KELPIE KAPERS: Time Flies - An Update for Nix

It would seem that the old saying 'Time Flies' is true. As you can see it has been a few weeks since I last posted, so here is an update!!

A couple of weeks back (30th Sept to be exact!) our club had their Agility/Jumping Members Competition. Her Jumping run was great. This was Phoenix's first run on an Excellent level course and I was so very pleased with my girl. I have been working hard on keeping her drive and motivation going and it seems to have payed off. Nix took off from the start and was pushing to get ahead, she was focusing more on the obstacles ahead rather than checking in to me after each one, and responded extremely well to my cues (verbal and especially body) although almost too well at times :) A really pleasing run topped off with a first place!!

Agility however was a different story....... Well, I shouldn't really say that. Her drive was still there, even at the end as she pushed ahead for the run home, she got both her contacts nicely, and just loves to power at the table. So why the different story?? THE BLASTED WEAVERS! Yup, they got us. Guess Nix wasn't as well versed at them as I thought :( Aaaarggh. It really is quite frustrating.

Apart from those weavers though, I was extremely happy with both runs. It seems acting like a loon at training, jumping around squealing and making stupid noises while waving 'tuggie' in the air and wriggling it along the ground in front of a dog who is standing staring at you with a look of 'Are you OK?' pays off. Why? Because now I have a dog that will go nuts for her tuggie (except on the odd occasion if she knows there are REALLY good treats around!). She will launch at it and tug like a dog possessed. Thanks to Gina here for her yells of 'Keep Going' from across the training ground as I am absolutely exhausted from all the jumping around and carrying on and on the verge of putting it in the oh-so-easy 'Too Hard' basket. For anyone who thinks their dog 'can't' or 'wont' play with toys. Don't give up. Yes it is hard, yes you will be exhausted, and yes you will provide entertainment for those you train with, but by geez the payoff in the long run is HUGE!! The difference in Phoenix's attitude to work since has been amazing.