Weeheee - fun in the snow

Why the snow sends the guys into orbits of sheer joy, I don't know. But they certainly made me smile with their antics, running around with a bit of conifer trimming. It was hard to keep them in view!

Vanitonia's Mister Big - A celebration of his first year

Well, well, well our little Mister Bigs has just celebrated his first year. If you know us you’ll know that Marc is well and truly smitten, as am I. This fantastic little dog, has packed more adventures into one year than most do in a lifetime. My only question is why did I wait so long to get Marc one? Oh yes, because I would have been entirely grey by now! ;-)

Big and Zev

Mr Big’s fan club continues to grow, mind you he is so darn cute it is not surprising. He has been directly responsible for at least one additional home succumbing to having a poodle puppy! This photo made me chuckle, how perfectly Big blends in with the bedding. Talking of photos check out the OBay blog posting dated Sunday 10th of May, there is some fabulous photos of Zev playing with his baby sister, they had a great time. What was also lovely but not captured on photo was Zev’s sheer joy at seeing Bernadette and Dennis again, it was humbling to watch the greeting ritual and the sheer delight of it. It was one of life’s lovely moments.

Today, Big and Zev found a baby bird in the garden, they just looked and did not try to get the bird but were curious. So I suggested they leave alone and they did so. They are such good dogs :-) And we watched for a while and baby bird just could not make the flight path high enough to get back over the fence. I thought what do I do? I did not want to pick up as I was worried that it was so delicate. So I put my hand down on the floor and waited for the response. Baby bird climbed on! Very carefully I went to the fence and just held my hand out until baby bird decided to fly off back to its nest in the hedgerow. What a special moment, I was thrilled that I helped the baby bird, and by letting it make its own decision, the problem was solved as if it was the most natural thing in the world to give a lift in my hand.


Life sure does have some magic moments sometimes.

Babyoli does it again

Well at the WBSDs what can I say? Rivi did me so proud and won her 3rd jumping win. It was extra special as I had bestest friend watching, along with Nanna Nicki who helps whelps the Nedlo litters and Aunty Claire. It was a great course set by Mr Chandler, something that when you walked it, it was like game on, so felt the need to try an put in a good run for that reason too. There were many exciting courses at the weekend, set by fab people who give up their time to judge.

Got no idea why they call the the runs that dont count 'freebies', as you have to wait a certain time before your moved up to the next grade. Really they are expensive runs, they don't count for progression and you have already paid your entry, your camping and petrol. But what the heck I am just loving running with Rivi, and we went majorly off course on another round, as Babyoli decided she too was gaining confidence and went up a gear in terms of speed, caught me off guard. I was well chuffed. Raz, did some really nice rounds with Marc, in prep for Vyne next week, but Wings is being rested as she is not quite right, and it is a concern. But not at the worry stage.

Zev Update - he has taken to the see-saw with great aplomb, Zev reckons he is super dog and super dogs are fearless and bold. Go the super zev. And his weaves are progressing real nice, although must admit to using the channels, whilst Rivi is enjoying the 2 x 2 as just a thing to do. As you can see from the photo, the guys have a great time at base camp :-) p.s video of runs to follow

Weekend at Home - discovering Clothier

After an intense 4 days of competing last weekend, we had this weekend at home. Yesterday was sunny and cold, but as the guys enjoy chilling in the garden, I snuckled into my ski wear, took out the deck chair and braved the elements. Apart from the chill it was one of the those perfect evenings, the sun slowly retiring for the night, the spring flowers and cherry blossom in their prime. The guys contentedly chomping on their chews or following the dance of a bumble bee through the flower bed. At last, I had a chance to start reading 'Bones Would Rain from the Sky' by Suzanne Clothier. I had come across this book from the OBay blog and was intrigued - but it was out of print - however a search on Amazon, sourced me my copy as it was back in print. Bernadette -Thank you for the reading tip
I only read 40 pages, and it was profound to me, there on page 12 and I quote directly from the book:-

'Most of all, this book is for those who would journey through life with dogs and other animals as their fellow travelers, and in doing so, perhaps discover themselves'

I was not sure about the word pray, so I subsituted that in my mind with hope and that worked for me. I totally got the journey and about the training and trying to do it a better way. Her benchmark (my interpretation) that she evolved was to see in the animal's eyes:-

''........to find the clear light of understanding and being understood, the light of joy and confidence and trust"

So often people seek to critize or blame the dog which is always stems from poor training or lack of understanding, and a lack of compassion. Why dogs are expected to be so perfect, and get everything right, and we humans rarely are makes no sense at all?! I look forward to reading the rest of the book.

