This past weekend, Tessa and I went to the Barkaritaville Freestylers competition to attempt Intermediate Musical Freestyle. I knew going in that we are not quite at Intermediate level yet. I was actually rather disappointed that the newly created "C Classes" were not offered at this competition because Novice C would have been the perfect division for us right now. Tessa and I still have quite a bit of work to do on fading hand cues and moves behind me, and those elements are required to qualify in Intermediate.
I also had not done a whole heck of a lot of work on our routine. I re-vamped our routine to "Espana Cani" that we had used for Heelwork to Music in September. I added a jump that had a decorated fabric panel attached, and the pivot platform sat directly in front of it, toward the judges. It is a routine with a lot of potential. Tessa performs it with enthusiasm and flair! But the choreography was lacking quite a bit of . . . something.
So, I went in knowing that if we did happen to qualify on either day, it would be a fluke, and really - I don't want flukes for Tessa! She has the potential to perform at a very high level and I really do want to develop that potential adequately. Therefore, my goal for this competition was not to try to qualify, but to make a respectable effort. I figured that if we successfully made a respectable effort this year, by next June, we should really be ready to be successful at this level.
We met the goal of respectable effort! Even though we did not qualify either day, we came very, very close! We only missed it by two tenths of a point on Saturday and one tenth on Sunday! And while it would have been absolutely heartbreaking to have been that close and to have missed it if our performance actually had met qualifying criteria, it was perfectly fine when I knew that we really weren't quite there yet.
There is one thing that bothers me, though. And it bothers me a lot. While Tessa performed at the level of her training and I am absolutely 100% proud of her, and I agree with the assessment of the judges in not qualifying either performances, I am disappointed in myself for failing to prepare as well as I could have. Granted, I know that my life circumstances right now, which are completely beyond my control, do not allow for me to put a lot of time into this. When I think back on how I was able to spend time training, rehearsing, and preparing with Speedy all those years ago, I long to be able to put in a quarter of that effort with Tessa! I waited a long, long time for a dog with this kind of temperament and now that I have her, it is incredibly frustrating that we have to wing it. She wings it like a pro, but we can't deliver the kind of competent and polished performances that I know she is capable of if I can't put in the time and detail to really do this well.
I know life is life and that there are times when circumstances simply are what they are. I know there isn't much I can do to sneak in more training, and that what I am able to catch as catch can on the fly won't be of the greatest quality. But I really do need to figure out a way to put more into Tessa's Freestyle training. It would be a crime to let her potential go untapped.
And, really, if I am not going to do this right, I am at the point where it isn't really worth doing at all.
I'm not saying I want it to be that way. I absolutely don't. But something has to change, or else we need to give up Freestyle altogether and just focus on Agility, which we can manage to do very well with just weekly classes. Freestyle is not a sport you can really succeed in without a good bit of dedicated and quality work once you get into the Intermediate level.
One competition where I came face to face with the fact that lack of proper preparation will only result in missing the mark is enough. I have no problem with coming up short if we do our best. And Tessa certainly did her part in that regard. But if I can't put my best into it, it is pointless.
So, we are at a crossroads. Figure out a way to put some quality work into Tessa's Freestyle training, or let it go.
I seriously hope a way can be found.
Edited to add - so, I just did something. I am going to try to arrange to rent the training building one evening each week during our break from classes between Thanksgiving and New Years. That's a nice chunk of training time and we should be able to make a plan and get off to a good start during that time . . .
Monday, November 4, 2013
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Dean's Periland
Yesterday's Periland trial gave us another opportunity to see how the "new Dean Dog" would fare in competition.
Although he rarely enjoyed actually competing there, Dean always loved Periland. The grounds are extensive and beautiful and we are allowed to play with dogs who can be kept under control off leash. Also, there is a pond on the property and we are allowed to let our dogs swim there. Dean absolutely adores the Periland pond!
I went searching through my video archives for videos of Dean running at Periland and did find a couple. This was a Level 1 Standard run. It isn't bad, but I can tell he's stressed.
Note the "scrunched up" position on the start line, the inability to hold the start line stay, the fact that I never have him go back and re-do a jump he skipped (that would have shut him down!), how I have to hover near many of the jumps as he takes them, and if you are really observant, you can catch his glance at the crowd at the very end and see him stress because of it.
In this one, complements of a friend who took the video and put it on her youtube, he tries to turn and leave before we even start!
He does turn and go into the course with me, but not because he particularly wants to. He does take jumps, which I, again, have to hover near, I manage to work him through it, but in some ways I am doing more work than he is! And then . . . the teeter at the end . . . He was actually not supposed to take that. I know that from my line that it looks like I sent him to it, but I really didn't intend to. That was his first competition teeter attempt. The first of four throughout his life. That fly-off was clearly not pleasant for him.
