Hailey's Agility

Hailey's new best friend

2010-11-04T12:27:00.000-07:00

I posted a video on Cooper's blog that is too cute!

http://www.cooperhazen.com/cooper-and-hailey-hanging-out

I'm back

2010-10-21T10:40:00.000-07:00

I know I haven't posted here in awhile but I hope that someone is still following me.

Hailey has been having fun on lots of walks and is getting used to walking with the stroller. Of course she still prefers to go off leash. But that means I have to pack around 21 lbs in the baby bjorn. Here are some pictures of the "kids" playing together.

More walking

2010-07-21T11:51:00.000-07:00

Hailey, Cooper and I went for a walk last night in the back 40 (the cattle range behind our house).

Hailey picked up some cactus as usual, this time in her side. And Cooper had a small nap, as usual.

Also there was puke that I didn't know was there until I took the picture... lol

Hanging out with Cooper

2010-06-26T17:40:00.000-07:00

Here is me and my new buddy Cooper, 2 months old.

Hailey the Protector

2010-03-21T14:05:00.000-07:00

Since we put the new carpet in Hailey has not been allowed into that area of the house. However she loves to lie right in front of the babies room. I'm not sure she is really aware of what is going to happen but soon there will be a new baby in there for her to protect.

Other than that she has loved having me at home, and we have been walking in the back field lots.

She also likes to look for cactus to get stuck in her paw.

I love hiking

2010-01-28T13:14:00.000-08:00

See, I love running around out in the woods, especially with my friend Roxy.

Yum, I love to eat snow!

My daddy took some arts-y photos, aren't I beautiful.

Mom, why do we keep stopping..... because Mommy is carrying around an extra 25 lbs.

See the extra bump... lol

Okay, I'll just play with my stick then...

Christmas Doggy!!!

2010-01-07T08:59:00.000-08:00

I don't have much to say from the past few weeks except that we had a lovely stay-cation and Hailey really enjoyed having us around the house. In fact she got to stay inside more often than not. I hope you had a lovely Christmas/New Years/any other holiday celebration too.

Off Limits

2009-12-10T15:40:00.000-08:00

We have installed new carpet through the bedrooms and into the hallway. The rest of the house will be done next year after the addition to the house. Hailey is not allowed in the new carpet area where she was allowed before. We will see how long this lasts, but she is pretty good for now. Except if she can see us, she creeps.

Who me?

I just want to warm your feet...

(notice line where new carpet begins?)

Don't forget to check out Dogs On Thursdays, there is a very article about teeth cleaning!!!

New Friends

2009-11-26T15:37:00.000-08:00

Hailey loves people, other dogs, other animals (cats and such), and generally love new things. We have some visitors on the other side of the fence. They only come around twice a year but Hailey can't help herself. She just really wants to get to know these giant animals. Cows. Yep, cows, we back onto free range cattle land. They trek past our place twice a year, in spring and fall. Hailey gets so excited when she can hear them outside.

This year she has taken so much interest in them that she even brought her marrow bone up to the fence and nudged it towards them. Unfortunately they completely ignored her. I could just see the rejection on her face. Extra loves for Hailey.

BX Dog Park

2009-11-12T12:23:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was Remembrance Day here in Canada and I didn't have to work! Mike and I took Hailey to BX Off Leash Dog Park. They have done some major improvements to the trail. This is one of our favourite parks to take Hailey to as it is off leash so she can really get her energy out and we get to enjoy a beautiful walking trail. As you pull into the parking lot there is a large fence around a field about as big as at least 3 football fields. At the far end of this field is the trail head. We noticed right away the new fence marking this area but didn't think anything of it. Later on the walk we noticed a new bridge. I practically skipped over it cause before we had to navigate rocks on the creek, where I was usually push in by the dog bounding by. Or we would have to slid across the ice once it was formed. Now there are many bridges and boardwalk areas where I no longer have to worry. Don't worry though Hailey found her way to the creek many times. She was a little shocked at the cold temp though. I now feel much better about this trail that we already loved and I will continue to feel good about walking there in the winter as I'm sure I will get more unstable as my belly grows.

