Roo had a big weekend at the Jazz trial! He went all by himself, no sister Smudge.
He was awesome!
We started the weekend on Saturday with Standard. For some unknown reason, I moved him up to Level 2. OK, weaves and teeter! Who knew we would have to do the teeter twice???? Well that was just a bit too much for Roo, but he did his best:
The second run of the day was Jackpot. It was nontraditional, but still had a line. We were able to do 2 of the Jackpots!
Next up was Wildcard. Not sure he got his aframe contact, the judge didn't call it!
Finally, we ended the day with Snooker. He did a great job and even did his weaves for the first time ever in competition!
Roo's BBFF (best blue friend forever) Bodie came for a sleepover and like all kids at sleepovers, there was no sleep going on! (My friend, my friend is downstairs!)
Sunday we started with Jumpers. He was SMOKING fast. I made a tacticle error at the tire, I thought for sure I could get in position and call him before he made it out of the tunnel- HA. I turned around and he was already out and over the off course jump. My bad. But boy, he is a pretty jumper.
Next was our WORST run of the day. Except he got his weaves :) I knew as we were coming around the bend towards the aframe I was going to get the tunnel. However, he was really moving and I did not want to check his speed and discourage him (not yet anyway!) So we took that off course. And then Roo took a few more off courses on his own. 5, count em 5, off courses!!! I could not help but laugh. My poor scared dog, who spent the first few months of his career plodding along beside me was off doing obstacles on his own. Can you say confidence?
Eventually we got around to Colors. Roo was not himself, he was almost starting to shadow before his run. In the beginning of the video, you might see me picking up a piece of fur in hopes that is what was distracting him. For whatever reason, this run was more stressful for him. Regardless, we got through it and he Q'd.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
Weaves
He is starting to get his weaves down. On some of these clips, he's starting to get his footwork down. Definitely moving with more confidence. He still misses sometimes (edited that out) but accuracy is improving immensely!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Trailing- 6 months later
So Roo has been playing at CPE for almost 6 months now. Getting his confidence, becoming more competent on the obstacles, learning how to play the game.
If only his mother could get better. Check out this one. Why was my arm over my head sending him into the tunnel? What about the second tunnel? Why the heck would I peel off before he was committed? Who do I think I was running? Smudge? Luckily, Roo is an awesome boy and saved his momma. How about that table? At least I trained that right!
Here's his standard run. The boy has a lovely lead out, why do I just release him? He really does get that, I need to trust him! Can't tell from this video, but he did a HUGE "I wanna be superman" leap off the aframe. Still working on traing that, it will get there. Not that you can tell, but his dog walk contact is a 2 on 2 off!
We head for home and he decides the quickest way out is to avoid the obstacles!
Next is Wildcard. We decide to avoid the aframe this time! I was yelled at when I finished my run by my friend, who pointed out I gave Roo no indication a turn was coming with the green tunnel. I guess a shoulder pull is not good enough with a green dog!
We ended this day with mama's favorite game- SNOOKER. My boy did awesome!
On Sunday, we stated with Jumpers. Ha, for the first time ever Roo noticed the judge! Our start was delayed because the dog ahead of us wasn't yet on leash, so I didn't take Roo off leash. When I did, he went to visit the judge, Carol Thom. I apologized to Carol after, and she was great. She said she would happily take him home!
The next two runs were not caught on video, they were colors and standard. Too bad I was a slacker, because his standard run was a thing of beauty.
We finished the day with jackpot. Gotta love a nontraditional. I am thrilled with his first dog walk contact here, where he runs to the end and POUNCES on the contact. He tried the second time, but falls off the plank. Silly boy still doesn't always know where his rear end is.
All in all, I thought he did really well for a baby, scaredy dog :) Now if we can just get those weaves down, and finish training his aframe, he will be completely fantabulous.
If only his mother could get better. Check out this one. Why was my arm over my head sending him into the tunnel? What about the second tunnel? Why the heck would I peel off before he was committed? Who do I think I was running? Smudge? Luckily, Roo is an awesome boy and saved his momma. How about that table? At least I trained that right!
