Busy Busy Weekend!!!!

First off...the biggest news :) Team Crackhead went to the IFCS Texas extravaganza!! They really did a great job! And...after all was said and done, Crackers and Andy won the spot on the team!!!!!!

So now they get to go to the Netherlands in 2014!! I WILL BE THERE DAMMIT!! :) I might have to have myself drugged the entire way over, but I am going to go this time!!!

 Got this photo from Jen Crank...could say "photo by Jen Crank" but she's kinda on the podium too, so yeah...uh...that isn't quite right...maybe photo by Jen's phone?? ;-)

Very proud of my boys...they work hard, they put up with me, and it's been really neat helping them become the team they are. Fun fun fun!! :)

In less exciting news (but still exciting for me I guess)...Klinker got her ADCH Gold this weekend :) She needed one more jumpers leg for it and snagged it Sunday on a cool jumpers course by Dave Bozak. 

Of which I got a tie with both my dogs! I would have LOVED to see where Lynn ended up in the pack!!!! Oh well...I didn't do a runoff, the judge had to get going, but that's OK :) I can say now I am consistent in my handling of each of my dogs, here's proof ;-)

Good job pups ;-) Anyway, back to Klink...this is probably her last ADCH, I will be moving her down to performance soon, start working on her PDCH. It's bittersweet, she's such a fun dog to run (sometimes she and I don't see eye to eye on courses, like doing 12 weaves...dork! LOL) but she's taught me a lot. And always give 600%...gotta love the Stink :)

It scares me to think of running her at 16"...but I think she is going to just LOVE it. I will need to get FASTER...much FASTER! ;-)

In regards to her aframes..she got one...the rest were not stops, they were two strided, but high...confidence, needs more training, she has a solid 1.5 months less of training than Gator, and it showed. Otherwise...she really ran great :) So we will continue forward ;-) NOT STOPPING is a good thing...first step. 

Gator boy---what can I say about this dude...he's such a good kid :) Finished his LAA-Gold this weekend (he's working on his ADCH-Platinum already), he hit EVERY aframe (even the crappy entry I gave him in gamblers!!) and ran so well...won Steeplechase Round 1 (didn't run Round 2) won jumpers both days, won Snooker and super Q'd the other day, 2nd in Standard....just an all around good kid! Most impressed with his aframes!!!!!

He's such a fun dog to run!!! My boy...gotta love those boys!!!

Oh...and proof you don't always need to do all 7's to get Super Q's...I usually don't, I will be honest with you....

Go Klink with a 44! Little turd knocked a red. I recovered...evil fuzzy butt...

Lynn was NOT happy about having to chill in the car all weekend, can't say I blame her. I really do think females in heat should be allowed to compete...run them last, fine with me. But just because they are in heat, shouldn't bar them from competition, doesn't in herding....or overseas in agility! Gator was intact until he was 4 and he knew the rules...sigh. Oh well...off my soapbox.

Maybe someday Lynn...she was cranky...but made it through...

Bones make it all better...

Or maybe not...

You're done now Lynn, for another 6-8 months...yay!!!! :)

The weather was awesome, courses were awesome, everybody was in a great mood. My students did awesome (two of them got Super Q's!!!! YES!!!!)...lots of great runs by them! Very proud!!!!

There is a trial the end of May...but that is our 10 year Anniversary...tossing up whether we want to trial or take that weekend to celebrate...choices choices ;-)

Comparing...

"I am in competition with no one. I run my own race. I have no desire to play the game of being better than anyone in any way, shape or form. I just aim to improve and be better than I was before. That's me...and I am FREE"

 I was checking messages on Facebook this morning and came across this quote...it really struck me. In a good way. Competition isn't a bad thing...it can be the driving force behind change. 

 It can also bring out some not so nice things in people...jealousy, anger, all encompassing thoughts, self defeating behaviors, using things as a means to an end. Those can be summed up in one little sentence "Sportsmanship...use it, live it, BE it"...