Rivi's 2nd Birthday - a snapshot

What can I say about Rivi? So earnest, pretty and fine. I always say she is more like a gazelle than a border collie, however make no mistake she has border collie traits well and truly especially herding, ask Nuts. She has so many cute moments, of which one is this sort of endearing chuck herself at you and roll over thing that she does when she fancies a cuddle. She adores being groomed and really running with Zev chasing her. No ambling around for Rivi, for sure. I think of how she has blossomed and how our bond has developed, it confirms somehow I am doing the right thing for her. I really hope so. To me she is my Rivioli, and she is the one and only. Happy Birthday, beautiful girl and ♥uxxx

p.s Marc asked if I was doing one of these compilations for his birthday, and then rather remiss we realised, that we have rather neglected taking photos of the humans!!!

p.p.s Happy birthday to all her Nedlo brothers and sisters x

Groovey Weekend at Dog Vegas Easter 2009

Funny Vegas, conjures up images of sunshine and bohemian times. The reality chilly, drizzly but despite the lack of promised sunshine, a lovely show. The showground layout means that you can take your young 'uns around the ring and sit on the surrounding grass banks without them getting over awed. And with the oldies to chomp on cool kongs and chilling socially, it is totally great, especially with waterproofs and doggy rain coats. Four days of competing with three runs a day, I was really excited about this as it would be an excellent experience for me and the Rivi to gain much needed experience outside on grass. And it is so exciting to run a dog that is up to 3 runs a day, Rivi my gazelle in disguise!

Friday was an 'if only' day we did a storming round until the last hurdle and then she turned around to look for me, and my affirmation to her came to late and we had a run by. Which meant faults. But she did so much else, there was so much I was so proud of. Great turns, weaves, contacts and responses to handling. Saturday we were placed, but the start ups were hard, her eyes being all over the place. Was I losing connexion? How can i help her and how can I help me help her, as we continue this critical start to our agility career? Friday and Saturday, I tossed and turned thru' the night as I tried to think it through. Then LB came to my rescue, fortunately I had packed the book, and I had planned to re-read it over Easter thinking it would be a good thing to do. And there he said in Chapter 1, about going in with the attitude and belief to win. And that is what I had lost sight of, going in with the view to giving it our best shot. It does not mean that it will necessarily happen every time, but what is does do is maximise performance in terms of attitude, focus and belief. I was so busy worrying about courses, I had detoured from my core attitude which is to savour and tackle every run, and at the same time having a great time with my bestest team mate. Sunday morning, we went in to win and the fantastic Babyoli, won the agility and jumping, we are now grade 4.

I have the jumping win on twice as in the first run the timing failed! I was really proud of us both doing again a second time, we both remained cool ;-) and composed and did it all again. Then would you believe it the agility run is not on vid, my camera man was on other duties!!!! Rivi's total tally was for a couple of places, 2 x 2nds and 2 x 1sts. Way to go Babyoli, thank you xxx

Many congratulations to the OBay sheltie gang for having a very successful weekend along with many others, including Rivi's sisters Be-Bop and Dolly. Well dones to all.

Getting updated - whizzy blogs

Looking at blogs getting more and more whizzy I thought it no good - I give up - I am going to have to join in and update my listings. As I do see the time saving advantages of knowing who has updated their blog, it saves clicking and mulling around. And on a blog hunt you never know where you end up, I clicked on some links the other day and that is how I found the Tale of Two Urban Border Collies, with links to Cedar Border Collies, who made me all dreamy, as this breed line is based on chocolate border collies. Yum yum, shame they are a 'trillion' miles away (a bit of an exaggeration, I know). But I do find it hard to find different blog links, will have to research that a bit more, probably next winter!

Zev's Training Update

Zev paid great attention to me round the rings at mid-downs, he is my excitable showman, but that works for me and as a trainer /instructor /conduit of information, mentor or guide. (Take your pick!) I get off on that buzz of channeling the appropriate behaviors and 'banging' in the reward. He has now been introduced to medium height jumps and last week did a full height dw and he has generalised his foundation targeting on cardboard and my replica board that lays flat on the ground. However he is needing to sort out footing as he is so fast. Way to go Zevy... after Easter I hope to teach him the poles and sew-saw.

