Mali Mania

2012 goals and dreams .............

2012-01-18T18:02:00.000Z

Well where to start .......
2011 came and flew by, such a successful year for us, I blogged about it during the year so im not going to repeat anything, just like to say how proud and fortunate I feel owning such amazing dogs.

2012 ........... I am truly looking forward to this year, already so much planned and we are only in January, I have entered our first show of the season so it's a sign the season is not that long away.
Training is going really well, Ronny is looking brilliant I just hope we can convert it into competition, I have no intentions on letting this dog down this year I know he is incredibly hard work but boy he is worth it.
I haven’t done much with Keisha, I really think doing less is giving us more, she is absolutely flying when I do get her out in training and it is so nice to see her enthusiasm back.
Zippy is my little star, he really pulls at my heart strings and to be honest a dog that can’t do nothing wrong :-) we have been training lots and I am so chuffed with where we are at, it’s amazing to see the amount of progress we have made over the last 12 months, very exciting times ahead for us.

Well our goals and dreams for 2012

Ronny: Just to run consistently well rather than consistently bad, he needs one agility win to go Grade 7 and boy that would be the ultimate dream for us, he will be 8 this year so I feel time will shortly be running out to be able to keep up with the best, maybe I should have set that as the goal but for those of you who know us know how difficult a clear round is to get with Ronny.

Keisha: Our goal for this year is to keep our enthusiasm, we will hopefully be entering the Champ Classes so that will be a good experience, our goal is to try and make the final, the dream ....... well Keisha is one of the dogs im taking to Italy for the BSD WC and it would be amazing if we could get a medal in the team event, I think the team has a really good chance this year.

Zippy: Well I would love to get him to Grade 7, that’s the goal I have set and if possible I would like to do it at the start of the season to give us a chance of trying to compete in Champ, my dream is to get him to the final of the BSD WC in Italy.

Other things planned for this year ............ I have been asked to judge at a few shows so im really looking forward to that, I have agreed Beacon and Nottingham so far, unfortunately I can’t plan anything during July to September as we are not allowed any annual leave during the Olympics.

Good luck to all my friends for 2012 I hope you have a successful season xxx

Merry Christmas

2011-12-27T18:39:00.000Z

Merry Christmas everyone.........

I was looking back through my old posts and found this picture of Zippy hogging the fire when he was only a few months old

Took this today, nothing has changed ........... Lol :)

2011-11-28T11:10:00.001Z

What a beautiful morning, its our first frosty walk of the winter and it was nice to be out in the crisp cold air walking in lovely surroundings. I think the water stops were quite cold this morning as none of the dogs stopped in them for that long. I do love it at this time of the year when the ground is hard and its cold but dry, unfortunately the weather man said it will probably rain for the rest of the week so we definitely took full advantage this morning.

A quick catch up with what we have been doing, last weekend it was the BSD WC selection day, with the GB Team rule that you are only allowed to take one dog to the WC I decided to enter both Keisha and Zippy with the hope of qualifying Zippy, on the day it didn't quite go to plan, a few hairy moments with Zip on his first two agility runs he wasn't happy with the up plank on the DW so jumped off it on the first course, I was aware of the issue on the second class but stayed with him to get him across, im not sure what the issue was and even now on reflection im still not sure, we have never had this problem before and none of the other dogs including sensitive Keisha didn't have a problem. Anyway Zip managed his first round with 5R and his second class with 10F after a run by on the see-saw and a refusal at the last jump as he was too busy gorping at his toy !!! :) Keisha had two lovely clears so was gaining lots of points.

The third agility class was a bit of a disaster, I managed to get both Keisha and Zippy eliminated at the same point, never mind it just meant we had to work harder for the rest of the day. Then thats when Zippy and me finally got it together, we had 3 lovely clears in the jumping classes, still not at our best and I think I was queuing too late causing Zip to turn wide but it was clear and that was the main aim. Keisha had 2 out of the 3 clears in the jumping rounds, considering I haven't done any training with her since September I was chuffed to bits with how she performed.

So that was it the day had finished, Keisha had secured more points than Zippy however Zippy still had enough points to meet the criteria of making the team, I had already decided prior to try outs that if we qualified I would take Zippy. So the final placings are as follows:

Dave Leach and Rusty

Andy Brown and Sky

Jo Hyslop and Keisha

Di Griffin and Fin

Andy Brown and Thor

Jo Hyslop and Zippy

The team committee have decided this year Andy Brown and me can take both our dogs to the WC, Keisha will run in the individuals as well as the team event and Zippy will just run in the individual, I am so so lucky and incredibly excited to be taking both my dogs, although regrettably I would have withdrawn Keisha from the team if the single dog rule stood as I feel Zippy has the best chance of making the final out of the two of them, thankfully I didn't have to make that decision so we are off to the WC next year in Italy, yippee !!!

Well done to everyone else who qualified its gonna be a great team !!!

The new training field

2011-11-13T18:03:00.002Z

So this is my new training field and menage, I moved in on saturday morning, I managed to do it all in one go which was a bonus, I think I need to space my equipment out the paddock is massive, no doubt Emma will be looking forward to her workout when she comes training, if your wondering where all the other equipment is its in the stable keeping dry.

This morning we had WC training, it was great fun and some of the courses were quite hard, infact very trappy and good handling was needed, mine was average, some good moments and some rubbish moments, Zippy was a good boy I have no idea how he understands what I want sometimes. I did get Keisha out for a few runs but to be honest we were a complete disaster, I think I will be taking advantage of my new training venue over the next week to make sure Keisha, Zippy and me are all singing of the same hymn sheet.

Not much else happening at the moment, I am currently debating whether to get my bike out and start taking the boys for a more vigorous exercise, ive just got this dreadful feeling one of them will cause me to fall and become more friendly with the floor, I think I might try one at a time to start with, work out who the likely culprit could be !!!

November already ???

2011-11-07T12:31:00.006Z

November already.......... this year is flying by. It has been a busy couple of months for us here, I didn't blog about it last month but Zippy had been very poorly for 3 weeks after contracting an infection after being neutered. I made numerous visits back to the vet, infact 5 times in 7 days but they kept telling me he was just taking longer to recover than normal but he was fine.

Then on the monday morning (a week later) I woke up and Zippy wouldn't even move, he looked so poorly and wouldn't even lift his head, I decided to take him to a different vets, thank god i did .... his temperature was dangerously high and they immediately started to treat him, his body had gone into shut down. After lots of treatment and daily visits to the vets for a week Zip started to recover, to look at him now you wouldn't even know, thankfully there are some good vets out there who know what they are doing, its a shame others don't and for them to put Zip's life on the line is completely unforgivable.

Anyway, on top of all that I had lost access to the field I was training on, complete rubbish timing as the training season had just began, however, I have just found a new paddock that is even better, its part of a horse yard and im allowed to leave my equipment out in the field which is a massive bonus, i also have access to a stable to store equipment such as my tunnel and weaves so they don't start rotting away in the bad weather. All this comes with free access to the menage too if it is not being used, how lucky am I ???

Last weekend we went over to Kates to meet up with Nat and Reno and Jackie and Speedy, we had a few hours training in Kates paddock which was great, we were then spoilt with lunch and pancakes to follow which were absolutely delicious, thanks very much Kate. I think all the doggies enjoyed there day and I know the humans certainly did.

Thanks to Grace for the lovely photos taken at the ABC semi back in September.

Quick catch up

2011-10-31T12:13:00.000Z

I keep meaning to update this blog but I never seem to get chance, lots happening at the moment but I promise I will try harder !!!

Well the first bit of news is I passed my judges course so I can now officially judge at KC Shows, I have already received and accepted two judging appointments for next year, it's so very exciting and I cant wait to get started.

BSD WC selection day is fast approaching, im sticking with my initial thoughts and plan to do very little with Keisha, I have a few training days coming up so I might get her out to practice a contact or two but that will be it, I think the rest will do her good and make her more motivated. Zippy on the other hand is the only dog in action at the moment, his training is going great and he is looking so confident in himself, we are still working on our A-Frame contact but it is definitley a step in the right direction. We had our first FCI type training day on saturday which he worked brilliantly at, the next one is planned for two weeks time and im already looking forward to it.

Happy 3rd Birthday Zippy

2011-10-24T20:25:00.000+01:00

Happy Birthday to my beautiful Zippy

Happy 3rd birthday to all the Kronik Kidz

love daddy Ronny

Training has started

2011-10-18T19:26:00.004+01:00

Training has started, well for Zippy anyway, Ronny and Keisha will remain on rest for another month or so, im planning on giving them two a proper break and enjoy the slower pace of life for a few more weeks, walks and swimming is all thats on their agenda.

Zippy started back training last week, with the WC qualifier next month I want to work on his contacts, I have decided to change from a running A-Frame and use the 2o2o instead, its just not practical with the time I have to get the required amount of training needed for running contacts. So far so good, although its only been a week he is already showing great progress.

Next week im on my judges course, im really looking forward to it, ive just got to find some time to sit down and read the pre-course work, finding any spare moment at the minute is pretty impossible, it wont be long until Christmas is upon us, eek !!!

End of the season

2011-09-28T19:12:00.000+01:00

Wow where did that last month go .......... ive been a really rubbish blogger.

Time for a quick catch up, over the last month we've had some good results, Ronny was running really well and gained quite a few places a couple of 5th places and yet another 2nd in agility, I hate 2nd place we definitely have the curse for that one, I would much prefer a 3rd or 4th or something, obviously that last win to go G7 would have been ideal but just not the dreaded 2nd place.

Zippy and me were just starting to come back into form, it's a shame the season has finished for us now, he has ran some really lovely rounds and is running so much faster, im already planning our winter training so we can come out strong for next year.

So now we will be on a month's rest, it will be nice to do nothing and not even think about agility, im sure the dogs will enjoy there rest and come back keen for their winter training. We have our BSD WC selection day at the end of November so we will be working towards that as part of our winter plan.

Next month im doing my judging course, I got fed up with my UP contacts constantly being marked which I think is completely unfair, it is obvious discrimination against large striding dogs, how can you fault a dog for running their natural stride pattern ??? Do they get time taken off when they have to crouch to go through tunnels or bend in two to get through the weaves, NO of course not so why should they be asked to shorten and slow down to get those UP's, I appreciate the safety with dogs jumping on from the side etc but that's a different thing all together surely ???

Anyway ......... now ive had my rant, Ive decided to do the judging course and give something back to the sport I enjoy and give those large striding dogs a fairer chance of winning !!!

Dog Vegas

2011-09-01T17:32:00.001+01:00

Dog Vegas went well, the weather was a bit cloudy but generally stayed dry, I think we were lucky after I heard Wyre was cancelled on the saturday due to bad weather. Some good results from the weekend, Keisha is back in hormone land, more interested in sniffing the floor than actually running, very frustrating considering this was her first G7 show, when she could be bothered she gained a 3rd and 4th in her jumping classes so it wasn't a complete disaster.

The boys were much easier to run, I always know im going to get a 100% drive in the ring so it is just a matter of getting them round. Ronny had some cracking rounds, he gained a 3rd in jumping and then also finished joint 2nd in another class, I opted out of the run off, he's not the most reliable and it was our 5th day of competing, tired legs is just asking for an unnecessary injury !!! He also did me over twice in his agility rounds, running two cracking courses to only go and knock the last pole on both occasions, very heart breaking, then on top of that he ran a super agility round being judged by Lee Gibson to only get marked on his DW up contact (you know my feelings about up contacts being marked) what made it worse is that he would have won the class by 3 seconds, bummer !!!

Zippy and me are finally starting to run well together again, unfortunately we could only manage it in the combined 6-7 classes which I know we should strive to beat the best but he is still only a youngster and when he is only getting beat by G7 dogs it would be nice to get that win, however, ive noticed im moaning alot in this post so im going to stop. He was a good boy and im grateful that he loves his agility and that we are finally working well as a team again. :-)

For the last two weeks ........

2011-08-22T16:13:00.001+01:00

Well for the last couple of weeks it's been a very busy one. After Scunthorpe Show the riots had started which meant I was working a minimum of 12 hour shifts (usually more), unfortunately the dogs had to take a back seat, I think I only shared their company during our dinner and bed time as the remainder I was just working, this also affected the weekend and we were unable to go to the agility show as planned, work can be hard at times and it is very annoying when it interferes with my social life, still plenty of overtime which means I have enough money to but some new agility equipment !!!

Now with everything pretty much back to normal we were able to go to Dashin Dogs this weekend, Emma and me had entered the Laser pairs which was great fun, Rupert and Zippy were the first pair who ran amazingly well to get to the second round, these two are gonna be great pairs partners in the future. Maisy and Ronny were our second pair, they are so much fun, we managed to get all the way to the quarter finals before stupid me pulled Ronny out of the weaves which was our only mistake, they were fantastic.

This was Keisha's last G6 show, on friday she won G6 jumping and then had a 4th and 8th on sunday. Ronny had only one clear but made it count by winning G6 Jumping yesterday, what a clever boy.

Still having problems with Zippy, in-experience, keen-ness and his young strong mind is causing us to have timing issues, great fun to run but just not very accurate yet, saying that we did manage to get round the jumping class yesterday to finish 6th behind Ronny. The running A-Frame is truly lost, to be expected considering we haven't trained it for many months now, I have retrieved it from the field today and set it up in the garden to try and retrain it, im off for the next two weeks so hopefully we will have it back in time for the ABC semi next week.

Emma and Rupert have had a brilliant weekend as Dashin Dogs, on Saturday they won G3 agility by two seconds taking them straight into G4 after only being out on the circuit for 7 weeks, then just to confirm it wasn't a fluke they went and did it again yesterday. Maisy also gained a 4th in her jumping class so definitely a weekend she will remember for a long time. Congratulations x

Scunthorpe Show

2011-08-07T20:34:00.023+01:00

Out of the 24 runs this weekend we managed 20 x big fat E's, 2 x 5F and 2 clears. I guess you could say we weren't really in tune with each other.

Well ........ Ronny was just Ronny, really hard to run this weekend we didn't seem to get it right at all, even in our last jumping round today he ended up back jumping the jump two obstacles from the end, mind I did have 3 clears out of him last weekend so I guess im in for a bit of a wait until the next clear round comes along.

