Gyp, in the Ring ...

It was so fun to get back in the Ring with Gyp last weekend - while it was a different Ring than we are used too - I loved it, and look forward to lots of Rally and Obedience in her future!!

Here is Gyp from Sunday's Rally Obedience trial, and her 2nd High In Class. I think her happy waggy tail says it all :)



Thanks Jolene for taping!!!

something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue

Something OLD ...
6 months off of Agility, and Gyp didn't miss a beat on her Dogwalk last week YAY!! This week we are conquering even more in an effort to get her back!!

Something NEW ...This weekend Gyp was entered in her very first Rally Obedience Trial, She came home with 2 High in Classes, 3 Qs (score of 100, 95 and 96) and her very first CKC Title! "Rally Novice". She was pretty spooked in the building with the loud noises and especially our Male judge on Friday. But through lots of play and games outside the ring in atleast 15 sessions over 3 days ... she got more comfortable as the weekend went on, and by Sunday, was 100% normal Gyp - happy and nothing bothering her. It is hard working with a dog with fear issues, but through alot of diligence and patience with Gyp she is now able to recover faster and faster from meltdowns. Her want for nothing more than to please me, and through our special bond, it scares the outside world away when we step in the ring - it is GAME ON. I am so proud of her.

Something Borrowed ...

Kim sent me this photo of Gyp getting her first High in Class!! They we large classes of 12-15 dogs in Novice B, I was thrilled!

Something Blue ...

x2!!!

(thanks for the great photo Amanda)

Rally Advanced and CD here we come!!

It's true. I am in love with a little dog from Kentucky.

Where's the caviar?

What a great way to spend a Sunday.

SAWHDA hosted Obedience/Rally Fun Mach today, and Jane would like everyone to know that she's still got it at almost 11 years young. She won 2 High in Classes ... a 197 in Novice Obedience (hence the PINK Champagne prize!!!) and a 99 in Advanced Rally ... Jane just loves Obedience, she is happiest doing anything with me (well, for the cookies that I have). It was great to get her out in the ring today. I just loved every second of it. I hope to finsih her Rally Level II title with APDT this year, there is only 2 or 3 trials in Alberta a year which sucks.

Gyp did great for her first time with a 193.5 in Novice Obedience, and in Novice Rally with a 98. I entered her in Advanced just for fun, and wow she was great! She scored an 88 Advanced Rally (10 points off for handler error, i moved my feet calling her to front - duh). Her heeling and attention was really good, amazing what practicing does ...

K-man did great too, he was pumped in Open Obedience, I was so pleased with his effort and heeling and attention. We NQ'd though (gawking on the way back over the high jump - and missed it LOL), his stays were good - only a couple barks in each (it is improvement), his score would have been 190. He also earned a 96 in Advanced Rally. I am more confident with him the ring now, and I was not nervous at all today, and it showed, as he was happy ... he was maybe a little too high - he was vibrating almost the whole time ... but I'll take it!

It was a great day to spend with friends and hangout in between runs, and thanks to SAWHDA for the awesome prizes and well organized event!

- - - - -

We have lots to work on ... I have been stepping into my dogs on halts, without even realizing it most of the time, I got some good hints to help with MY handling this way.

With K, I STILL need to work distractions intensely in all situations, so Gawky McGee pays attention to me and not the adoring crowd ... especially over the high jump - where he will gawk and forget what he is doing - missing the jump on the way back!! At this point, it is our weakest exercise in Open.

I also REALLY REALLY need to brush up on ring etiquette and rules, more practice ... more practice ...

thanks to Maureen for the great pics!!!