Each season I try to rest my dogs for a short time, they have eight weeks or so off to mentally and physically recoup from the strains a working dog can be under. Hoax is now nearing the end of her rest period and is preperation I have been looking at my foundations with her. Boy, how much I have learned since I trained her! Sadly I cant go back in time and fix the bits I did wrong, but I can build on what we have and strengthen our weaknesses. Focus will be on getting back to working flatwork drills, contact final position and weave entries as part of my Olympia prep. She has been to the vets due to a hind lameness but it seemed like a strain, so she is now on rest and anti immflamatories. This will be followed by a visit to my awesome physio on thursday to get some massage and a full check before I start to work here again.
Detour is naughty! Yes I never thought he would be but he is having some wild and crazy moments and I love it! For a dog that worried about so much he has really come out of his shell. Agility wise he really is a pleasure to work, trying so hard to get things right for me but still working with joy and gusto- fab boy! He has made me think so hard over the time since he was born about training and I love what i have learned. While I am getting Hoax Olympia ready, D will soon go on his winter rest. He loves his agility and as we will continue to work to our goal for next season. during rest period we will go back to more flatwork, forward focus and startline games etc.
Boo is still the solid, sweet, driven dog he always has been and I just cant fault him. He is just awesome to live with, work and just be involved with. He really is just the most special boy and I am blessed to own him.
I have finally started training again, no regular classes just private lessons and training days: mostly for other clubs and I am so enjoying it. I love to help if i can, and with jump work, and all the things I have learned about play from the likes of Lauren L and Susan G, I really feel that we can create happier, safer dogs nowdays. I love to learn and teach, trying to make it to others training days and inviting guest instructors. For myself broadening my knowledge about jumping is also paramount. When I started riding again I didnt realise how much it would help my understanding of jumping, physical ability and mental confidence etc. Anyone who has ridden and jumped knows how much easier the whole thing is when the horse meets the jump on the correct stride, tucks front legs neatly under and leads with his head low. Equally how much harder to sit, is that early takeoff and subsequent launch over the jump? We can learn so much through other sporting disciplines: showjumping, obedience, schutzhund and even football etc have things to offer us. Broaden our horizons, forget prejudices and preconceptions, we just might learn something brilliant!
2 comments:
So true Gemma, I love working with people with an equine background as they totally 'get' why jumping balance skill and schooling is so important! I use my equine knowledge so much when training my babies, I just love it! However,I can remember just as many riders in the horse arena who just wanted to 'get on and do' rather than improve form and balance- as we find in the dog world too! Some people are just lucky to have good naturally balanced animals who will get themesleves and their handlers' out of trouble whether equine or canine- However,those not so lucky often end up getting injured in the long run!
Agree totally! I already have seen riders who expect things out of their horse that it just isnt capable of and hasnt been taught correctly (or at all) to do, equally so with agility handlers. As you say- so many talented dogs/ horses that let us get away with being poor trainers x
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