tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36873422989666136792024-03-13T12:59:40.211+08:00KELPIE KAPERSThe life and times of Phoenix and Jetzen - Two Working Kelpies in the suburbsEmmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819932369563060754noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687342298966613679.post-21323559703937949912013-04-08T17:18:00.000+08:002013-04-08T18:18:06.736+08:00Perspective<div style="text-align: justify;">
I find it fascinating how life has a way of putting things into perspective for you. This past Saturday was a great example for me.</div>
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So this is how it was ........</div>
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Spent the morning at an agility trial, beautiful weather and great friends around, kids at their grandparents for the day. I had three runs for the day - all 3 were clear, but yet all three left me feeling dissapointed.</div>
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First, Excellent Agility. Clear round, our first pass in Excellnt after almost 3 years - STOKED!! But yet, in that same moment I struggle with the fact that Nix was running far slower than I know she is capable of. (Found out later in the evening Nix won this class!)</div>
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Next, Masters Jumping. Slow to start over the first couple of obstacles, but then Nix picked up the pace and we had a really nice finish to the run - clear round - WOOHOO!! Only to hear as I'm putting the lead on that we were out of time - what the?? :-((( Frustrating again.</div>
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Lastly, Excellent Strategic Pairs - Nix and her partner Chuckles both had awesome runs, super excited. But wait, as I'm going out the ring my dog stops and pees - yup disqualified - heartbreaking. Even worse we were the fastest by far and would have won - aaaarrrghhhh!!! </div>
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So as I sit and ponder my morning, and feeling a little dispondant trying to work out how to produce the same speed and excitement I get from my dog in training at a trial situation I get a phone call... My son who is anaphylactic to bees has been stung by something. In that split second my day changed. I get off the phone and explain whats happened. Before I can blink all my buddies around me are up and packing down my tent, grabbing my stuff and packing it in the back of the car. Others are packing their stuff up to move their car so I can get out. Lots of people saying "I hope he's ok" </div>
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We spent 5 hours at the childrens hospital - but my boy is fine. This is where perspective comes in.</div>
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I was having a "woe is me" day as I call it - focusing on the negatives. But sitting in the hospital I had lots of time to think - Thank god the most important man in my life is OK!! I should be gratefull I had the opportunity to be out playing with my dog doing what I love and OMG what an arse was I - my good friend is sitting next to me at the trial with an injured dog and here I am complaining that I've essentially had 3 clear rounds and wasn't happy?? </div>
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So to the powers that be I say "THANK YOU" Firstly for making sure my son was OK, secondly for the wonderful friends and fabulous agility community that I am proud to be part of, and finally, for putting things back into perspective for me. Clearly I needed a wake up call to say - "Hey you, get over yourself" Never again will I take for granted the simple gifts I have been given.</div>
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So....... On the positive side of the trial - here are some great photos courtesy of Brett Sandells </div>
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Glad that Nix thinks this agility caper is so darn easy she can do it with her eyes closed!!!</div>
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HAPPY DOG :-D</div>
Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819932369563060754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687342298966613679.post-41325862908787774162013-01-01T14:41:00.000+08:002013-01-01T14:41:48.775+08:00Goodbye 2012 - Hello 2013 <div style="text-align: justify;">
Ok - so after several attempts at writing this post, which was going to be somewhat of a long winded highlights of 2012 kind of post, I came across a quote, via Susan Garrett, which really struck a chord with me. </div>
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So to that end this is a simple post with my message for 2013 ........</div>
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<em><strong>"Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be" - Karen Ravn</strong></em></blockquote>
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Wishing everyone a very happy and prosperous 2013. Here's to reaching high, dreaming big and achieving all that we set out to achieve.</div>
Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819932369563060754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687342298966613679.post-64600464174182486842011-12-01T20:05:00.006+08:002011-12-01T20:35:37.450+08:00Getting Back To It!!<div align="justify">Summer is here and its time to get back into training. I have taken the last few months off training and trialling for a variety of reasons, but mainly because there were becoming too many things that I was needing to 'fix' and that is never a good thing! I figured that continuing to trial with performances that were less than desirable was pointless. So we have all enjoyed a nice break, but now its time to get back to it.
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So.... To that end, I have signed up for Susan Garrett's recallers 3.0 course. I had looked at it before but it is not cheap, however I think the time is right to splurge on what is in reality an investment in the welfare of my dogs and those to come. I must say I am very excited and a little nrevous at the same time. I know I am going to learn SOOOO much and that can only benefit myself and my dogs, however, I am a giant procrastinator and time waster!! I'm hoping that to some extent this course will be a good kick in the butt to get moving.
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So what do I am to gain from this course???? There are two things in particular, besides wanting to have a better relationship with my dogs and for them within themselves...</p>
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<li>To learn what I am doing that is enabling my girl to shut down. To that, is building her confidence, being able to help her cope with 'getting it wrong'. I know at times in my training I have made it 'easy' for her thus in the long term creating a bigger problem!
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<li>To build more desire for my boy to think that I am the bees knees when there are distractions. He's great in the back yard (assuming the cat doesn't decide to walk through!) however if there is another dog within cooee I am stumped!!
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<p align="justify">Looking forward to getting the process started. Stay tuned for future progress reports and hopefully some videos to go with it! Look out 2012 </p>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819932369563060754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687342298966613679.post-44969858339790397572011-10-17T15:05:00.032+08:002011-10-17T17:18:08.879+08:00Mud Monster & Other Adventures<div align="justify">So the last two weeks have been school holidays - loads of fun with the kids and some fun adventures too. Well, ok I had to work for 1 week of them but my week off was full on!! Boy can you pack a lot into a week :) The Royal Show, 3 family birthdays, outing to Lower Chittering, and a big reminiscing trip to the outskirts of the wheatbelt, York - Northam - Goomalling (see the old house I grew up in) - Tooday - Home. Not to mention play dates, trips to the park and good ol fashioned cubby building!! </div>
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The dogs, in various numbers, joined us on our trips out to the 'country' - needless to say, and as you will see, they had a HOOT of a time!!
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<strong>LOWER CHITTERING</strong>
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<p align="justify"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IzA7tZ4nDDk/Tpvb_WwytSI/AAAAAAAAATI/Uesbh4tIWkw/s1600/IMG_9704_5.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664362837837002018" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IzA7tZ4nDDk/Tpvb_WwytSI/AAAAAAAAATI/Uesbh4tIWkw/s400/IMG_9704_5.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6DEdIj53Tug/TpvdNTYBcNI/AAAAAAAAATU/39_4VLvhyxc/s1600/IMG_9607_1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664364176957599954" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6DEdIj53Tug/TpvdNTYBcNI/AAAAAAAAATU/39_4VLvhyxc/s400/IMG_9607_1.JPG" /></a>
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So it was just Astro who joined our adventure to Lower Chittering to visit my sister, after all she is currently dog sitting 3 hounds and I figured that 7 in total might be a bit much!! The day was a lot of fun and if the title of this post didn't give away the theme for the day I'm sure the next couple of pics will :)
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</p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R8btcjOy0UE/TpvdefHB8SI/AAAAAAAAATg/QeAZFNv1qWk/s1600/IMG_9627_12.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664364472165331234" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R8btcjOy0UE/TpvdefHB8SI/AAAAAAAAATg/QeAZFNv1qWk/s400/IMG_9627_12.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9g_epvCnd1M/TpvdwcwWEEI/AAAAAAAAATs/L2Mm55nXtC8/s1600/IMG_9677_2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664364780770955330" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9g_epvCnd1M/TpvdwcwWEEI/AAAAAAAAATs/L2Mm55nXtC8/s400/IMG_9677_2.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iUoc6hA5t_4/TpveCtQKu5I/AAAAAAAAAT4/BzmZ2qC5waQ/s1600/IMG_9652_10.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664365094437043090" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iUoc6hA5t_4/TpveCtQKu5I/AAAAAAAAAT4/BzmZ2qC5waQ/s400/IMG_9652_10.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mcq4-6RNwXU/TpveUGYBJmI/AAAAAAAAAUE/HCVi2695OC0/s1600/IMG_9690_7.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664365393238632034" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mcq4-6RNwXU/TpveUGYBJmI/AAAAAAAAAUE/HCVi2695OC0/s400/IMG_9690_7.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rHONEbepzL0/TpvuLeqhsgI/AAAAAAAAAXc/-ShA0SmLojE/s1600/IMG_9689_3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664382837325935106" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rHONEbepzL0/TpvuLeqhsgI/AAAAAAAAAXc/-ShA0SmLojE/s400/IMG_9689_3.JPG" /></a>
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Yup - It was Mud, and LOTS of it!! The joys of being a kid - I hadn't laughed so much in ages!! Not to be out done, Astro had his share of fun in the mud...
