Agility News Friday – Homage to Snow
In the last couple of months, Jaxon & I have become absolute Agility Nerds. Pretty much now we have a structured training week, and we have as much fun as possible during the week, then celebrate by hanging out with the pack at Club & putting practice to purpose.
My cousins in the Northern Hemisphere. Chilly!
In following lots of puppies all over the world, and learning lots about many different styles, handling methods and simply having lots of doggy fun, I’ve noticed a lot of doggies in the snow.
Workout Wednesday – Speak!
If you met Jaxon at a trial, you would think he’s a yapper (sad face). However, if you met him at home, you’d be surprised at how quiet he is.
Ready!
I certainly thought he was such a quiet one that we’d have to encourage him to speak up sometimes.
One of the early tricks I taught Jaxon was to “Speak”. I watched a TV program about dogs that perform on TV, and thought Jaxon would make a great TV dog (no offers yet).
The thing that made me think was the fact the trainer was getting the dog to do certain actions at a distance.
Eventually, “Speak” became a trick that worked 2-fold. It got Jaxon to speak up, and it taught him not to bark at us other times.
Discovery Monday- Lickety Split!
I’ve often wondered why Jaxon is such a licky dog. He likes to lick our hands, faces, his feet and even other dogs lips!
Getting Jaxon to lick on cue was harder than expected!
While I don’t mind it much, I thought it would be a very annoying thing to do to another dog, especially if that dog is reactive, or doesn’t want other dogs in its face!
There are a bunch of great resources that give you a laundry list of why dogs lick – what occasions, what situations, what time of the day, what behaviours go with it.
Agility News Friday – Westminster Agility trial
In the top nosh doggie arenas, a new sport has clinched the attention of those normally snooty and rather aloof show-dog types.
This week, Westminster Kennel Club (New York City) dog show held their first ever master’s agility trial! Hooray for agility taking the world by storm!
Top knot poodle
Workout Wednesday – Silly surfaces challenge
Bubble wrap obsession
This week we’ve been challenging ourselves with lots of foundation training for agility. While that’s fun, I’ve really wanted to put some variety into our daily sessions to give Jaxon lots of fun and keep him challenged.
This week we’re training on a different surface everyday. With our daily training, I like to keep it short and fun for Jaxon, keeping it to 5 minutes at each end of the day. I train these sessions at mealtimes so I have Jaxon’s attention.
Discovery Mondays – Learning every day
It’s a big thing to look inside yourself and recognise the ways you can grow and better yourself. Not a lot of people do this, and I think I’ve found the secret.
Owning a dog, and doing a dog sport – agility – has helped me really reflect on who I am and how I can better myself. This comes through the constant learning and growing together as a team.
Agility News Friday – One Mind Dogs is coming to Australia!
We’ve really fallen for the method that is blitzing the world at the moment – the One Mind Dogs method.
The team in action! Photo courtesy of Pinnicle Photography.
If you’re in Australia, now you have the chance to find out for yourself all about the One Mind Dogs method.
They are coming in April for a Seminar & workshops!
Jaxon & I are still novice level, so anything and everything really helps at this stage!
While it’s a lot of running (helping us get fit!), it seems to make sense for both handler & the dog.
If you have missed any of the information from the One Mind Dogs team, or the Agility Australia Facebook page, here it is again:
Sign up for the Seminar & auditing sessions here: Game On Dogs
If you can’t make it – here are a couple of great videos from the OMD team to get you interested!
Have fun!
Workout Wednesday – Chase Me!
tug-o-duck
One of our challenges in Agility & Jumping has been connection between Jaxon & I. So this means keeping a good basic training schedule of foundation skills.
For me, I like to do 5 minutes at each end of the day – high energy quick sessions that end on a high, and keep Jaxon interested and wagging his tail.
First Agility Trial of the year – Recap
So sleepy. Too hot.
First Agility & Jumping trial of the year on Saturday night, and all the dogs had a great time. Thanks to the NSW Agility Committee, the fundraiser was a great success, and lots of triumphs and various zoomies and a lot of fun all round.
We were entered in the Jumping & Agility rings for Novice 300. Jumping was the first event of the evening. After going to club earlier in the day, and thanks to the 34 degree heat at 6pm, we didn’t get too far before Jaxon decided there were other things on his agenda. He had a wonderful time sniffing around, then doing a couple of jumps, then greeting the Judge, then doing some more jumps and a tunnel, then having to be herded by the judge to get back to me… if anything I should have been rolling on the ground laughing by this stage.
Discovery Mondays – Predictive nature
It sounds like a techie term, but I assure you it’s all about dogs.
Talk to me mama! Photo courtesy of Pinnicle Photography.
A lot of Jaxon & my journey through agility has been about learning to be a team. Whether through running courses, trials, or just out on our day to day walks, I’d say Jaxon is starting to appreciate the fact I’ve been talking more of his language lately.
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