times, but she stayed pretty calm and controlled.

With Dally done in the morning, I was able to concentrate solely on Mesa to hopefully finish her title as well. This time, there was not as much barking (I wonder if she figured out we weren't at agility?), but she did try to herd me through a few of the maneuvers on the second course. I was very proud of her, though, because both courses called for a sit and for me to walk around her and she nailed it both times! (In December there were down and walk-arounds and she could not handle me walking around her. Needless to say I really worked on that because I also knew that would help with our start-line-stays for agility.) She scored a 90 on the second course and placed third to finish her title. (I feel the second judge was a little more critical in her judging when comparing the scores of everyone in both courses. Oh well.) Her registered name is now "Mill Creeks Chyna Rust RN"

Now that we're done with all this "obedience nonsense" and back to concentrating on agility. The countdown is on for Mesa's AKC agility debut, and I've sent in her and Dally's entries for a NADAC trial in April in Taylorsville, Ky.

Mesa's Agility Trial Debut

This is it...what we've all been waiting for. Mesa made her big agility trial debut over the weekend at a CPE (Canine Performance Events) trial in Milford, Ohio. Of course, Dally went along and competed as well, so I'll tell you about her trial first.

So far, Dally has stayed at the 8 inch jump height for CPE, mostly because we rarely do that venue and the amount of obstacles isn't as high as in AKC. She's in Level 3 and 4 for everything, so the courses are finally starting to get to the level of AKC Excellent. In Jumpers Level 3, she Qd and placed 2nd with a time of 42.47/47. Standard Level 3, she Qd and placed 2nd with a time of 55.61/61. In Jackpot Level 4, she Qd and placed 1st with 54 points and a time of 50.78/57. And, finally, in Full House Level 3, she Qd and placed 2nd with 26 points and a time of 39.59/40.

Overall, it was a good day for Dally--she ran well and we had fun. That's all that matters.

When I sent in the entries, I decided to only run Mesa in three of the four classes because I wasn't sure how the Jackpot would play out. I started her in Level 1 because that level does not require weave poles nor a teeter. The teeter isn't a problem, but we're still working on the weave poles being tilted out and a small channel. This is why I think CPE is the best venue for beginner dogs.

In Full House, Level 1, our first run of the day, I was nervous only because I didn't know how she would act or what she would do--would she run around the course? Run out? Pee in the tunnel? She was full of excitement, barking in the line and barking at the speaker that proclaimed "Go." I wanted to run her the same course I mapped out with Dally, however she had other thoughts and loved the dog walk. But all was good, I just changed it up and we ran through the course with no problems. We ended with a Q and first place with 25 points and a time of 40.13/40.

After a long wait through Jackpot and most of Standard, it was finally time for Mesa's Standard, Level 1. I came up with the idea of taking Mesa for a short run up and down the short road in front of the building to try to get some of her extra energy out. I had meant to put a front cross in between the jump (#2) and the dog walk (#3), but she came out of the tunnel so fast that I just ran the long way. Not a bad idea, right? Did I mention that it had been raining all day? Apparently I hadn't dried my shoes off well-enough after our run because right at the end of the dog walk, my feet slipped out from under me and down I went. I was able to keep my eye on Mesa, and to my surprise she stayed on the dog walk, hit her contact, and flipped right into the tunnel while I directed her, all from the floor. I was so proud of her for keeping going while I fell--I was afraid she'd jump off to see why I was on the floor. I quickly got back up and we ran through the course without any hiccups. I was so happy and proud of her!! She Qd and placed 1st with a (smoking) time of 28.88/51.

Mesa's Jumpers, Level 1, was the last class of the long day, but she stayed on the ball. She had a couple of moments of being a puppy--we barked at the photographer before going into the first tunnel, had a conversation about going into the third tunnel, and then ran by the last jump. But we stuck together, and I even got a rear cross in, and she Qd to place 1st, yet again, with a time of 33.67/52. She went 3-for-3, with three 1st places and her Handlers Games Level 1 title in her first agility trial ever!

