Seriously where did March go. Last I checked we were walking at Nymph Falls and the next thing you know we're in April. Time flies when you're having fun I guess.
This past month we have been really busy, trying to get Zoe and I up to snuff with our agility skills. Sassy working on that focused heeling stuff. Zoe really wanted to get out tracking.
Sassy insisted she needed to see what the AIOC was all about. Plus we're in a couple of classes, one for Sassy to get better focus and both girls are working on their dance routines for the Island Fling coming up in June.
So here's what we finished up March with.
Sassy Girl entered in the Open class at our clubs AIOC trial. One thing I know for sure this little dog can do and that's retrieve on the flat. Basically it's the only thing in the whole open routine she did, and I have to say she did it very well. We found out that Sassy really is a shy little girl who wanted to visit everyone (ring stewards, judge) in the ring instead of stay with me. A big improvement from the last time in the ring where she basically just stopped. So we went to our class, cried our sad story, and came up with a solution. Lots and lots of practice matches in our future, time to take this show on the road. Sassy knows the exercises just needs to know she can do them anywhere. Watch for us in the local parks, working on the retrieves, high jump, broad jump and basic heeling. Feel free to stop and watch, we can use an audience, but please wait until we're finished to come greet us.
Zoe is having a blast with her greatest love, AGILITY. Said with special emphasis on the AGIL part. She starts yacking up a storm when we get close to our practice place, even though she's in a crate and can't see somehow she knows where we're at. Perhaps the pump up sessions before leaving the house have something to do with that! LOL. We spent most of March going to some private, one on one, classes. Yes they were a luxury but a necessity as we really wanted to be entered in a local club trial here this past weekend. Our goal with these classes was to improve on our Weave Poles and master that scary old Teeter. So we went to these classes, worked really hard and entered the trial. Only to find out it's not the dog but the handler that needs the extra work! Duh! We entered 3 Standard (Starters) classes and one Jumpers (Starters) class. In the Standard classes we met up with the dreaded weaves and the nasty teeter. First run, only 6 weaves, no problems but Zoe was so hyped she charged the teeter and flew off the end, bad handler didn't slow her down soon enough, no Q but a good time. Second run, 12 weaves, popped in and out 4 times, no Q but did get the teeter! Third run, 6 weaves, on the left side (Zoe's not too strong there) again, poor handling and no Q, but we did do the teeter again! Think we've finally figured that one out! On to the Jumpers class, Zoe was doing absolutely wonderful, lots of air time on the jumps blasting through the first tunnel, then we met the air head handler (me) at the next tunnel. I sent her over a jump instead of into the tunnel, no Q. But we did finish on a high note, tunnel, jump, chute, jump, jump with Zoe going full tilt to the finish! Fun, Fun, Fun!
So today is a quiet day for the dogs, no classes. I'm off to print and mat frames to sell at the Airport art shop.
Thanks to my agility buddy Tara for these shots of Zoe and I.
Conquering that scary Teeter!
Good Girls, Exercise Done!
Thanks to my agility buddy Tara for these shots of Zoe and I.
