One step forward... two steps back

Tonight was Taz' agility class and it was frustrating!  Give him a straight line to a tunnel and he can do it.  Give him a pinwheel with a tunnel right next, not a chance in hell!  Straight to the tunnel he goes! Talking with Shirley, our game plan is one on one now.  Lots of collection and extension exercises with one to two jumps.  Lots and lots of proofing with tunnels around.  He has to learn that I am here to play the game with him and it is waaaay more fun that way!  Our new goal is to trial by September 2012.  With plenty of hard work, I know we can get there.  I will be building a travel plank with a slant so that we can teach the proper contact position for both dogs.

I will give Taz credit tonight though.  He did try three times to stick the landing at the bottom of the dog walk.  He tried very hard!  He even skidded down the dog walk to do so.  When we do more work with it, I will have to put out the "bumpers" to keep him straight to teach him the proper position for take-offs.

Speaking of collection, I brought in a set of jumps to do some work on "collection to collection" for Taz.  Smart little boy knows exactly what I am asking for.  I also brought out the clicker to mark positioning.  He did it flawlessly!  Now why the HELL can't we get that at class?  I told Ken that we are going to get rid of the pool table so I can have my indoor agility field!  Sha like that will happen.

First tournament of the season

We just got back yesterday from the first flyball tournament of the year.  Diamonds in the Ruff travelled to Edmonton for the Northern Power Paws tournament.  We got some awesome passes in, just showing how much we have practiced over the winter.  I got to run Dash as well when Pepper sat out for a race.  It is definitely interesting running a dog that really knows his job!  When he gets in the lane, you barely have to touch him but you do have to say "Go" otherwise he will just look at you!  The team had a sub 20 second run on Saturday. 

Taz spent the weekend baching it with Ken.  It was good for him to have a stress free weekend.  No agility or flyball for him!  No flyball this coming weekend either so that will leave more training time for him at home.  We have lots to work on and just picked up a book on flatwork for agility.  I have many plans for Taz and training which really should be put down in a journal so I don't forget.

This coming year looks to be very busy for both agility and flyball.  We shall be attending one seminar for each sport this year.  There is a regional agility trial in Saskatchewan that we plan on attending.  It would be awesome to try for Nationals.  I know we are not ready but hey, while it is close to home, why not participate?!?!