Massey's bed

This is Masseys favorite spot to sleep in the house.
Massey likes to plump up the sides just right and burrow in, but......
who's slepping in her bed???????
Crawford!!!

Leader of the pack

Lately I've noticed that Crawford is always in the lead when I release the dogs from a group stay.

Is this because he is faster than the aussies or is it because he releases himself before I give the comand?

Hhmmm.........

Where I lay me down to sleep

It always make me happy seeing my pets sleeping
Sometimes it's nice to sleep in a group, or with a buddy.




Jack and Impy



Impy, Crawford and Esmae



Rupert and Jack


and sometimes it's better to sleep on your own



Massey



Crawford

And on a day like today which is -7 with a windchill making it feel like -17 and blowing snow, I just want to cuddle right beside them.

Massey's first Q's

Last weekend Massey and I had our 5Th trial, it took place in yet another new venue at the Fezdome in Calgary.
On our first few runs Massey was a little distracted and refused to enter the chute, however on our snooker run which I love she did awesome, she loves it when I run with her and she stayed with me the entire time and did all I asked and was fast.
We ran our jumpers run next and even though the course seems straight forward enough when I walk it some how when I run it I get all muddled up and forget where I'm going so that being said we did run clean and got a q and a first, the run itself was not pretty but Massey stayed with me again and we both had a blast.
On Sunday she was super distracted again, and I lost her attention on our runs that day.
I am trying really hard to figure out what she needs from me, and I am getting there , I know she loves it when I blast off the start line running, and I know I need to work on her attention to me so I shall be working on that, and when I'm training with her she will be focused on me and what we are doing and while listening to feedback or waiting for our turn she will be in her crate.
I think this should work as she does really seem to love the game when I have her attention.
I must also mention that I did shed some tears after Sunday's run and they were NOT from disappointment from us not getting a Q, but for me not doing a better job keeping Massey motivated.
PS; I must really thanks my fellow Go Dog Go peeps for their help and support it means so much to me, and of course I must thank Amanda for taking this beautiful photo of Massey. :o))))

Snow Shoes

Last week my farrier came and fitted Max with his snow shoes. They have cleats on the outer shoe to help give him better traction on the ice and between the shoe and the bottom of his foot there is a piece of rubber to help keep the snow from packing in his feet.



This type of shoe is great because not only does it make the winter conditions more comfortable for him, it also makes it safer for me to ride in snowy and icy conditions.

Touch

Esmae and I have been working on the touch command for her contacts in agility.
How cute is she?

It was FUN!!!!!

So my update from this past weekends agility trial is I had so much fun.
I travelled up w/ my friend and her 2 dogs, so that in combination w/ my 3 my CRV was packed, however we had packed smart and even w/ all our stuff we still had room to spare, not a lot mind but room none the less. We arrived at the barn in good time around 8:30pm and set up camp ( I was very pleasantly surprised by the accommodations it is a very nice heated horse barn and the stall we camped in was at the end of the row and so we had lots of room)
The next morning was a cool one and I don't know if it was the cooler weather, the arena surface, where we were benched, experience, or the fact that my nerves are now gone when I run w/ Massey but she ran awesome. Massey often will get distracted when running a course so I know now where I need to remind her that I am there and so other than a couple of times she stayed w/ me the whole time, and w/ each run she was getting more and more confident and faster.
Our trouble areas seem to be the chute and me not making sure she is fully committed to taking It before I leave and the start line even though I have her attention right up to the release spot she still drops her head for a moment to sniff so I shall be working on those 2 things, but w/ that being said she was so great she was having fun and and so was I often w/ my training path w/ her it has so not been fun so I am glad that we are now on the same page and are having fun. :o)
I was also very touched (ok I may have shed a tear, lol) to have received an award for Starters Handler and dog showing great developing teamwork from Fionavar K9 training and Lynda Caughlin this means so much to me as I may not be the best handler out there and lord knows I have had my ups and downs w/ Massey but I listen, practice and try my best and it nice to have this recognized by an outsider who does not know my history w/ Massey.
On a side note both Esmae and Crawford travelled very well, when I had some down time I did training w/ both dogs and was very pleased to see that neither of them seemed fazed by the hustle and bustle of a trial.
I had such a great time w/ my wonderful and helpful traveling companion, the rest of the Go Dog Go crew, watching and learning the different handling techniques and meeting new people. Fingers crossed I get into the upcoming November trial in Calgary. :o)))))