Perusing Facebook the other day, I happen to see that Susan Garrett was offering a free 4-part video series, along with a free ebook, on handling. I've watched the first video, and the basic handling cues she talks about makes perfect, basic sense.
Anyway, I wanted to share this with anyone interested that might not have seen this. I'll be taking advantage of the free offer!
The trials and tribulations of training a Pembroke Welsh Corgi and Swedish Vallhund for agility.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Stump Kid Link Love 2: Early Takeoff Syndrome, E Dogs, & Running
Once again I've found some more interesting posts that I thought would be great to share with everyone, whether you're an agility competitor or just a dog lover.
Early Take Off Syndrome (Awesome Paws): I find it funny we always try to label every little thing that has to do with agility…every move, every fault, it has it's own name. I've been told that LaMesa might have ETS. I don't believe her issue is physical, because some times she jumps a consistent arc, other times she takes off early and high. I think part of it has to do with her having to jump 12" for a while, so now that we're jumping 8", and I'm working on some jump grids to help shape her jumping better, I'm hoping she'll be more consistent with her jumps. But this is still rather interesting to read.
R Dog vs E Dog (EmDogs): Merinda posted this on Facebook a while ago, and it's a good read, so I wanted to share it with you as well. LaMesa is definitely and "E Dog" because she doesn't need much prompting. She does tend to stick close to me, but she's not as focused on me as Dally is. LaMesa's just pumped to be out there, and there are times she'll take an obstacle she'd rather take than what I'm telling her to. Dally was an "R Dog" when we started because she was much slower and waited to make sure the obstacle ahead of her was what I wanted her to take. We didn't really have many refusals, but she certainly didn't run off like LaMesa would. Which dog is/was your dog?
10 Ways Having a Dog is Like Running (Olive to Run): I love, love, love this post! As a dog mom, and as a (sometimes) runner, I totally agree with all of these. Especially No. 2, I truly understand how running (or even just working out) and your dogs can be there for you no matter what. Which one was your favorite?
What's been one of your favorite reads lately?
Early Take Off Syndrome (Awesome Paws): I find it funny we always try to label every little thing that has to do with agility…every move, every fault, it has it's own name. I've been told that LaMesa might have ETS. I don't believe her issue is physical, because some times she jumps a consistent arc, other times she takes off early and high. I think part of it has to do with her having to jump 12" for a while, so now that we're jumping 8", and I'm working on some jump grids to help shape her jumping better, I'm hoping she'll be more consistent with her jumps. But this is still rather interesting to read.
R Dog vs E Dog (EmDogs): Merinda posted this on Facebook a while ago, and it's a good read, so I wanted to share it with you as well. LaMesa is definitely and "E Dog" because she doesn't need much prompting. She does tend to stick close to me, but she's not as focused on me as Dally is. LaMesa's just pumped to be out there, and there are times she'll take an obstacle she'd rather take than what I'm telling her to. Dally was an "R Dog" when we started because she was much slower and waited to make sure the obstacle ahead of her was what I wanted her to take. We didn't really have many refusals, but she certainly didn't run off like LaMesa would. Which dog is/was your dog?
10 Ways Having a Dog is Like Running (Olive to Run): I love, love, love this post! As a dog mom, and as a (sometimes) runner, I totally agree with all of these. Especially No. 2, I truly understand how running (or even just working out) and your dogs can be there for you no matter what. Which one was your favorite?
What's been one of your favorite reads lately?
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Hello? Anyone There?
I realize the blog has been rather quiet lately, and for that, I apologize.
You see, we don't really have an agility trial on the near horizon, except for March when I'm hoping we can do one day at the Louisville Cluster, and of course the AKC National Agility Championships. Unfortunately our usual winter trials have to be missed due to budget issues.
But, for now, the Stump Kids and I have just been enjoying lots of walks in the new neighborhood, and a few training sessions here and there. I've been meaning to write a post about the jumping exercises LaMesa's been doing when we've done some training, but I'm having some video problems. But I think they're starting to help her, a lot. I just hope it all transfers to when we're (finally) back in the trial ring.
For now, this is what we've been up to…
You see, we don't really have an agility trial on the near horizon, except for March when I'm hoping we can do one day at the Louisville Cluster, and of course the AKC National Agility Championships. Unfortunately our usual winter trials have to be missed due to budget issues.
But, for now, the Stump Kids and I have just been enjoying lots of walks in the new neighborhood, and a few training sessions here and there. I've been meaning to write a post about the jumping exercises LaMesa's been doing when we've done some training, but I'm having some video problems. But I think they're starting to help her, a lot. I just hope it all transfers to when we're (finally) back in the trial ring.
For now, this is what we've been up to…
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| We're a football family, so of course we've ben watching football…and cheering for our favorite team! Even though the Colts didn't make it to the AFC Championships, we still cheered for Peyton Manning, who will always be a Colt! |
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| We've done lots of "cross training" that doesn't involve agility lately. Which is always good to refresh their minds, and bodies. |
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
2013 Review & 2014 Stump Kid Resolutions
Another year has come and gone. There wasn't anything too exciting for the Stump Kids, but it was overall a successful year.