And there have been many, many more runs where he stressed, disengaged, and liked everything else about Periland much, much more than he liked the actual Agility! Still, he has always loved the place.
Dean's version of fun at Periland . . .
So, as we drove onto the grounds, Dean went to the window in anticipation! He hasn't been there in ages. When the sight that he expected did not appear, he seemed slightly confused! The building must have seemed strange to him. His excitement diminished slightly but he was still very clearly eager to get out of the car and get to enjoying himself!
We got there much earlier than we needed to be there, so I had plenty of time to unpack, get a crate area set up, and then take both of them for a short walk on the grounds. Dean was very, very interested in sniffing out there, but that was perfectly appropriate and I gave both of them a good bit of time to explore.
I also brought them in for a while during a class when there would not be a teeter banging, and I gave them their Kongs so Dean could settle into the building a bit. He generally does not do well performing in brand new buildings and, of course, he has no idea that this building is actually the exact same place where he used to run outside!
After that I took them for a really long walk and then they went into the car so I could walk and prepare for their Standard runs.
I'll admit, I was nervous about running Dean. There were three strikes against us. First, this was a new building to him. I wasn't sure what running in a brand new space would do to his ability to focus on the game. Second, I wasn't going to be able to bring him in and engage with him like I did last week at Bella Vista because the teeter was close to the end of the course and we were going to have to run right in and get to the line as soon as the dog ahead of him went over it. Finally, there was a teeter in the course and I had no idea how that was going to go!
So, I did the best I could and it worked out perfectly. As we waited our turn, I engaged with him right outside the building. Instead of the warm-up jump I used leg weaves and circles and sits with quick little recalls. He liked that and it worked out well.
As soon as the dog ahead of us finished the teeter, we ran in. We were on the line just a second or two after we really should have been, but we got there and it was OK. Dean was focused and relaxed at the start line, and off we went.
From my recollection, it was a run that took some work on my part, but really was an excellent teamwork effort. Dean took everything very willingly and was clearly focused on getting through the course. He did enter the weaves incorrectly (both dogs need serious weave pole review!) and when I had him reset he ran to an off course tunnel. He almost went in but called off at the last second. The judge actually chuckled a bit at that! Then he came back and weaved. His A-Frame was good, but then he went too far around the next jump! But, just like last week, when I called him back to do it, he did so happily - no problems with a re-try! I love that!
Finally, the moment came and we approached the teeter. At first he almost went by it but we stopped and he did it! And afterward, he went on to the last three pieces of equipment - which headed right toward the crowd - confidently and happily!! I can't ask for more than that!
The fact that he has successfully completed a teeter in competition is a major, major accomplishment for us! It means more to me than any title he and I will ever earn!
Our run:
Comparing this to the old videos above, I see so many differences! At the start line, Dean is relaxed, focused on the task at hand, and happy to be there. He is ready to go onto the course! I didn't have to babysit the jumps at all! He is sending ahead very nicely and taking them on his own. He is working as much as I am now, if not just a little bit more! And he is very happy to do so! Even when he got distracted, he was actually trying to figure out what was next on course. He was not just disengaging, but trying to figure out what I wanted next. That is actually one of the qualities that I have always loved best about Tessa and I am thrilled that Dean is starting to do the same thing! Dean is clearly taking some ownership of this game and he is starting to really, really like it. I don't know that he likes competition in particular but it seems that he is starting to understand that Agility at a competition is something he can enjoy just as much as Agility at class. That is more than good enough for me!
And the teeter! Maybe not the world's most beautiful teeter performance, but it was successful and he was not rattled by it at all!
It was a Q, which really was icing on the cake! Now there is no going back - he has qualified in Level 2 Standard so we can't go back to Level 1 Standard any more. But I think we are OK with that.
I wasn't able to celebrate with him much because I had to switch him out of the car for Tessa who needed to be prepared for her run, but after she ran, I took both of them for a nice walk. I would have like to have let Dean swim, but it really was too cold.
I wasn't sure what his mindset would be for Wildcard, although I was anticipating it much more than I had been the Standard run! In the end, he was actually more focused and he did an even better job. Unfortunately, I have no video of his Wildcard run. I actually let him choose his first discrimination. His choice was between the dogwalk or tire. He took the dogwalk! There was one bobble at the weaves, but he got them done and that was a Q, also!
After Tessa ran Wildcard, we took another long walk, and I took some pictures. Some of those are posted in the entry just before this.
All in all, I was impressed by Dean's performance. I don't think he has ever been as relaxed and enthusiastic in a new place as he was yesterday.
I am looking forward to doing some weave work with both dogs and to trialing again with both of them on the Saturday after Thanksgiving at Periland!
Although he rarely enjoyed actually competing there, Dean always loved Periland. The grounds are extensive and beautiful and we are allowed to play with dogs who can be kept under control off leash. Also, there is a pond on the property and we are allowed to let our dogs swim there. Dean absolutely adores the Periland pond!