One of the BFO trainers described her as a "firecracker" and I think that's the best term to call her. She loves agility and she loves running with me. This is evident when we're at training and, now, at trials because she just barks and barks and refuses to sit and be still for one moment on the start line. Now Merinda is working with me on trying to contain her excitement by waiting out her barks. Last night at class I would just stand at the start line while she barked and jumped around until she finally sat and was quiet--as soon as she was, I'd just run flat out for her reward. It's going to time and a lot of patience from me, but it's something just as important as nailing those weave poles. I need to have a calm down to start our runs and to have a decent length start line lead-out as we get into AKC courses, and this is the foundation for that.

Once I get a photo from the photographer at the trial, I'll share for everyone to see. Until then, enjoy the videos.

This Friday the girls and I are heading to Queen City for a rally trial--two trials in one day. I'm hoping to finish both their Rally Novice titles. I'll let you know how that turns out.

Breakthrough

So I meant to post this earlier this past week, but time got away from me. I have two new updates on my Stump Kids, so I'll post them separately on here to give them each their due...

Last weekend my friend Merinda and I traveled up to Lewisburg, Ohio, for an AKC trial at Circle G Arena, known affectionately as the "Mud Hole." My goal for the weekend was for me to not get lost in any courses (re: the Nashville trial) and for Dally to continue her speed.

Well, I didn't get lost in any of the courses = mission accomplished for me. And, Dally ran beautifully all four runs! We only Qd once, and it was a much-needed Q to finish up her Excellent A Preferred JWW title, but they were four awesome runs that had me grinning from ear to ear.

First of all, here's her Q run, one that that required me to BYARF (Bust Yo A**, Run Fast) in the opening. There were three ways you could handle this run. The first would have been for me to start off on the left side, run past the first three jumps and do a front cross. The second option would have been start on the left side and rear cross that jump, or the third was to just RLH (Run Like H*ll) on the right side and do no crosses. I decided on option three because I was nervous with the front cross I would not get there in time and I could slow her down and with the rear cross she can some times do them (if she's running fast enough), but I didn't want to slow her down with confusion if she came over that jump and tried to find me. It wasn't a very pretty run, but it got the jump done and she ran fast (which made me run fast)!

Her standard runs were NQs due to little things--but she ran so fast and happy, how could I fault her?? On Sunday our standard course had a 180 towards the end. Most of the time Dally hates those and I have to work deep into the angles to keep her going. This time, she ran tight and fast--I was so happy. We NQd only because I wanted to pull her off an off-course jump and I over-exaggerated my shoulder and pulled her off the jump she needed to take. Oh well! She was so good with everything else, I couldn't have been happier. See for yourself.

Her jumpers run on Saturday was fast and happy, but she popped out of her weaves. Saturday saw a comical Corgi who decided she loved contacts more than tunnels for once.

She's now back in Excellent B for both STD and Jumpers, so now we can start earning Double Qs towards our PAX (soon-to-be PACH in 2013) and maybe see if we can qualify for the AKC Nationals in 4 inches. ;-)

Mesa's weekend was spent training on measuring table in preparations for her first trials. She's measuring right at or so close to 11 inches (the cut-off for the 8-inch jump height is 11") that any amount of relaxation we can get from her on the table will be a big help.

Next post....Mesa's agility trial debut in CPE!!!

Little Lessons

This week has been about teaching little lessons to both girls: Mesa self control, and Dally a little self control and patience.

Mesa's lesson is working towards a solid start line stay for her agility, plus a little self control...period. She gets very excited when we're practicing agility and barks...a lot. Plus, she wants instant gratification, which is usually to get to me (she's very attached). So, upon the urging of my agility friends, I've started the first steps to teaching Mesa her own self control.

Right now these lessons include me holding a tennis ball in my hand and waiting to give it to her. Once she stops nibbling or digging at my hand and barking, and when she's relaxed, I click and give her the tennie. I started this Tuesday night with a lot of barking. Wednesday she quickly remembered the previous night's lesson and was fairly quiet. I was even able to set the tennie about one foot from her, and clicked when she stayed down and was relaxed. The next step was throwing tennie a short distance and waiting for Mesa to relax and wait for me to tell her to get it. Once again, she's a fast learner! I was even able to get some sit-stays with me walking around her accomplished. I can walk to about the point of her hip before she feels the need to try to spin around to see me. Baby steps...baby steps...

Dally's self control lessons have to do with going for walks. She gets so excited to go for walks that she starts jumping up and down and barking. Already, after only one day of getting after her, she's sitting down and quietly letting me snap the leash to her collar. (Shew!)

