Visit mom's new puppy blog for fada: http://podengocasadosol.blogspot.com/
Also, just got a running order for a trial coming up. I look at it, peruse the starters classes, see a 16" dog that is running last before the 12s (and most classes actually don't have any 12s, so it would have been right before Dex) and I think to myself "whew, glad I didn't enter Dude, he *really* hates that dog, woulda been a problem running after him". DUH - you should NOT have to worry about stuff like this! if you are, it's a PROBLEM. Also, when you switch roles and give Dexter's "issues" to a dog like Spry - would I let a dog with Spry's strength leave our house if she had the same issues as him? no ma'am! So, even though Dexter's size makes it easier to manage him, it's a) not appropriate for him to act like that in the first place, perhaps scarring another dog for life and b) even if he truly went after another dog and didn't do them any damage, for goodness sakes he could be snapped in half in an instant.
*sigh*
It makes me so sad though - he's NOT an agressive little shit, he's just an insecure dude. When he is having fun w/other dogs it is so stinking adorable. I hate that sometimes he feels that lashing out is his only option.
1.24.2011
Weight loss update
Weight loss update - We've been using our adjusted diet for 8 weeks now (I don't want to say we are dieting, bc that implies to me a temporary change). Total of 18.1lbs lost for me, 2.8 in week 8. Now 10.7lbs from my goal and 40 days left until my goal deadline... I know it is going to be tough but I think I can do it! Biking has helped a lot :)
1.18.2011
Dexter - decisions decisions...
Well, a few good things from the weekend.
1) Dexter finished his starters snooker title on Sat! That means he's now in adv for gamblers & snooker. Also to get this snooker title, he had to do 12 poles! Good boy :)
2) Both jumpers runs were actually very good. One off course in one of them caused by the door he likes so much to investigate in our building, and too slow on the other, also caused by too much investigation. But when he ran it was good.
the bad :(
He was much more unmanageable this weekend than usual in his snarkiness. I couldn't even hold him ring-side while we were waiting to go in if any of several dogs were also waiting. Intense BCs (staring at the dog running, NOT at him) were especially setting him off and he'd snarl & writhe in my arms. his list of dogs he does not like now includes:
1) short nosed dogs (pugs, bostons, frenchies, etc) - these are all aliens that must be eradicated from earth.
2) schnauzers and schnauzer lookalikes. just hates 'em. maybe it's the eyebrows? this was bad bc our relay partner was a schnauz look-a-like. parter ran 1st, dexter 2nd. well, he fixated, and i couldn't even let go of dex, he was just staring at his partner. i'm pretty sure he did not want to play.
3) intense BCs
4) a friend's pitbull. yeah, that's smart dude to take her on! not that *she's* mean, but i'm pretty sure she'd win that throwdown.
5) extra fluffy dogs, like keeshonds.
It's so frustrating. the dog has been EVERYWHERE with us since we got him at the age of 4.5 mo. he has had several nice play mates. i can't think of any incident where he was attacked or even overly intimidated. his aggression is definitely rooted in insecurity. is it nature or nurture? i'm thinking probably some of both.
it makes me sad, because when is not freaking out about other dogs, he looks like he is having fun playing agility. but this weekend, we ran after a schnauzer & a short-nosed dog, so he was all keyed up at the warmup area, and his runs were fairly distraction-full.
so, i have to ask myself, are the fun times worth the stressed out times (and really i'm more concerned here about HIS stress than mine)? Is this a problem we can overcome? how so, if yes? I have never worked with a fear agressive dog before. he is usually fine outside of agility trials, but then again outside of agility most the dogs we meet are calm & laid-back (even agility dogs, when they are outside of the trial situation). the only real situation i can think of that's been a problem outside of agility is my in-laws new whippet pup. he was 5.5 mo or so when dexter met him, and dex wanted to kill him. but this puppy was bursting with energy, and i'm sure intimidated dex (not an excuse, but maybe a reason). he's been to the dog park in the small dog area and never had any issues with those dogs. a little jack at the agility trials is like his best friend, they play and play and play and it is so cute.
he *is* better at outdoor shows. the adrenaline doesn't get cooped up in the building like indoors. plus more room to "manage". so, maybe i'll just do a few runs now and again outdoors.
i just hate to think what *might* happen at these indoor shows. if he ever really went after someone, i would be mortified if he did any damage, and really - how many dogs wouldn't be able to kill *him* if they wanted to in return??? it's pretty scary.
in the end, he really adores his daddy cuddle time that he gets every night when we go to bed, and the special play time he gets with us in the mornings before we let the other dogs out. he does the funniest things out of all of our dogs, and we just adore him. oh well if he doesn't work out as an agility dog.