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</p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vv_S_MYuEK4/TpvfXoPYlSI/AAAAAAAAAUc/9GL0sFfbRfg/s1600/IMG_9676_1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664366553380459810" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vv_S_MYuEK4/TpvfXoPYlSI/AAAAAAAAAUc/9GL0sFfbRfg/s400/IMG_9676_1.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GTTtdUv69KU/Tpvfk9LOoRI/AAAAAAAAAUo/PhwE6Bz5Wt8/s1600/IMG_9611_4.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664366782338474258" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GTTtdUv69KU/Tpvfk9LOoRI/AAAAAAAAAUo/PhwE6Bz5Wt8/s400/IMG_9611_4.JPG" /></a>
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But thankfully shook most of it off before the trip home ...
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TlYzT4Lsu14/TpvgNydwshI/AAAAAAAAAU0/v93hZnfFSvE/s1600/IMG_9639_3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664367483838050834" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TlYzT4Lsu14/TpvgNydwshI/AAAAAAAAAU0/v93hZnfFSvE/s400/IMG_9639_3.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6ItveYqt6xw/TpvgdP9U8EI/AAAAAAAAAVM/YpXs9bz92zE/s1600/IMG_9640_2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664367749453115458" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6ItveYqt6xw/TpvgdP9U8EI/AAAAAAAAAVM/YpXs9bz92zE/s400/IMG_9640_2.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dtEbJV37FW4/Tpvgc0OXsGI/AAAAAAAAAVA/FNsLXsYIZhI/s1600/IMG_9641_1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664367742008406114" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dtEbJV37FW4/Tpvgc0OXsGI/AAAAAAAAAVA/FNsLXsYIZhI/s400/IMG_9641_1.JPG" /></a>
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<strong>YORK AND BEYOND</strong>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TtXuZUVCCuk/TpvleB3GR9I/AAAAAAAAAVk/ch2qzcC4ovw/s1600/IMG_9740_1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664373260406900690" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TtXuZUVCCuk/TpvleB3GR9I/AAAAAAAAAVk/ch2qzcC4ovw/s400/IMG_9740_1.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vpwELxdgnj8/TpvlI-yWGTI/AAAAAAAAAVY/r-hTphm6WMU/s1600/IMG_9714_1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664372898804406578" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vpwELxdgnj8/TpvlI-yWGTI/AAAAAAAAAVY/r-hTphm6WMU/s400/IMG_9714_1.JPG" /></a>
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Such a different landscape to our last adventure!! My brother has a little patch of land about 20km out of York - his escape from city life. Another day filled with family and fun and this time the 4 hounds joined us. Boy did they enjoy the room to run...
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</p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Elu6R3tF01o/TpvmseEzvQI/AAAAAAAAAVw/r-BGAe8IHVM/s1600/IMG_9792_2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664374608010394882" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Elu6R3tF01o/TpvmseEzvQI/AAAAAAAAAVw/r-BGAe8IHVM/s400/IMG_9792_2.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-24iCh4WdvJY/TpvnMc3BY6I/AAAAAAAAAWI/1lWal2af7tI/s1600/IMG_9772_6.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664375157439947682" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-24iCh4WdvJY/TpvnMc3BY6I/AAAAAAAAAWI/1lWal2af7tI/s400/IMG_9772_6.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YpCAfTKQxCs/Tpvm_Dfef0I/AAAAAAAAAV8/ETSw-Tf6Wb4/s1600/IMG_9770_1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664374927292006210" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YpCAfTKQxCs/Tpvm_Dfef0I/AAAAAAAAAV8/ETSw-Tf6Wb4/s400/IMG_9770_1.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i7_hnYMnWnc/Tpvpjbd41EI/AAAAAAAAAWU/UtQtNW4nFms/s1600/IMG_9813_1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664377751226340418" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i7_hnYMnWnc/Tpvpjbd41EI/AAAAAAAAAWU/UtQtNW4nFms/s400/IMG_9813_1.JPG" /></a>
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Not to mention a rest and a snack...
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X9ZBw3sjAk8/Tpvp0Zjdk1I/AAAAAAAAAWs/CWCCetiY62g/s1600/IMG_9755_8.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664378042770625362" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X9ZBw3sjAk8/Tpvp0Zjdk1I/AAAAAAAAAWs/CWCCetiY62g/s400/IMG_9755_8.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BCmR1aYlbyM/Tpvp0S9UriI/AAAAAAAAAWg/X-Tsonj0mAY/s1600/IMG_9802_4.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664378041000046114" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BCmR1aYlbyM/Tpvp0S9UriI/AAAAAAAAAWg/X-Tsonj0mAY/s400/IMG_9802_4.JPG" /></a>
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And to finish the day, a nice dip and a drink in the Avon River at Toodyay...
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6X5Vp_xRjWA/Tpvq6AyDnII/AAAAAAAAAXA/oMXDsDY3aV0/s1600/IMG_9867crop_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 262px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664379238711794818" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6X5Vp_xRjWA/Tpvq6AyDnII/AAAAAAAAAXA/oMXDsDY3aV0/s400/IMG_9867crop_1.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bQ5HZxwNbtg/Tpvq5xKPc-I/AAAAAAAAAW4/b5zKYgtYn7c/s1600/IMG_9852_1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664379234518266850" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bQ5HZxwNbtg/Tpvq5xKPc-I/AAAAAAAAAW4/b5zKYgtYn7c/s400/IMG_9852_1.JPG" /></a>
And a reminder from the Old Boy that...
<p align="center">
He is STILL the "King Of The Castle"
</p>
<p>
</p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uYfqWPTTtco/TpvrVi91nrI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/-LNwwqUV5-U/s1600/IMG_9877_2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664379711744482994" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uYfqWPTTtco/TpvrVi91nrI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/-LNwwqUV5-U/s400/IMG_9877_2.JPG" /></a>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819932369563060754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687342298966613679.post-65195320124784133052011-02-16T17:36:00.011+08:002011-02-16T19:21:35.225+08:00Introducing ...... Astro!!!!<div align="justify">Ok - So it would seem that I am a bit of a softie :) I couldn't help it - He was just too darn cute!!
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So for the short version of the story....
<p>
Mum and litter of 4 pound puppies come into work to be vaccinated - woohoo, that means puppy cuddles!! One by one we take the pups out of their crate to be checked over and vaccinated, a brown & white boy, a tri-colour girl, a black & white boy, and a brown & white girl - oh so very cute the lot of them. But there was one I was just drawn to - the black & white boy. I just had that feeling he was something special!
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Mum & pups go back to foster carer and I cant stop thinking about the little black & white boy. After a few days I organise for him to come home on foster to see how he fits with the family ....... Well he waltzed into the house like he had been here for years and the rest they say is history!!
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So here he is - The little Tenterfield Terrier mix .... ASTRO!!
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</p></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S5Bf0JSYrjk/TVusYoheQ6I/AAAAAAAAASI/hoWLiQ1oid0/s1600/IMG_7060_1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574238502995772322" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S5Bf0JSYrjk/TVusYoheQ6I/AAAAAAAAASI/hoWLiQ1oid0/s400/IMG_7060_1.JPG" /></a>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ul4jCY3_rmY/TVutTTOqN-I/AAAAAAAAASQ/3oKenYBtWJk/s1600/IMG_7069_2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574239510892001250" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ul4jCY3_rmY/TVutTTOqN-I/AAAAAAAAASQ/3oKenYBtWJk/s400/IMG_7069_2.JPG" /></a>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XJ5m5io9mW4/TVuthp2OeSI/AAAAAAAAASY/fSfy0ffgvx4/s1600/IMG_7201_5.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574239757481703714" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XJ5m5io9mW4/TVuthp2OeSI/AAAAAAAAASY/fSfy0ffgvx4/s400/IMG_7201_5.JPG" /></a>
<p>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-92_FaqCTxAs/TVut-bop3KI/AAAAAAAAASg/tccWwEW-b0c/s1600/IMG_7228_7.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574240251882888354" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-92_FaqCTxAs/TVut-bop3KI/AAAAAAAAASg/tccWwEW-b0c/s400/IMG_7228_7.JPG" /></a>
<p>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XfiRrzvlh8k/TVuuRGVjMeI/AAAAAAAAASo/ZRNRwCa9jGM/s1600/IMG_7465_4.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574240572583129570" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XfiRrzvlh8k/TVuuRGVjMeI/AAAAAAAAASo/ZRNRwCa9jGM/s400/IMG_7465_4.JPG" /></a>
<p>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TSU-PlAER7U/TVuudHydJ7I/AAAAAAAAASw/c3SZsjW6yng/s1600/IMG_7479_2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574240779131234226" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TSU-PlAER7U/TVuudHydJ7I/AAAAAAAAASw/c3SZsjW6yng/s400/IMG_7479_2.JPG" /></a>
<p align="center">
See ... Told you he was cute!!
</p>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819932369563060754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687342298966613679.post-5542857355371701002010-11-26T17:23:00.005+08:002010-11-26T19:03:58.783+08:00Update<div align="justify">Ok so it has been a while since I last updated with the happenings of Phoenix, Jetzen and Co. A long while in fact - eek.
<p>
We haven't been trialling much of late - Life seems to have gotten in the way!! Getting back into the swing of training again now just in time for a big break over Xmas :) Always the way isn't it?! Looking forward to the new year and back into fitting things in around trials instead of the other way round (well.... where I can anyway!!)
