Started off with a visit to the vet on Monday, down to the BRAG building to watch classes on Tuesday, company on Thursday and their first agility trial Fri/Sat!
They are adjusting nicely to all of the new things in life. Drummer is not enjoying the sleeping in separate crates much more yet. Piper wishes he would shut up so she can sleep.
At the trial this weekend they met LOTS of people and dogs and had a ball! Very excited to see several (5) of their BC "littermates" at the trial. Did a great job of walking on leash to potty outside. NO accidents in the pen at the trial or at the hotel.
Don't forget to look at the Picasa site for more photos, and to also check out the SuperNatural blog to catch up with the Border Collie babies!
2.28.2010
Piper at the Penn Ohio trial
"Are you sure these are these Border Collies? They aren't the right color!"
2.25.2010
8 1/2 week update
They have been the vet, went down to the BRAG building for awhile to visit and are gong to their first agility trial this weekend! (Penn Ohio in Edinboro).
For their agility class outing (observing only, promise!) Piper did pretty well. She has quite the little attitude when someone is making her do something she doesn't want to (like holding her). Drummer was a little unsure of all the hustle and bustle of things. He's not quite as confident right now as his sister.
They sleep in separate crates at night now. I think Piper prefers it, Drummer... not so much. : ) They go out around 11- midnight then into their crates for the night. Drummer doesn't start screaming till 6 most mornings (though it was 5:15 today!)
Most pottying is outside now. Still some peeing in their pen, but no pooping inside for 2 days (of course we know what will happen NOW).
Had some visitors this morning, ran, played, bit feet, so now power napping!
For their agility class outing (observing only, promise!
They sleep in separate crates at night now. I think Piper prefers it, Drummer... not so much. : ) They go out around 11- midnight then into their crates for the night. Drummer doesn't start screaming till 6 most mornings (though it was 5:15 today!)
Most pottying is outside now. Still some peeing in their pen, but no pooping inside for 2 days (of course we know what will happen NOW).
Had some visitors this morning, ran, played, bit feet, so now power napping!
2.23.2010
Puppies Big Adventure!
We went to see Dr Joanne yesterday, and get our shots and a check up. Everyone in the office thought we were adorable and cuddled us. Other than the ouchy part, we had fun!
We don't get to sleep in the same crate together at night anymore. We are learning to be on our own a little bit. It's not as fun. : (
The cold white stuff outside is changing. It's hard and crunchy now, and there is this green and brown stuff in the yard too. We're not sure what *that* is, but we like to eat it, then run back to the white to potty. Sometimes water falls on our heads while we're outside. We don't like that very much. We can climb the porch steps now, so we do our business then run back up to the porch when that happens.
We don't get to sleep in the same crate together at night anymore. We are learning to be on our own a little bit. It's not as fun. : (
The cold white stuff outside is changing. It's hard and crunchy now, and there is this green and brown stuff in the yard too. We're not sure what *that* is, but we like to eat it, then run back to the white to potty. Sometimes water falls on our heads while we're outside. We don't like that very much. We can climb the porch steps now, so we do our business then run back up to the porch when that happens.
2.22.2010
Back to *my* doggies :)
Spry likes this pic better than the one my mom posted.
So, vacation was *wonderful*. It was so nice to be able to wake up in the morning and go outside to sit in a chair on the lawn right over the ocean, and read, watch the sea turtles grazing on the rocks, look for whales, and just relax. Maui is such a beautiful place. I'm honestly not sure I can see myself vacationing (beach type vacation) anywhere else.
Sadly, reality hits and had to come back to Ohio... to TWO FEET of snow! It was crazy. We got out and back in on perfect days, and avoided travelling on any of the days we really got dumped on. Thank you SO MUCH Dad, for clearning our cars and shoveling the driveway and making paths for the dogs in the backyard.