I went searching through my video archives for videos of Dean running at Periland and did find a couple. This was a Level 1 Standard run. It isn't bad, but I can tell he's stressed.
Note the "scrunched up" position on the start line, the inability to hold the start line stay, the fact that I never have him go back and re-do a jump he skipped (that would have shut him down!), how I have to hover near many of the jumps as he takes them, and if you are really observant, you can catch his glance at the crowd at the very end and see him stress because of it.
In this one, complements of a friend who took the video and put it on her youtube, he tries to turn and leave before we even start!
He does turn and go into the course with me, but not because he particularly wants to. He does take jumps, which I, again, have to hover near, I manage to work him through it, but in some ways I am doing more work than he is! And then . . . the teeter at the end . . . He was actually not supposed to take that. I know that from my line that it looks like I sent him to it, but I really didn't intend to. That was his first competition teeter attempt. The first of four throughout his life. That fly-off was clearly not pleasant for him.
And there have been many, many more runs where he stressed, disengaged, and liked everything else about Periland much, much more than he liked the actual Agility! Still, he has always loved the place.
Dean's version of fun at Periland . . .
So, as we drove onto the grounds, Dean went to the window in anticipation! He hasn't been there in ages. When the sight that he expected did not appear, he seemed slightly confused! The building must have seemed strange to him. His excitement diminished slightly but he was still very clearly eager to get out of the car and get to enjoying himself!
We got there much earlier than we needed to be there, so I had plenty of time to unpack, get a crate area set up, and then take both of them for a short walk on the grounds. Dean was very, very interested in sniffing out there, but that was perfectly appropriate and I gave both of them a good bit of time to explore.
I also brought them in for a while during a class when there would not be a teeter banging, and I gave them their Kongs so Dean could settle into the building a bit. He generally does not do well performing in brand new buildings and, of course, he has no idea that this building is actually the exact same place where he used to run outside!
After that I took them for a really long walk and then they went into the car so I could walk and prepare for their Standard runs.
I'll admit, I was nervous about running Dean. There were three strikes against us. First, this was a new building to him. I wasn't sure what running in a brand new space would do to his ability to focus on the game. Second, I wasn't going to be able to bring him in and engage with him like I did last week at Bella Vista because the teeter was close to the end of the course and we were going to have to run right in and get to the line as soon as the dog ahead of him went over it. Finally, there was a teeter in the course and I had no idea how that was going to go!
So, I did the best I could and it worked out perfectly. As we waited our turn, I engaged with him right outside the building. Instead of the warm-up jump I used leg weaves and circles and sits with quick little recalls. He liked that and it worked out well.
As soon as the dog ahead of us finished the teeter, we ran in. We were on the line just a second or two after we really should have been, but we got there and it was OK. Dean was focused and relaxed at the start line, and off we went.
From my recollection, it was a run that took some work on my part, but really was an excellent teamwork effort. Dean took everything very willingly and was clearly focused on getting through the course. He did enter the weaves incorrectly (both dogs need serious weave pole review!) and when I had him reset he ran to an off course tunnel. He almost went in but called off at the last second. The judge actually chuckled a bit at that! Then he came back and weaved. His A-Frame was good, but then he went too far around the next jump! But, just like last week, when I called him back to do it, he did so happily - no problems with a re-try! I love that!
Finally, the moment came and we approached the teeter. At first he almost went by it but we stopped and he did it! And afterward, he went on to the last three pieces of equipment - which headed right toward the crowd - confidently and happily!! I can't ask for more than that!
The fact that he has successfully completed a teeter in competition is a major, major accomplishment for us! It means more to me than any title he and I will ever earn!
Our run:
Comparing this to the old videos above, I see so many differences! At the start line, Dean is relaxed, focused on the task at hand, and happy to be there. He is ready to go onto the course! I didn't have to babysit the jumps at all! He is sending ahead very nicely and taking them on his own. He is working as much as I am now, if not just a little bit more! And he is very happy to do so! Even when he got distracted, he was actually trying to figure out what was next on course. He was not just disengaging, but trying to figure out what I wanted next. That is actually one of the qualities that I have always loved best about Tessa and I am thrilled that Dean is starting to do the same thing! Dean is clearly taking some ownership of this game and he is starting to really, really like it. I don't know that he likes competition in particular but it seems that he is starting to understand that Agility at a competition is something he can enjoy just as much as Agility at class. That is more than good enough for me!
And the teeter! Maybe not the world's most beautiful teeter performance, but it was successful and he was not rattled by it at all!
It was a Q, which really was icing on the cake! Now there is no going back - he has qualified in Level 2 Standard so we can't go back to Level 1 Standard any more. But I think we are OK with that.
