May 2010
1 post
10 tags
TAG - May 9, 2010
Cisco only came with us on Sunday for TAG this year. I had him entered in P2 Jumpers and P2 Snooker. Jumpers is by far Cisco’s favorite class of any venue we’ve done as there are no weaves and no contacts. Snooker is a class that he likes, he’s pretty good at and occasionally we get away without contacts or weave poles.
We weren’t that lucky this weekend as snooker had...
April 2010
3 posts
Two more MXJ legs!!
This weekend at the PVGRC trial, Cisco was only entered in JWW, but qualified both days earning his 7th and 8th MXJ legs!
Cisco ran both courses really nicely and with decent speed except for the weaves which seemed to be as pokey as ever. One of the owners of one of Riot’s litter mates was there this weekend and remarked how happy he was running the course. I wish I knew what I could do to...
3 tags
Cisco Attempts the WC
I entered Cisco in PVGRC’s Spring WC test knowing that we weren’t going to make it to any training days this year before the test. But I figured I might as well give it a try — after watching last fall’s test, I had regretted not entering him as I was pretty sure he could have passed.
The WC was run after the WCX so it was around 11 before we got started. I was there uncharacteristically early...
4 tags
Mid-Atlantic Agility Showcase
This weekend we were down in Fredericksburg, VA for the first ever mid-atlantic agility showcase. Cisco was only entered in 4 classes since he stresses so much over contacts. I had him entered in his favorite class Jumpers (which has no weave poles in USDAA — even better) and Snooker (which occasionally has a contact, but a lot of times we get lucky and doesn’t).
Friday, like most of...
March 2010
1 post
2 tags
BRDTC Agility Trial - March 2010
Riot wasn’t the only one who got to play agility this weekend. I decided I’d enter Cisco only in JWW for the three days at the Blue Ridge trial. Friday, I think Cisco was a bit rusty. We had a couple of issues on course. I had a pull to the tunnel that the weaves were in front of and Cisco took the entry to the weaves on the way to the tunnel — something I had never considered...
January 2010
1 post
2 tags
Back to Field Work
I love how excited Cisco gets for field work.
His obedience improves every time we do field work. I think he is understanding that in order to play, he has to do his obedience.
I did drills with him for the first time this year. First we tackled wagon wheel — something we’ve tried a few times in the past, but have lacked understanding of what was expected. Since he’d been doing...
December 2009
2 posts
2 tags
Private Lesson
Today we had a private lesson with Claudia. Cisco did really well. Today I was pushing him away from me because I had a drive-y Cisco. Something to really watch out for. I got a few exercises to work on with Cisco too.
We did a lot of work on rear crosses today since we were having problems at our last lesson, but Cisco nailed them today.
5 tags
Crown Classic Agility Trial
I was a little worried about signing up Cisco for 4 days of agility since he seems to fade after a run or two sometimes. But since we were going all the way to Cleveland, I figured we better make the best of it and signed him up for everything. He had 3 runs on Thursday and Friday, and 2 runs on Saturday and Sunday.
Turns out he probably ended up having the best trial ever.
Day 1
Thursday we...
1 tag
Private Lesson
Cisco and Riot shared a private lesson today. Admittedly We spent much more time with Riot than Cisco today. Cisco only got to run one course. And we had to work through many portions of the course. The main issue we were having is Cisco was looking at me much more than he usually does. He was nice and drivey, but at the same time he kept looking back at me. His contacts were all decent, but his...
November 2009
2 posts
3 tags
HVGRC Agility Trial
I decided to head up to New York for the HVGRC golden only trial. I love golden only trials and I knew a lot of Riot’s relatives would be there and it would be fun to see them run. Cisco, Riot, and I headed up to New York after work on Friday night. We got up there just in time for bed.
Saturday temperature wise was not a bad day, but it rained on and off all day with a really windy...
