I Guess He's Not So Bad

Charlie did a good job on Sunday. We were the highest scoring team in Rally-O with a 99 and first place.
Obedience was a bust Charlie went around the jump on the recall. Oh well, more training is in our future. I will be teaching him all of the jumping exercises in obedience just to make sure he really gets the idea.
I was just proud that he did all his sits and downs on the wet morning grass!

All in all it was a good experience. However it is the first time I have seen some one purposely break the rules. A man brought a tennis ball in the ring in his pocket. I thought that maybe he had just forgotten he had it until he pulled it out to play with his dog when he left the ring. He then placed it back in his pocket and went back in for stays!
Because it is a new venue for me I thought that maybe the rules were a little different. Nope. But I was not able to pull the judge a side and ask until after judging was finished. She said she wished I had mentioned it sooner. I just really didn't want to make a scene.

Now to get ready for Rally Novice and Utility. Can't wait to get Phlox into the ring and show off a little.

Shows

Charlie has his UKC show this Sunday. We are NOT ready. I have only managed to work in one training session since I signed him up. Luckily he took to the jump immediately making my job a lot easier.
After Sunday my attention shifts to Phlox.

I just signed Violet and Phlox up for a two day show Oct. 6-7th. Miss V will be back in the utility ring and Phlox will be doing Rally.

My goal for Violet is 1 Q out of two shows. I know we still have a few weak spots but overall her confidence and enjoyment has increased so much since July that unless there is some freak accident I believe she can pull it off.

My goal for Phlox is 95 +. This is easy for my other dogs. In fact a 95 is a low score for them but this is Phlox's very first performance show.
I think my nerves are going to kill me. Unlike my other dogs he is almost purely a product of my raising/training. I have never started from a puppy before and I want our relationship and training to demonstrate just how far I have come as a handler and trainer in the the last few years...All while making it fun...and remembering the new signs...

I'll leave you with a few pictures from last week.

UKC

In the beginning I was determined to compete in UKC obedience and not AKC. I wanted my dogs to be APBTs and not those inferior Amstaffs. The way things turned out the UKC just did not have any clubs or events close enough to me.
To be honest I like the AKC a lot and I'm happy that I started in that organization. Also, It turns out those inferior Amstaffs are just APBTs with an uppity name.

Now back to the topic at hand. I just signed up for my very first UKC obedience and Rally trial. Unfortunately Charlie is the only one I was able to register in time. He is signed up for Rally and Obedience on the 23rd.
This will also be my first outdoor obedience trial. It is going to be a great test for Charlie. He has come a long way but I usually do not trust him off leash out side. The recall over the jump will be another challenge. I don't train jumps with him almost ever and because of that they confuse him.
I have my work cut out for me but I think it will be a wonderful experience.


 

A Matter of Timing

I have been thinking a lot about different types of training and why and how they are effective. The one thing that jumps out at me is timing.

I have never seen a good trainer who did not have wonderful timing. Knowing when to react or reward, Knowing the precise moment to release and praise can make a world off difference between success and failure.

As an example I will use client A and B. They are father and son and own a medium sized mixed breed dog, Red.
A is very unsure of himself and tends to hesitate before giving a command or verbal correction. The dog will listen to him to an extent but tends to be very un reliable.
When B takes the leash he is just as unsure but pays attention to Red and both rewards and corrects in a timely manner. Because of this Red is capable of doing off leash exercises while handled by B.

Same dog, two unsure handlers. The timing makes all the difference.

It really doesn't matter what style of training you practice timing has very large part to play.

Wordless Wednesday

Cassin decided to help me out at an adoption event last weekend. She is getting so big :)

Sorry I lied about the wordless part.

If A Toddler Can Do it

My son always wants to help with the dogs. Since he has trained with Violet in a few classes and listens very well himself he has earned the privilege of walking Violet. Don't be fooled by Violet's extensive obedience background if she smells a sucker on the other end of the leash her manners fly out the window. My son has worked hard teaching her to listen to him. 

"Viowet down"

My son is only 3 years old. If a toddler can do it theres no reason you can't.

Note: For safety reasons they stay close enough that if needed I could give Violet a verbal command just in case.

Say Cheese