Full Tilt Border Collies

Criteria

2012-01-31T14:32:00.007-06:00

Criteria: A standard, rule or test on which a judgement or decision can be based.

I have been thinking about criteria and dogs. I think maintaining criteria is PARAMOUNT.

BUT...KNOWING what your criteria IS is just as important. In agility, in herding, in whatever. I have lots of criteria for my dogs..and I stick to them as much as I possibly can ;-)

For example...

This is my criteria for the dogs when I am blogging on the computer! I don't want balls thrown in my lap, or dogs jumping on my head, or chaos. I want calm, quiet dogs. Notice the terrier is also following suit.

When we got Crackers...People told me, "Terriers are DIFFERENT!!!"...to the point I was worried. I had never owned a terrier before, and Crackers is from HUNTING lines...so I thought, HOLY SH*T...what am I getting myself into!?!?

Well...in reality...terriers are not. They are just like other dogs, they do what is rewarding, and don't do what is not. They need a SOLID UNDER ANY DISTRACTION recall (as all my dogs do!) and need to understand that certain behaviors will not be tolerated. I think that goes for every dog.

So...now that Crackers is a great little dude, and he and the husband are on the World Team...I get the "He is an EXCEPTIONAL TERRIER"..."THERE'S NOT ANOTHER LIKE HIM!

While I do believe there is not another Crackers out there, I really DO.

I also believe that the way he was raised, the rules, the rewards, the criteria he was raised by, made him the dog he is today. He can call off a rabbit, because we didn't just say "terriers cannot call off rabbits"...we said "we NEED him to call off rabbits so he doesn't get hit on the road!".

Things I was told about Jack Russell Terriers:

You cannot call them off rabbits or small vermin

Do NOT let them off leash in fields as they will run away

A SOLID recall on a JRT? PLEASE...

They will attack and cause fights with your other dogs

They will mark in your house and you can't hardly potty train them

They will kill cats, or other small pets

So, we got Crackers...and while he had "tendencies" towards some of these things, we just didn't let it happen. Using training and setting firm criteria, we accomplished, potty training, solid recalls, no killing of small animals (in fact LOVE of small animals! He did TRY to attack Vittles in the very beginning), no fights with other dogs etc.

No different than the horror stories I had about Border Collies:

They are neurotic

They NEVER STOP MOVING

They will put toys in your face all day long

They never sleep

They herd EVERYTHING

You cannot call them off motion

Very motion sensitive, hard to get attention if they are focused

Will eat your house

If you don't walk them 34 miles a day and play games with them CONSTANTLY they will burn your house down, kill your children, and gamble all your 401K on the stock market

Ok...maybe the LAST one wasn't totally true...but you get the idea.

Criteria...what do you WANT your dog to act like? I have 7 dogs, I don't want constant chaos, toys flying everywhere, neurotic shadow chasing, cat killing, dogs...so I trained them to not be that way.

Just the same way as I encourage certain behaviors for the purpose of agility, or herding, or whatever. Barking...for example. I don't like my dogs barking in the house. Again...7 dogs, all barking. Loretta would want to go on a killing spree. Barking IN AGILITY however...is fine. It builds drive for many dogs, gets them out of thinking mode and charges them up. I teach my dogs barking in agility is FINE...with one criteria that must be met--YOU MUST LISTEN TO WHAT I AM SAYING AND DO YOUR JOB. Aka your noggin' cannot explode and throw bloody bits of brain all over the arena...it's messy.

But, barking I encourage...I do. Now...when I am running another dog and my dogs are all going APESH*T in their crates because they wanna run with me. I can't bitch too much about it. I fostered it, I wanted it...so that is the bed I must lay in. I'm OK with it :-) MOST of the time!

For example--the video below...Lynn likes to bark, I encourage it as you can see. Gets her SUPER HIGH and HAPPY!!!!!

So then there is agility criteria...which usually has to be VERY tight in regards to the shades of grey I am willing to accept. Criteria that I can think of, right off the top of my head are:

Start line stay--HOLD IT
2 on 2 off---you must go into it, and I will tell you to wait if I need you to wait, otherwise, because I am a SUCKA I tend to quick release, Loretta loves running agility too!! I know this is a weakness..so I loosened my criteria to fit what I will do in the ring! Easy peasy lemon squeasy.
If I ask for collection---YOU WILL COLLECT. That means rounding of the back, chipping in a stride, and I want you landing within a specific distance from the jump. DO NOT HIT OR TOUCH ME.
Weave poles and jumps are your responsibility--that includes entries and exits, staying in, keeping bars up (with lots of education on my part)
Table is one behavior, get on it, and lay down and stay there until I release you
Go on means run as fast as you can and take whatever is in your way.
Jump means take this jump NO MATTER WHAT I am doing, you will need to collect as I am going somewhere else and chances are it's because of a turn
No biting :)
Keep your head on course

Criteria I have for MYSELF on the course:

Cure collection and extension EARLY
RUN RUN RUN RUN!!!!!
Hold your dogs to their criteria
If you mess up, do not let your dog know something happened
Don't take agility to seriously

I have added some more criteria to Lynn specifically for her running dog walk. As you can see from the video below, this is an example of some of her criteria. No matter WHERE I am, she needs to complete her dog walk. She needs to run through the end, THEN if a turn is needed she can turn. But she must, no matter WHAT I am doing and WHERE I am, complete her dog walk correctly.

The criteria has been set, and trained and rewarded when correct. She understands what is asked of her and performs it perfectly AND confidently with speed. Lynn is a thinking dog, so this requires me to be very clear with criteria. It has made me a much better trainer.

Lynn has also been taught that if I say GO-(insert obstacle name) she is to ignore ALL OF MY MOTION OR LACK THEREOF and DRIVE TO THE OBSTACLE I NAMED. SO I can peel off and do other things if needed.

Criteria I have for my dogs in herding:

You will not take yourself to stock, only when I tell you to.

You will control yourself around stock, I will not put you on leash (when they are puppies of course that isn't the case!!!!)

When I call you off sheep, you will come off

Lie down requires your belly on the ground--lie just means stand--and don't take a step into the sheep until I ask you to walk up

Of course with herding, as the sheep change or move, all this crap could go out the window ;-) Mainly the lie down, you might say lie down, the dog stops to drop and then the sheep shift, and you have to give a come bye flank...that is where the grey area is...BUT...if I give a lie down, I expect the dogs intentions are to do so. I learned from KK how important that is.

Criteria equals understanding...in life, in agility, in herding. Lack of criteria equals confusion.

Are you clear in your criteria? Are there certain criteria you didn't think through when you taught something to your dog? Do you have a hard time determining criteria for a behavior?

HI! How Y'ALL BEEN??

2012-01-30T14:44:00.004-06:00

Hello blogger peeps! How has everyone been? I hope well! I has been very very busy!

Temporary failure of mental management on the previous post--CHECK!

Done. :) Sorry folks... :)

Onto bigger and better things.

My trip to Scottsdale, AZ has been officially booked. a week of vacation, and SUNSHINE and warmth here I come! End of February, perfect timing!! The pups are staying with a dear friend (she freakin' ROCKS!!) and I am going to pray for her, that many days, with our 7 dogs. Please lord, watch over her and keep her sanity. Amen.

Mother Nature has been very kind to us this year...it's freaky, but I love it! It's gonna be in the upper 30's all week! AMAZING!!!!!!

Gator, Crackers and Klink are all Q'd up for Nationals...good. Lynn needs some more Q's. Thought of entering the MAC USDAA trial mid February, but I decided not to. The husband is going down, so he and Crackers will rip it up. But I think I am going to pass on this one. I need another job! LOL

NO really...I do. Got one?? ;-) I am officially barn poor :)

I would love to go to the trial and try for Lynn's MAD, and get more Q's towards her ADCH...but with the horrible weather that normally comes with that trial, AND the insane cost of hotels...I've just decided financially it isn't logical. The husband can stay with Crackers breeder, so no costs for him. But ALL of us, not gonna put that on anyone except family ;-)

Reading a very interesting book on how each of us has a different language we speak in terms of what we want out of life...how we are all on different paths, and how to respect those paths. I think it's helping me become a better person. I know I need the work, I always need the work.

AND...with all the "see the positive in EVERYTHING" stuff going on, it's nice to read an author that believes that sometimes negativity CAN actually help things. Not saying a person should walk around all day pissed off, but that sometimes it's a natural part of processing life. Irritation IS motivation. And not every person you dislike is because they are like the things you don't like about yourself (I've read that a LOT...made me wonder if, because I didn't like Conan O'Brien I was secretly like him....shudder), it might be they are just annoying, or they smell funny, or they are the complete opposite of you and you just are not on the same wavelength. Nothing wrong with that. It's OK people...promise :) Or at least the book promises :)

Speaking of motivation, and irritation. I have gotten motivated to slack on the fitness and eating plans...I'm gonna call BULLSH*T on myself. Got myself back on the wagon, and it feels great, why can't I remember this? And why can't I remember I like fruit, and meat, and veggies...instead of SUGAR AND FRIED FOOD. Sigh. So, lets move forward. And hopefully part of my ass will melt away in the process. So I can run faster. And because spring is coming...

Plus...I like kickboxing...being that I can be negative without feeling guilty due to the book...I use that negativity to MOTIVATE myself...I picture something I want to kick and punch while I am doing my workout...that makes for a whole lotta awesome. YES!!!! :) Love me some kick boxing.

The husband decided he's fat (whatever..seriously??) and he ordered Zumba...yes...I laughed. I laughed so hard I almost peed my pants. I was to the "laughing so hard there is no noise coming out"...more like a seizure. It should come in the mail this week. My DH is so very white and has no rhythm...yes I am stereotyping here...if you are a white dude with rhythm--and NOT IN A BAND...you are rare and special :)

OF COURSE I WILL GET VIDEO!!!! LIKE DUH! I might even invite some friends over to see the hot mess that will be the husband dancing to latino music. Maybe I can get him some zumba wear...HA!!!!!

Then I'll try it and realize not only do I look twice as ridiculous, but I will suck at it as well. Bring it ON!

Ok...that was my attempt to be nice...in reality...I at least have rhythm...so I think it would be a BIT prettier...not pretty, but less ugly might be a better way to describe it..

But I am a supportive wife, and I will support this with hidden cameras. Look for a youtube link soon ;-)

On the dog training front...working...well...um....ok we are hiking a lot :) I need to work my dogs don't I? Actually...I wanted to talk a TEENY bit about drive.

I will say this....my dogs suck in regards to manners until they get older. They really really do. I let LOTS of things slide while I work on drive. And work on them dealing with corrections. YES...I do correct my dogs, won't hide it. They get corrections on stock, so they have to take corrections in life to be prepared for that. So while I do that, my dogs are basically hooligans :) I like it that way. But I'm guessing others don't. That's fine. I'd rather have a crazy, drivey dog to channel than one I have to get going. Bleck.

So if your dog is "too good" or "thinks too much"...just let them be buttheads for awhile, that usually fixes it :-) I always tell my students...if your dog is a doer, make them a thinker, if they are a thinker, make them a doer.

Now, I am not saying they don't have to LISTEN. When I give a command I want it followed. But I just don't have many commands or rules when they are younger :)

If the dog is already OVER THE TOP, I work impulse and less drive. It's always a balancing/changing/evolving thing, this dog training :)

I was thinking of possibly doing some handling seminars (one day) at my house this spring/summer...I had a few people that have said they would love a seminar...not sure how well that would go over, but I think I might really look into it. Love teaching, love seeing the changes in dogs, love engaging the people. Would be fun to teach in a class situation with people who are driven and focused :) Food for thought on my end I guess.

Question for all of you...is there anything that you would consider "different" that you would love to see a seminar on? No matter how insane/silly/crazy it seems, I'd love your feedback!!!

On The Run...

2012-01-23T09:40:00.005-06:00

Or rather not running ;)

We loaded up the crew and went to a USDAA trial this weekend...Friday night Grand Prix, and then entered for Saturday and Sunday the full slate of classes.

Friday night Gator and Klink went 1 & 2 for Grand Prix, getting gator his 2nd Bye needed and Klink finished up with her Grand Prix legs needed for Nationals. I messed up Lynn's run...she's getting faster...I need to work on myself remembering that ;-)

Klink and Gator ran their normal stellar selves. It's fun having dogs that know what I'm thinking...the problem IS, when I am not thinking well :) Saturday I was slow for the first part of the day, a bit behind and for the first time in a LONG time, got lost during a Standard course..really? LOL

I laughed a lot on that...but then refocused and was fine the rest of the day...though a bit concerned I felt "behind the ball" so to speak...

Then I woke up Sunday am and I had my answer, I have the flu, fever, chills etc etc. I made it through Jumpers and Snooker...but after that I was toast so we went home early. Me being sick, plus the winter weather coming sealed the deal on that. :-( Oh well. Now I'm just chilling in bed.

Overall the weekend was great though for my dogs...the husband and Crackers had some issues with start line stays, and some other little stuff, so have some things to work on (That's why we trial!). But the dogs came through with flying colors :)

Lynn continued to build confidence and speed :) I worried with all the dog walks with NOTHING ahead of them, she would have some misses, but NOPE!! She didn't! ROCK ON BABY STEWART! Jumping was SOOO much better, she is barking more and more, but as long as she keeps thinking, I don't care since my other dogs bark :)

We no longer tug before runs...we eat cookies, and do tricks. FOCUS LITTLE LYNN..FOCUS :) It seems to keep her in that magical place where the drive is there, but not completely fried :) She likes FRIED. But fried means bad things. As she matures we will run fried like the adult dogs do...but for now, lets focus :)

I had a few moments of not being ready for her speed...she is an interesting mix of Gator and Klink...so I am still figuring her out. But, she did really knock my socks off in her Standard run, 2nd place and beating her brother Gator :)

She also got her 1st Master jumpers leg, good girl. And had another really nice jumpers run on Sunday...but dropped on bar :-( She is just one Standard leg away from her MAD :) FUN!

I am having SOOOO much fun running her! Love the changes, the adrenaline rush with the contacts, and not knowing EXACTLY what she will do. I take that for granted with the older dogs, they just DO IT. With Lynn, she's still in that mode where she PROBABLY will ;)

Handling wise, I just have to work on RUNNING MORE...and getting the differences solid in my mind for her versus Klink, versus Gator :) Three dogs, three different ways of handling...A FUN CHALLENGE!!

The trial was well ran, great surface and great facilities. It was fun enjoying friends and all the positive energy there. Unfortunately, there was some negative crap that happened this weekend, comments made. Or whatever. I'm gonna get it out here so I feel better and can let it go.

#1---when I do four 5's in Snooker, it does NOT mean I was going for a Super Q. If I get the Super Q, then great! If you get it then GREAT. Klink won Snooker on Saturday with a 3,4, 6 and 7. Gator got 3rd with that same combo. YA JUST HAVE TO DO ONE MORE POINT. Super Q's are not an entitlement. Don't come up to me and say I took your Super Q. No one ever gave me a Super Q, I earned them, I became better at Snooker. Win-win if you ask me. And if I want to try for a Super Q (which I do cause it's FUN!!) then I will, regardless of what you say. I mess up plenty in Snooker...so does the husband...we never get a pat on the back for "messing up so I got my Super Q"... ;-)

#2---I built a barn, yes. Don't try to hold that over my head or make me feel bad about it. Seriously folks, I spent YEARS getting the barn built and I have a barn payment. I salt and water the arena for HOURS every month, I teach out of that barn and YES, I train my dogs there. That would be ridiculous if I didn't. I live in bum f*cked Egypt, and drive a 2001 Corolla, yeah...living the life...I have a barn. And I worked for that barn and will be working for it for many more years. I made decisions and put certain things as a priority for ME. Don't try to say I have more opportunities than you.

I sacrificed a lot of other things to have what we have for the dogs. Spend hours feeding sheep, pulling lambs, putting hay in the barn, trimming hooves, I don't have a 300,000 dollar house, I don't have designer clothing. But I have what I want. A house, land, sheep and a barn. Those are my priorities...and I worked hard for them. I don't doubt what you have in your life you worked hard to get.

If you wonder why I don't always talk to a ton of people at shows...this would be why...

I'd love to hear some of the hilariously funny crap you have had said to you!!! I thought I didn't have a filter, but MAN, apparently I do!!! A pretty decent one! ;-)

OK done...amazing how one bad apple...ANYWAY. Luckily, there was more than enough positive energy to overwhelm the negative :) Which was AWESOME!!! The courses were challenging, the handling was great, lots of happy dogs and smiling folks!

Oh...and Even would like everyone to know, she didn't crap in her kennel this time :) I'd say that makes for an AWESOME WEEKEND!!!!!!

3 Years...wow...

2012-01-13T11:45:00.005-06:00

3 years ago Zip's litter was born. WOW...

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY!!!!!!

Momma all happy with her babies :) Loretta was sleep deprived...

Little Even Steven :)

Baby Lynn :)

And just a recap of their baby pictures...cause they were SOOO DAMN CUTE!!!!!

Vantage (aka Tweed) in Arizona :)

Lynn :)

Zing (aka Gin) in Nebraska :)

Lil (aka Wind) in New Mexico :)

Even Steven---here if you didn't know that ;-)

Spot here in Minnesota!

Peat (aka Sweep) in Michigan!

What a great group of puppies!!!! I wish I could give them all kisses!!!!!

Birthdays and Video Cameras!

2012-01-11T08:34:00.002-06:00

First off, I want to wish my boy Ace a HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!

Lucky number 13!! He had a rough week physically, and I am glad to say he is doing GREAT now :) So here's to many many more years with my old man :)

Onto some actual TRAINING!!

I had Lynn swimming her weaves BEAUTIFULLY!! She was been doing that very well for a LONG time...and now, we go trial and she isn't. Frustrating to me and being who I am, I needed the answer to this.

Insert handy, dandy, video camera. If you doing have a video camera, GET ONE. Seriously. Get one, get a tripod and you will be amazed at the things you don't see when you are running the dog. I use video to see lots of things.