"Sportsmanship: is an aspiration or ethos that a sport or activity will be enjoyed for its own sake, with proper consideration for fairness, ethics, respect, and a sense of fellowship with one's competitors. A sore loser refers to one who does not take defeat well, whereas a good sport means being a "good winner" as well as being a "good loser".

 Notice the word "aspiration" in that definition...we aspire to be the great competitor...we do fall down sometimes, that is human nature. Making mistakes, learning from them, but picking ourselves up and trying again. I think the other part of being a good competitor is knowing and FORGIVING these slip ups in our fellow dog lovers. We ALL slip up...if you feel you never have, you will. I have many times...wanted something a LITTLE TOO MUCH...and luckily for me, it has bit me in the ass and I have learned. But I keep trying to become that person :)

 Aspire to be more than you are, accept the bumps along the way, love and appreciate yourself regardless. 

One of the things I have always told my students...is just what that quote states...compete against yourself, improve on your weaknesses, challenge your strengths. Judge YOU AGAINST YOU...not you against everyone else. This will cure a lot of the issues involved in competition...

I see it a LOT at the seminars I teach...people talking themselves down, comparing themselves to others...giving up, saying they can't do this or that...I am all about logic, I am all about knowing what skills I can or cannot perform. HOWEVER, negative self talk is just defeating yourself before you ever get to the line. 

 It is about you and your dog, against the course. Nothing more, nothing less. When I step to the line, I want to run the best for my dogs...and I am testing to see how well they run for me in new environments...with tons of different variables...ME AGAINST ME. 

If we keep these things in mind...we can assess where we are in our training...if lose sight of that...then the comparing/self doubt begins. ...my dog isn't as far along as the gal who owns a litter mate, that person won because their dog didn't trip, why isn't my new puppy like my awesome older dog, why can't I handle like that person? Etc etc etc...until, left unchecked, can cause an unhealthy obsession.

Competition gets a bad wrap...for those kinds of reasons. We all want to win (even those that say they don't...they do, it's human nature!!!) But it's how we handle the losing that defines us.

I see nothing wrong with wanting to know how you stand "in the pack" or being proud of your dogs accomplishments, that's another test of training ( I like to see how the times fall between my three dogs more than anything else!!!)...but when it affects your ability to enjoy the game...to enjoy those runs with your dogs...then one needs to step back and think about how to find that joy again. 

 Like Miss Cleo rolling in the grass ;-) JOY :)

If we have lost it...how do we find that joy?

Stare at baby lambies...yep...that will do it! :)

STOP COMPARING...read that first quote...a MILLION times.

 I always tell people...first start with not watching others run...just focus on your handling, and really put your mind into YOUR RUN WITH YOUR DOG. Think about all the good things you can do. Think about all the amazing things your dog does. Focus on those good things...

If you have a bad run (and I do this a LOT). Tell  yourself, I will watch it once, to see the errors...then I will delete it. The good runs, I will watch over and over again if I wish...enjoying those moments of being connected. Those moments that I handled my dog perfectly. KEEP THOSE. Discard the bad. We do what we see and rehearse...rehearse and see the GOOD. 

 If you fall short of your goals...instead of putting emotion into it...be logical. Try to assess your training and handling as if you were a hired consultant...an unbiased party called in for an assessment. Make a list of pros and cons...then chip away at them with your training--checking off lists of weaknesses and transferring them to the "strength" column is very rewarding.

 Recognize we are all on different journeys...some want to do the World Team, win the finals...great for them. Some want to just finish a course, and maybe get a ribbon! Great for them! Both sides need to be proud of their own journeys and appreciate each others. I've had people say to me during a seminar "Well I just  want to Q at a local trial, not go to Nationals" as if I am going to look at them and say "Oh..well then, I guess you better just leave, I can't help you". They say it like they're embarrassed!!!! DON'T YOU DARE not be proud of your accomplishments...if you stop comparing yourself to others, you will realize just how far you have come in your own training. And that is what matters.