Here's his standard run. The boy has a lovely lead out, why do I just release him? He really does get that, I need to trust him! Can't tell from this video, but he did a HUGE "I wanna be superman" leap off the aframe. Still working on traing that, it will get there. Not that you can tell, but his dog walk contact is a 2 on 2 off!
We head for home and he decides the quickest way out is to avoid the obstacles!
Next is Wildcard. We decide to avoid the aframe this time! I was yelled at when I finished my run by my friend, who pointed out I gave Roo no indication a turn was coming with the green tunnel. I guess a shoulder pull is not good enough with a green dog!
We ended this day with mama's favorite game- SNOOKER. My boy did awesome!
On Sunday, we stated with Jumpers. Ha, for the first time ever Roo noticed the judge! Our start was delayed because the dog ahead of us wasn't yet on leash, so I didn't take Roo off leash. When I did, he went to visit the judge, Carol Thom. I apologized to Carol after, and she was great. She said she would happily take him home!
The next two runs were not caught on video, they were colors and standard. Too bad I was a slacker, because his standard run was a thing of beauty.
We finished the day with jackpot. Gotta love a nontraditional. I am thrilled with his first dog walk contact here, where he runs to the end and POUNCES on the contact. He tried the second time, but falls off the plank. Silly boy still doesn't always know where his rear end is.
All in all, I thought he did really well for a baby, scaredy dog :) Now if we can just get those weaves down, and finish training his aframe, he will be completely fantabulous.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Baga Head Grows Up!
My mom says I'm becoming a big boy! All growed up. Even though my name is Roo, she calls me Rutabaga, and the Baga and then Baga head. I say call me anything you want, just not late for supper :)
My mommy has been teaching my to play this game called 'gility. I like to play, but sometimes when we go play in something called a trial, I get a little stressed and run away. Mommy has been working to build my confidence, but sometimes things are still a little scary.
This weekend I had a big adventure. I went to my favorite placed, in the world, Sugar Bush Farm. (www.sugarbushfarm.com) to spend the night. When we got there it was all nice out and we play 'gility. Mommy was proud because I play with her and run to try friends up in the yard. Heck, they weren't outside anyway- so it didn't matter! After 'gility, I played in the yard with my sister Smudge. Mommy went to teach 'gility class and then it started raining. There were boomers while me and Smudge waited in the car and it was a little scary. Mommy came and took us into the camper, but she forgot to let me out to play with my friends. She said something about not wanting to sleep with wet dogs in the camper, but I wanted to play with my friends! When the boomers stopped, I kept looking out the window for my friends. All. Night. Long. Mommy kept saying, "Go to sleep Roodles" and I tried, but my friends were up above!
Mommy got up early so I could go up and play with my friends early before we went to play 'gility! She's a good mommy. I got to play with my friend Jiff. Mommy calls him Jiffernutter. There was a dog there named Foster who looks just like me! And he likes to herd dogs, just like me. Mommy said was time for 'gility, so me and sister Smudge went to play.
Mommy told her friends she was a little nervous, because she not want me practicing running out of the ring. We got to play a game called Fullhouse. Mommy and I RAN and RAN and RAN. I forgot to do the double, so Mommy put me on the aframe and I did it! We went to the table where I lied down and Mommy said I was AWESOME! I got some meatballs.
Later on we played Standard. I was really, really scared because someone was firing a gun off in the distance. I ran with mommy, but I kept wandering off and listening to the gun shots. I finished my course, but mommy said I did not make course time (whatever that is) but it didnt' matter because I stayed in the ring. I got some meatballs.
Last, I got to play a game called wildcard. Mommy was worried I would still be worried about the gunshots, but I wasn't I wanted to play 'gility. I did all the stuff mommy told me to, but I liked to go in a different end of the tunnel. So I had to do the A frame again. I was awesome and mommy said it was anothe Q, whateve that is. I got another meatball.