So...I set up the camera, moved the weaves outside on the grass and set about figuring out if this is something I should be worried about.

I've come to the conclusion that the different surfaces are making her change her weaving style. So only miles and experience will fix this.

The funny thing is, I don't even know if Gator, Klink or Zip did this as baby dogs. And they all worked out a swimming style...I'll just leave her alone to figure stuff out :)

Video is good. Very good :)

Product Review!!

2012-01-10T08:50:00.006-06:00

As a super cool surprise, I was asked by Mara over at the K-9 Knitter Blog to do a toy review!

I, being the blunt human being that I am, unable to normally contain my opinions for better or worse (usually for worse)...so I worried, what if the toys like sucked, or my dogs tore them apart in like 5 minutes? Well...I guess that would be my review (though doubtful poor Mara would have appreciated it!!! HI MARA!!!--waving with nervous look on my face...)

But alas, I had committed to reviewing the toys, and low and behold, one day, a package came to me and TA DA!! TUGGIES!!!

WITH an adorable card!! HAND MADE, ALL OF IT! I got to try out a medium tuggie (so BC size) and a teeny tuggie as I call it (Crackers size!)...

Let me state this, my dogs are HARD ON TUGS. I am an avid toy user and I like dogs that tug, I develop that and my dogs for sure will tear toys apart.

I am also an HUGE FAN of the ring zingee thingies at Clean Run, those wool rings for dogs? I have a gazillion of them. I love them. I have them everywhere, in my training bags, in my barn, in my livingroom, bathrooms, closets, probably the fridge even...So for me to compare those toys to these, well...it was gonna happen.

First off...lets try it on the BC's. Even and Lynn were chosen, why? They can tug apart a ring zingee thingie in about 5 minutes. I can't just let the dogs play with those toys, because they will all be in pieces in a matter of minutes (sometimes seconds)...

Even and Lynn were very willing to help!!

No ripping noise...good sign...

Easy on my hands...which is good. Probably why I love the wool toys so much!

The dogs liked it a TON, which I guess isn't super surprising since they like any toy, BUT, they do like wool toys much more (and tennis balls...but we are not doing a review on those today).

Even likes to eat the ring zingee thingies...they are very easy to pull apart (they have this stripe in the wool that for some reason comes off as soon as they get ahold of the damn thing. These tuggies withstood that! YES!!!!!

Not sure how happy EVEN was about it...she tried to destroy it...she really did :)

Lynn put her endorsement on it immediately :)

Even, being the skeptic like me, needed to put it through more paces before she gave it her approval.

After what seemed like HOURS of tugging...

I iz TIRED...

Even decided this tuggie was GREAT!!!!

Now onto a little tougher client...

THE CRACKHEAD...

Crackers can be VERY picky when it comes to tuggies. He either likes them or he doesn't. You never know. He's special that way ;-)

I gave him the teeny tuggie and HOLY SH*T HE LOVED IT!!!!!

As in, he REALLY REALLY LOVED IT!

It's super light, so the wee boy could run around with it!

AND, unlike the ring zingee thingie, it doesn't get caught on the dog (the ring shape can get around their legs and paws, causing them to try to run with the ring around their legs, thus a hazard if you ask me....) I have to be very watchful when we are using the rings, but with THIS toy, no watching needed! He can't get tangled in it!!!

Be aware though...it can give your dog crazy eyes...

Or cause them to stare at you for very long periods of time...

Or put their bodies in weird positions...like this!

And this!

ARGH! I'm a PI----RATE!

Tugging was easy with it...the wool is braided nicely and very strong, Crackers LOVED IT!

He also enjoyed whipping it around, with it being so light weight, that was great!

I really like this toy!!!!!

Again...warning...crazy face producing!

I'd say Crackers gave it his approval as well!!!! I had to put it up in fact, he wouldn't stop playing with it!!!

I also wash my toys a LOT...and I washed these tuggies and they looked GREAT post washing! Sometimes the ring zingee thingies don't wash the best, they unravel a bit...but these toys, HECK NO! They looked great!

So---as a recap:

VERY STURDY!!!!

Great colors (look how vibrant)...yes that was added on...whatever ;-)

Wash SUPER well!!!

Lightweight for the little dogs to run around with

Priced very well!

DO NOT GET CAUGHT ON DOGS LEGS LIKE THE RINGS!! BIG BIG PLUS FOR ME!!!!

I really REALLY liked these tuggies, sure I got some free samples from Mara for reviewing the toys, HOWEVER, if any of you know me, you know that I don't sugar coat anything. If the toys sucked, I would tell you. Luckily for ME, they didn't. They are wonderfully hand made toys!

I say, try them out! If you like wool toys, you'll like these! Check out her store HERE!!

This was my first toy review! I had a BLAST doing it! Thank you Mara for sending me some of your awesome tuggies!!! The dogs say THANK YOU!!!

First Trial Of The Year...

2012-01-08T23:05:00.006-06:00

After a long break, we have started the 2012 trial season :) We headed down to Ham Lake, MN to On The Run Canine for a USDAA trial this past weekend.

We only entered Friday and Saturday, Sunday I wanted to chill out, sleep in, and not do agility :)

Friday we had the DAM Tournament and Grand Prix. Which was a ton of fun. Crackers, Klink and their buddy Blade (Crackers about BC's or some name like that) ended up with a Silver medal. And Gator, Danger and the husband running Megadeath the sheltie (see the previous post)--aka Honey Badgers ended up with a Bronze medal. Oh yes...we even had shirts...we are awesome :) Megadeath needed a DAM Team Q, so now she has that! YAY!

I felt a bit off, the dogs felt off, we were not meshing...until the later runs...Gator and I got our crap together a bit quicker than Klink and I. But we did get to that "zen" happiness of running agility by the end of the tournament :)

That evening all the dogs ran Grand Prix, all 4 clean, Gator and Crackers got the Byes, Klink got a Q and Miss Lynn, who I thought after spending all day HEARING agility being ran, but not actually RUNNING, would explode...she DIDN'T, and ended up 3rd! WOW! Very happy with the little bugger.

Saturday Gator had a perfect day, Klink and Crackers were 5/6, and Lynn ended up with a Snooker leg and her SCH. She was handling GREAT, contacts were GREAT, but we had bars. I knew this would be an issue, she hasn't been using the power she has at trials. This weekend was the first time I was REALLY starting to see it at the trial! YIPPEE! Problemo is, she isn't able to control herself with it yet in the trial atmosphere...so I'll just charge up the place at home and do some extended jumping with her so she can work on focusing on the UP UP more than the GO GO ;-) I was overall very pleased with her, I wanted that power she has to start showing up and it is :) Her dog walks were the most confident I have seen them and the fact that she nailed it in Grand Prix, not having seen one, I was just estatic (why she went wide after it! I was so happy! LOL) Can't wait for the next trial in a few weeks :)

And, Gator is now all Q'd up for Cynosport! YES! Klink still needs a Grand Prix and a Steeplechase leg. She's a good girl, no worries. Lynn needs the most. Crackers has been Q'd up since the end of 2011 :) The husband trialed a lot after Nationals, I took a break :)

Here's some video of Lynn Highlights, I'll work on the others runs today and add them in a few days :)

Only bad thing that happened this weekend was Even getting "intestinal distress" at the trial. I walked into the crating area and I smelled lunch...and something that was NOT LUNCH...I didnt; think there was any way it was MY DOG. But alas, I checked Even's kennel...and WOW. Poor Stevie was COVERED. And the kennel, and the bed, and and and...Thank GAWD the trial facility had a lovely bathing place. She's fine now, but MAN she was not a happy camper, neither was I! THAT's a first for me! LOL

Sunday we just chilled out, took the day off and I was glad. Getting back into the swing of running 3 dogs at trials....in a couple of weeks we will be running both Saturday and Sunday :-)

Hope you all had a great great weekend!!

REALLY!?!?!??!?!?!

2012-01-05T07:28:00.007-06:00

FOURTY FIVE FREAKIN' DEGREES!!!!! IN JANUARY!!!!!!!!!!

wow...

So we played... :)

Yeah I know...there's snow on the ground...but it melted quick!! YAY!

Lynn sporting her vetwrap---her foot has healed AMAZINGLY well... Epson salt soaks and it doesn't hardly look like anything happened! YIPPEE!

HI! HI! HI! HI! HI! HI!! (one of my all time favorite photos of the Crackhead! :)

RUUUUNNNNN!

Hi...I'm here...you love me? You're about 80/20 dude :)

In...the...ZONE...

One cannot fetch, unless there is a Crackhead attached to your toy...just how it is around here.

Even...with a Sheltie on her ass...

You are probably wondering WHY there is a sheltie in that pic :) This is Meaghbh or however the heck you spell her name...pronounced Meeve...we all call her Megadeath...Miss M, brat, dog that never stops barking...

But isn't she CUTE? And she's a kick ass little agility dog :) She was here for the week to bond with the husband as he is running her on DAM team this Friday (YIKES!)...

She had a lot of fun chasing everyone...and BARKING...yes...lots of barking :) But she's cute! It saves her!

Klink never gets in the middle...just watches, like some kind of WWE ref.

Lynn...and her bootie and her ball...and HAPPINESS :)

RUN CRACKERS RUNNNNNN!

Gator always gets a little worried about 3 women chasing him...

Let's just say there was a LOT of running...

Don't you hate it when you are trying to be serious and some jackass ruins the moment??

Crackers doesn't know serious...EVER. JOY--yes, HAPPINESS--yes, but SERIOUS? No...never.

Hi Even...you look like you only smoked HALF the crack pipe today, cuttin' back are ya? I'm proud...

Not sure why I like this photo...but I do. She looks like Zorro...or at least a dog version of Zorro...or maybe I just smoked the other half of the crack pipe Even left...never mind...

HI AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'M HEEEEERRRRREEEEE!

He always looks like he has a smile on his face :)

Except when he's barking...and then he kinda looks like a large mouth bass...

Or I get MANY photos of this...

Or this...so I say screw it...and move on. Terriers. Gotta love them!

Lynn doing JUST FINE with her vetwrap :) YAY! Fingers crossed she can run this weekend!

I can't say what Crackers is doing here...it looks painful...

We are gonna soak up as MUCH OF THIS WEATHER AS POSSIBLE!!!! The bottom WILL fall out at some time...I know it...so for now, we are OUTSIDE! IN THE SUN! Running around like idiots! Not really sure how that is different than most days...but just trust us :)

What kind...

2012-01-04T09:49:00.005-06:00

Of things do I work on with my dogs...

I was thinking about this, as each of my dogs is very different (you'd think with all of them related like a little hillbilly clan this would be lessened---no offense to hillbillies that read the blog--but no...they are all very very different dogs)...I have things that I HAVE to work on with each dog, on a regular basis...and it's funny how they change...evolve, and I have to constantly adapt.

It would be great if, once we got the dog trained, it was TRAINED. That is somewhat the situation, but the "compulsories" are still there. Each dog has their weaknesses. I train weaknesses. Strengths are not nearly as important to me to focus on.

I don't train my dogs much...not trying to sound proud, pathetic, or whatever. It's just a fact. I really, REALLY don't train my dogs very much. We go on lots of walks/hikes/runs. They jump over rocks, run their asses off in the fields, tug with each other, so they stay fit. I do ball work with them to work on core strength. But we really don't train much. I enjoy dogs being dogs, I enjoy being with them, and I do like training, but I don't like drilling, or training for long periods of time. Just not my style. I have no doubt my dogs would do it, but when I trained MORE, it didn't make my dogs more successful. It did however, give them more sore muscles and chiropractic visits.

So...anyway...an aside...sorry. I get stuck on tangents...oops :)

So... compulsory exercises...for each dog (or past dogs I have ran and are now retired)

Ace--DRIVE...straight lines...and driving out of turns (he didn't care for turns) TUNNELS and more tunnels...he loved tunnels, they put him in drive, so TUNNELS WE DID! :)

Zip--weave pole entries (why collect??) START LINES (freakin dog) and reading decel (which that dog got DAMN GOOD at doing)

Klink--Extension to collection--aka tunnel to a jump needing a wrap...driving into 2 on 2 off positions. Call to heel and side (while barking her fool ass head off and still paying attention to her job!). She's the hardest dog I have ever trained...but at 6 she is really becoming a team player :) Yay Stink!

Gator--COLLECTION COLLECTION COLLECTION--Gator likes to be FORWARD--ALL THE TIME, I reward collection a LOT. Weave entries--though he's really getting those with no issues now...but we keep working them every session just a few. When Gator doesn't get worked a ton, his collection goes to a whole lotta crapola. Gator luckily loves his momma so he gets back into the swing of things quickly. Gotta love biddable, but not soft! :)

Crackers--The husband :-) We work on the husband, a LOT. Crackers freakin' rocks...I'm gonna club the husband and take his dog. Just sayin'... In actuality...Crackers just driving to the end of the teeter (since he has to stay there for it to tip---for like FOREVER!) and some jumping :)

Lynn---I swear this dog is the second chance I have at running her mother...even her DW's have settled into happiness :) I seriously love this freaking dog. When she is not biting me :) I don't have the DW as a compulsory at all with her anymore. It's my job at this point to handle her :) So for Lynn I work on basic jumping skills (excited Stewart Little likes to go flat flat and bar knock...naughtypants!)...and, we do weaves to keep solidifying her footwork (she is swimming the weaves now BTW)...

Even--STOP DOING 70,000 BEHAVIORS AT ONCE...PICK one :) No vertical jumping and slamming me in the chin. YOU ARE NOT A TERRIER :)

This weekend should be interesting! Lynn hasn't been worked for several days, she got something that looks like a thorn in her paw...I soaked it with Epson salt (thanks Diane and Monique!!!) and a bunch of goo and the thorn thingie came out! OUCH!

I think she will be just fine by the trial, but who knows. Time will tell. But I DO know, she will be going into the weekend with NO training...oh well. It's just one day :) I need to just see where she is anyway since she hasn't trialed since before USDAA Nationals :) I will just trust my training (or lack thereof) and go with the flow! WOO HOOOOOO! :)

Lynn...Lynn...LYNN....

2012-01-02T17:40:00.002-06:00

Lynn decided, since I entered her in a trial this coming weekend, to take a chunk of flesh out of her front paw. As I watched her get out of her kennel on THREE legs I of course freaked COMPLETELY OUT (you that have been reading my blog for any time know Loretta and limping dogs is BAD...)...So...after completely losing it...I saw that there was a chunk o' paw missing...which will heal. Yay!!

Being the conscientious dog owner I iz, I decided to help healing of said foot pad...

Insert EMT Gel...

This crap is like a wonder medicine, it could probably grow a replacement appendage if needed (they might want to research this...I'm sure they read the blog right?)...so I put the goo on Lynn's foot...

She lays there, she lets it dry...she acts very "SURE! This feels GREAT!"...I blink and...

BEOTCH chewed it off...

So I reapply...

And she chews it off...

And I reapply...

And she chews it off...

And I reapply...and stare at her........

And stare at her...

What are you doing Even? What are you doing KLINK!?!?

Awwww sh*t....she chewed it off....

So I reapply...

What's the definition of insanity? Freakin' A...

New Year...

2012-01-01T08:44:00.010-06:00

WOW...what a year of change...a very amazing year of change...

Each year I learn some very valuable lessons. I think that's just part of getting older...I wouldn't trade anything to be 16 again. 25 yes ;-) But 16 no...maturity has it's good sides as well. But this year for me, has been a year of so many changes and me really finding what I want in life...

One of the biggest ones I learned this year was to not be what the world wants me to be, but to be the kind of person that I want to be. In turn I am a happier person, and I can freely care for others.

"A person can grow only as much as his horizon allows." John Powell

I think reaching that point in life where you want to enjoy what you have, be content with less, and accept those in your life for who they, are is a huge milestone.

That includes my dogs of course...dogs are good for personal growth, I do believe this.

Dogs allow us as humans to grow, change, make mistakes, and they do not judge. They just accept us for who we are, unconditionally.

They are amazing creatures...and I am blessed to have chosen a life, where I get to enjoy these animals. Even if it is for a much lesser time than I would have if I only shared my life with people. Dogs feel so much emotion, with such an "in the moment" attitude and passion, it's no wonder they don't hang around this world longer. Some of my most amazing and inspirational human friends weren't in this world that long. Their passion and infectious spirits were here but a short while...and I relished every, single, moment of it.

This year I have learned that my life isn't all about dog training...it's about enjoying my own dogs outside of the agility ring. Not focusing on the next Regional, the next USDAA Nationals...goals are great, but this year my goals changed...I don't think it affected the outcome of my journey to Nationals...if anything it made it much more rewarding. I was very proud of my dogs and myself. And by taking some focus off the pressure...the journey became much more fun for me.

I developed new hobbies, I met new friends, I forged some connections with people that I needed more than anything. Family and friends...those people that, when you fall on your face, they help you up. They dust you off, they smile at you because you are a complete idiot, but like my dogs...they love me, unconditionally. They make me think, they challenge me to really look at myself and see what kind of person I want to be. Friends like that are worth their weight in gold. I am blessed to have these friends...very blessed.

I have learned that being myself is the best person I can be. I may not be the best cook, wife, dog trainer, sister, daughter etc...I might be weird, too loud, too opinionated, too much of a lot of things...but I am what I am. And I am grateful I have the opportunity to continue to grow, change and enjoy life.

I'm thankful for all of you, who read the blog, comment, and have gone on many journeys with me :) Giving support, helping me problem solve and in general enriching my life!

As I sit here typing...looking at the pictures of my wonderful dogs, it's hard to not look at 2012 as another year of possibility.

My goals for the dogs are just to enjoy training them, do as well as we can, and have fun playing with them. I want to approach my runs with the same kind of "in the moment" passion that my dogs exhibit. That intensity...that drive. I could have a giant list of goals that I wish I could accomplish, but I am more of a "go with the flow" type of gal. Rules are just guidelines...life doesn't always follow rules anyway.