Don't forget to check out Dogs on Thursdays.

Is it Thursday already?

2009-11-05T14:24:00.000-08:00

Don't forget to check out Dogs On Thursday!

So Hailey has figured out how to get out of the yard, at least 4 times that we know of. Our fence is rotten and needs replacing but we are renovating next year and don't want to replace it now. So we got an electric fence. Mike has spent hours putting it up and getting it working correctly. But yesterday she got out again. Either the stock isn't working or she just didn't care. Either way, for now she is an inside dog. She doesn't destroy the house, or hasn't yet at least but prefers to be outside more than not. I'm not sure what else to try but we are out of ideas...

DOT - The cold is seeping in

2009-10-22T12:34:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to check out the Dogs on Thursday blog.

It is foggy again this morning but it is beautiful out there. Yesterday was particularly cold, first thing in the morning. Our normal routine is that Mike and I get up and take our showers (well, actually I stay warm in bed until he is done then I get into a nice hot shower... lol) and get dressed, then we get the dog up. In the past I have been letting her outside right away and give her breakfast. However yesterday after I put her outside, as usual, I turned around to get her bucket of kibble down. I scooped it out and went to the door to put it in her bowl. But I couldn't see her. She never goes down into the yard until after she eats, she is a lab you know. So I was wondering where she went. Any guesses? ...................................................

Back into her kennel, as in back to bed.

We both wish it was still summer and we could go down to the lake.

From now on I'll get her up and let her eat breakfast inside until she is ready to go out, or we have to leave for work.

DOT - I like to watch hockey

2009-10-08T09:11:00.000-07:00

My husband loves to watch hockey so it really shouldn't surprise me that Hailey likes to watch it too.

It's time for hockey?

She likes to roll on her back an watch from this angle.

Don't forget to visit Dogs on Thursday!

DOT - ok, so it is Friday....

2009-10-02T10:09:00.000-07:00

At night time Hailey like to be in the house with us, I don't she likes the animals that come out in the night.

She will help with the dishes:

And she will help with the Laundry:

And generally get in the way:

But I love having her around.

DOT - I like the outside

2009-09-24T11:11:00.000-07:00

Hailey is an outside dog. She would much rather lay on the deck outside on a sunny day or run around in the yard then be stuck inside. In fact if we leave the door open in the summer when we are home I often find her outside in her doghouse, or sitting on top of her hill looking out. This past weekend Mike rented us a cabin at a lake near our house. A great time was had by all except for the fact that Hailey need to be on leash anytime she was outside. She is very used to being around us and not on leash and didn't like the fact that we kept her inside unless we were out there with her.

Here she is looking at the door:

Here we are going for a walk:

This is now her cabin and she will protect it:

Why can't I run around:

She did enjoy curling up by the fire though...

DOT - Lots of pictures

2009-09-17T09:56:00.000-07:00

Before we get to the pictures, I wanted to thank everyone who donated to Paws for a Cause. Hailey and I had a great time and we raised $170! THANKS!

So Mike got a new Camera for us, for our Anniversary, or what ever other reason you can come up with. It is a Olympus E-620 DSLR, don't know much more about it. But he loves it, and guess he has been taking pictures of. Well not me cause I keep turning away and saying snarky remarks. So here you go, lots of pictures of Hailey.

(Click on any picture for a bigger one.)

DOT - welcoming fall

2009-09-10T09:47:00.000-07:00

It is fall around here so instead of the lake I took Hailey to the dog park over the weekend. she enjoyed herself and loved finding new smells. Not much else going on around here in the dog world. Maybe a walk tonight.