 In regards to your training...stop all notions of comparing your dogs against each other. This will REALLY help you see the complete and utter awesomeness that is each dog. Again, hire yourself as a consultant...Gator is a great gamble dog, but he needs more work on turns. Lynn needs some work on her DW's, Klink needs work on collection...NON EMOTIONAL...just the facts. Don't compare how each dog is doing in regards to getting particular skills...just focus on each stage. All of my dogs are related (well not Crackers ;-) and all are different. If I compared each of them...I wouldn't be very happy.  Be patient, be unconditional and be present with each dog...not the dog you WISH they would be. Because in reality...they are the dog you need.

This weekend I will go enjoy my pups...this weekend I will cheer on people, tell them what great runs they had. 

And ENJOY...I'll also knit...probably say a few cuss words, tell some inappropriate stories, laugh a little too hard, smile a little too much. And whatever happens, happens. But I will be there, running against ME.

What a CRAZY April

Finally home...for a while :) It's been a very crazy month...just coming off of the last of lambing (and dealing with that all April)...I headed out to do back to back seminars. Lots of teaching, lots of driving!!

Chicago and the Omaha area were a blast...the different people, awesome dogs...just a lot of fun :) My voice held up thank GOD. I was very worried after the first weekend of teaching...no voice. I took care of it, lots of herbal tea, cough drops and thank you very much AMAZON for your amazing shipping. I purchased a PA system (plan on taking it to each of my seminars from now on!!!)...That thing is perfect. Loud and clear and everyone can hear me without me having to scream! YAY!!!

Just pretend these pictures contain green grass...K?

I will be back again in the Omaha area in October...and if things work out right,  Chicago as well :) A fun fun time...love teaching. These trips were nice as I could take my pups. I had room for only three, leaving some behind really was tough...but it was still nice to get to take some of them :) Feels like home if they are with me!

I did get Klink and Gator on different a-frames while in Chicago...I didn't in the Omaha area...just no time. They actually did pretty well. Gator didn't even try to revert! YAY! Klink THOUGHT about it...I figured she would. 

Going into the trial this weekend, I don't know what they will do. Gator is doing well with the fading. The bar is completely off the top of the box. He will try to some one hits...but in general most of his are awesome. I compare his to Lynn's aframes (she has missed two in her career) and he is hitting very  close to how she hits. So I am happy. Klinker is also being faded...she is doing pretty well. Still thinks about stopping every once in awhile...but it is getting less and less. :)

I have to admit...THIS stuff really gets me going...this is my passion. TRAINING. Sure...trialing is fine, I don't mind it...but training...that's where it's at for me :) It's fun taking my older dogs, and working with them again...having to re-figure them out...it's a cool journey!

Even Steven and I will be getting back into her running contact training...I hated HATED...DID I MENTION HATED??? Leaving her at home while I traveled...but, I did. I missed her so very much. It was nice to get back to her :)

I got to see Andy for about 3 hours total...he headed off to Texas for the IFCS Championship thingie :) So far he is doing well, 1st in GP, 3rd in IFCS Std (teeter call), 1st in IFCS Jumpers, and 3rd in Steeplechase Round 1. It's kinda crappy not being there with him...but I will be trialing this weekend here in MN. It will be nice to actually get to SEE my husband :)

I didn't get many baby lamb pictures...one regret of me being gone...but there are many of them...and they are growing SOOOO big!!!!!!!! LOVE watching them! Will try to get more pictures than this!!!!!

I had mentioned I had a trial this weekend...THREE dogs were supposed to be entered...but Lynn decided to come into season :( The club was SUPER nice, and gave me a refund...THANK YOU!!!!! But...honestly, I am very sad. Lynn is doing so damn well...I love running her!!! So, it's going to feel weird just running TWO dogs :)

Two dogs with retrained a-frames...we might not Q this weekend ;-) It's actually kinda fun with the "will they or won't they??"...adrenaline rush. I like it!!!! Maybe I am weird??

So...two dogs with not consistent a-frames...and Lynn in season...Michigan regional we will not be attending....glad I procrastinated...kinda :( Sigh...