Then I got to go to SBF to play with my friends! They was all there and I did something I never did before. I went 'wimming! OK I did it once by mistake when I was just a baby, but this time it was on purpose. I swam out once and then I realized something. I could dive in the water and catch the ball. It was really cool and Auntie Em and mommy were laughing and laughing at me. We slept in the camper again and this time I slept. I told mommy if she let me play with my friends, I would go to bed.
On Sunday, we went back to play 'gility again. My friend Curby was there. He played 'gility too! Mommy and Aunt Ginny were so excited that we were able to play 'gility right after each other and not try to chase each other.
We played standard, where you have to follow the numbers. Mommy was happy again, although I made sure to stay away from that scary yellow part of the aframe. But I ran with her and that makes her happy.
We played Snooker and I did really good, but the judge made a mistake so I got to run again. I did the same things again, but this time I got further and then ran to the table and then I got some more meatballs. Mommy said we got another Q.
Finally we played a really fast game called colors. We had to start with a tunnel, which my mommy never asked me to do before. I did everything she asked, even spent some time visiting the ring crew. I still got a Q. Not only did I get meatballs, but on the way home mommy bought me ice cream. Mommy said I was a very grown dog this weekend!
My mommy has been teaching my to play this game called 'gility. I like to play, but sometimes when we go play in something called a trial, I get a little stressed and run away. Mommy has been working to build my confidence, but sometimes things are still a little scary.
This weekend I had a big adventure. I went to my favorite placed, in the world, Sugar Bush Farm. (www.sugarbushfarm.com) to spend the night. When we got there it was all nice out and we play 'gility. Mommy was proud because I play with her and run to try friends up in the yard. Heck, they weren't outside anyway- so it didn't matter! After 'gility, I played in the yard with my sister Smudge. Mommy went to teach 'gility class and then it started raining. There were boomers while me and Smudge waited in the car and it was a little scary. Mommy came and took us into the camper, but she forgot to let me out to play with my friends. She said something about not wanting to sleep with wet dogs in the camper, but I wanted to play with my friends! When the boomers stopped, I kept looking out the window for my friends. All. Night. Long. Mommy kept saying, "Go to sleep Roodles" and I tried, but my friends were up above!
Mommy got up early so I could go up and play with my friends early before we went to play 'gility! She's a good mommy. I got to play with my friend Jiff. Mommy calls him Jiffernutter. There was a dog there named Foster who looks just like me! And he likes to herd dogs, just like me. Mommy said was time for 'gility, so me and sister Smudge went to play.
Mommy told her friends she was a little nervous, because she not want me practicing running out of the ring. We got to play a game called Fullhouse. Mommy and I RAN and RAN and RAN. I forgot to do the double, so Mommy put me on the aframe and I did it! We went to the table where I lied down and Mommy said I was AWESOME! I got some meatballs.
Later on we played Standard. I was really, really scared because someone was firing a gun off in the distance. I ran with mommy, but I kept wandering off and listening to the gun shots. I finished my course, but mommy said I did not make course time (whatever that is) but it didnt' matter because I stayed in the ring. I got some meatballs.
Last, I got to play a game called wildcard. Mommy was worried I would still be worried about the gunshots, but I wasn't I wanted to play 'gility. I did all the stuff mommy told me to, but I liked to go in a different end of the tunnel. So I had to do the A frame again. I was awesome and mommy said it was anothe Q, whateve that is. I got another meatball.
Then I got to go to SBF to play with my friends! They was all there and I did something I never did before. I went 'wimming! OK I did it once by mistake when I was just a baby, but this time it was on purpose. I swam out once and then I realized something. I could dive in the water and catch the ball. It was really cool and Auntie Em and mommy were laughing and laughing at me. We slept in the camper again and this time I slept. I told mommy if she let me play with my friends, I would go to bed.
On Sunday, we went back to play 'gility again. My friend Curby was there. He played 'gility too! Mommy and Aunt Ginny were so excited that we were able to play 'gility right after each other and not try to chase each other.
We played standard, where you have to follow the numbers. Mommy was happy again, although I made sure to stay away from that scary yellow part of the aframe. But I ran with her and that makes her happy.