I wasn't able to celebrate with him much because I had to switch him out of the car for Tessa who needed to be prepared for her run, but after she ran, I took both of them for a nice walk. I would have like to have let Dean swim, but it really was too cold.
I wasn't sure what his mindset would be for Wildcard, although I was anticipating it much more than I had been the Standard run! In the end, he was actually more focused and he did an even better job. Unfortunately, I have no video of his Wildcard run. I actually let him choose his first discrimination. His choice was between the dogwalk or tire. He took the dogwalk! There was one bobble at the weaves, but he got them done and that was a Q, also!
After Tessa ran Wildcard, we took another long walk, and I took some pictures. Some of those are posted in the entry just before this.
All in all, I was impressed by Dean's performance. I don't think he has ever been as relaxed and enthusiastic in a new place as he was yesterday.
I am looking forward to doing some weave work with both dogs and to trialing again with both of them on the Saturday after Thanksgiving at Periland!
3rd Adoption Anniversary
Excerpt from an email dated 10/26/2010 to the director at Glen Highland Farm, for whom we were fostering Tessa (then called Sadie)
Subject: Sadie
I was wondering if you might consider letting us adopt Sadie.
Honestly, I've had a very strong connection with her since the ride home the day I picked her up. But over the last couple of weeks, that has only grown stronger. I've known it would be tough to let her go, but now I honestly don't know how I could.
I was surprised that Ben would even consider it, but he actually suggested it to me before I suggested it to him. He has grown quite attached to her, too. She hasn't quite bonded with him as much as she has with me, but she does fine with him and I have no doubt that will come.
She fits in with everyone - even Speedy has not minded her in the least. She often snuggles up to Maddie or Dean. She doesn't bother Sammie, and she seems to understand Speedy just fine. Outside Sadie follows Maddie everywhere she goes and the two of them have been very companionable.
I don't know if she has the makings of a sport partner, but I would never push her beyond what she is comfortable doing. Of course, I would train her, but I would let her lead the way - as I have with Speedy and Dean - as far as competition and so forth. But I have to say it - she would make a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful little dancer! That would take time to cultivate, but I can see her loving it once she gets there. And watching her blossom into a confident dog is going to be one amazing ride.
We named her Tessa after Speedy's beautiful Border Collie mother, whose name was Tess.
On that first day I took her for a walk out on the road in front of the house - just the two of us. And while that might sound just perfect . . . at that point Tessa was terrified to leave the safety of the house and yard! She did not really enjoy that walk, except for the hot dog pieces that I gave her along the way!
But on that walk I promised her that I was going to do everything I could to show her that the world is a good place. I hoped that a time would come when she would no longer cower when out and about in the world, but walk, head held high, enjoying the sights and sounds of every place we would explore.
Yesterday at Periland, Tessa had a great time running and she earned two Q's - one in Level 3 Standard and one in Level 3 Wildcard. As always, she was fast, fun, and dependable out there. But my favorite part of the day was walking with her and Dean on the grounds. It was a beautiful day and we walked and they sniffed and explored and we all enjoyed being out there together.
Finding joy in life is Tessa's greatest accomplishment.
Some photos from our day yesterday . . .
Those hay bales that I love to see and photograph!!
Dean Dog checking on out a bit more closely!
Tessa was in a very playful mood as I tried to get them to pose for a photo!! I think I actually like her version better!
Tessa . . .
Enjoying the grounds . . .
Some indoor crate time. They share a crate so nicely!
And last, but not least - Tessa's two runs . . .
Happy 3rd Anniversary, Tessa! Here's hoping we have many, many, many, many more to celebrate!
Subject: Sadie
I was wondering if you might consider letting us adopt Sadie.
Honestly, I've had a very strong connection with her since the ride home the day I picked her up. But over the last couple of weeks, that has only grown stronger. I've known it would be tough to let her go, but now I honestly don't know how I could.
I was surprised that Ben would even consider it, but he actually suggested it to me before I suggested it to him. He has grown quite attached to her, too. She hasn't quite bonded with him as much as she has with me, but she does fine with him and I have no doubt that will come.
She fits in with everyone - even Speedy has not minded her in the least. She often snuggles up to Maddie or Dean. She doesn't bother Sammie, and she seems to understand Speedy just fine. Outside Sadie follows Maddie everywhere she goes and the two of them have been very companionable.
I don't know if she has the makings of a sport partner, but I would never push her beyond what she is comfortable doing. Of course, I would train her, but I would let her lead the way - as I have with Speedy and Dean - as far as competition and so forth. But I have to say it - she would make a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful little dancer! That would take time to cultivate, but I can see her loving it once she gets there. And watching her blossom into a confident dog is going to be one amazing ride.
We named her Tessa after Speedy's beautiful Border Collie mother, whose name was Tess.
