humbug
09-06-2009, 10:13 PM
Well guys...it was an experience and definitely one to learn and grow by.
Soon after we arrived we met up with the 2 classmates and set up as a group. We laughed at ourselves because you could tell we were the only "newbies" that day. We were the ONLY ones that set up without a rug or large mat. So, if you go to a horse stable bring a makeshift floor because your sh*t WILL get dirty!! LOL!
A little while later I took Dakota for a potty walk and she had pudding-poo. She was experiencing slight anxiety. She was panting and her eyes had that big-as-a-pieplate look (you know the look?) I rubbed some rescue remedy on her gums then I put some under my tongue too!! LOL! Then we took regular walks around to acclimate, we did basic on lead commands with treat rewards, went to the warm-up area which had a jump and set of weaves. She would hardly weave in the warm-up area and when she did it was R E A L L Y S L O W .
First run: Regular agility course. (Sat)
We got off to what looked and felt like a good start. At the approach to the dogwalk she decided not to take it and ran passed. I could not get her back so I quickly decided to take the refusal and continue. I got her attention back and signaled to a tunnel. She shot through that then hell-bent zoomies took over! Then she would sniff...then zoom...ignoring recalls...then she went to run out! When she tried to run out both ring exits were blocked with side-by-side human bodies just to keep her in! All these people that I did not know tried to help us succeed and blocked 2 10' sections. I almost cried!! Well anyway, I got Dakota back for a few more obstacles and then she lost it again and then I heard the judge say "thank you". (for those who do not know, "thank you" from a judge really means "please leave". lol!) That's okay because she should have said that long before so she did us a favor! Result: E (elimination)
Second Run: Jumpers: (Sat)
At the start she was in a sit-stay and JUST as the words from my mouth came out to begin she turned her head and saw the DP. Well you know when she heard the release word she darted in the direction of where her head was pointed! BUMMER! Immediately she ran out of the ring! The judge and I knew that was instant elimination but she didn't say "thank you" yet so I tried to get her back in the ring for experience but it was "Danes Gone Wild"! I clapped my hands, I ran, I squealed "come puppy", I calmly said "here!", "come". We did 1 jump, 1 tunnel, 1 jump. Then I heard "thank you". Result: E (elimination)
After a good night's rest, yes, you cannot get rid of us!! (do you hear the Rocky music???)
On Sunday when we arrived and set up many smiled and said "Hey, your back!" I smiled and said "Yes we are!" (btw, all smiles were genuine:)) Many mentored us for the third run and I decided to take advice. The advice was to pick a few obstacles out of the whole course that I felt was certain success and end with that...just be sure to tell the judge first.
Third Run: Tunnelers: (Sun)
I was excited with this new idea for success and was daydreaming and MISSED THE DARNED WALK-THROUGH!! I had no idea what the course looked like! Plus, that was when I was supposed to talk to the judge!:eek: I ran to the post board to look at the "Tunnelers map" and quickly figured things out. I was determined to get Dakota to that finish line! I got in line and they called our name. We walked into the ring. I didn't cue up to the start but I looked across to the judge and pointed towards the middle of no where. She nodded yes and we ran to our starting tunnel. Dakota's tail was wagging and she seemed happy!!:D I avoided all twisting and sharp turns! I put her in a sit stay. I released her to go...Dakota barrels through the first tunnel...I meet her at the other end and motion her to the second...bam baby, she's in there!!! Then I yell "Go, go tunnel!" Yes! She's in the third and then crosses the finish line!!!! Everybody claps!! I'm laughing and laughing! Dakota so happy from the positive energy she gets the zoomies and I can't catch her! Everybody laughing (in a good way) and after like 2 more minutes I motioned her into one of the tunnels and caught her at the end of it! Result: E (elimination)
Things I have learned:
My handling skills are aweful. Okay, maybe not aweful but they are not very good. I felt like a deer in the headlights when things went amuck.
I am not interesting enough for Dakota to want to come back to me. I need to find the key.