Keisha, well even we struggled to get our timing right, ive put the jumping round that we did today on the video below, we got right to the end when she took the last but one pole and then ran past the last fence, it was a tough course and I think there was actually only 2 clears, her best run came yesterday when she won the ABC qualifier.

Zippy, again massive timing issues between us especially in the jumping rounds, we have also lost our running A-Frame but I guess that is to be expected seems as we haven't trained it since Feb/Mar time. Zippy won the G6 agility yesterday so it wasn't all bad, we are still battling with young in-experienced moments by him but overall he is really starting to come on.

Grade 7

2011-07-31T20:00:00.002+01:00

After 11 x 2nd places in G6 agility classes Keisha finally got that win we have been waiting for, I now have a Grade 7 dog, yippee !!!

This weekend we have been at Dog Vegas, we have had some amazing highs and some horrible lows but overall we have had a great weekend.

Friday kicked off with a bang when Ronny won the jumping class knocking Zippy down to 2nd place, they both ran the round fantastic and they were split by only a few tenths, very exciting times !!! Keisha had a 2nd in the other jumping class so all placed on the first day.

Saturday, the first class was the Dog Vegas Qualifier with the final being held in the evening, none of my dogs had qualified so it was all to play for, Ronny ran first with a really messy round but finished clear, Keisha ran second with a lovely run, slightly slower than Ronny but still another clear, Zippy ran last and did a lovely run to beat both Ronny and Keisha, finishing 4th, 5th and 6th, all qualified for the final, how nerve racking !!!

Then the low hit, Ronny ran a super agility round but the horrid judge marked his up contact, he would have won the round by two seconds, what made it worse was the judge was so inconsistent and other dogs were missing both ups and downs but weren't getting marked for it, I guess we just don't get any luck !!!

Anyway, on to the final, Zippy was first dog to run, his first ever final very exciting, he ran brilliantly but stupid me shouted a command whilst he was right on a jump and made him crash it, naughty mummy !!! Ronny ran 6th, a bit of a quick turn around but we made it ok, we were out by the 5th obstacle as it was DW into the tunnel (the wrong end) Ronny got his self taught running contact but not the correct end of the tunnel, a big fat E, he was a good boy though. Keisha ran near the end and put in a lovely round, she finished 2nd in the final so I was really chuffed.

Then today, OMG Keisha started with another 2nd in the agility class, I was thinking we were under the curse of 2nd place again, so pleased but so down at the same time, was it ever going to happen, just one agility run needed and we just couldn't get it. Then the next agility round came, more of a sprinters course but quite trappy, well we did it, we finally got that first place, what made it even better it was the Vegas money class so we won £15 too. Ice creams courtesy of Keisha today, thanks for being the most perfect little consistent dog and putting up with me Ratty xxx

Keisha then went on to win the jumping class today and gained 5th in the other jumping class, Ronny had another clear (which is one everyday this weekend) in his jumping class finishing 4th just in front of Keisha, Zippy ran the best time beating both Ronny and Keisha by a second, sadly he just knocked a pole, bummer !!! Zippy also ran a fantastic agility round this morning too but this time took the last pole, bummer again !!!

I am so looking forward to next week, if the dogs are half as good I will be a very proud mummy.

Over the past two weeks

2011-07-26T09:49:00.000+01:00

Ive been slacking again with my blog, updates from the following three shows, Rugby, Adams and Empingham.

Well there has been some very good runs between the dogs, infact ive been really chuffed with all of them, Keisha is finally back on form after a hard couple of months with her being hormonal, I thought getting her spayed over three years ago would stop this but obviously not !!!

Anyway ....... Rugby show, the weather wasn't so great, on the saturday morning it didn't stop raining, I had left by 1100hrs and went home, the dogs ran well but Ronny and Zippy were slipping everywhere so I decided to call it a day. On the sunday Ronny ran really well in his agility but knocked a pole, Zippy was brilliant but poor handling by me kept making him jump wide we still managed to finish 10th so I was really pleased with that, Keisha had a great jumping round to finish 2nd.

Last saturday we were at Adams, not a great day for the boys infact Ronny was a complete monster, in one of his rounds we didn't even get to run, he refused to wait at the start line and after three attempts we left the ring, very frustrating !!! Keisha was brilliant and managed a 1st in jumping, 2nd in agility and 7th in the C6-7 jumping.

On sunday we were at Empingham for the ABC qualifier, I just needed Keisha to qualify so she could join the boys in September at the semi, she ran really well and finished 2nd so all the doggies get to go. Keisha then went on to get 5th in agility and 8th in the C4-7 jumping. The star of this show was Ronny, after being such a monster the day before I was dreading running him in the first class which happened to be the agility, well he ran amazingly well and won the class, only one more win to go grade 7, im starting to think this might really happen !!!

Yesterday we went back to Adams, any excuse to avoid going to work, another good day, Keisha had another 2nd in agility followed by a 3rd in jumping, Ronny had no clears but only one knocked pole in each jumping round, in the G6 jumping it was the last pole and he would have won, annoying !!!, Zippy and me finally got our act together, albeit we are still not running smoothly and getting really wide turns but some really promising work, 2nd in Jumping just in front of Keisha and 3rd in agility just behind Keisha, so much to work on but so much to look forward too.

Today im off to work so the dogs can have a nice day of rest then tomorrow we are back at Adams, I cant wait.

Just want to say huge congratulations to Ann and Gloria for all their amazing wins over the weekend, I think 3 x 1st in G1 jumping and that G1 agility win too, I don't expect you will be in grade 2 that long !!!

Thanks to Helen and Andy Brown for taking the picture of Keisha at the WC, I cant believe she kept the pole up.

Happy 7th Birthday Ronny

2011-07-20T06:49:00.002+01:00

Happy 7th Birthday to Ronny and Rusty, where has the time gone ???

Bretford and Chipping Norton

2011-07-10T18:55:00.077+01:00

Before I update you with the weekend I just want to say massive congratulations to Amy Sadler and Summer for winning Grade 1 agility taking them into Grade 2, they also went on to win the jumping so certainly a good day for them.
Good company, good weather, good dogs and an ok-ish handler. This weekend has been quite successful for placings, Keisha is finally showing signs of getting back to her normal self, out of the 6 classes she managed 5 clears, on saturday she won the G6 jumping, today she finished 3rd in G6 jumping and 4th in G6 agility, she looks alot more bouncy and is actually interested in playing rather than sniffing the ground.

Zippy only had one clear this weekend, still timing issues between us, he is not reading my body language very well or im not offering it correctly so subsequently we are not turning in the right direction, I guess it's just practice and we need to train much harder on this. However ........ check out his start line wait, sooooooooo much better now !!!

Ronny ........ the hardest dog in the world to run, yesterday he started the weekend of well with a super run to get 2nd in G6 agility, his jumping rounds were also great but just a knocked pole in each, today his jumping rounds were pants, they are on the video below, pole after pole after pole, very frustrating. Then out of nowhere he goes and runs a mad and messy agility round to finish 2nd again, one day I will get that win im so desperate for, not that im ungrateful but im am so fed up of 2nd place.

Just want to say well done to super duper Rupert and Emma for their runs this weekend, they ran an amazing agility round today but unfortunately he just took the last pole, what was more amazing is that he won have won it by miles, considering this was only his second show it's leading to very exciting times.

Bad Blogger

2011-07-04T21:13:00.000+01:00

I'm sorry to all those that have told me off for not updating my blog, I guess ive been slacking the last couple of weeks, trying to find the time to sit down and write a post is quite difficult at the minute, im not sure why as I am doing nothing more than usual.

Anyway ....... last couple of weeks, Lansdown was first, not a great show for us, a few issues with the dogs and me, Keisha is completely off the game at the minute, im not really sure why, possibly due to hormones, maybe an undiscovered injury or just a lack of enthusiasm, she is still running but generally quite slow, not showing much motivation at times and then in other classes I get a glimpse of her coming back to form, 2 clears at Lansdown but no places.

Since Zippy has gone up another gear we seem to be having timing issues, he doesn't seem to be able to read my body language and at times either turns the opposite direction or jumps long when he should be jumping short etc etc, you get the picture, a complete weekend of E's at Lansdown.

Ronny is still as mad, probably running as my best dog at the minute, not many E's but still rushing making pole knocking or missed weave entries quite common.

Then this weekend we were at Tuffley, Keisha had her worst round yet on friday, just completely refusing a jump and running round it, eerrrmmm not sure what the problem is, Emma and me discussed it on friday night and decided if she wasn't on form on satuday then I was going to not run her over the weekend, then on saturday she did a nice jumping round to finish 3rd, not at her complete best but not a bad effort at all, especially at Tuffley where there is alot of good dogs competing, she also had a good clear in the agility to finish 14th, so im confused. Then on sunday she had 3 out of 3 clears, signs of her coming back to form, 7th in jumping and 11th in agility, im thinking its hormones, lets see how she does this weekend.

Zippy and me had a much better weekend, we have started to get our start line wait back so im really pleased with that, he had a lovely clear in the C1-7 jumping on friday, albeit we had a few wide turns but we are getting back to running like a proper team, saturday we had a lovely agility run to finish 10th, I panicked right near the end of the class and made him steady far too early on the DW contact which wasted valuable time. Sunday we had another 10th in agility, a clear each day means we are working as a team again, im more than happy with that, his enthusiasm is brilliant and when we get it right we will hopefully be fighting for a better place.

No clears for Ronny this weekend but he is still running well, people keep telling me he will steady and mature with age but he is nearly 7 and there is no sign yet !!!

Swimming Part ll

2011-06-22T19:49:00.044+01:00

Considering it was supposed to rain today we have actually had a lovely day of sun, which meant there was plenty of time to splash about in the pool after work. Ronny and Zippy are mad for it so always want a quick fun two minutes at the end, I did try and film it but its pretty much impossible to get the camera properly aimed at them whilst throwing their toys and being the lifeguard.

This weekend we are in Bath for the Lansdown Show, I have never done this show before but I have heard good things about it, im always a bit wary of a new show as you never know what to expect, im just hoping for a relaxing weekend.

Golden Valley

2011-06-19T21:52:00.004+01:00

Well I did what I planned this weekend and have started on my quest to get Zippy’s start line wait back (and Ronny’s at times) it’s been very frustrating as he has ran some cracking rounds after being E’d on the start line, still it will only make us a better team in the long term and im determined to stick to my goal.

The boys have been ace this weekend, Ronny has ran some brilliant rounds, a couple of knocked poles but I can live with that, as long as he listens im happy !!!

Saturday was Ronny’s and Zippy’s first ever pairs together, Emma ran Ronny whilst I worked Zippy, we managed to get them both E’d but it was soooooo much fun, not the easiest pairs course either but we gave it our best shot and I think Emma and me came away with the biggest grins on our faces.

Today was Team Dash and in action were Zippy, Summer, Speedy and Ronny, I love doing team and there is nothing better than seeing the whole team smiling at the end, we didn’t go clear infact I think Amy and Summer had the only clear but all the dogs tried really hard and zoomed round the fast flowing course. Unfortunately Megan and Heidi who were the other planned team dogs came into season this week so were unable to attend.

Thank you to Emma for running Ronny in both the pairs and team and to Amy for stepping in at the last minute to make up our 4^th team member.

Just want to say a massive well done to Emma and Maisy getting 5^th in a really tricky C3-4 Jumping class, sorry I missed your run.

2011-06-19T20:56:00.015+01:00

It's the start of our swimming season

2011-06-15T19:38:00.002+01:00

I thought it was about time to get the swimming pool out of the garage and back in action for the doggies, all my mob love the water and what better way to exercise the dogs, what makes it more rewarding is it has a low risk of injury to the dogs and it doesn't cost me anything, yippee !!!

Ronny was the first in tonight, I was playing toy with him and then the next thing Zippy had managed to do an almighty leap to join him in the pool (im still in shock by the leap). They have started with a couple of minutes each tonight and we will progress steadily over the next few weeks until they are at peak swimming fitness. I didn't manage to film Zippy tonight but hopefully I will get him next time.

This weekend we are at Golden Valley, on Saturday Ronny and Zippy are doing their first ever pairs together, Emma is running Ronny whilst I work Zippy, im very excited, it's either going to go horribly wrong or incredibly well, hopefully we will catch it on video. On Sunday the Kronik Kids are back in action, sadly Nat and Reno cant make it this weekend but we have another Mali on hand to temporary fill his place.

North Derbyshire

2011-06-12T18:47:00.001+01:00

It's nice to be back in action with all the dogs, I love being able to have three attempts at the same course, its a shame I couldn't of done that at the World Champs. Anyway had some really good runs this weekend and all the doggies had there own brilliant moments and some not so good I must add !!!

Keisha and Zippy finished 2nd and 4th respectively in quite a tricky jumping round yesterday, they all ran well in their agility class but all of them got marked for up contacts (not to groan too much as I know judges do a good job etc etc but 2 of them blatantly got the ups, very frustrating as they would have been clear !!!)

Today we started on a rubbish note, no clears in their agility round, Ronny ran the best but he just wouldn't pull off the tunnel after the DW so another fat E for us. The heavens then opened and the dogs seemed to come alive, Keisha won jumping and Zippy finished 3rd, I was chuffed with Zip in this round, the ground was so slippy and he found it hard to dig in which caused him to run wide on several occasions but he still ran his socks off.

The last jumping of the day all the doggies went clear, Zip had a moment of confusion coming out the tunnel and did a turn but apart from that they were all brilliant. Ronny finished 2nd, Zippy 4th and Keisha 8th.

It's nice to be back home out of the rain, it hasn't stopped all day and it's still going strong now !!!

Back home from the BSD WC

2011-06-06T12:41:00.003+01:00

Just back from the BSD WC, arrived home early hours this morning and I am truly exhausted, I have only had a couple of hours sleep as I wanted to get up early and collect Ronny and Zippy from my mum and dad's, I have missed them very much this week and it was lovely to be mobbed by them on my arrival, as expected Ronny and Zippy both look like Hippo's and appeared to have had the best time, it's nice to be back together as our Mali mob !!!

