Who Wants to Make a Movie!!

Just Plain FUN!!!

On Line Courses - Are They Right for You?

As technology evolves, so does the way in which we can 

take classes, seminars, or even private lessons. 

On line courses are becoming more common place, 

yes, even in the area of dog training. 

Who would have thought?

As with everything else, it started slowly, 

but now it seems like almost everyone is offering them.

Are They Right for You? 

There are of course, pros to taking classes on line. 

*  Save travel time.

*  Save money on gas.

*  A wide variety of instructor choices. 

*  A wide variety of subjects.

*  Some are 'study' at your own time.

On the flip side, there are cons to on line classes. 

* Getting lost in the crowd. 

*  Getting the personal feedback as you need.

*  Not understanding the concepts of the exercise.

*  Poor technological equipment (on either side of the computer)

*  The need to video tape your training sessions. 

*  Social aspect, visiting with your friends.

*  The ability to communicate in written form, expressing

not only your needs, but understanding what is being written.

I'm sure there are MANY more pros/cons.

I have taken on-line courses, a seminar, and 

some private lessons on line. 

Most I've thoroughly enjoyed.

How about you?  Pros/Cons??

9 Month Old Nettle

Yesterday we finally got around to taking

our 'X-mas' picture. 

Okay, so it's January and I'm 

a little behind! G

You might not realize how difficult

it is to take a picture of a 'white' dog, 

and a black dog, together. 

Trust me, it's a challenge!

Luckily PhotoShop E allowed 

me to lighten up Nettle a bit. 

I'm going to guess that she's done

growing now?  

I haven't measured her in quite awhile, 

but guessing she's about 19.5". 

She can keep growing, as long

as she stays under 21" for USDAA. 

At this point, I'd say we're safe. 

We're continuing to work on recalls, 

they are better, but might be something

we struggle with for awhile. 

We've work a few obstacles (agility), 

but not a lot. She knows what to 

do with the 'running dogwalk', which

is still carpet.  I'll have to get her

on a plank soon I suppose. 

Continuing our trick training. 

Our newest challenge is for her to 

jump on the bottom of my shoes, 

while I'm laying on my back with 

feet in the air.  Not sure this is 

wise??  But we're having fun playing

with the idea anyway. 

She's the opposite of Seeker when 

it comes to moving obstacles. 

She could care less. 

Our retrieves are coming along. 

Just started working our float line. 

Alas, I won't be able to trial her in

water this year, as I've water judging

assignments the weekends of MN/IL

water trials.  Poor planning on my

part I guess, next year will be fine. 

It's all about the TOKENS!!

I don’t know about you, but I LOVE TOKENS given at trails. 

Ribbons are nice, but let’s face it, 

what do you do with them after awhile.

Last weekend Seeker got a Super Q in Snooker.  

That alone is great…but then we got this cool BOOK MARKER!!! 

It was totally awesome!

Okay..so now I have to get a book, 

I've been reading on my nook for almost a year now. 

I'm on the library 'book' waiting list

 for 11/22/63....(1963), it might be

11/22/2063 before I get it!

My strategy for Saturday’s snooker was to complete 4 reds 

you have a choice of 3 or 4 reds) reds are worth one point.  

So, the plan was, red to 5 combo, red to 7 (aframe), red to 6 combo, 

red to 6 combo, then the closing (2-7).  

(If I can find the course I'll post it...UGH!!) 

We made it through successfully under time for a total of 55 pts, 

second place and a SQ! 

YIPPEE!!!

No Resolutions - DAM Team - Qualifier-12/30/2011

After a few last minute changes, 

which resulted in moving Seeker to 22"

for the weekend our team ended up being:

No Resolutions

16" Kai - Border Staff & Laura Slusher

22" Bomber - Australian Cattle Dog & Angie Fink

22" Seeker - Border Collie & Tammy Etscheidt 

(Qualified in 6th place)

DAM TEAM = Dog Agility Masters = 

three-dog teams that compete in five classes of competition - 

Standard Agility, Snooker Agility, Jumpers, Gamblers Choice

and Three-dog Team Relay.

Just to make it interesting, the rules are 

a bit different than the 'regular' gamblers 

and snookers rules.  Jumpers also 

includes weave poles on DAM Team day. 

A qualifying score shall be awarded to competitors 

who compete in all five classes and whose team scores are 850 points or more, 

or within 25% of the average of the total points earned by the

top three teams after the fifth and final class, whichever is greater.

(I obviously just wait for the results to be posted!)

Here are the Friday's Courses!
(Double Click on them to make them larger)

(Gamblers - with 2 closing options)

(Snooker)

(Seeker and I completed 2 - 7's and a 5 to the 

closing, he was perfect!!)

 Standard

 Jumpers

(Seeker won the class)

Team Relay

(Bomber, Kai, and Seeker as anchor)

 

What a great time!

Looking forward to another

Team Event in February!!

Back On Track - Coat!!

I finally got one!

After a long time....pondering...do I really need to spend

'that kind of money' on a coat for Seeker, 

I did it. 

I purchased a "BOT" coat.

MERRY CHRISTMAS SEEKER!

I figured as much money as we spend on entry fees, and traveling, 

the coat was a steal!  Especially if it will help prevent injuries!

(Below is Kruz modeling!)

 The coat is suppose to reflect heat, help to ease inflammation, 

reduce muscle pain, and increase blood circulation.

Although it's really 'Seeker's' coat, I'll try it on Kruz too, 

as he tends to have a sore spot on his back. 

 For Seeker, I'll use it to warm him up and cool him down.  I'm always sure to do a nice warm

up and cool down, but if this helps just a little bit more, it will be well worth it!

It sports some reflective patches, notice the glare!

Very pretty!!

There's a zipper for the dog's tail to come through, or for dog's without tails, there are elastic rear leg straps. 

The only thing I don't like about the design is the quick snap lock over the back. It seems to me that this might put pressure on the spine if the dog was laying down in it. I'll probably end up making my own adjustment and switching that to Velcro.

I found the sizing a bit challenging as well.  Thank you Nancy for the size advice!!  I would have gotten a size larger and I sure didn't need it!  If you know someone with the coat, you might want to ask for advice prior to ordering.  

Kruz isn't 'sold' on it yet. He can't seem to lay down in it,
but at least he's moving. 

When I first put it one, he didn't think he could move!  G

Fun things for Christmas

Rilda found me this fun coaster for Xmas!!

THANKS RILDA!!

(A perfect picture of McNugget!!)

I'll have to find a way to hang
it in the mud room. 

It's just too fun to hide under a glass!

This of course is to remind me...
how much my chickens ...
APPRECIATE (NOT!!)
being used as distractions!

Like most of us, they are in it for the food!

Back in the days of the 18" weave poles!
I guess I'll need to have these
made into some 2 X 2s??