Still now, even more than 2 weeks after the CPE trial, I am still floating on air over Dexter's improvements. I think this boost is what I really needed with him. He is entered at the upcoming WW CPE trial, also at the BRAG building, the USDAA trial at the BRAG building, and also a run a day at a Washingtonville CPE trial. So I'm hoping improvements indoors will continue, and then it will pretty much be outdoor USDAA season, so I am *hoping* my theory that he will do better outside proves correct.
Panic is entered at Penn-OH this weekend for Friday night and Saturday classes. We're getting two more shots at a gamble for our ADCH so I'm crossing my fingers! Also would LOVE to pick up a GP and get my 2nd Steeplechase Q. I entered Panic at the BRAG USDAA in all P1 classes, still at 22". I'm hoping running a trial with straightforward courses will help her in our quest to teach her it's OK to jump extended and leave out those baby strides!!
Can't wait for warm weather. Once it's nice outside I'll start Spry on jumping and weaving... I figure it'll be another two months until it's consistently nice enough outside, and she's about a year old now so I think she'll be ready by then.
2.21.2010
2.20.2010
That "potty" thing
Actually going pretty well, all things considered. Both seem to "get" that outside is for peeing and pooping. Don't quite have the correlation yet that peeing and pooping is NOT for inside. But it will come!
Sleeping all night in their crate and starting tonight in two separate crates. They have been crated on their own a few times today already.
Sleeping all night in their crate and starting tonight in two separate crates. They have been crated on their own a few times today already.
2.19.2010
2.17.2010
The potty thing...
So housebreaking is tough when more snow falls in an hour than the pups are tall! I will admit, since they are so small (and have the "awww" factor going for them. and really, their poops and puddles are so little!) I have been bad about starting to get them outdoors for the pottying. But now we are working on it. Not official housebreaking, as they still have the run of their pen, with paper most of the day, but it's a start.
Piper seems to get the hang of the outdoor thing. She has figured out that if she pee/poops outside she gets picked up and tucked inside my coat, while Drummer still has to make more laps of our shoveled paths in the yard. Drummer has yet to pee or poop outdoors I believe... Tonight, for the first time, I will put the door on their little crate when I bed them down for the night. We'll see if they feel the need to keep it clean. For now, I will crate them together, then start separating them so they are not quite as dependent on one another. Anyway, hopefully, if they "hold it" all night, they will both NEED to go when I take them out first thing in the morning.
Piper seems to get the hang of the outdoor thing. She has figured out that if she pee/poops outside she gets picked up and tucked inside my coat, while Drummer still has to make more laps of our shoveled paths in the yard. Drummer has yet to pee or poop outdoors I believe... Tonight, for the first time, I will put the door on their little crate when I bed them down for the night. We'll see if they feel the need to keep it clean. For now, I will crate them together, then start separating them so they are not quite as dependent on one another. Anyway, hopefully, if they "hold it" all night, they will both NEED to go when I take them out first thing in the morning.
2.16.2010
Fada hiding
In a laundry basket under a table. Only place she sould hide from pups driving her nuts! She copied the idea from Neat.
2.15.2010
2.14.2010
2.09.2010
2.07.2010
2.05.2010
More TT analysis
In comparison to 2008 (she was only in masters for Snooker & jumpers for 2008, and only for part of the year, and then was out from Sept-Dec due to a broken toe)
Jumpers - 16 TT points. Overall - T148. NC Region - T26. Overall AB - 6. NC Region AB - 2
Snooker - 18 TT points. Overall -T131. NC Region - T18. Overall AB - 7. NC Region AB - 2
Tournament - 9 TT points. NC Region - T71. Overall AB - 11. NC Region AB - 3
So definite improvement in all 3.
Lifetime standings:
M Gamblers - 12 TT points. Overall - T1000. NC Region - T185. Overall AB - T46. NC Region AB - T9
M Jumpers - 42 TT points, 39 regional. Overall - T365. NC Region - T55. Overall AB - 14. NC Region AB - 3
M Snooker - 50 TT points, 45 regional. Overall - T323. NC Region - 52. Overall AB - T20. NC Region AB - 3
M Standard - 26 TT points, 21 regional. Overall - T784. NC Region - T149. Overall AB - T43. NC Region - T10.