Anyway ........ The WC, another experience I have learnt from, Keisha and me didn't manage a single clear in our qualifying rounds which is very unlike us as a team, we had a missed weave entry in one class, a pole in another and then two big fat E's. The standard is so high on the continent and we only had one option to just attack the courses to try and qualify for the final, the luck was just not on our side, our jumping round was the best but right near the end of the course Keisha brushed a pole with her back foot which was a real shame. In our team jumping round Keisha had 5F, she didn't even see the double pole jump and piled straight into it taking the wing and both poles out, again completely out of character for her, however, we did manage a clear in the team agility (after I bribed her with an ice cream) which I was really chuffed with, this was the one thing that has haunted me ever since last year when we missed our A-Frame contact in the team agility. We finished 4th in the Team event so hopefully next year we can improve and finally get on that podium.

The courses were fantastic, we watched the judges lay out there courses and used a minimum of 6-7 paces between each obstacle which is completely different to our UK courses which usually consist of 4-5 paces max between each obstacle, there were parts on each course that you really had to trust your dog and send them on, im going to set them up at home and start practicing ready for next year. The most noticeable thing for me this year was how the majority of countries ran each round as if it was a final, none of these steady runs that we tend to do to get a clear round, definitely something im guilty of, !!! but from start to finish attacking every part of the course, the French (who won the individual) and Finland (who won the team event) were phenomenal, infact the top four going into the final had two from each of these countries, they ran with such conviction and it was amazing to watch.

As soon as I get the course plans I will post them on here

BSD World Champs

2011-05-30T21:25:00.001+01:00

This week its the BSD World Champs, we set off on wednesday morning to arrive for the opening ceremony in the evening, training day on thursday followed by two competition days and then the final is on sunday if we are lucky enough to make it. I'm really looking forward to competing and I have my fingers crossed for all our team to do well, good luck to each and everyone of you.

If you want to keep up to date with our progress follow this link
http://www.facebook.com/pages/BSD-World-Championships-Team-GB/103309969760157

Back from Dog Vegas 3 day show

2011-05-23T20:05:00.001+01:00

Just got back from the three day show at Dog Vegas, the weather has been horrible with rain and gale force winds, im not going to moan too much as it's nothing new for our country.

Anyway, lots of positives and negatives this weekend. The negatives are I have lost Zippy's start line wait well and truly now, im so cross with my self at letting this happen, I already know that if there is no control at the start then there will be no control in the course, ive just spent the last few years battling with Ronny over it. What makes it worse is Zippy has gone up another gear and I just cant get places to help him out which means we ended up with alot of E's this weekend. This week im going to work hard on our waits and the battle returns with making sure we get them in competition. On the plus side when we did have good classes we had some amazing runs, Zippy got 6th in G6 agility, 3rd in C6-7 Jumping which im thrilled with and he won the Helter Skelter today.

Ronny has had some good and bad moments too, he is testing me with his start line waits, its not as bad as Zippy but it will definitely be perfect next week. I think we have had another record this weekend, a clear round every day, yippee !!! He got 4th in Jumping then 5th in Agility and today 2nd in Jumping, I have to check I have the right dog when he goes clear, it's not normal that he gets them !!!

Keisha as always has been brilliant, 2 x 2nds, 2 x 3rds, 4th and 6th, thankfully her start line waits are good but there will be no harm in confirming them this week.

Just a final note to say Congratulations to The Kronik Kidz in their Team Dash, they finished 3rd which was amazing, well done Reno, Zippy, Speedy and Megan and of course the humans !!!

High Peak Show

2011-05-15T23:03:00.020+01:00

The weather has not been so great this weekend, wind and rain yesterday and today cold and cloudy, I guess we have been a bit spoilt with all the sunshine and now the Great British weather is back !!!

We have been in Bakewell this weekend, I do like this show ground but I think this was the furthest camping pitch away from the rings we have been given, I guess on a positive note I have done lots of walking to and from so its all good fitness training.

On the agility front Saturday was a bit of a disaster, I think we managed more E's than anything else, Im blaming my handling, it was a bit pants. Today we didn't get our first run until 3pm and then all three classes came up at the same time, typical !!! By this time Ronny had lost the plot and was just in manic mode, he tried really hard but I knew we were going to be rubbish. Keisha ran really well, she got 2nd in agility and 2nd in jumping, she seemed alot more driven today so im really chuffed with that. Zippy is being a very naughty boy with his start line waits, im going to have to get a grip, for his first Grade 6 show he did really well, he is so keen and eager to please, we only had one clear and that was today in his jumping class, he finished 3rd behind Keisha by 0.04 of a second, what a clever boy !!!

Saturday was the Team Dash, the Kronik Kids were all in action, its on the clip below, running order ..... Reno, Zippy, Speedy and Megan, they were very well behaved and we had so much fun, we get to do it all again next week as we are running as a team in the Dog Vegas Show.

What a FINAL way to finish Grade 5

2011-05-08T19:27:00.001+01:00

This weekend has been very relaxing, yesterday I did lots of shopping and eating and then chilled in the garden with the doggies enjoying the sun, it's not very often I get to do nothing !!!

Today we have been at Beacon Agility Show, we have been lucky with the weather today as it stayed nice and dry. This was Zippy's last Grade 5 show and out of the three classes there were two qualifiers up for grabs. The first run this morning was the CSJ qualifier, I know Zippy has started to be cheeky on the start line and self release so I had already made up my mind before going in that when he broke I would put him back, well he didn't ...... when I turned around to take him back he was still sat there (what a good boy) so that was it we were off ...... he ran a super course, at one point I think he thought he had finished and went off to collect his toy, thankfully I spotted it so managed to call him off, a wide turn but nothing too major, he finished 4th and picked up a qualifying spot so now we are off to the CSJ Final in September. His jumping was next, a bit of a battle at the start as he was definitely going to break on this one, i stood my ground and managed to get him settled, another cracking run to finish in 2nd place. The last run of the day was the Dog Vegas qualifier, a really lovely course that just suited Zippy and me, he ran fantastically well, another toy moment in the middle of the course causing a wide turn but again we managed to save it, he finished in 3rd place so we have qualified for the final in August, how exciting !!!

Today was all about training for Keisha, im trying to prepare for the BSD WC and give us the best opportunity when we are over there, I really don't want her to miss a contact in the team event, it's the worst feeling ever knowing you have let your team down, anyway ...... I think training was definitely a good plan, she broke her wait twice today so I had to put her back, although she got all her contacts she self released on the DW so she got put back on that too, it wasn't all bad, she ran a lovely jumping round to finish 3rd and there were a couple of really hard sequences that she flew through so ive come away happy.

Ronny...... he always keeps my feet on the ground, such a hard dog to run, this morning was a disaster, he had a moment of the naughty Mali doing his own course and actually not even looking at me for direction, I decided to take him straight out on this course in the hope he would see im not playing that game anymore, well I think it worked, his next agility round was ace, we got most of the way round when naughty mummy sent him to the wrong side of the jump, he was so on the ball and his contact were solid and not a single pole down. His jumping was also brilliant, weave issues on this round but due to them moving as the ground was so hard it wasn't holding the pegs in, im pleased with him today, let's hope naughty Mali has gone for ever.

Huge congratulations to Jackie and the clever Speedy for gaining 3rd in their jumping class today, it was such a lovely run and his weaves were brilliant. Cant wait for next weekend when all the Kronik Kids are in action in the team dash !!!

Vyne Agility Show

2011-05-02T20:14:00.000+01:00

So today was our third and last day of our agility weekend, Newbury was very very windy but the sun still managed to shine. Today was the ABC qualifier, I was hoping I would qualify one of my dogs, when I walked the course this morning it was set more towards a grade 1 class, so very fast and flowing, more suited to Zippy than Keisha.

Anyway, to cut the story short both Ronny and Zippy have qualified for the semi's, Ronny ran fantastically well to finish 2nd and Zippy ran just a second slower to clinch the 4th qualifying spot, I think my picture sums up how I am feeling. Keisha also ran clear but just wasn't fast enough on this course, she finished in 10th place.

Shrewsbury Success

2011-05-01T21:16:00.009+01:00

Another lovely weekend of agility in the sun, we have been at Shrewsbury for the past few days, I love this show, great memories as this was where Ronny won out of Grade 1 back in 2007, how time fly's !!!

We have had some fantastic runs this weekend, not many clears but some really encouraging runs, Ronny is still being amazing, when we get it right my god it feels good, his agility has been brilliant again, he ran a super round today just gaining 5F he also had some great jumping classes but my handling was pants and sadly let him down, im just so thrilled with how he is running.

Zippy just makes me smile, he tries so hard, he did a very challenging G5-7 Jumping yesterday and we got most of the way round until my handling let him down, he also ran an amazing agility class but I ran so hard past the DW to test his contact that I actually pulled him off, it's good to proof these contacts as if it was a championship class (sadly not solid in that department yet) but def a good training area to work on. Today he won his jumping class and he is looking so confident.

Keisha has been ace this weekend, an odd pole here and there but some lovely sequences, we held our contacts in the ring which was great, something that we have never really been able to do before as either she would ping them or I would rush her. Today she won the C6-7 jumping class to get her 3rd win to G7, she only needs an agility win so fingers crossed we will get that before the end of the season. She then went on to win the G6 jumping so I know we are working well as a team at the moment.

The dogs have all be spoilt this weekend, I was in debt to Ronny and Zippy for their previous wins and with Keisha winning today it was only fair we had a trip to the ice cream man, I think Mr Whippy went down a treat with my doggies.

Tomorrow we are off to Vyne, it's great having a third day at agility, yippee !!!

Break through .........

2011-04-25T10:44:00.009+01:00

So this weekend was our annual show for the WBSDS, it was really hard work ring managing for two days but it was so much fun, I had two lovely judges and my ring party were fab so thank you very much for helping. On top of that we had beautiful sunshine and lots of Easter eggs to keep us going over the three days. Like all the other Belgian handlers I didn't get to see my doggies very much and it seemed I just met them at the ring, ran them and handed them back over to mum so she could take them back to the caravan.

After saying all that it sounds like my weekend was a disaster for running my dogs, well it actually turned out to be the opposite, my doggies were all amazing and we have been a bit greedy ........

I had a few timing issues with Zippy this weekend, we managed to clock up quite a few refusals, I think he is reading my body language so much quicker now that he is starting to catch me out, you will be able to see this on some of his video clips, he is turning into Ronny more and more (how exciting). When we got it right we had some amazing rounds, saturday was his best day winning G5 agility and 2nd in jumping, we didn't film on this day it's sods law isn't it !!!

Keisha was a good girlie this weekend 3 x 2nds, 3 x 3rds, 2 x 6ths and a 7th in the ABC qualifier, we had some really nice runs, I got lost on a couple of her rounds, I think the sun must have got to my head but apart from that we worked well as a team, she is such a lovely dog to run, thanks Ratty x

Ronny ...... this is the break through ......... a clear round every day this weekend, not just a clear but three cracking places, on friday he won G6 jumping so we are now half way to G7, Ronny and Keisha are at the same point so if any of them get to G7 im wondering who will be the first, my money is on Ronny !!! I know your all a bit shocked that I just wrote that but he is such a different dog at the minute.

Then on saturday he got 3rd in C6-7 Jumping and on sunday he got 5th in G6 jumping, all of which were really tricky courses, mum got his winning run on video.

Zippy has zoomed into 6

2011-04-17T20:22:00.003+01:00

The weather this weekend was fantastic, we were at Lincolnshire agility show and the sun was out all weekend, it was a lovely venue and we actually ended up with a pitch right near the rings. Saturday Keisha ran some lovely rounds, gaining a 9th and a 13th in agility, Ronny had some good runs but we had to do a lot of training this weekend, he broke his wait so I had to put him back which got us eliminated (he then went clear, typical !!!) He had the first pole in another class other wise that would have been clear too, his agility was fantastic, his contacts were solid so im sooooooo chuffed with him, he is finally starting to respect me !!!

But the little star of the show has to be Zippy, he won his agility class today which now puts him up to G6, I was hoping to keep him in G5 for a while but I guess Zippy has other ideas, he then went on to get 2nd in his C4-5 jumping class, he is such a good boy. I was on my own this weekend so no video's of the runs, Kate took these pictures of Zippy in his winning agility run so thankyou very very much.

Well done to the other Kronik Kids this weekend and the handlers of course, they are all looking good, im so proud of you all.

Spring @ Shuttleworth

2011-04-11T17:27:00.064+01:00

I am so glad to be back in the agility season, we had such a great few days and I can wait to do it all again this weekend. So Spring @ Shuttleworth turned out to be a very busy show for us, I was helping on saturday and ended up being the ring manager on sunday which although it was great fun it was also quite stressful trying to get my dogs run. Saying all that my doggies wee fantastic and it ended up being a successful show for us.

Zippy kicked us off on saturday with a lovely jumping round to finish third and then followed it up with another 3rd in BSD agility. Keisha had some really nice rounds in her agility and jumping to gain an 8th and 9th and also a 3rd in BSD jumping.

The star of the show for me was Ronny !!! He was such a good boy, he ran some lovely rounds, knocked one pole in his jumping and two in his agility, admittedly he did turn his DW into a running contact without my permission on two occasions but apart from that he was surprisingly very very focussed on me. He ended up winning the ABC helter Skelter and the BSD Jumping and also gained a 7th in C4-7 jumping which he lost by a second and that was down to me giving him a late command and making him turn the wrong way, naughty mummy !!!

Here are a couple of the runs we managed to catch on camera.

Well done to Amy on her brilliant 5th and 6th place this weekend with Summer and all those other clears that you got, well done to Ellen for your 15th with Hamish and a big well done to Emma and Maisy who had some fantastic rounds this weekend, I managed to catch a couple of them and they looked brilliant, I think it was a good weekend for everyone !!!

Im counting down ........

2011-04-06T20:02:00.000+01:00

One more day at work then we start our agility season, it will be great to catch up with everyone again, it seems a lot longer than 6 months !!!

We are at Spring @ Shuttleworth this weekend, I love this venue and what makes it even better is the sun is supposed to be shinning all weekend. We plan to arrive early friday afternoon, get the caravan set up and sort the dogs before Keisha and me have to scoot over to one of the rings for the BSD WC training.

The doggies are all ready to go, Ronny had been suffering with his stopper pad, im not sure how he did it but he sliced half of it off, it finally looks like it has fully mended, due to this I hadn't been able to do much agility training with him, I took him last sunday to club to refresh his memory, he was a bit wild but thats nothing new, im expecting him to be the same this weekend, I guess it's nice to have a dog that makes you work really hard for those clears, im just far too spoilt with Keisha and Zippy !!!

