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!

He's the devil in disguise...

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:

http://www.pbase.com/barryrosen/ad3roo

wound up he qualified and took first. OK he was the only dog in his jump height, but still pretty cool.

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:

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!

The new ball

This is the $2.59 playground ball from Target. It's 24 hours later and still alive:

Christmas 2008

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