1) Dexter finished his starters snooker title on Sat! That means he's now in adv for gamblers & snooker. Also to get this snooker title, he had to do 12 poles! Good boy :)
2) Both jumpers runs were actually very good. One off course in one of them caused by the door he likes so much to investigate in our building, and too slow on the other, also caused by too much investigation. But when he ran it was good.
the bad :(
He was much more unmanageable this weekend than usual in his snarkiness. I couldn't even hold him ring-side while we were waiting to go in if any of several dogs were also waiting. Intense BCs (staring at the dog running, NOT at him) were especially setting him off and he'd snarl & writhe in my arms. his list of dogs he does not like now includes:
1) short nosed dogs (pugs, bostons, frenchies, etc) - these are all aliens that must be eradicated from earth.
2) schnauzers and schnauzer lookalikes. just hates 'em. maybe it's the eyebrows? this was bad bc our relay partner was a schnauz look-a-like. parter ran 1st, dexter 2nd. well, he fixated, and i couldn't even let go of dex, he was just staring at his partner. i'm pretty sure he did not want to play.
3) intense BCs
4) a friend's pitbull. yeah, that's smart dude to take her on! not that *she's* mean, but i'm pretty sure she'd win that throwdown.
5) extra fluffy dogs, like keeshonds.
It's so frustrating. the dog has been EVERYWHERE with us since we got him at the age of 4.5 mo. he has had several nice play mates. i can't think of any incident where he was attacked or even overly intimidated. his aggression is definitely rooted in insecurity. is it nature or nurture? i'm thinking probably some of both.
it makes me sad, because when is not freaking out about other dogs, he looks like he is having fun playing agility. but this weekend, we ran after a schnauzer & a short-nosed dog, so he was all keyed up at the warmup area, and his runs were fairly distraction-full.
so, i have to ask myself, are the fun times worth the stressed out times (and really i'm more concerned here about HIS stress than mine)? Is this a problem we can overcome? how so, if yes? I have never worked with a fear agressive dog before. he is usually fine outside of agility trials, but then again outside of agility most the dogs we meet are calm & laid-back (even agility dogs, when they are outside of the trial situation). the only real situation i can think of that's been a problem outside of agility is my in-laws new whippet pup. he was 5.5 mo or so when dexter met him, and dex wanted to kill him. but this puppy was bursting with energy, and i'm sure intimidated dex (not an excuse, but maybe a reason). he's been to the dog park in the small dog area and never had any issues with those dogs. a little jack at the agility trials is like his best friend, they play and play and play and it is so cute.
he *is* better at outdoor shows. the adrenaline doesn't get cooped up in the building like indoors. plus more room to "manage". so, maybe i'll just do a few runs now and again outdoors.
i just hate to think what *might* happen at these indoor shows. if he ever really went after someone, i would be mortified if he did any damage, and really - how many dogs wouldn't be able to kill *him* if they wanted to in return??? it's pretty scary.
in the end, he really adores his daddy cuddle time that he gets every night when we go to bed, and the special play time he gets with us in the mornings before we let the other dogs out. he does the funniest things out of all of our dogs, and we just adore him. oh well if he doesn't work out as an agility dog.
1.17.2011
spry's weekend runs
some crazy ones, but good contacts & she finished her starters snooker :) her best run, saturday jumpers, wasn't recorded, but there were NO spins, and some nice crosses. also very happy with stpl rd 1 and sun standard.
there is a pause for some reason between each sat run.
saturday:
sunday:
there is a pause for some reason between each sat run.
saturday:
sunday:
Panic's runs from this weekend
I am very happy with her runs. She did not stop on teh DW like I wanted her to in gamblers, and then I kind of gave up. But, she did slow down which was an improvement. She stayed almost every class. After Saturday's runs, Andy watched them and commented how I could run faster. Which was true. So Sunday I focused on moving faster and cuing better. Sat I just wasn't focused enough.
After this weekend I am very pleased and think I really made the right decision moving her to performance.
1.14.2011
This weekend's trial + diet/weight loss update
Well I guess my body was ready to shed some more pounds! I had been going up & down between the same two pounds for a little bit. No more! This week, I added cycling on a stationary bike and have rode (is that grammatically correct?) it every day (ok that's only 3 days so far - Tues-Thurs - but I usually give up on exercise even sooner than that!).
Aaaand, somehow, between Monday and today, Friday morning, I have lost 4.1lbs! Brings my total now to 16.9 lost, and 58.68% to my goal! Only 11.9 more lbs to lose for goal #1 :)
Ok so tomorrow & Sun are the BRAG USDAA.