Her patience lessons have to do with grooming. Earlier in her life, Dally used to not mind being brushed. But something happened (and I'm still not sure what it was--I think it has to do with the groomer to left her with back in Amarillo before she was 1), and now she hates it. She'll jump around and some times try to bite the brush (she knows better than to bite me) ... especially when I get to working on her pants.

So for this lesson, I'm taking things slowly with her and will start her with a piece of a special treat, then gently brush her for a while. I'll continue to treat and brush at random intervals, reassuring her that she'll be OK. She still gets upset, and still will not let me brush out her pants, but it's a calmer experience. I don't know if she'll ever break from that fear, but hopefully it can be a calmer, more reassuring grooming experience.

Spring?? Is That You??

Taking a quick moment to update things for the "Stump Kids." We just came back from our first hike of the new year--it's a gorgeous mid-50 degree, sunny day, so we went out with Matt and our friends Merinda and John and Porter, their 5-year-old Cardigan Welsh Corgi (he's Dally and Mesa's best friend) to the Palisades for some hiking near the Kentucky River. A great way to spend a Saturday afternoon! This, of course, was followed by a stop at Bruster's for free pup cups for the kids. (The pup cups are small, single scoops of vanilla ice cream with a dog cookie on top.)

Mesa's agility training has progressed so well! She's been picking up things left and right. Now I just want us to focus on some distance work and continuing our weaves. We worked with Weave-A-Matics for the first time on Monday, and after a short introduction Mesa is starting to get it. We pushed the channels out some, and angled the poles, of course, but I think it'll be a smooth transition to in-line WAMs, and then hopefully soon in-lines. But, I need to no put so much pressure on the weaves.

Dally's Nashville AKC trial at the end of January was pretty successful--she Qd in both Exc A Standard runs to finish her AXP (Excellent A Standard Preferred) title. She needed a new handler for both of her Jumpers runs, though, as I completely got lost on Saturday's run and then on Sunday I threw in my front cross at the wrong jump, causing me to pull her off a jump and going off course. Talk about frustrating!! We have a trial in Dayton, Ohio, next weekend, where I hope to finish her AJP (Excellent A Jumpers Preferred) on Saturday and start our journey towards earning Double Qs for our PAX/PACH!! (Plus, we'll be back to where we were before I dropped her down to 4 inches preferred--Dally actually has seven MACH points.)

Mesa's agility trial debut is at a CPE trial in Milford, Ohio, March 5. I entered her in three classes, while Dally's in all four that day. I think I entered her in Standard, Jumpers, and Full House, leaving out Jackpot because I wasn't sure about the distance challenges. Matt will be there to tape, so I'll post them on here. Level 1 doesn't use weaves (good) or a teeter (bad, she loves teeter), so that's why I'm able to start her there without having solid weaves.

While we were in Nashville, I measured Mesa at exactly 11 inches--the cut-off for the 8-inch jump height. I now have to try to find the right VMO at her first AKC trial to be patient and work to measure her at 11 inches. If she's that close to the jump height cut-off, I hate to make her jump 12 inches. :-/

Well, there's our quick update. I promise to be better as things start getting going for both girls.

Playing Catch Up...

So I've been a horrible blogger and horrible mother--I just realized my last post was July 16 (Dally's 5th birthday) and it's now Dec. 24! Sheesh! Where has the time gone??

I'll try my best to cover what's been going on the past five months....

Dally: She has now made it back to the Excellent level in Preferred. She has two legs in Exc A Pref JWW and one leg in Exc A Pref STD 4 inches. (At a trial after Thanksgiving, she zoomed through JWW first, 11 seconds under standard course time, but then the STD was a long time away and was full of some difficult entries and directions--she got distracted in the weaves and popped out.) We've been off from agility since that Saturday after Thanksgiving--no practice, no trials. Our first trial of 2011 is towards the end of January in Franklin, Tenn. I have been bad about checking my agility calendar for the first part of 2011, so I really need to get on the ball with that.

Meanwhile, she competed in her first AKC Rally trial the first weekend of December at the Queen City Dog Training Club in Cincy. She Qd in both runs, scoring a 91 and placing 4th on Saturday, and scoring an 85 on Sunday. She probably would have scored a 95 if I could learn to count to three when doing the 1-2-3 walk/stop exercise...she's currently looking for a new Rally handler. ;-) She seemed a little confused when we arrived at a place we normally do agility trials, and to do such "mundane" exercises, but she seemed to like it.