DOT - Summer Camp

2009-08-31T13:27:00.000-07:00

So DH and I went away for an extra long weekend on Wed so I didn't get a change to post this before we left. We were going to a cabin at Birch Bay then on to a Wedding on Vancouver Island, so we decided to leave Hailey at Summer Camp, aka a kennel. We tried a different one this time as the other kennel we love is 45 minutes in the wrong direction. That's a long time to drive when you have just driven for 5 hours.... well when DH has just driven for 5 hours... lol. I have 2 things I look for when researching a kennel, 1 the dogs are out and socializing not in kennel most of the day, 2 the staff play with the dogs and take them on walks. This place provided both of those and was only 5 minutes from our house. For anyone in Kelowna with a dog I highly recommend the Spotted Spa. There are also 2 ways to tell if Hailey enjoyed herself, she doesn't want to get into the car to go home, and when she gets home she can't do anything but sleep. When we picked her up yesterday she was excited to see us but didn't even want to go out the door.... and she could barley stand up to eat her dinner, which she usually chows down so fast, she is a lab after all. I think she enjoyed Summer Camp and I will take her back there next time we need a kennel.

DOT - Dog Park

2009-08-13T10:31:00.000-07:00

We have not been the to a dog park in awhile because Hailey loves swimming so much. The lake is closer and she still get lots of socialization there too. However last night Mike was going to play baseball, and there is an off leash part right next door. So Hailey and I went along and stayed in the park for more than 2 hours. I wish that I could have gone to watch Mike play for a bit but I didn't want to leave Hailey in the car...

It was pretty hard to get good pictures of her playing as they were so active the whole time we were there. But she made some new friends, and I even saw one of my agility coaches there. Here is the best of the pictures I took.

Come on, lets go!

Where's the ball?

My new buddy Indy, he is only 11 weeks.

DOT - Camping

2009-08-06T10:21:00.000-07:00

I love camping and Hailey like to be around us all the time. So it works out great.

Here is our site:

I looks a little sparse but that is because we had just set up. Trust me that boler carries a lot more stuff.

Mike is not so big on camping but puts on a brave face, especially when there is beer involved.

And he does love hanging out with Hailey.

We saw a deer at the edge of the campsite but Hailey couldn't have cared less. She had just finished swimming and it was hot out.

She was also very interested in going in my nephew's pool but she couldn't quite get there. And she didn't chew any toys this time! YAY!

We had a great time but I'm glad to be home, especially since Hailey can now play in her pool!

DOT -

2009-07-30T09:38:00.001-07:00

I don't have much to report this week. Last weekend Hailey and I went to my SIL's place to visit with my nephews. They have a dog too, a Rhodesian Ridgeback. Hailey thought this was great and wanted to play every minute but 10 year old Loki wanted to sleep all day. However I did find a new playmate for her, Soren, my 20 month old nephew. He really likes it when you blow bubbles for him, I love a child's laughter. Hailey also like to chase after the bubbles. Many hours were spent this weekend with me blowing bubbles, Hailey chasing the bubbles, and Soren chasing Hailey. I wish I had my camera but it was too much fun to go get it.

I'll get some pictures of us camping this weekend, I promise.

DOT - It is too hot out!

2009-07-23T10:11:00.000-07:00

It has been hot for weeks. So hot that the dog wouldn't eat until 8pm. Yesterday we went down to the lake for a swim.

I'm gona get it.

There were a couple of over dogs there for Hailey to play with but none of them enjoys swimming as much as she does.

I got it.

She just kept going out, whether I would throw the toy or not. And if I didn't she would swim around looking for it and not come back to shore.

Okay, lets go again.

But after 1 1/5 hours it was time to go home, I had SYTYCD to watch. It took me 20 minutes just to get her out of the water.

Do you see that sad eyes.

While I was watching TV, and taking breaks to take pictures of the Forest Fire Smoke, she was on her bed wishing to be back at the lake.

I miss the water.

Once I was done watching TV she was ready to start playing all over again.

Come on, lets play.