On that first day I took her for a walk out on the road in front of the house - just the two of us. And while that might sound just perfect . . . at that point Tessa was terrified to leave the safety of the house and yard! She did not really enjoy that walk, except for the hot dog pieces that I gave her along the way!
But on that walk I promised her that I was going to do everything I could to show her that the world is a good place. I hoped that a time would come when she would no longer cower when out and about in the world, but walk, head held high, enjoying the sights and sounds of every place we would explore.
Yesterday at Periland, Tessa had a great time running and she earned two Q's - one in Level 3 Standard and one in Level 3 Wildcard. As always, she was fast, fun, and dependable out there. But my favorite part of the day was walking with her and Dean on the grounds. It was a beautiful day and we walked and they sniffed and explored and we all enjoyed being out there together.
Finding joy in life is Tessa's greatest accomplishment.
Some photos from our day yesterday . . .
Those hay bales that I love to see and photograph!!
Dean Dog checking on out a bit more closely!
Tessa was in a very playful mood as I tried to get them to pose for a photo!! I think I actually like her version better!
Tessa . . .
Enjoying the grounds . . .
Some indoor crate time. They share a crate so nicely!
And last, but not least - Tessa's two runs . . .
Happy 3rd Anniversary, Tessa! Here's hoping we have many, many, many, many more to celebrate!
Friday, October 25, 2013
Dean's Big Day! (Part 2)
After Dean's Jumpers run I was ecstatic! What we had out in that ring together - I have waited a very, very, very, very, very long time for that!
I was excited to go back into the ring with him to run Fullhouse. He went in with the same attitude and we were ready to go!
Again, I made some handling errors. I should have waited for him at the tunnel to create a clear line to the jump combo in the other corner. I also should have taken him around the perimeter to the yellow curved tunnel instead of the straight one down the middle.
But, no matter! He had the attitude I was hoping for, we had fun, and he actually did earn another Q!
I was especially pleased that he didn't seem to care at all about the buzzer.
In the years since we started, CPE Agility has become much more noise-phobic dog friendly. There are very few whistles anymore. The buzzers aren't very loud or sharp and Dean doesn't seem to care about them at all. The teeters have gotten much quieter with a bit of rubber cushion where the teeter hits the floor.
After Dean, Tessa had a turn on the Fullhouse course. Dean had run twice since her first run and she was full of attitude! She ran the course like a little pro! The run was flawless!!
The very last jump was a gift to her. I saw that she wanted to take it, so I sent her over!
Love my girl!
Tessa walked away from the weekend with two Level 3 Q's. Her final one needed in Jumpers and her second for Fullhouse. One more Fullhouse and we will finish our first Level 3 Title!
Dean earned two Q's - Level 2 Jumpers and Level 2 Fullhouse. And I guess Dean and I are back in the game.
We are competing tomorrow at Periland - in Standard! I am going to see what Dean does with a teeter in competition!
Stay tuned!
I was excited to go back into the ring with him to run Fullhouse. He went in with the same attitude and we were ready to go!
Again, I made some handling errors. I should have waited for him at the tunnel to create a clear line to the jump combo in the other corner. I also should have taken him around the perimeter to the yellow curved tunnel instead of the straight one down the middle.
But, no matter! He had the attitude I was hoping for, we had fun, and he actually did earn another Q!
I was especially pleased that he didn't seem to care at all about the buzzer.
In the years since we started, CPE Agility has become much more noise-phobic dog friendly. There are very few whistles anymore. The buzzers aren't very loud or sharp and Dean doesn't seem to care about them at all. The teeters have gotten much quieter with a bit of rubber cushion where the teeter hits the floor.
After Dean, Tessa had a turn on the Fullhouse course. Dean had run twice since her first run and she was full of attitude! She ran the course like a little pro! The run was flawless!!
The very last jump was a gift to her. I saw that she wanted to take it, so I sent her over!
Love my girl!
Tessa walked away from the weekend with two Level 3 Q's. Her final one needed in Jumpers and her second for Fullhouse. One more Fullhouse and we will finish our first Level 3 Title!
Dean earned two Q's - Level 2 Jumpers and Level 2 Fullhouse. And I guess Dean and I are back in the game.
We are competing tomorrow at Periland - in Standard! I am going to see what Dean does with a teeter in competition!
Stay tuned!
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Dean's Big Day!!! (Part One)
This past Saturday was the big day! The day I have been awaiting for a very, very long time!
On Saturday it was finally time to take the "new Dean Dog" into Agility competition to see how much of his attitude in classes and at home would carry over. I was not disappointed!
Dean, Tessa, and I went to a CPE trial hosted by Rocky Creek Agility. We were signed up for Jumpers and Fullhouse, Dean in Level 2 for both, and Tessa in Level 3.
When I got there, I set up, walked Tessa's Jumpers course, gave each dog a walk and then brought Tessa into the building. I left Dean in the car until after Tessa's first run so I could focus entirely on her.
