Lots to say

Well it's been a very, very long time since my last post and I have lots to say but not so much time to write it all!

PUPS
Firstly the pups are all doing well and are loved and adored in their homes. We went to a 'balance and co- ordination workshop' run by Hannah Banks. Also in attendance were Yvette with Munch and Tracy/ Sue with Ajaxs. The puppies were so good, all very confident and focused. None of them worried at all about the ladders/ wobble boards and such like. With the shaping stuff I have done with D, he really gets that whole value transfer thing and was pulling to over to the wobble boards and ladders after a very short time.

DETOUR
I cant belive he is five months old already! He is such a sweet boy. We have had a few little issues with him nervous woofing when we are on a walk but some recall tug games seem to be fixing that. He has done very little training really since the last post but has concentrated on being a pup.

HOAX
We are finally getting back into the swing of training and I am revisiting a few things. Contacts have been a difficult thing with deciding what action to take with training for more independance and speed and she felt like she was lacking the confidence she should have. I have brought her target back in for a bit to help her focus on her position but changed her criteria to the most simple thing I can think of which I think will counteract any confusion she had. Weaves are slowly improving, I need to keep challenging her but she is feeling much sounder in them now. Pull throughs are still cr*p- must practise them!!! I am very aware of Cruft looming at the beginning of 2010 and really dont want to let my team down. I know that Hoaxey is the weakest link, not only is she the only non G7 dog (two of which are AGs) but we have way less experince than the others. Chances are it will be us that messes up but as long as we put some training in and do our best I will feel ok about it. My team mates are lovely so I know they will all be nice to us... except maybe that Toni.. (only joking before long discussions about 'over competitive' top handlers start on the forum)!

GOLDEN BALLS
Boo is always lovely, he seems sometimes to be struggling a bit more with turns and things so I am keeping an eye on him. I have done so little with him some of our basics are weak right now. I like to try and give my dogs a good rest each year. Hoax had had plenty of time off with puppies and seasons etc so I will keep her going the whole winter bar her season. Boo however hasnt had a good rest for a while so he will get the whole of December and January off.