I loved, loved, loved all of those wonderful people!
Soon after we arrived we met up with the 2 classmates and set up as a group. We laughed at ourselves because you could tell we were the only "newbies" that day. We were the ONLY ones that set up without a rug or large mat. So, if you go to a horse stable bring a makeshift floor because your sh*t WILL get dirty!! LOL!
A little while later I took Dakota for a potty walk and she had pudding-poo. She was experiencing slight anxiety. She was panting and her eyes had that big-as-a-pieplate look (you know the look?) I rubbed some rescue remedy on her gums then I put some under my tongue too!! LOL! Then we took regular walks around to acclimate, we did basic on lead commands with treat rewards, went to the warm-up area which had a jump and set of weaves. She would hardly weave in the warm-up area and when she did it was R E A L L Y S L O W .
First run: Regular agility course. (Sat)
We got off to what looked and felt like a good start. At the approach to the dogwalk she decided not to take it and ran passed. I could not get her back so I quickly decided to take the refusal and continue. I got her attention back and signaled to a tunnel. She shot through that then hell-bent zoomies took over! Then she would sniff...then zoom...ignoring recalls...then she went to run out! When she tried to run out both ring exits were blocked with side-by-side human bodies just to keep her in! All these people that I did not know tried to help us succeed and blocked 2 10' sections. I almost cried!! Well anyway, I got Dakota back for a few more obstacles and then she lost it again and then I heard the judge say "thank you". (for those who do not know, "thank you" from a judge really means "please leave". lol!) That's okay because she should have said that long before so she did us a favor! Result: E (elimination)
Second Run: Jumpers: (Sat)
At the start she was in a sit-stay and JUST as the words from my mouth came out to begin she turned her head and saw the DP. Well you know when she heard the release word she darted in the direction of where her head was pointed! BUMMER! Immediately she ran out of the ring! The judge and I knew that was instant elimination but she didn't say "thank you" yet so I tried to get her back in the ring for experience but it was "Danes Gone Wild"! I clapped my hands, I ran, I squealed "come puppy", I calmly said "here!", "come". We did 1 jump, 1 tunnel, 1 jump. Then I heard "thank you". Result: E (elimination)
After a good night's rest, yes, you cannot get rid of us!! (do you hear the Rocky music???)
On Sunday when we arrived and set up many smiled and said "Hey, your back!" I smiled and said "Yes we are!" (btw, all smiles were genuine:)) Many mentored us for the third run and I decided to take advice. The advice was to pick a few obstacles out of the whole course that I felt was certain success and end with that...just be sure to tell the judge first.
Third Run: Tunnelers: (Sun)
I was excited with this new idea for success and was daydreaming and MISSED THE DARNED WALK-THROUGH!! I had no idea what the course looked like! Plus, that was when I was supposed to talk to the judge!:eek: I ran to the post board to look at the "Tunnelers map" and quickly figured things out. I was determined to get Dakota to that finish line! I got in line and they called our name. We walked into the ring. I didn't cue up to the start but I looked across to the judge and pointed towards the middle of no where. She nodded yes and we ran to our starting tunnel. Dakota's tail was wagging and she seemed happy!!:D I avoided all twisting and sharp turns! I put her in a sit stay. I released her to go...Dakota barrels through the first tunnel...I meet her at the other end and motion her to the second...bam baby, she's in there!!! Then I yell "Go, go tunnel!" Yes! She's in the third and then crosses the finish line!!!! Everybody claps!! I'm laughing and laughing! Dakota so happy from the positive energy she gets the zoomies and I can't catch her! Everybody laughing (in a good way) and after like 2 more minutes I motioned her into one of the tunnels and caught her at the end of it! Result: E (elimination)
Things I have learned:
My handling skills are aweful. Okay, maybe not aweful but they are not very good. I felt like a deer in the headlights when things went amuck.
I am not interesting enough for Dakota to want to come back to me. I need to find the key.
I loved, loved, loved all of those wonderful people!