October 2009
4 posts
4 tags
Cisco's First Hunt Test
At our last training day, it was suggested that Cisco would be able to pass the junior hunt test and I was encouraged to enter by a few people. I hemmed and hawed over it knowing he’s not nearly as ready as a lot of the dogs I know. I decided to go ahead and enter him because he’s not getting any younger (he was 37 days younger than the oldest dog entered in junior) and I’d love...
2 tags
Last Paulena Class
We had our last class with Paulena for the session tonight. Cisco did really, really well. The courses were really challenging, but he had awesome speed on his contacts, he had great bottoms to his contacts and even his weaves were fabulous! Overall I’m very pleased with how the class went. The courses weren’t perfect, but I think we learn more when we make mistakes. He did need a...
3 tags
Working Outside
Today we ran some really short sequences outside and Cisco did fabulous. We even did the jump to dog walk start that we totally blew off at a trial a few weekends ago.
I concentrated on rewarding him after a few obstacles. After talking with people about his sometimes pokiness, we decided that maybe a higher schedule of variable rewards would help. Cisco was definitely motivated in out short...
2 tags
Field Training
Have I mentioned how much Cisco loves field training?
He did three land singles, and two water singles today and did a really really good job.
He wasn’t crazy about the pheasants — this was this first time he had seen them. So I threw one for him a few times after we were all done. He was trying to carry them by a feather and he kept dropping them. After a few repetitions, he was...
September 2009
4 posts
4 tags
“9/20/2009
Performance I Snooker - 22 Inch - Judge: Greg Fontaine...”
4 tags
Mid-Atlantic MADness
We had an okay day at MADness. This was the first time Cisco has trialed outdoors in nearly a year (GRCA National last year). And well, I think it showed today.
We started the day with the ask your instructor to tape your run curse. It was jump to dog walk (he missed the dog walk and we had to go back around to get it), tunnel, tire, teeter (he bailed on the teeter), jump, jump, table (he came...
3 tags
Paulena 1: Week 2
Cisco had class tonight and did fairly well. The first course we had issues with an a-frame/tunnel discrimination. The tunnel was between the a-frame and the wall and pretty much straight so the only way to handle it was from the other side of the a-frame. The table was the obstacle before the discrimination. Cisco was determined no matter what I did that he was going to take the a-frame. I think...
1 tag
Ego Boost
Cisco is back in Paulena’s level 1 class for the fall. I’m torn on paying for classes for Cisco, but then we have a night like tonight an it’s so worth it. Cisco had three awesome runs.
I think he likes running for Paulena because he always has such great enthusiasm in her classes. And he get compliments. Tonight she said what a good jumper he was (he really is) and how great...
1 tag
Cisco nailed the memory “bird” tonight. I’m planning on repeating tonight at a longer distance. If he nails it, I’m signing him up for the WC on the 19th.
August 2009
5 posts
4 tags
Obedience and Rally Match
I took Cisco and Riot to the PVGRC match today. Cisco was entered in pre-novice obedience and novice rally.
Cisco was not to enthused about obedience. He wouldn’t sit pretty much at all. And he got up from the 3 minute down at 2:58. whoops.
Rally was a bit more fun for him. His heeling was tons better, he even sat each and every time he was asked. He scored a 97 and got second place! I...
Cisco weighed in at 64.8 pounds today.
2 tags
Field Drills
I’ve been starting to work on some of the field drills we saw or participated in at the reunion/seminar with Cisco.
We’ve done wagon wheel 3 times and the progress and understanding I’ve seen each time has been amazing. Chris came out and helped us with the x-drill last night and was impressed with how much Cisco seems to love his retriever games. We’ve also worked memory...
2 tags
Gaylan's Field Seminar and Reunion
Cisco was lucky enough to get to hang out with a bunch of Gaylan’s dogs this weekend and do some field training.
Friday he did a walking singles drill on land. We found he has some issues with transitioning with cover and when the throw is beyond the gunner. This drill had him alternating with another dog so he got to run one and then watch one being run by another dog before he got to go...
July 2009
2 posts
1 tag
Cisco's 2nd Field Training Day
Have I mentioned that I have no idea what I’m doing when it comes to field training?