Anyway, looking forward to seeing you all this weekend, good luck and I hope you all have a brilliant season x

Last night's course

2011-04-01T20:27:00.000+01:00

Last nights course ............ What a run !!!

This was so much fun, we split it up into three to practice the sequences and then ran the course at the end of the night. It was a good course to test direction control, the ability for the dog to work ahead and another mean weave entry.

I'm loving Zippy, he is so much more confident and doesn't hesitate to run straight past me and keep going, I found it hard to steer him from the A-Fame into the tunnel especially with him running the contact, we did crack it though, I wouldn't normally use his name but on this occasion I chucked it in as he landed jump 8 to get him to turn his head from the flat tunnel and also the left side of the rigid tunnel. The rest he ran beautifully, I love the fact I can send him and hang back and not worry about the fact he might take a pole, it allows me to get in such a better postion to help him around the course, it's like having a sensible Ronny !!!

Zippy is allowed to travel

2011-03-29T19:39:00.000+01:00

Zippy has been granted his pet passport today which is great news, im hoping if the season goes well both Keisha and Zippy will be eligible for the BSD WC qualifier at the end of the year.

Talking about the agility season .... one more weekend of freedom then 6 months of competing, yippee !!! I have entered all my April, May and June shows and half way through July, im so excited.

Last weekend mum and me cleaned the caravan out and have put all our stuff back in, now it has been serviced and cleaned we are ready to go, just waiting for our first running orders to land on the door mat.

Good Zippy.... rubbish mummy

2011-03-25T19:19:00.000Z

Last night we did a jumping course, it was really nice just to let the dogs have a blast and not nag them too much. At the start of the session I practiced the turns we had learnt at Toni Dawkins training day, Zippy did them brilliantly, if im honest im not sure if he maintained them when we were running the sequences as I was too busy trying to run him. I MUST TRY HARDER.

This was one of the sequences, it was really good fun, we kept getting a wide turn after jump 12, obviously I was telling Zippy too late so I then started to cue it early, too early ...... and then he would stop short, my timing on this jump was pants, poor Zippy !!!

Then we had a couple of issues with jump 14, I was either rushing off to get jump 15 which meant he was taking the wrong side of 14 or I was pushing him through the gap putting him on the right side to take the jump but still rushing off making him just run past it completely. My timing on this sequence was rubbish.

The other sequence was harder but we always managed to get round it, I think because I have to concentrate more which makes me give clearer signals to Zippy. It was nice to go back to more flowing courses, it has highlighted that I still need to work hard on my basic handling.

Toni Dawkins Training day

2011-03-22T19:22:00.000Z

I always try and do training days with different people in the hope I can pick up some new techniques or find out what faults im teaching my dogs without realising it, some have been good courses and some have been far from it, I guess it depends on what suits you as a person and what methods you prefer to train with. Yesterday I took Zippy on a Toni Dawkins training day, what a great teacher she is, the hours flew past and we have learnt so much. We worked mainly on turns and contacts but also on rewarding or not at the appropriate times. Zippy had a great time and the techniques we learnt yesterday really do suit us as a partnership. I would definitley go on another training day with Toni.

This morning I went down to the field and practiced some of the techniques we learnt yesterday, it was so much fun and already I can see the benefit in our turns. The house is looking a bit bare with no DW in the front room so im going to bring in a couple of jump wings to fill in the space instead, that way we can practice a turn every time we go and make a cuppa tea.

Not long until the season starts, two more weekends of doing nothing and then it starts, yippee. Our first show is Spring @ Shuttleworth and we (dogs and me) cant wait. Kevin our caravan has just been serviced today, we will start to put our stuff back in over the next week or so and then we will be good to go.

Last nights training

2011-03-18T19:51:00.000Z

I really enjoy going training on thursday's with Alan and Jackie Gardner, we always do some fantastic sequences and last night was no exception, infact I think this has been our best night yet, Zippy is running really well and he is so much fun. The sequences had some challenging parts last night but it was such a buzz.

Sequence 1:

This sequence ran really well, I started Zippy on my left and then almost scooped him between 3 & 4 to get the right line between the A-Frame and tunnel, this worked really well, if I had been running Ronny im not sure a scoop would of been the best option as he is so hard to call off a tunnel, thankfully Zippy is alot more responsive so it worked great. I then kept Zippy on my right and sent him on ahead from the A-Frame to the tunnel to get the weaves on his own. I was really chuffed with Zippy, we didn't struggle at all with this sequence, his line between 3 & 4 was always good and his weave entry was perfect, I was really trying to test his entry (almost trying to get him to fail) and sending him straight into the weaves from the tunnel but he just kept nailing it, what a good boy !!!

Problems on this one: It was mainly the weave entry, so many dogs were going in 2nd or 3rd pole down, handlers kept the tunnel on their right to try and call the dog out left and then run on a bit to straighten them up but the dogs still found the entry difficult.

Sequence 2:

This followed straight on from sequence 1 so coming from the weave poles, I left Zippy in the weaves so that I could get ahead and push around for jump 2, I pushed him around the outside (right side as you look at it) and then pushed through for jump 3 and sent him on ahead to do the see-saw which allowed me to cross behind him, the rest I ran several different ways as I wanted to see which lines suit Zippy the best.

Problems on this: there was only one problem area on this section, all revolving around jump 2 and 3, handlers were either too late in getting there so couldn't push around jump 2 or some handlers tried the push around on the inside line between jump 2 and 3 and dogs were pinging all over the place causing them to get the big fat E.

Last weeks training.

2011-03-14T20:03:00.001Z

Sorry im a bit behind with posting last weeks club training plan. I loved this course, a great opportunity to test certain elements, sending the dog on, difficult weave entry, finding the best line. Last week we were joined by the international handlers that were competing at Crufts. Sergio from Portugal and Daisy from the USA, both their dogs had amazing running contacts and it was really interesting to see what training techniques they used. Sergio used the funny turn quite alot and made it look so easy, I must say I think I have finally mastered it and it feels quite good now, im going to use it more often.

Anyway, Sequence 1:

Quite straight forward, some dogs were taking a pole at the spread (jump 6) I think probably due to not driving the dog over it enough as they were trying to get a tight turn into the tunnel. The right end of the tunnel was actually facing the DW so if the handler waited too long for the dog to take the tunnel they didn't make it in time to get a nice line onto jump 8 and the dog either jumped too long or they missed the pull through. The right end of the tunnel also made a nice trap for those running contacts !!!

Sequence 2:

Loved this part of the course, Zippy was ace at getting his weave entries, I took the tightest line from Jump 3 straight into the weaves, I then ran ahead and put in a blind cross so I could be on the right hand side of the long jump, that way Zippy chased me and sent on ahead to do Jump 6 and 7 on his own. This then gave him a tight turn onto the see-saw where I was waiting for him and then a long dash home with another opportunity to send him on.

Problems on this sequence: Missed weave entries or either a really long line into it. Some handlers also had to go to jump 7 with their dog which then made the run home slow as the handler was always playing catch up, a couple of dogs even tried to go back into the weaves after the flat tunnel.

Crufts 2011

2011-03-13T19:15:00.075Z

Crufts has been a very successful one for our Mali mob this year. Friday was our breed day and in action was Jackie and Speedy, over the past year they have done really well in the show ring and on friday he looked fantastic, Speedy showed his socks off and won his class, he then went on to get reserve dog which is a great result for his first time at Crufts. The winner of Best of Breed actually turned out to be Speedy's mum, Bonvivant Habibi. Ronny and Zippy are very proud of you both.

Friday was also agility day for Keisha and me, this was our first time competing at Crufts and we were running in the ABC event, agility was first up but it didn't quite go to plan, Keisha jumped her DW contact and then shortly after we got eliminated. In the afternoon we had the jumping round, the course looked great and I was really looking forward to running it, Keisha ran brilliantly, she slipped on part of the course but she still managed to finish in second place, just 3 tenths behind the winner.

1st Nigel Stains and Zico 32.66
2nd Jo Hyslop and Keisha 32.96
3rd Mark Douglas and Ruby 34.32

Today Amy Sadler and Summer were competing in the dogstable event, they are now Crufts 2011 winners !!! Congratulations to both of you.

Sunday Training

2011-03-06T18:24:00.000Z

This morning it was club training, it was mainly focused around the funny turn ive previously blogged about, I had been avioding it as I just couldn't seem to get my head around it, however, Yvonne insisted on it this morning so I had no choice. I actually found it much more simpler today, I had Zippy in the first lesson and with him having a much longer stride and therefore a bigger jumping range I found it actually worked quite well. I worked Keisha in the next class, we usually struggle with this turn as she jumps incredibly tight but again we seemed to master it, I think I might start training it again, if nothing else its another tool in our box.

This afternoon Emma came up, we worked on contacts, weaves and the funny turn, Rupert is looking amazing, he is a really good boy in his weaves, considering this was only his second time with them fully upright they are looking fab, his contacts were equally as good. Maisy was also very good, no problem for them doing the funny turn, they make it look so easy.

This is a clip of Zippy doing his running A-Frame on thursday night at training, filmed by Alan Gardner, thanks Alan.

This week was Speed

2011-03-04T20:16:00.009Z

So this week club training was focused around speed, the fastest possible line without interrupting the dogs stride. This was perfect for us, Zippy loves to just run and this was an ideal set up to work him from behind.

Sequence 1

On this sequence I decided to keep Zippy on my left after jump 3, that way I could send him on ahead to jump 5 & 6 on his own which allowed me enough time to get the correct position to signal the tight line from jump 7 into the weaves, this seemed to work well as Zippy kept the pole up and hit the weave entry every time, I then ran ahead whilst Zippy was in the weaves and then pushed him over to jump 9 to get the best angle for the go-round onto jump 10.

Areas that caused problems on this sequence: Some handlers choose to front cross the dog between 6 & 7 which made the dog jump wide over 7 and then subsequently miss the weave entry, or, alot of dogs were taking the pole at Jump 7 as they were trying to turn in the air to make the weave entry.

Sequence 2

I started Zippy with him on my right, with him having a running A-Frame this was a perfect combination to work him from behind, once Zippy had taken jump 3, I was able to rear cross him to send him onto jump 4 & 5 whilst I positioned myself ready for the tunnel, this worked well as I needed to hold my ground whilst Zippy crossed the face of the tunnel and ignore that first entrance. On a few occasions I hadn't positioned myself quite right and Zippy did go in the wrong end of the tunnel.

Areas that caused problems: some dogs were getting the wrong end of the tunnel due to late commands or incorrect postion, other handlers ran their dog on their left and then called the dogs around their body after jump 5 to make sure they got the right end of the tunnel, although the dogs would have had a clear run it was a much longer line. Handlers also choose to run their dog on their left from the start but didn't always make it to push them back over jump 3.

Happy 5th Birthhday Keisha

2011-02-28T08:09:00.000Z

Happy Birthday Keisha 5 Today

Layering was the theme this week

2011-02-25T19:59:00.000Z

Training at club last night was based on layering, the first sequence was sending to weaves whilst layering the rigid tunnel, it was a tricky set up as the tunnel was quite a distance away from the weaves, obstacle 11 was also strategically placed between 5 and 6 to encourage elimination (I felt anyway, lol) it was a good test of sending them on to the weaves from a distance and getting the entry all on their own. Initially Zippy and me found it quite hard, although he was getting his entry I was always finding myself in an awkward position, either too far past the tunnel so I wasn't actually layering it or too far this side of the tunnel which was making me either static or moving away too quick, which then subsequently seemed to pull Zippy out of the weaves. We finally got it right once I realised I just needed to support Zippy by leaving my arm out rather than dropping it once he got the entry.

The second sequence was layering the DW, this was so much more our thing, with Zippy having a reliable contact point (and I intend to keep it this way) I knew we could both power to the end with him stopping and allowing me to run on a little to get further up the course to prepare for a jump that was in a difficult position. This seemed to work really well and if there is an opportunity to try it out in competition im going to give it a go.

Training so far ........

2011-02-20T18:40:00.000Z

I always get the train to and from work which allows me plenty of thinking time each day, whilst everyone else is reading the morning paper or listening to their music I sit there quietly and reflect on what is happening or happened recently. It's usually to do with my dogs and this last week has been no different. Now the winter training is nearing the end, 6 weeks before the season starts, yippee, I wanted to be sure I have completed all my training goals, which I think I have.

Now I want to push Zippy a bit more, we have been working on the combination of tunnel under the DW and tunnel under the A-Frame, something that I had been avoiding, im not sure why. Fingers crossed training is going quite well, it's a good combination to understand why it is important to have obstacle discrimination.

Now we have all our skills in place (I think) the plan over the next 6 weeks is just to confirm and polish them up. I cant wait for the season to start !!!

We are going to the BSD World Champs

2011-02-14T20:29:00.000Z

Yesterday was the final selection day for the BSD WC qualifier. For some strange reason I didn't feel the pressure that I normally do, probably due to the fact that I was so tired after all the hours I have worked recently and it was a nice feeling being able to compete with my dogs again. So after an early start we arrived with plenty of time to get a nice walk in the country park before it all began. Keisha was bursting with enthusiasm which made my job alot easier.

Well the day went brilliantly, Keisha had 4 out of 4 clears gaining a 1st, 2 x 2nds and a 3rd. Which means we have qualified for both the individual and the team event. This year it is being held in Belgium in June, I can't wait, I even booked the time off work for it today, yippee !!!

So my beautiful little girl has done me proud again, how lucky am I to have such a loyal (squeaky) little dog that is such a joy to run, thank you Ratty, I love you xxx

So the Team this year :

Individual and Team:

Jo Hyslop and Keisha
Dave Leach and Rusty
Gill Raddings and Check
Louise Challis and Delta

Individual:

Claire Bacon and Emmy
Andy Brown and Thor
Tony Parmiter and Poppy
Helen Brown and Zeus

Well done guys, see you all at training.

Nearly work again.

2011-02-06T18:43:00.000Z

I cant believe it's nearly monday again, all my time seems to be spent at work, last week I was late home on most nights and im anticipating this week to be no different. I know it will be worth it on pay day but at the moment I feel like I just need a good rest.