We played Snooker and I did really good, but the judge made a mistake so I got to run again. I did the same things again, but this time I got further and then ran to the table and then I got some more meatballs. Mommy said we got another Q.
Finally we played a really fast game called colors. We had to start with a tunnel, which my mommy never asked me to do before. I did everything she asked, even spent some time visiting the ring crew. I still got a Q. Not only did I get meatballs, but on the way home mommy bought me ice cream. Mommy said I was a very grown dog this weekend!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
How far we've come!
Amazingly, Roo has been doing awesome. So much has gone on these last couple of weeks.
To recap:
March 21st: 1/2 day seminar with Abby Tamber- Start line stays
He was just great. I was so impressed that he did well with new dogs and people and kept his focus.
I learned that sometimes his set isn't as obvious as I thought. When I go, "READY!" Sometimes, it's just a flick of his ears that tells me he's got it.
March 22nd: a full day of handling with Abby. I am so impressed that my little boy did it! He worked all day, never gave up and never stressed out. I couldn't have been prouder of him. Or so I thought.
March 27th: Kathy and I took Roo and Bodie to run throughs at High Goal Farm, the place where he was trailing. the whole point was to get him to work in a trial like atmosphere. By the time we ran it was just us and one other person! Oh well. He did his first run fine, and then watched Bodie. Second time through, he bailed off the dog walk. Was he copying his BBFF (best blue friend forever) Bodie? Who knows. But he would not do the dog walk. Also, he left the ring to go visit his BBFF. It was at the finish line, but still! Bodie was a good boy- snarked at him and Roo came right back!!
March 29th- THE BIG DAY!!!!!!
Roo was entered in one run in his first trial!!!!!
He was just entered in Fullhouse, a game where we get to run our own course.
you can see for yourself how he did:
Not to the uninitiated this might not seem like the best run. However, he stayed with me and did most of what of I asked of him. Not bad for a baby boy I spend most of my day calling knucklehead!
Here is a link to some great photos Barry took of him:
wound up he qualified and took first. OK he was the only dog in his jump height, but still pretty cool.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Roo Trains with Stacy Peardot-Goudy
Yesterday was a big day for Roodles. First we went to class at Sugar Bush Farm
http://www.sugarbushfarm.net/. Then off to Westminster, Vt. for a seminar called "Putting it all together" with one of our favorite trainers Stacey Peardot-Goudy (http://www.cspotwin.com/)
It was a big step for the baby Roo and oh so hard for scaredy dog! It did not help that I left his bag with all his toys and favorite things at Sugar Bush!
Stacey set up this sequence for us to start:
He needed a lot of reinforcement, but he did it! he was much happier going away from the gates where the other dogs were. All in all, it was hard day for him, but he did a great job!
http://www.sugarbushfarm.net/. Then off to Westminster, Vt. for a seminar called "Putting it all together" with one of our favorite trainers Stacey Peardot-Goudy (http://www.cspotwin.com/)
It was a big step for the baby Roo and oh so hard for scaredy dog! It did not help that I left his bag with all his toys and favorite things at Sugar Bush!
Stacey set up this sequence for us to start:
Roo actually had a nice start line. He missed a couple of jumps and zoomed off a few times, but he wasn't bad!
However, when we went up for our second try, something scared him. Who know what? He went over a gate to do his A Frame. It took a lot of work to get him back and happy (and some meatballs- thanks Julie!) but he did eventually do it. Poor Scaredy Dog! Stacey wanted us to practice a front cross and a rear cross on this sequence. He actually did the rear cross on the 8 to 9 the first time through.
Next we went on to this sequence:
He needed a lot of reinforcement, but he did it! he was much happier going away from the gates where the other dogs were. All in all, it was hard day for him, but he did a great job!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Saturday, January 3, 2009
GOTCHA DAY
One year ago tomorrow, Kathy Chittenden from New England Border Collie Rescue, Inc. handed me a sweet little puppy to foster. She said, "I don't think he's going anywhere!" I told her she was crazy, I didn't need another dog. Ha!
1/4/2008
1/3/2009
1/4/2008
1/3/2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
