Archive for the ‘Training’ Category

Sunday, October 25th, 2009

Run it for the money! 

Run it for the Money was the name of the agility workshop that Robbie and I attended today at Criterion agility.  We have been training at Criterion in Middlefield, CT since early this year.  Monique, who is one of the owners/trainers there, has really helped us to improve our communication on course and to cut down our yardage, therefore course time as well.

The Fall colors are about at peak in our area right now, and the drive to Ridgeland Farm where Criterion is based was spectacular.

The Oranges…..                                                    

2009FallOranges

     the reds……………………2009Fallreds

                                                                                                                                                                  and the yellows are brilliant! 

2009FallYellows

 

   The view across Beseck Lake in Middlefield is gorgeous!

2009FallColors Across Beseck Lake

The colors of the Fall mums………

2009FallColors Mums

The dogs take turns with the horses of Ridgeland Farm training in the spacious indoor arena.

 2009FallRidgeland Farm Horse

Our Workshop was great; it was a series of many short courses to drill skills.  We left with a few things to work on; when the trials wind down next month we will have some homework for the winter months.

This video is the short “warm up” that we started with today…….then we all really went to work drilling skills

Monday, October 12th, 2009

Could this be our next OTCH??

Though it has taken quite some time, by being patient and taking it slowly, I have finally convinced Robbie that the dumb bell is not “the most vile thing a dog could have in his mouth” !  He has progressed through the “hold” training and is finally retrieving!  He is even taking the metal article and holding that pretty well now too.  Next month, when we go to the Thanksgiving Cluster,  I will have him fitted and order him his very own set of articles.  My plan is to spend the winter months teaching Robbie to do the scent discrimination exercise.  It is looking like Robbie may actually have a second career as an obedience dog….who would have guessed?

Robbie retrieving the dumb bell.

Robbie retrieving the dumb bell.