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Our last trial this year was the Royal Show. What an adventure. It was Phoenix's first Royal and I was very proud of my girl. She handled the pressure of the environment a lot better than I thought she would. We had one clear round out of 6 and that was in the teams event. Her other runs though still only had one or two faults. For her first Royal I was very chuffed.
<p>
Big thanks to our 'X-Treme' team mates at the Royal too - Graeme & Maverick, Jen & Selby, Bernice & Chuckles - its great fun being in a team with you guys. We managed to get 3rd Place in the Agility Team event too which was awesome!!
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*****When I get then tean photos from Graeme I will upload it here!!!******
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Now the Jetzki!! Well his training is coming along at home - however out and about we are still working on getting focused on me and not everything else that is moving around him!! Ah the joys!!
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The boy is now 18mths old - my how time flys. But stunning boy he is, and oh so smoochie!! He really is the biggesst sook of a dog - loves to cuddle :)
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</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/TO-SX9JCZII/AAAAAAAAARE/hNKiozxlov4/s1600/O22_0110%2Bcrop.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 256px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543810606563484802" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/TO-SX9JCZII/AAAAAAAAARE/hNKiozxlov4/s400/O22_0110%2Bcrop.jpg" /></a>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/TO-TFvIODeI/AAAAAAAAARM/QZg9AW_DVjY/s1600/O22_0132%2Bcrop.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 269px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543811393075940834" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/TO-TFvIODeI/AAAAAAAAARM/QZg9AW_DVjY/s400/O22_0132%2Bcrop.jpg" /> <p align="justify"></a>
<p>
Bring on the New Year - more training, a better yard to be able to train in, (yes renovations in the pipeline) and hopefully trialling with two dogs before the year is out!!
</p>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819932369563060754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687342298966613679.post-37039686683821695222010-07-21T19:39:00.004+08:002010-11-26T19:26:34.452+08:002010 AGILITY NATIONALS<div align="justify">What a fantastic 4 days!! April 29th - May 2nd. Those were the 4 days of the 2010 Agility Nationals held at the grounds of the Canine Association of WA. What a buzz. Ok, so now to break into the memory banks and give a run down of the four days.
<p>
<strong>Thursday April 29th - Day 1 of Qualifying Heats</strong>
Ok - So Phoenix's first runs at the Nationals - Novice Agility. Well nerves got the better of us both :-) No wait at the start line, missed contacts, and from memory a missed weave. Phoenix was very pre-occupied with all the people watching, and went into her scardy dog "I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to be doing here Mum" mode. I'll give her credit though because there were WAY more spectators than we are used to at normal trials, and she tried really hard for me. I must admit I too was a bit in awe of the number of people watching and I don't think I handled Nix in the same manner I normally would. Sorry Nix.
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/TO-XhBqcIPI/AAAAAAAAARU/CN5zWzfei0Y/s1600/Picture%2B067.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/TO-XhBqcIPI/AAAAAAAAARU/CN5zWzfei0Y/s400/Picture%2B067.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543816259954286834" /></a>
<p>
Next run was Excellent Jumping. My nerves were still not under control! Nix ran better than in her Agility run which was nice, but still not at her usual level. She still seemed to be a little overwhelmed by the atmosphere and my being nervous wouldn't have helped her at all. Damn stomach full of butterflies!!!!! Thus no clear round.
<p>
The afternoon saw us attempt Snooker for the first time! I had absolutely NO idea what I was doing - not a good start :-) We didn't get a quallie card but it was a good fun run and I think we both needed it!!!
<p>
<strong>Friday April 30th - Day 2 of Qualifying Heats</strong>
"Get the butterflies in formation and you will kill them" That was the advice given to me in a good luck text before the start of todays heats. You know what? It made a difference. Every time I felt nervous I pictured all those butterflies flying in a 'V' and helping to drive me. Might sound silly but by god it worked!!! It helped Nix too! By me being more relaxed so was Nix. She was fast, happy and more importantly listening to me.
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/TO-YH_Td8aI/AAAAAAAAARc/n01C2S4cERM/s1600/Picture%2B070.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/TO-YH_Td8aI/AAAAAAAAARc/n01C2S4cERM/s400/Picture%2B070.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543816929335964066" /></a>
<p>
So - Excellent Jumping. An interesting course with many dogs getting caught up on the the run home where they sidetracked to a non existent tunnel entry. Dogs were ducking around a sandbag thinking it was a tunnel entry when in reality it was just the side of the tunnel and causing them to miss the jump they were supposed to take. Having watched this happen I decided to modify how I would handle that section and thankfully it worked. Nix ran clear - gained a 2nd place and a spot in the finals - WOOHOO!!
<p>
Novice Agility - Another lovely run. I made sure to pay full attention to contacts and those darn weavers!! Nix wasn't as fluid in her run as she was in jumping but I was still very happy with it - and well I should be. Clear round, 1st Place and a spot in the finals - AWESOME!!
<p>
Games again this afternoon - First attempt at Novice Gamblers this time!! Again LOADS of fun. Wasn't sure how we would go as Gamblers involves a distance handling challenge at the end and Nix would prefer to stay fairly close to me. Well Nix did me proud, we got our required number of points and then managed the "gamble" (distance challenge) at the end - first quallie card for Gamblers - Very cool.
<p>
What a day - 3 Clear rounds, a 1st Place, a 2nd Place and a spot in the finals for both Novice Agility and Excellent Jumping - HAPPY HAPPY CAMPER!!
<p>
<strong>Saturday May 1st - Day 3 of Qualifying Heats</strong>
Still on a high from yesterday and looking forward to todays runs. Novice Agility unfortunately was not clear. Nix had an attack of falling in love with the Rough Collies!! She has an obsession with Rough Collies - Absolutely LOVES them. She spotted her 'boyfriend' Bailey and a couple of others before her run. Hmmmm - I need to do distraction training for Rough Collies. As we make our way around the course Phoenix is looking for the 'fluffy boys'. Very embarrassing when you have a dog waiting on the table looking in the opposite direction to where you are, doing happy body wags as she looks at the boys while you stand there saying "Leave it, leave it" to keep her on the table!! Geez it was funny :-)
<p>
Excellent Jumping - Nix definitely prefers Jumping to Agility. She is faster, more relaxed, more focused and happier (note to self to work on this in training!). Another great run today - Clear and 4th Place. Eligible for a spot in the finals but we were already there from yesterdays run.
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/TO-YwZN7SVI/AAAAAAAAARk/gliS56lMsWQ/s1600/Picture%2B463.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/TO-YwZN7SVI/AAAAAAAAARk/gliS56lMsWQ/s400/Picture%2B463.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543817623486810450" /></a>
<p>
Novice Strategic Pairs this afternoon. Teaming up again with Bernice & her lovely Kelpie 'Chuckles' for some more fun. Having worked out which sections we were each to do of the course we waited for our turn. What a hoot!! Bernice and I were both so pre-occupied with our own little sections that we forgot to watch what the other was doing!! A few reminders from the judge to look at our partner and eventually we got through the course finishing it with giant smiles and a great laugh!! We managed to qualify and even get 4th Place - CLASSIC!
<p>
<strong>Sunday May 2nd - The Finals
</strong>OMG I have never been so nervous in all my life!! Novice Agility was the first final of the day. Nothing else was going on - EVERYBODY was watching. There were rows of people lined up around all 4 sides of the ring. People right on the ring ropes - EEK. This is something we have never encountered before - need to relax - HA! So it comes to our turn. I'm thinking positive thoughts, trying to get all those butterflies working with me. Feeling good. We step up, I remove Nix's collar and lead and it hits me ----- There is dead silence, not a sound. Not only that but as I look up I notice some of the best handlers in the country and they are watching me!! AAARRGHHH
<p>
So I try best I can to compose myself and reassure my Nixy Pix that it's all ok - She's not buying into it! We get through the first 4 obstacles reasonably well, Nix is looking at the crowd and I have to call hard to get her into the right tunnel entry, then we get to the A-Frame. Nix reaches the apex, stops dead and scans the crowd. She's not really that interested in coming down!! We continue on and Nix is in one heck of a hurry to get out of the ring, we miss both lots of contacts and the weavers were less than impressive. Boy what an experience that was.
<p>
I get a chance to chill out for a bit and watch some other fantastic runs before we go into the Excellent Jumping final. Man were there some fantastic dog and handler combinations to watch too.
<p>
Excellent Jumping - I'm feeling a little (emphasis on 'little') more relaxed. I have a better understanding of what to expect and I'm ready to go. The course is nice and we have a good shot at going clear and doing well. Step up to the line, take Nix's collar off and I hear someone call out - I have no idea what they said or even if they were calling out to me. Yet I lost concentration for a second. I return my focus to Nix and the stress has got to her too. She sits at the start line and starts scratching. She didn't do it for long but my god when you have so many people watching you it feels like an eternity!! Dodgy handler returns and I did the worst lead out you can ever imagine - Nix runs past the third jump :-( Such a shame because after that I got it together and we had an awesome run - fast, tight turns and managed the tricky bits really well. Oh well!
