Monday, December 17, 2012

Kort's Second time tracking

Yesterday I went out to do another bit of tracking with Kort. 
He is so keen on this!! He makes me really excited.  We are still at the short , one track phase right now.  At one point you will see he stops as a dog & owner are walking by, but he goes back to work .  This was AMAZING! I have never, ever, seen Kort not whine & carry on when he sees another dog. We are talking 4 & a half years here of never, but he went back to his track!!!!!
Good Boy ♥

Kort's short lesson......

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Kort Tracking

Finally getting around to write about Kort's first lesson!  He was super keen like I knew he would be.

Things have changed alot since I began with Tate so it was all new for me as well.

In the following video you will see there are 3 scent pads, after the 3rd scent pad is a very short serpentine track. There is food on each pad, the idea is to gently pull Kort away before he finished all the food, this makes him eager & excited to get to the next scent pad . At the 3rd scent pad I have placed a piece of food in each footstep of the serpentine track.  My job was to cup my hand on each step to hold/pool the scent for Kort.  He had to go to each step to get the food, not skip over steps.
It was hard! Kort was really pulling although you can't see it.  Plus it was hard for me to stay bent over that long, my back was hurting lol!

I have to do this for about a month, twice a week.  It isn't as fun as tracking, but I have learned from all my other dog sports , that if you don't take the time to put in a solid foundation it comes back to bite you!! I want Kort to be a nose down, footstep tracker so I will do what I have to,
enjoy the video :)

Monday, December 10, 2012

Tate's Urban Track

Yesterday we did a short Urban track just to see where Tate was at without doing any tracking for over  5 years.  I thought that if he seems to get back into the swing of it I may try for his UTD title next summer, or at the very least just have fun with him & keep his mind stimulated.

The video wasn't the best so I will do a picture video :)

Here is a picture of his track, this shot was taken in the summer obviously, but that is his exact track from yesterday, you'll just have to imagine the snow :)  The blue flag is the start, with the red X being his glove. The pink lines show where Tate tracked.



At the Scent pad......


The first leg, notice the waggy tail :)......


Approaching the first turn which goes left......


Tate went up toward the building before returning back & nailing his turn......


We had to pass through some trees, Tate had trouble here, he kept going under the trees, I had to help him through by pointing to his track......


His track went along side this curb, he went back toward the bushes before deciding the track went along the curb, he found this difficult but kept trying......


Here he is approaching his MOT turn, (Moment of Truth),  it is always on a non vegetation surface & is the last leg of the track. He looks left which is the right way but goes forward toward the signs to make sure......


He comes back to me & circles a bit around me checking......


He stops to look at me for confidence, I encourage him & ask "where is your track? ......


Being a very good boy he sets off again :) ......


He parallels the track a bit wide but comes back to it, I am standing on the track......


On track now , he knows he's close.  We can see the glove but he doesn't , can you see it ?...


Love this shot :) ......


Hurray my glove!! He didn't forget how to open it to get the treats out!
He was so excited, he carried it proudly all the way back to the van.
Good boy Tater ♥



Next post will be Kort's first lesson

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Best Laid Plans

I was so excited for today, it was my first tracking class with Donna since I left Thunder Bay in 2007.  Donna was my tracking coach there & without her help I would never have gotten Tate's TD.

Anyway, everything seemed to go wrong today, except for the actual tracking part.

It started at 8am , I left nice & early to get to Calgary with plenty of time to spare.  I made a quick stop at Tim Horton's for a coffee & breakfast sandwich.  I pulled over before I left to check my coffee as they are always putting sugar in it, no sugar, however, I had a blueberry bagel instead of my breakfast sandwich, ugh!, I had to park, run in & get them to make my sandwich.

Finally on my way, I am rolling along & I notice this terrible smell :(  I look back & Tate has shit in his crate, never in 10 years has this ever happened to him, & he did go before we left.  I had to find a road to pull off safely as I was on the highway, poor Tate had to stand in his crate while I was looking.  I found a road & let Tate out while I cleaned.  Thank goodness I am always prepared with things, I had garbage bags in the van so I was able to throw all the bedding in there.  I had some no rinse shampoo, but it had frozen so I wiped off Tate's feet & bloomers as best I could, I had an extra bed for him so at least he could be comfy.  After about 15 minutes we were on our way. 

Nothing happened until I got to Calgary, I actually had made up some time so I was happy.  Then came the next snag, a water main had broke on Crowchild & the traffic was backed up, like 45 minutes backed up :(  I texted Donna saying I was going to be late. I ended up having to infringe on the next groups class as mine was already half over by the time I arrived.  Donna was awesome & just took things in stride.