Goals.
Gamblers is first class. With each dog I have something specific I want to work on.
Spry - has gotten pushy on her contacts, so contact contact contact! She is usually extra crazy 1st class of the day, so this may be a challenge. Hopefully she is not visiting ring crew.
Panic - start line stay, and STOP on the f'ing dog walk lady!!!! Will aim to do a teeter 1st as she does stop well on these, and then a DW.
Dexter - weave poles! He KILLED the poles last time we practiced, it was amazing. But they still cause stress @ trials. So, if he weaves, he will get immediately rewarded by getting to do a tunnel! I have been doing this @ practice, and he seems to love it :)
For the rest of the weekend, goals are:
Spry - I would love to get a snooker leg as it will finish her title. But mostly not running out of control is our goal :)
Panic - start lines mostly! good DWs would be a plus. She has been running fast at practice, I'd like to see this continue (however at practice she is taking more off courses than usual!)
Dexter - confidence, NOT sniffing the damn doors like he likes to do here! I *must* remember he IS going to want to do this, and be PROactive rather than reactive about it.
Can't wait. I have so much fun running these pups, I sit at work the Friday before a trial just jumping out of my skin with excitement :)
Aaaand, somehow, between Monday and today, Friday morning, I have lost 4.1lbs! Brings my total now to 16.9 lost, and 58.68% to my goal! Only 11.9 more lbs to lose for goal #1 :)
Ok so tomorrow & Sun are the BRAG USDAA.
Goals.
Gamblers is first class. With each dog I have something specific I want to work on.
Spry - has gotten pushy on her contacts, so contact contact contact! She is usually extra crazy 1st class of the day, so this may be a challenge. Hopefully she is not visiting ring crew.
Panic - start line stay, and STOP on the f'ing dog walk lady!!!! Will aim to do a teeter 1st as she does stop well on these, and then a DW.
Dexter - weave poles! He KILLED the poles last time we practiced, it was amazing. But they still cause stress @ trials. So, if he weaves, he will get immediately rewarded by getting to do a tunnel! I have been doing this @ practice, and he seems to love it :)
For the rest of the weekend, goals are:
Spry - I would love to get a snooker leg as it will finish her title. But mostly not running out of control is our goal :)
Panic - start lines mostly! good DWs would be a plus. She has been running fast at practice, I'd like to see this continue (however at practice she is taking more off courses than usual!)
Dexter - confidence, NOT sniffing the damn doors like he likes to do here! I *must* remember he IS going to want to do this, and be PROactive rather than reactive about it.
Can't wait. I have so much fun running these pups, I sit at work the Friday before a trial just jumping out of my skin with excitement :)
1.12.2011
Success!!!
I have been dieting since Nov 28th, eating low carb & lean - chicken, veggies, etc. most of the time when we are being really good, but yeah we are also eating burgers, brats etc - higher fat stuff that we probably shouldn't be eating. But, no bread, no rice, etc. Also JUST started exercising finally in the last two days - realized there is NO excuse for not using our exercise bike at *least* 15 mins every day I am home.
My goal was to lose 28.8lbs before we leave for Maui on March 5, that gave me 96 days, and I knew it would be a tough goal to meet. Well, today I am halfway to my goal!! As of this morning, I have lost 15.2lbs, so *more* than halfway :) It took 44 days, so I only have 52 left. I know it will still be very tough to reach my goal, but I will be very happy if I even make it to 23.8lbs lost total, which I am fairly certain I can do.
My goal was to lose 28.8lbs before we leave for Maui on March 5, that gave me 96 days, and I knew it would be a tough goal to meet. Well, today I am halfway to my goal!! As of this morning, I have lost 15.2lbs, so *more* than halfway :) It took 44 days, so I only have 52 left. I know it will still be very tough to reach my goal, but I will be very happy if I even make it to 23.8lbs lost total, which I am fairly certain I can do.
1.06.2011
One thing I forgot the other day - Spry/DHS
With one jump foundation RTH - she sometimes seemingly does it perfectly, is aiming for my back leg, turning when her front hits the ground, etc, but her big ol' BUTT has issues! I swear she is trying to turn it but it just keeps going.
The other day while this was happening - I was prone to think "well, maybe it doesn't matter so much bc on a real course I will be moving and she'll take one stride & be in the right place".
But now as I'm typing this, I'm thinking she must *not* be collecting enough obviously since her butt has momentum. And on a real course it might end up with her scrambling on the landing side to make the turn. Right?