All I want to be able to say, as 2012 comes to a close next New Year's Eve, is that I did my best. To enjoy my family, my friends, my dogs, my hobbies, my life...

Here's to a wonderful 2012 for all of you! Thank you for reading and sharing a part of your day with me!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2011-12-31T17:18:00.003-06:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!

Look ahead to the future!!!!!

And um.....errrrr.....eat some french fries...

Yeah...FRENCH FRIES!!!! :)

I have goals...and have been reflecting...but I'll share those some other time. I hope all of you have goals for this next year, and things you are looking forward to! I want all of you to have a WONDERFUL 2012!!!!!

Now...I'm going out dancing! Woot! Woot!

The Best Part...

2011-12-29T19:42:00.011-06:00

Teaching can be a very challenging occupation. I learn something new every day. My students teach me things, their dogs teach me things. It's a never ending educational experience. I attend seminars and classes to become a better teacher. It's my passion, and I am very grateful for the opportunity to share my passion with those I meet!

One of the most rewarding parts of teaching are the dogs...I love the students of course, but I'm thinking me having pictures and video of my students might make them think I'm a bit odd (ok a bit MORE odd than normal)...so I'll focus on the canine students :) If you like this and want more stories of students, please comment! I never know what everyone wants to hear about! :)

I decided I wanted to highlight some of my "island of misfit toys" students...those dogs that when I met them, they were NOTHING like they are now. Whether they were dogs that the owners had trouble communicating with (many wanted to quit agility all together as they were not doing well and were frustrated beyond belief) or rescues with abuse/neglect issues, to "non traditional breeds". Many of these students had been given up on (human and canine) by other trainers...which I found sad, BUT...it lead them to me. And I am PLEASED AS PUNCH TO HAVE THEM!!!! :) They work hard, they are patient and they realize that their dogs are very smart, very talented, and just because their pups don't fit into the box of "a border collie" or "traditional toy driven dog" they can still play agility!

I'm gonna start with two dogs with the same handler :) First off Bug. I have talked about Bug before...when I first met Bug, she growled at me, and wouldn't come near me. She was dog and people aggressive...she was anxious and reactive. But Bug had a spark...her owner started agility just to build confidence, but I knew after meeting the two of them...they would go farther than that :)

Bug had some serious fears to overcome, she hated the teeter...but she learned to love it. She is now a complete social butterfly, on occasion going to visit people during her runs.

Bug doesn't know a stranger at this point :) She is social, confident, and HAPPY. She and her owner are becoming a great team, and are already competing in Masters in several classes! No doubt this team has a great future far beyond "just building confidence". They are a joy to watch and Bug is honestly one of the most engaging dogs I have ever met!

This is what Bug does when her owner is walking courses...so damn funny and I just ADORE this dog!! I wish I had video of the first day I met her! She is NOTHING like she is now. What a HUGE turn around!!!! :)

Her "sister" Roxie is also just as amazing as far as I am concerned. Roxie was a puppy mill rescue--most likely a breeding dog. Roxie was scared of EVERYTHING. And to this day I cannot touch her very easily. Roxie came to her owner with sores, severe skin conditions and had never been out of a wire cage. She was terrified of life. That even included her owner in the beginning...

After seeing how well Bug reacted to agility, she figured that it would help Roxie as well. So Roxie started coming along to lessons, at first just eating food was a huge thing! She was terrified of ALL THINGS...jumps, tunnels, EVERYTHING...BUT...

As you can see...she has really come a VERY LONG WAY. She was absolutely scared to death of the teeter and the chute...and each and every week she made leaps and bounds! Confidence increased and now she even goes off course to do the teeter or chute now!!
She is now started trialing...and she is trying to learn that the trial world isn't scary...but just like everything else with Roxie, it will take time and patience and lots of love. But she has blossomed. She now loves people and enjoys being petted :) LOVES agility, as long as she knows where she is :) And I do believe that with time she is going to be an awesome little trial dog!

Dogs like this just make my heart sing :) I love how dogs can forget and forgive, how they can live in the moment, and in turn make us better people by working hard to be in the moment with them :) They are the epitome of trust, and when I see a dog blossom and grow in confidence and happiness, it is honestly the most rewarding thing I can witness!!!! :)

I love my students, I love teaching and these dogs make it so worth while!!! :)

Now onto regular programming...with crate trained Vittles :)

And lazy dogs...LOTS OF LAZY DOGS :)

Yo Even...it's a lot cooler if your head isn't under the covers...

Abused...all abused...SAD...

A Break...

2011-12-28T11:21:00.005-06:00

The Holidays are always super busy around here...with families far away, shopping for presents (NOT MY IDEA OF FUN!!!) and all the other stuff that goes along with it. So I took a break from blogging to try to enjoy all those moments :)

So what have I been up to? Well...I baked a LOT of cookies...

And ate a lot of cookies....sigh...ugh...

There was NO DOG TRAINING...so the dogs slept...

And slept...

And slept some more...

And then laid around....a LOT....

And then slept even more...

Even is beaten....daily...physical abuse...it's sad...

They were pretty much useless...as was I :)

A ton of sleeping, and no training....resulted in a bit of an issue...Gator decided to letme know that I was neglecting my duties...by eating my blinds while I worked Lynn...

Cause he's an ass...not really, he's an under exercised Border Collie...my bad. So I had to get back into reality...

Back to walks, back to training, back to working dogs :) They all appreciated it :)

OH...can't forget the drinking...there was a good amount of alcohol consumed...prior to Christmas anyway :)

YUMMMMMMM

My Christmas ended up very different than any other year this time. The plan was to head home to Missouri, to see family and enjoy the holidays. Sadly, I got VERY sick the day we were supposed to leave. I told the husband to head home and enjoy family as I feel that is what Christmas is about. After some convincing, he did, though not happily. I stayed behind, and lived vicariously through him :) A dear friend let me borrow their family for Christmas day and I had a very very good time :) I am very blessed!! It really was a great Christmas!!!

I got some super fun presents too!!!! I mean seriously...

Life is good with a GUITAR ON IT?!??!? AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And THE CUTEST MITTENS EVER!!!!!

AND HAND MADE!! WOW!! IMPRESSED!!!!

Now...to get back on track...dog training...fitness goals (I need to get back on the wagon!!!!) healthy eating, etc etc...

I hope you all had a great Holiday! I hope your hearts were filled with love and happiness! I am looking forward to 2012! New goals, new challenges, a new year!!!

CHRISTMAS!!!!! And Sleepy...Or Vice Versa Actually :-)

2011-12-12T08:37:00.006-06:00

There's a lot of Christmas in this post...but lets start off with my "sleepy puppy" post...it all started with a blog post by Denise Fenzi A brilliant post. And one that I will keep forever. I get students that want to push their dogs...I try to tell them it doesn't work so well with every dog. And I think they look at my dogs and say to themselves "well YOUR dogs..."

Yes? My dogs what? At the time you see them they may be running their asses off, they may be very motivated. They also, in the past, yesterday, a year ago, whatever, have gone through challenges.

ALL OF MY DOGS HAVE HAD CHALLENGES. PERIOD. There is no perfect dog...I will say that a million times more.

For me personally...part of the fun of dog training is being able to communicate with an animal that doesn't speak English. Figuring things out...working on yourself as a person to break through barriers of communication and when it happens, it's SUPER rewarding! I know, somehow, I will get it figured out...that is where the breakdown occurs. I think people worry they won't get something figured out. So they tend to panic, or ask EVERYONE they know what the answer is. They get all sorts of opinions, quick fixes (which usually don't work FYI) and more confusion.

Many people get frustrated at this...my advice for those of you is, STOP, OBSERVE and THINK.

YOU KNOW YOUR DOG...ONLY YOU

YOUR DOG IS A REFLECTION OF YOU AS A TRAINER--I don't care if you have a million excuses, if you ACKNOWLEDGE this ONE thing...you will stop making excuses, and start really understanding your dog.

STOP doing what you are currently doing that isn't working (definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results). If you do the same thing over and over again, and your dog isn't getting it...you will frustrate your dog and yourself. Confusion, shutting down, worry, over the top behaviors (spinning, biting, etc etc)...you name it. That is your dog telling you they don't understand. SO STOP. Just stop. Put the clicker down, put the toy down, put the food away and just STOP. Yes...I know, it's tough. But just do it. The more you do this, the easier it gets.

OBSERVE: Watch your dog, it's amazing how people really don't watch their dogs. They SEE them doing things...but do they REALLY watch them? Watch each stride, watch their eyes, look for tension in their bodies when they are working, confidence etc etc. What EXACTLY, are they doing, are they stressed, are they tired, are they sick, are they happy, body language (if you don't know your dogs, get a book and STUDY it--seriously). EXAMINE YOUR DOG LIKE THEY ARE UNDER A MICROSCOPE...

THINK: Get away from the training, go find a place you can just brainstorm...get a pen and a piece of paper and start writing...don't worry about flow, or anything, just your thoughts that come to you. Write them down, don't look at the paper or try to connect things...just write down what you think.

THEN look...think through stuff in your mind. Solutions will come to you...

Sometimes the best solution is to just let things happen.

Insert sleepy puppies...

Lynn :) I've actually had 2 sleepy puppies...Lynn and Gator...if you have been reading my blog long enough...you have seen how Lynn has developed.

But lets start with Gator. I'd say he has been a very successful little man. He's a hard worker, listens, gives 200% and I absolutely ADORE him. BUT...

He was a pretty dumpy dude until he was easily 11 months old. No training for him at ALL before that. We just played and played and played. I saw others pups and soooo wanted them over my boy. On sheep he was worried, cautious, would actually leave if ANY pressure was applied. I didn't actually put him back on sheep until he was almost 3 years old. At that age, the dog would work ANYTHING...he is one hell of a strong dog, will grip with no hesitation when asked...absolutely lovely!!!! I think if I would have pushed him on stock that would have ruined him. I'm very glad I didn't. He matured...he learned...I learned and now, well I doubt anyone would say he's a dud ;-)

Lynn was far more challenging...because she didn't SHOW in the beginning that she was going to be sleepy. She started out fast and furious as a baby...soaking up EVERYTHING I gave her!! I trained her, and she loved it...then a wall. Her maturity wasn't keeping up with what I wanted from her. Things broke down some...I stopped and did a lot of thinking...and rethinking...and MORE rethinking...while I did that, Lynn just did dog things. Played with me. No expectations.

Now? Due to patience on my part, and really working on how I communicate with her, she's a lovely little dog. I am enjoying her so very very much!!!!!!

Maturity was her friend, and she taught me to be patient and follow strictly the rules I mentioned above about how to work through problems. She taught me to bend things, to let things go. Perfection is NOT the goal.

LEARN TO READ YOUR DOG

If any of you ever get to go to a herding clinic (thinking border collie style training here)...GO...AUDIT...LEARN. I'm dead serious. These people have to read animals EXTREMELY WELL to do what they do. And I think that you will all come back with a different view of dog training and communication in general.

I don't really think of my dogs in regards to labels...such as sleepy puppy, over the top, etc etc. Though when talking with people those words are useful to describe them. My dogs just are who they are. I work really hard on ME to not have expectations, to not think this dog is going to be THE NEXT BEST THING EVER. Maybe that holds me back as a trainer, I'm not sure, I've never won USDAA Nationals. But for ME, what I do with my dogs is because I enjoy my dogs (not saying those that win don't! Just talking about ME here). I might not appreciate a certain behavior or lack of talent in a dog, but I don't JUDGE the dog. Judging doesn't accomplish anything for me as a trainer.

So...for those who worry that when I say "Let Things Be"...I really mean it, and I really understand the frustration you have...and it WILL HELP :) I promise!

OK...that's about all the serious-ness---CHRISTMAS IS COMING!!!!!!!!!!!

Loretta seriously spazzes this time of the year...SERIOUSLY. I love Christmas--ok, minus shopping for presents (can you say AMAZON.COM??) but everything else about the holiday is COMPLETE AND TOTAL AWESOMENESS...

So my house gets decked out...I just can't help myself...

Stockings for everyone (yes we do fill them with stuff too...I know...shake your heads, I don't care :)...

Poinsettias--where puppies can't get to them...LOVE the red.

Did I mention I love red??

And alcohol...I love alcohol too :-)

I just love the colors, the lights, and the fact that I can have GLITTER crap EVERYWHERE...TEE HEE! The dogs have glitter on them, so does the husband, he probably hates me for it...whatever ;-) Crackers looks super cook with red glitter...party boy ;-)

And of course, with Christmas, COMES THE ANNUAL PUPPY CHRISTMAS PICTURE!!!!!!!! YAYAYAYAYAAYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

Awwwww shit....really!!?!?!?!?!?!

You gotta be kidding me...

I ate 17 gallons of sheep shit today...I don't feel so good...

GREAT! That means he'll not look like a drug mule that has a load of cocaine that just burst in his colon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!! Sick is GOOD for Christmas photo with Crackers...

(in reality, the barfing on my couch, ON KLINK, and on the kitchen floor was what I got as revenge--I earned it I guess).

NO...I'm sleeping...see? SLEEPING...Yep...No Takey Picture...

I'm old, Kiss my ass. I refuse to do photos...if you try to make me, I'll roll over, act like a corpse, and everyone will think you tried to beat me right before the photo. Screw merriment...I've taken that damn photo for like 10 years. I IS RETIRED. Ass...but you have earned it Acer Pup :) I'll just keep telling everyoe "NO Ace is not gone...he's still here! He just hates pictures"...Cause I love ya dude :)

PICTURES!!?!??!? DID YOU SAY PICTURES!?!?!?!??! I AM SOOOOOOO IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CAN I HAVE MY PICTURE WITH THE GIANT FUZZY SQUEAKY BALL!?!??!?! I'LL JUST BE THE ONLY DOG!!!! THEY DON'T WANNA....ME ME ME ME ME!!!!!!!!!!!

Shut up Zip, yes...we are taking the photo...

Maybe if we distract her...with shiny things...

Crap...

Puppies under the tree!!!!!!!!!!!! No sedatives!!!!! YAY!

So not all of them were happy...and Crackers kept letting off a green cloud of sheep shit gas that about made all of us hurl...but did it...

Oh yeah...and this is why I did that with them...because Lynn has NO hair. Where is it? On my carpet, on my furniture, EVERYWHERE. Gotta love intact girls... :)

So after lots of pictures...I got one that would work :)

TA DA!!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!!!!

I hope you all have tons of holiday spirit in your hearts!!!

Tell Me Thursday...

2011-12-08T23:41:00.006-06:00

Tell Me Thursday!!!! :)

What are your plans for the holiday season:

We are loading up the swagger wagon and heading back to Missouri! WOO HOO!!! I'm going to try to give myself a heart attack or mental breakdown. Yes all 7 dogs are going...Yes we will be taking them into someone else's house...NO I don't have medication for all of us. I don't wanna

talk about it.

Do You Decorate? If so what have you done so far?

HA! Ummmm, yes...I do decorate...LOTS...inside anyway...outside no...I hate the cold, I hate heights...that would require both...nope!

3.a. Favorite recent dog photo?

Meeee....AND Myyy SHAAAAAAAAAADOOOOOOWWW!

b. Photo that shows your mood today?

This could be the photo for most of the winter actually :-)

4. There's been a discussion on the BC Boards about "don't train for the novice classes...just train for open and the rest will fall into place." What are your thoughts on this?

I don't read the BC Boards hardly ever...too much political, yadda, yadda yadda going on...annoys me. But...yes, I train my dogs for the highest levels...however if the dog can't compete at the highest level, just be happy with what they can do :)

5. What are your top five cannot-do-without-them dog items?

Crates---I have a TON of them...much more than 2 per dog...it's ridiculous...

Back On Track Beds---LOVE THEM! They keep the dogs from getting stiff and are super comfy to sleep on! I know! I totally have!!!!

Boomerang Collar Tags--LOVE THEM...and NO JINGLING!!!!! I hate jingling!

Flat back water bowls for crates and zip ties to keep them from making noise (noise is an issue for me! Can ya tell!?!?)

Lynn :) Just Lynn...

2011-11-29T16:02:00.003-06:00

Beautiful day, lots of sun...Just a whole lotta Lynn :)

It's hard being a Diva :)

I Hate It When...

2011-11-22T14:52:00.005-06:00

My puppers are sick :-((

Even and Crackers both caught a bug from somewhere...

I can't help myself...that freaky maternal instinct that is completely absent when I look at human children, rears it's weirdo head and I just have a severe need to take care of them...

Kiss their wittle noses (not really...they both puked...I'm not THAT maternal!)

And their little feets (again...not really...I know where their feet have been)...but I still have the urge.

I just fight it...the germ freak in me keeps those urges at bay...

So I just let them crash on the bed...cause that's what I do when I'm sick...

They seem to appreciate the Serta...both of them have been huddled together like this all day...

They both are improving...I tend to not get too worried about tummy troubles, but still...I want my puppers healthy and happy!

Well...get that damn camera out of my face and I'll get better faster!!!

Yeah...what she said...

Fine...I'll leave you two alone to relax and get better...

Maybe I'll lay here with you...

Yep...I think I will...

:-)

My new friend...I COOKED SOMETHING...and snow..and puppies...and...

2011-11-20T21:11:00.016-06:00

I would like to introduce all of you to my new bestest friend EVER :) Blog readers...meet my new heated jacket.

This thing is the most amazing thing I have ever purchased...it's battery operated...and the thing REALLY WORKS! It keeps me very warm, and I am super duper happy now! Why I didn't get one when I first moved up here is beyond me. I think everyone needs one...it would make people less cranky ;-)

Onto something a little less exciting...I COOKED FOOD, LIKE FOR REELZ!!!!

And I have photo proof of it...no one died, no one got explosive diarrhea. Life is good :) The husband loved it, it was FREAKING AWESOME TASTING...and I didn't burn anything...thank you Mia for the recipe!!! Here's what Mia said about it:Super easy and if you call it "Casserole de Poulet au Riz" it sounds fancy. Actually a very simple recipe from Pierre Franey's classic book: 60 Minute Gourmet and virtually bomb-proof.