I have tried to chill out this weekend, I took Zippy training this morning and he was a really good boy, we practiced layering, weave entries and the tunnel next to the DW scenario, his layering was spot on, his weave entries were generally good but the tunnel next to the DW proved to be very difficult for us, we haven't practiced this before but eventually I got him to ignore the tunnel, im going to try and set it up at home and maybe next time we will have a fighting chance.

Ronny also worked this morning, he did crack the tunnel /DW scenario which just goes to show he can ignore those tunnels when he wants too, his layering was good but we get to practice that quite alot as I am never in a position to close him down on a course.

Well next sunday is the second selection day of the BSD World Champs, I took Keisha to FCI training last night and also club training this morning, she ran reasonably well at both but we have adopted a problem with our weaves, she keeps coming out of the last two, im not sure why, ive been given a few tips to try which I did put into practice at the end of the session which seem to help, not a good time to get training issues !!!

Week of work

2011-01-30T18:28:00.000Z

Well I am truly glad to get this week out of the way, all my time has been taken up with work this week, I did a 26hour shift (mad I know) on tuesday into wednesday as I had to go to Ireland, then on thursday I had a boring meeting that just seemed to go on for hours and then to finish the week on friday I had to go to another emergency meeting that took most of my day up. For this reason the dogs have been slightly neglected by me, it's a good job they go to my mum and dad's in the day.

So after the horrible week it was only fair that the dogs got spoilt this weekend with my attention. Yesterday we went to the field and did A-Frame training and pull-ins, this morning we went to club training and then this afternoon Emma came over as normal and we worked on our weave entries and see-saw. Emma's doggies Maisy and Rupert are looking great, Maisy was picking up some lovely weave entries and mastering some tough jumping sequences and Rupert is pretty much complete with all his basic skills and is well on his way completing some great sequences.

Tonight the doggies have just had sunday dinner and are now chilling out in front of the tv, tomorrow we will go on the castle walk for a couple of hours in the morning so they can get rid of any silly billy's they have saved up over the week.

BCC of GB Agility Show

2011-01-24T19:06:00.007Z

The whole idea of this show was a progress check to see how training is going, ive come back with lots of things I want to work on. Ronny as ever, was his usual uncontrollable self, he managed no clears and two of the rounds we got a big fat E before we even got going, he did do a nice agility round, his contacts were incredibly good for him, he even held his see-saw before a tunnel so there is definite progress on that, unfortunately he knocked 2 poles in this round but on the whole I was pleased with him.

Keisha drives me insane, her training had been going so much better and I was hoping it would pay off today, sadly not the case, she ran all her rounds like a snail, her contacts were poor, although she got them it was like watching paint dry, she seems to have lost all her drive to go on, im not sure why, maybe because it was indoors or maybe because she is doing her girlie hormone thing or maybe it's because of me, whatever it is im just going to keep praising her and try and get her confidence back.

Zippy was just awesome today, I wanted to try out his running A-Frame and make sure we got solid stops on the other two contacts, mum managed to tape his first round and looking back I slowed him too early on the DW so in the next round I made sure I drove him right to the end. Anyway apart from my odd late handling command Zippy ran brilliantly, he had 6th in C1-4 Agility, 7th in C4-5 Jumping and then won G4 agility in his last round of the day. So my plans are now ruined as I wanted to keep Zippy in G4 until at least half way through the season, I guess we will just work hard on our contacts in shows and make sure we hold the DW and See-saw to confirm the position.

Busy busy busy

2011-01-21T18:55:00.000Z

These past couple of weeks have been incredibly busy for me, time is just flying by and the problem is there is just not enough hours in the day especially at work, ive had to work over on quite a few occasions, it appears my clients are testing me !!!

On top of all that im having to work shifts again, still weekends off but just alternating my hours in the week, im not sure if it's a good or bad thing at the moment. Anyway, my main priority is the dogs, with the season fast approaching im trying to get lots of training in, my new club is brilliant, we are in the G6-7 class but I have been taking Zippy as I think we need to push ourselves as a team. Last night we worked on 90 and 180 degree turns and also concentrated on our handling, I was so pleased with how Zippy ran, looking so much more confident, he is so much fun to run.

This weekend is another busy one, im working tomorrow and then on sunday we are at the BC Show in Solihull, it will be a good progress check to see how our training has been going and what areas we still need to work on.

When it rains it pours .......

2011-01-14T20:06:00.000Z

When it rains it pours ........ well what's new with the Great British weather, we finally get rid of the snow and in place of it we get rain, rain and more rain and this weekend it is forecast to ...... rain !!!

On the bright side training is still going ahead, last week we started back at Hinckley which was good, the only problem is it's an outdoor venue and if the weather is bad it usually gets cancelled. So for a little while I have been looking for another club, in addition to Hinckley, somewhere with an indoor venue which should allow us to continue training especially through these winter months.

Well last night we started that new club, it's a lovely brand new indoor venue at an equestrian centre, the surface is fantastic with the floor space bigger than a normal outdoor competition ring. We worked on FCI type courses with the main focus on obstacle discrimination. I think this club is going to suit me and my doggies.

Tomorrow I am booked on to a weave and contact workshop, apparently they are going to test us with a series of exercises which are designed to highlight any weaknesses. I know my contacts and weaves have so much scope for impovement so im hoping I will come back with some new training techniques to improve these.

Club training start's again for us

2011-01-09T18:16:00.000Z

So today was our first day back at club since the season finished last year, with it being at another venue it was good to proof the skills I had taught the dogs prior to Christmas, especially Zippy's A-Frame and pull in's. Well the training went well and I was really happy with Zippy's progress on all his skills, I had forgotten how wound up he gets when there are other doggies playing the same game as him.

Keisha had a great class, we learnt a brand new skill today, a new turn that is used frequently by the Europeans, I have posted a video I found on You Tube that has plenty of the turns in, it feels really strange at the minute, everything we were taught not to do, take your eyes off the dog, turn the other way etc etc, have a look you will understand what I mean. The advantage of this turn is to make the dog turn tighter and apparently we as handlers are facing the way we would be going. This afternoon I practiced it when Emma came to training, i think it might work but it will remain a training technique until we master it efficiently.

Review of 2010 and Aims of 2011

2011-01-03T21:10:00.003Z

The idea of reviewing the year gone by is a good one, I think sometimes you need to sit down and reflect on what has gone well, I know I can be quite hard on myself and sometimes I miss the opportunity to actually see all the positives that have happened.

Well this year has actually been amazing, I guess the star shinning brightly was Keisha, what a great little (squeaky) dog she is, finally breaking free the chains of Grade 4, can you believe she was in it for a year and it took us 22 second places before we finally hit that winning out run, on her first class of her first G5 show she won straight into G6, how mad is that !!! We are currently sitting on 2 x wins towards G7. She qualified for the Dog Vegas Final, Olympia which was an amazing experience and we also competed at the BSD World Champs in May. To Top it all off she finished 2nd in The Agility Club League (G4) and she is currently the regional winner for the Agility Eye (as it stands now, im sure there are still points to count).

Zippy, my little super star, I absolutely love this dog, he is everything and more what I hoped for, a proper little Ronny in the making. He started his agility career at the end of April and by the 10th Show he had won into G4, he finished 14th in the Agility Club league (G3) and is currently sitting in 5th Place in the regional of Agility Eye. At the last Christmas Show I finally started to see his confidence grow and he beat Keisha in two classes, hopefully he will start to put his foot down a bit more next season.

Ronny..... he didn't qualify for any finals or get any great results in the leagues, but in my eyes we had the best year ever, I finally got that start line WAIT back which I had lost for over two years, we had some amazing clear rounds and at times we even had controlled contacts before those bl**dy tunnels, my boy finally made it to G6 and has got 1 x win to G7. What makes him extra special, is he is such a good daddy to Zippy, they are like two peas in a pod.

So my AIM this year ........ To have super solid START LINE WAIT's and fantastic contacts. If I can achieve both of these I will be the happiest mummy in the world.

Training has been going very well, all the doggies have been working really hard on their waits, there is still plenty of room for improvement but it is starting to take shape. Today we were at the field and worked mainly on weave entries and the A-Frame contact.

Last year I was trying to get Keisha to do a running A-Frame but decided in the end to sack it as it just didn't suit her, I was a bit disappointed that we couldn't get it to work but it's true, different things suit different dogs.

Well .......... I didn't give it completely up and Zippy is now in training with his running A-Frame, it seems to be really suiting him, we tried it out at the Christmas Show and on both occasions he got it so I was proper chuffed. Mum was at the field this morning to video his training footage along with some jumping sequences from all the doggies.

I finally want to say, good luck to everyone for the new year, I hope it's an enjoyable and prosperous one !!!

Happy New Year 2011

2010-12-31T19:42:00.003Z

Olympia ABC Speed Jumping 2010

2010-12-30T18:18:00.003Z

Here are the final results. Olympia - ABC Speed Jumping

1st Mark Douglas and AG CH Cories Ruby Tuesday 27.68 seconds
2nd Anna Brayley and Revel Without a Pause 28.61 seconds
3rd Jay Gardner and Chaffords Prodigy 28.62 seconds
4th Jo Hyslop and Bonvivant Objet d'Art 29.01 seconds
5th Nicky Holden and Kenward Casca 29.64 seconds
6th Jane Anderson and Cories Boomerang Bindi 30.41 seconds
7th Jackie Kenny and Cories Kinder Surprise 30.92 seconds
8th Neil Ellis and Pelham Tully 31.85 seconds
9th Nigel Staines AG CH Dragonheart Dark Destroy 5 faults 28.07 seconds
10th Sue Leech and Blackthorn's Red Devil 5 faults 30.91 seconds

Thanks to Marie Douglas who I believe filmed the event and posted it on to You Tube.

Speedy Cliffe - a Ronny puppy

2010-12-29T17:57:00.003Z

Just received a couple of pictures of Speedy that were taken by Jackie on her mobile phone, he is a very handsome boy, apparently he is a beach bum, he loves the sea !!!

Im thinking it must run in the family as I know most of the puppies love the water, none more than Ronny !!!

Cool Agility Show 2010

2010-12-28T19:44:00.044Z

Today we have been at the Cool Agility Show, it's a really nice local show with such a nice friendly atmosphere, plenty of free tea, coffee and mince pies to keep you going. What made the show extra special today was all the doggies ran really well, Ronny won the jumping class followed by Zippy in 4th place and Keisha 5th, then Zippy went on to win the Touch and Go Class beating Keisha into 2nd place. The other jumping rounds were really good, just the odd pole being knocked, we did have issues in the agility round, Ronny was in manic mode and forgot that he was supposed to stop on his contacts, Zippy and me lost timing at the end of the course and actually ran passed the final 3 obstacles and Keisha wrapped the wing far too tight and took a pole.

Still ...... a good progress check, more work needed on the start line wait and more contact work needed to try and speed Keisha and Zippy's up (Ronny just needs to stop).

Merry Christmas Everyone

2010-12-23T18:16:00.018Z

Wow, Olympia was amazing !!!

2010-12-21T19:32:00.001Z

Wow what an experience, Olympia is definitely something I would love to do again, the arena was just amazing and the crowd were something else, I loved every moment of it.

Above is the jumping course for the afternoon session, it was definitely a sprint all the way round and by the time I got to jump 18 I had the worst lactic acid possible, thankfully Keisha flew by and finished ahead to stop the clock. In this round I set Keisha up sightly wrong at the start and she actually had a wide turn after 2 as she was looking at the long jump, after that she ran spot on and did a really nice round to finish 4th, for a dog that doesn't really like to sprint she definitely held her own against those Kelpie rockets.

The agility round didn't go quite aswell, after jump two I got in Keisha's way and pushed her past the weave entry making her take it the wrong side, I think the nerves got the better of me and I insisted on helping her which infact ended up being more of a hindrance, you think by now I would have learnt to let the dog do the obstacle on their own, after all I do train it that way !!! Still on the positive side, although her contacts were slow (making Keisha do the obstacles twice, in this case weaves, always makes her slow for the rest of the run) she did actually get them all, so training did pay off. We finished on 10 faults in the end as naughty mummy ran off to get to the end which made Keisha crash jump 18.

So yesterday was a great day, a great run and a not so great run but so much learnt, how nerves affect my performance which makes me do stupid things, in this case crowding my dog. But what a fantastic dog I own, who instantly forgave me for my stupid mistake and actually didn't feel any pressure of the whole experience, I am so glad it was Keisha who gave me the opportunity to run at Olympia, thankyou Ratty. x

Olympia tomorrow !!!

2010-12-19T18:07:00.001Z

OMG I cant believe how quickly Olympia has arrived, I am soooooooo very excited and actually cant wait for it to happen. I must say a massive congratulations to Dave and Rusty who finished 3rd in the senior class on saturday, what a great achievement and I hope I can continue to do the Belgians proud in the ABC tomorrow.

So Keisha and me have been training really hard, we have worked so hard on our contacts and in training they are perfect, I would have liked to confirm them in a few competitions before tomorrow as I know Keisha can be quite sharp on them in competition but sadly that didn't happen, I just gotta hope she doesn't get too excited and ping the horrible things. As we are running 2nd I have no option but to just run them flat out. It appears the final is being shown on BBC red button tomorrow night so I have asked my dad to record it so I can see what goes well/bad, the coverage starts at 6.45pm and we are on at 7.35pm. As this is our first year it will be a great experience, we get to see the course plan before we run and then actually only have a couple of minutes, if that, to walk the course, I hope I will remember it !!!

Good Luck to all the other competitors tomorrow, out of the 10 competing 7 are Kelpies, I predict a Kelpie will win !!!

Not long until christmas

2010-12-13T20:18:00.000Z

Time is flying by, up until yesterday I hadn't even got a single present, the internet has been very handy for christmas shopping this year and after surfing the web last night I have reduced my list to only two more to get.

So yesterday was our broken start line wait course, we came back feeling quite disappointed with the workshop and there were a couple of people on it that seemed to ruin the atmosphere, on reflection we did learn a couple of techniques which im sure Emma and me will try out, it was Zippy's first ever course and he was such a well behaved boy, so much so that he actually made me look like a liar as he hardly broke any of his waits, NO EXCUSE NOW MR ZIP.

