Where did the last year go?!?! Seems like they go faster & faster these days. I made a little tribute to our first year with Cooper…we’ve all come a long way in our training.
Mark those Novice agility titles off my to-do list!
At the beginning of this year, I wrote but did not publish a post on this blog about a bunch of stuff I wanted to accomplish in 2013. I just revisited the list, and I’ve got to say I haven’t made a dent – yet. Nevertheless, we can mark 2 things off the list – finish Hendrix’ AKC Novice Agility and Novice Agility Jumper titles. We had 1 Q each in Standard & Jumpers going into the year. So, we got 2 more in each to wrap things up. She’s also got her first Q in Open Jumpers. We have 3 days of trialing before the summer lull. If she’s darn near perfect, we might finish an Open title before her 2nd birthday. She is such a funny dog, and I enjoy all the changes & new hobbies taking her in has brought into my life.
Agility Fun Match Take 2
What a night! Little Ms Hendrix is already snoring… We just got back from our second ever agility fun match. We arrived just as the sun was setting, and the weather played pretty nice (for once). We made a bee line for the sign up table, and I decided we’d do only one run on the standard course. Next time, we may do jumpers, too. I think we should since most courses are primarily jumps versus other obstacles. I also signed up for the 12″ height because it would happen earlier than the shorter heights. 12″ will probably be Hendrix’ competition height, and she generally has not problem clearing it (I’ve recently started always practicing at 12″ or 14″ anyway). Then we made the rounds saying hello to all our What A Great Dog! friends. Ronald & I set up camp…just a few soft chairs & a water dish initially. 
Then, I decided we should bring out the crate & see how Hendrix would behave crated in all the hubbub. The hour or so we waited for our turn, she was mostly good. She made sure to throw in the occasional stranger bark; but overall, I was really pleased with how she was behaving in the crate. Our crate game work has definitely paid off! There were moments where I could even leave the door open and she would not rush out. She did get a little anxious if she saw I was paying attention to other dogs while she was in the crate (jealousy?).
As our group (jump height) approached, I took Hendrix over to practice a start line stay & jump just outside the ring entrance. She stayed…and I said “jump”…she looked at me…and then ran for me…then ran off. Fortunately, some friendly dog owners nearby helped me corral her pretty quickly. So, we went back to watching from the crate. After that, I was prepared for the worst…I thought she was bound to just run off & zoom. When our turn came, I opened the gate & entered. It’s nice that this fun match features dog proof fencing around the ring. I took her slip lead off immediately, but I realize now – I should’ve waited until we got situated in front of the first obstacle. She wouldn’t budge from the corner by the gate for sniffing the grass. Now, I had REALLY LOW expectations. No attempts on my part seemed to redirect her attention. So, I went over and picked her up, and set her down in front of the first jump. I think I saw an honest to goodness doggie lightbulb. She practically beamed with “OH! THIS is what we’re doing! A-ha!” So, I asked her to stay, and led off. I returned & rewarded her for the stay. I asked her to stay again, and led off then we went jump and full height dog walk. She nailed those. I hesitated thinking what I wanted to set up next. Since this is only our second time in a “real” course, I was not really following the course as directed. I was just picking and choosing for the sake of real competition like experience. In my moment’s hesitation, I lost her to smelling the grass again…but only briefly. I got her back and I was able to send her over a jump and then bring her over another. Then it was A-frame, tunnel, tire, and table. Those were all in a pretty straight line (or curve) so she nailed those. Because I liked her energy on that sequence, I sent her back through after the pause on the table…tire, tunnel, A-frame and we got the two jumps again. At that point, I heard “30 seconds”, and I said “We’re good!” We headed toward the gate, and Hendrix started mugging with the crowd. It was a crowd of WAGD! folk and Ronald…guess that’s why she was interested. I got her attention and her slip lead on & off we went.
Here’s a little video clip of tonight’s action –
It’s clear this little gal loves her agility! I’m really proud of how she stayed with me (ON GRASS!!!) and didn’t get the zoomies. I loved seeing that she LOVES the big full height contact obstacles, and LOVED that I was able to handle her through the turn in the 2 jump series (both times). I think it’s only a matter of time before we can run a full course. Honestly, I think it’s more about me learning footwork and handling skills than Hendrix learning anything. Once I set her on a course, she’s a fast little booger! This time we skipped the weaves (Hendrix hasn’t done 12 poles yet) and the full height teeter (though I think she might’ve done that one).
All in all – a great fun with the little four legged one & all our training friends!
Return of the Road Show
When Ronald & I first met, I was driving an Explorer Sport Trac. Because I lived so far from where I worked, trained BJJ, and socialized- I frequently had a change of clothes, toiletries, and a host of other gear in the back seat of my vehicle. At some point, it began to be jokingly referred to as the “Roxanna Road Show”.
This morning, I packed up 2 jumps
, a set of 6 weave poles, and a small tunnel to take Hendrix for some practice in the fenced in tennis courts at the neighborhood middle school. Now, I ask you – Would this fit in the back of a MINI Cooper? Actually, I think it would (especially if I broke down the jumps all the way). However, would it all fit AND still have room for a metal crate for Hendrix. Nope. Bonus- I haven’t even begun to take up all the available room. I love this truck! I don’t have to worry (other than being OCD about a new vehicle – see towels pictured) about scratching up the inside of my car with those metal weave pole bases.
So, I had to kind of laugh to myself when I realize we had embarked on the “Return of the Roxanna Road Show”.
This mornings agility practice went really well. We practiced the two jump front cross drill we did in yesterday’s class. Hendrix is LOVING that drill. I can see she’s getting a better idea about going ahead of me and taking a jump. I even changed it up and had her take both jumps then wrap around back to me. The tennis courts at the middle school are right next to the track/football field. This morning some teenagers (maybe 50-60) were on the field & track working out with coaches. So, it was actually kind of nice to get Hendrix to work while tuning out that distraction. Twice a bird flew in & out of the courts and briefly took Hendrix’ attention, but she was having so much fun she quickly came back to me when I called her back. We also worked on weaving a bit. I put out one jump then the weaves. She got it the 1st time, but I noticed as she got to where she was wanting to go faster through the weaves it looked like she was annoyed that the effort slowed her pace down. It was like she hadn’t quite figured out how to transfer her weight and navigate to her preferred speed. I need to ask about some drills to work on this. This is a new thing and I think it has to do with the weaves in sequence & being outside. When we do weaves inside, she never really pops in and out. I could tell (even at 7:30am) she was already starting to get a bit hot and tired (I had a light sweat going myself). So, we packed up the show, and took a spin around the track. Speaking of packing up, every time I would put away or bring out a new obstacle – I asked H to get in her kennel. I’m SO SO SUPER PROUD of how good she has learned to be in her kennel. A few weeks ago, we played some crate games, and they definitely had a good impact on her behavior. She vocalized a tiny bit when she began riding in the crate in the new truck, but now she’s in and relaxing immediately. She’s also not jumping out when I open the door. She will let me put on her lead and then come out when I command. She patiently waited in between setups until I came to get her again. WHAT A GOOD GIRL!