Love is Gone

It used to make me happy, I used to feel a rush.

Anticipation, enthusiasm, celebration, accomplishment, surprise, adrenaline. Things I used to feel why I played.

I can't get a break, I keep making mistakes.

Pushing, rewarding, reasoning, learning, pleading. Things we've tried and tried again.

So much potential, not a lot of hope.

What now.

I'm the problem, the dog is great. She's got titles, placements and stats. Good for her.

I'm tired of working toward something, of always fixing something, of always not being satisfied.

I'm tired of feeling the way I do about a hobby. I quit.

Running Contact Plan

My main focus with Spree right now is the dogwalk contact. I plan on three stages of training for her. The first is all on the ground with no contact equipment involved.



We have her contact box which is made of PVC and will eventually sit overtop of the contact on the dogwalk. Next there is a contact hoop which is placed after the box for her to run through. This was suggested by Kathy so Spree is unable to reherse incorrect "jumping" behaviour off of the contact. Finally there are two jumps that are used to pattern her stride before the contact. They will be spaced to mimic the transition from up ramp to cross and from cross to down ramp.
For the past couple weeks we have been working on the box. Running into it, and then reward, or onto another obstacle. She is started from under 20' away at this point. The progress I've seen is good, but she still does not see the box as something to preform. I will try raising it so it's more clear that she is to jump into it. After that it will go back down.
Next step will be adding the hoop after, and then the stride bumps. After she is doing all three, we will add sequences of obstacles before and after the set up including turning after.



Once her "dogwalk of props" is concrete (notice how I didn't say perfect :P) I will begin the process over on the lowered dogwalk. Hop into the box and hoop from one step before. Then a few steps before, then over the bumps, all the way to sequences again. I will try my best to think of all the things she might see before the dogwalk that will change her stride so she will be able to work through that while still being reinforced for a proper contact behaviour.
At this point I see myself getting bored and rushing through the final stages, like I do with everything I teach my dogs. Feel free to hit me and/or take my dogs away.



At this point do I fade props on the lowered dogwalk or do I raise it and re-teach and then fade?

Lesson with Kim Collins

I learned a ton in the hour I got to spend with Kim Collins. Now we have to work on:

• Spree driving away to obstacles - one obstacle at a time
• I need to stop using my speed to cover up her lag
• Spree driving into contact position - starting with one foot in plank work
• Driving out of turns
• Toy and food control. I get to drop cookies and toys ON her. Fun! We also get to place the toy all over obstacles. I know she's going to hate this one.
• My handling postion for turns and straights

Training Troop Resuce Trial - Jan 08

Spree had a great weekend going 5/8 - her best show to date. She placed first in Advanced Standard and second (next to Britt, Nationals 6th place) on her first Masters Jumpers qualifier. Sunday was an even better day with her first Steeplechase qualifier (placing ?) as well as an Advanced Standard (1st place) and first Masters Snooker (3rd place). She was running fairly consistent by Sunday, and only went to see the judge once.

Cola had a Masters Standard on Saturday, she didn't want to do the threadle, so we just ran past that. Good run, and she seemed happy. Sunday she was in Masters Snooker (which I forgot about) and did a great job - even grabbed a first place!

Dexter did not have a good weekend. He was overly stressed about the trial and could not do anything. We walked out of the ring on every run. Even his favorite jumpers! How frusterated I was, so he was pulled for Sunday.

And a shout out to Ousa, who I was fortunate enough to try running. She had a fun Gamblers, even succesfuly doing the gamble. Advanced Standard she handled the difficult parts of the course, but could not weave for the life of her! Weaves!

Exploding Dog

nothing has changed

My Music 2007

Best Album:
The Reminder by Feist

Best Mix:
Caterpillar by Mike Grefner

To end the year:
Sex N' Money (Benny Benassi Mix) + Take it (Closing Time) (Acappella)
Oakenfold Feat Pharrell Williams + Tom Novy & Lima
4 am and the taxis are waiting... one last chance so take it

That changed my year:
4 in the morning thin white duke mix
Gwen Stefani
and it hurts... can you give me more?

Year after year:
Always
Neverending White Lights
I count all the times you choke... and I pushed you back