Tessa did well. I have no video of that first run. She got a little distracted by the second jump. There were two or three ring crew people sitting right near it. It seemed like a huge mob of people to me, but it probably was only two!
She hesitated and came off the jump, but I sent her back over it and she took it, so no problem. She ran nicely through a tunnel and then up the middle. I choked on a rear cross attempt and paused and swung her from my right to left side! I was off kilter with myself and didn't have the confidence to attempt it. Then, after another jump, Tessa turned as if I was doing a rear cross (odd), but she turned in the right direction and the rest of the course went off without a hitch.
I felt disjointed, but Tessa held with me through it (of course!) and we did pull of the Q. Sometimes it's not pretty, but it gets done!
I'm not sure if I was just a little distracted by my excitement over Dean or if Tessa's hesitation by the people got me out of whack, but it was what it was and in the end it was fine.
After Tessa had some time in her crate and some treats, I went out and got Dean. I took both of them for a walk on the grounds and then I brought them in so Dean could be in the building for a bit.
One thing I LOVE! This facility put in new flooring last spring and they went with green turf. If the jump bars fall out on the floor, you don't hear them at all! So, Dean could be in the building and I didn't have to worry about him getting fixated on falling bars!
It wasn't long before it was time to set up for the next class, so I put Tessa out in the car and spent some time alone with Dean. We did the engagement exercise from Bridging the Gap in the practice jump area! Oh, he was ON! Focused, excited, and just happy - so happy to be there!
Dean had none of his usual trial worries! It was an absolute delight! After we did our engagement and jump warm up, we hung out by his crate and he teased me to give him treats, chiefly by making goofy faces, which I happily gave him!
I left him in the crate while I went out to walk. When I returned, I was surprised to find I had forgotten to zip the crate up! Dean hung out in it happily in spite of that!
Finally, it was our time to run. Dean was a little distracted as we waited in the hole and on deck, but he was not worried about anything - just curious. But once we went in, he was completely focused!
It was the first time - ever - that I have walked into a competition ring with Dean without treats or a toy on me and was not worried about that fact in the least! I knew we were connected and I didn't need them to hold his focus!
The run itself was not flawless. I made two handling mistakes and pushed Dean off of jumps. But, he came back to take them happily. That is major progress! In the past, I could never ask him to retry jumps because he would get stressed and shut down! Now he was just like, "Again! Woohoooooo!!". I think that comes from our Obility work where he would do different things with the fly posts and jumps. Going back to do something else with it is just something we do - no big deal!
That said, it will always be one of my most favorite and memorable Agility runs ever! Dean was relaxed and happy in the ring. He wanted to be there! He wasn't concerned about anything and was happy to work with me as a team!
He was the Dean Dog I have always wanted in the competition ring! The run actually felt like it lasted about 2 minutes and I would have savored more time than that out there with him. In reality, it was only about 40 seconds!
I do have a video:
My absolute favorite part of this is the last two jumps! The hardest part of the course for Dean has always been the part that turns back toward the people. He has mentally frozen there time and time again.
Not this time! He was confident, eager, and maybe even in the mood to show off a little!
This was one of those moments that make it all worthwhile! All of the work, all of the tries that didn't pan out, all of the quitting and trying again!
At least for one day, Dean and I were a team out there! I will savor this for a very, very long time!
To be continued . . .
On Saturday it was finally time to take the "new Dean Dog" into Agility competition to see how much of his attitude in classes and at home would carry over. I was not disappointed!
Dean, Tessa, and I went to a CPE trial hosted by Rocky Creek Agility. We were signed up for Jumpers and Fullhouse, Dean in Level 2 for both, and Tessa in Level 3.
When I got there, I set up, walked Tessa's Jumpers course, gave each dog a walk and then brought Tessa into the building. I left Dean in the car until after Tessa's first run so I could focus entirely on her.
Tessa did well. I have no video of that first run. She got a little distracted by the second jump. There were two or three ring crew people sitting right near it. It seemed like a huge mob of people to me, but it probably was only two!
She hesitated and came off the jump, but I sent her back over it and she took it, so no problem. She ran nicely through a tunnel and then up the middle. I choked on a rear cross attempt and paused and swung her from my right to left side! I was off kilter with myself and didn't have the confidence to attempt it. Then, after another jump, Tessa turned as if I was doing a rear cross (odd), but she turned in the right direction and the rest of the course went off without a hitch.
I felt disjointed, but Tessa held with me through it (of course!) and we did pull of the Q. Sometimes it's not pretty, but it gets done!
I'm not sure if I was just a little distracted by my excitement over Dean or if Tessa's hesitation by the people got me out of whack, but it was what it was and in the end it was fine.
After Tessa had some time in her crate and some treats, I went out and got Dean. I took both of them for a walk on the grounds and then I brought them in so Dean could be in the building for a bit.