Tate did a mini Urban track & did pretty well for having done no tracking in over 5 yrs!  I will post some video later.  He was very pleased with himself for finding the glove & he carried it all the way back ♥

Next up was Kort & as I expected he was very keen, especially because it involved food!  Some things have changed since I tracked with Tate, so I will explain about Kort's first time when I post his video .

After a wonderful spring roll sandwich & pineapple square that Donna made I was on my way. 

Of course that was easier said then done, due to the Crowchild being closed I had to find another way to get to the Deerfoot, after driving around Calgary for over an hour I found a CAA fella in a park, he gave me alternate directions, super! Well, not so much......there were 2 roundabouts that I had to navigate, it took 3 trys, & going out of my way each time, to finally get the right turn , ya.

I was just so tired & so frustrated by this point I wanted to cry :(  I was supposed to go to High River on my way back to see Amanda & Brit in their herding trial but I didn't pass through until almost 5!

The wind was super bad on the way back, so along with the wind rocking the van & the dark, I was getting dizzy !  I had to stop in Fort McLeod & rest my eyes before I vomited !

Finally at home & in my driveway one would think I was home free, nope!  The wind pushed the door as I got out of the van & the corner smacked me right on the back of my head, geesh!!!

So that's my story, I'm glad I'm home, think I'll stay here forever :)

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Real Friends

I got this email last night from Amanda, I laughed & laughed & laughed. It is in regards to the video that was on yesterdays post. I told her that if she was a true friend she would watch the entire thing from beginning to end & there would be a test :)
She watched the video lol!!!!
Amanda you made my night, you are a true friend indeed :)

the test.....

Kort stole the toy
Tate barked
you got their names mixed up
and then Tate got the toy
and then dropped it
and then he walked out to fetch it
and then dogs came and you called Kort
who didn't come
Tate didn't notice the dogs
and then there was frost
and it was cool
there was a park
whore frost. lol
Tate was stuck to you like glue
Eeyore
we watched him pee
and then there was a magpie
and it didn't talk to u
Kort ate a stick
Tate was frosty
Kort stole the toy
Tate beat Kort to the toy
and then they tugged
and Kort stole it
Kort dropped it
and then Tate got it
and then Kort took it again
Tate had a leap of joy when he got the toy (which was adorable!!!!)
and then Kort took it
and then dropped it
and then Tate picked it up
the FAR end of the park there was a walking/jogging thing
and you were annoyed
so you cut through the park
Tate was bored
Kort was fluffy
Kort was eating your shoes
you look crazy
Kort was handsome
Tate investigated the trees and it was oh so pretty.
So Pretty Pretty with no snow
you lost Kort briefly
omg December the first
Tater will be ll in four months
the people. you avoided
I have watched the video this far. and you owe me. big time.
you lost tater briefly
you were close to the playground.
and then you were gone until the lake
there were people fishing
the dogs walked on the ice
Kort had snow on his head
the dogs slipped on the ice again
goodbye Tate
Tate picked up the toy one more time..
the end

p.s Tate looks good!!
P.S.S You are probably known as the lady who never has her dogs on leash...lol
p.s.s.s you owe me.

Saturday, December 1, 2012

December 1st Already!

The boys & I had a wonderful leisurely walk this morning. It was so beautiful with the frost that I brought my video camera with me.  The video is about 20 minutes long so you can decide if you want to watch it all ;)......except for Amanda, she has to watch it from the beginning until the very end as there will be a test :)
I had You Tube stabilize the video, so now the video isn't shakey, but the border around it is, sucky




Saturday, November 24, 2012

Reminising

Today I scanned some old photos of my collie Drake who passed away in 2001.  I've been thinking alot about him lately . Drake lived until the age of 10 years & 9 months to be exact.

When Drake was 10 years & 7 months, he developed Heart Disease, I lost him just 5 weeks later.

Tate is 10 years & 7 months old right now.
I can't even comprehend that fact looking at Tate.  This morning Tate was out running around chasing Kort & having a great old time .  I cherish every single second I have with him, not to say I don't cherish every moment I have with Kort, but you know what I mean.

Ben , my very first collie, lived a full life until the age of 13 years, I always expected Drake to live at least that long, which is why it was so very hard to deal with at the time.

Never take anytime with your dogs for granted, that is what I remember every single day ♥

Remembering Drake, Ch Mariner Storm Ryder Am Can CD

10 years, July 2000

 
 
 
Grooming for the 10 & over Veterans Sweepstakes
 
 
Ready for the Ring :)
 
 
Competing
 
 
 
Moving
 
 
 
 
 
Proud Family comes to watch :)
 
 

Sunday, November 18, 2012

A Promise


Well this weekend did not go as I had planned.
I had hoped for Kort to make his debut back into the Obedience ring after his years absence.