Cisco did two land singles today. The first one he had trouble finding the bird (as did a lot of dogs). He found the bag of birds and then needed help being shown the bird he was supposed to be bringing back. Once he found it, he brought it right back — he always looks so happy coming back. The second...
3 tags
Private Lesson
I had scheduled a private lesson with Claudia way before Riot got sick. Since I wasn’t going to have both of them to work, we cut it down to 30 minutes (Cisco doesn’t do well with any longer).
We ran two fairly challenging courses. Cisco did really well especially since I’ve been lax on his training — I hadn’t signed him up for classes this session or last and the...
June 2009
2 posts
No Agility :(
Poor Cisco is missing out on a weekend of agility because Riot isn’t feeling well. The PVGRC trial is this weekend and it’s the only trial I had him entered in until after we get back from Maine.
Cisco is a great big brother. Yesterday morning when Ri wasn’t feeling so well, Cisco would bring us a toy, we’d throw it to him and then he’d take the toy over towards...
2 tags
Rally?
Cisco went along with the other two for a rally lesson on Friday night. I wanted to introduce him to rally and see where he was with his obedience work. I don’t think he had done any obedience work in 5 or 6 years so I was quite impressed that he remembered how to heel. He did really well the more upbeat and positive I was also.
Cisco needs to learn his finishes, but he too can probably...
May 2009
1 post
Great Weekend at TAG
This weekend was TAG’s agility trial in Sterling. I wasn’t sure how Cisco was going to do as I wasn’t convinced he was feeling all that good — allergies have been really bad around here for everyone lately and Cisco had had some ground beef a couple of days before which was two instant ear infections for him.
The weekend started with Gamblers. I love when USDAA trials...
April 2009
3 posts
Woods Walk
Cisco went on a woods walk this morning with Riot and I. I think he had a good time :)
2 tags
He Needs Cheering
Cisco and I went to a 2 hour training session last night. I was interested to see how he did because of his pokey performance this weekend and the fact that usually he’s done after two runs in practice.
Well, apparently all he needs is a little cheering — from someone other than me. We did 4 mini-courses (11 obstacles) and then one long course (21-ish obstacles) and occasionally he...
A Disappointing Weekend of Agility
After how well Cisco had been doing in Paulena’s class, I had really high hopes for this weekends trial. Really, I guess I don’t have much to complain about as overall we didn’t do so bad, but we’re still not clicking at trials.
Saturday I tried something different for his first run in Standard. Since in class we don’t go through this big warmup routine before he...
Advanced I Week 4
Fourth week of class with Paulena and Cisco started off both courses but picked up speed nicely throughout the course. His weaves were fabulous all four times we did them.
The end of our second course was the end of one of the runs at nationals and it was tough. And no, we weren’t clean the first attempt.
I still have a hard time changing my plan based on Cisco’s speed. There were...
March 2009
5 posts
2 tags
Field Dog?
Yesterday was the PVGRC’s first field training day of the year and I was taking Riot to see what it’s all about. I’ve adopted the mantra of what one gold dog is doing, the other might as well try. And decided I’d take Cisco to see if he had any interest in working in the field what-so-ever.
Cisco’s pedigree doesn’t really give any indication that he’d...
A Busy Day - Dock Diving and Agility Demo
Cisco got to go dock diving again. Dock diving is his favorite thing. This time we jumped in an Ultimate Air Dog event. I used one of the bumpers we’ve been training with as his toy — which I know isn’t nearly as exciting as his squirrel, but it flies a lot straighter. Cisco did really well. His jumps ranged from 10 feet, 8 inches to 12 feet 3 inches — the first time we did...
First Class with Paulena
Cisco is taking Advanced 1 w/Paulena Hope this session. Our first class was tonight and we loved it — this is the first time I have taken a Paulena class.
Since people are getting ready for nationals, the courses were challenging and full of things that will probably be seen in the courses at nationals.
Cisco did really well hitting all of his contacts and had speed through his weaves...