DOT - Hiking

2009-07-09T11:03:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Mike, Hailey and I went for a hike with our neighbours from down the street. They have a border collie named Roxy. Here are the pups at the top of the first hill. Oh, and it was 36C out that day, the hottest day so far this year, good timing Roslyn.

Hailey even learned how to drink from a camel back...

She is so cute.

Well we had a great time hiking and even went for a swim at the lake after, so worth it!

Don't forget to go to Dogs on Thursday for more doggie stuff.

DOT - More swimming!

2009-07-02T09:26:00.001-07:00

Last Sunday we took Hailey down to the lake with our friends and their dog Roxy, a border collie. Roxy is a slight thing weighing in a 30 lbs. So about 1/2 of Hailey's weight. Roxy got cold after about 20 minutes and continued to shiver for another 20, even after she was dry. Poor puppy, it was still too cold for her. But Hailey, she could have been in there for 2 hours or more... She just kept going and going and going...

In our office we have a lounge/kitchen area in the basement where everyone eats and hangs out at lunch (it is really great actually). One of my co-workers has a new puppy, a bison frise. Because they are hypoallergenic she can bring him to work. He is so cute, and playful. It got me thinking about when Hailey was just a puppy so today I'm going to share some puppy pics from last year with you.

Hope I get to go down to the lake again tonight, and hiking on the weekend. Don't forget to check out Dogs on Thursday.

Dogs on Thursday

2009-06-18T08:58:00.000-07:00

I've been reading the Dogs on Thursday blog for awhile and now I've officially joined, well as soon as Gnat puts my name on the list. For the last 10 weeks I have been posting about the agility classes Hailey and I took but now I'm going to be blogging about all things to do with Hailey.

We all love our dogs and want them to enjoy hanging out with us. We also want them to enjoy the things that we do. Now sometimes we do things that they don't like, and sometimes we have to do things that we don't like for them (doggy droppings). I know that most labs love the water, and mine is no exception. Except that she did like to swim, she would just wade around and no go in further than her belly. I love the water, and love swimming especially on a hot day and I wanted Hailey to know the joys of swimming.

First off I know that she loves water I mean look at her:

She doesn't even mind sticking her noes right under the water.

But swimming that was a different matter. She would run around in the water and only get sticks while her feet were still on the ground. Tuesday was a really hot day here so I took her down to the lake after work. I started by throwing the stick around close to the shore, then threw it out farther. After much wining and pacing she took her first stroke. Her head kind of bobbed but then she figured out she could keep it above the water. She came back to the shore right away but was looking expectantly for me to throw the stick again. So I started throwing the stick farther and farther out and soon she was out so far. And me without my camera. She was out so far I was worried about the boats, ok not really. Next time I promise to have my camera.

Class #10 - Last Class

2009-06-11T09:33:00.000-07:00

We passed! YAY!!!

(Please excuse the crazy hair, I'd been running...)

Since last night was our last class the format was a little different. The coaches had set up 2 courses for us to go over.

Course 1 - Jump, Jump Tunnel - The jumps were set up higher as I was in the group with the big dogs, and Hailey is one of the biggest. The first few times Hailey missed the second jump, but as usual loved the tunnel. We had 2 ok runs, and 2 great runs. Also I had cheese this week so that was a big help.

Course 2 - Tire, Jump, Tunnel - Hailey got this course right away, and we got 3 great runs in. I think she is a natural and really want to do more with her now.

After we got to do those for awhile we learned about the resources and such if we become members, and all the other benefits. I plan on taking classes again in the fall so I didn't sign up for a membership yet. I'll try to get to some of the summer events so see other dogs run and keep up with the club.

While we were wondering around the barn learning about various things, the coaches were setting up a figure 8 course as our last task before graduation. We got to go through as if we were actually running a course. We had a running order and a certain course. And we got to watch everyone. I think all participants in the class made great progress! Hailey did great. She missed the jump once, but we went back and did it again.