The key to Loretta not messing up cooking? A TIMER...my severe problem with being distracted by all things SHINY can be thwarted (did she just say THWARTED!?!?!) by the timer :) Score 1 for Loretta!!!! I ROCK!!!!!!

Ingredients:

2 split chicken breasts (4 pieces about 2 lbs)salt and pepper
2 Tbs butter
1 tsp chopped garlic
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/3 cup fresh mushrooms slice or quartered
1 bay leaf
1/2 cup white wine
3/4 cup raw rice
1 1/2 cups chicken broth< Salt and pepper chicken, heat up butter in large skillet and add chicken skin side down, cook until brown (apprx 5 minutes) and turn.

Butter + Chicken is YUMMY SMELLING!!!!

Scatter onion, garlic, mushrooms and bay leaf (no idea what a bay leaf does for a recipe, didn;t seem like it was doing any sort of amazing ninja stuff in the pan...but I bet it would have tasted funny without it!) between chicken and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add wine and cook until mostly evaporated, stirring occasionally.

The best thing EVER about cooking

Or two glasses....or three glasses...or 3/4 of the bottle...why I've never cooked before is SO BEYOND ME...WTF!?!?!? COOKING ROCKS!!!!!!

Add rice and chicken broth making sure rice is not on top of chicken

Cover and cook for about 20 minutes. Set a timer so you don't forget it...and do laundry or something super boring so you don't get distracted and not hear the timer going off. Better yet, keep a timer ON YOU...that helps :)

I take this opportunity to see that my wine glass has become EMPTY!!!! OMG!!!!!!!!!! NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING!

So instead of having to pour and pour and pour more wine (you can down a lot of wine during 20 minutes!!!) I just decided to drink out of the bottle like a college freshman...much easier!

What were we doing? Cleaning? Planning a trip to Aruba? Did I win the lottery? How did I end up on the floor...wait...whaaaaaa?? Oh YEAH!! COOKING!!!!

So after the timer goes off, you have THIS!! Yummy chicken goodness (don't eat the bay leaf though...take that bugger out!!)...

The husband and I are still alive post-lunch...so I think we are safe :)

In other news...GUESS WHAT KIDS!?!? MINNESOTA has SNOW...INSANITY HUH!??! Yep.

The Full Tilt crew thinks it rocks...

Which is good because we have a crapload more days like this!!!!

It's tough being sad about winter when you are surrounded by this energy, this love of life and all things!

OK...so maybe Zip got a little cold...oops.

She just needed to run a little more :)

Even never gets cold...imagine that...

She's either stealing all toys from everyone...

Or running around like a complete psycho!

Gator and Zip enjoying a good tug session...Lynn apparently being the referee!

It's tough work playing in the snow...and being super cute :)

Or waiting in lines...for no reason....!?!??!!

INCOMING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh look! Even's still spazzing!!!!

WEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!

We're running!!!!!!!!!!!

There's so much going on in this picture I think I'll let it speak for itself :)

The first snow of the year they are always the craziest...it's a solid hour of insanity....

OK...maybe not that particular picture of Lynn...my bad...

How about this one? Insanity??

This one isn't showing insanity either...they really were insane...

THERE WE GO! INSANITY! LEAVE IT TO EVEN!!!

The Stink...with her usual "snow face" :)

MORE INSANITY...I am not sure exactly what's happening here...

But it involved Even Steven...so I'm sure it was something that nearly killed someone...

See...chaos...but controlled...

Insert Even...

They all get that psycho look in their eyes...

What PSYCHO LOOK!?!???!?! Asks Lynn...

THIS ONE...look familiar??

How about this one???

Oh yeah...silly me...

Crackers...why bother tugging...you weigh 9 pounds...you're not gonna win...

AND...the MOST AMAZING THING EVER! A PICTURE OF ACE THAT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE I JUST BEAT HIM WITH A TIRE IRON!!!!!!!

Hey OLD MAN!!!! :)

Well settle in folks....we've got like 6 months of this crap...might as well enjoy it...or something like that...

HEY! How ya been??

2011-11-14T18:09:00.008-06:00

I'm busy, can you tell? Busy with work, life, family, dogs, yadda yadda yadda...but, I figured, I had some time so I'll post :)

First off...CUTEST HAT EVER...I'm gonna wear it skiing this winter!!!!!

My student who has a blog and an Tibetan terrier gave me this!! HOW FREAKING CUTE?!?!?!?!?! It's a border collie hat AND IT'S PINK!!!!! OMG!!!!!!! You could buy me ANYTHING pink...and I'd love it...seriously. Try me. My me some pink shit...I'll love you :) I really am THAT EASY...

I've been doing lots of thinking about things, dog training...life...etc etc...

So have my dogs...

Or maybe that's just the look they give me when they're tired of listening...crap...

Either way...we are all pondering...I ponder about important things...like, what kind of Yankee candle do I want to burn in my house today, or...how much flannel should a person really own, or what the hell did I just step in that's wet?

My dogs...they ponder about eating dead things, barfing them up in my kitchen so I step in it with sock covered feet...or they lick themselves all day...why? Because they can. That's why...yep, simple as that.

Why am I pondering life, candles, flannel etc? Because winter is coming and I'm getting bored already.

One of the things I have added to the "don't be bored this winter" is going and watching local bands...great music...and the people watching is OMG AMAZING!! Just last weekend I went out and there appeared to be a woman, dancing by herself...on some illegal drug...she was just fascinating...whatever she was on, I think it was a very bad batch.

I got hit on by some old dudes, danced a lot...and for the FIRST TIME EVER! Played pull tabs. Which is apparently a Minnesota tradition...or something. People play them a lot. It's like scratchers tickets...but you pull instead of scratch (HA! Ohhhh the things that just went through my head! HEEEEE HEEEEE!!!!). So...I figured, why not? My friend and I got some and we ended up winning $250! HOLY SHIT!!! MONEY! It rocked! Pull tabs are sort of fun! YEAH BABY!!!

I was disappointed in the lack of mullets in the crowd, but that was balanced out by the number of really scary men there...as in, if they started towards our table we would grab our coats and totally say very loudly "MAN I GOTTA PISS LIKE A RACEHORSE"...thinking that would be a deterrent...not so much. Nope...but at least hiding out in the women's bathroom kept us safe...kinda :) Men are weird...some are REALLY weird. Add booze and pull tabs to the really weird ones and you get just downright entertaining...WOW. That's all I can say...WOW. Loretta....speechless? Never happens....until now :)

But it's fun. I was the designated driver (funny how people are willing to trust me with their lives? WTF?? Would YOU after reading my blog? I didn't think so!)...maybe they haven't read my blog. I digress...but I had fun...I sucked helium out of the balloons on the table (someone's birthday apparently...probably pissed them off sucking all the balloons dry)...but I needed a hit o something...so talking in a chipmunk voice for a short period of time made me a happy camper. Yes...I sang the "HOOLA HOOOOOOP" song...totally. I was one of the normal ones...that's the beauty of these situations...you gotta do some really crazy shit to be deemed odd. Just sayin'.

BUT...I needed this tutorial this past weekend...would have been REALLY HANDY.

I'm going to try this the next time I'm out...dudes rubbin' up on me....ewwwwwwwww. No thanks.

Thank goodness I have my guitar....which by the way I am getting better at playing...adding new songs all the time...can I totally rock them all out yet? Hell no! LMAO!!!! YOU FUNNY!! But it's a great challenge :) And I don't sound like a dying cat when playing it anymore...so I'm gonna call that improvement!

Otherwise...life is good!

My sheep should be all sexed up now...they better be preggers!!!! I wish they had little +'s or -'s on their butts so I could just check at a glance...wouldn't that be handy?!??!!

On another note...I am going to attempt a feat that I may possibly fail at, but I'm going to attempt it anyway. COOKING...DA DA DA DUMMMMMM...I'm going to cook one new recipe/meal each week. Most of them will probably end up like this:

But I'm gonna try my ass off!!! You might say "Loretta? It's JUST COOKING"...yeah, well I can f*ck up Jello people!! JELLO. Yeah...so this might be something that could turn into a mega-huge-disastrous-nuclear bomb of a clusterf*ck....

And my poor husband and friends will be subjected to it. Thanks friends...the husband is legally bound to eat the shit I cook. (isn't it funny I block out F*ck with an * but shit can stand alone...irony...) But my friends, well, they're gonna have that friendship tried. I hope no one gets e.coli, projectile vomiting, or dies...

I'm not eating any of that crap you cook woman...AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN!!!!!!!

So other than guitar...and cooking...and snowblowing...I'll just have all winter to mess with my dogs heads...ever do that? Sure...I could...like...TRAIN THEM...but really? What's the fun in that? I prefer to just mess with them a little here and there, keeps them on their toes :)

They seem all content with life...then I do crap to mess with their wee little minds...that's the beauty of pets...no one will turn you in for things like that. Kids? I'm sure somebody would turn me into child services and I'd have some crazy ass visitor coming to my house, telling me I can't crate my 3 year old or something...WHY NOT? Soft sided crates are EXACTLY like kid play pens...seriously... ANYWAY...

So I like to mess with them...like...I'll make a weird noise...

HOLY SHIT!?!??! WTF WAS THAT!?!??!?!

OMG!!!?!??! IT'S GONNA GET US!!!! WHERE IS IT COMING FROM!???!!

Waaaaaiiiiiittttttt...you're f*cking with me aren't you...

Kiss my ass...really...

And...because dogs are not the brightest crayons in the box...I do it again...

And again...

Because it's funny...and they fall for it...and it's cold and I'm bored. Why I have dogs really...because I'm bored and I didn't want a human spawn of my own...

There's seriously something wrong with you...seriously...

Maybe Zip's right...but clinically I'm normal. I've had the tests...funny they deemed me normal really...

I suppose since this is a dog blog, I should discuss training or something like that...I did train the dogs this week...we did stuff...yep. And I rewarded what they did right, and I threatened them with poisoned dart guns when they did something wrong. They all did great...apparently dart guns are the way to go!! No trials planned for like, EVER. At least until 2012. Then I suppose I need to get everyone Q'd up for Nationals...which is in Colorado...which I am not 100% sure I will be going to...but I'm sure I'll change my mind :)

YEAH! Aren't ya glad you read all this crap?!?!? :)

Tell Me Thursday! On Friday! Oh well!

2011-11-04T09:39:00.002-05:00

I was busy...so sue me :)

1. What are you thankful for this week?

I'm thankful for good friends...without them, I'm not sure what I would do!!!!! I'm thankful for Bacon, yes bacon, I love it's yummy goodness. I'm thankful my building so I don't have to stand in the rain/wind/snow this winter.

2. How do you deal with a sqeaker/shrieker/noisy dog?

Beat them...just kidding :) I try not to let them develop into that to begin with. I usually just tell them to knock it off...and reward for being quiet. Does it always work...nope...do my dogs bark when I am running another dog, yes. How do I stop that? Not sure...I've given up :)

3. Barbara wants to know: what would you say is ONE skill or attribute needed to be successful?

NOT AFRAID OF FAILURE---laugh at yourself, realize you're gonna suck sometimes, and learn from failure. Failure is JUST FEEDBACK. Move on, try harder and don't be afraid of falling on your face. It's gonna happen. That's OK :)

4. Pippin wants to know: what are your favorite games?

Games....um...well, I play the Wii...not into board games much...cards...ehhhhh it's ok...probably Paintball is my favorite game, fast, lots of action and you can cause pain :) Mwahahahahahaha!!!!

5. What are some of your strategies for dealing with winter?

HAHAHAHA!!!!!!! What DON'T I do?!?!?!

Lets see...heater in bathroom when I am showering, electric blankets are like tribbles on Star Trek...they're everywhere...I wish they would breed honestly. I can always use more because, believe it or not, I burn out at least one blanket each winter. LAYERS upon LAYERS of clothing...always. I wish we had a fireplace...damn.

Lots of hot tea (I hate coffee)...LOTS OF HOT TEA. And my newest thing? A heated jacket...has a rechargeable battery....it's LOVELY. I want a full heated body suit now...

And of course....I just try not to go out in the cold if I can...I hate the cold!!!!!! YUCK!!!!!!!!!!!

But those things help me deal with it better :)

Why I Take So Many D*MN Pictures! :)

2011-11-03T12:43:00.004-05:00

Not sure why, but my laptop apparently doesn't have the ability to store millions of pictures that are 4 MB each...which is very annoying...HOWEVER...the fun thing about transferring and backing up photos...you realize you forgot some photos...same when I'm cleaning out my iPhone :)

I take so many pictures because it preserves that moment in time forever...you can remember the smells, the sounds by just looking at a photo...I love that :) I want life documented, so when I'm old and don't remember where I am and that my name isn't Ralph, I can still have some pretty things to look at :) Even IF I don't recognize what they are. My family can have those memories. Those little pieces of time, of my life. If they would even want them? Not sure :)

So I thought I'd share a few pictures I kinda forgot about :)

First off, from the KK clinic last summer...

I love freckles on Border Collie Muzzles...I have freckle envy...I want a dog with freckles someday.

Cool dog...shedding :) LOVE...PRETTY...

ATTACK OF THE KILLER CHICKENS!!!!!!

I'm grateful this wasn't a real chicken :) My chicken phobia apparently only extends to live chickens.

Stuffed, dead ones, in a store...isn't scary...I bet all of you are saying 'I am never going in public with that woman." Whatever...I have fun. You should too!! Screw what others think. Just my opinion of course! :) The chicken was not harmed...

How did I get so lucky??

I found a man that loves my dogs as much as I do :) Seriously...how did that happen? I don't know, I don't care, I just am happy I found him!!!!!

These next two made me grateful for all I have and ever will have.

Dylan...

Team Crackhead, Angie and Princess Dylan...Rocky Mountain Steeplechase Champions

What an amazing dog...what an amazing team. Dylan was an inspiration to everyone...that dog was just flat out F___ING AWESOME...

We all miss her...

So there you have it....

Why I take pictures, why I have external hard drives for all my millions of pictures...why my poor computer is bogged down. So full of memories...what a reason to be slow huh?

Take pictures, take videos, capture those memories. They're important, they're worth your time.

It's Real Now :)

2011-11-01T20:11:00.002-05:00

The barn has been sort of a dream for me...with Nationals happening, focusing on Andy and the World Team stuff...it was just sitting back there. But now...

It's REAL :) Equipment has been moved in, and I had my first day of teaching in the new barn.

It's GREAT having a place to train right outside of my door. I'll admit, during the summer I get pretty spoiled being able to walk outside and teach...driving was annoying and I'm happy I don't have to anymore :) Plus it gives my students and myself more flexibility for lesson times :)

I'm really happy with how the footing turned out, it's a sand/clay mix. And all the different dogs that ran on it today, NO one slipped, NO one had issues...it packs well, but is still soft....I love it. The students loved it. The dogs loved it.

I'll admit, I'm a footing snob, never have denied that, so I am just very happy that the footing we got passes my tastes :) The dogs all extended and collected with no issues, they run fast on it and I expect it not to take a ton of maintenance :)

Hard to believe I actually have MY OWN BARN...wow...that's all I can say. Sure, I'm going to miss teaching outside for the winter, but I'm happy to teach in the barn :) And it allows for so much more flexibility in training :) Just tonight, the husband and Crackers worked, he got home late, and normally that would mean no training...but instead, he went out and worked just a few minutes. That's going to be so nice :)

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh...Life Is Good :)

Good Things Come...

2011-10-26T11:21:00.005-05:00

To Those that MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!!!! :)

I don't believe in that "those who wait" crapola...if you want it, make it happen. Then those good things come...like cookies for example.

Cookies happen when you make them :) And do I love making cookies!!!

I don't bake with light ingredients...that is blasphemy...BAKING IS YUMMINESS!!!! DAMMIT!

Get all the dry ingredients together...

Then you add 3 cups of oats...which makes it a great arm workout...stirring that LAST bit is really tough...but sometimes that's how life is :)

Then all the sweet stuff :) Ya know...like butter, chocolate chips, sugar, and that heavenly stuff called "sweetened condensed milk"...lets all say that together SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK...that stuff is crack...not quite as impressive as Nutella...but damn...

Combine and bake...

And next time...remember to take a picture of the finished product BEFORE half of it is eaten...oops :)

Whatever...YUMMMMMMMM

And FINALLY...THE BARN IS DONE!!! AS IN DONE DONE DONE!!!!

I feel like I gave birth to this baby...it's taken a very long time (ok like 18 months total...I don't have patience)....to get the damn thing built....footing went in yesterday and I LOVE IT!!!

All this space ;) Now time for all the equipment...anyone wanna help me move?

I love the footing...packs well, but softer...we will be adding salt to hold moisture in...but I love the footing....its awesome! I am a footing snob. Bad footing equals injured dogs. YUCK. So I'm so happy!

Good things come to those who choose to take the first step :)

Passion and Balance

2011-10-25T19:46:00.007-05:00

Passion--(from the Ancient Greek verb πάσχω (paskho) meaning to suffer) is a term applied to a very strong feeling about a person or thing. Passion is an intense emotion compelling feeling, enthusiasm, or desire for something.

The term is also often applied to a lovely or eager interest in or admiration for a proposal, cause, or activity or love--to a feeling of unusual excitement, enthusiasm or compelling emotion, a positive affinity or love, towards a subject, idea, person or object.

After USDAA Nationals, I always have a time where I reflect on the year, the good, the bad, the whatever...and think about the year, my life etc. This year was the first time, after Nationals, I haven't wanted to take a 8 week break from agility. I did things differently...and I think for ME, it paid off :)

I have many passions in life besides working dogs...nature, playing the guitar, photography, riding horses, friends etc etc....I decided this past summer that I needed to take a break from agility, to rekindle that passion I once felt for the sport. Training was getting old, I was losing that zest and drive to really work my dogs...in other words, I was just getting flat. I needed that break.