Zev is starting to pick some things up real quick, I free shaped the tyre about 3 weeks ago with reward marks for interest, proximity, paw touch, head thru, body thru and I have never seen a dog just so get it, so quickly. Love training this way, it is a delight in seeing the resulting confident and 'can do' attitude that develops from this approach. He now really gets off on tuggy toys, especially the cool kongs and has food as a reward for excellent tugging and when learning new tasks.

His obedience, is coming along real nice, we achieve our first proper about turn. As he is so fine I have concerns that I may tread on him, as his position is now real tight and his height means I have no margin of error. So now training myself to walk with my toes turned inwards to minimise the risk. He is getting the DC (real cute) and his retrieve I need to revisit training wise, as the removal of a canine & incisor means that the dd is 'sitting' crooked in his mouth. Will have to send Caroline on the hunt for a thicker bar and a thinner bar and let Zev select what he prefers. (Pretty please!)

Thank you to Bernadette, who not only gave us this lovely OBay fleece, but remembered the pups birthday and gave them all a prezzy :-) Now I am torn between wearing the fleece now or saving it for Zev's first show which won't be until September - OHH not sure if I can wait that long! Last weekend we met most of Zev's new sisters and they were all so scrummy, and little Itzy at the moment has Zevy's face, fluffy coat and characteristics, blimey I just wanted to bring her on home. Good thing she is not available - otherwise the temptation, I dread to think. Any rate for the next few years Rivi, Zev and Nuts will have my undivided attention.....

Gym - its the Dogs Fault :-)

I have been doing gym since Nuts made it to Advance status, as I thought I needed to shift up a gear. And having reached a certain age it is a battle of the body wanting to go south and me wanting it to stay north. Those that know me, know I was designed to sit on sofas, eating grapes and chocolate, drinking wine and watching hopelessly happy ending 'rom-coms'. So this has been something of a mind shift for me, and even with Nuts retiring I kept going as Rivioli joined us (TY, LO) and I was spurned on and keeping motivated. Recently they upgraded the equipment at the gym, and there in the front row of cardiovasular workout thingys, was the Precor AMT (Adaptive Motion Trainer). I decided to brave it this week, and "oh blimey, oh riley" it was so true what the instructor said - "next level up from cross trainers".

Cross trainers I can merrily pump away - yes that is right - merrily at resistance levels 8-10. On the AMT level 1 Resistance gives you a work out like never before and the beauty of it is there is minimal impact and that you can do proper running strides. It has a stride o' meter to measure your stride length. My body is tired, I don't think in all my years of trying to be fit, my face has ever been so red, it was still reddish at work, 'oh, you look a little flushed'. You bet I am, as I am 'creamy crackered' with a bemused smile on my face, excited of the new fitness level I will reach in a few months time. What a brilliant fitness trainer. The scary and exciting thing with this machine is that it has 20 resistance levels and currently level 1 blows me away . And why is it the dogs fault? Nuts already mentioned, then Rivi the past two weeks of training, I have released the throttle and she is moving so fast and doing the poles so damn quick I could not over take her whilst she did the poles! So on the one hand how shocking and brilliant is my Babyoli, on the other f--k, f--k, f--k (al-la' Four Weddings & a Funeral) I need to move up a gear pronto :-0)! ha ha, goal posts keep on moving and i'm loving it...

Marc & Raz - Cool Run at Newton Heath

Another high, Marc & Raz, have the final combination of wins to go Gr 7 and run Champ Classes. It is brilliant, they look so super, and are terrific to watch. Babyoli was a darling too and came second in her agility class. Methinks it is going to be an very exciting agility season. Thank gosh, LO brought me a super girly camp chair to use when I sit and cheer everyone on in Champ. I am going to be tough and watch the large dogs this year, I could not last year, without a dog to run it was just too hard. But this year, I be there supporting all friends every step of the way :-) Might have to get some cheerleading pom poms!
p.s struggling to get you tube to upload to blog, hence the delay, does anyone know how to get round this?

Indiana Jones and the quest for knowledge

Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull - what has that got to do with agility training? Its Indiana's insight at the end of the film. The aliens were not searching for gold, to them their treasure that they sought was knowledge. I was like 'bingo' that is so utterly true, without knowledge and the ability to use that knowledge where would we be with dog training? If Karen Pryor had not had the foresight and wisdom to find a method of reward marking behaviours, and publish it in a way so that it came available in the general public domain. On Monday night I free shaped the tyre with Zev, using a clicker as a marker. The speed in which he did this was brilliant, and you know I had a fantastic time, we both really enjoyed the session. Then there was a really powerful reminder on Susan Garrett's new 2 x 2 DVD, about building the 'want' to do. The value the dog places on the activity it is doing with you, it is so important. I know Zev, will have that value and 'want' channelled in the best way that I can. Thank you Susan, for this very salient reminder. Why is it salient to me? - because I want my dogs to 'relish' their time with me whether we are training, relaxing, having a 'riot' or chilling on the sofa. So be on a quest for knowledge, as it is the most useful treasure along with love to have.