4 tags
Blue Ridge Dog Training Club AKC Trial - March...
This will probably be Cisco’s last trial running regular classes.
Cisco did really, really well. We only came home with one Q in JWW on Saturday, but overall it was a really good weekend for him. We had weave issues Friday in both classes that kept us from qualifying.
Saturday, our standard run started with almost a straight line of almost 4 jumps. He went over the first three and then we...
February 2009
2 posts
2 tags
Last Handling 2 w/ Video Class
Cisco’s class finished up tonight. He did really well. This was a handling 2 class so for the most part it was “easy” compared with other things we’ve done. But still there is always something you can learn. The major lessons I took away from this class were
getting him revved-up is important and makes a huge difference in his speed.
He can do his contacts
Slicing a jump...
Annual Vet Check-up
Cisco went to the vet Friday night (Friday the 13th). We ended up having to wait a very long time to see the vet because of a few emergencies earlier in the day had backed them up. Cisco was very patient during his wait and very well behaved.
He weighed in at 67.5 (which is about perfect for him) and was deemed over all in good health for his first senior appointment. He has a few cracks in his...
January 2009
1 post
Handling 2 with Video
I’m taking handling 2 with video analysis with Cisco this session. Basically we run two sequences which are filmed and then we watch a critique.
Cisco was so pumped to have an agility class again (I missed the first week because I was at a Design Share at Viget). He did really well on the sequences. If I could always have him run like that, it would be wonderful.
I however did a little...
December 2008
5 posts
Happy 7th Birthday Cisco!
I can’t believe Cisco is seven already! We’ve had 7 great years with him. Here’s to 7 more!
Private Lesson
Cisco and Riot shared a private lesson today. Cisco was raring to go as it’s been over a month — almost two since he’s seen a full course.
His first course was beautiful. His weaves were at speed and his contacts looked great.
A lot of our issues seem to be me. I need to pay more attention when walking the courses and learn to think about more things. What am I indicating by...
Massage Time
Cisco got treated to a massage last night as part of his Christmas present. This is the first time Kim has massaged him that she’s found any tightness on him. A couple of the muscles in his back just above the hips were really really tight. His hamstrings still feel great along with everything else.
We’ve been instructed to put heat on the area for the next couple of days. We’ll...
Contacts & Weaves Week 5
Cisco has really shown a lot of progress during contacts and weaves this session. He contacts are certainly looking better. Diann put jumps after the contacts last night and that seemed to trip Cisco up. He didn’t quite stop two-on-two-off about half the time. But then again he wasn’t leaping off the top either. So definite progress. His weaves are coming along too. I’m a little...
November 2008
6 posts
“Not just a brag, not just a stepping stone to a higher title, not just an...”
– What Is A Title? by Sandy Mowery
Contacts and Weaves Week 2
I’m so glad we’re taking this class.
I think Cisco actually had fun last night. I was able to leave him on long down stays without a leash between exercises. The first time I took this Cisco to this class many many years ago, it was a victory to get a ten second stay with all the dogs and activity around. That time we used more of the class to practice stays than to actually be on...
CCCC Agility Trial
Saturday started with a disastrous standard run. Cisco jumped off the top of the a-frame, so I pulled him. Our jww run was a bit better — we had weave problems and I think I sent him in the wrong end of the tunnel.
Sunday, the second obstacle was the a-frame was pretty sure that we were going to have a very short standard run. Well, his contact wasn’t pretty, but he didn’t fly...
Contacts and Weaves
Cisco’s back in Contacts and Weaves for the session. He needs help with both. We got to hit the contacts more often than we do and we need to regain some confidence in doing them too. We also need to work on footwork in the weaves.
Our first class was really productive. I feel really good about what we’re going to get out of it. We haven’t taken contacts and weaves in a few...
66 Pounds
Cisco is back up to 66 pounds which has me relieved. 62 was way too little for him. I think maybe another pound or two would be okay, but that’s about the max as long as he’s so active. Keeping him at a consistent weight is so hard.