So I did it, I enjoyed discovering the state of Minnesota...something I refused to do for a long time. Why? Because I always hoped we would be moving. Once I accepted we were going to be here for the long haul, it made things change for me :) The things I have discovered this summer really have made living up here so much more fun, and my outlook towards winter a lot more pleasant (not saying I'm ECSTATIC...but I'm not dreading it :)

So I discovered the state more, I went fishing a LOT, I enjoyed being out on the lakes, riding jet ski's, hiking etc. Just enjoying the things I refused to see before. And you know what? This place is pretty darn special...

During this time, the dogs and I didn't do much agility...I just kept them in shape, did lots of hiking and let them enjoy being dogs. I didn't enter nearly as many trials, went out with friends more...and just took it all in.

With Minnesota only getting a few months of summer before the cold and snow hits, I realized that for ME personally...enjoying those warm months was paramount to my happiness up here. Taking some time off from that stuff, restored me, I was happy again and motivated. Life was good. The dogs seemed to feel the same way as well! I was worried that the breaks would affect their performance at USDAA Nationals, but they ran great. So I think the break was good for them too.

I think passion focused on ONE SINGLE thing is great at first, can be the driving force behind your commitment when things are not going as planned, when patience is required, when learning difficult things etc. After time sets in however...all that energy put into one focus can dwindle and that passion can go to the wayside...the "normal" sets in and you lose some of those feelings.

I think with everything in life, to maintain balance and that passion for things you love...one must distance themselves a bit. Taking a break from one focus and putting your energy into other things for awhile tends to put things back into balance. And the motivation comes back.

Which is why for me, as I ate my Chinese food last night...my fortune seemed like a good start for a bit of change:

I welcome change...well, most change :) I realized today, things need to be shaken up a bit again. My summer of fun and enjoyment were good for that time of my life. Now things need to get back into serious mode. Dogs to work, I need to get back really working out again--stayed in good shape, but after Nationals I realized more fitness is always better!!!

Time to refocus on things that need to be moved to the forefront of life and put those other things on the back burner. When the time comes, things will switch up again, and those things that I have lost passion for will come back into my life, and balance will happen again.

This way everything remains shiny and new! What do you do to put balance back in your life? How do you re-set your focus? Regain your passion?

OMG A POST!!!!!

2011-10-21T18:47:00.010-05:00

I know...hell has frozen over. Loretta has blogged again. Yeah yeah yeah. Hush :)

So...USDAA Nationals...what can I tell you about it.

Crackers was VERY ready to go. I however, wasn't really. I was kinda bummed, or just not motivated? I wasn't really looking forward to all the stress of that stuff. The people wigging out, the bathrooms that start off smelling of cleaning solutions and within hours let you know that there are some people that take agility WAY TOO SERIOUSLY and get "intestinal distress"...yeah. Add bad eating on top of that...good lord. I think everyone should get a Xanax at check in. I really do. I think it would help so many people...ANYWAY...there are so many things that I just wished I could block out. But I entered, and I was determined to not let others take my fun away! MWHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!

We stayed at a LOVELY hotel the first day of the journey. I thought it was great that we found this as we were packing up the next morning:

I thought it very nice that they left the condoms for someone to possibly use...I mean, if you wanted to protect yourself from STD's and pregnancy, why not just use the condoms you got from the ashtray, on top of the trash can? Save some money, save some time? Brilliant...NO? :)

So after leaving our amazing hotel...we ended up in Louisville, got all checked in, and we realized in our infinite wisdom, we didn't get crating spots (misunderstanding..oops!)...FIVE DOGS, no crating spot. Luckily they have a special name for those of us like myself and the husband, and they have a special amount of crating spots that they can put us in. Which actually worked out GREAT! We had some awesome neighbors (one of which was a gal with a dog named Panic who has a blog and trained him with running contacts...very nice gal!)...these neighbors had lots of food and liked to share. How FREAKING AWESOME IS THAT?!?!!?!

So the dogs were ready to rock in roll...well AFTER their massages :)

Kristen with For The Love Of Dogs came down to watch the USDAA Nationals and took care of the Full Tilt crew all weekend...she's awesome, she gave 500% and I believe my dogs ran really good because of all the work they got. THANK YOU CHICKIE!!!!!!!

Everyone else ran some Play It Again course...I just went hiking. Felt like putting off responsibility another day :)

The dogs agreed with me :)

So it began...we were in Group A, which, as I am oblivious to many things, is the WORLD TEAM WANNABE GROUP (insert da da da DUM music)...ok...well whatever. I'm not one of those folks (just married to one) so I'll just go inside my happy bubble of ipod music :)

I decided after the first day of walking and running...that I was going to download and put the song "Camel Toe" on my ipod...seriously. Please people...can we ALL WEAR APPROPRIATELY FITTING CLOTHING? Thanks...REALLY. For what it's worth, that song made walk-throughs (and actually most of the day) very fun. It had people laughing all over the grounds...I shared the happiness :)

Actually...I enjoyed Group A...people were super nice, no one was stressing, or freaking, or getting upset about walk throughs being delayed (had that for team gamblers...someone walked up to me and a friend OMG THIS ISN'T YOUR WALK THROUGH!!!!! IT'S OUUURRRRSSS!!!!---wow..O KAY)...everyone was just focused on their runs and their dogs. I liked that. It was nice :) I like that. I really really do. So put me in with the "world team wannabe's" all you want...it's a happy place there if you ask me :)

So how did the dogs do? I think personally THEY WERE AMAZING. But I'm biased :) I love them no matter what they do. So if they do even half assed, I'm a happy camper :) I still tear up when I get in the Finals, if I ever STOP doing that, I need to quit going!

Gator: His team ended up 18th out of 176 teams, he had one bar all weekend :) Thanks to Jennifer Rohling and Danger and Shelley Nichols and Mesa for teaming with us! GO COWABUNGA!!!

Team Standard--7th place

Team Jumpers--6th place

Steeplechase Semi-Finals 2nd place

Steeplechase Finals-7th place (lost run off for 6th)

Grand Prix Semi-Finals--5th or 6th I think? Can't remember

Grand Prix Finals--6th place

I was pleased with the boy. Really pleased. I would say neither of us love running in the Finals...its the lights, all the screaming etc. Grand Prix Finals was an interesting run! I got to obstacle 8 (the chute) and felt my groin pull...BAD. I almost lost Gator to the teeter after the chute, as you can hear me screaming his name...GOOD DOG. Another jolt of pain hit me at the 17 tunnel...OUCH...I finished...was off that leg, its healing now...but GAWD DID THAT HURT!!!! I was happy I got through it!!! So Gator got in all 3 finals. Whatta boy. WOW.

The Finals Ring :)

Klink--my naughty girl. I was also very proud of her! 2 bars all weekend, both MY FAULT.

I don't really remember her placements because she wasn't in the top 10 on most things due to her crap ass contacts (live and learn! I did and that's why Gator's are better! LMAO!)

Team Gamblers, Standard, Snooker--All clean, Jumpers one bar caused by me :-)

Steeplechase Semi-Finals--6th Place

Steeplechase Finals--12th I think? I pulled her off A-frame...oops!

GREAT Grand Prix Semi-Finals run but she took an off course tunnel at the VERY END. Oh well, I'm sure it was me.

To top off her week, Klink's team "Klink Flies Solo" with Diane Sanders and Jet and Jen Siegal and Solo, took 2nd place overall in team!!! We got on the podium!! YAY TEAM!!!!!!!!

Oh...and how fun is THIS? Deb with Ricky Roo (dog interviewing extraordinaire!!) made these cool signs!!!! THANKS DEB!!!!!

Now onto Team Crackhead!!!!!

What else can I say...I am very proud of my boys. Seriously...they work hard, I'm not easy on them...WOW.

Crackers: Team Standard 2nd

Team Jumpers 3rd

Team Snooker 1st

IHC Standard 2nd

Grand Prix Semi-Finals 3rd

IHC Jumpers 5th (2nd in points)

Grand Prix Finals--2nd

Team "Those DAM JACKS" 5th place!!!!!

Thanks to Megan Foster and Tommie and Katherine Elliot and Whim for teaming with Andy!!!!!!

AND...TEAM CRACKHEAD MADE THE WORLD TEAM!!!!!! SO EXCITED FOR THEM! We are heading to Fort Worth Y'all!!!! :) Congrats also to Daneen and Masher and Dana and Tangle! What a fun little dog team!!! Congrats to all the other World Team peeps too!!!!! WAY TO GO!

After all that, Crackers was finally done :)

As were Klink and Gator :)

Lynn sat on her ass all week...trying to beg food off me "MY LIFE SUCKS" was her motto this week...poor Lynn, no agility, no herding...

So then we began the trip home...staying in the "safe sex" hotel as we deemed it. Hey...it was clean, so sue me!

We were home about 30 minutes and we got this AWESOME delivery from our good friends Kelly and her pup Siren! HOW FUN IS THAT?!!?! THANK YOU KELLY!!!!!

Best things about Nationals? I got to team with my friends, which I LOVE DOING!!! My dogs ran well despite me, everyone from around the states I get to see ONLY at Nationals, the competition, the ice cream, the motivation to work harder, lose more weight, get faster, and keep with my thinking that agility is not my life, nor a life or death situation. Enjoy the fun, let go of the not so fun, and run with your dogs.

And then life returned to normal...

This is Honey Badger...our new ram...he got to go with the ladies this week...to have sheepy sex and make sheepy babies. He's ONE HAPPY BOY!!!!!!!!!!

He's pretty badass...

Watch him eat in slow motion...

Honey badger doesn't care...he doesn't give a shit...

And neither do I, as long as he does his ONE JOB IN LIFE, make babies. Go get those girls Honey Badger!!!!!

So the whole pack was reunited...

Apparently Crackers is too good now to be seen with the Border Collies...he wants his own picture--jack ass...

oooohhh, look at ME! I'm SPECIAL!!!!! OOOOOHHHHH!!! :)

Zip stayed at a friends house and terrorized her beardies for the week...I'd like to say the pack was happy to have her back, but they weren't. She's the play police and it had been a free for all since she left. Time for the smack down again. Sigh...

Gator went back to staring at me...ALL. THE. TIME...

Klink went back to being a pig...cause that's just what she is :)

Crackers has a new found hyper inflated ego...he will be seeking counseling...

Even is back to making retarded/insane/drug induced/whacked out/ facial expressions...

Lots of them...

As if it ever stopped...

They're coming to take me away hee hee, ha ha, to the funny farm, where life is beautiful all the time....

OK...this one's kinda normal??!?! Right????

Lynn's back to stealing all toys and making them hers...JUST LIKE HER MOTHER...

But honestly...I'm gonna gush a little bit...Crackers and the husband...wow...really? First dog, first time handler...3 years old (the dog, not the husband)...world team. WOW.

We are going to be taking some trips down to Dana Pike to work Andy on more stuff to get him ready for the competition...excited about the next several months!! WOO HOO!!

Oh..and this is for my students...students...what you will be looking at during your lessons for the next gazillion months of winter. Sigh. COME ON SPRING!

TA DA!!! A POST! :)

Lists, Lists and More Lists :)

2011-10-02T21:05:00.005-05:00

Countdown to Nationals begins...the dogs all got worked tonight, they did great. All the Foundations have been worked, and they seem to be running well :)

So the list of things "needed to work on" is getting less and less. A good place to be right before a big competition.

Zip thinks all the extra attention I'm giving them is bullshit. So here's her time in the spotlight :)

We have a new ram, Jello needed to go after he tried to kill me, oh like 10 times. Its a crappy picture, but you get the idea :)

We named him Honey Badger, cause he doesn't give a shit :) Super nice tempered ram, hoping he makes some nice babies too :) Check that off the list :)

Fall is here...this is the first year I am really enjoying it instead of freaking out about WINTER...da da da dummmmm...I love fall. So I'm just soaking it all up :)

One of my favorite holidays, Halloween...got my costume, got my location to party it up...thinking I'm all badass...then I get a photo of my nephew in HIS costume...

Damn...he wins. Freaking kid. How awesomely amazing is THIS? He won some costume contest...he is rocking that pirate costume man!!!!!!

Speaking of lists....Question for all of you...do you have a bucket list? I was thinking about that today...one of my things is to learn to play guitar, which I am well on my way. Weekly lessons and lots of practice. Good stuff :) If you do have a bucket list, I would LOVE to hear what you have on your list! I think it's always so much fun to see what others cherish in their lives!

Where the H*LL have YOU been??

2011-09-19T20:46:00.003-05:00

Um...not blogging? :)

I know I know, I'm a total slacker...I've been outside, like for the past 2 months. I'm one tan, relaxed and happy gal.

But fall is coming, and I'm trying not to panic...thinking of all the fun things winter has to offer (I have one thing on my list...so please help me if you have suggestions :)

But for now, I'm focusing on autumn...and my favorite part about autumn...

DAMN STRAIGHT...candy corn, high fructose corn syrup goodness. I buy many value bags, one can live on candy corn and pumpkins made of sugar. Just take your gummy vitamins...works for me, no weird twitching or scurvy to speak of...yet. If this crap could be frozen and kept, I would eat it year round...unfortunately, I tried this, it doesn't work, they taste funny. So..like peeps, Cadbury Creme Eggs and my mama's Christmas Carrot Cake...I wait for that time of the year. Freakin' annoying. But BOY IS IT YUMMY!!!!!!

I'm cooking...yes, hell froze over, and I need to adopt some children or something because I am cooking/baking HUGE amounts of food. If you want to come to my house, please invite yourself. Seriously...I can feed you, the husband travels and I can't eat 17 pounds of lasagna, but I feel compelled to cook it. I am also baking cookies...lots of them. Like daily...please, come eat all this damn food.

See?? Right lasagna right before going into the oven...YUMMMMMMMMMMM You want some right? And this is the real shit man, RICOTTA cheese, 4 cups of mozzarella, parmesan cheese, sauce and lots of meat...please come eat...I use butter too...in everything that requires it...call me Paula Dean :)

I went to the Minnesota State Fair--if you want to feel better about yourself, go there. Seriously. Self esteem will be at an ALL TIME HIGH. I figure I'm helping someone else's self esteem by being there, might as well get some thing back out of the deal :) I mainly went for the Dairy Cattle Show...yes as in MOO...

Look at the jugs on those girls!! :) I'll admit, I teared up a bit when I walked into the barn, I missed showing so very very much. I miss my cows, I miss all the people. It was fun watching the show, and I got my all time favorite food--COTTON CANDY. Yummmmm it was a great time spent people watching, cow watching and having fun with friends :)

And yes! I'm still married :)

Apparently if you don't go to a few trials with said husband, you are "in marriage trouble"... :) Nope...we are happily married, sure, I had a gun pointed at his heart so he would take this picture with me...but that's marriage right??!?!? Right ladies?!!?? ;-) AND YES, that is us bundled up to run agility...on Labor Day Weekend...ridiculous. I don't wanna talk about it.

Oh...I'm also drawing my pictures for the "got my ass kicked by a tunnel bag" story...don't fret, I'm working on it :)

I've also been hanging around these a lot...

I love Fire...Fire makes Loretta very happy. Fire plus hot chocolate spiked with Bailey's on a cool, fall evening? PERFECTION people...PERFECTION. Smores are good too...and playing guitar around a fire totally brings me back to my hippie days...oh wait...I'm not old enough for that...well whatever. Back to nature or some shit like that?

I've been training my dogs...not trialing, but training. It's been fun. We are working basics, got the 22" weave poles out so my dogs could go WTF LADY!?!?!?!! Yeah, I know dogs...we've been weaving 24" since USDAA Nationals last year, I know...sorry, here, have a frisbee and be happy about it (the beauty of dogs is that works!!!)...

We are working basics, collection, turns, collection, contacts, collection, weaves, collection. Did I mention collection??? Klink is planning to slit my wrists in my sleep, Gator just barks at me, Lynn does it perfectly and the rest of the dogs are plotting her death too...Crackers is getting trained I think...not sure? :)

I've been finding hilarious pink hats and taking pictures of myself with them...why? Because I can, is there another reason needed? I think not!

And Lynn decided to try to kill herself twice in about a matter of 2 minutes this weekend. Spending some time at a friends house, Lynn decided to go hang out at the bee hives on the property, and got stung a crapload...and not 1 minute later, she jumped right onto a cactus that was planted on the property...poor girl needed some thorns pulled out and some doses of Benedryl, and she hid under the table for the rest of the day, but she's safe.

Why my friend has bee hives and a cactus planted on the property...I'm not really sure. My friends are weird. I'm sure that doesn't surprise you :)

So...I'm gonna start posting again...I think :) At least you know I haven't died...winter will set in soon and you will have so many posts you'll wanna vomit :) I PROMISE!!!!

Tell Me Thursday #9 and a whole lotta Lynn! :)

2011-09-15T20:43:00.007-05:00

1. If you are not at the 2011 Sheepdog Finals this weekend, what are you planning to do?

I hopefully will be sitting in the middle of a lake, with no cell phone reception, fishing and enjoying relaxation :) I will however be checking results with my iphone, as there is reception where I am staying :)

2. ONE item you never walk onto the trial field (any trial field or training class will suffice) without?

Confidence...even if I don't know what the hell I'm doing, I make sure my dog THINKS I do :) KK says, "Be a Duck, that duck may be swimming for it's life under the water, but on top of the water it looks cool as can be."...so find your inner duck :) Or drink more...or both?

3. Katy wants to know if you have a pre-run ritual that you observe?

I will kiss my dogs...not sure why, they normal try to get away from me because they are either watching sheep and can't even figure out why I'm interacting with them at all, or they are tugging before going into the agility ring, which also shouldn't involve owner interaction. JUST DON'T TOUCH ME is their motto. So I kiss them...we all feel better after that :) I also have weird leash things, same dog same leash ALL THE TIME. Can't use a different leash on a different dog. YES, the world will come to an end. Don't even try it.