Olympia starts this week, it's very exciting, Keisha and me don't run until the final day which is next monday, we have been working really hard on our contacts and touch wood, fingers crossed etc etc it has all been going well, it would have been nice to get a few competitions under our belt to test them but I guess there is no point in worrying about it, if nothing else it will be a good day out.

Start line wait soon to be sorted

2010-12-08T18:57:00.001Z

The weather this week has been very very cold but ive actually enjoyed walking the dogs in it, especially as there is not a single snowflake in sight, for the first time this week the temperature will get above freezing reaching 3°C tomorrow which will probably feel quite warm now.

This sunday Emma and me are taking our little horrors Maisy and Zippy on a broken start line wait course, it will be perfect for us as we have both been very naughty and allowed our little furry friends to get away with it for far too long. This way, once we regain control of that start line wait I can officially tell Emma off if I catch her allowing Maisy to break it next year, no doubt she will do the same to me !!!

Snow has gone, no more please !

2010-12-05T17:38:00.000Z

I'm thinking the dogs may prefer wearing trainers in this weather, the ground has been so cold and icy and they must feel the difference on their feet. Anyway, the weather has improved over the last few days and with the rain last night the field is clear of all snow. Let's just hope we don't get anymore snow this week !!!

Last night I took Keisha to FCI training, I thought she might of been a bit wild due to us not getting much training done but she was actually fantastic, her contacts are looking much better now I have reverted back to 2o2o method, I really made the effort to layer the dog walk and let her work alone on the other side, normally I would not chance this as she is a bit of a cling-on but to my surprise she was absolutely brilliant at it, im definitely gonna take the opportunity when it arises in shows next year.

This morning we trained at the field, the ground was actually in good shape and had thawed nicely by the time we started to train, Zippy is doing really well with his skills, we are now up and running with pull-ins from both directions and his A-Frame is looking great. Ronny had very few poles today which was so nice to see, if I have learnt anything from this dog I would say it's TIMING, even now I find him hard work as he is soooooooooo into by body language and any slight movement at the wrong time he will always let me know.

Training is still going ahead ......

2010-12-01T21:10:00.022Z

We are refusing to let this snow get the better of us, although we are very restricted we are still doing our contact training, it would be nice to move it back outside though but looking at the weather forecast it doesn't look like its going to be any time soon.

Last Sunday was the Agility Club annual awards, Keisha finished 2nd in the Grade 4 league this year and won us this huge crystal trophy, I think it may be the best and infact the heaviest trophy I have ever won. Well done Ratty (Keisha) !!!

Training gives way to snow, but it doesn't stop play ......

2010-11-28T17:15:00.005Z

Man I hate the snow, although its not that bad here its still inconvenient and im already dreading getting to work this week, last year was a complete nightmare with the trains and roads and with all the cut backs im sure the council will try and save money on the gritting side of things. There is one positive for having snow, the doggies absolutely love it !!!

For obvious reasons training was cancelled this weekend, I think I might try and find an indoor venue to hire as I think this winter is going to be a bad one and I cant afford to keep missing training sessions, if any of you have any ideas of a local venue and/or fancy training and sharing the cost please let me know.

So this weekend I decided to take the dogs for a long walk both day's, they absolutely loved it and ran non stop for most of it, although it was cold the sun came out and made it a very pleasant walk.

Ive just brought the doggies an early christmas present, now the cold days have arrived and the risk of injury is so much greater I have brought them a 'Back on Track' coat, they may be expensive but in the short time of having them they seem to be worth every penny, last year Ronny and Keisha both picked up injuries in the winter so with my massage training day and the new coats im hoping it might help to prevent this.

Needs must

2010-11-24T20:11:00.000Z

So im finding that these dark nights are making it impossible to do any training in the week, with Olympia fast approaching im starting to get a bit twitchy, so I decided on sunday that the next best thing would to bring training indoors.......... well that's what I have done, I now have one of the dog walk planks in my front room, a bit drastic I know but my brother came over to visit tonight and he didn't even batter an eye lid, now ive put that down to one of two things, he is either very blind or probably the more likely reason is that he is used to me doing strange things in my training world !!!

Now with Keisha's A-Frame in a complete mess ive decided to revert back to the 2o2o method, originally I was planning to run it but she just cant seem to grasp it and either jumps from a great height or does some sluggish attempt at it and to be perfectly honest I just haven't got the time to do all the repetitions that are needed to train it. All is not lost though, watch this space .............

That hit the spot

2010-11-21T17:52:00.001Z

Yesterday I had booked Ronny and me on a K9 massage course, it was such a brilliant day and I have learnt so much from it, Ronny was in his element and I must admit the benefits did shine through today at training, he had very few poles down and he looked so good in his movement.

Today we were at the field for training and I was mainly concentrating on the A-Frame, Zippy just seems to be a natural and he is really starting to fly over it, Keisha is the complete opposite and just doesn't seem to get it, which is actually a complete shock as she usually picks things up really quickly and always way before the boys, I guess I have found her weak point. Ronny was a real star, I did a sequence of very fast releases and then threw the odd 'hold the position' to make sure he was listening for that release command. This afternoon Emma brought Maisy and Rupert down, they are both flying through their sequences which was really nice to see, I know it's a bit early but I am really looking forward to seeing them in action next year !!!

Dyson Groom

2010-11-18T21:09:00.006Z

I brought this little beast last weekend at Discover Dogs, its called the Dyson Groom and retails at £40, ive been trying it out all week and thought I would post my feed back on here in case you are interested in getting one.

Essentially all it comprises of is a slicker brush stuck to the end of the suction pipe but it comes without the mess of flying hair left in your house that a normal brush would leave.

All my dogs are fine with the hoover, on the first experience of the Dyson Groom Puddy was not keen, I think it was more the hose part swinging around and occasionally knocking into him, however, his second experience was like he has never known any different, he is completely happy with it now and actually sat there ages getting brushed. Ronny is a massive fan, he loves being hair dried so being hoovered is an extra bonus for him !!!

If like me you have got an older Dyson model then it doesn't matter, it comes with an attachment to fit either old or new shapes, this has been a complete hit with me and what better timing now the winter has arrived.

The one thing I would say though, if your dog doesn't normally like the hoover then this would be a big no no, I know the new Dyson models are alot quieter but like I said all my dogs are completely happy with the hoover so it was never really going to be an issue getting them used to it.

Discover Dogs Update

2010-11-17T18:59:00.001Z

Discover Dogs on sunday was a great experience, as it was my first time going I hadn't realised it was actually a competition rather than just a display/training in the ring I was hoping for. Well anyway, I had already made up my mind I was going to push for speed and just have fun, try and get Keisha running on in front again and to take a chance once in a while rather than just go for a clear. Well the jumping was first up and quite a nice flowing course, Keisha ran lovely and seemed to cope with the carpet surface very well, we finished 4th and actually only finished less than a second behind the leader.

The agility round in the afternoon was a really nice course, with my contacts completely stripped back for training and currently in a complete mess I knew we were going to miss our A-Frame and Dog Walk contact so I wasn't disappointed at all, how can you complain when you haven't trained it properly !!!

On the positive side Keisha ran the rest of the course brilliantly and had one of the best times, she was so enthusiastic which was so nice to see, lets hope our contacts are up to standard when we go to Olympia !!!

Brownie Points

2010-11-12T20:56:00.000Z

Today I have had the best day at work (I know, I cant believe im saying it either) anyway, I cant go in to too much detail but we have caught one of our nominals that has been on the run for the last 4 weeks, the gaffer's always put pressure on us to get them in but today was the day, me and my colleague Gaz have scored massive brownie points so we are definitely in the good books for the next week or so, YIPPEE !!!

On top of that, one of our other nominals has finally been 'caught out' shall we say and we have got even more brownie points coming our way, for once I will be looking forward to going into work next week.

This weekend is another active one, tomorrow we have got bags of training to get through then sunday we are off to Discover Dogs, Keisha and me have been invited to take part in the agility display in the main ring, this will be our first time running on carpet so it will be a great experience. I'm taking mum along for the day out, neither of us have been before so we plan to do lots of shopping between the displays.

I have brought Zippy a new bed, I braved it and decided to give it him last night, he was proper snuggled up in it at bed time, I had a stressful night sleep wondering if he was going to get up like elephant man this morning, well thankfully it seems to be fine and Zippy still has beautiful eyes, phew !!!

Results are in .....

2010-11-11T19:43:00.003Z

The results are in for the first BSD WC selection Day which was judged by Lee Gibson, here are the current top 8:

1st - Gill Raddings and Check (Terv) - 52 points

2nd - Jo Hyslop and Keisha (Mali) - 49 points

3rd - Claire Bacon and Emmy (Terv) - 46 points

4th - Dave Leach and Rusty (Mali) - 44 points

5th - Andy Brown and Thor (Mali) - 43 points

6th - Tony Parmiter and Poppy (Gron) - 41 points

7th - Louise Challis and Delta (Gron) - 29 points

8th - Andy Brown and Storm (Gron) - 27 points

As you can see it's incredibly close, all to play for next February when the last of the two selection days is being held in Kent.

Still in the running

2010-11-07T18:39:00.000Z

Today was the first selection day for the BSD World Champs, yesterday we had a really good training day so I was going in feeling alot more confident than last week.

I dropped the boys off at mum and dad's this morning and set of for the long daunting task, I must admit I was feeling really nervous this morning and the drive there seemed to take ages.

Anyway, the first run was quite a tricky agility course, nothing I felt Keisha couldn't do but the trap for us was the tunnel laying next to the dog walk, first time round it was to take the tunnel, then second time to take the dog walk. After practicing this combination I felt Keisha may take the dog walk rather than the tunnel so I had already made up my mind I was going to try and force her line more towards the tunnel and to try and cut the dog walk view. Well I definitely cut the view off from the dog walk but in my stupid panic to do this actually ended up pushing her completely past the tunnel and forced her to take a jump getting us eliminated. This was definitely a case of not trusting my dog, I was so annoyed at myself for doing this and putting us both under pressure, any other time I would have left her to it and she probably would have had no issues.

So back to the van, a massive telling off for myself and a case of getting my nerves under control. The next agility round was quite straight forward but alot of traps and definitely a need for obstacle discrimination, this time I had already decided I was going to trust Keisha fully, not crowd her and just be there to help set the nicest line for her, she ran it beautifully and even managed a lovely A-Frame and Dog walk contact so I was proper chuffed with her, a lovely clear round, phew !!!

Then on to the two jumping rounds, I always feel so much more confident in these classes, Keisha is a good technician and a clean jumper so its just getting her round, well thats what we did, two really good clears, in the last round I had given Keisha a bad line and nearly forced her to run past the long jump, I just realised before it was too late and stuck my arm out in the hope she would react, thankfully my little honest dog did and somehow managed to clear it, I was so amazed by it, I can remember shouting good girl to her as she landed, now that's what I call TEAM WORK.

Im not sure where we are currently lying, the results are due out on tuesday so we will have to wait until then, we gained a 2nd, 3rd and a 4th today so I reckon we are probably about 4th-ish, the top 8 qualify so I think we are still in the running for one of those qualifying places.

Go to work and come home ........ all in the DARK

2010-10-31T19:08:00.003Z

So that's it, the clocks have gone back so we are in for darker gloomy nights, I walk the dogs in the morning in the dark and come home from work and walk the dogs in the dark, im sure it's very much the same for you guys, im already wishing for the summer to arrive.

So it's this time of the year when training becomes incredibly difficult, infact the only time I can do it is at the weekends, still it's better than nothing so im trying to have a full schedule for the dogs every week.

This week has been a very mixed bag of success, some brilliant stuff but also some horrible stuff.

Ronny: Well his weaves are looking awesome, I cant believe the entries he is getting, I even caught him steadying himself to wrap his neck around the first pole, I know that don't sound exciting but if you know Ronny then you will understand he actually only knows one gear !!! Ronny's training is going really well, he did some lovely box work sequences this morning, he did knock a few poles but I think my timing is slightly out which Ronny always watches like a hawk.

Keisha: Well she is a problem child at the moment, she was hitting some brilliant weave entries yesterday and this morning but last night at FCI training she was missing most of them, infact FCI training didn't go well at all last night, she has decided she knows best which is making running her a complete disaster, THIS IS NOT GOOD TIMING CONSIDERING BSD WC selection Day 1 is next weekend.

Zippy: What a little star, he is looking great and his A-Frame is really starting to take shape, infact his whole range of skills is looking so much better. Ive decided to just train Zippy on the same sequences as Ronny and Keisha, his weave entries are spot on and his jumping sequences are really starting to come together, we have just started to work on his pull throughs, he is slightly struggling with this one, he understands the 'in' part but to push back over the jump is the bit we are struggling with, ive got a few different things I want to try so hopefully we can put them into action next week.

Training troubles

2010-10-25T20:34:00.001+01:00

It's a bit mad having all the weekends available for training now, my body hasn't quite adapted to training mode and I must admit im feeling pretty exhausted by the end of it, god knows how I managed to train 5 dogs last year, im only training 3 this time round and im just shattered.

Anyway, training so far is going to plan, well for most of it anyway. I seem to have this problem with contacts and as expected Keisha's A-Frame has taken a nose dive, with the selection day fast approaching it is not looking good.

I will be relying on the rest of our skills and thankfully the jumping sequences and our weaves are looking alot more promising.

Although Ronny and Zippy are not going to the selection day I am chuffed with where their training is at, Ronny is now hitting some fantastic weave entries which is something I thought he would never do, im still learning how to run this bl**dy dog but I think I have had another small (very small) break through, only time will tell. Zippy, who I absolutely adore running, is looking fantastic, his weave entries are looking great and are almost as good as Keisha's, he is really starting to drive through with his single footed action, something that he found difficult to do at the start of the year. I will try and get some video of them all in action over the next few weekends.

Happy 2nd Birthday Zippy

2010-10-24T00:47:00.002+01:00

Happy birthday 'W' litter

Have a great 2nd birthday Reno, Speedy, Megan, Eva, Zippo and of course my lovely Zippy.

The Good, The Bad and The Annoying

2010-10-22T19:26:00.001+01:00

This week has been full of action, some good, some not so good. Yesterday was horrid, work turned out to be a dreadful day and infact most of the week has been just as bad, im beginning to think my clients don't like me (as expected I hear you say), then to top it all off when I got back to the train station my car had a big fat parking ticket slapped on its windscreen, apparently I was parked too near a junction BUT I BEG TO DIFFER !!!

