Is my little monster growing up?

We've gone a couple of days without an accident. She's telling me she has to go. At work today she spent a decent amount of time lounging and napping in the bed under my desk.

Is my "little monster" growing up? I hope she doesn't lose her fire....

Two Steps Forward or Two Steps Back?

The Winter/Holiday break is over and Leo started back to agility class Monday night. It's a new group of students and a new instructor although the same location we've been training. I really like the exercises she had set up for us. Basically there was what could have been a full course with a few angle tweaks, etc. of the equipment but she broke down the exercises into small pieces to just see where everyone was at. Sometimes she gave us criteria she wanted us to apply such as specific crosses. For the most part Leo did really well. My son came along and handled him a good part of the time. They did well, only struggling when he (my son) didn't know for sure how I would have handled something. Plus there are times he needs a cheerleader and my son doesn't do this a lot. But he's doing well and he's really good with Leo when he's "on."

So all was going pretty well until we got to the segment with the teeter. The setup was weaves, teeter, tunnel, table. I handled Leo for that segment. He slowed and immediately acted like he wasn't so keen on the teeter. Even with time off he's not done this in the last six months or so. And he's had practice albeit the last time was probably three weeks ago. But this was different. He got on and went just about to the top of the contact (the up contact) and stopped. And stayed. He was engaged with me but really not keen on going up. I finally called Zach over to help and he moved some. I finally had to pick him up and move him to the "tip" point and let him ride it down. Lots of praise and treats and that was the only time we attempted it during the class as we moved on to other exercises. It makes me worry. I hope next week is better....

Legs Like Springs

Juicy has the most uncanny ability to spring. In fact, I'd be hard pressed to affirm her being on four legs as much as she is on two. Lately she's taken to springing either upward from her rear legs when in a standing position or straight up and at you from four legs when she can't get your attention. Of course her persistence in getting your attention is another matter altogether. From pawing madly at my leg like she was digging her way to China to barking fiercely to springing like a jackrabbit. I wonder more often than not, did her breeder really give me a dog? I have my doubts....

Rose City Classic 2012

Last weekend (Thursday through Sunday) was the big Rose City Classic dog show in Portland. It's held at the Portland Expo Center with two halls for grooming, one for conformation, and one for conformation, obedience, agility, and vendors. It's one of the largest dog shows in the country and attended by people near and far. Since Leo has some fear issues to overcome, I didn't feel comfortable entering him for all four days. Instead, I entered him in Jumpers only Thursday and Friday, the quieter days. This was his first time entered at the preferred level, too, and he'd be jumping just four inches.

In hindsight, it turns out I didn't have anything to worry about. He was all over it, amped up, super happy, completely tuned into me and the sport. That was a huge relief!

Since I was in attendance Wednesday for the working dog and Dane specialties, I was able to come over and get crates set up before all space was gone on Thursday morning. This is our spot - before the melee. I love having it set up by the curtain. Gives us lots of extra storage space that's also out of sight.

Thursday

With Leo, my goal is to actually walk and plan the course for him, not Vegas. After running her for three years, it's easy to forget but my handling has to be so very different. And after this trial, it's apparent my handling will continue to evolve with Leo since he was seriously on fire.

For this course I planned on starting from the left. After sending him into the tunnel I moved out toward the #5 jump and my plan was again to front cross for the weaves. I knew that would mean me pushing out around the end of the weaves to be in position to guide him, but the front cross was the best option to avoiding weave issues. Despite my having done some significant training on the off side of the weaves, Leo still acts like he has no idea what the obstacle is when I'm on the off side. So I accommodate for now. One thing I learned...he was caught off guard with the weaves on top of the surface. We're used to running in dirt so with the rubber surface, the weave base is completely in sight. You'll see in the video, it caught him a bit off guard at first, I think.  I planned on being on the right for 7 through 9 then rear crossing 10, front crossing after 11 (or blind), front cross out of the tunnel and a turn to #15. 

Yards: 115

SCT: 55

Leo's time was 37.79 with a score of 100. He got first place which meant a green Q ribbon and a blue, too. Plus, that day they were giving medallions for first place finishers. He was so remarkably happy in this run. He was actually picking up speed as we went. It was an awesome thing to see, and a great way to run with my little guy. Couldn't be more pleased about moving him down to 4". 

Friday

With Thursday under our belt I was really looking forward to running Leo Friday and even wished I had entered him the remainder of the days. Hindsight is always 20/20 though, as they say, and I had no way of knowing he'd be completely okay in that environment. 

I also remembered I tend to forget I have a startline stay with Leo and just run with him. In this case, I remembered it and moved out a bit before giving him the release command. For this course, I believe I planned to run up the right side and rear cross going into 4, cut in behind him and come up the inside again for 5-8. Then I planned a front cross after the double and into the weaves. From there I was working the same side all the way. 

Yards: 96
SCT: 47
Our time was 30.04 - another super fast run for Leo! Despite the need for a second attempt at the weaves, he was truly moving out there, having the time of his life. I'm so glad because we were really struggling with time in those last couple of legs for his open title. This was the best decision for him. Although what I do find ironic is how high he actually jumps anyway. Hopefully in time he'll level out a bit and not clear the jumps by so much but at least he's not slowing to focus so much on jumping high enough now. That's the big thing. So two legs toward his NJP title. I couldn't have been more pleased. He was one super happy boy, confident, and loving the sport.

Wordless Wednedsay

Liebster Award - Thank you!

Thanks, Lindsay, for giving us a super cool award!

Part of the process of getting this award is giving it to five people of my choice. Here are the rules:

1. Thank the blogger that gave you the award and then add a link to their blog.

2. Reveal your top five picks (with less than 200 readers) and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog. 

3. Copy and paste the award to your blog.

4. Hope the people you've sent the award to forward it to their five favorite up-and-coming bloggers, and keep it going!

So without further ado, I would like to bestow this award to the following: 

1. Boxers Do It Best - a blog about a pair of bouncing, brindle Boxers who are showing how it's done in agility and rally

2. My Life With Flyball Dogs - a blog about an active couple of dogs who love flyball, the northwest, and life

3. Flying Poodles - a blog about three poodles who are kept busy, active, engaged, and training

4. A Puppy In Training - all about training a guide dog puppy

5. Murphy's Law - All about Murphy, the Great Dane, and his mom's excellent adventures

Title Change a Comin'

Well, since it's official and Leo's alter-ego, Juicy, is staying, I suppose I need to change the blog title. I have something in mind so just need to make sure it's available. Stay tuned...and ready to update bookmarks.