4. How old were you when you had your first real kiss?

Um...well, obviously it wasn't that memorable as I had to think a long time on this one...I THINK 13? That is a total guess...No idea really. Laura, I refuse to answer when I lost my virginity ;-)

5. Bonnie wants to know what you do for yard mud control in the winter?

LMAO!!! We have SNOW, LOTS OF SNOW. And its REALLY F-ING COLD, so there is no mud. When it thaws? We just walk them all in the fields around the property...and we wipe all paws off before coming in the house, sadly we also have off white carpeting (yes I know....idiots, but it was there when we bought the house)...so yes, every, single, time, dogs come in during the spring and fall, we wipe 28 paws. Annoying, but necessary.

Now, onto PICTURES!!! Lynn!!! :) Got a photo CD from Great Dane Photos :) LOVE!!! Thought I would share them! These are the first pics I have of Miss Stewart!!!! YAY!!!!

Love this! YEE-HAW!!!!!

Jumping the apex of the dog walk :)

And of the A-frame :)

My Lynn! What big eyes you have!!!!

TOUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (love her face in this one :)

I'm down, I'm down, don't wanna be but I'm down...

Lynn and I...me looking like I have 4 legs...freakin' awesome :)

Um Lynn, not how you're supposed to do the tunnel...

Communication! It happens...Occasionally... :)

As I lead out her ears go further and further to the sides of her head :)

Love this photo...love the drool, just wish the top of her head was there :( Oh well...still love it.

Getting ready to turn on the A-frame :)

So nice to have pictures of the crazy girlie!!!!!

Other news...lots...but no time to post, will work on that tomorrow :)

Tell Me Thursday #8 plus trial stuff! :)

2011-09-08T10:07:00.003-05:00

1. What is the biggest thing that grossed you out over the past week?
HA! Simple...was cutting up some apples, cut myself, saw my own blood, almost hurled all over the floor...then thought to myself, if I hurl, I have 7 dogs that are so f*cking gross they would eat it...and I almost hurled again. But I held it in...wrapped my finger in 78 layers of paper towel and left it like that for a few hours...yeah I know. I could cut a cow in half with a chainsaw...human blood? No...MY BLOOD? Double No.
2. What do you feed your dogs?
CRAP...you are supposed to feed them? Like EVERYDAY??? CRAP!!!!! I feed Nature's Variety Instinct Kibble (no grain)...my dogs don't do well on grain dogfoods. Crackers is on raw because it helps with his bad allergies. Most dogs are on lamb/beef, Gator is on Salmon and Crackers is on Rabbit. I feed what proteins work best for the dog. I used to feed raw, but with us traveling so much...just a pain.
3. If you could move anywhere, where would you live?
I LOVE Ireland...but I'm not sure...does the answer NOT MINNESOTA count? :-) Actually...MN in the summer can't be beat :) The winters suck...but summer ROCKS!
4. What is the funniest thought that occurred to you (or thing that happened to you) this week?
I got my ass kicked by an agility tunnel bag...I don't wanna talk about it OK? Thanks for bringing it up...REALLY. THANKS. Ass :)
5. If you couldn't have your breed of choice what would be next on your list?
I could swing two ways (cause I'm kinky like that)...one side--A Malinois--Love their drive, their intensity...LOVE them! Or...the lazy side...like some kind of low energy lazy dog...thinking a low drive pug...no expectations :) Just depends on my mood.
I'm enjoying this Tell me Thursday Stuff! Thanks LAURA!! FUN!!!!
Ok...now to trial stuff :) We loaded up the crew and went to the MAC USDAA trial. I'll admit it...I wasn't exactly excited about going...just kinda in that mood. But we went...I eventually got into it :) Had a bit of one bar issue with Gator and Klink and even with Crackers (VERY ODD)...and gladly having video I noticed they were slipping...a LOT :( So what do you do...just move forward and go on.
But other than that, the dogs ran really well, Gator picked up a Steeplechase and Grand Prix Q and his team ended up 3rd place in the DAM tournament :) So halfway to Q'd for Nationals :) YAY! Here are some highlights.

Crackers had another good weekend, but he did have a few bars, again...slippage :( Oh well. The huge brag was that he finished his ADCH-Bronze on Sunday :) Whatta good pupper! I am so proud of the husband and Crackers...makes me tear up at times watching them!!! So excited to see what they will do at USDAA Nationals this year :)

Lynn--this girl is growing up :) It was so much fun running her this weekend...if little things here and there, BUT...she picked up her first Standard leg, first Gamblers leg and ALL her runs were just lovely...which is a new thing :) I am in a new phase of the DW crapola...not worrying about the DW, and worrying about HANDLING...a good place to be, too bad it required me to lose a gorgeous standard Q to a refusal to show me. Oh well...live and learn :) She's getting faster, times were up there where I can compare, she's running solid times and she's still not giving me 100% of what she does at home...but it's happening. More GREAT teeters :)

I didn't put her in team, wanted to focus on getting older dogs Q'd up...but now, I'll probably be working on getting her on a team to get her DAM Q :)

Each trial is better and better. Very happy with Stewart!

Klinker was a good girl as well for the most part. She did have a few moments of "wow I haven't been trained in a LONG time"...oops :) But overall she was a good girl. She won jumpers both days, which always makes me smile as she was such a bar knocking crazy dog when she started :) Her team finished 2nd with the husband and Crackers :) It's fun teaming with the husband. A person might think that would be tough...but honestly, it's a lot of fun :)

So all in all, a good weekend, Sunday I felt more connected to the dogs, and now I am wanting to get back into training them :)

My barn is officially done...now to still figure out the footing...never ending...

It's feeling more and more like fall so I need to get on that. Not ready for summer to be over. Not one bit. But there will be another summer :) Right?? :)

Thursday again...

2011-09-01T20:51:00.003-05:00

YAY! Time to blog for the week :) I've been doing my best to avoid FB, email, cell phones, responsibility...ya---I like it! :) Quiet is best. Helps one clear their mind!

Going to USDAA trial this weekend...I'd rather be on the lake :) Is that bad? LOL My dogs seem to do find with little training...we shall see how that works for me this weekend :) YAY! :)

So...TELL ME THURSDAY!!!!!

1. What five things can't you live without?

Diet Coke

Clinique Lip Gloss

Daisy--my guitar :)

Chocolate

Mascara

2. How do you transport your dogs? This question suggested by several peeps.

We have a mini-van...we call it the SWAGGER WAGON. It fits our 7 dogs and the husband and I :) I'd like to say we are SUPA KEWL...but in reality...yeah, not so much :) Dogs are in crates. No loose dogs, they turn into projectile objects during a car crash...no thank you!

3. What role does obedience play in your training or running of your dog(s)?

They need to listen, but not be robots, I think robots are creepy...so no robot dogs. I like my dogs to think, make decisions and enjoy learning. Not just do only what they are told. Although having Zip knock off the counter surfing might be nice!!!!

4. At what point do you start putting commands on your dogs?

When they are doing the behavior well, if I can bet money they'll perform it, I'll start naming it.

5. Do you talk to strangers in elevators?

SURE! Why not, if they are carrying a bloody hatchet, maybe just a "Hi, how are ya?"...but I talk to anyone :) OK...well, maybe if it was a clown, NO...let me rephrase that....HELL NO. :)

Tell Me Thursday

2011-08-25T18:49:00.003-05:00

I decided to join in on Crooks and Crazies Tell Me Thursday :) It sounds fun and why not right?? Thanks Laura!!!
Ok. Questions for today:

1. How do you teach recalls to your dogs?
I use treats, puppy on leash starting out, recall command then treat. Build up a long schedule of reinforcement on that. Then, go off leash...build up more reinforcement...then when they have a solid concept of the requirements, I will start adding a correction when the pup doesn't respond. It is normally in the form of a verbal HEY! Followed by walking towards them, putting pressure on. I don't have to do it more than a few times. Once I have that...I start running them with the pack and do the same thing. Requiring a recall immediately. They get it due to all the previous training. I am a firm believer that a recall is a life saving situation and the dog MUST COME WHEN CALLED. End of story.
2. What is your favorite Restaurant or type of food? Clearly I have food on the brain much of the time.
My favorite type of food...Ice cream. I love LOVE LOVE ice cream. Restaurant...probably this Thai place in St. Cloud called Sawatdee...yummmm....or steak. I love steak. Or Red Lobster...I just love food...is that a problem?? :) My favorite "feel good" food is cotton candy...I LOVE COTTON CANDY. AHHHHHHHHH
3. What is your favorite interest outside of dogs/livestock/sports?
I love fishing and playing guitar. I find both of them super relaxing and just fun. Guitar is challenging and the fun thing about playing the guitar is, the progress I make has EVERYTHING to do with me, good or bad. The dog variable isn't an issue...it's refreshing to have something like that :) In fact was able to do my first jam session with another person playing...what a RUSH!!
4. Describe your path from where you started out to where you are now! (For example, how did you get from Novice to Open? How long did it take? Train dogs? Buy dogs? I'll take answers for any sort of discipline, or even how did you go from wild dog that didn't listen to well behaved dog - interpret this however you like.) This question was suggested by Pippin.
I started out with my old dog Ace, a rescue in 2003...we did obedience and agility. I then got Zip, who introduced me to herding and all the fun things that entailed...and then I got more dogs...all my dogs were raised as pups, Zip, Klink, Gator and Ace were all purchased. I bred Lynn and Even. There are so many little paths that have been apart of that...no idea where to even start :) Or end...so I'll just stop now :)
5. Is there a dog that you raised that, if you knew then what you know now, you would have raised them differently? Question posed by Jodi.

YES. If I had to do things over again, I would raise Zip differently. I raised her to think she was a princess and almost ALL with no correction. I wish I would have taught her as a pup to take correction, would have made training much easier and I had to learn the hard way on that. I think balanced training is the way to go, for me anyway...and I think if I would have known that, the rough patches Zip and I hit along the way wouldn't have happened :) But...she's 8 and listens most of the time :)
This is a fun little game!! :)

Yay for Breaks :)

2011-08-18T18:57:00.008-05:00

I'm gonna post a bunch of pictures of the flowers around our house, cause why? They make me happy :) And the damn things cost a lot of money. Flowers are expensive...just sayin'

WOW...it's already past the middle of August...summer has absolutely FLOWN by. And it's been a great one :)

This year I've made it a priority to enjoy summer, since here in Minnesota we only have a few months of lovely weather, then fall sets in (lovely as well, but not early as amazing as summer!) and then the dreaded winter...

Agility is being put on the back burner a bit for me--got the Byes I needed, Lynn didn't get Qualified, but I decided I didn't care to even try after all, will work on that next year...supporting the husband and Crackers through their quest for World Team is for sure very intense. They are doing well, not sure points wise how they are, though I'm sure the husband knows :) I'm just trying to prepare him the best I can as his coach and NOT his wife. It can be tough training your spouse, but I think we are finding a balance :)

I am however, enjoying time away from agility more and more...I'm loving all the things up here in Minnesota that we can do in the summer...I figure I can trial dogs in the winter more when there is little to do. So why not go fishing, play on the lake, jet ski, swim, enjoy the sun. THEN, when winter is here, we have 4 feet of snow on the ground, I'll train and trial :) Or so that's the plan.

I think when you make your hobby or passion your job, things have to change. Priorities have to be juggled around and sometimes one has to take a break from the thing they once had tons of passion for, to make them want that thing again. I LOVE teaching, love love love it, but the actual going to trials I am lagging a bit on. So right now, I've taken a few weeks off to enjoy hiking with the dogs, swimming the dogs and just enjoying summer. Just needed to recharge a bit.

So far so good :) Getting that itch to train again :) The dogs have enjoyed their break I think, not like I train a ton anyway, but training is training and trialing is stressful regardless of how much they enjoy it...the travel, etc etc.

It feels good to take a break from training and trialing. Now I can get back into getting the dogs ready for USDAA Nationals. Not sure I'm crazy about 6 days of Nationals...but that's how the cookie crumbles. It will be fun to see everyone and enjoy the great competition and fun courses.

So many amazing things have happened for me this year, opportunities that have sprung up, I feel very blessed. Positive thinking goes a long way :)

Granted...surrounded by beautiful flowers goes a long way in keeping a person positive...at least it does for me :)

I'm going to look at winter a different way this year, different than I have in the past. This summer I concentrated on really seeing the things in my life (dogs, real life, relationships etc) that were amazing. Instead of focusing on the things in life I wanted to change (wanting to move, wanting more land for more sheep, wanting a building, want want want)...When I opened my eyes and looked at the things I HAD, I realized that life is pretty damn amazing.

So this winter, my goal is to find things I love about winter, or at least things I can enjoy during the winter months. I'm going to look far and wide! And focus on all that good stuff...sounds pretty darn hippie-ish, but it really works! So SCREW you winter! I'm gonna enjoy you even if I lose a few fingers to frost bite! HA!!! I LAUGH AT YOU! HA!! Pointing....HAHA!

Remind me of this when it's 30 below zero OK? Cause I'm gonna need it.

On a completely different tangent (well kinda...I guess)...we have plums! I'm determined to get them before the damn birds do...

I think I can, I THINK I CAN!!!

I always wanted fruit trees where I lived...now, I've got them! YAY!!!

And when the barn was decided on...the husband had to move all our strawberry plants...he devised a way to contain them...a box...which, I suggested that might not be a great idea, considering Vittles is a kitty, and kitties crap in boxes.

Naw...Vittles won't---was his response...

Um YEAH...if the husband gives you strawberries, just pitch them...just sayin'. I've seen it happen...and what goes on in the strawberry box, STAYS in the strawberry box...

The lambs are ready to go...at anytime...Ernestine (remember her? The evil bottle lamb?) has been assimilated into the herd. She still enjoys coming to the fence to watch agility lessons, but she is for sure a sheep, a walking, SCREAMING, sheep :) Yay for Ernestine :)

Remember meth-head lambie?? Here she is grown up...she still looks like she's high on crack and is a very jumpy lamb...great for making the dogs cover...love her!

Fall will be here sooner than later, leaves will change, pumpkins, saying goodbye to lambs, USDAA Nationals...but this year, I'll have my barn :) My VERY OWN barn...pinch me. No really...I think I'm dreaming.

We interrupt this blog post for a note from Bug:

THROW THE BALL BEOOOTCH!!!!

Speaking of the barn!!! I've gotten used to random shit showing up in my yard!! No Xanax required! My brain has realized my yard will return to it's former glory and this is just a weird, disfunctional, totally f---ed up summer of Christmas'...I go to sleep and wake up to...

GIANT SHEETS OF METAL!!!! Jumping up and down!!! YIPPEE!!! Clapping!!! Happiness!! YAY!!!!!!!!!

Men all come out and I am all excited about watching my barn turn into a barn...oops...apparently no screws or nails...OKAY....so slow going this am. BUT...things started moving!

Walls starting to take shape!

And the end of the day results! Walls!!! YAY!!!!

To be able to walk out my patio door to train my dogs...seriously is worth SO MUCH TO ME :) I'm blessed...good things DO come to those who wait (whether it is very reluctantly!).

And another random post...I found this hat...I bought it...I love this hat, she is amazing, and PINK and has SPARKLES. OMG!!!!!

And yes, she's sitting on a watermelon (or as many friends just called it, a MELON--which immediately made my mind go into the gutter)...I just gotta figure out where to wear the hat. I'm thinking some fancy shin-dig thrown by the husbands employer...just to see if he'll claim me. I tried to run it by my DAM teams for USDAA Nationals, but threats were made. Not sure what THEIR problems are...but whatever. Me and my pink/sparkly/amazing hat are just really happy to have found each other.

And on a final note...Lynn is turning into a lovely little dog...seriously. The maturity I am seeing in her this summer is just awesome. She's such a tough little dog, the thinking dog has pretty much left the building and the naughty dog has taken over (my master plan mwwwahahahaha!!) She is so fun. It's amazing to see how far we have come as a team, all she's taught me...I just really love my Steward Little!!!!

I have always believed every dog is a clean slate and you make the dog what YOU want. A dog is always a reflection of you as a trainer...if a dog shuts down, it's been TAUGHT/REINFORCED to shut down, if a dog thinks too much, same thing...everything is you as a trainer. Lynn really made me realize this, and further embedded it into my brain that the relationship we have with our dogs shapes them, and can be a blessing or a curse depending on how WE as trainers see it. I had to figure her out, not because SHE didn't have what it took to become a great little dog, but because at the time, I didn't have the knowledge to communicate...rather more like the patience. KK always says, there is no room for ego in dog training...she is so very right. Lynn didn't need a trainer with an ego, she needed a teacher that was willing to listen to what she was saying. Thanks Lynn :) I listened :) And I'm still listening!

I'm excited about what our future holds, in both agility and herding. She is getting the DW's at trials :) JUST RUN. GOT IT MOM!!!! She still makes mistakes, knocks bars mainly at this point, but I have taken a much less intense view of it. I actually have a much less intense view of dog training as a whole. I've embraced the change, the constant adjustments that need to be made. I'm enjoying the thrill when things work out and also at the same time, enjoying the brainstorming when things don't.

Hard to imagine one little dog did that to me...but she did :) Pretty damn amazing. There is a connection between us that is so strong now...I look back on my posts and wonder how the hell I could have EVER been frustrated with her. She's brilliant, she's drivey, she's evil, she's just what I needed to grow.

I hope I can continue to be the teammate she needs and deserves.

I'm sure I'll fall short...but the good thing about Stewie is? She won't care, she'll just bark at me and bring me a toy :)

Good lord, is this the biggest "Unicorns and Rainbows" post ever or WHAT?!?!? LMAO!

Ok--how for something totally vulgar so you won't think I've gone completely off the deep end!!

Be careful where your deer antlers end up :)

Hee Hee Ace---is that an antler or you just happy to see me? :-) AWWW YEAH!

OKAY!!!!!

2011-08-14T15:16:00.007-05:00

I think I'm at least about half caught up...figure I should post something? Maybe? :)

First off...picture a day...WTF was I thinking? HAHAHAHA! It's not gonna happen. Yeah...I take enough photos anyway...so yeah...