Tournament - 38 TT points. Overall - T634. NC Region - T88. Overall AB - 16. NC Region AB - 1
Title Qualifications Earned ("number of qualifications earned for the titling, nontournament classes"). This is not by height unlike the Top Ten, so this is for dogs of all heights (and I think combines CH & Perf)
TQE = 81 overall, 74 regional. Overall AB - T125. NC Region - T214. NC Region AB - 22.
Jumpers - 16 TT points. Overall - T148. NC Region - T26. Overall AB - 6. NC Region AB - 2
Snooker - 18 TT points. Overall -T131. NC Region - T18. Overall AB - 7. NC Region AB - 2
Tournament - 9 TT points. NC Region - T71. Overall AB - 11. NC Region AB - 3
So definite improvement in all 3.
Lifetime standings:
M Gamblers - 12 TT points. Overall - T1000. NC Region - T185. Overall AB - T46. NC Region AB - T9
M Jumpers - 42 TT points, 39 regional. Overall - T365. NC Region - T55. Overall AB - 14. NC Region AB - 3
M Snooker - 50 TT points, 45 regional. Overall - T323. NC Region - 52. Overall AB - T20. NC Region AB - 3
M Standard - 26 TT points, 21 regional. Overall - T784. NC Region - T149. Overall AB - T43. NC Region - T10.
Tournament - 38 TT points. Overall - T634. NC Region - T88. Overall AB - 16. NC Region AB - 1
Title Qualifications Earned ("number of qualifications earned for the titling, nontournament classes"). This is not by height unlike the Top Ten, so this is for dogs of all heights (and I think combines CH & Perf)
TQE = 81 overall, 74 regional. Overall AB - T125. NC Region - T214. NC Region AB - 22.
Panic's 2009 Stats
Ok so it looks like all the trials (except a few out of country ones) are entered for 2009 in USDAA's database, so the top 10 results should be pretty set.
Panic's results...
Gamblers: 12 TT points. Overall - T247. NC Region - T34. Overall All-Breed - 7. NC Region All-Breed - 1.
Jumpers: 26 TT points, 23 regionally. Overall - T99. NC Region - T18. Overall AB - 4. NC Region AB - 1
Snooker: 32 TT points, 27 regionally. Overall - T75. NC Region - 12. Overall AB - 4. NC Region AB - 1
Standard: 26 TT points, 21 regionally. Overall - T135. NC Region - T19 . Overall AB - 6. NC Region AB - 1
Tournament: 29 TT points. Overall - T229. NC Regioni - 29. Overall AB - 5. NC Region AB - 1.
Gamblers - 4 Qs for the year. 1st = 1, 2nd = 0, 3rd = 2, 4th = 2
Jumpers - 12 Qs for the year. 1st = 1, 2nd = 1, 3rd = 4, 4th = 2
Snooker - 12 Qs for the year, 5 SQs. 1st = 3, 2nd = 1, 3rd = 1, 4th = 2
Standard - 8 Qs for the year. 1st = 1, 2nd = 0, 3rd = 7, 4th = 0
Tournament
Steeplechase - 6 Qs for the year, 1 3rd place in 2nd round (we tend to always screw up... does THAT bode well for nationals????)
Grand Prix - 1 Q for the year, 2 3rds
DAM tourney - 7 Qs in the individual classes. 2nd = 3, 3rd = 1, 4th= 1
I don't know if there are any interesting "findings" from this data, but I like to have it anyway. I didn't enter very many GPs, maybe 3 so I'm ok with only 1 Q. But I'd better get my 2 this year!! So far my two attempts in the 2010 qualifying period have been NQs due to a DW contact - one of which I'm told shouldn't have been called :( Hopefully returning to 2rto will help there.
