Saturday, June 6, 2009
Seeking A Sock Pattern
I am a beginning knitter, but my goal for 2009 was to knit socks. If anyone can recommend the easiest sock pattern I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!
Minnesota weather and the dog show
Most of Minnesota and the surrounding states have been very dry the last couple of years, and really dry lately. Many lakes are showing significantly low water lines. We NEED rain. But why, why is it that we get the wonderful full day constant rain along with really cold air. Its overcast, and really really wet today. Its cold, under 50 degrees, with frost warnings in the top 1/2 of the state. Oh, and did I mention, its a dog show weekend- an outdoor dog show weekend? Well, on the positive side, there wasnt a whole lot of point spending too much time grooming. And the areas under the tent cleared out really fast when classes were done, because no one wanted to stay outside any longer than they had too. And it was fun watching handlers trying to convince these wonderful pampered show dogs that leaving the tent to trot around the ring in the rain was a good thing. (There was one cocker ahead of us who simply put on the brakes and would not move out past the tent edge. The handler had to pick him up, carry him into the rain, to get him to move at all, then the little guy rushed back for cover-even the judge laughed) . Unfortunately we hardly had any cardigan entry today, 2 dogs, Peace and one special. Fortunately the judge did award Peace BW/BOS so we picked up one little point. And she commented on what a nice girl she was, and how she was amazed that she had been able to stay so clean in the water, red mud mess!
Friday, June 5, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
training update
Well, tonight's training was interesting. Siren worked on attention and heeling, and got to do a couple of runs through the tunnel. Nice, short just enough to keep the excitement. Peace worked on walking nicely on the leash- no bulldog pulling. She is still terrified of the tunnel, goofy girl.
Magic worked on drop on recall, and retrieves. He loves retrieves, so we proofed some with tosses way to the side of the jumps, and me moving to the edge of the jump. After the first oops, he did really well with that. But, as heelingis our issue, we heeled around in between and he did well once he realized, no heel, no dumbell.
Grace, well, was the typical Grace. Since I need to work her with some space, and my yard is too small, we walked to a vacant lot with the tunnel, a hoop and a couple of jumps. At first she was very focused, and was working really well. But suddenly as she tends to do, she was gone. She decided to play her favorite game. Chase me through the city. (Note, we had a collar and leash on her because she is not trustworthy, but I dont have any place with fences to work her, so she was easily caught, but I can't seem to train that trick out of the little monster. She pulled it several times at class, too, its her favorite game.) Once I caught her, she went home to her crate and I worked all the other dogs in front of her. She was not happy about that!
Stinker!
Magic worked on drop on recall, and retrieves. He loves retrieves, so we proofed some with tosses way to the side of the jumps, and me moving to the edge of the jump. After the first oops, he did really well with that. But, as heelingis our issue, we heeled around in between and he did well once he realized, no heel, no dumbell.
Grace, well, was the typical Grace. Since I need to work her with some space, and my yard is too small, we walked to a vacant lot with the tunnel, a hoop and a couple of jumps. At first she was very focused, and was working really well. But suddenly as she tends to do, she was gone. She decided to play her favorite game. Chase me through the city. (Note, we had a collar and leash on her because she is not trustworthy, but I dont have any place with fences to work her, so she was easily caught, but I can't seem to train that trick out of the little monster. She pulled it several times at class, too, its her favorite game.) Once I caught her, she went home to her crate and I worked all the other dogs in front of her. She was not happy about that!
Stinker!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Training plans
So maybe if I write down the things I need to work on, we will get to them in the next 2 weeks. And I am going to try to post our progress or lack.
Grace- learn the GO command so she can go ahead of me more than one jump. Also, to the side - her first trial is in 12 days and she is only entered in FAST since we haven't learned weaves.
Magic - Begin teaching a left and a right, continue to work on weave entries, and try to set up 12. Also, start pull training.
Siren - Understanding Stay! Working on attention in lots of settings and a little heeling, making it fun, but no real pressure.
Peace- Attention Attention Attention.
So tonight, Grace and I worked on sending to one jump. She will go maybe 5 feet ahead of me, but not much further yet. We ended our session with a jackpot at the one time she went over the second jump without a ton of coaxing. (Note, she will run with me, I am trying for separation for the send) Magic worked on stay while Grace worked. Both Peace and Rinnie got some attention work, rewards for just paying attention.
Grace- learn the GO command so she can go ahead of me more than one jump. Also, to the side - her first trial is in 12 days and she is only entered in FAST since we haven't learned weaves.
Magic - Begin teaching a left and a right, continue to work on weave entries, and try to set up 12. Also, start pull training.
Siren - Understanding Stay! Working on attention in lots of settings and a little heeling, making it fun, but no real pressure.
Peace- Attention Attention Attention.
So tonight, Grace and I worked on sending to one jump. She will go maybe 5 feet ahead of me, but not much further yet. We ended our session with a jackpot at the one time she went over the second jump without a ton of coaxing. (Note, she will run with me, I am trying for separation for the send) Magic worked on stay while Grace worked. Both Peace and Rinnie got some attention work, rewards for just paying attention.
Heart Award
This is just what so many of your blogs do for me, they make my heart smile. Thank you to my fellow bloggers. Those that post daily, weekly or even infrequently, you all are appreciated.
Enjoy your day knowing that although we may not ever get to meet, I feel that we are already friends.
Monday, June 1, 2009
I have lost my mind
Just in case anyone doubted it. I entered Grace in an agility trial. I have no expectations, but I thought it might be fun for her. We shall see. Wish I had a video camera to record it though. I am sure I will have a lot of laughs to report in a couple of weeks. Surprisingly I guess I no longer mind making a fool of myself. What dogs truly teach us!
On the car note, its not going to be a great dog car-only one crate will fit and that not wonderfully. But it will get me there and it has better gas mileage, so we wil make it work for a while. It might mean though that a dog rides out of a crate.
On the car note, its not going to be a great dog car-only one crate will fit and that not wonderfully. But it will get me there and it has better gas mileage, so we wil make it work for a while. It might mean though that a dog rides out of a crate.
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