Mesa: Little LaMesa turned one Nov. 10!! We celebrated with a special cookie that said "Happy Barkday" and some extra play time. She's also started her agility classes at Goose Creek Dog Sports in Versailles. She's part of what we are now calling the "Small Dog Posse 2.0" which includes friends from the original "Small Dog Posse" and their new, young dogs--a Pyrenees Shepard, Rat Terrier, Min Pin, and a mix. Mesa loves her agility classes! She is so fast and so smart that she catches on quickly and wants to do more. I can't tell you exactly which she likes more--the contacts, tunnels, jumps, or weaves! She's already doing the dog walk and teeter at full-height. She's not afraid of the teeter at all--she loves to make it "bang" and rides it all the way down to the ground. We're now having to work on her jumping technique--she jumps a little like a Springbok (doesn't stretch out her hind legs over the jumps and jumps early). It's hard for me to get my timing to cue her to jump, so we need to get that under control.

Mesa also competed in her first AKC Rally trial at the same time with Dally. The first day we were both very nervous, so because we spent most of the pattern on a tight leash, Mesa was NQd on Saturday. Sunday, I used Dally's "big girl" choke chain and spent more time with Mesa before our go, and she did great--scoring an 85! I'm hoping to finish her and Dally's Rally Novice title by mid-March, but I just need to pick a place and enter!

That's a pretty good round-up of our activities through the fall and first part of winter. I promise I'll keep things updated better, as well as post some photos from our Rally experiences!

Dally Turns 5 today!

Today is Dally's 5th birthday!!! Yay!! I tell her she's a "full paw, plus a dew claw." Last night we took the girls to the Bluegrass Barkery and picked out a couple of peanut butter pupcakes as Dally's "birthday cake" tonight, and a couple special treats. Our five-year anniversary will be in mid-September, and with the World Equestrian Games going on, I know I won't be able to celebrate that, so we're doing her birthday special! I can't tell you how much I love that silly little Corgi--she lights me up everyday. I don't know what I would have done without her when I moved to Amarillo and that rough year in Oklahoma City. She kept me going and kept me (somewhat) sane. I never really knew a dog's love until I got her, and I'm thankful to my parents every minute for helping me pick her out and pay for her. (Although, truth be told, she picked me out...I was looking at her tri-color sister, but she sat in front of me in the barn the whole time barking at me that I was taking her home--I should have known then that she was bossy!)

A Mesa Update: She had her first official agility lesson this week. My friend, and trainer, invited me over because I had expressed concern that I didn't know what else I could be doing with Mesa as far as groundwork for puppies. So, Melanie showed me how I could be teaching her rear and front crosses on the flat, sending her around jump standards and crossing, and more target work. We decided since she was so focused on me and expected treats from me every time, I needed to do more target training with the treats on the target and teaching her "touch." Once she got that down, we can move on to working on the last quarter of a lowered-A-Frame for a short bit.

Also, she needs to learn the "Bang Game" on the teeter--learn to bang the teeter and not be scared. I don't have the world's best teeter, but Melanie gave me some tips to make it sound loud (put a cookie sheet under it on the concrete). Mesa's a little scared of the loud sound, so I'll have to wrangle Matt in to bang the teeter down while I click and treat her for not being scared.

A couple weeks of that, and I'll see if I can meet with Melanie again to judge our progress and see if we can move forward. Mesa turned 8 months on July 10, so I need to start getting serious about training. Another agility friend offered to help me work on Rally with Mesa and Dally so we can enter a few trials--I really need to give her a call and do that a couple of times because the year is half-over! (My goal is to get Dally and Mesa's Rally Novice title by the end of the year.)

Oh, and one more thing--last night we took the girls to downtown Lexington for the Thursday Night Live event and to walk around and look at the horses for Horse Mania 2010. It was fun, and not too hot! It was a great chance to get Mesa out and about, see new people (and kids--she's a little fearful of them if they make quick gestures), and new things. They didn't appreciate the fountains at Triangle Park--as much as they love the water in the creeks, water spewing up from concrete is not their thing!!