We’re so busy!
May 8 – WCRL Rally – We hosted a trial, I did some judging and I ran Griffin. Viktor was still young enough to get his last leg for his “puppy” title but the only other judge present had given him his first two legs so we didn’t try. He wasn’t quite ready for Level 1 – but maybe next time! Tonks is not ready.
Griffin did four runs (no one to judge our Level 3’s) and had four qualifying scores (Q’s). Nothing too exciting.
May 15 – CPE Agility
Fullhouse – I was really happy with how well I had walked our course – I ended up with an almost perfect plan and heard the buzzer right when I expected it to. We were one of the highest points for our level even though he felt a little slow. Griffin was very focused and on task and did exactly what I expected. Standard – Not so good. I got video! But just a few obstacles and he left to the gate. And we were disqualified. Snooker – I went with an easy plan rather than an adventures high-point option. He did run off momentarily but I was able to get him back without any errors and we finished with more than enough time. We could have done something harder! A Q and one of the higher point scores. Jumpers – Again, he ran out after a few jumps.
This trial was a little discouraging. He hasn’t left me like that in months. My best hope is that he was sore from running in tall grass a few days before and didn’t feel his best.
May 22 – USDAA – Starters/P1 Standard – The very last dog of the very last class! Most of the starters dogs were having a hard day and not even getting off the start line. We had a minor detour near the gate and then back on task. It felt slow to me. But a Q, 1st, and a good ending to that day!
The local trial site doesn’t rotate the classes offered. We’re kind of stuck at this level until I drive far or take off a Saturday. I feel bad cancelling classes for my Saturday students but I also want to move up to the more fun courses!
May 29, 30 AKC – Two days of trialing in a row! Not a good weekend with Qs but decent runs. We missed one due to changes in the schedule and other conflicts resulting in getting there late. Open Jumpers – He popped out of the weave poles at the end – I’m not entirely surprised. In training he wouldn’t do this with just me moving laterally but at a trial he’s different. On the way to reset him we had an off course. We did correctly complete the two areas I was worried about! Monday – Open Jumpers – Again, we did all the hard parts! We had a bar down and so no qualifying score. He was the fastest time by quite a few seconds – so again, even though he felt slow it might not have been as bad as it felt! Monday – Open Standard – I was very worried about this course! Again, we did all the hard parts and did have an off course (allowed) – mostly due to how much the gates attract him. He held his contacts, stayed on the table, and we did well. This was our first Open standard Q.
Good things:
- It feels like we haven’t done much, but that’s a lot for one month!
- Our skills training
- I wasn’t out of breath at the end of the runs – and often I was quite ahead. I’m not sure how this happened as my fitness hasn’t been a goal. Maybe more playing and training with the puppies?
Now What:
- We’ve set up a training schedule with friends. More sequencing!
- Vet appts to make sure he’s feeling his best. I’m worried he’s not moving well but I could be imagining things.
- We’re supposed to do CPE next weekend and then four days (!!!) of USDAA/WCRL in mid-June. We’re looking at more AKC options, obedience for July. And now it’s time to look at August events too?!
- Viktor and Tonks need more training!