I, of course, forgot my camera, but I wouldn't have been able to take pictures during the run anyway. So here are some pictures of her after, back at home.

So classes are done until September but I will continue to post every Thursday. I'll include things Hailey and I are working on and some nice pictures.

Class #9 - The slobber is back

2009-06-04T10:49:00.000-07:00

It was so hot last night, Hailey could barley do anything. They had water buckets all over the place for the dogs to drink from but I think it was still too hot. So it wasn't a very good night, but that's ok. She is still a good girl.

1. Tunnels and Table - That right, moving on to tables. Hailey was pretty good once she got it. Basically the table is where the dog will have sit and stay for an allotted amount of time. Hailey wanted to smell everything, but once she got over that she did great. She also got to go through the shoot tunnel, which she loves!

2. Clicker and Boards - The slobbering is back! I can't get her not to chomp and slobber all over my hands. We have quickly regressed back cause she was hot and tired and hungry. I'll have to keep working on this. She is getting the ladder pretty good, but was very distracted.

3. Weave Poles - Hailey was exhausted and hot at this point and didn't want to have any part of it. I got a few in but not a good as last time. This will be a hard one to practice at home.

4. Jumps - Hailey is only getting one at a time and has not gotten the tire and jump one after the other. I'm sure she will, she has a great jump, I've seen it. I'll have to think of something at home that will help her practice this.

Only one more class left next week then I'm taking the summer off. I'll still update with anything I'm doing at home with Hailey, and of course there will a post next week after class.

Class # 8

2009-05-28T09:39:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a week. Hailey was really distracted this week and wanted to play with everyone instead of working. I didn't bring my camera this week but here is an older picture of her Mike's took a few months ago.

1. Clicker and stuff - This week Hailey has not been getting the target thing so I'm back to just using my hand. Practice makes perfect right? We also got the dogs walking along a board, trying to get all 4 paws on the board. The also had to stop at the end. Hailey did alright but I'm not sure she knew what she was doing.

2. Jumps - This week we had the jump and tire lined up again. We started with Hailey staying about 5 ft away and walking to the jump, quickly with your back turned, and then back again to her. She did great, she has a great stay as long as I'm only away for less than a minute. But she couldn't get going over both the jump and the tire. So we did one at a time. I think she may get it next week as she kind of paused before going under the tire instead of through.

3. Weave poles - The group ahead of us had their kennels really close to this station still so Hailey was really distracted by them. However I did get her to come out of the kennel and to the station without her leash on. YAY!!! She got a couple of good ones but overall didn't do very well this week. The coach did say that she has a good weave when she does do it.

4. Tunnels - Hailey's strongest station. She didn't even stop for treats again, but got tired really quickly as this was the last station. Sounds like next week we will get to do something different but for now this is great.

I'm trying to convince Mike to come out with me next week so that he can take some action pictures... we will see, he has been so busy lately.

Class #7 - Hailey's a machine

2009-05-21T09:24:00.000-07:00

So I know that I have missed a few weeks, but I was vacation and I've been busy, and I know that those are not good excuses but that's all I got. So we were back at agility class last night, and to my surprise Hailey remembered everything. And did really well at the new stuff. And I remember the camera, yay!

I wish I had time to take pictures before class as there was a litter of border collie pups playing in yard before the center! OMG, so cute!!!!

Here she is in her new crate. (Sorry her eyes are weird)

1. Tunnels - We have now graduated to full length tunnels. We started with the big one ( the one in the back of the picture below). One person on each end and called Hailey back and forth. Very quickly we progressed to me saying tunnel and her running through while I ran beside. I had to take off my sweatshirt after this, she can run fast even through the tunnel. Next we moved to the closed tunnel (the one in the front of the picture below). Our coach was holding the fabric so that Hailey could see her and then we sent her through a few times. After she got the hang of this the coach didn't hold the fabric up anymore. She got confused sometimes but made it out. She did stop in the tunnel part and start digging, I think, the whole tunnel was shaking. But made it out successfully after.