One thing I LOVE! This facility put in new flooring last spring and they went with green turf. If the jump bars fall out on the floor, you don't hear them at all! So, Dean could be in the building and I didn't have to worry about him getting fixated on falling bars!
It wasn't long before it was time to set up for the next class, so I put Tessa out in the car and spent some time alone with Dean. We did the engagement exercise from Bridging the Gap in the practice jump area! Oh, he was ON! Focused, excited, and just happy - so happy to be there!
Dean had none of his usual trial worries! It was an absolute delight! After we did our engagement and jump warm up, we hung out by his crate and he teased me to give him treats, chiefly by making goofy faces, which I happily gave him!
I left him in the crate while I went out to walk. When I returned, I was surprised to find I had forgotten to zip the crate up! Dean hung out in it happily in spite of that!
Finally, it was our time to run. Dean was a little distracted as we waited in the hole and on deck, but he was not worried about anything - just curious. But once we went in, he was completely focused!
It was the first time - ever - that I have walked into a competition ring with Dean without treats or a toy on me and was not worried about that fact in the least! I knew we were connected and I didn't need them to hold his focus!
The run itself was not flawless. I made two handling mistakes and pushed Dean off of jumps. But, he came back to take them happily. That is major progress! In the past, I could never ask him to retry jumps because he would get stressed and shut down! Now he was just like, "Again! Woohoooooo!!". I think that comes from our Obility work where he would do different things with the fly posts and jumps. Going back to do something else with it is just something we do - no big deal!
That said, it will always be one of my most favorite and memorable Agility runs ever! Dean was relaxed and happy in the ring. He wanted to be there! He wasn't concerned about anything and was happy to work with me as a team!
He was the Dean Dog I have always wanted in the competition ring! The run actually felt like it lasted about 2 minutes and I would have savored more time than that out there with him. In reality, it was only about 40 seconds!
I do have a video:
My absolute favorite part of this is the last two jumps! The hardest part of the course for Dean has always been the part that turns back toward the people. He has mentally frozen there time and time again.
Not this time! He was confident, eager, and maybe even in the mood to show off a little!
This was one of those moments that make it all worthwhile! All of the work, all of the tries that didn't pan out, all of the quitting and trying again!
At least for one day, Dean and I were a team out there! I will savor this for a very, very long time!
To be continued . . .
Friday, October 18, 2013
Excuses . . . or Facing Reality?
I often hear trainers lament the "excuses" that people make for why their dogs struggle in training or in competition ring performance. "Train, don't complain" is the new catchphrase that is intended to snap people out of making "excuses" for their dogs.
Granted, we all do make excuses at times. I know I did that with Maddie in a big way when she first came to us. I saw her as a poor, abandoned, second hand dog who had been damaged beyond repair and who could never become the dog she "would have been". I didn't train with her at first because I thought she was too broken to be able to learn well and enjoy it.
Looking back, I was making excuses for her. That said, I would say there was more ignorance (on my part) at the root of that attitude. I honestly didn't know that Maddie was far more resilient than I realized and that she had the potential to become an enthusiastic and solid performance partner. Once I did come to understand that Maddie was not nearly as broken as I thought, we started training together and we shared some very good years together.
On the other hand, there have been occasions where I have been directly accused of making excuses when that is really not what is happening. Dean's noise phobia and anxiety disorder are realities. Believe me, if I really could make them disappear through positive thinking on my part, it would have been done a long time ago! If training could have "fixed" Dean, it would have happened.
I have made many training and performance decisions for Dean based on these two realities. While some would call that "making excuses", I consider it to be doing what is truly best for the individual dog. There is absolutely no reason, for example, why I should force Dean to sit in a crate in a room where a teeter is banging over and over when it would, in fact, shut him down completely. I am not talking about some mild avoidance when I say "shut down". I am talking about hyperventilating, shaking, pupils dilated, drooling, completely frozen "shut down". Not when he can hang out in the car with his "Through a Dog's Ear" CD playing and be happy as a clam. That is not "making excuses" it is finding good ways to make it work!
It is a fact that dogs are individuals. As individuals they come with their own strengths, weaknesses, talents, issues, preferences, dislikes, perfections, and foibles. Often training can bring out the best in the dog and diminish what is not desired. But sometimes . . . the dog is who he or she is and there are things that have to be accepted before any progress can be made.
When I look at where Dean is right now, I see that we got here because I made the decision to allow Dean to be Dean. I no longer try vainly to shove the round peg that he is into the square hole that I want filled. I found things for Dean to do that he can truly enjoy and we pursued them for the sake of his amusement! He is still delighted every time I send him around "fly posts" in the yard when we are out playing! He loves working on the pivots and laterals and backing and the new skills that we work on for Rally FrEe. We play Agility on his terms, and he seems to have developed a true love for the game. Now that I am doing these things for his enjoyment, he is thriving, and in turn he is more and more willing to rise to the challenges of titling and competition.