SOOO...to catch you up...the barn...

While I was out at agility camp, the 3 charges that stayed home helped get the barn going :) Corner posts set...supervising the crew, ya know, the important things :)

Now...onto CAMP!!! Contact Sports Agility puts on this amazing camp every year, Diane pulls out all the bells and whistles and brings in awesome teachers! Jen Pinder, Rachel Sanders, Jen Crack and Mary Ellen Barry were teaching this year.

Klink took LOTS of notes :)

I've worked with everyone but MEB before...and they were all great! MEB was awesome, just awesome. For me to get goosebumps about agility again was just FREAKIN' AWESOME!!!!!! I was pushed way out of my comfort zone and it was just so refreshing. Since there isn't anyone up my way to really take lessons from, this is the one time each year I get to completely immerse myself in the training and handling :) LOVE IT!!!!

I have to say MEB was the one I really got a ton out of...she said things differently than I had heard it before...and she pushed me, I loved it. I wish she was in this area more!!! GREAT INSTRUCTOR!!!! If you ever get a chance to work with her, jump on it! Super nice gal too :) They're all great, very pleased to get this opportunity.

I got to switch between Klink, Gator and Lynn...I was worried that it would be too much for Lynn...but the little bugger handled it so well! She has several fans now, and a few that I will make sure I keep an eye on so she doesn't get taken :)

But really, how can you resist this face???

Klink and her teammate Solo got to run together in the same group...they worked on all their strategies for Nationals along with their buddy Jet.

Solo also was abused by her mother...apparently some humans like to cuddle...

And Solo would like those humans to kiss her furry ass...just sayin' :)

It was a great camp...I learned a lot, have tons of information and it was a lot of fun getting that kind of intense instruction. I wish I had it more often!!!!!!!

Lynn made a new friend while we were there :) Rachel's dog Stewie :) Since I call Lynn Stewie, it was very confusing to both of them :)

I had to really concentrate NOT to call Lynn by her nickname :) Oops!

OKAY...so 4 days of agility fun...and there was the Regional, we'll talk about that in a bit.

THE BARN!!!

It's like REALLY HAPPENING!!!!!!!!!!!

COMPLETELY SPAZZING!!!!!!!

Still can't believe this is happening :)

And now I have to figure out footing...any ideas? Anyone?? Please help!!!!!!

So the barn is up, trusses up, everything looks amazing. The next morning, a bunch of men show up...with a big trailer...I'm thinking OMG THE OUTSIDE IS GOING ON!!!! IT'S REALLY GONNA LOOK LIKE A BARN!!!!!!! They worked for a good amount of time...AND...

I got a door! LMAO!!!!!!!! I'm hopeful for more this next week :)

OK...so the regional...3 weeks on the road, and I was tired....so tired I had 3 dogs in Grand Prix Finals on the last day and I just went home early without running them. Needed a break apparently :) Gator got hurt (he's healing up nicely now), so he wasn't running and I just decided being home was more important since the two older dogs had their Semi-byes already.

Dogs ran great..., Klink and Crackers team with Jet got 3rd out of 70 teams, Gator's team Q'd and Lynn's baby dog team was just 30 points from Q'ing. So I'll probably stick her with two solid dogs for the next team event. Crackers did great for IHC points etc...Many placements in classes etc..I'll get around to vids sometime :)

BUT...for ME, the best thing about the entire weekend? The name of the game for the weekend was DW's into nothing...or DW's into turns...not one straight away to be had all weekend...and Lynn missed NONE. She got all her DW's!!!!!!!!! I think the little bugger is getting the idea to just keep running!!! :) YAY!!!!!!! And she gave me her first "almost as great as at home" teeter! Things are coming together :) Love it!!!!

Here's video of her DW's :) And her pretty teeter...I'll get around to the rest sometime :)

Soooo...after all that, I needed a break...and I am taking one. The dogs haven't been worked, I'm not attending two weekends of trialing 20 minutes from my home. We are just hiking and playing...and I spent some time with friends doing what I love doing :)

Being on the water....and...

Catching fish :) Ahhhhh...peace and happiness restored :)

And because it's cute...Vittles on our walks :)

I'm gonna try hard to update more :) TRY is the main word :)

Yeah...I'm alive...

2011-07-28T07:48:00.005-05:00

So yeah...busy...like SUPER DUPER busy...clinics/seminars/lessons/travel/Regionals/more Regionals/life/building...

Did I say building? Oh yes...FINALLY!!!!!!

Day 194: Awwww YEAH BEOTCH!!!

They tore up the potty area to start the building. Gator went out there the next morning and crapped in the middle of the dirt...confused and bewildered. Poor dude. I can't imagine what I would do if I got up and all the toilets in my house were gone...major anxiety attack on my part so I get it. The other dogs looked at him like "DUDE, we don't shit there anymore...NO GRASS!!!"...but he wanted nothing of it. Now...he's fine. We moved the designated spot and all is happy in Gatorland...

Day 195: Heavy Machinery

Ok ignore the dirty pool...look past that and you can see they hauled in a ton of dirt...cutting giant ruts up in my yard...gonna have to put the husband on an IV sedative...that's his BABY...surprisingly he's very calm about it...me? Not so much. But I'm dealing...it's fixable, just haul in some black dirt and replant grass. Breathe Loretta, BREATHE...

Day 196: HELLO LOVER...

If you haven't read the books that True Blood is based off of...you will have no idea what that title means :) But whatever...trusses are HERE! Due to rain they can't be completely in my yard, so they are sort of across my yard...kinda...and it bugs me. I like order, I like pretty, I no likey right now. Sadness. But whatever. I am letting the shirtless, tan dudes that are outside my back patio door make me feel better. I don't BLATANTLY stare...but I will peek through the shades every now and then. Makes me calmer about the chaos around my home :) Ahhhhhhhh

The rest of the supplies will start coming in this week...then construction begins a week from today, and that takes about a week...so by mid August I could have my building! Now to find footing...any suggestions, please let me know :)

OK...went to a KK clinic and also did some stuff on the side in regards to agility...FUN TIME! I love KK clinics...I get the method (well kinda...GETTING the method) and KK is a blast to work with. She is the only clinic I go to as I really like the method and don't wish to use anything else, call me a snob :)

Day 197: YAY LYNN :)

Lynn--is her mother. I LOVE IT...pushy, forward, and I love it. Great feel as long as I can hold her distance right. Seriously loving her. WOWZA.

Day 198: Even Steven :)

She came, she worked, she did great! I wanted to see if she would go back to "I don't run on the Come Bye side"...and her first time out she did...but then with each run, she just got better and better and better :) Confidently covering, tucking in sides, pacing...loved it. I was a bit worried she was going to be a bit too easy for me...nope :) KK assured me that was not the case and she was just fine...and I saw that, has no issues taking corrections, figures things out so quickly...lovely little girl.

Day 199: PACE?? HELLO???

Yeah...gonna have to work on that more :) Like every time, for like years :)

Day 200: Look closely students of mine...

Me, sheep, Even...Me trying to get a concept...see this face? It happens to me as well :) Proof!!! HA!!!

Day 201: HAWT...

After 3 days in the scorching heat...the dogs were tired, I was tired and it was good to get home...thank goodness the cloud cover helped keep the sun from beating down on us...but hot is hot.

And for tomorrow's pic cause I know I won't be on blogger, I'll be on the road heading to WI/IL for 4 days of agility camp...

Day 202: Lynn

Sportin' her sexy farm dog look. Baby got BACK... :)

I hope to learn a ton this coming weekend...Jen Pinder, Rachel Sanders, Jen Crank and Mary Ellen Barry...gonna be fun! The one I am most looking forward to is MEB, never worked with her before but people rave about her :)

Will try to keep up a bit more...TRY is the word to focus on!

One Year...WOW

2011-07-20T21:05:00.002-05:00

Today was the day...I sat around in a hotel room, nervous, scared, hoping, PRAYING that Dr. Canapp in Maryland would figure out what was wrong with Even. Klink and I went on a lot of walks that day. I remember that, and it was HOT. My friend Chris let us go with her (thank you Chris!!!) to drop in on a class with Rosanne D. And I found out the news while I was there :) Cartilage chip in elbow...will be removed and things can go forward from there...REALLY? Yep...

And she was fixed. July 20th, 2011 was the day that Even started on her path to a full recovery :)

Day 193: So worth it :)

You can't put a price on this face. I remember telling the husband how much it was going to cost and his response was, without batting an eye "We have to fix her, just go"...he's an amazing man, or completely insane...either way, I love him :)

And for Even...not a lame step since her recovery...and I don't regret one second of driving 28 hours. Or changing bandages, cleaning up barf/pee/whatever after her surgery, or rehab (which I drove 5 + hours round trip to do several times a week), or walking--LOTS OF WALKING, or stretching, or icing or heating.

Last year for the KK clinic she sat in a soft crate, in the a/c...in bandages, depressed and couldn't even walk...and I am sure in pain. I carried her everywhere, I had to help her potty, clean her up. It was tough for me to see her like that...but even tougher to know that she had spent a great deal of her life in an x-pen lame for reasons we couldn't figure out. And there were sheep right down the hill from the building that she would have LOVED to work.

This year, she's in the clinic :) Working sheep like she was bred to do. And boy does she love working sheep :)

This little dog has been through so much, and I'll admit, when she was back with the rest of the dogs, able to run around, it scared the living shit out of me! Would she break again? How much, how long, and BOY did she have like NO dog skills or manners!!! LOL The rest of the pack hated her, she was like Nell, that girl that lived in the woods or something. She would have given Jodi Foster a run for her money!! LOL She had NO off switch, acted like a 4 month old puppy, trying to eat everything, pestering dogs constantly, no manners...and her sister Lynn was like the perfect dog. We had to start from scratch :) But that has all went away (thank God)...and she is a great little dog with an AWESOME off switch :)

Another thing that has changed is, I used to stare at her CONSTANTLY...looking for that hitch, that little sign she was broken...for it to get worse...and it didn't. Just got better and better and better. Until there was no little hitch. I no longer stare at her all the time :) Maybe more 40/60?? LOL

I'm not sure I have ever met a dog that enjoys life and all it has to offer more than Even :) She runs as fast as she can, has hard as she can and as much as she can. She smiles, her tail is always wagging and she has those crazy eyes that scream COME ON WORLD!!!! I'M READY!! (or maybe, I just took a hit off the crack pipe? Both probably). But that energy is contagious...it just overwhelms me with joy. That's the only way I can explain it. Even is just joyful, in everything she does :)

Yet, she is probably my most devoted dog..she is always with me, if I'm sick she's there on the bed, she sleeps with me every night, right in between the husband and I. She's my tiny little shadow :)

Because of her, I have met some amazing people and gotten some amazing friends out of the deal. The generosity of people was overwhelming and I am grateful for that. In a way Even helped me see that the human race is pretty damn amazing :)

Thanks to all of you who read all the stuff we went through, offered words of encouragement and prayers...I am very thankful to all of you for that :) Funny how something like a blog to put up puppy pictures turns into so much more than that. I feel like all of you are my friends, you've see the ups and downs, you've been there. What a great thing if you think about it...I'm very lucky :)

It was a very emotional journey for me...and it's still emotional thinking about it. But she's making the most of everything, and I'm with her, just along for the ride :)

Now if you'll excuse me, she's begging to go swimming :)

HOT...

2011-07-19T06:54:00.002-05:00

No...not as in "sexy" hot...as in "sweating profusely while sitting still" hot...I don't believe I've ever seen heat and humidity like this in Minnesota. Missouri? Sure...that's life in Missouri...but Minnesota? Never.

Day 191: Not Gonna Make It...

Poor Vittles...she isn't even hunting right now...

BUT...I refuse to say it's horrible, because it isn't :) We have MONTHS of cold...I'm not going to let one week of high temps get me down! But I have to admit, it is REALLY nice we finally decided to install air conditioning the Friday before the heat wave hit us :)

So we've been doing a lot of laying around inside...this picture sums up our weekend :)

Or in Gator's case, laying ON :)

Still walking the dogs in the mornings...afternoons are just too brutal so instead of walking, we are taking advantage of the pool!

The dogs love the pool...and no...we haven't gotten a platform for them yet...why you ask? Because they would be in the pool CONSTANTLY if we had that. Or I would be calling dogs out of the pool CONSTANTLY...either way, a huge pain in the rear. So right now...we just put them in and out. More control that way right?

This seemed like a win/win situation...until...

Zip and her evil spawn Even decided that climbing the ladder was a no-brainer. Brilliant...well actually, it is brilliant, but not how **I** personally wanted things to go. So now, we have to watch those two very carefully when we let dogs out...they are quite sneaky about tip toeing over there and climbing that damn ladder...then all I hear is a SPLASH!! All hell breaks loose as the rest of the dogs think IT'S POOL TIME!!!!!!

Evil spawn can be annoying sometime. Zip is always annoying...so I expect it from her. But evil spawn...I thought she had missed that gene...seems she got a double copy. Thank God she's cute!

Good thing about pool time?

Tired dogs...

Day 192: And tired husbands... :)

That's Zip sleeping with the husband BTW :)

Off this weekend for 3 days of dog training and working with KK!!! Klink, Even and Lynn are heading to Iowa with me. Donna and Spot are also going and we are riding together. The husband gets the other 4 pups...I'm gonna miss them but I know I'll have a blast!! :)

So be ready for a huge influx of herding photos of dogs you probably won't know...but you MIGHT? You never know! LOL

Gorgeous Day!!!!!

2011-07-17T08:33:00.013-05:00

OK...warning: HUGE INFLUX OF HERDING PICTURES :) Like 41...yeah I know, it's bad.

The husband took all of these, I just gave him the camera and said "start shootin'!"...after I realized he was taking 500 black pictures as I forgot to take the camera off manual and put it on automatic, we got some :)

Some are blurry...but whatever. I am learning, as a photographer, it help to know the movements of the dogs and sheep...the husband doesn't as he isn't into the whole herding thing (though loves watching the dogs work)...so he doesn't know that the dog is gonna zig and he zags with the camera :) So please excuse the blurry ones :) I was happy he was willing to take on the challenge regardless :)

Day 188: First up Spot & Donna

I love having Spot so close :) He's in the big field with no issues. We are lengthening his outrun and just keeping Donna moving correctly. Spot has great feel for his sheep. It's really fun to watch the two of them :)

He's REALLY maturing :) I love it. And he has started some gripping--very appropriate though...which I told Donna I would throw a stick at her if she corrected him for that :)

Happy, happy boy :)

YAY Donna!! :)

This one is one of my favorites of him :) He reminds me so much of his sire.

Is this what they do in the breed ring? Trot them around? ;-)

Spot had a blast and Donna did too :) They both are really becoming a team :)

Next up...Even Steven :)

The husband and I were just talking about how, this time last year, I was heading to Baltimore to fix her. My how time flies. Since her surgery there have been NO issues. She is completely sound, and is a dog ;) I am so grateful for that opportunity now. Really taught me so much.

And she is a fun little dog :) She is really getting the idea of pushing now...she did have a bit of an issue with wanting to down...but she rarely does that now, I will keep her pushing and being naughty for a good long time to help that develop...and there is PLENTY of that there :) But I don't like dogs that what to down all the time. And if I asked her to down she would for sure turn into one of those.

She has great feel and is so damn smart...reads pressure from me and the sheep and if she gets herself in trouble, will IMMEDIATELY apply it.

And yet looks like this sometimes... :)

There is no longer any hesitation on her one side...she flies out there to her sheep and NEVER misses the balance point...just lovely.

Just a very fun little dog! And super cute on top of it! :)

My Even, what a big TONGUE you have!

And last but not least, Miss Lynn :)

Have I ever told you how much I love this dog?

She is also maturing at a VERY fast rate right now...and with that maturity, her mother is OOZING out of every pore.

She is becoming a bit of a hellion...can be a tad bit grippy when things don't go her way.

And REALLY likes to push...

And REALLY hates to lie down (so completely opposite of her sister and a carbon COPY of Zip)

She's a tough little dog...really reminds me of Klinker a bit too :)

I've never had such a change in a dog as I have seen in Lynn...she acted just like her sire for the first 18 months of her life? Now? She is a carbon copy of her mother...

Just a VERY drastic change...very interesting to see.

She's going to be so much fun to train up...I'm really excited about it.

I think she's brilliant...but of course I think they are ALL brilliant :)

Even if they have some of the dumbest looks on their faces at times :)

Day 189: Best Thing Ever :)

My favorite picture of Lynn and I...she reminds me SOOOO much of her sire in this pic. It's sad that he's gone now...but I'm very happy I have 3 of his pups.

Lynn is one happy girl...and I'm just as happy to have her :)

I also worked Klink...Klink is just like driving a fine sports car...we are really a team now. And it's a lot of fun having a dog that you are that connected with that she knows what you are thinking...and vice versa. It's so much fun!!!

Day 190: Border Collie Bokeh :)

I don't think there IS a better way to spend a Saturday!

Woke up this morning to, what felt like Missouri in the summer! HUMID!!!! OMG! It actually felt nice to me :)

Zip said I couldn't leave her out of the blog post...so here's a short vid of her moving sheep from pasture to pasture :) The camera lens had some issues in the middle due to the humidity...but you can still see she's being a good dog :)

Pet Peeves

2011-07-15T07:56:00.004-05:00

It's rainy...yuck. And I'm waiting on the electrician to come...which come be anywhere from 8 to NOON...so I'm cranky...so a cranky post it is...LMAO!

When you work with other people, eventually there are a certain number of human behaviors that come up that you must deal with or tolerate. I am VERY lucky that I don't have these issues anymore as I pick who I take in for lessons (very grateful for that!). But I got some good ones when I taught classes A LOT.

People have to learn, and I will normally call someone on this (not like HEY YOU JACKA$$ or anything) but I try to change their behavior.