2. Jumps - We are now into actual jumps and the tire. We started doing them one at a time and Hailey loved it. She can jump much higher than these were and made it look really easy. Next we lined up the jumps so she had to go over the jump then through the tire. This was too much for her, but did get one good run in.

3. Weave Poles - We have now moved the poles to 6" apart but go through them just like before. I believe we are setting up the correct motion of her body so that when we actually do them she will already know what to do. Hailey did really well with this, and her body went the correct way without trying.

4. Clicker - We are now starting to use targets with the clicker training. I'm really excited to practice this as I can do this at home, while the other stuff is harder. I feel like I need 4 hands to do this correctly but will continue to work at it. Hailey is still slobbering a lot but it is getting better.

Overall a great class and I'm very proud of my puppy. In fact I talked about it all night.

Not agile

2009-05-14T08:42:00.000-07:00

Even though I'm back from vacation I was not at Agility Class last night, so I have nothing to report. I am however practicing with Hailey in the back yard and while we are out on walks. I'll be back in full swing next week.

Class #3 - My hands are covered in slobber

2009-04-23T10:13:00.000-07:00

OK, so I'm a day late on this post, but it took that long for me to get all the slobber washed off my hands before I could touch the keyboard.

I got a new kennel for agility. I think Hailey is much happier being able to see everything going on around her. Here is the rundown of what we did this week.

1. Clicker Training - After wondering around trying to find which station our group was supposed to be at we started at clicker training. This station for me is pretty easy as Hailey is a foodaholic. This was the beginning of my hands getting covered in slobber. We worked more on target training with the clickers. This works best when you have 2 people. One holds the clicker, in this case our coach did, and the second holds a treat in one hand. Put your hand without the treat in it to the side. When the dog touches you had click, then treat. Both my hands and the coaches were then covered in slobber, at least I wasn't alone.

2. Tunnels - This station was pretty much the same as last week. Except for that smell on the ground that all the dogs wanted to dig up. Hailey got a few good runs in but was more interested in the smell than the tunnel or the cheese...

3. Jumps/Flat work - I was having trouble this week with the Flat work as I couldn't figure out how to hold the leash and the treats and switch quickly. So my coach suggested I tie the leash around my waist. I was a little concerned about this as I know how hard Hailey can pull. But I tied it on anyway and it worked OK. I'm going to work on this with Hailey in the yard without the leash to get better at it. We also got to work on Jumps this week. You get your dog to sit right at the bar, then tell them to stay. Throw a toy over the bar and when she looks at it say OK and follow her over the bar to the other side (you can go around the jump if you want). The bar is at ground height at this point so it is not a big issue for Hailey to jump it. For some reason Hailey wasn't interested in the toy but was more than willing to jump the bar.

4. Weave Poles - We did the same exercise as last week but instead of starting right at the bars they started about 5 feet away. Hailey actually got this much better this week. She loved it and ran straight through the bars to me every time!!! Even though this was the end of class she was still willing to work, YAY!

After class when I was cleaning up Jane, the coach from clicker training came over and gave me some good exercises to help with Hailey's slobber all over you hand to get the treat inside. Take one treat and put it in your hand with both palms facing up. When she noses you hand with the treat close it. As soon as she looks away, give her the treat with the empty hand. She will help her learn control in getting a treat so that she doesn't eat my hand anymore!!!

"Is is my turn yet? I'm ready to go."

Class #2

2009-04-16T11:12:00.000-07:00

I'm feeling better and better about signing Hailey up for agility. I know she loves the cheese, that she only gets when we are working, and I think she likes doing stuff.. I know that it would be great for her to get to play with the other dogs though. We have a new dog in our group this week so now there are 4 of us.