The other day while this was happening - I was prone to think "well, maybe it doesn't matter so much bc on a real course I will be moving and she'll take one stride & be in the right place".
But now as I'm typing this, I'm thinking she must *not* be collecting enough obviously since her butt has momentum. And on a real course it might end up with her scrambling on the landing side to make the turn. Right?
Going to train DHS again tonight!
Going to the building tonight to work on DHS again. Will work Spry & Panic - starting again w/1 jump foundation RTH with handler motion, and moving onto 2 jumps and maybe more if they are getting it well. I expect to have issues w/Spry with the 2 jumps.
I also need to work Spry on some short sequences w/contacts - on Sunday she was blowing me off and running through. Not jumping, as she was going all the way down & through on the AF - just not stopping. She was as high as a kite though, so hopefully today she is a little calmer. Hoping to get vid of Pan & Spry working - will post later :)
I also need to work Spry on some short sequences w/contacts - on Sunday she was blowing me off and running through. Not jumping, as she was going all the way down & through on the AF - just not stopping. She was as high as a kite though, so hopefully today she is a little calmer. Hoping to get vid of Pan & Spry working - will post later :)
1.04.2011
Worked on DHS on Sunday
Went down to the buliding w/mom on sun. Worked Spry, Dexter (some!) and Panic. Mom brought Neat since Fada is hopefully incubating some cute new pods :) We started on the 1 jump foundation RTH - not that we haven't done this before, but as always it needs fine tuned!
Dexter - Pretty much decided he doesn't need this. I mean, HE decided this. And, since it was demotivating to him, I just let him run the tunnel->AF a few times, which he LOVED and boy oh BOY if that man ever decides to run (the right obstacles) at a trial, he could kick 8" butt! Of course that also depends on his 3rd measurement being under 11"... I'm pretty nervous about being in that situation where the next measurement is the one that counts for good!
Spry - The star of the day (of course she has worked on this the most in recent months). She did a great job with 1 jump no motion RTH, and once I added handler motion I was very pleased to see how she did. She did great at first, and then I got cocky & started moving too soon before she was committed. As a novice dog should, she pulled off (good girl). She started too by taking off from way too far back (as soon as I started my movement), I think she was panicking that I was moving and wanted to get to me NOW. She did a lovely job of adjusting when I didn't reward, and adding in a small step to collect before hand :) Next time working we will move onto the next step, whatever that is (two jumps I think).
Panic - It was very interesting. I assumed "She will do this fine, she OVER collects most of the time!" But, I worked her at 16" now that she will be running in Perf. She looked SUPER goofy when starting right in front of the jump. She just kind of flung her body over, since she really doesn't have to jump too much @ 16". So I backed her up some so she could use a stride or two, and at first she was definitely overjumping (length wise). She started to think though and adjusted, and did some beautiful ones, and we also moved onto using handler motion, she did fine as I expected, but boy does she commit late.
Hopefully will get to train again Thurs - but not sure, this week is really busy! It was a lot of fun - and it's going to take eons to work through the whole book for sure :)
Dexter - Pretty much decided he doesn't need this. I mean, HE decided this. And, since it was demotivating to him, I just let him run the tunnel->AF a few times, which he LOVED and boy oh BOY if that man ever decides to run (the right obstacles) at a trial, he could kick 8" butt! Of course that also depends on his 3rd measurement being under 11"... I'm pretty nervous about being in that situation where the next measurement is the one that counts for good!
Spry - The star of the day (of course she has worked on this the most in recent months). She did a great job with 1 jump no motion RTH, and once I added handler motion I was very pleased to see how she did. She did great at first, and then I got cocky & started moving too soon before she was committed. As a novice dog should, she pulled off (good girl). She started too by taking off from way too far back (as soon as I started my movement), I think she was panicking that I was moving and wanted to get to me NOW. She did a lovely job of adjusting when I didn't reward, and adding in a small step to collect before hand :) Next time working we will move onto the next step, whatever that is (two jumps I think).
Panic - It was very interesting. I assumed "She will do this fine, she OVER collects most of the time!" But, I worked her at 16" now that she will be running in Perf. She looked SUPER goofy when starting right in front of the jump. She just kind of flung her body over, since she really doesn't have to jump too much @ 16". So I backed her up some so she could use a stride or two, and at first she was definitely overjumping (length wise). She started to think though and adjusted, and did some beautiful ones, and we also moved onto using handler motion, she did fine as I expected, but boy does she commit late.
Hopefully will get to train again Thurs - but not sure, this week is really busy! It was a lot of fun - and it's going to take eons to work through the whole book for sure :)
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