Beginning Agility

Dexter stayed with our friend Mary Klein while we were in Hawaii from Dec 12-19th. It was GREAT for him!! She had lessons and classes down at the training building, so he got to go to all of those with her, and hang out in his crate acclimating to the noises during them, and come out to visit in between. I saw a HUGE difference in his confidence when we got back. So thank you thank you thank you to Mary!

I took Dexter to the Wild Weavers New Years Trial, and he was 100% comfortable there. Now he's to the point where I have to watch out because he is trying to go up and play with all dogs and people. He doesn't yet know that not every dog wants an annoying little Podengo in their face :) So now we have to work on manners. Leash manners too - he is like a wind up toy at the end of his leash when he sees something he wants to go check out!

There are so many little things he is OK with now that he didn't used to be. One big one is at the building, he wouldn't go potty outside before! It's very close to a road that a lot of semi trucks drive on, and he was not too fond of the noises they make. He has no problem with it now!

We have been working on more training recently. He is very enthusiastic about learning! He now knows sit, down, shake, and we're working on roll over. And stays... We're also trying to teach him to blow bubbles in water :) Panic learned it VERY quickly - he's picking up on it but he's more dainty than Panic is.

As far as agility goes, I am so excited! We began our jump training. He is 6 months old, and for a dog his size, it's a safe age to start. We are using Linda Mecklenburg's Developing Jumping Skills book to help us along our way. He jumps 12" with no problem, and also does wing jumps, double jumps, and tires. I still need to introduce triples (but will probably wait a bit on that), broad jumps, and panel jumps. He LOVES being at the building and getting to work! We've also worked on tunnels, walking on planks, and started weave poles. We are using Joe Canova's weave pole method. It is how I trained Panic and worked great with her.

When a training session is over, sometimes Dex isn't done working yet, and instead of nicely allowing me to pick him up and put him in his crate - he RUNS back onto the training floor and says "well how about I do this jump? This tire? this tunnel?" and does pretty much everything he's learned, hoping his smarts will convince me to not put him away. As cute as it is, I need to work on that!

Oh - we've also been working on the flat just walking with him at my side, doing FCs and RCs. For now he is just following the treats, but he is doing great and always turning the correct way.

Ok... it's the New Year and all :) Here are my doggie goals for the year:
1 - Lose weight and get in shape! Panic is pretty fast and I need to be faster to really reach her potential.
2 - Be ready to enter Dexter in AKC trials when he turns 15 months old. That will be October 7th. From what I've seen so far, I think we'll definitely be ready.
3 - Teach both dogs more tricks, and I'd also like to work on some obedience.

My goals for Dexter competitively:
Compete in the USDAA 12" Nationals - and be competitive
Compete in AKC Nationals - maybe
Earn metallic ADCh and MACH
Complete UKC championship, and AKC championship if/when they are in Miscellaneous
Complete CD