<p>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/TO-ZTQ2S-eI/AAAAAAAAARs/PPKj4pJ7BM4/s1600/Picture%2B1111.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/TO-ZTQ2S-eI/AAAAAAAAARs/PPKj4pJ7BM4/s400/Picture%2B1111.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543818222535637474" /></a>
<p>
What an amazing 4 days!! I was so proud of my Nixy Pix and what we achieved. Still a baby dog (2 1/2) with only a years trialling under our belt I was more than happy. A big thank you to the organisers and all the competitors who helped to make the four days so enjoyable too. I had a fabulous time and the pleasure of meeting and making many wonderful new friends. It was a great experience and a big learning curve for both of us. Now to start making plans for NSW in 2012 :-)
</div><p>
** Photos to come soon **Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819932369563060754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687342298966613679.post-41839892366941178692010-07-21T18:12:00.002+08:002010-07-21T19:28:44.604+08:00EEK - It's Been How Long???<div align="justify">Wow - It's been far too long since I have posted anything here - 3 months even. So many things have happened too! So a list of posts that I need to write about....</div><div align="justify"> <p></div><div align="justify">2010 Agility Nationals</div><div align="justify">Jetzen Turns 1</div><div align="justify">Nixy's First Masters Jumping Runs</div><div align="justify">AD For Phoenix - Finally!</div><div align="justify"><p> </div><div align="justify">Ok so now stay tuned as I search the memory banks and hopefully remember all I can to bring you up to date on the life and times of Phoenix & Jetzen :-)</div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819932369563060754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687342298966613679.post-84138843168242219452010-04-19T08:20:00.014+08:002010-04-19T19:45:15.346+08:00WA STATE AGILITY TRIAL<div align="justify">Sorry folks it's a long one........ </div><div align="justify"></div><p><p><div align="justify">Wow - what a weekend!! Friday and Saturday just gone saw Dogswest host the 2010 State Agility Trial. Two days of qualifying trials followed Saturday afternoon by the finals. Firstly may I say a big congratulations to everyone involved in running the trial, you did a fantastic job and your efforts are greatly appreciated by myself and I am sure from my fellow competitors.
<p><strong>Qualifying Trial #1 - Friday Night</strong> <p>
We had quite a wait before our runs and then they were almost back to back. First was Excellent Jumping. A lovely course set by Judy T. Nice and flowing but with a couple of tight turns / crosses which caught out a number of people. Nix wasn't running her best - a little distracted and I really had to work hard at the start to keep her focus. None the less, we gained a clear round and FIRST PLACE!!! Also a spot in the finals.
<p>
Next Novice Agility. Again a nice flowing course, set by Cindy D. Nix was happier in this run and worked beautifully. Unfortunately Nix had a sniff in the weavers and missed the second one. Other than that she ran beautifully and I was very happy.
<p>
Home sometime after midnight and on too much of a high to go straight to sleep!! Big day ahead tomorrow though!!
</p></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S8wZAHBsonI/AAAAAAAAAQc/-TPPV6QLpXA/s1600/4531713870_af6372bb8c_o.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 281px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461767937770431090" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S8wZAHBsonI/AAAAAAAAAQc/-TPPV6QLpXA/s400/4531713870_af6372bb8c_o.jpg" /> <p align="justify"></a><strong>Qualifying Trial #2 - Saturday Morning</strong> <p align="justify">
Ok - so after 4.5 hrs sleep and my 7th alarm has gone off I finally wake up (I had a feeling it'd be a bit diffucult to get up) quickly get ready and load everyone back into the car for another big day.
</p><p align="justify">
First up again was Excellent Jumping. A nice course from Vicki N. Some great handling challenges with nice sections for the dogs to stretch out in too. nix was running better today than last night - more stretched out, responding better to my signals, and it just felt nicer. Another clear round, and, her Excellent Jumping Title - Yay Nixy Pixy!! There were lots of other clear runs too (well done everyone) but we still managed 6th place overall and 4th in height class.
</p><p align="justify">
Last of the qualifying runs - Novice Agility. As we stepped up to the start Nix was even happier than her previous runs and I had everything crossed for a nice clear run, Nix didn't dissapoint, her first pass in Novice Agility - finally. Thanks to Sarah W for such a nice course. We also managed 3rd place overall and 2nd in height class. Along with.... A spot in the finals!!
</p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S8waYGqjH9I/AAAAAAAAAQk/lF3bM-_I8r8/s1600/4531081331_be9a15c9e1_o.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 280px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461769449501827026" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S8waYGqjH9I/AAAAAAAAAQk/lF3bM-_I8r8/s400/4531081331_be9a15c9e1_o.jpg" /> <p align="justify"></a><strong>State Agility Finals - Saturday afternoon</strong> <p align="justify">
So after quite a break from the end of the qualifying runs, and watching a number of the other finals it's our turn. Really wasn't sure how Nix would go after such a long break and a bit of a snooze in the car. I shouldn't have worried. Nix got out of the car and was sooo happy and just full of beans - awesome!!
</p><p align="justify">
Novice Agility - Judged by Gail B. Unfortunately not a clear round - sorry Nix. It was all my fault, poor dog with the dodgy handler. I was thinking an obstacle ahead (the weavers) as Nix is always consistent on her A-Frame. I got myself a little too far ahead and as such I inadvertantly caused her to jump and miss the contact, and then put her in the wrong position to get the weaver entry. Sorry again Nix. Unfortunately for Gail there were no qualifiers at all in Novice agility.
</p><p align="justify">
Excellent Jumping - Judged by Cindy D. I think this was Nix's best run over the entire weekend, she was happy, she was fast, she was focused and she was having fun!! An interesting course with a number of spots where it could all come unstuck. Luckily for us it did not!! Nix had a beautiful clear round - woohoo!! Being second dog in I had to wait and watch as a number of fantastic dog and handler teams took their turn at the course. Unfortunately for them they were unable to manage a clear round.
</p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S8wdRPhF57I/AAAAAAAAAQ0/Vh0aPWenkwk/s1600/4531081431_98a6962df1_o.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 260px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461772630153881522" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S8wdRPhF57I/AAAAAAAAAQ0/Vh0aPWenkwk/s400/4531081431_98a6962df1_o.jpg" /> <p align="justify"></a><strong>Presentation time</strong>...... First was presentations for agility. They started with Novice and no-one was sure who would win as everyone had a penalty, or two, or three!! Well didn't I get the shock of my life when they called out Nix and I!! I remember looking at Graeme next to me and asking him if I heard right. WOW!! We won. I was so surprised. Good girl Nix!! Being the only clear in Excellent Jumping I was pretty confident in winning that one - Yup. Again such a thrill to hear Nix and myself called out as the winners, I think I was grinning like the Cheshire Cat after that. </p><p align="center">So after a long weekend..... Phoenix is....... </p><p align="center">2010 WA STATE WINNER NOVICE AGILITY <p align="center">2010 WA STATE WINNER EXCELLENT JUMPING
</p><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S8wbfou97FI/AAAAAAAAAQs/Ri1vpuBHQKE/s1600/IMG_9926.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461770678417878098" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S8wbfou97FI/AAAAAAAAAQs/Ri1vpuBHQKE/s400/IMG_9926.jpg" /> </p><p align="justify"></a>Way to go Nixy Pixy :-) Such a good girl. Congratualtions also to the winners of the other classes a fantastic effort!! Thanks also to all of my fellow competitors who made the weekend so much fun. The atmosphere was fantastic - so friendly and encouraging, great work everyone!!</p><p align="justify"></p><p align="justify"><a href="http://%3cobject%20width=%22640%22%20height=%22385%22%3e%3cparam%20name=%22movie%22%20value=%22http//www.youtube.com/v/5TX7PYxLsqA&hl=en_US&fs=1&%22%3E%3C/param%3E%3Cparam%20name=%22allowFullScreen%22%20value=%22true%22%3E%3C/param%3E%3Cparam%20name=%22allowscriptaccess%22%20value=%22always%22%3E%3C/param%3E%3Cembed%20src=%22http://www.youtube.com/v/5TX7PYxLsqA&hl=en_US&fs=1&%22%20type=%22application/x-shockwave-flash%22%20allowscriptaccess=%22always%22%20allowfullscreen=%22true%22%20width=%22640%22%20height=%22385%22%3E%3C/embed%3E%3C/object%3E">http://<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5TX7PYxLsqA&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5TX7PYxLsqA&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></a></p><p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyctKjFFRnX4HuDFbFaYl3UIr5cU3R36kOBy_0nYtfh_X8DB-wmdTnyTX4ivV7BgIqh2vd8UMSVBHEeP77PCQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p align="justify">Thanks go to Robyn Evans & Graeme Fairley for the pics. To Graeme for the You Tube Vidoe of all of Nix's runs, and to Linda W for the video of Nix's Exexellent Jumping Final run which Graeme couldn't quite get all of. Thanks everyone.</p>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819932369563060754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687342298966613679.post-74334655016907763992010-04-11T21:08:00.010+08:002010-04-11T22:31:21.754+08:00Ten Already???<p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S8HTJfdeF1I/AAAAAAAAAP0/r-vcwKiRdV8/s1600/IMG_3501_1.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458876383367141202" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S8HTJfdeF1I/AAAAAAAAAP0/r-vcwKiRdV8/s400/IMG_3501_1.JPG" /></a></p><div align="justify">So there it is 10 years has gone by since I got my little brindle and white runty puppy from the RSPCA. What a 10 years it has been :) The Saxy Man has taught me so much over those years that I have no idea where to start, and if I did this blog post would be far too long for anyone to want to read!! :)
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Saxon has had his issues and hard times over the last 10 years and has shown me a different side to dog training and how to be a more humble person - thanks Sax. He is a wonderful boy with such enthusiasm for everything he does. A big hearted dog who loves people and his ball more than anything you could imagine. A giant softie and a great mate.
