Field Trip

Parking lot Obedience "But moooom I want to go in!"

I told him that mice were once dogs but they were naughty and didn't focus on their training. From the look on his face I think he believed me.

"Your going to buy it all right?"

More parking lot obedience on the way out.

"I swear I saw a squirrel"

 

Teaching Expectations

I decided at the end of the trial this month that I needed to start back at square one with Miss V. Not to reteach her what she already knows but to teach her what she doesn't. What I expect her to do.

My expectations
She must perform at her best with out rewards of any kind (food, toys, praise), as long as I want, no guidance from me(except commands) and in any and all environments.

Where went wrong
I got lost in an attempt to create a happy looking, golden style heel. I lost touch with the fact that Violet is an 10-11 year old pit bull and simply does not show enjoyment in the same way. Don't get me wrong she really does enjoy the work her body, face and personality just express it differently. Even at home she is not what you would call "perky". I ended up not working on anything except "attitude".

What I am doing about it
Short random sessions with no feedback during exercises. Put her through her paces in random places. Work "Heel" and "Go out" until she knows what I expect in all situations.

End result
I hope to achieve a reliable maximum expectation of behavior. The next time we enter the ring I want to know that we will qualify and that I will have the confidence to make it happen.

V Happily sunning herself.

V happily posing for a picture.

New Title, Fun Match and Utility B

Phlox finished his Rally Novice title on Friday night. He earned a 98 and fourth place. The judge was he kind who didn't miss a thing and she knew exactly what she was looking for.
Phlox really worked it for all but the last two signs. He was eager to get into the ring and didn't lose focus.

On Saturday My brother in law showed Phlox in a conformation match. He won his breed and then took a group 1. The judges liked him a lot.

All of his winnings from the weekend.

Violet hurt her back this week so she sat out most of the weekend. This morning she was feeling so well that I thought I would give it a go.

Due to some mix up we were entered in Utility B and not A. We were having a pretty good run until the judges book blew off the table and onto Violet. She was shaken but recovered. Then on the moving stand an armband blew into the ring next to V and the woman reached in to pick it up. That was the end of that. We NQed but I felt like it went pretty well. We are getting closer