Weaving Merlie

Just had to share this photo of Hoax weaving. It was taken at WBSDS this past weekend. I love it for a number of reasons. She really looks focused on the job ahead, I love how her weight is all shifted into her rear and she is using her tail to balance. I also like the fact you can see her 'one stride' weave method. It's intresting as I can see just how much she has to extend to make this work as a small dog!

Hoaxey is a star!

Well done my little girl. You did me proud this weekend x

We went to WBSDS this weekend and the weather was fantastic! Saturday I got there early for two runs with Hoaxey. First a jumping course which was really nice, then the agility... I walked both. The Agility had seven weave poles in it, it was also extremly tight and twisty for her. This was supposed to be Hoax' first run. I was concerned that the odd weaves would cause issues for her and didnt want this to reflect on the rest of her runs so decided to pull out of that one. Her jumping was lovely bar her weaves again, she got her entry but doubled up on the next one. However the reattempt she completed perfectly, so a big improvment on last week. This run was at about 8.45am. She then had nothing until 5pm ish! It had been such a long day! I was so dissapointed when I walked the course and it had SEVEN weaves again!!! Oh No! Ah well, the rest was really nice and flowing and I wanted to try my scoop over the last jump of the snake so decided as it was end of the day I would give it a shot. Carol Dicker gave me a pep talk in the queue and I setup fully expecting her to miss the last weave but willing to give it a try. I decided to just attack the weaves properly and see what happens. I couldnt belive it when she got them all. I suddenly had to shift into gear and shouted 'Go go' to send her off to the tunnel for collection out of the collapsible. She flew round the rest of the course. She was quite wide as I think I was panicking a bit, thinking we may actually go clear, and the run for home nearly killed me but we did it! She had a clear round! I was so proud of her and happy, she then had hugs from everyone and got very spoilt. The icing on the cake was that she actually won the class! Clever little lady. I am very happy today! I have no doubt that we are nowhere near cracking the issue with our weaves but they ARE improving all the time and thats enough for me, for now :)

Boo was also a total star, he is really working well right now. I ran him in three classes, he went clear in two (and went clear in his run off there aswell, winning that). His Agility was just a training round. The only non clear was totally my fault. Then on Sunday I only ran him in the teams which he went clear in aswell! He is just an angel and my boy. I love that dog sooo much! I also got a chance to watch lots of Boo babies run this weekend including: Java, Missie, Chase and Jigsaw. They are all doing so well and I am proud of every single one of them!

Good Little Hoaxey

Well, we had a good nights training again this evening. Hoaxey was a great dog and flew round the course for me, she is even turning well and is still giving me speed through straights and turns, her weaves and contacts were fab too! I love watching her through a tight fast turn, we had one last night where they were hitting a jump at an angle and then had to turn back on themselves over that jump towards the tunnel, she read the rear cross beautifully and when she turns she wraps her back legs under her body and twists at the sametime, it's a slightly odd way of turning (most neat dogs I see extend their back legs to wrap a wing) but it works for her!

The frustrations of a young dog handler

The weekend started off with a training session with Toni Dawkins on Friday, Hoax was first followed by Boo later on. Hoaxey was really a good girl, she ran very well and weaves, contacts etc were fine. Her weaves need more independance as she is still not staying in them if I run off too far and she stops too late on her contacts when I do the same so this is definately something we need practise on. Otherwise she was really good. She did her scoops, dig strides, wrong end of tunnel etc etc- I was so proud as she was turning quide wide when Toni saw us last and she has now improved a lot!

Boo was PM and was just fantastic. I LOVE that dog, great contacts, fab weaves, good turns etc etc. He really is working extremly well, despite lack of training from my side!

Well, this weekend was Wallingford. Saturday was grey and wet which meant I didn't get to run at all (I decided at the beginning of the year NOT to run when it is wet out as it isn't worth risking anything) so Boo ran pairs for Nic and teams for Stuart. He was a really good lad and went clear in both runs. My angel lad!

Sunday was Small/ Medium day which meant Hoaxey time! We started with G3 Agility. She set off flying and then cocked up the weaves... grrr. The rest was perfect so it was dissapointing but I wasn't too worried. Next up G3-4 Agility, Start was jump, weaves. Still went wrong! Then pairs and she set off so fast I didnt turn her properly at jump 2 and she overshot it- ah well- but then we STILL messed up the weaves! Finally a lovely G3 Jumping course, guess what- yup weaves again! The frustrating thing is that the rest is looking so good. She has her confidence now in the ring so is certainly quick enough, contacts are nice, turns, sendons etc but she attacks the weaves like a total beginner!

Well I know we need more practise and proofing on them at home. So this will be my focus for the next few weeks. I will also try very hard not to let it become an issue in the ring as she will just get more stressed about them so we will try to not worry.

Feeling a bit low about it today- especially with everyone elses successes this weekend- I am incredibly pleased and proud for and of them but wish we could just get round a course too! :)

Oh Boo ran pairs and got another clear round for me this time- we would have had fantastic runs except for the fact that Tassle went off for a five second mid course sniff! LOL we still came 7th!

Ah well- I still adore my little merlie girlie and I know she will be just fine soon enough!

Not much happenening

Well not much has been happening agility wise. We have been sorting out baby stuff mostly and dont seem to have enough time to do everything!

This Friday however we have training with Ms Dawkins at my mums venue- lets hope for sunshine! I cant wait!!!