On Friday night there was a Fun Match which I entered.  Kort & I approached the ring after a great warm up.  Kort had wonderful focus & energy until I set him up at the ring entrance.  Immediately his head went down, away from my eye contact, & he looked at the floor.  I left the ring entrance &  played with him a bit, then approached again, after a moment of not looking at me he looked up. 
His heeling was unfocused for most of the time, looking away, at the floor & lagging, even with encouragement, play, & food.  I did not do a full routine.   After the heeling I ran him over the high jump a couple of times just for fun, no dumbbell,  he liked that!!

When it came to the long sit, I left his sight for approx. 30 seconds, went back & rewarded him with a treat, then left again, about a minute later he went down :( 
I quietly went back, got him to sit, then stayed in the ring until the 3 minutes were up.  I praised him & left the ring & did not do the long down.

I decided right then that I was pulling him from the trial.  I made a promise to Kort to never take any of this "stuff for me" seriously again.  If he was stressed then we just would not do it.

Maybe Kort is not meant to be my first CDX/UD dog, or maybe he is & just needs more time & training.  That is ok, he loves Agility &  Scenthurdle, & we are about to start Tracking. 
I have lots of other sports I can do with him.

It is all up to Kort, & I'm keeping my promise to him :)

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Fun!


Well my little buddy Kort & I are finally entered in our first Open Obedience Trial in over a year!
I entered only 1 trial, on Sunday.  I have found out the hard way that Kort is a one trial a weekend guy, any more then that and he stresses. 
I am confident in Kort, he has come a long way in this past year & I'm going in with a positive attitude as well.  This weekend will not be about passing, but about having a confident happy dog in the ring.  Oh, & remaining sitting for the long sit exercise would be a bonus!

Friday, November 9, 2012

Fingers Crossed !!!!

I can't believe that 2 years has gone by since I told Liz I would like to be placed on her waiting list for a puppy!!  It has flown by!

So now the hoping begins.  We hope Cava will get pregnant for starters!  Mother Nature has her own ideas sometimes & that is ok.  I am willing to wait, I know what I want, & who I want my puppy to be from, so if not this time, then next.

Liz from Blazingstar Flatcoated Retrievers, is planning on breeding Cava & Tinbie as soon as Cava comes in season.  That will hopefully be the middle of December. I fell in love with Cava the moment I met her .  The daddy, Tinbie, I fell in love with the moment I met him as well, I love them both so much!!! 

I actually fell in love with Flatcoated Retrievers years ago when I lived in Thunder Bay.  There were a couple of them in my tracking group, they are funny, & energetic, happy & smart. So, when I moved to Lethbridge & met Liz, I decided, I am getting a Flatcoat, & I'm getting one from Liz.  
They fit my personality so well.  I LOVE my collies, & there WILL be another collie in my life, but I must have a Flatcoat first!

I don't care what colour, black or liver is fine.  In this litter there will be the possibility of both colours.  As to the sex of the puppy. I really want male, but I "might" consider a girl if there are only girls in the litter, or the boys are not show potential.

If all goes as planned puppies will arrive in February & be ready for their new homes in May, sooooo exciting!


This is Tinbie as a puppy, don't you just want to squish him!!!!!......

 
 This is Cava as a puppy......

 
Tinbie today.....

 
 Cava today....
 
 
 Tinbie moving......

 
 Cava moving......

 
 
So there you have it......fingers crossed everyone ! :)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Monday, November 5, 2012

Fun Match

A yesterday's Fun Match Kort was such a good boy! He had his first "quailfying" run.  I had originally posted on Facebook that he got a 183/200, but he actually got a 187/200, I grabbed the wrong dogs score sheet! 
Amanda is a hard marker & does not do favours score wise , she marks it as she sees it, so I was very pleased!

You can see he enjoys Open more then Rally :)


Sunday, November 4, 2012

We Did It!

 
 

On Sat. I drove up to Red Deer with Liz.  It was an awesome one day trip, I got to talk all about Flatcoated Retreivers!

It was also Kort's first time back in the ring since August 2011 when he had his meltdown.  I have worked so hard to bring back the old happy, non stressed out, Kort.  I can't say he wasn't stressed in Red Deer, but he was able to work through it & remain focused on his job.  We were rewarded with Kort's final Rally Excellent leg to give him his title & a pretty good score of 93/100! 
In the video you will see on the back up heeling Kort wraps behind me, this causes me to step on him , I felt bad but was very proud of Kort for bouncing back & continuing to work for me :)

I could not have gotten Kort back to this point by myself, so many thanks to Amanda for helping me to work with Kort.  Amanda & I don't always agree on everything in regards to Kort & his training, we have had our share of disagreements, but it is finally all coming together  !!