Overall I'm pretty proud of my mixie girl. In gamblers, we usually score pretty highly in the opening period and have one of the top 3 highest scores for opening points. of course that doesn't matter when we don't get the gamble! But I'm pleased with her quick obstacle performances, we haven't been fumbling in gamble openings (like I used to), and I've gotten pretty darn good at figuring out how much to plan and how to end up in a good spot. I think honestly once we get our ADCH we'll do pretty well in gamblers because I won't get so stinking nervous anymore.
In snooker, I want to start pushing myself harder. I usually come up with a plan that I know we can do pretty well. That obviously has worked well for us. However, for example at the BRAG January show - I planned for Saturday a course which was I think a 4 and 3 7s. It got us 1st a very big, competitive class. Which is *great*. But her score would NOT have been 1st in the 16 or 26" class. I could have pushed harder and done all 4 7s or the 6 and 3 7s. I need to stop saying "I know we can easily do this" and going with that plan, and start to really make myself work in snooker.
In standard, I am hoping to start placing higher than 3rd!! Haha it seems like every time we Q, there are always 2 BCs that place higher than us. Not always the same 2, but always two there! I've got to keep up our table practice, and work on our startline stay so I can get a leadout advantage. Our average YPS in 2009 was 3.875. I'm not sure what a good goal is for 2010. In '09 our best YPS was 4.4313 and our worst was 3.39. I'm thinking I'd like to avg 4.2 in 2010. I looked at some trials where we competed it and it looks like in a lot of courses the winning dog has 4.4-4.7YPS, so I'd be happy with an improvement to 4.2.
Jumpers is tough for us, we Q a lot but don't place well often. If we can improve her ability/confidence in using extension over jumps I hope to increase our frequency of placing in jumpers. Her avg YPS for jumpers in 2009 was 5.7, with a highest YPS of 6.199 and a lowest YPS of 4.67 (but that was with my mom running so maybe I should take that one out... changes our avg to 5.79 if I remove that run with a lowest overall YPS of 5.3417). I am hoping to bring it to 6 YPS in 2010. Her only times above 6yps in 2009 were at Pawsitive Partners (on astroturf).
With Tournament classes, I didn't enter a ton in 2009. I almost never entered GP, did DAM twice, and entered Steeple more frequently. I still won't do too much GP if I get my Qs in a timely fashion. I'm doing DAM at Canine Combustion in may, and probably wont' enter again this year if she Qs (it will get us set for nationals and get her Tournament Master). I like running Steeple so I enter it more often, but my goal this year is to actually do well in finals :)
Ok, clearly I'm working really hard at work today... signing off!
Panic's results...
Gamblers: 12 TT points. Overall - T247. NC Region - T34. Overall All-Breed - 7. NC Region All-Breed - 1.
Jumpers: 26 TT points, 23 regionally. Overall - T99. NC Region - T18. Overall AB - 4. NC Region AB - 1
Snooker: 32 TT points, 27 regionally. Overall - T75. NC Region - 12. Overall AB - 4. NC Region AB - 1
Standard: 26 TT points, 21 regionally. Overall - T135. NC Region - T19 . Overall AB - 6. NC Region AB - 1
Tournament: 29 TT points. Overall - T229. NC Regioni - 29. Overall AB - 5. NC Region AB - 1.
Gamblers - 4 Qs for the year. 1st = 1, 2nd = 0, 3rd = 2, 4th = 2
Jumpers - 12 Qs for the year. 1st = 1, 2nd = 1, 3rd = 4, 4th = 2
Snooker - 12 Qs for the year, 5 SQs. 1st = 3, 2nd = 1, 3rd = 1, 4th = 2
Standard - 8 Qs for the year. 1st = 1, 2nd = 0, 3rd = 7, 4th = 0
Tournament
Steeplechase - 6 Qs for the year, 1 3rd place in 2nd round (we tend to always screw up... does THAT bode well for nationals????)
