Obedience

We went out tonight for scenthurdle and after did some heel work after doing nothing of the sort for a couple months. Izzie didn't miss a beat. Actually I think her heeling was better than ever despite MY footwork being rusty. Izzie and I are now working at it and I'd really like to get her a title or two in regular Obedience eventually. She's a very smart and capable little dog as long as I get it together and I practise smart with her. She can do it, I know she can. 

I don't like to set goals, but here goes. We are going to train and try her out in the Novice Obedience ring at our home club show in November. 

There... I said it, and now you all know so you better hold me to it! 

I need to try keeping a training log too but I'm rubbish at writing things down, but for my own improvement I'm going to try. What we worked on, how she did, what we can improve on, etc. So maybe I'll write things up on a page on my blog here and it'll keep me accountable. 

Anyways, here's a couple photos that the wonderful Amanda from manymuddypaws took of us tonight when we went out to play scenthurdle and obedience.

Go Fetch!

An attentive and happy little Puglet.

The Elevator of Success is Broken, Please Use the Stairs

25/52: Step By Step, originally uploaded by mandypug.

Via Flickr:
Izzie and I are really coming along in agility. We earned two more Qs toward her Advanced Games Dog of Canada title this past Sunday with only slight mistakes on my part keeping us from Q-ing our other two runs. I'm very happy with our progress thus far and it gives us motivation to power on forward into the harder levels!

Becoming successful in anything requires hard work. There may be people who attain success seemingly overnight. Lucky bastards maybe? Who knows. But for the rest of us poor sods, we've gotta put in the effort to get out the success. It's like taking the stairs, you've got to exert that force to carry yourself each step. Unlike the elevator, it's all on you to get to where you're going. Nothing is going to carry your ass up those stairs except you.

How does this relate to agility? Well agility is a sport; and like with any sport, you will get out what you put in. If you haven't been working on your rear crosses, don't expect them to be fantabulous when you are forced to do them on a course. Simple as that.

Going back to the stairs comparison, the first time you start your journey up those stairs and trying anything it will burn and you will want to quit. You will shed blood, sweat, and tears. If you don't, you're not trying hard enough. Feel the burn, cherish the burn. Then remember that the more you do those stairs and push yourself and work through it, the easier it gets. You might trip all over yourself trying to front cross at first, but you keep pushing through and practising and eventually something that seemed as hard as a triple salchow will come as easy to you as a bunny hop. Again if I had students to say this to I would harp on and on about it and maybe get it tattooed on my forehead, but you get out what you put in.

So next time someone exclaims to you "Wow you guys are so successful! I wish my dog and I could do as well as you and yours!", just remember that you put in the effort and you're reaping the rewards and bask in that warm fuzzy feeling that you get from your work.

Hand-Me-Down

Hand-Me-Down, originally uploaded by mandypug.

Izzie got a new to her collar yesterday. This collar used to belong to Jane. I'm proud to have a collar worn by a very special little dog now hanging on my own very special little dog's neck. Thanks Sarah, I love it.

Omg Shoes

I decided to order new shoes the week before last for agility purposes (and general awesomeness) and they got here on Monday! I love them. They're my second pair of Vibram Five Finger barefooting shoes. My first pair being a pair of hot pink Treksports that I ordered back in late August 2011. These new ones are the Komodosport LS model and they are the most comfy things I've ever worn. I like them even more than my first pair!

I originally bought these shoes because I have problems with shin splints and extremely flat feet. While these don't have any special arch support (okay they have no arch support) they help promote a natural gait and the strengthening of the foot and leg muscles. When the feet and legs are strengthened in a more natural fashion, things stop hurting. It's awesome. I also don't fall as much in them as I have better balance and stability when turning quickly. Anyway I'm glad others introduced me to them and pushed me to try a pair and I think I'm becoming a true barefooting convert!

Izzie's Little Buddy

Izzie and I went out to a seniors lodge on Monday for an Agility demo to kick off their Seniors Week celebration. Our good friend and club mate Jo was there with her Kelpie puppy too and her daughter who happens to be Izzie's most favourite kid ever. Since it was a demo and Izzie loves her little buddy, I let her run Izzie a couple times. This is their first time ever together and they did awesome! Izzie didn't even miss me (which makes me a little sad but that's okay).

Maybe they'll get to run together for real in the fall, that would be super cool =)

Regionals Recap

As you all know I went out to Medicine Hat for regionals this past weekend to volunteer. First let me say what a wonderfully run event it was! Everything ran very smoothly and they were organized and very well prepared, you go Flashing Canines! 

It was a great experience timing the runs, it really puts into perspective how fast some of these dogs are. With the slower dogs you really start to root for them when you know what the course times are when they get into that last few seconds of the SCT. 

My club, Go Dog Go, is awesome too. They really are great sports and are overall just friendly and in good spirits even when it's difficult to be. I know I always mention how much I love these people but really it deserves repeating. I do really love this group and am proud to be part of it. I guess what I'm trying to say is find yourself a great group like these people and stick with them. You'll gain many friends who will be there for you when things get rough. 

Izzie sticks by her BFF Gyppie while she was hurting

If you'd like to see the results of the Go Dog Go dogs check out the Go Dog Go blog.