Agility Training

Flash and I went to see Linda Crammond for the first time today. Poor Flash had to endure my novice driving style and promptly threw up... So sorry Flash! (He was ok on the way back though, where things were a bit calmer... ).

When we got there, Flash was able to have a good run on the field which was fully fenced. Then we got started with the different jumps etc.

Flash did very well... much better than me for sure. Once I started using the clicker on certain things, the progress was even faster. Apart from the jumps, tunnel and weave (which he already knew a little), he also learnt the full size A-frame, the dog walk, the soft tunnel (clicker was great for that), the sea-saw (again, clicker very useful) and the tyre.

Both Flash and I are totally shattered... but we loved it. Lots of fitness training for both of us.

We can't wait to see Linda again next Saturday for another session.

I is knackered...

Training is coming along nicely...

Bullseye

Went to the hall again last night. I took the bullseye blanket with me. Flash was quite uneasy about it for a good while. I got him (and Jesse) to run around on it though with toys and treats, which made it a bit better. In the end, I got him to actually target the bullseye (which is black) with his back legs (as the bum needs to be on the bullseye) as he kept walking around it (which was very strange... but hey, I am sure he had his valid reasons... LOL).

The slow recall is fab now, even at long distances. He comes back in a nice walking pace, not even trot! Great. The emergency down is pretty good too, though a little more work is needed.

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Party Trick

We also worked on the crawling again and for the first time he did quite a distance actually doing it properly without me having to lure him! Great!

We also continued to work on the send away (AHEAD) and down, which is pretty good now - even with various kinds of markers (I haven't been able to put the Christmas tree up yet). Started to work on the speak when in the down... that's coming along too.

Now all I need him to learn for the party trick is to ring a bell and to carry the doll! Oh, and I still need a volunteer for the actual trick on the day!

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Temptation

Have worked on this again too to get Flash run past treats and toys. He still avoids them rather than ignore them, but I hope in time this will improve. And on the day, as long as he doesn't grab anything, I don't really mind if he avoids or ignores. The only thing with the avoiding is that it looks like he has been punished for taking the treats/toys, which is not the case... it's just his way of completing the task without taking the stuff...

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Doggie Detective

We have done some work during the week to find treats and then a ball under flower pots. Flash finds this a bit difficult, I think it is because my scent is all over them. So might have to work a bit with Karen on that one next Tuesday!

I also need to do loads more work to get Flash to bring the ball back. I have ordered special rope balls which I want to use, as this will carry my scent better than for example rubber. I hope I get them this week.

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Agility

I have also finally managed to find an agility trainer that is going to help me with Flash. Linda Crammond is near Sevenoaks, so quite a bit away, but it'll be fine. Flash and I will have three 1-2-1 sessions with her before the show. I think that should be fine considering how quickly Flash picked stuff up when I did a bit of agility with him for an hour before the audition. I am really looking forward to the agility training, and I am sure Flash will love it too!

More training

Flash is absolutely loving his training for Top Dog. His face lights up when he can learn something new, and he loves to rehearse older stuff.

Last night, we practiced the running to and lying down by the marker and started to introduce the barking when lying down. Then we did the crawling bit. We also started with looking for a ball under a pot. The slow recall with an emergency down is coming along very nicely and the recall across distractions (food and toys) went really well too without a sideward glance (and also without actually avoiding getting near the distractions).

All in all... Flash is making good progress and seeing the joy and enjoyment in his face is priceless and worth all the effort. It's great to have a happy dog.

Top Dog Training

On Friday, 6th July, I received the information regarding possible games for Top Dog. Wow, there's a lot... However, we will know soon which ones exactely are being actually done in our heat.

Whatever is chosen, we definitely have to do agility (will ask Jacky tomorrow whether I can join their agility class) and our party trick (which I have already started with training). The rest is temptations, scent work and obedience...

It scared the life out of me when I saw the letter and read it all. But now I have put it all down on paper, it looks only half as scary...

Also, Karen, Dawn and I went to see Ian Dunbar on his last ever UK tour on Saturday and Sunday and I managed to pick up a few bits and pieces there for my training for Top Dog.

It'll all be fun!