Grand Prix - 1 Q for the year, 2 3rds
DAM tourney - 7 Qs in the individual classes. 2nd = 3, 3rd = 1, 4th= 1
I don't know if there are any interesting "findings" from this data, but I like to have it anyway. I didn't enter very many GPs, maybe 3 so I'm ok with only 1 Q. But I'd better get my 2 this year!! So far my two attempts in the 2010 qualifying period have been NQs due to a DW contact - one of which I'm told shouldn't have been called :( Hopefully returning to 2rto will help there.
Overall I'm pretty proud of my mixie girl. In gamblers, we usually score pretty highly in the opening period and have one of the top 3 highest scores for opening points. of course that doesn't matter when we don't get the gamble! But I'm pleased with her quick obstacle performances, we haven't been fumbling in gamble openings (like I used to), and I've gotten pretty darn good at figuring out how much to plan and how to end up in a good spot. I think honestly once we get our ADCH we'll do pretty well in gamblers because I won't get so stinking nervous anymore.
In snooker, I want to start pushing myself harder. I usually come up with a plan that I know we can do pretty well. That obviously has worked well for us. However, for example at the BRAG January show - I planned for Saturday a course which was I think a 4 and 3 7s. It got us 1st a very big, competitive class. Which is *great*. But her score would NOT have been 1st in the 16 or 26" class. I could have pushed harder and done all 4 7s or the 6 and 3 7s. I need to stop saying "I know we can easily do this" and going with that plan, and start to really make myself work in snooker.
In standard, I am hoping to start placing higher than 3rd!! Haha it seems like every time we Q, there are always 2 BCs that place higher than us. Not always the same 2, but always two there! I've got to keep up our table practice, and work on our startline stay so I can get a leadout advantage. Our average YPS in 2009 was 3.875. I'm not sure what a good goal is for 2010. In '09 our best YPS was 4.4313 and our worst was 3.39. I'm thinking I'd like to avg 4.2 in 2010. I looked at some trials where we competed it and it looks like in a lot of courses the winning dog has 4.4-4.7YPS, so I'd be happy with an improvement to 4.2.
Jumpers is tough for us, we Q a lot but don't place well often. If we can improve her ability/confidence in using extension over jumps I hope to increase our frequency of placing in jumpers. Her avg YPS for jumpers in 2009 was 5.7, with a highest YPS of 6.199 and a lowest YPS of 4.67 (but that was with my mom running so maybe I should take that one out... changes our avg to 5.79 if I remove that run with a lowest overall YPS of 5.3417). I am hoping to bring it to 6 YPS in 2010. Her only times above 6yps in 2009 were at Pawsitive Partners (on astroturf).
With Tournament classes, I didn't enter a ton in 2009. I almost never entered GP, did DAM twice, and entered Steeple more frequently. I still won't do too much GP if I get my Qs in a timely fashion. I'm doing DAM at Canine Combustion in may, and probably wont' enter again this year if she Qs (it will get us set for nationals and get her Tournament Master). I like running Steeple so I enter it more often, but my goal this year is to actually do well in finals :)
Ok, clearly I'm working really hard at work today... signing off!
2.02.2010
To do list for tonight
at training:
Panic - if pads are looking ok (looked pretty good last night)
- work on extension over jumps
- work on DW with longer sequences and start to add in more challenges
Spry
- DW from 16" board, last week (I didn't post vid yet) didn't go very well but I wasn't feeling good either.
- Teach her that walking towards a tunnel does NOT mean "take it!"
Dexter
- Sequences that work all contacts and weaves from various angles. Do not stress/drill any one skill.
Panic - if pads are looking ok (looked pretty good last night)
- work on extension over jumps
- work on DW with longer sequences and start to add in more challenges
Spry
- DW from 16" board, last week (I didn't post vid yet) didn't go very well but I wasn't feeling good either.
- Teach her that walking towards a tunnel does NOT mean "take it!"
Dexter
- Sequences that work all contacts and weaves from various angles. Do not stress/drill any one skill.