In the end, I am a realist to the core. It is simply not my way to not face reality head on and base my choices on the individual dog who is right in front of me. No excuses here. Honest acknowledgment of the reality of the dog before me - all the way!
My motto: "Know the dog you train"
Granted, we all do make excuses at times. I know I did that with Maddie in a big way when she first came to us. I saw her as a poor, abandoned, second hand dog who had been damaged beyond repair and who could never become the dog she "would have been". I didn't train with her at first because I thought she was too broken to be able to learn well and enjoy it.
Looking back, I was making excuses for her. That said, I would say there was more ignorance (on my part) at the root of that attitude. I honestly didn't know that Maddie was far more resilient than I realized and that she had the potential to become an enthusiastic and solid performance partner. Once I did come to understand that Maddie was not nearly as broken as I thought, we started training together and we shared some very good years together.
On the other hand, there have been occasions where I have been directly accused of making excuses when that is really not what is happening. Dean's noise phobia and anxiety disorder are realities. Believe me, if I really could make them disappear through positive thinking on my part, it would have been done a long time ago! If training could have "fixed" Dean, it would have happened.
I have made many training and performance decisions for Dean based on these two realities. While some would call that "making excuses", I consider it to be doing what is truly best for the individual dog. There is absolutely no reason, for example, why I should force Dean to sit in a crate in a room where a teeter is banging over and over when it would, in fact, shut him down completely. I am not talking about some mild avoidance when I say "shut down". I am talking about hyperventilating, shaking, pupils dilated, drooling, completely frozen "shut down". Not when he can hang out in the car with his "Through a Dog's Ear" CD playing and be happy as a clam. That is not "making excuses" it is finding good ways to make it work!
It is a fact that dogs are individuals. As individuals they come with their own strengths, weaknesses, talents, issues, preferences, dislikes, perfections, and foibles. Often training can bring out the best in the dog and diminish what is not desired. But sometimes . . . the dog is who he or she is and there are things that have to be accepted before any progress can be made.
When I look at where Dean is right now, I see that we got here because I made the decision to allow Dean to be Dean. I no longer try vainly to shove the round peg that he is into the square hole that I want filled. I found things for Dean to do that he can truly enjoy and we pursued them for the sake of his amusement! He is still delighted every time I send him around "fly posts" in the yard when we are out playing! He loves working on the pivots and laterals and backing and the new skills that we work on for Rally FrEe. We play Agility on his terms, and he seems to have developed a true love for the game. Now that I am doing these things for his enjoyment, he is thriving, and in turn he is more and more willing to rise to the challenges of titling and competition.
In the end, I am a realist to the core. It is simply not my way to not face reality head on and base my choices on the individual dog who is right in front of me. No excuses here. Honest acknowledgment of the reality of the dog before me - all the way!
My motto: "Know the dog you train"
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Strange Dream
I had the strangest dream two nights ago. We were all down at the Outer Banks - Sammie, Speedy, Dean Dog, and Tessa were with us, and we were doing things and having a great time. And then, when we were outside the cottage where we stay, I suddenly thought, "we forgot Maddie!" Here we had been running around without her the whole time and I had completely forgotten her.
I went into the cottage and I found her stuck inside a pull out sofa bed (which isn't actually there). She jumped out, wiggling and wagging, and we went out to the yard and she and Dean ran around and around and around. I thought it was so nice for Dean because he hasn't had anyone to do that with since she died.
Somehow in the dream I knew it wasn't real, but it sort of was. It was just . . . odd.
One might say that maybe I feel guilty because I've forgotten about her, but I really haven't. I think of her just about every day. I don't dwell on it, but I often smile over something she used to do or something she used to love. Sometimes Tessa reminds me of her. I always joke that in those last months they were together, Maddie told Tessa all of her secrets!! Of course the two of them are very different, but they have always shared some things in common.
I guess strange dreams are just that . . . She must have been on my mind in particular.
I went into the cottage and I found her stuck inside a pull out sofa bed (which isn't actually there). She jumped out, wiggling and wagging, and we went out to the yard and she and Dean ran around and around and around. I thought it was so nice for Dean because he hasn't had anyone to do that with since she died.
Somehow in the dream I knew it wasn't real, but it sort of was. It was just . . . odd.
One might say that maybe I feel guilty because I've forgotten about her, but I really haven't. I think of her just about every day. I don't dwell on it, but I often smile over something she used to do or something she used to love. Sometimes Tessa reminds me of her. I always joke that in those last months they were together, Maddie told Tessa all of her secrets!! Of course the two of them are very different, but they have always shared some things in common.
I guess strange dreams are just that . . . She must have been on my mind in particular.
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