<p>
Thanks for the last 10 years Sax and look forward to many more with you.</p></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="center"><p>
HAPPY 10TH BIRTHDAY SAXON
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S8HU7XW7lrI/AAAAAAAAAP8/8Q3IKsavmSs/s1600/IMG_3515_2.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 266px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458878339697317554" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S8HU7XW7lrI/AAAAAAAAAP8/8Q3IKsavmSs/s400/IMG_3515_2.JPG" /></a></p></div><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S8HWR_7nQfI/AAAAAAAAAQM/prLe5Es_wnE/s1600/IMG_3517_1.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458879828057342450" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S8HWR_7nQfI/AAAAAAAAAQM/prLe5Es_wnE/s400/IMG_3517_1.JPG" /></a></p><div align="justify"></div><p align="justify"></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S8HVtXmPLdI/AAAAAAAAAQE/vypWq1O6p1U/s1600/IMG_3524_1.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 266px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458879198754975186" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S8HVtXmPLdI/AAAAAAAAAQE/vypWq1O6p1U/s400/IMG_3524_1.JPG" /></a></p><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S8HWzttyQbI/AAAAAAAAAQU/kywhMda9-E4/s1600/IMG_3521_2.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458880407283057074" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S8HWzttyQbI/AAAAAAAAAQU/kywhMda9-E4/s400/IMG_3521_2.JPG" /></a></p><div align="justify"></div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819932369563060754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687342298966613679.post-31522755985944411122010-02-28T15:03:00.010+08:002010-02-28T15:31:15.225+08:00Double Trouble<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S4oWquW172I/AAAAAAAAAPk/lb28z8hsKBQ/s1600-h/IMG_3144_3.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 375px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S4oWquW172I/AAAAAAAAAPk/lb28z8hsKBQ/s400/IMG_3144_3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443188022884822882" border="0" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">"Jetzen & Phoenix"</span></span>
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S4oWUjTa3TI/AAAAAAAAAPc/yadflHvwFT8/s1600-h/IMG_3147_2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 250px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S4oWUjTa3TI/AAAAAAAAAPc/yadflHvwFT8/s400/IMG_3147_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443187641960553778" border="0" /></a>
<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">"Phoenix & Jetzen"</span></span>
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</p><div style="text-align: justify;">Yes, so very cute. Don't they just look like butter wouldn't melt in their mouths?? YEAH RIGHT!! These two when they team up really are "Double Trouble". I swear with the noises you hear outside sometimes, that they are egging each other on to see who can dig the biggest hole under the trampoline (just as well the grass was already dead under there!).
<p>
Then there is stalking each other around the outdoor table, with lots of paw lifts and play bows, followed shortly after by tearing off and racing madly around the yard playing catch me if you can. It's a bit much for poor Saxon some days. As soon as Nix & Jetz start this he is off to the safety of his kennel!!
</p><p>
But you look at those faces with their big Kelpie smiles and you just can't resist giving them big pats and cuddles. It's not so much Double Trouble then, more a Double Act - double the love, double the fun!!</p></div></div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819932369563060754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687342298966613679.post-24780335498245938532010-02-28T12:59:00.023+08:002010-02-28T14:42:37.809+08:00The Three Amigos<div style="text-align: justify;">Just some recent pics that I have taken around the house of the hounds together. The old man of the house Saxon (almost 10yrs old), Phoenix, who absolutely rules the roost (2 1/2yrs) and Jetzen, the newcomer (9 months). Three VERY different personalities, each of which brings me different joys and challenges - but I wouldn't be without a one!!
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</p><div style="text-align: center;">"SAXON"
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S4oGNSxB_jI/AAAAAAAAAOo/TwL0GlW3wac/s1600-h/IMG_3151_2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 375px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S4oGNSxB_jI/AAAAAAAAAOo/TwL0GlW3wac/s400/IMG_3151_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443169925076221490" border="0" /></a>
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" >"The Old Boy"</span>
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</p><div style="text-align: center;">"PHOENIX"
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S4oDkBY4mcI/AAAAAAAAAOY/GjFA8e4QKCY/s1600-h/IMG_3148_1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 375px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S4oDkBY4mcI/AAAAAAAAAOY/GjFA8e4QKCY/s400/IMG_3148_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443167017013647810" border="0" /></a>
</div><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" >
"The Ruler of the Roost"</span>
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</p></div><div style="text-align: center;">"JETZEN"
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S4oDM_KDM0I/AAAAAAAAAOI/j98YSII_Rew/s1600-h/IMG_3152_3.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 375px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S4oDM_KDM0I/AAAAAAAAAOI/j98YSII_Rew/s400/IMG_3152_3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443166621277565762" border="0" /></a>
</div><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" >"The Newcomer"</span>
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</p><p>
</p><p>
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</p></div><p style="text-align: center;">
</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">"THE THREE AMIGOS"</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S4oL0i8RkhI/AAAAAAAAAOw/Ek2aU_YcUII/s1600-h/IMG_3171_1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 250px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S4oL0i8RkhI/AAAAAAAAAOw/Ek2aU_YcUII/s400/IMG_3171_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443176096991384082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" >"Phoenix ~ Saxon ~ Jetzen"</span></div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819932369563060754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687342298966613679.post-38478030300274852962010-02-19T21:54:00.002+08:002010-02-28T12:51:07.503+08:00Where did the time go???<div style="text-align: justify;">Seriously folks... Where has the start of the year gone?? Summer is nearly over already! So begs the question.... How did my plans for training go?
Well I was pleasantly surprised at what I got done. Not quite as much as I had planned but I was still happy.
<P>
PHOENIX...
<ol><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dog Walk</span> - We are progressing nicely with her understanding of the end criteria. I thought I would test this at training Wed just gone. Previously Nix had been hesitant on the down ramp but this has greatly reduced now. She is still slower than I would like but is running straight to the end now instead of hesitating and then walking into the contact.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Weavers</span> - Aaarrghh the weavers. They are improving but still have a LONG way to go. Nix is getting the footwork happening and has a good understanding of the entry and even the exit! If she misses a weaver she will then miss another one before the end so that she exits on the correct side - go figure. I guess I have reinforced the exit well :) We just need to get the consistency still. So we will say the weavers are still a work in progress!!</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Handling</span> - Ok so this was more about me and what I do than anything Nix was doing! With a lot of concentration and several mistakes in the beginning it seems, from all accounts, that I am no longer confusing my poor dog so much! It shows too, as she is running a lot nicer and faster. I still need to work on my timing so as not to pull off from an obstacle to early, but we are getting there.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stand For Exam</span> - Lots of informal work on this. Any time Phoenix has been standing next to me I've touched her back in some way, gradually increasing the pressure as I go. She will now quite happily stand for me and allow me to do a proper exam. Now I have to pair that with my moving towards her to do it instead of starting already at her side. It's a vast improvement from the start of the year, but still a long way to go!</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Trick</span> - I have been working on teaching Nix to walk backwards while standing only on her two hind legs. She manages about 5 steps. Now I have to get her to do it in a straight line instead of curving away from me.</li></ol>JETZEN...
<ol><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Targeting</span> - Hmmm... Seems this one went by the way side a little, and became more about focusing on me rather than his environment. Must be working as he was much more responsive and far less distracted at training on Sunday just gone.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Flatwork</span> - My main aim here was just to do more of it!! So in that sense we have achieved well ;-) I still have to work harder on holding Jetz with me on the right but it's definitely improving!</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Barking</span> - Well I can at least call Jetzen off the back fence now, instead of having to go and fetch him when the dog over the back is razzing them up!! He is quite the barker at the moment and I have learned well that the more I stimulate him mentally the less he barks - or maybe he has trained me well!!</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Positions</span> - I'm really happy with the work Jetzen is putting together here. He is so eager to work and to please that he is doing things at a million miles an hour which is great but challenging my timing :-)</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Trick</span> - Ok, I'll be honest here - we haven't done one!! I couldn't decide what to do and thus it hasn't happened.... to be continued ;-)</li></ol></div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819932369563060754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687342298966613679.post-65267075631790698092010-01-16T15:19:00.009+08:002010-01-16T16:22:01.033+08:00Summer Fun<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S1F1LNONmQI/AAAAAAAAANo/_yayy_cK4jQ/s1600-h/IMG_2544_2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 250px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S1F1LNONmQI/AAAAAAAAANo/_yayy_cK4jQ/s400/IMG_2544_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427247861346441474" border="0" /></a>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">With the warm weather well and truly upon us, what could be better than spending a few hours at the beach with your best mates? Not much I say!! It was a great morning, made even better by the fact we had the beach all to ourselves :-)
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<p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S1FzFb48JvI/AAAAAAAAANI/VqPAIBsSwmo/s1600-h/IMG_2615_8.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 250px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S1FzFb48JvI/AAAAAAAAANI/VqPAIBsSwmo/s400/IMG_2615_8.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427245563181278962" border="0" /></a>
</div><p style="text-align: justify;">I love taking them to the beach because you really get to see their different personalities come out. Jetzen will plow straight into the water without a care in the world. The lead comes off and he is off and running.