I am almost 100% certain my students could add to this list, as I am sure there are things I have gotten onto them about before that I have forgotten. And please, feel free to add to this list as well! LOL Here's a short list of pet peeves I have when training others.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE teaching...but sometimes I would like something soft and cushy to throw at people...sometimes if that soft and cushy thing was like, for example, a cement block, that would ALSO be useful :)

These are in no particular order :)

Talking to dogs in amazingly compound sentences. Instead of just saying "Rover, COME!"...they have a dissertation "Hello Rover, won't you please come over here and sit next to me so we can run agility and I can give you these treats". All Rover hears is "LALALALALALALALALALALALALA Rover, LALALALALALALALALALALALALALA agility LALALALALALALALALA treats. Dogs don't speak English. I can GUARANTEE YOU THIS. Use words the dog knows.

When people use the word "down" to mean lie down and also when the dog is supposed to get off of them (aka jumping up)...use OFF. Or French Fries, or whatever. But they don't mean the same, so use a different word. MANY people do it...but it bugs me...

People who drive all the way out to my place (and you gotta wanna come out here) and spend their lesson time NOT trying things that I ask them to do. I'm not asking for a kidney or your first born...a front cross here, or there? TRY IT. JUST TRY. If you "no likey", I'm fine, but you drove a LONG way to get here and you won't get much out of it if you don't TRY.

People who, after going to a seminar (which I encourage my students to do) come back and want to change EVERYTHING about their handling, training etc. Yeah...M-Kay.

People who come to class in a really bad mood, treat their dog like crapola and wonder why things are not going as planned. LET IT GO when you pull into my driveway please.

When a person makes a mistake and DOESN'T REWARD THEIR DOG...I get my students broke of this SUPER QUICKLY :) I am sure they will agree.

Telling me that your dog is a "insert breed here" and they will chase things, attack my sheep, run off, kill critters etc etc etc. Not while they are here they won't. That's why we TRAIN them :) 6 BC's, no dogs harassing sheep, or chasing cars...JRT, calls off prey. Training :) Let's focus on that.

Not bringing treats or toys or whatever else motivates your dog, to your lesson...huh? You think you're THAT amazing to keep your dog interested for a solid hour with no payment? You're not.

"My dog has a recall sometimes"...it's like being pregnant...you either are, or you are not. Don't tell me that and then take off the leash so your dog can go rampant pissing on all my agility equipment while you attempt to catch them.

Don't let your dog piss on my agility equipment...or I'll piss in your training bag...K Thanks!

If your children are WELL BEHAVED, they are fine to come to lessons. If you're children are NOT WELL BEHAVED, then please....get a babysitter. I don't hate kids, some kids I really REALLY like...but there are some children that I do believe came from the deep bowels of hell....Children must have good recalls, have a sit stay, a NO BARK command and if you have some chew bones to keep them busy that is great as well (video games are great for this). If you spend the entire hour yelling at your kids for being kids and bored...you won't get much out of your lesson. However it WILL give me great insight into why your dog is trained the way it is :)

I don't live in the land of excuses, I live in the land of fixing issues and training...excuses do nothing but hold you and your dog back. If you didn't train this week, just fess up and I won't try to increase the difficulty of the skills you are learning. I won't get angry, I won't beat you with sharp objects. The restraining order took care of that YEARS ago ;-)

When, trying a different method (as nothing else has worked)...will try it for....a day, or two days...deem it not working because the dog hasn't even figured out what the hell they are doing changing the rules and try something different...CONSTANTLY changing their approach to the issue or task they want trained. Do you think that MIGHT confuse the dog a "weeeee bit?"

I cannot control the weather...if it's thundering and lightening, putting your dog on METAL agility equipment is not a smart move. Please, don't get mad at me if we have to stop during class...I have your dogs best interest in mind...if I could control the weather, Minnesota winters would be GONE. I can guarantee you that!!! So yeah. Sorry...shit happens :)

You will NOT get those contacts retrained a day before the trial...or the WP entries, or fix jumping issues....if it ain't trained yet, it won't get trained the day before. I know this...I really do.

Don't force dogs to do something...tunnels are a HUGE example...when teaching tunnels to dogs, for some reason many humans believe if you SHOVE THE DOG INTO THE TUNNEL, that will be a GREAT and positive experience for the dog. It isn't. Most dogs find that really off-putting. And honestly...if someone tried to force me to do something, they'd probably get bit. Or kicked in the junk...or both. Let the DOG DECIDE...if you have the reward they want, then it will work out!

Bringing ONE--7 pound Milk Bone dog biscuit to class...how the HELL are you going to reward the 17,000 times in an hour your dog does something amazing? And if you CAN carve a piece off that giant corn/soybean meal log...you're gonna be too late to reward what you wanted to reward anyway!

Border Collies do NOT come trained. They are very smart...to me almost like an autistic savant...so think "Rain Man"...you can really make them into amazing dogs, or you can end up with a complete moron of an animal, drooling, staring at light beams all day, repeating "Gotta Watch Watpner" over and over and over again. Not joking on this.

Showing up with a "POWER DOG" aka Staffy, Pitbull, GSD, etc etc. and talking about how the world hates your breed of dog, and then in the same breath how your dog will KILL ANYTHING...and you have to have the prong collar on them at ALL TIMES cause they might KILL SOMETHING. Lets try to be a good example of ownership OK? If you want something POWERFUL...get an automobile. Or better yet, some self esteem :-)) Whaaaaaa? I didn't say that, you didn't read that...nope. Nope...

Feel free to add to the list :) I'm sure there are a TON MORE...and I'm not gonna say I have never done most of these...so no judgement here! Just stating the facts! :)

Damn electrician STILL isn't here....Grrrrrrrrrr

Now we will return back to the scheduled program or RAINBOWS AND UNICORNS!!! :) Happiness!!! YAY!!!!!! Clapping :)

PS--I have found something more scary than clowns----Gary Bucey---SHUDDER

My Favorite Dog To Train? EVER? Wanna Know??

2011-07-14T15:29:00.004-05:00

First off...my birthday was on the 9th...and I had probably THE MOST amazing birthday I can remember. My good friends got together and we fished, we went out on the lake, rode jet ski's, tubing, swimming, BBQ'ing...you name it. It was 3 days of absolute heaven :) So the post will have a few pic I took...all are done with my iphone...I know, I have an expensive camera...but it's a pain to carry around. I'll get it out next time. I am very grateful for the amazing people I have met up here in this state :) And we will be here many more years. Why you ask?

Because we are breaking ground on our building the week of the 27th :-))) YAY!!!!!!!!

Ok...back to the title of the blog: Nope...it's not a Border Collie...it's not a terrier...guess?

It's the under dog...yep. That's right. Those dogs that come to me labeled "problem children" by not normally their owners, but rather OTHER TRAINERS. Those dogs that have the zoomies, fear issues, focus issues, motion sensitivities, aggression issues, you name it.

Day 182: Solitude

I love the lake, I love water...enough said :)

These people come to me, after being told time and time again their dog is stubborn, unmotivated, doesn't like agility etc etc etc. You name it. I particularly like the ones that say "your dog is a---insert breed here--they're not good at agility". Sigh...really?

So these people come for a lesson, many of them ready to actually GIVE UP on agility (some not...but many are very frustrated, having spent time and money on this to have FUN with their dog...and no fun has been happening)...they've cried after lessons, they've driven home with no answers, they've been so lost and angry...I've been there. I know those feelings.

Day 183: A Northern

I have fished for catfish...never for anything else. Fishing for catfish is simple...worm on hook (or stinkbait) and wait...then you will feel the bait SLOWLY move away and you pull and set the hook.

This is NOT how fishing for Northerns is...those buggers hit that line like a freight train and if you have never had that happen, holy CRAP what a rush! :) Screw fishing for catfish! I am hooked (haha, bad pun) but seriously...I haven't had this much fishing EVER! :) Addictive. Ahhhh.

Anyway...so people with "off breeds" or "problem dogs"...why do I love training them? Because they teach me something EVERY, SINGLE, LESSON. And their owners are probably the hardest working students ever.

184: Lynn has hair again!!! YIPPEE!!!

These people have tried, trusted and completed lots of classes, they have really worked hard and maybe it's just has been on the wrong thing with their dogs. The hardest thing for these people to do is trust me, trust that I really DO want their dogs to do well...it can take awhile, but...when they trust me, work hard and then things start happening, the lines of communication open between handler and dog. It's just an AMAZING thing. So worth the brainstorming that keeps me up at night.

185: Dusty

Dusty was one of these dogs...she was a zoomie dog. Now...her owner has NO issues with that. They communicate well, they run well together, it's amazing. THAT...for ME is what it's all about.

I love that moment when a student realizes their dog is with them, and they are speaking the same language. I love it when the dog decides they WANT to run agility with their owner, the stress from all the past melts away from the dogs face and they start LOVING the work. The rewards are clear, the task that is being asked of them is clear, and they WILLINGLY do it.

When people can take their dogs off leash and realize there won't be bolting, or sniffing...but rather a pair of sweet eyes looking up at them with a "what we gonna do??" look :) It's just brilliant...and sometimes can make me jump up and down I'm so excited :)

186: Summer :)

I love seeing shy or aggressive dogs, turn around. They become more outgoing, friendly, and relaxed. They stop being aggressive because they have an outlet. They get closer and trust their owners more because of the teamwork required. I see many 180 degree changes in these dogs. And it makes what I do worth so much more.

Sure--easy dogs are nice, not saying they aren't. But...given a difficult dog that I can see make HUGE changes every week, versus an easy dog that just goes along, no hiccups...I really enjoy the challenge of the first type. Mainly because the hard work gives HUGE rewards in the end.

187: Please, please stay forever!!

Each dog makes you grow as a trainer...each dog AND each student also makes you grown as an instructor...I get the privilege of having so many amazing teachers that I get to meet with each and every week :)

For that I am very grateful. They have taught me so very very much.

TRYING to catch up...sigh...

2011-07-07T12:44:00.007-05:00

I'm not sure if I will ever catch up...but here is one hell of a LONG blog post to try...if I missed something, feel free to let me know :) You guys are great!!

Day 181: Best Card Ever...

Seriously...how FREAKIN' CUTE IS THIS!?!? Thanks Donna!!! She made it and everything! :) OMG SOOOOOO CUTE!

A few more Question/Answers that came in (or I happened to just notice!)

From Kristi---

OK, I'm WAY late for asking questions, but if you're still taking questions from the audience ... how did you teach your dogs to run with you and NOT take obstacles in Snooker openings? I currently yell threats at my dog while while hop/running/stumbling to the next red. You make it look a lot smoother. Help! (and my dog is not super-obstacle focussed, but she finds it very frustrating to meander through a ring of equipment).

I teach my dogs a "with me" command (well apparently everyone but Lynn...working on that :) and it means stay by my side until I release you to an obstacle. I start off with NO equipment around..and just walk in circles and figure 8's--rewarding at side with treats or toys (BOTH SIDES)...once they get that I start trotting and work my way up to full out running. The dog is NOT to cross in front of me...they must stay at my side. If needed I will use a leash, but most of the time they get it pretty darn quick what I want. Once I have them to where they will stay with me while I am running full tilt (HA! shameless aren't I?) then I will start with some pieces of equipment and go back to walking, trotting and then running...always rewarding at side. Make sense?

Marcella asks:

1. Can I haz Gator Tater Salad? PLEASE?

No...he is my dog. Go get your own smoothie :)

2. What is your favorite thing about each dog and why?

Ace--he's just really REALLY sweet...why? my first dog for everything :)

Zip--the dog generalizes IMMEDIATELY when training her, and she gets things in a snap--why?--cause I'm lazy and that makes my job MUCH EASIER :)

Klink--her abilities on stock--why? That dog can move ANYTHING...and I mean ANYTHING :)

Gator--his extreme need for me--why? I have a need to have groupies apparently...when the husband walks him during a trial (to potty or whatever) Gator is CONVINCED Andy will steal him and he will never see me again. It's really not a good thing, but I find it adorable, again, because I have need for groupies :)

Lynn--she snuggles, and when you hug her she makes this yodeling noise--why? Because most of my dogs are not snugglers and the yodeling is just a Lynn thing! Even--her expression that says she is tweaking on meth 24/7--why? because it scares people...and she always looks SOOO motivated :) LOL

Crackers--when I'm sick he wants to be with me--why? I have a fever and chills, he's a little portable heating blanket!

3. What is your favorite thing about Vittles and why?

Oh BOY, there are SO MANY THINGS...not really. Um...I like that she is about as dog-like as possible--why? I like dogs, I don't like cats :)

4. Can you do a handstand while Lynn is doing her dogwalk? I want to see video :)

I can't even DO a handstand...but I'll work on that OK?

5. CAN I PLEASE HAVE GATOR?

NO...and remind me to put a padlock on his kennel if we are ever at the same trial OK? :)

Karissa Asks:

So I have another question--You keep mentioning "drive training, drive training, drive training!" Could you expand on this? Is there a specific system or technique you use? And how does one teach their dog to RUN when one cannot run (fast) themselves? Secret had zero interest in toys when she was younger (bot did THAT take a ton of work!) and the only time she would really "run" was when she was chasing another dog. I thought it took forever for her to figure out how to work all four legs at the same time and really figure out how to run. Now she can run like hell after a frisbee or tennis ball, but I have yet to see that speed in action on an agility course.

I use drive training based of Schutzhund training: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schutzhund.

ALL my dogs go through this type of training, just basic stuff for me in regards to their foundation work.

Teaching my dog to run if you can't run. Simple...she likes to chase dogs? How about YOU? Does she enjoy chasing YOU? I would not let her chase dogs, and work on transferring that speed to chasing you. Do long sends to tunnels and then run away, restrained recalls. ANYTHING that gets her RUNNING to you. I do a TON of long tunnels sends and then run as fast as I can, tug in hand, dog gets tug when they get to me. I will also send dogs around trees (working on out command) and then take off.

You have to get the speed AWAY from agility first...my dogs get time to free run every, single day. And I think that is very important. Helps them develop body awareness, muscle, etc etc. Also look at your training, is she 100% confident in everything that is asked of her. Understanding brings confidence, confidence brings speed. Do short, wide open courses, easy for her to get and easy for her to extend on.

I teach my puppies that running with me is the most amazing thing ever...that is my #2 goal..#1 is a solid recall :)

Hope that makes sense?

Autumn Asks:

Karissa - I was just going to post the EXACT same question!

I have a 3 y/o BC mix who is super consistent in agility, but lacks speed and drive. What are some key exercises in your drive training?

Chasing me, HUGE. Running to me for rewards...restrained recalls...leave the dog wanting more. If a dog is not tugging like I want them to, I let them win, A LOT if needed. I will let them be rude for toys, I let them be naughty running courses and do NOT correct them. EVER. As a dog is increasing drive, they will make mistakes. If you correct that, the drive level goes down. So while I am building drive in a dog that is lacking...they are going to get REALLY RUDE and OBNOXIOUS for a bit...that's OK, it means the drive is coming. I can always focus and channel it later...but you have to have it first :) Make sense?

If you have more questions, feel free to post :)

Now..onto other things :)

K-Koria gave me a really cool award!

How fun is that! Thank you!!!! So...to fulfill this obligation, I will list my 10 most Inspirational blogs :) And they can continue with the award passing :) These are in no particular order :)

Project Go Dog--cause she's always REAL about training problems and successes :)

Confessions Of A Pioneer Woman--raising that many kids, in the middle of nowhere--and I don;t THINK she's medicated...WOW--my hero!

Crooks and Crazies--the stories that this gal posts are always HILARIOUS!

Rocking Dog Ranch--Lora's positive outlook, her drive to be the best damn sheepdog handler she can be, just really motivates me :) Plus she's got Even, Lynn and Klink's half sisters Gyp and Grace :)

Dig-it Fetch-it Herd-it--AMAZING photography...and great insight :) LOVE!

My 'Jility Jones--her training posts are not all sugar coated happiness...we all know training dogs can be a pain in the ass...and she tells it like it is :)

Memoirs of a Pet Groomer--I am amazed at the idiots that she grooms dogs for...WOW :)

Behaviors of a Dog Mom--life + dog training...is there anything better? Me thinks not :)

Snap Happy--pictures...lots of pictures...LOVE!

Hippie Dogs--Tori is just who she is, and she loves her dog--this equals a lot of success that NEVER goes to her head. Pretty amazing for a young lady!!!!! :)

Grab the badge, pass it on, but make sure to follow these simple rules as you do:

1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded this to you.

2. Link posts by you and ten fellow bloggers that you find inspirational.

3. Forward the award to those ten fellow bloggers.

]

And now...random pictures from Regionals :)

2011 Rocky Mountain 12" & 16" Regional Steeplechase Champions---Crackers and Dylan

Talk about inspirational, Dylan is fighting cancer and her mom and dad rock :)

And here they are with their peoples :)

Something we don't have 'round here--Prairie Dogs...these little buggers CRACK ME UP. They make funny noises and are really REALLY cute. Plus...these prairie dogs that live in the wild are THIN! Unlike the ones at the zoo who are morbidly obese and if die would have to be taken out of their little holes with a miniature fork lift.

Can you see him? Thank god I have a zoom lens.

There ain't NO F---ING way I am getting closer...I am still having PTSD from my chipmunk attack...

On alert! Who's that white gal with the camera stuck to her face?? HOLY SHIT!!!!!

Luckily, none of them attacked me, I called that a great day! :)

Did I ever mention how much I love my job?

Seriously...I LOVE LOVE LOVE my job. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my students, I LOVE LOVE LOVE seeing the dogs get things and make huge leaps and bounds. I love teaching :)

And I love that I can see Spot every week :) He and Donna are really becoming a team :) It's fun to watch! She walks courses and I play with Spot :) WINNING!!!!

Here's a quick video of Spottie's running A-frame :) It's coming together, we had some issues in the beginning, but this is at a 63" height...lovely!!! :)

While I'm talking about the pups...below is Zing :) Isn't she ADORABLE??

Ok...I THINK I'm caught up...don't hold me to it....but here's hoping!