January started off the year right with participating in a seminar with Dawn Weaver and celebrating Dally's PACH, not to mention the end of LaMesa's Q drought that was almost a year long. February was quiet, with only one agility trial, but some success along the way.
March saw a trip with Merinda and Porter to Tulsa for the 2014 AKC National Agility Championships that was a lot of fun because I had quite a few friends to share the event with. We chronicled our road trip for The Daily Corgi, as well as on here, so I hope you were able to enjoy the event, too.
April was a struggle to get back into a groove with both girls, though I'm not sure why. LaMesa and I started taking classes at Shamrock Acres in Louisville, which was a great decision because it helped us become more of a team. In May the Stump Kids tried out a Terrier trial for the first time, with barn hunts and lure coursing on the docket.
June saw LaMesa finally get a re-measurement to move down to the 8" Regular height, which has been a huge relief for us. She's now re-learning to not jump so high and it's helping her in many ways on the course. July Dally was on the injured reserve list and LaMesa got her first Novice FAST Q.
August was quiet--no agility trials, but we talked about different things like battling age with agility dogs, a police K9's legacy, etc. September was busy getting back into the groove of agility, but still no Qs for LaMesa.
October saw the girls earn plenty of medals at the Canine Olympics, but more importantly LaMesa earned her first MACH points in Tennessee and Ohio! November Dally finished qualifying for the 2014 AKC National Agility Championships, which I wasn't sure would happen or not. And, finally, December was another quiet month with no agility trials, but moving houses and talking about the mental aspect of agility.
So what's on tap for the Stump Kids in 2014? Well, Dally and I are competing in what is probably going to be her last AKC National Agility Championships. Next year's event is in Reno, so I don't see us making that long trek again. We're so close to finishing up her PACH2 (just 5 QQs & 205 points), so that would be great to accomplish this year.
LaMesa and I still have a lot of work to do, but I'd love to see if we can get qualified for the 2014 AKC Agility Invitational as being in the Top 5 Swedish Vallhunds. She's currently sitting #10, with points only from 2 Qs, so if we can start to be more consistent and Q (and start QQing), it could be very doable.
What do the Stump Kids think?
LaMesa: "My resolution is to try to harness my rogue-ness, as mom calls it, and maybe act a little more domesticated at agility trials in 2014."
Dally: "I don't need a resolution…I'm fabulous every year!"
January started off the year right with participating in a seminar with Dawn Weaver and celebrating Dally's PACH, not to mention the end of LaMesa's Q drought that was almost a year long. February was quiet, with only one agility trial, but some success along the way.
March saw a trip with Merinda and Porter to Tulsa for the 2014 AKC National Agility Championships that was a lot of fun because I had quite a few friends to share the event with. We chronicled our road trip for The Daily Corgi, as well as on here, so I hope you were able to enjoy the event, too.
April was a struggle to get back into a groove with both girls, though I'm not sure why. LaMesa and I started taking classes at Shamrock Acres in Louisville, which was a great decision because it helped us become more of a team. In May the Stump Kids tried out a Terrier trial for the first time, with barn hunts and lure coursing on the docket.
June saw LaMesa finally get a re-measurement to move down to the 8" Regular height, which has been a huge relief for us. She's now re-learning to not jump so high and it's helping her in many ways on the course. July Dally was on the injured reserve list and LaMesa got her first Novice FAST Q.
August was quiet--no agility trials, but we talked about different things like battling age with agility dogs, a police K9's legacy, etc. September was busy getting back into the groove of agility, but still no Qs for LaMesa.
October saw the girls earn plenty of medals at the Canine Olympics, but more importantly LaMesa earned her first MACH points in Tennessee and Ohio! November Dally finished qualifying for the 2014 AKC National Agility Championships, which I wasn't sure would happen or not. And, finally, December was another quiet month with no agility trials, but moving houses and talking about the mental aspect of agility.
So what's on tap for the Stump Kids in 2014? Well, Dally and I are competing in what is probably going to be her last AKC National Agility Championships. Next year's event is in Reno, so I don't see us making that long trek again. We're so close to finishing up her PACH2 (just 5 QQs & 205 points), so that would be great to accomplish this year.
LaMesa and I still have a lot of work to do, but I'd love to see if we can get qualified for the 2014 AKC Agility Invitational as being in the Top 5 Swedish Vallhunds. She's currently sitting #10, with points only from 2 Qs, so if we can start to be more consistent and Q (and start QQing), it could be very doable.
What do the Stump Kids think?
LaMesa: "My resolution is to try to harness my rogue-ness, as mom calls it, and maybe act a little more domesticated at agility trials in 2014."
Dally: "I don't need a resolution…I'm fabulous every year!"
What are your pups' resolutions?
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