Oh well...maybe this is the year I just cheer people on? If I have some wine, and good friends, I am set :) 

On top of all of this, I am starting to give some online lessons, which are fun and challenging...some via Skype, some via youtube videos, etc etc. It's fun to get to work with people all over the place :) If you would have asked me about doing this 5 years ago, I would have told you "insane...no way"...it's taken on a mind of it's own :)

And some damn friends conned me into training for a 10K...because I didn't have enough going on anyway...right?? Life is crazy. But I love it.

It has been nice getting home though...when you teach, you give a part of yourself to those you teach. It's very rewarding, and I love it, but it does drain me. Being home recharges me...so I have really enjoyed this week :)

I'm still knitting...and I am still taking photos...just got two new lenses in fact...and no, not just taking photos of dogs and other animals :) 

Not sure how May is going to pan out, I hope to enjoy some warm weather here in MINNESOTA!! PLEASE!?!??! Get some fishing in, play some guitar, run agility outside, and WORK DOGS ON STOCK...

Life is Good :)

TRYING to catch up...who am I kidding?? LOL

I love teaching...gosh do I love teaching. 

Went to Dash K9 in the Chicago area and taught all weekend...had a freaking blast...

Changes in dogs, changes in handlers...good changes...fun fun fun group!

Got Gator and Klink on different aframes...they rocked. Lynn was the bestest demo dog EVER :)

Got to train with friends, eat dinner with friends, laugh with friends.

Fed my soul :)

I am home for less than 48 hours and then head down to Iowa to visit and teach there. Another fun group.

Then come home...teach, and trial the following weekend...

Somewhere in there I am going to rest...I think? Maybe?

Maybe not.

It is good to be home, with my pups...at some point I hope to see my husband...he will be heading to Texas with the Crackhead to do the IFCS stuff ...I hope I get to see him for a few days this month! LOL

If you emailed me...I will get to you, promise :) 

This dog training stuff keeps me pretty darn busy :)

I wanted to post about Boston...the dumbfounded thoughts I had about the evil in the world. BUT...I am going to focus on the good things, good people, deeds, events, hearts, souls, everything...GOOD GOOD GOOD. There is far more good.  Praying for more good...

Hug your dogs, hug your family and enjoy the blessings you have.

What Else? RUNNING A-FRAMES!!!!

Because that is really all my life is right now :) Lambs, teaching and RAF's :)

I have started fading the box for Gator. This is the first session. I am grateful for videos...it allows me to leave the training session...let my brain think about what I THOUGHT happened, and then the next day, look at things. I have a fast and easy video editing program. It helps a ton. I have a very analytically inclined brain (only when dog training or teaching though...otherwise I am a driver personality)...

Watch the video...what do you see that is different from the previous videos with the box on?

Things I observed:

He is not as confident--can't say I blame him as there is a big difference in his beloved box!

He is somewhat targeting that space in the box to put his feet at...makes sense as his eye is drawn to that change.

If I get too picky on him right now I think he will not get what I want.

A slight worry on his part, plus a change in a variable (aka space in the box now) I need to realize he is trying.  Why I decided that YES, I know he is not hitting perfectly in the box...BUT, I still rewarded. Here's were this "running contacts are a whole beast of their own...lots of middle ground and grey areas"...

So my criteria--2 strides and in the box...somehow.

The last aframe in this video was much more confident...leads me to believe this is what he understands.
I am also late with the hit it command on a few...bad me.

Enter session 2: What do you see?

I see a TON more confidence...and I see he wants to throw in those one striders to show me he can totally one hit the down and get in the yellow :) I must be very clear with my rewarding to get what I want. 2 strides, in box, good, anything else, no.  I also see I am still late with the hit it command...gonna really work on that...bad Loretta

I am on the right track as his a-frames are getting closer and closer to what they normally are with the full box on. Which is what I am looking for. Head down, not targeting the opening of the box like he was the first session. Making headway. I have a feeling if I take my time, and really let him settle into this break in the box, the others will go along just fine. But I think I will be here for awhile...which is fine. I must not reward those one strides or 1 half strides...only reward two strides. This boy has so much power I know he wants to one hit...no thanks.