It has been made better by the good bits though, I have been spoilt as normal by my mum and dad, a new Kodak camera to take some snaps of my doggies, hopefully I will get chance to try it out over the weekend, I have also just ordered a new training aid, it's due to arrive early next week and im very excited, ive got a feeling its going to be a great hit with the doggies.

This weekend is planned around training, only 3 weeks left before me and Keisha try out for the BSD WC selection again, im feeling the pressure already and with the added worry of Keisha's A-Frame not being ready im beginning to doubt our chances this year, still we can only give it our best shot and if we try and get everything else as accurate as possible then you never know.

Training so far ........

2010-10-17T17:55:00.000+01:00

The last two days of training has gone really well, yesterday we started back on our 2x2 weave training, Keisha and Zippy are on a refresher course where as ive decided to start Ronny on it this year in the hope he will learn to steady for the entry, I did start it with him last year but halfway through he picked up an injury and I was unable to complete the training, however, seeing the results from Zippy alone this year im definitely wanting to get Ronny sorted with hitting some tough entries.

Well Keisha and Zippy are flying through, they have had 100% success rate and are demonstrating that they really understand the entry point. Ronny has been amazing, so much further on than I anticipated and he too is hitting some great entries, he averaged a 90% success rate on his first session but today he finished on 100% success rate.

This morning we had our jumping session, straight lines and tight turns for Zippy with the scoop as the new skill to learn. Ronny and Keisha worked on the same but instead of the scoop we worked on "go round" the back of a jump, something that popped up quite often this year.

Training Training Training

2010-10-13T20:17:00.000+01:00

This last week has been all about training, well mainly the A-Frame that is, Keisha and Zippy have started well and we have just completed all the ground work including the grid, today was our first opportunity to actually move onto the A-Frame itself. With the first BSD WC selection day fast approaching I am trying to rush Keisha through it, infact I make it 4 weeks this saturday before it arrives so not much time left at all. Well I decided to run Zippy over it first, I only worked him from the down plank and he got the target about 80%, he is quite a sensitive dog and actually doesn't like to get things wrong, so much NOT like his dad !!!

Keisha on the other hand hit 100% of her targets when working on the down plank which I was really shocked but pleased about, I decided I would go straight in and push her to run the full A-Frame, it was actually quite successful, she averaged 85%-90% success rate just failing on the targets when I was ahead and racing her, although the success rate was quite high tonight im expecting it to peak but then fall as training always seems to do, im just hoping the fall doesn't coincide with the selection day.

........... and im also conscious to the fact that im still using my training aid and I don't anticipate taking that away until at least december so it will probably be hit and miss on the day if she gets it. Realistically I know that 4 weeks is not enough time and with the added pressure of making sure all her other skills are up to standard it's going to be a hard slog to be at our best for November.

Anyway, last sunday was our first jumping session, Ronny, Keisha and Zippy are all currently working on speed, speed and speed and working at a distance, with them all moving up the grades this year I have found the courses to be quite naggy and tight, Zippy seems to have been affected the most and has lost the confidence to just RUN, so now it's my job to allow them to stretch out and take what they see for a change. I'm planing to keep it like this until christmas and then tighten then up before the season commences again next year.

Time Fly's

2010-10-07T20:40:00.000+01:00

This week is flying by, lots going on at the minute, work is mega busy, no sooner do I arrive im leaving, there is just not enough hours in the day.

It was sad not to be at an agility show last weekend but to be honest being at home, going shopping etc etc felt like I had never been away. All the dogs are still on rest, im in the dilemma of when to start training, Keisha's BSD WC first selection day is fast approaching and we've got so much to do to prepare for it, oh man, why cant we have a 48hr day instead ???

Zippy is back to full fitness, he had me seriously worried for a couple of days, I cant believe it was all over a vet bed, it seems a bit mad !!!

This saturday mum and me are off to the NEC to see Grand designs, never been before so don't really know what to expect or if it will be any good, at least it is only up the road so it's not too far to travel. Anyway, lots to do, will update again soon.

Bed bother

2010-10-03T18:36:00.000+01:00

I think I have finally found the cause for Zippy's nightmare week.......... his new vet bed that I brought him last week. I gave it him on monday night and on tuesday he woke up like elephant man, I then took it off him and he did improve over the next day, then it finally dawned on me that Ronny, Keisha and Puddy all had the same beds and it was their bed that set his second allergic reaction off. The vet bed must have been sprayed with a chemical that Zippy obviously doesn't agree with. Thankfully he is pretty much back to normal and there is no sign of it returning, who would of thought a bed could have caused that much agro, I guess I owe Zippy a new bed that is completely chemical free !!!

Poorly Zippy

2010-10-01T19:31:00.001+01:00

This week has been horrible, Zippy woke up on tuesday morning in a bad state, his eyes had rolled to the back of his head and all you could see was his mucus membrane, I rushed him to the vets who diagnosed a bad allergic reaction to something, he was given medication and I was able to bring him home, wednesday he showed signs of getting better, his eyes were back in action but were just very swollen and glazed, he looked extremely tired but at least he was starting to look a bit better. Then yesterday dad called me to say Zippy looks worse than ever, I rushed home from work and took him straight back to the vets, again another bad allergic reaction, more medication and back home to rest, he is now on the mend again but im not sure what has caused the allergic reaction in the first place, im currently systematically trying to single things out but as yet nothing has come to mind, im just hoping I work out what it is before it happens again.

Weekend catch up

2010-09-27T18:41:00.000+01:00

So that's it, the season has come to an end, Ronny, Keisha and Zippy all ran their hearts out at the weekend, Ronny had no clears but as always gave it his all, Keisha ran a lovely agility to finish 2nd and had a nice jumping round to finish 8th which wasn't bad considering I gave her the longest line to run, naughty mummy (I don't think she cares one bit). Zippy ran an excellent agility round in the money class to finish 6th and earned enough pennies to buy a new toy, he also ran a great jumping class to finish 5th. So overall a really nice weekend to finish on.

Lots of congratulations from the weekend, firstly to Emma and Maisy for FINALLY winning into Grade 3, what a fantastic way to finish the season. Anne and her boxers, ive been reliably informed you had some great runs including that 3rd place !!! Lucy and Milly for winning into Grade 2 and to Dick and Chip for finally getting that last jumping win making you Grade 6, yippee !!! Well done guys, all truly deserved.

Today I had booked the day off work, I wanted to clean the kennel out and move Keisha and Pudsey back into the house so we can all be a proper family again (I know, I must be MAD) In order for it to be a smooth transition I decided the best way would be if the dogs were truly tired. So after a 2.5 hour walk over Kenilworth Castle grounds the dogs are currently fast asleep, even Keisha who never stops. Infact today has been a very productive one, this morning Keisha and Zippy were training their A-Frame contact, I brought Zippy one of those space hopper toys which he absolutely loves but I let Keisha train with it today and she is mad for it, im going to have to buy her one over the Internet now.

Then this afternoon, Ronny, Keisha and Zippy all visited the chiropractor to get their backs checked, Ronny had previously been lame and I thought he may still be carrying the stiffness of the injury which Bronwen (chiropractor) confirmed, it appears to be his back right muscle so plenty or rest this week for him. Keisha was tight between her shoulders which would make sense why she has not been keen on doing the see-saw, her pelvis was slightly out of line too so she has been fully mended and also on a few days rest. Zippy was the best, nothing much wrong with him, he can still join the other two on a well deserved rest.

So that's it, winter training is due to start on saturday, it's not long until the first selection day of the BSD world champs which is closely followed by Keisha running in the ABC at Discover Dogs and then Olympia in December, I am really going to work hard on the contacts over the next few months especially the A-Frame.

Last Show of the year

2010-09-23T20:03:00.000+01:00

So this is our last show of the year, I do enjoy the Dog Vegas Shows so it's definitely a nice one to finish on. Ive checked the weather and apparently it's going to be dry but cold, I don't mind that as long as it doesn't rain !!!

Ive already decided this weekend im just going to have fun, im going to run the contacts with Keisha and Zippy, if they get them then great, if not then oh well, my main aim for them this weekend is all about speed. With Ronny im going to work hard on my handling again, good arms with early commands etc etc etc, if we get another clear then I will be over the moon.

Good luck to anyone else who is competing, especially to Emma and Maisy still needing that last win to G3, keep me posted.

Ive managed to upload some of the runs from last weekend at Bromsgrove

Weekend Results

2010-09-19T18:03:00.004+01:00

This weekend I had already decided I was going to concentrate hard on my handling, especially with Ronny, did it work .........

Well yes I think it did, yesterday Ronny ran a really twisty, naggy course that I never thought he get round to put in a lovely clear finishing 4th, today he didn't have any clears but some brilliant runs, 5F for knocking the top slat off the wall in his jumping class followed by a great agility run but just took the wrong end of the tunnel to get eliminated then in his last jumping run he knocked a pole.

Keisha on the other hand has been a proper little madam, im glad the season is about to end as we are starting to loose our mojo. She did manage a lovely run in the same jumping class as Ronny to finish 6th so at least it wasn't a complete disaster. Let's hope we can keep it together for our final show next week.

Zippy is still a little character, no clears this weekend but he is looking really promising, some great work powering on and working ahead and some great weave entries too, he also knocked the top slat off on the wall otherwise he was clear, I think he just wants to copy his dad. The one thing I have learnt with him this year is I NEED that start line WAIT as that's what is letting us down.

Other news: Kody has now gone to live with Conor and Kate and their Labrador Brian and two Mali's Heidi and Megan, they plan to keep his agility career going so hopefully I will see him out next year.

Finally ...... Well done to Ellen and Hamish for winning into Grade 3 this weekend, what a great way to finish the season, it was always going to happen !!!

Bromsgrove this weekend

2010-09-17T20:17:00.001+01:00

This weekend we are off to Bromsgrove, a nice local show so at least it wont be an early start for once. This is our penultimate show so we are just going to have fun, the dogs have worked hard all season and I don't want to finish it by nagging at them.

Let's hope the weather is GOOD !!!

Weaves - Wooden or Plastic ???

2010-09-15T19:27:00.004+01:00

Ok, im fed up with this obstacle, all season they have caused me grief, it's not because I don't enjoy training the dogs through them or running them as part of a course, but there is one big problem that is beginning to haunt me ........

Ronny my oldest boy keeps breaking them, at first it was a bit of a shock when it happened, then it became a bit of a joke, but now it's becoming silly and infact sometimes dangerous. I'm not talking about an odd one every other month, infact last weekend he broke 4 in the same day so as you can tell it's quite frequent.

The problem is it's starting to effect our runs, if Ronny misses his entry or skips a pole I very rarely put him back through incase the poles break 2nd time round, sometimes the judges put out a set of 6 weaves that needs to be completed twice, so if he breaks poles on the first time round he will always get eliminated second time round as there will be poles missing. We have become known as the weave breakers and at first it was funny but now its just embarrassing, I even know people who try and get in the queue before us so they don't get held up waiting for new weave poles to arrive.

However, why should it be like that, would we accept a dog walk or A-Frame that collapses when the dog is on it, or a see-saw that snaps in half ???

I'm not one to just moan but take no action, I have previously mentioned my concerns to those companies that make the plastic weaves in the hope they would look at it, but as of yet nothing has changed, my dog isn't the only one that breaks weaves, I have stood in the queue many of times and watched other breeds snap the weaves. Surely in this day and age when we ask our dogs to power forward and get round the course as fast as they possibly can we should have equipment that will stand up to the test.

If anyone has seen Ronny do the weaves then you will have noticed that he doesn't move his head and the body just follows, I dread the day if a weave pole were to ever snap and stab him in the body or even worse in the eye.

I appreciate it doesn't happen to all dogs, both Keisha and Zippy hardly touch the weaves when they go through them, we can teach a dog to weave the best possible way but ultimately the dog will find his own style.

Does anyone else have this problem ?

In relation to Wooden or Plastic ........ Ronny has never broken a wooden pole yet, hopefully he never will !!! (touch wood), infact if the poles are wooden I always look forward to doing the weaves and if we do go wrong then im always happy to take him back and try again. so im for WOODEN.

So what is it, Wooden or Plastic ???

Wigan is full of WATER !!!

2010-09-12T20:20:00.001+01:00

Well after a 2 hour drive on friday night we arrived in the pouring rain, we had to be pushed onto the field as the ground was a mud bath. Well it didn't get any better, it rained all night and most of saturday, the rings were a complete mess but we paddled on, Zippy started us off with a lovely clear in his agility to get 4th, Keisha followed in her agility class to get 2nd place even with her slipping over and landing head first into the mud.

Then last night the heavens opened, it rained hard all through the night and when I got up this morning the ground had turned into a bog, needless to say the show was cancelled and all that was left was to get off the field and go home. Wigan members were fantastic and came down in a mass to push the van out of the bog and tow our caravan off the site, we were lucky as we were one of the first to leave, there is probably people still getting towed off now.

Still the day wasn't wasted, we arrived home at noon in the gorgeous sunshine Coventry had seen ALL weekend, not a spot of rain in sight, I decided to go to the field and do some training for a couple of hours, the dogs then had a paddle in the swimming pool before I dismantled it for the winter, I cant believe how big the garden looks again !!!

Let's hope next weekend isn't as bad. Thanks to Alan Score for taking this fab picture of Keisha

Where has this week gone ?

2010-09-09T20:14:00.001+01:00

This week has flown by, I cant believe it's nearly friday, work is really busy and there never seems to be enough hours in the day, by the time im getting home it's dark, OMG winter is coming !!!

Anyway, the dogs have been swimming every day this week, I think they would stay in the pool forever if they had their way, it will be a shame when the time comes to pack it away for the winter.

This weekend we are in Wigan, Ronny and Keisha only have 2 runs a day which are all agility runs, bummer ! It would have been nice to have at least one jumping class. Zippy has 3 runs a day, one of which is a jumping class so thats a relief, hopefully the weather will be kind to us, there is nothing worse than getting wet.