</p><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S1F0Q6nDtSI/AAAAAAAAANg/aQ1tixrJYdg/s1600-h/IMG_2560_3.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 250px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S1F0Q6nDtSI/AAAAAAAAANg/aQ1tixrJYdg/s400/IMG_2560_3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427246859917964578" border="0" /></a>
</div><p style="text-align: justify;">Phoenix is a bit more cautious, especially around water. She would much rather hang back at my heels and suss everything out. I would say it takes her a good 20 min before she will investigate the water. Once she does though she has a great time playing chasey with the waves. She reminds me of a little kid standing, staring at the water and as the wave comes in they turn and run as fast as they can away from the water, and then, as it receedes they chase it back down again. It is hillarious when she miss times her run and the water touches her paw unexpectedly, she leaps sideways in the air to get away from it - funny!!
</p><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S1Fzsy85CpI/AAAAAAAAANQ/3xhXW9xoVpo/s1600-h/IMG_2515_1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 250px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S1Fzsy85CpI/AAAAAAAAANQ/3xhXW9xoVpo/s400/IMG_2515_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427246239386765970" border="0" /></a>
</div><p style="text-align: justify;">There was a great sand bar a little ways out and I decided to wade across and see if the dogs would follow. As I headed out Jetz came running from up the beach at a zillion miles an hour, as did Nix, however as they approached the water Nix hit the brakes while Jetzen bounded in. As he realised she had stopped, he sort of froze mid bounce through the waves, looked at me, looked at Nix and couldn't decide what to do. He chose to go back to Nix and then proceeded to jump into the water look at me, bark at Nix and jump out again. Look at the water, bark at Nix and jump in the water again. This went on for about 5 minutes. I swear he was trying to tell Nix it was ok!! Eventually Nix decided to come in and they had a great time running through the shallow water.
</p><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S1F0BuzI18I/AAAAAAAAANY/RywC_95iQeY/s1600-h/IMG_2562_4.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 250px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S1F0BuzI18I/AAAAAAAAANY/RywC_95iQeY/s400/IMG_2562_4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427246599049369538" border="0" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S1F1yzEHfMI/AAAAAAAAANw/RjPZIYck1FM/s1600-h/IMG_2580_7.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 250px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S1F1yzEHfMI/AAAAAAAAANw/RjPZIYck1FM/s400/IMG_2580_7.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427248541519543490" border="0" /></a>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S1F1zP7XZeI/AAAAAAAAAN4/R-pWDb71Qt0/s1600-h/IMG_2574_6.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 250px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S1F1zP7XZeI/AAAAAAAAAN4/R-pWDb71Qt0/s400/IMG_2574_6.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427248549267465698" border="0" /></a>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S1F1zt7WNBI/AAAAAAAAAOA/mucAxtQeY7k/s1600-h/IMG_2569_5.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 250px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/S1F1zt7WNBI/AAAAAAAAAOA/mucAxtQeY7k/s400/IMG_2569_5.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427248557320451090" border="0" /></a></div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819932369563060754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687342298966613679.post-29178743002327235712010-01-02T11:26:00.007+08:002010-01-02T12:56:54.702+08:002010<div style="text-align: justify;">Ok so the New Year has arrived - time to get off my butt, stop focusing on those things I have no control over and work on the things I do have control over. Time to stop making excuses for the things my dogs do that I don't like and find solutions to turn those behaviours into something more constructive!!
<p>
After a few weeks off training my dogs are well and truly ready to get back into the swing of things and so am I - time to switch the brain from holiday mode into work mode and get back into it.
</p><p>
So my to do list for the rest of summer.......
</p><p>
PHOENIX</p><ol><li>Plank work for her dog walk - give her a solid understanding of what I expect as her end criteria</li><li>Weavers - Getting her consistency up on a straight set of poles without reducing her drive in them.</li><li>More single jump work - mainly to improve my consistency in signals that I am giving!!!</li><li>Stand for exam</li><li>A new trick - yet to be decided upon.
</li></ol><p>JETZEN</p><ol><li>Targeting - lots of it.</li><li>Flatwork - circle work, come to hand, etc</li><li>Ignoring and not barking at the little yappy over the back fence that does not shut up!! Damn dog takes great delight in standing at the back fence and trying to raz my dogs up - grrr.</li><li>Positions - increasing duration.</li><li>A new trick - yet to be decided upon.
</li></ol><p>
So there you go. Thats the start of my Summer training - deciding exactly what I want to work on - now to get on with it. So folks anytime you wish, please feel free to ask how it's going. No matter how accountable you are to yourself, there is always extra motivation in knowing other people are following up on what you are doing too!!
</p><p>
So to everyone - I hope you had a fabulous Christmas and wish that 2010 brings you much success in all you attempt, both with and without your canine friends. Here's to a great year!!</p></div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819932369563060754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687342298966613679.post-88600582290396114232009-12-05T22:37:00.000+08:002009-12-12T00:03:08.380+08:00Yay for the Old Boy!!<div style="text-align: justify;">Wahoo Super Sax!! Why so excited you may very well ask. There have been many times over the years that I have tried to trial Saxon, in both agility & obedience. Now whilst he has the ability, talent, and, without a doubt, the enthusiasm, we have hard a hard time over the years managing his arousal levels. Thus, we don't compete in CAWA trials. I continue to train with Sax as he enjoys it so much, and on occasion I will enter him in one of our clubs Members Competitions, be it agility or obedience.
<p>So Wed night Northern Suburbs had it's last Agility/Jumping Members Comp for the year. I entered Sax in Pre-Trial (Equivelent to Novice but for dogs not competing at CAWA level) Jumping. Full of beans as usual he was ready to fly off the start line and I had a hard time making him wait. Got to the second obstacle and he was off!!! Although not a brilliant run by many peoples standards I was thrilled to say the least. All the bars stayed up, there was no spinning between obstacles, there was no cutting back to me and there was no barking (a few "woowoo's" though!!). I was so proud of him. Super Dog!!
</p><p>So at the grand age of 9 1/2 Saxon won his first ever "Comp". Yup, thats right, he managed to take out first place - Yay Saxy Man!! I've got to say that I think he was pretty chuffed with himself too. He tugged so hard on his toy once he'd finished that he actually broke part of it - ripped it clean in half!! Oh well, you deserve it "Old Boy".</p></div><p>
</p><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/SyJstBoWPrI/AAAAAAAAANA/pANZCJq-PPU/s1600-h/IMG_1047_1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 375px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/SyJstBoWPrI/AAAAAAAAANA/pANZCJq-PPU/s400/IMG_1047_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414009222840336050" border="0" /></a></div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819932369563060754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687342298966613679.post-70074067520679385432009-11-30T21:48:00.001+08:002009-12-11T23:55:31.096+08:00Another good night :-)<div style="text-align: justify;">I am so very proud of my Nix, second trial in a row to be the only qualifier in Excellent Jumping!! It was quite a nice course, courtesy of Mel Rhoden, with a combination of flowing sections interspersed with some interesting challenges and tight turns.
<p>
I was really happy again with the way Nix was reading my body cues, especially on the serpentine out of the tunnel (which we haven't done a lot of in competition - or in training for that matter!!). My front crosses are getting faster and thus Nix is travelling a lot tighter through them. I do need to rework my start lines though - typical thing, in training I can get a really decent lead out but come to trials and it seems I can only get to the second obstacle. Another thing to add to the training list for summer!!
</div><p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/SyJqzn4psUI/AAAAAAAAAM4/XgvSOK-w4gg/s1600-h/IMG_1054_1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 250px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/SyJqzn4psUI/AAAAAAAAAM4/XgvSOK-w4gg/s400/IMG_1054_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414007137165226306" border="0" /></a></div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819932369563060754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687342298966613679.post-21641677999768176092009-11-08T22:34:00.005+08:002009-11-08T23:52:39.480+08:00Happy Camper!!<div style="text-align: justify;">So last night saw saw <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Nixy</span> and I return to our first night trial, hosted by Perth Training. Thankfully the impending rain decided to circle around the grounds and only delivered a few drops before courses started being run.
