Match Sunday

We have a obedience match Sunday.  I entered Wyatt in Open A and Novice B and Patriot in Open A.  Still working on Patriot's Drop on Recall.  I have been doing it as a brace and it seems to help Patriot drop faster when Wyatt is there as a role model.  Not something I expected. 

Long Sit

Wyatt has gone down on his long sit at home a few times when I have gone outside so it's good, in a way.  At least I can reproduce the problem and correct him at home.  I go outside at night so I can see him and he can't see me.  If he goes down, I go in right away, say, "Oops", and put hime back in a sit.  I need to remember to mix in some downs too or he will start coming up on the downs, especially in the winter.  I use a blanket when is is really cold. 

Class Last Night

I took both dogs to obedience class last night.  There were some very specific things I wanted to work on:

1)  Patriot's drop on recall (DOR) -the dropping part,
2)  Wyatt's drop on recall - the recall part,
3)  Wyatt's long sit

I got to work on all 3.  I had 2 different people hover over Wyatt with arm raised to try and help with the freezing problem on the recall.  He did not freeze but I did see signs of stress especially when a tall man raised him arm over.  He did the long sit fine. which was good.  I also got to work on Patriot's DOR.  We worked on the rock back down and 2 different methods for teaching the drop.  I was using both methods but did get some good tips on the "board" method.

Video of Patriot Novice B 1st Place 190.5

Ware Obedience Results

I had a fun time yesterday in Gilbertville, MA doing AKC obedience.  It was a bit hectic working out of the car in Novice B with Wyatt and Patriot.  The place was nice but tiny.  There was no real room to crate or warm up so I worked out of the car.  The novice entry was small so I had to hurry to switch dogs and warm up.  I had to find an extra handler for Patriot for Novice sits and downs too.  They both dig well for the regular exercises though Wyatt's healing has been better.  He froze on the recall though, a first for novice.  I have 3 theories about thing freezing issue. 

1)  He is confused about what to do because of the jumps he may be confusing open and utility and not be sure about to do.  This was most likely ruled out yesterday since there was nothing in the ring for novice. 

2)  The judge standing behind him with an arm raised makes him nervous.  This seems more likely because he did fine in open with a judge who is a former teacher of ours.  Though I have tried in class before to crowd him and put pressure on, I need to have everyone in class, especially tall people, stand close to him with their arm raised. 

3)  General stress that is just going to take time.  I did make sure I was loud and clear in open.  I don't want to scare him or be different but it did seem to work being very loud and clear.  It's hard to do while still sounding positive, in my experience. 

I was thrilled that he came.  I did not think he would since he did not come in novice.  I also did not issue a second command in novice.  He always comes on the second command but I don't want to inadvertantly train a second command. 

Wyatt went down on the long sit about 30 seconds through so we did not get our first leg but I was happy overall.  It was our closest to a Q in quite a while. 

Patriot did really well in novice.  I am working on his drop on recall so I can enter him in open too.  He is not as smart or good when things go well, but he is much more confident and predicable once he gets it.  He ended up first with a 190.5, even winning the runoff for first. 

Wyatt Update

Wyatt seems to be OK with his toe injury and his back/hips seem better too.  He tends to start having back/hips problems towards the end of the agility season.  His gait was fine early this week but it took a while for the swelling to do down.  I gave both dogs baths last weekend in the upstairs bathrub. The baby gate was closed to the downstairs.  I heard Patriot jump the gate.  Why, I have no idea!  Wyatt may have tried the same thing, I'm not sure. 

Wyatt Ouch

Wyatt came up lame Monday during his dog walk.  The dog walker did not take him back right way because she thought it might be due to cold.  He does lift a paw or walk on 3 legs sometimes when it is cold.  Unfortunatelt, the other dog walker did not read the journal we both write in and took him for a walk yesterday.  He was really lame when I got home.  They are usually very good so I am not meaning to be critical.  Stuff happens. 

One of his left front toes is swollen.  I believe it is a trauma injury that will pass quickly.  I have seen these before, often after coursing or racing.  Will definately rest him this week.  He needed the rest anyway due to his hips and back tightening up.  I have seen signs like running around jumps that are typically for this time of year for him.  It means that rest is needed from agility and even dog walks.