2013

Train to win. Trial to learn.
My new motto for 2013. I have a nasty habit of shutting down at trials and not seeing them for what they are, a great big learning experience. No more will I get frustrated at trials. I am there to learn.
On the flip side my training is no longer casual. I am training to win.

My goals are less about titles this coming year and more about being prepared.

We will be

1) Psychically prepared 

    My dogs and I should be able to work for extended amounts of time with out becoming tired. Right now   we can only work a total of 10-15 minutes before calling it quits. This also includes getting the dogs back on raw.

2) Mentally prepared

    Knowing the rules and exercises before showing in any current or new venues/sports. 

3) Prepared for anything

    Working in the rain, on grass, in crowds, tight spaces, anything I can think of we will proof for it.

I expect 2013 to be a very exciting and can not wait to get it started. We have many things to look forward to Obedience, Rally, Conformation and agility. There is also the possibility of Weight pull, Tracking, Dock dogs, Carting and IPO. The possibilities are truly endless.

Happy New Year!

Trying To Update My Look + Rally Training App

For the new year I'm hoping to ad some pzazz to the blog. Unfortunately I am not very gifted at anything remotely related to computers or the internet. I can't even figure out how to use paint. Really.

Over the last month I saw a huge increase in page views but no increase in followers. I'm really hoping a fun new look will help to capture readers attention. I'm also hoping that my intensive training this coming year will produce many fun and informative videos and photos. It helps that I have finally found my camera but it would help even more if I could figure out how to use it.

So if you are reading this but not following it yet Click the little blue link on the right side you'll be glad you did.

Growling software's Rally obedience dog training app

I have yet to try any paied apps on my smart phone but this one has my interest peaked. It includes pictures of all the AKC signs with definitions. It has yet to be updated to the 2012 changes but that is one of the great things about smart phone apps, they are constantly updating and adding information.

I plan on downloading it and giving it a proper review.



For 0.99 it seems like a worth while tool for most competitors.

Rally Gets an Upgrade

The AKC is updating the Rally rules, regulations and signs. It really looks like they are trying to turn rally into a legitimate sport.

Favorite new regulation:

"Substantial Deduction (6-10 points) for each of the following:
• Incorrectly performed station** (Automatic 10 point deduction)
• Failure to complete the Sit Stay Exercise (IP)–No retries allowed
• Failure of dog to go over the jump in the proper direction (IP) – no retries allowed
• Luring /pleading with the dog
• Lack of natural manner"

To me this is a big step forward. I am a "positive" trainer and use treats and a little luring in my training. However, I would never, ever consider taking a dog into the ring if they "needed" to be lured around a course. To me that is not a trained dog it's a dog being tricked into performing.

Favorite new novice sign:

#36 Slow forward from sit

Favorite new Advance sign:

#118 Halt leave dog 2 steps call to heel forwad

Favorite new Excellent sign:

#209 Stand leave dog down dog call front-finish

The only draw back is that I now have to memorize new signs. But I think it will be worth a little extra effort in order to see the sport move forward.

Check out the rest of the new rules and regulations here --> New Rally Regulations

Check out the new signs here -->  New Rally Signs

The Terrible, Really Bad, No Good Week. Part 1

On Monday night Phlox was uncharacteristically picky at dinner. He had been sluggish all day but nothing really concerning. Then the vomiting started and that's when the red flags started going up.
By Tuesday afternoon he couldn't keep anything down and his stool was continuing to get bloodier. He had accompanied me to the vet clinic I work at and by lunch time we decided he needed an emergency care hospital.
My ex husband met me at pup scouts so that we could drop of our son and he could drive the rest of the way. I really wasn't in any state to drive.

We arrived at the vet at 2pm and were greeted by a rather unpleasant receptionist. She asked a few questions and then ordered a Parvo test. We waited in the exam room for a very long time before some one came in with paperwork. She administered a short exam and then left to do the test.
After another long absence the vet appeared and informed us that is was indeed Parvo. My heart sank all the puppies I've ever known with parvo have died.
The vet was very reassuring and said that there was no reason that Phlox wouldn't pull through.

This whole week has been a roller coaster. One day he would be eating a little and not vomiting and the next he would be back to square one. In general I worry too much so when there really is something wrong I am a total wreak.

On Saturday morning I was allowed to bring Phlox home. He still wasn't eating much and I had fluids on stand by. He vomited a few times but other than that things went pretty well. Sunday was even better with no vomiting and semi formed stools.

This morning I was woken up at 6:30 by some one barking and scratching at the door. Annoyed I got up to shut who ever it was up. There Phlox was jumping up and barking at the door to the dog room. His tail was wagging and he so desperately wanted to visit his friends in the next room. When he saw me he ran over to sit in my lap. Then the unbelievable happened. He ate a whole steak! it is the first whole meal he has had since last Monday.    

I didn't want to post about it until I knew he was out of the woods. I'm not sure how long it will be until we can start training again but I am just happy to have my dog safe and healthy again.

This does mean that we can not show at Reliant in July. They had to shave his legs and he needs time to gain weight.

Phlox is a STAR

On Saturday April 9th Phlox passed his AKC STAR puppy test. It was a stressful morning so neither of us did our best but it was fun and Phlox did everything I asked of him.

My brother was nice enough to video some of the test. He didn't know how to use my camera though and most of it is unusable.

The Proof Is In The Pudding.

A few years ago I was presented with a dilemma. How do I get two tiny puppies and an adult dog home when we have to walk a mile?
The answer came from a doggy backpack from Old Navy.
You could say the rest is history.

The Picture


The Proof


This picture has made Violet pretty famous and as for the pups. They both found wonderful homes a few months later.

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