<p>
A quick check of the catalogue and although Novice Agility and Excellent Jumping were going to run at the same time it did not appear that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Nix's</span> runs would clash - always a good thing!! Off to walk the courses.......
</p><p>
Novice Agility - not bad. Couple of challenges - one for the weave entry and the other a 270 after the table. Other than that fairly straight forward up and down the ring.
</p><p>
Excellent Jumping - One needed to be able to keep a level head here - so many front crosses that even if you remembered the course you'd be lucky if you didn't get dizzy and fall over!! A number of challenging turns and possible off courses.
</p><p>
So our first run was Excellent Jumping. Watching a few dogs before me and there were knocked bars, off courses, and one competitor who decided they would try dancing with the judge in the middle of their run!! Nice one Jules ;) Then it was our go. Well I couldn't have been happier with my girl - her turns were tight (well most of them), she decelerated at all the right spots and then powered back out when required, she seemed to be reading my body cues a lot better and I wasn't having to verbalise to her quite as much. Her speed is increasing and we are working much better as a team. Result... Clear round!! Happy Camper. Turned out that we were the only ones to gain a clear round and thus first place!!! Bonus.
</p><p>
Quick drink and a few minutes rest and it was into Novice Agility. I'll be honest and say I wasn't holding up much hope here as Nix is still struggling with the weavers. So I figured I'd still go in and bypass the weaves, but give her some practice on the other equipment in a true trial setting. Well low and behold Nix weaved!! Yup first time ever and on the left (she much prefers to enter on my right as she has a clear picture of what she has to do - wrap the first pole), I think I was in shock for the rest of the course, that said though, I still do not think that she truly understands the concept of the weavers. She did a lovely A-Frame and didn't budge on the table. Best bit though was how she read my body cues for the 270, she decelerated beautifully and just popped over the bar with a nice angle and straight around to take the next jump and complete the 270 - I was so excited at how she handled it I forgot to call quick enough for the dog walk and we had an off course. Sorry Nix! There was also none of the hesitancy on the down ramp of the dog walk like I had been getting. So although not a clear round I was thrilled with the sections of work we put together - Happy Camper again.
</p><p>
<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Jetzen</span> had a great night out too. LOTS of socialising with so many different breeds and ages of dogs - it was fabulous. He is Mr Social so he loved it, myself however... I find I have to work so much harder for his attention than what I did with Phoenix, I have to be a lot more on the ball to reward for every piece of attention I get. That said he is very good at focusing on me, and also regaining his focus after being distracted. Very much a happy go lucky <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">loping</span> puppy. I will update shortly with some more of his training.
</p><p>
So all in all an excellent night. Great atmosphere, lots of laughs, and some wonderful time spent with my furry 'kids'.
</p></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/Svbne-XOsnI/AAAAAAAAAMw/MOvZ0l851Gw/s1600-h/IMG_9747_1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 375px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/Svbne-XOsnI/AAAAAAAAAMw/MOvZ0l851Gw/s400/IMG_9747_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401759322400010866" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">Phoenix - Excellent Jumping First Place
</p>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819932369563060754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687342298966613679.post-34327886735896442132009-10-21T14:46:00.006+08:002009-10-21T15:47:02.842+08:00Rockingham<div style="text-align: justify;">Last weekend saw the kids, myself & my Mum head to Rockingham (about 45 min South) for a double header Agility / Jumping Trial.
<p>I must note a special thanks here to both of my parents. With so much to do in their own lives they still happily give up their time to help babysit for me. Without their help I would not be able to do even half of what I am able to do with my dogs. Thank you.
</p><p>So to the trial. After a scorcher of a day previously (37 degrees) and expecting another hot day it turned out to be quite pleasant. Still hot for both humans and dogs if you stood in the sun too long though.
</p><p>In the AM trial I had to wait around a bit as both Nix's runs were in the second session. It was our first trial in Excellent Jumping which of course ran at the same time as Novice Agility. It's been a long time since I have had to memorise 2 courses at the one time - but I managed. It was also the first time Nix has gone straight out of one ring and into another.
</p><p>I had hoped to run Jumping before Agility but it wasn't to be. Nix had a lovely Agility run but we got caught up in the weavers - Damn Weavers! She powered off the start line, responded well to my body cues and hit both her contacts. Very happy. However no time reflect as we ran down to the Jumping ring where they were waiting for us.
</p><p>Now if I had of been thinking I would have taken a minute, composed myself, let Nix have a break and then run the course. But alas I was flustered and worried about missing my run so I went straight in the ring. Sorry Nix. My girl did the first couple of jumps and then went all 'airy fairy' on me, not least of the reasons why was the fact that I had no idea what I was doing!! We pulled it together and finished the course, with a few missed jumps and off courses along the way, but I wanted Nix to still have a bit of fun and for us to put a couple of obstacles together nicely before leaving the ring, which we did.
</p><p>During the break I thought about those morning runs and how I could better transition myself and my dog between runs in the afternoon. Both runs in the afternoon were going to be at the same time again. Hmmmm...
</p><p>So to the PM trial. After letting the stewards in both rings know that I may clash, I decided I would do EJ first and then NA, and hope that I wouldn't put the agility ring too far out of whack. So it to EJ, a nice course by Mel Rhoden. Nix ran beautifully and even though I lost her position for what seemed like an eternity between two obstacles I managed to find her behind me and get her over the next jump at a HUGE angle - Good girl Nix - to finish with a clear round. Her first leg in Ex Jumping which also gained her second place.
</p><p>Now to NA. Instead of racing up the ring. I took time to reward Nix for her jumping run and walk calmly up to the next ring. I was called straight away but asked if I could take a minute as I had just come out of another ring - wasn't a problem. By the time I walked up to the line I was calm and focused on the course in front of me (a far cry from the mornings effort). It payed off. Although not a clear round (Damn weavers again), Phoenix was focused and worked lovely. I was more than happy.
</p><p>So even though we got a clear round. I was more happy with the fact that I was able to read my dog and know when she was and wasn't ready to work in the afternoon, and to give her the chance to succeed instead of rushing and hoping.
</p><p>Something else that interested me at the trial was my son who is nearly six. He walked each of the courses with me, called obstacles by name and by the end of the day was asking "Mummy do we need to put a cross in here", and darn it if he wasn't right too. He has been coming to trials all his life and was interested but not to this degree. It was great. While we were sitting watching some of the runs he was commenting too. He was picking up when they missed a weaver or if they took a wrong jump. I think his best comment of the day though was after he watched Graeme and Mavy (super fast Working BC) run Novice Jumping. He said "Mummy, you know, I think Mavy would do better if he slowed down a bit, then he wouldn't knock the bars so much" - PRICELESS!!</p></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/St666SXCm_I/AAAAAAAAAMo/m1hrcE2EwiQ/s1600-h/IMG_9307_1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 250px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/St666SXCm_I/AAAAAAAAAMo/m1hrcE2EwiQ/s400/IMG_9307_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394954914160090098" border="0" /></a>
<span style="font-size:85%;">
</span></div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819932369563060754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687342298966613679.post-48888579520355161072009-10-20T22:36:00.001+08:002009-10-21T14:44:50.654+08:00An Update For 'The Boy'<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/St6qhJUb-PI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/0GVcd4oacqc/s1600-h/IMG_9320_2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 375px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/St6qhJUb-PI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/0GVcd4oacqc/s400/IMG_9320_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394936890050476274" border="0" /></a>
<p>
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The little man is really not so little anymore - 5 months old now and the same height as Phoenix (46cm)!!! Hmmmm - only time will tell.....
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<p>
As for training, well unfortunately I haven't been able to do anywhere near as much with Jetzen as I had with Phoenix by the same age. Guess there is a lot to be said for getting a 'Summer Pup' as opposed to a 'Winter Pup'. Was by far easier to get out in the pleasent summer evenings with Nix - so many times I 'thought' about getting out and wanted to get out with Jetzen, but alas there was the cold, the wind and the rain. Not so much a problem for me, but Miss 3 and Master 5 seemed to object!!
<p>
So instead of 'formal' training. Jetz has had more 'house' dog training! Problem is now he thinks he owns it - he's so darn cute and funny too that it's hard not to let him get away with things at times :) He is hillarious to watch run, all legs and no idea of how to stop!! He tries to race the big dogs out the back door and he keeps up with them just fine but he looses it on the turn. While Sax & Nix pull up and make a gracefull turn and exit out the door, Jetzen has legs flying in all directions and ends up sliding a good metre past the door as he attempts to stop at speed on tiles. This is then followed by the desperate scramble and flailing of legs, again at a zillion miles an hour so as to catch up to the others and not miss out on what might possibly be happening!!
<p>
'The Boy' would make a great post hole digger too!! If there is anyone who needs fencing done I'm sure we could arrange a nice deal. Although Jetzen may not dig the holes quite where you want them ;) The following pic shows Saxon retrieving one of his toys from one of Jetz's burrows!!
