Rally Workshop

Yesterday Lync and I attended an all day Rally Workshop.  It was put on by Judy Snowdon who is a Rally Competitor as well as a Rally Judge.
We focused on the new Excellent signs as well as the new Masters Class. Talk about mind boggling!! The new Masters Class is something I won't do.  I would like to get Lync's Excellent title but I am not wanting to go past that.  The thing I don't like is it is now becoming way too strict, much more like formal Obedience.  I love Obedience, but not in the Rally ring.  I feel that is a place where you can relax, talk to your dog if you want and encourage him.  Now you have to heel with your hand up at your waist, no patting of the leg or excessive encouragement. I do not agree with those that are constantly luring their dogs and begging them to work don't get me wrong, but the way it is set up now is just not fun.  Rally is loosing the fun aspect that I enjoyed with my dogs.  I am now rethinking if I want to enter Advanced in a couple of weeks.  Its got me all nervous and unsure if we are even ready to do it.  I know these signs were above what Lync is ready for but is he even ready for Advanced?? We have been practicing the new Advanced signs with success, at home. That's the key word, home. Is he ready for the ring? I'm not sure anymore.  I have a small window of time to decide so we will see.

Play and Dog Sports

I attended a workshop last weekend with Lync.  It was about play and how it relates to dog sports.  I learned so much and now look at training in a different way.
For example I learned that it is I that initiates play and I that decides the time to work, not Lync. As you know if you do not have your dogs full attention, no matter what you do, you are not getting the most from your training session. When it was my turn to show how Lync and I begin a training session it clearly showed that Lync has no idea or didn't want to initiate any type of work.  It's a bit complicated to explain, but I know what I need to do and that is to go back to the beginning and teach Lync to focus on me and for him to beg to work for me!  If I can do this Lync will be a happier more willing partner for me and I will get much better results.
I haven't started my training yet, but I need to set aside time each day to do so.  I have already started this with Ash so I will just add on some time for Lync.  I am excited to see how fast he catches on and how much of a difference it makes in our training as we go forward into the advanced classes.

Walkies!

Today is 19 days since Ash's neuter.  I am going to take all the dogs for a nice run in the fenced in field I rent for them.  With the neuter and the bitter cold snap we had they have not been out for almost 3 weeks.  I have stopped feeling so guilty about that, it used to eat away at me if I didn't take them out.  Before when I only had one or two dogs I walked.  I LOVE walking, however since getting Lync that has stopped.  I can't get him to stop pulling :(  He is so strong and pulls so hard that it is very unpleasant for me and the Collies.  I have tried everything from a halti, to a no pull harness, and in desperation a pinch collar.  He has continued to pull through them all, it's extremely frustrating.  I will know better with my next flatcoat to not allow any pulling , at all, ever! right from when he is a puppy.
I could take the Collies together then Lync alone but whoever is left behind puts up such a fuss barking etc. that I just don't bother, especially because Brad works shift work and is usually sleeping when I am going out.
Anyway, I hope Ash is ok to run, it's almost been 3 weeks so I'm sure he will be.  The last thing I want is for him to bust a stich or something!
Well I better get dressed if I'm going , cheers!

Another Year Over

Christmas 2017

In 4 days we will be bidding farewell to 2017.  It was a pretty good year me and my family, 2 more deaths however.  Seems we have them every year, it sucks getting older.

Anyway, another year at my job , which I love, most days haha.  Myself and Brad remain healthy as do the dogs, touching wood!

In 2018 I want to finish Lync's Rally Excellent title and just maybe enter 1 trial at the National in August for his CDX.  I swore I wouldn't do another outside show but he will be a year older and maybe more mature?? maybe ??!!

I am also going to start Ash in Obedience, I would love to put a CD on him as well as some rally titles.  He would probably make a good Scenthurdle dog as well but I get ahead of myself!

Kort will be 10, who knows, maybe I will enter him in a Veterans class for some fun, he did like the show ring. I will most definitely do another Veterans Obedience trial with him.  So fun!

This year in October will mark the last payment on a consolidation loan Brad and I took out 5 years ago.  Pretty thrilling for us!!

So we have a lot to be thankful for and a lot to look forward to.  Bring it on 2018!

Ash

Ash and his buddy Lync play tug while Kort tries to get in on the action 

Ash was neutered today, I am so so relieved it is over with and he is doing ok. I had him tested to determine is MDR1 status and he is mutant/mutant. For those of you who have no idea what this is google it !

His vet is well read on this condition and I trust her completely.  Ash is the 3rd of my Collies she has neutered. Of course Ash never does anything the easy way.  He was, as my vet put it, scary to anesthetise. When too little was administered he was very agitated. If too much was given he would stop breathing. He was never in danger of cardiac arrest but it was scary. My vet had another vet monitor him while she performed his surgery. She also said if he was ever to need more surgery she would send me to a specialist.

Right now he is resting comfortably with Lync by his side.  I will bring him to work the remainder of the week to keep an eye on him. I know I will have trouble restricting his activity for 7 days. He is also not allowed physical activity for 3 weeks, that sounds like a long time!  Ash and Lync play hard together so I will need to separate them for awhile.

Anyway it's done and over with, soon I will begin training him in Obedience, can't wait!