Focusing on "Smallest change, Slightest try"...Good boy Gator :)

And now, onto Klink, 5'6" and happy girl :) I am adding motion slowly...but as you can see, she will try to THINK about stopping if I am running a short sequence with her. We will be working on this for a while. She really enjoys running it though :)

I will stop there with the analysis...I could look at running contact videos all day...I am kind of freaky like that :)

Differences and stuff...

My dogs constantly remind me that they are so very different from each other. One would think, being that all my dogs are related closely, they would all have similar temperaments. But that really couldn't be further from the truth.

Random lamb photo...I have way too many :)

They are all individuals...with their own strengths and weaknesses. Just like us :)

Gator is doing so very well on his AF's. He is getting deeper and deeper in the yellow. I am going to get part of the bar removed this weekend and see how he handles that. I think he won't really care. Slowly but surely fade that box off...

If he is wrong, and doesn't get the reward, he will immediately fix it the next rep. He understands the behavior and is certain about it. He can be a thinker, but not for long. Analyzing isn't his deal, he would rather just GO. This is very helpful for this retrain :)

We don't have another trial until the end of April, so more time to work on it. I hope I will have the faith in that AF when the Michigan regional comes along in May :)

And if we don't...it is what it is. I am enjoying running the boy with the RAF...I really don't like stopped AF's.  It just doesn't work for me anymore...

Then there is Klinker Stinker :) She was easier on some aspects, worse on others....grid work? Piece of cake! (Gator had issues with that!)...Klink nailed it. In regards to breaking that stop...She hasn't been quite as easy. Klink was CONVINCED that if I run next to the AF, I am proofing. So she will SLAM into a stop all confident and look at me like YEAH!!! I WIN!!!

Beating head against wall...SO...

I am SLOWLY adding motion. She is getting it :) Though not charging forward like her brother, but everyday gets better :) We are still at 4'6" and will stay there until she will let me do anything on the AF and not even THINK about stopping. The good thing is, she is giving me two LOVELY strides, and is deep in the yellow. She never hits the box (Gator can be a butt on that sometimes) and is going faster and faster each session :)

I have some video of "breaking the stop" I am going to get together to post. As that was probably the most frustrating part of this retrain and I know others                      have been frustrated too in that area.

But...it's coming together :) I think...

After the horrible lambing situation on the first yearling to go, I was scared about the rest of the yearlings lambing. Luckily, the ewe with all the issues is doing great, you can't even tell there were any issues. So when a yearling started going last night my head went to the worst possible place. Luckily for us this girl had a textbook lambing :) Two healthy babies! 

The new family! :)

What a good mom she is too! 

These lambs are just so darn cute!!! I would be out there looking at them, enjoying their antics...but their mothers SCREAMING at me to feed them CONSTANTLY is getting old :) 

I mean, how can you not have a good morning when you see this??

 The older babies are HUGE already...we bred to a registered Dorset ram, nice lines and good gains. These little buggers are growing!!!!!

 Vittles is patient...to say the least :)

One of the fun parts of spring... 

I'm hoping the rest of lambing is uneventful :)

And in other news. Miss Zip will be running in veterans jumpers. She will turn 10 April 5th and I miss running her. Jumping 12 inches will be fun, she enjoys the game, why not?

I miss running her so much. What's a 4th dog to run for one class :-) Here is a video of her running and getting her APD. Good girl Zip. It will be fun to have her back in the ring again. She is such a little imp! LOL

And...wanted to show you one of Crackers favorite games :) Go little dude GO!

 

I hope all of you have a wonderful Easter! We are going to relax this weekend, have a good Sunday dinner and enjoy the warmer temps!!!

Klinky, Klinky, Klinky.....

Spazzing doesn't even come close...Klink you F-ING ROCK...

It may go to shit tomorrow...but for today, I will bask in the glory of all that is Klink :)

My dogs just amaze me...