Keisha has qualified for Olympia

2010-09-05T19:26:00.001+01:00

This weekend turned out far better than I ever expected, on Friday Ronny kicked off the weekend with a lovely run in his jumping class to finish 1st, he then went on to do a lovely clear in his C6-7 agility but sadly a miscommunication between which jump was next made us loose vital seconds which was enough to kick us out the placings, Zippy had a good day and ran a lovely jumping class to finish 7th. The only thing at Letchworth this year was the ground was so dry and dusty the dogs were slipping all over the place, im glad I was just there for the day.

Then on to saturday, I was dreading this day, I have never been before and was questioning myself if I had made the right decision in not entering all my dogs in an agility show to run one dog in the ABC semi-final, added with the pressure of my nerves which would no doubt force an error. Well the warm up run went to plan apart from the very end when Keisha decided to jump her A-Frame contact, the judge hadn't marked her but my natural reaction was to call her back and remind her of the job, I think everyone was a bit amazed but if I give Keisha an inch she will definitely take a mile and it was something I really didn't want to happen in the final.

Then on to the final, we were drawn 21 out of 100 so it was always going to be run from the front and not play safe, it turned out to be the right decision as there were some incredibly fast dogs. Keisha's run was a decent one, a brilliant A-Frame contact but when we arrived at the dog walk it was definitely not a solid one, a bit of luck on our side shall we say. The worst part of her round was the see-saw, infact it was pants, the worst she has done for a long time, I don't know if I over worked it but she seemed to be on there for an eternity, anyway we finished clear and ended up in 9th place meaning we have qualified for the final in December. Out of the 10 that qualified, 7 are Kelpies, 2 are Beardie's and Keisha is the only Belgian, we are being invaded by Kelpie's, COME ON THE BELGIANS !!!

Rest Week

2010-09-01T20:06:00.001+01:00

What a nice change to have some glorious sun, thankfully im not back at work until next week so I can enjoy the weather in my own back garden for once. As the dogs have had a hard couple of weeks they are currently on 'do what you like week', in the sense of plod around the garden, sniff what plants are left or gang up on Ronny in tag team wrestling, I even filled up the swimming pool so they can have a splash around before it's put away for the winter (probably next week knowing the Great British weather).

Friday we are off to Letchworth agility show for the day, I usually stay for the whole weekend but this year Keisha is competing in the ABC semi-final on saturday at Stoneleigh. I think we are just going to enjoy our day out and expect nothing, especially as her contacts are not reliable at the minute. Then sunday we are at Prestbury Park, I have never done this show before so hopefully it's a nice one, Ronny and Maisy are in pairs as are Zippy and Summer, ive got a feeling Zippy and Summer will come out as the better two !!!

As ive only got 4 weeks left before we hang up our running legs for the winter ive decided to make a start on my winter training plan, all equipment needed has been purchased and arrived, each dog has been given a list of necessaries for training, Keisha it's contacts, Zippy its tightening him up and Ronny, well ......... possibly more grid work in the hope he will keep the poles up. I might even try Puddy again to see if I can get him going next year in the ring. Failing that he can stay as Team manager.

Home from our holiday

2010-08-30T22:50:00.000+01:00

So our little holiday has finally come to an end, we have just arrived back and the dogs are already fast asleep, I guess they must be feeling quite exhausted after their 10 days of competing, I only did half as much and im ready to drop dead !!!

We arrived at Dashin Dogs on thursday night in the pouring rain and gail force winds, I was beginning to think this was going to be a nightmare holiday but after the initial night the weather did settle down for the rest of the week. All the dogs ran well and gained several placings, Zippy has truly lost his start line wait but apart from that is running brilliantly, he has mastered the one footed action in the weaves now so im really pleased with that.

Anyway, monday was rest day so Emma, Amy and me took our 9 dogs to the beach, they had such a brilliant time and were truly exhausted upon our return, we have a few good memories from this day but I think we may keep them to our selves !!!

After Dashin Dogs I picked mum up on route and headed off to Dog Vegas, some really great runs from the dogs, Keisha won G6 Jumping and Zippy gained 3rd in his jumping class, there was even a moment of Ronny being at his best and was just about to get a clear round when he ran past the last jump to get his bloody toy, I was screaming 'in' 'in' but he was just fixed on that dam toy and he ended up coming back and jumping it the wrong side getting us eliminated. (That's why he is only looking at the ice cream van and not getting one, he can wish !!! ).

Anyway a really great holiday, the dogs have all really enjoyed their time away but I think they are as glad as me to be back.

A few congratulations, Emma and Maisy for winning G2 jumping, Amy and Summer for their placings and for qualifying Rupert for Crufts, Ann with Crafty and Gloria for their great runs and placing 4th.

Holiday time

2010-08-18T20:13:00.001+01:00

One more day at work and then im off for 2 weeks. It's going to be an action packed adventure as tomorrow evening we set off for a week at Dashin Dogs. Emma and Amy are camping next door so im sure the entertainment will be great. Monday we are off to the beach for the dogs to let their legs loose in the sea and for me to have a well deserved rest, my mob love the beach so hopefully I will be able to drag them away at the end of the day.

No sooner as Dashin Dogs finishes we then make our way for a further 4 days at Dog Vegas, I love going to this show as its just so relaxing, Keisha has made the Dog Vegas final but as her contacts have been a bit 'iffy' im not holding my breath.

So ive been a good person and have completed all the house work, cleaned out the kennel, done the shopping for the caravan and even had a green finger moment and cut the grass and pruned the bushes, now ive just got to go and pack. (I definitely need a rest now)

See you in a week or so, I will update the blog on my return, byeeeeeeeeee x

We got it, not one but two !!!

2010-08-15T20:02:00.001+01:00

So this weekend my wish came true, Ronny got that clear ive been waiting for on friday to finish 13th in the G6 Jumping, he was a bit wide in places but I was just chuffed he got round safe, he also ran an amazing agility round in the British Open but he was just too fast for me to keep up and I got him eliminated on the last but one jump, bummer !!!

Then to top the weekend off Ronny had another excellent run in the jumping class today to finish 7th, less than a second off the winner and im now kicking myself as I was late giving him the command for the last jump making him hesitate and waste that vital time, what could have been !!!

Keisha has been very frustrating this weekend, naughty contacts, pole knocked for the first day and generally just not working together. However it wasn't all bad and she did have some moments of brilliance, great weave entries and some nice tight jumping sequences. Hopefully we will be back on form for our week away at Dashin Dogs.

Zippy ran well, friday he had a lovely clear in the Novice Cup jumping round but managed 10f in his agility class, all to do with the see-saw, he messed up getting on and missed the up and then fell off before it even tipped, other than that it was a great round but sadly that was enough to throw our chances out for qualifying for the final. Saturday he ran a fantastic jumping round to finish 6th, his speed is getting better and better and im sure it wont be long until he starts matching his dad. The best thing this weekend was he got all his contacts and they are solid again (other than the see-saw incident that is) now ive just got to get his wait back.

Finally huge huge congratulations to Emma and Maisy, they gained 2nd place in the Starters Cup jumping round which was more than enough to get them to the final and then went on to win G2 jumping on the saturday, what a brilliant weekend for you both.

Well done to Ellen and Hamish for there great runs this weekend, they also had a great friday and made the Starters Cup final, it turned out to be a great weekend for everyone.

Short Week

2010-08-10T20:35:00.001+01:00

This week is going to be a short one, it's a nice feeling when you know you have only got a four day week, yippee !!!
Thursday evening we are off to the KCI Festival, although it is a massive show it's always a nice atmosphere. Ronny, Keisha and Kody are all entered in the British Open Cup on friday, if we go clear it will be hard enough to get a place let alone qualify for the final so im just hoping for some good runs. Zippy is entered in the Novice Cup but as we are currently re-training in the ring, holding contacts etc etc I feel our qualifying hopes are already out of the window.

However for the remaining two days im hoping our weekend will be more successful than the last, I keep praying it will soon be Ronny's turn for that clear round, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE !!!

Emma and Maisy are back in action this weekend, it's their first G2 so im very excited for them, im expecting them to win out straight away, no pressure, :) LOL

Good Luck to anyone else competing, hopefully you will all have a successful weekend.

Scunthorpe Update

2010-08-08T21:42:00.001+01:00

It's just been one of those NEARLY's weekends, all the dogs have tried hard but we never really got it spot on. Ronny is finally returning back to what I was seeing at the start of the season, its been a hard few months with him but he was such a good boy this weekend, just that dreaded one POLE in each class that keeps snatching our clear round from us, he did have awesome weaves and contacts this weekend so im proper chuffed with him.

My reliable Keisha has not been so reliable, not running at her best and infact taking quite a few poles which is unlike her, still she did manage a cracking run in the combined 6-7 agility to finish 9th so it wasn't all bad.

Kody has been a bit under the weather this weekend, I think maybe he has caught a bug or something, he was still up for running so that's what we did, quite a few poles down but for his first G6 he ran really well and coped with the tricky courses.

Zippy is another story, I think now he has found a new gear we are having a few issues, surprisingly he missed his weave entries on a couple of courses which I was shocked at as he usually nails the entries, if he got the entry he would then come out the last weave and if he got his weaves then there was always something else, a wrong turn or the wrong end of the tunnel etc etc, however, we did get our act together today for him to run a lovely jumping round to finish 3rd.

Mid week training

2010-08-04T18:46:00.001+01:00

Decided not to go training tonight, I was in two minds especially as im having a few problems with Zippy, in the end I opted to stay at home and concentrate on his waits and some tight turns.

Training went well, no issues with waits tonight so it's definitely a excited competition thing, I think being put back on the start line will hopefully rectify the problem, im just wondering how many times he will need to be put back (If he is anything like his dad then im guessing a few !!! )

The tight turns went well, it didn't take him long to grasp the idea especially as his toy was in my hand, the good thing is, he is already starting to read my body language so is naturally starting to adjust himself.

This weekend we are at Scunthorpe, it's Kody's first G6 Show so ive got my fingers crossed he will be able to cope with the courses. I am looking forward to not walking as many courses, I managed to get Zippy eliminated last weekend because I ran the wrong course (maybe thats just a sign of me getting old).

Dog Vegas Update

2010-08-02T19:59:00.000+01:00

Wow what a very busy weekend, after 3 days of competing my legs were starting to feel it (Can't wait until the week long at Dashin Dogs) NOT !!!

Anyway, thanks to my brilliant dogs we brought home some great results. Keisha as always ran really well gaining 3 x 2nd's in agility and 2nd & 3rd in jumping, still having the odd issue with the A-Frame contact but generally speaking she is alot more consistent so im really pleased with her progress.

Kody has just been brilliant this weekend, it was his last Grade 5 Show and he definitely went out with a bang. 5 x 1st places and 1 x 2nd, when he is confident he is such a good boy, only one class with weave issues this time which on reflection I think was probably my fault, just peeling off to early and forced him to exit before the end, definitely a winter training point for him but apart from that he hit some great entries and his contacts were just super.

Zippy, how lucky am I to have another good dog, I cant believe how quickly he is growing in confidence and for such a young dog he is doing most things I would normally ask Kody to do. Don't get me wrong we are still having in-experienced moments like running past the dog walk if its not completely in line but im sure that will disappear soon. For his first Grade 4 Show he ran brilliantly and gained 3 x 3rd and a 4th.

So although the dogs are running well I am currently telling myself off. You think by now I would have learnt to get full control in the ring, especially after having a life time of naughty Ronny. Well for the first time ever Kody broke his wait (as seen on the video when the tunnel is the first obstacle) and then Zippy is being a very cheeky boy and yet again we have lost our waits at the start and his contacts have blown too. So from now on if any of the dogs break their waits they are being put BACK, if they release from the contact before agreed by me then they are being put BACK, if you see me ignoring this you have permission to Shoot ME !!!

Thanks to Kate for taking the great pictures of my dogs in action.

Last day at work tomorrow

2010-07-28T21:37:00.000+01:00

Tomorrow is my last at day work before we set off for a weekend of agility. This week we are in Grantham for the Dog Vegas Show, it's Zippy's first Grade 4 so im very excited, what makes it even better is that it is a three day show so lots of agility fun for us this weekend.

Tonight we have been at training, Zippy was really good and seems to have found yet another gear, he has recently been jumping a few contacts (due to me rushing him) so we did nothing but hold them all night. Keisha had a good class, this hard, naggy, twisty stuff is really suiting her, hopefully we will have a few more tuff courses this weekend.

Good Luck to anyone competing this weekend, especially to those in the Champ Class.

Weekend Results

2010-07-25T20:25:00.000+01:00

Lot's of good results this weekend, on saturday we were chasing the Adams Derby qualifier but sadly Zippy had a naughty round and jumped his DW contact and then spooked on the see-saw (not sure why), Kody had a lovely round but just missed out by one place finishing 5th (bummer).

After that it seemed to go very well, Ronny had a great day, no clears but really excellent runs, Keisha had a great agility class to finish 3rd and Kody ran well in his jumping but we took a wide turn and that was enough to knock us out of the placings. Zippy ran a brilliant jumping class to finish 1st and had an excellent agility run over a really tricky course to finish 4th.

Today has been another great day, Keisha gained 2nd in jumping, Kody had 3rd in his jumping and also qualified for the ABC so im thrilled to be taking two dogs to the semi's, YIPPEE.

Zippy ran well this morning gaining 5th in agility but struggled this afternoon, he was distracted by other dogs running in the next ring which made him loose concentration and causing him to back jump, I suppose its his way of saying im still a young dog so dont expect too much !!!

Productive Day

2010-07-22T19:01:00.000+01:00

Today has been a very productive one, I was on a course today which finished early allowing me to get home just after lunch, the dogs have enjoyed an afternoon of walkies and of course the all important slogger, they are all currently fast asleep which is allowing me a well deserved rest and a mess about on the computer.

This picture is appropriate, the dog on the right looks just like Puddy, I have spent 2 hours brushing all the dogs today with the end result of a full carrier bag, it always amazes me how they can loose so much hair and still have plenty more to shed the following day.

This weekend we are going to two different shows, saturday we are off to Adams Agility in the hope Kody or Zippy might qualify for the Adams Derby and sunday we are at Empingham in the hope Ronny, Kody or Zippy might qualify in the ABC qualifier, im not holding my breath as when we chase qualifiers we never seem to do any good. Thankfully Keisha has already qualified so I will probably be naughty and use her round for training.