New toy
Gave the brown babies something new to play with while I tear down the BC pen. They were so darn cute, I had to get the camera though, rather than actually get on with tearing the pen down...
Changes!
The BC babies left last evening. Went to spend their last two weeks with their other Gramma, Linda M. Drummer and I will miss them! But time to move on. I'll have more time to spend with Piper and Drummer now, who are getting more and more active every hour it seems!
This morning I am taking down the BC pen and going to make a bigger, upstairs pen for the Pods and another pen downstairs for when we are down there working as well. Big changes in their little lives, new things to see and do!
This morning I am taking down the BC pen and going to make a bigger, upstairs pen for the Pods and another pen downstairs for when we are down there working as well. Big changes in their little lives, new things to see and do!
2.01.2010
Agility weekend, no running but some good progress!
We went up to Dexter, MI to vend at an AKC trial this past weekend. No one was entered, but we brought Dexter and Spry. It was going to be too cold to leave dogs in the car, and Panic really doesn't love the cold, so she got to stay with Fancy at Grandma & Grandpa Martin's.
Dexter seems to be completely over his fear of the building in Dexter. Well, 95% over it. I had him out alone for a bit during one of the Excellent classes and a bunch of barking started. He was startled, but soon got over it (yay!) and went back to doing tricks for me. He may one day be able to run there again!! Spry is also improving on her ability to walk past people and dogs without pulling me over to them. Her self control is improving. She's always understood the concept, and tried, really, *really*, hard, but it's so funny to watch her sit while someone walks by. She sits there, wagging her tail, so clearly wanting to jump ALL over them but you can tell she is thinking "must not jump, sitting gets me pets!" but then when they don't pet her, she is a little crushed! And sometimes the self control doesn't last long enough either. But she is improving, and tries so hard.
On Sunday, I had Dexter out of the crate and was walking him outside, and when I get back in, Mandy Moller yells out to me "Hey Lianne! Are you missing a dog?" I was puzzled. Then I notice Spry sitting in Rita Tyler's lap over by the score table!!! The crate her and Dex were in was one of those pop-up flimsy ones, and apparently she wasn't too happy when I left her in it, and I mus tnot have zipped it up all the way. At least she didn't run into the ring, because dogs were still running! She must have known Rita has a staffy though, and found her lap :)
Unfortunately, Panic tore her pads this weekend so I'm not sure we'll be able to practice our stopped DW this week! She's wrapped up now, so I might try to run her wrapped and see if she's ok with it or not.
Dexter seems to be completely over his fear of the building in Dexter. Well, 95% over it. I had him out alone for a bit during one of the Excellent classes and a bunch of barking started. He was startled, but soon got over it (yay!) and went back to doing tricks for me. He may one day be able to run there again!! Spry is also improving on her ability to walk past people and dogs without pulling me over to them. Her self control is improving. She's always understood the concept, and tried, really, *really*, hard, but it's so funny to watch her sit while someone walks by. She sits there, wagging her tail, so clearly wanting to jump ALL over them but you can tell she is thinking "must not jump, sitting gets me pets!" but then when they don't pet her, she is a little crushed! And sometimes the self control doesn't last long enough either. But she is improving, and tries so hard.
On Sunday, I had Dexter out of the crate and was walking him outside, and when I get back in, Mandy Moller yells out to me "Hey Lianne! Are you missing a dog?" I was puzzled. Then I notice Spry sitting in Rita Tyler's lap over by the score table!!! The crate her and Dex were in was one of those pop-up flimsy ones, and apparently she wasn't too happy when I left her in it, and I mus tnot have zipped it up all the way. At least she didn't run into the ring, because dogs were still running! She must have known Rita has a staffy though, and found her lap :)
Unfortunately, Panic tore her pads this weekend so I'm not sure we'll be able to practice our stopped DW this week! She's wrapped up now, so I might try to run her wrapped and see if she's ok with it or not.
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