Nutsey's 9th Birthday - photos in honour

This is for Nuts, a dog that I am so proud to have partnered and share my life with, we have a fantastic time. I was so gutted when he had to retire from Agility at 7 and half years old and realised his indomitable enthusiasm for working with me also meant that obedience could not be an option either. What I am truly grateful for is the Vet who guided me to get Nuts back to be so fit and well, you would never know if you met him he has osteo arthritis in his elbows. And we can enjoy lifes journey today, knowing he is OK. The decision to retire him was easy in terms of benefit to his health, the decision in terms of agility meant I cried, due to knowing the sheer joy of running him was never going to be experienced again. In some ways daft I know, but to me running in agility is not just running the course, it is about stepping up along side a dog that has given so much in so many ways. Thanks Nuts, and Happy Birthday.

Progressing jumping foundation - progressive grid

With the weather it has thrown some challenges in creativity in keeping the guys entertained. However, we managed yesterday to try out the progressive grid. There is no height involved, my brief interpretation is that it is about helping dogs to judge distance and drive through the progression, working on extension and looking for fluidity/confidence/understanding of task in how they approach the grid. One of the things I really like how Salo breaks the tasks down and all the positive aspects. This I find really useful as we do not have a horsey background and sure we can look at agility courses and think that seems about right. But I have often lamented if only we could convey the information to dogs about jumping, then Salo goes and does it - well cool. It is the stuff that makes it a well honed skill rather that 'crikey, how did my dog do that?'.

Another beautiful thing is Rivi, adores doing the exercises this weekend and does them just great, she actually comes up with a toy and is like 'my turn', which is really gratifying, all the others do it, but with Rivi she did it before she was hormonal, and then that 'me,me' behaviour has not resurfaced until this weekend. Woohooo, way to go Rivi.

It was really interesting with Zev, he was like the facilitators are in my way and knocked a couple, bearing in mind these are 4 inches high, I was like 'bugger', so scoope up the toy. His toy focus is terrific, but he can be 'my toy, right now'. And his little face, he was so shocked at no toy. I felt bad, but I have learnt with my guys that they are so used to being rewarded, a non-reward is a very strong signal. Blimey!!! So set him up again, this time his leg touched one and he actually turned around a looked, so set it up again. He did it, and we worked on smoothness ensuring that he would be successful and that he was learning the task. We were all quite worn out as it is so intense and you have to really concentrate watching strides and deciding to adjust and use the additional stride bumper if required. I wished we had it on video, to show, but you will just have to take our word that it was a really productive session and taught us and the guys an awful lot.

I must admit, I was sceptical about getting this DVD, has I received one last Christmas about control in agility by someone else and it was not good. But I am so glad I did with this Salo one, it has taught me alot, and challenged my thinking 'Yep, it made me think!', and I love the positivity. Now looking forward to spring, so that these excercises can be incorporated regularly into the guys and our training.

January 09 Agility Foundation Training

Blimey, we did this bit of training on Sunday, based on the Salo Jumping DVD and trying to get the video together has been a learning curve indeed, especially the audio, and editing out the playing otherwise the video would have lasted about 20 minutes. Far to Long. Then I wanted to get rid of noise. I talk far too much ha ha. Then I thought yaah, lets put some music with it, only my song of choice has copy right issues. Boohoo.
The training was really interesting and we did the excercises, to really try and gain an impression of how they guys moved. If you are interested in how dogs move, you will see that they are all very different. Rivi, i thought was the most at ease along with little Mr Big. Who very much has the attitude, "anything they can do, I CAN". Raz, puts so much effort into it and for a massively powerful dog he adjusted his stride really well. Wing's looks awkward, but this I think stems but to her initial training before she was rehomed to us. It took her a long time to understand we have a chilled training approach and confidence/attitude is key. When you do different stuff, she takes a little while to go 'oh, i get it, this is a good thing' Zev's end of contact training is awesome to me, as you can directly see the difference with him and Rivi. He has done this contact board 3 sessions, yep that was he third session. He has generalised his targeting and release cues. His attitude, is "yeah, me me, my turn NOW" I love it. Rivi, the darling girl is gradually coming back into training, she is so much happier again. My happyoli, long may it continue! :-)