<p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/St6nMWCYX3I/AAAAAAAAAMI/_MGzZ7THukA/s1600-h/IMG_9339_1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 250px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/St6nMWCYX3I/AAAAAAAAAMI/_MGzZ7THukA/s400/IMG_9339_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394933234152267634" border="0" /></a>
</div>
<p>
He is great with the kids too. I always thought how good Nix was - but Jetzen is 10 times better, it's amazing. He came along the other week to watch while my son had Little Athletics Training. There would have been easily 60 kids. At first he tried to jump on a couple but this was soon replaced by a lovely stand as they patted him. Due in part to the well timed delivery of treats by me. About 10 minutes into the session and he wasn't even fussed as the kids came running from behind and on the way past ruffed the top of his head.
<p>
Hopefully now though, with the approach of warmer weather (and baby sitters back from their 3 month holiday!) Jetzen's agility and obedience training should come along in leaps and bounds!! Will keep you posted - yes a little more frequently than I have!!
<p>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/St6rsNFTnaI/AAAAAAAAAMg/a-yJUgA_j2Q/s1600-h/IMG_9321_3.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 250px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/St6rsNFTnaI/AAAAAAAAAMg/a-yJUgA_j2Q/s400/IMG_9321_3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394938179550944674" border="0" /></a>
</div><div style="text-align: center;">~ Stalking Saxon ~
</div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819932369563060754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687342298966613679.post-82731759527174246192009-10-19T22:57:00.004+08:002009-10-19T23:47:43.873+08:00Time Flies - An Update for Nix<div style="text-align: justify;">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!!
<p>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!!
</p><p>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.
</p><p>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.
</p></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/StyI8AzlFpI/AAAAAAAAAMA/f_8R5id5ol4/s1600-h/IMG_9288_2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 250px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/StyI8AzlFpI/AAAAAAAAAMA/f_8R5id5ol4/s400/IMG_9288_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394337018272880274" border="0" /></a>
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">1st Place - Intermediate (Excellent) Jumping</span>
<span style="font-size:78%;">NST&ODC Members Comp</span>
</div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819932369563060754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687342298966613679.post-18532379035902207822009-09-24T00:09:00.003+08:002009-09-24T00:22:34.499+08:00Success at Last!!<div style="text-align: justify;">It's finally happened - I think the penny has finally dropped for Miss Nixy Pixy!! At training tonight she put together her first set of 12 weave poles!! YAY!! Those dreaded blasted weave poles are no longer the bane of our existence, they are friend, not foe - well..... for tonight anyway :)
</div><p style="text-align: justify;">
Not only was she doing the poles when she was asked but was willingly entering of her own accord. She had drive into them and a spring out - it was great. She was actually enjoying racing through the poles and thought it was a great game. It is truely amazing how sometimes no matter how much we try (and lord knows I've tried with those blasted weave poles) there just isn't a darn thing more to be done until that lightbulb goes on inside our beloved canine's head and they just 'get it'.
</p><p style="text-align: justify;">
Hmmm - now to wait and see if she can do it again!! :)</p>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819932369563060754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687342298966613679.post-64309701981948600872009-09-22T20:15:00.000+08:002009-09-22T10:03:32.062+08:00The good, the unexpected, and the 'oh my'!!<div style="text-align: justify;">The other weekend (13/09) saw our Members Obedience comp for Northern Suburbs. Thankfully amidst all the horrible weather we have been having, the day was just lovely. All the dogs and their owners seemed to enjoy the day too. As for me, my day had a little of everything....
</div><p style="text-align: justify;">
Firstly, young Jetzen surprised my by winning puppy class. There are some very lovely pups and talented handlers in the group and with (by my standard) the little amount of 'training' we had done I thought for sure it would just be a bit of fun and an attempt at trying something different together. So thanks little man for being such a good boy!!
</p><p>
</p><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/SrYh3VGk6-I/AAAAAAAAALA/waFfICmvqkE/s1600-h/IMG_8110_1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 250px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/SrYh3VGk6-I/AAAAAAAAALA/waFfICmvqkE/s400/IMG_8110_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383527639009258466" border="0" /></a>
</div><p>
</p><div style="text-align: justify;">Next was to take Phoenix into the ring for our equivalent of CCD. Hmmm - seems we need to do some work before the Nationals! Nix did a lovely heel routine which I was quite happy with, however we didn't do the 'stand for exam' (while practicing outside the ring, every time she was approached she would sit! So I thought it best not to attempt in the ring!) and the reacall.... Well lets just say there is a lesson to be learnt in having a smart dog. Apparently her cue to come to me was when the judge said "Call your dog" so there was no need for me to call!! Gotta love it. The judge found it mighty funny, especially as the look on Nix's face was - See, see Mum, look how clever I am, I did good didn't I?!
</div><p style="text-align: justify;">
Now the old boy. I put Saxon in as a bit of fun. He loves to do his heel work - full of enthusiasm and a happy waging tail. I couldn't fault him. Fantastic heel work, lovely 'stand for exam' and a great recall. He gets too stressed in the stays so he doesn't do them, and neither of us mind. He is just a joy to work with in obedience and knowing how much fun he has makes it even better.
</p>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819932369563060754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687342298966613679.post-42628969029037418542009-09-20T20:39:00.010+08:002009-09-20T21:18:30.767+08:00The Boys<div style="text-align: justify;">Just a few photos of the boys that I couldn't help but share. Saxon 9 1/2 years and Jetzen 16 weeks.
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</p><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/SrYnCOR2QtI/AAAAAAAAALI/MetQ-aeNrhE/s1600-h/IMG_8083_7.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 250px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/SrYnCOR2QtI/AAAAAAAAALI/MetQ-aeNrhE/s400/IMG_8083_7.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383533323714183890" border="0" /></a>
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/SrYoTNX1wxI/AAAAAAAAALQ/4IJzDhQcE3k/s1600-h/IMG_8060_4.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 250px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/SrYoTNX1wxI/AAAAAAAAALQ/4IJzDhQcE3k/s400/IMG_8060_4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383534715040285458" border="0" /></a>
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/SrYpLhGfD1I/AAAAAAAAALY/bZRl0hRFLTg/s1600-h/IMG_8066_3.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 250px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/SrYpLhGfD1I/AAAAAAAAALY/bZRl0hRFLTg/s400/IMG_8066_3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383535682408877906" border="0" /></a>
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/SrYpcEKCtGI/AAAAAAAAALg/yMirDGtvMjs/s1600-h/IMG_8097_6.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 250px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/SrYpcEKCtGI/AAAAAAAAALg/yMirDGtvMjs/s400/IMG_8097_6.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383535966696944738" border="0" /></a>
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/SrYqIxjGBJI/AAAAAAAAALw/cEIDRVLO-90/s1600-h/IMG_8079_5.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 250px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/SrYqIxjGBJI/AAAAAAAAALw/cEIDRVLO-90/s400/IMG_8079_5.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383536734795859090" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/SrYqbcYPSXI/AAAAAAAAAL4/h5CD64dZI10/s1600-h/IMG_8049_1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 250px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/SrYqbcYPSXI/AAAAAAAAAL4/h5CD64dZI10/s400/IMG_8049_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383537055530699122" border="0" /></a></div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819932369563060754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687342298966613679.post-53866582347408159682009-09-20T18:45:00.003+08:002009-09-20T20:10:43.407+08:00The Past Few Weeks!!<div style="text-align: justify;">Hmmm - what can I say other than life's been a bit hectic lately and thus I haven't updated the blog as often as I would like. Sorry folks :)
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The furry kids are doing well, and Jetzen is growing, and growing, and growing!! My little puppy is not so little anymore. He's now 17 weeks and is only about an inch or so shorter than Phoenix. He still hasn't managed to grow into his ears yet though!! The following pic may not be the best photo, but it's a great one of Jetz doing his bat impersonation.
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</p><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/SrYZtXvlp8I/AAAAAAAAAK4/JpJv7v6DBOw/s1600-h/IMG_8075_1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 375px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dx6RAEMsrz8/SrYZtXvlp8I/AAAAAAAAAK4/JpJv7v6DBOw/s400/IMG_8075_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383518671826429890" border="0" /></a>
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</p><div style="text-align: justify;">The little man is fitting in very well still and he and Nix play for hours on end. She is very tolerant with him, more so than what most dogs would be I think. Jetz will literally try and stand on Nix and she lets him. Nix is such a lovely girl and ever so patient!
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One of Jetzen's greatest attributes is his lovely nature. Everywhere I have taken him and everything he has seen he just takes in his stride. He is still very appropriate too with his body language. He has met quite a number of dogs of all different breeds, sizes and ages in many different environments and has handled both the dog and the situation perfectly. There is nothing that seems to bother him. At training he will quite happily lie down calmly and watch - even with the likes of Indie, Domino and Maverick racing around the equipment.
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</p><div style="text-align: justify;">Jetz is a definite character, and oh so funny and mischievous. Give him half a chance and he will get hold of something he is not supposed to and have a grand old time with it :) It's been great for helping me keep the house tidy, and for teaching the kids to put their stuff away!!
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Thanks again to Mary & Stephen Bilson for breeding such a lovely puppy. I will never be able to thank you enough for both Phoenix & Jetzen.</p>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819932369563060754noreply@blogger.com0