Here is his video from the trial....A very very proud moment for me , how I have missed being in the ring with my buddy ♥

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Cowley Obedience Match

Amanda & I went out to Cowley again this morning even through conditions on the highway were less then desirable! Amanda took this picture out the front window of my van while I was driving......


Kort was a very good boy.  I tried something different today & didn't release him to the extent that I have been doing between exercises.  I was finding that I was loosing his focus.  Today I held his focus by not releasing him, you can't hear it in the video but I was telling him "yes", & "good boy" to tell him he had done well.  This approach works much better with him!
The only thing I am upset about is after his retrieve over the high jump there is a point that I am talking with Sarah, he was looking up at me & I disengaged with him, I should have praised & patted him at that point even while talking.  I know he will forgive me, but it still bothers me to see that I didn't notice.

It has been a long journey to get Kort to this point .  I have struggled with myself over many aspects in training.  I am NOT patient in anyway!!! but I'm trying very hard. 

Here's the video from today......

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Baby Steps :)



I took Kort to another Open Match yesterday.  He started off with wonderful heeling, I was so pleased , I have never had a dog that has heeled as well as Kort :)
He did a great drop on recall, a perfect retrieve on flat & over the high jump , whoo hoo!!!
We are still having some issues with transitioning between exercises.  At this particular building I think there were alot of smells on the ground.  There were 2 occasions where I had to just stop, give him a hug, & carry on.  He is getting better, but we still need to fix this stress between exercises.  I am calling it stress, I "think" it's stress.  At any rate,  he needs to work through it & to trust his momma :)
He loves the exercises, runs out with great joy to retrieve & jump, & he comes running full barrel on the recall, so I know he doesn't hate what he is doing.

Yesterday he walked through his broad jump for the first time in forever!  I listened to the "judge" & took him back to repeat the exercise, in hindsight I wish I had gone back & ran with him over the broad jump before asking him to try again.  His 2nd attempt he did the same thing, walked thought it, drat :(  Then I ran with him & called it done .

The out of sight stays will be the death of us, this weekend he made it half way before laying down on his long sit.  I had told the judge if he laid down to go ask him to sit.  I am hoping this will make Kort think that even in a trial, he will be made to sit up if he lays down, so he might as well do it!  He stayed put on his down stay this weekend though, yippee!!

This morning after our walk I set up my broad jump outside & he aced it twice so that was good.  At least I am confident he knows the exercise.

I am very proud of my Korty ♥ he is going to be sooooo awesome once he puts it all together :)

Thursday, October 18, 2012

5 Years!!!

Well today just happens to be 5 years since we arrived in Lethbridge!
It has been a move that was meant to be, I love it here .

Moving Day in Thunder Bay, Tate got inside the U Haul to help Brad :)......


I miss our huge yard!!!! This is Tate in his yard that is within our yard!......


I miss walking at the Marina, it was a 10 minute drive, we lived right on Lake Superior, beautiful!...


Kakabeka Falls was a 20 minute drive, we went there often, it was a great place to walk!......


As much as I miss home, I would never move back, this is where I belong now, I have made so many great friends,  the kind that I will have for a lifetime, I am very blessed :)
 
 
 
 


Sunday, October 14, 2012

Coulee Walk

Today Kim & I did another butt crunching, thigh busting Coulee walk LOL!
Our partners were Bosley, Kort, & Tate who insisted on coming! 
This time I brought my camera for a picture blog of the walk which takes about 1hr I think, it took longer today because I kept stopping for pictures :)

This is the start of the walk, we are heading for that sidewalk below......


Once down there we go through the wind tunnel :)......


Heading down the first big hill......


The big ass stairs in the distance :)......




The big ass stairs ......


Half way up, I let Tate & Kort off their leashes so I could huff & puff in peace, here the boys all stop to wait for me, all on different levels!......


I pose Tate & Kort while catching my breath !......


Here's the view from where we've come from so far......


There were a few more hills that I missed getting  because I was pushing "off" on my camera, duh!!

This is where we have just come up from......


This is one of our last hills......


This is half way up the last hill pictured, the boys are having fun running around with the ball......



Some beautiful scenery on our way up the hill......




Finally the boys all pose for me, it's time to put the camera away & just enjoy :)
Thanks for the company Kim & Bosley!! ......