Training, Training, Training!!!!!

We have had a busy few weeks here, Dan’s business, SWAG, has been going really well this year – my dream of being a kept woman may come true yet!! LOL

After our workshop the weekend before last Dan decided to return to Channel weaves with Magic to get her confidence back up, so she has been running through those with Dan staying still, running ahead, running out to the side etc. Just a week on this and she is looking so much happier and has been doing some amazing entries (which I have to sadly add that the boys did not get first time!! Rubbish! )

As the channels were set up I decided to use them for the boys – I rarely use them as both the boys are like a bulldozer in channel weaves as they get very excited, but as they were pegged I decided to do a bit with them. I remember reading somewhere that someone else pretty much only uses channels whilst training – I can see why – with the weaves set a little way apart we were able to do more repetitions, they were more even in their stride and as it is just that little bit easier you can push a bit more.

Last weekend we had an Advanced Stride and Turning Workshop at SWAT – now if ever there was a workshop to be tailor-made for Thai – this would be it! So as soon as I saw the title I was booked on it! I have struggled greatly with Thai’s confidence in turns and take off point – if in doubt he will not take off – if he begins to wonder whether he might/maybe/should be in doubt he will put in an extra stride. When you consider he could do this around 5 times on a course – you beginning to talk 3 or 4 added seconds – not what we want!!!

Over the winter I have worked with him understanding what I am asking – this situation is not really Thai’s fault – I have changed the way I train twice since having Thai so poor dog is trying to keep up with the new rules – I am happy now that I have found a trainer that helps us and has a handling system which suits me which in turn has made me more confident in what I am asking and therefore we are becoming more consistent (no excuse with Phaze!!!!).

I was really pleased with Thai during the whole workshop – we worked on lines of 4 jumps and rear crosses, wing wraps, out command, shoulder turns (!!!!!!! – can sort of nearly do them!) and some ketschkers (still really liking these and hoping I will be able to use it somewhere this season). We then moved onto gridwork. This was very interesting, we had a range of different dogs and they all tackled the grids in their own way.

At this point I have to mention Magic, I always make fun of her as the mongrel but to be honest anyone would be lucky to have her you don't often get a dog that has that good a style over a jump but also respects the poles and knows how to use their power without being clumsy or not careful.  She really did look very classy going through the grids.

Another bonus of going to Toni’s is that the girls got to have a play J Phaze and Maid recognised each other straight away and were off across the field playing J If you didn’t know they were sisters I don’t think many people would make the connection they look very different – Maid looks like a mini version of her Granny Meg and Phaze looks more like Daddy Lenny – but they have the same LOVELY temperament J

Phaze is off to puppy class this weekend so she will get to play with Tarn J