Another week, more snow here in CT. Training plans anyone?

Last night's rental was awesome! and Towhee is back!

Rear Cross drills and sequences with Casey, Faelan and Towhee, which were recorded for class, so I am also learning my new video software.

Brady got to do some tricks and practice his perch work on a few different objects.

Towhee did all the Novice exercises.

Faelan did a gorgeous Utility exercise session - thank you Dawn for playing both steward and judge.

Casey did a combination of exercises.

B&G are back And a puppy too! So there was plenty of activity and everyone appeared to be having a great time.

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Golden moments shared with
Casey, Faelan, Towhee & Brady too !

and forever in my heart, my golden Bridge boys
Rowdy & King

I had a private lesson and my instructor was clapping for us! He wished he had video taped us because we were both so good. He claimed I came for a lesson to show off... Les is really working on my timing for rewarding and correction and it is beginning to pay off. I think this is probably the hardest thing for Nov A people to grasp.
We are going to start heeling between weaves this week so Jonah starts perfecting his left and right turns (me too)! The poles start out about 6' apart and we will gradually bring the poles in closer until Jonah and I are literally weaving between them.

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Be Happy With What You Have!

Laid five metal articles in a horizontal row and sent Nugget to find it , he did . So much better than yesterday when he refused to even go to the articles. We will keep working till I'm really sure he has gotten it. Tomorrow is class nite we will try all novice exercises and some open and signals from utility. It never ceases to amaze me when a high value treat is the reward how much better my guy responds. Home made liver cookies .


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We did two novice runs at a run through today. I was trying not to be hanging around too long before our turn in the ring . . . so of course, they were running ahead and when we checked in at the ring they said "you're next". No warm up, Zoe in a place she's never been, lots of people and dogs and Utility going on in the adjacent ring. First run was rough. Second was better. Her sits and downs were good even though on the second round they were throwing dumbells and jumping for open on the other side of the ring gate.

We've been having a problem with the first halt during heeling. She will forge and start to cross in front of me before sitting. I understand the first halt is a frequent problem. Any suggestions?

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Zoe, Rockwall Nantucket Breeze, BN, CGC, Delta therapy dog
Zeke, our introduction to the world of Golden Retrievers

Had a great indoor (snow and ice everywhere) session today. Lately, her off leash heeling seems better than on leash. Quarter turns are getting a lot better, but still not as consistent as I'd like them to be. We'll get there.

E-collar training (so far limited to "no pulling" and "leave it") is still going well. I have assembled a pile of small sticks and pine cones in the yard. Every time she goes near it, and doesn't pick anything up, she gets a piece of kibble and lots of praise. I had to nick her once today for digging up one small twig, but have discovered that she responds to an even lower level of stimulation. One that I can hardly feel on my hand.

I'll bite... but hopefully those with more experience hop in here as well....

Best thing you can do is practice ring entries as much as you can. If you train enough so your dog almost anticipates that first halt, it should help. The footwork as well cues your dog that a sit is coming. You have time to stop when the judge calls halt.

If your dog doesn't pick up your change in footwork (the 1.5 steps, for example) and still winds up in front of you - it is a focus issue that will be solved by practicing those ring entries and making sure you have her focus right from the start.

At the next fun match, don't let them rush you into the ring. Take your time to gather your dog's attention before you go in. Even at a trial, it's the steward's job to make sure everyone is ready before they go into the ring. They should be letting you know you are next. <- They don't always so I wouldn't count on it, but it's something that SHOULD happen.

At trials, I generally check all the armbands around me and identify the 2-3 people who go into the ring before me.

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I need to get my articles out for Jacks and see if I can get him through to week 6 (probably not).

Bertie was trained earlier.... I started waits/fronts with him. I decided that the best way to keep "wait" seperate for right now is I'm telling him "wait" and touching his nose while I back away 2-3 feet. His fronts of course are straight at that distance.

We have class monday and tuesday... and then a fun match wednesday. Jacks is entered in open. Bertie was also supposed to go right after, but I wiped that out. The novice/open ring is packed and I felt guilty about using time for training a puppy. I suggested to my instructor to wipe out that space if the match was packed. She said OK, but probably too nice to cut my Bertie run. There will be a fun match next month that I can sign him in if I want. Probably best going that route.

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Yesterday was focused on agility foundational work and learning my new video software. Jump training and various recall games. Today hopefully I will catch up some on Brady's tricks class, but time will be limited since Faelan and Brady have field training and the commute chops an additional hour each way..worth it but that means 4+ hours in the car for me.

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Golden moments shared with
Casey, Faelan, Towhee & Brady too !

and forever in my heart, my golden Bridge boys
Rowdy & King

Snowing pretty good this morning , I'm hoping it quits so the plows can get the roads if not I won't go to training tonite because its 32 miles one way and I won't chance it. On a brighter note Nugget and I just
Did articles in the front room and the first set laid in a line vertically he smelled it out and again was correct in the one brought to me. We did two more laid out randomly in a rough circle and he again brought the correct one each time. By golly I think he has it. Later this week I will introduce leather.


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Brady has officially entered the

Me no want to, me no have to


stage. Oh well, back on the long line both home and abroard - he has been on a long line for a bit at home already while he re-earns his freedom, now he gets to enjoy it at field training too. You just have to love their stages of learning! LOL

No come when called, no retrieve when sent - no freedom for you, little one LOL We have time on our side LOL

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Golden moments shared with
Casey, Faelan, Towhee & Brady too !

and forever in my heart, my golden Bridge boys
Rowdy & King

Went thru same thing with Nugget last week


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