Agility Training - Trying New Things

Today, I have tried my new a-f training and it is great. Rivi, went to do a perfect stop at the line break between the blue and white. I think it is the sheer depth of the contact size, and possibly perhaps, that she sees the line as the positional cue, rather than the line between the end of the contact and the ground. But a little free-shaping later and she was driving down to the end. She has not stopped half way on the full size equipment, but I was not convince, that her confidence was leaping forward as I would expect. She has wagged her tail a few times, but I wanted or felt their needed to be more conviction in the behaviour. Zev found it all a 'hoot' and he saw it differently and was straight down to the end. He seems to have generalised from the my bits of cardboard to this swish bit of a-f. Although he wants to do more, than I will let him. Early days, Zevvy Man.......early days.

Having a real high with challenging and moving my training and understanding forward. Another is learning from the Susan Salo - Jumping Foundation DVD. It is great, it contains so much information and I feel so humbled by the sheer knowledge that she has built up and shared. It is serious viewing, and lightbulbs were pinging off in my brain. Last night I did the first element, and with Rivi, Zev and Big, and it was not jumping it is focus on the task, facilitating the landing, taking off, and drive to the reward, without jumping. It was fascinating to watch our guys learning curves, doing the exercise as they were having a go with so much confidence and rapidly gaining technique.

p.s A couple of people kindly posted complimentary comments, but doh!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hit delete instead of publish. Please accept my apologies, I clearly need to train my fingers better ;-)

Gearing up for Training Contacts

Yes, Marc has finished making it for me, my simulated a-frame contact that lies flat on the ground and is light enough for me to move by myself. This all came about due to my brain wave on how to assist Rivi, have an even better A-frame, after watching DVD of runs at Newton Heath and UKA last year. It is the a-frame equivalent of the cardboard cut outs that I use to shape our guys contact behaviours for the sew-saw and dw. With the A-frame the width and depth changes for Rivi the key 'drive thru/to' area, since the dw and s-s are so narrow that she has one choice really which is to drive down to the end. I want a 2on-2off, but with extremely quick releases, but maintaining an instant stop if required, along with her driving down the middle rather than the edge of the a-f. Phew! This training aid will enable me to shape the behaviour more specifically without asking her to do the actual contact equipment. Its a complete Doh really, should have thought of this sooner! Why should I assume the generalisation between the d-w, s-s and a-f?
p.s So pleased with it I have now requested a d-w and s-s version, so I can do away with using cardboard;-)

Happy New Year Everybody

Weeeeheeeeeeeee, new year, new season. I am excited as I will have Rivi to run in agility, so game on. Happy New Year. The video shows the guys opening their Christmas presents. The photos are a bit smeary as, we got mud on the lens whilst walking and did not realise until uploading the photos ha ha

Resurfacing

What a lovely Christmas Break, it is great being home with the guys, having great food and having time to just chill out. It is sheer bliss, but today we are getting back to normal. Got some great presents and have some agility DVD review, such as Susan Salo covering jumping, Susan Garrett- Success with One Jump. I am really looking foward to getting some serious swotting and analysising done. That is one of the good things about training, it keeps you mentally on your toes as you always look for ways to improve your performance and how you coach yourself and your canine team mate to stronger and more effective teamwork. Thank gosh for clean run and the lightness of dvds that make it so much easier to widen your knowledge base.

Christmas nearly here :-)

Well, the tension at the weekend was hard to take, never done so much physical work in the garden. It is so much easier to compete than rooting for people for sure. Didn't Nancy, Nicky, Ken and Marc do well, guiding their partners into the final round. Way to go guys! Its a sort of commiserations and congratulations thing. It is great seeing dogs flourish through their agility training. To the eventual winners, well done dudes.

I was gutted with the tv coverage, let me explain...... I watched some of the Olympia coverage in the afternoon, had to have a break from the gardening at some point! The presenter said "there will be coverage of the evening programme on the red button channel". I was like woohoo, I will see the Novice Stakes final. Thank you, I was so pleased, a bonus Christmas Treat. Only to find due to technical difficulties it was not on. OOHHHHHHHHHH I was so so disappointed. Next year will have to sort out a solution as I do not want to miss the holiday treat?

.........................In the meantime, Zev has been telling the Santa Bears what he and guys would like for Christmas, as they have all been so so good;-)