Here is a rundown of the stations I went through this week:
1. Click Training - still loading the clicker, which Hailey loves, but I think I need to practice more. I only did it a few times last week and she gets distracted so easily. I was surprised to find out the rest of my group hadn't practiced at all...

2. Tunnels - Hailey loves the tunnel, she would zoom through so fast I thought the tunnel would come with her. Did I mention how much she loves cheese? So the exercise went like this, I'm on one side with the coach on the other. I'd say "Hailey tunnel"then she would run through, like a crazy dog, then she gets a treat. Then the coach says "Hailey tunnel" then she would run through back to me and get a treat. No matter how big the tunnel or how many times she's got this one down pat.

3. Jumps/Flatwork - we only got to the flat work this week, but we learned to turn. I didn't get it at first but then it was easy! So start with your dog on your right side, with you treats in your right hand and leash in the left. Say something like "Lets go" or "Come on" and have your dog follow you hand. Once you have gone about 20 feet you turn. When you turn go towards your dog and try to keep them on the same line. As you turn switch your treats and leash so that the leash is now in your right hand and your treats are in the left. Your dog will have turned around and now she is on the other side of you. Run back to where you started and turn again. OK, does that seem complicated? It took me a few times but I got it. If you aren't getting it try to go a little slower.

4. Weave Poles - This was the hardest station. The poles were set up next to each other with about 6-8 inches in between them. The goal was to get the dogs to run between the poles in a straight line to you. With the tunnel there was nowhere for Hailey to go but to me, unless she went around the outside, and she didn't get a treat like that. With the poles there are more escape routes she could take. The coach at this station, after a few failed attempts, held Hailey leash and guided her through, once she got it a couple of times, she could do it on her own. To work on this will be hard at home, but I'll have to find something I can use to practice this one.

I didn't take any pictures this week, sorry. I must remember my camera next time.

Overall I think this week went really well, but I have lots to practice!

First real class!

2009-04-09T08:26:00.000-07:00

Hailey did so much better this week, I was so happy. A few of the coaches even said so!! YAY!!!
Here is Hailey and her proud daddy, my husband Mike.

Here are a few things that I think helped with this improvement:
- This is the second time she was there, not so new and more familiar
- I had really good treats, cheese cut into small cubes, popcorn, and liver bites
- I felt better about being there
Overall I think she really enjoyed it, and I know I did. Mike came to watch the last bit. He said it didn't look like we were doing much and we were just goofing around. Aren't we supposed to have fun?

There are 15 dogs in the class and we were divided into 4 groups. I was in a group of 3 with a boxer and border collie mix. There are 4 stations set up and we get 15 mins at each. Each dog gets a turn to do the activity while the others sit in their kennels. We get lots of practice going in and out, stay and sit, wait, etc. Here is how the evening went for me.

Station 1: Weave Poles
Since this was the first real class we just wanted to get the dogs used to the equipment. Hailey did care at all. The activity was to get the dogs to sniff the poles and walk through them. Hailey was much more interested in the ground and didn't really care about walking through the poles. Not sure if this is good or bad. She is not scared to go through them, but will she be able to get the idea? Only time will tell. I used popcorn at this station but wouldn't use it again. Hailey like to chomp it and bits went everywhere. Then she spent more time cleaning them up than paying attention to the poles. Maybe the liver treats will work better?

Station 2: Clicker Training
First you have to load the clicker, so that is what we worked on. I used cheese and Hailey loved it. She didn't care about the clicker but loved getting that cheese. I will be practicing all week with the clicker. I don't think it will take her long.

Station 3: Jumps
We are not jumping yet but this station went really well for us. We were practicing flat work. You want you dog to follow your hand, whether there is a treat or on, when you are running a course. Here is how it went, hold the leash in one hand and a treat in the other. Again I used cheese. Get the dog on the same side as the treat and have her sit. Then use a command like "let's go" or "come on". Keeping the treat in front of her nose walk about 10 yards. I had to jog as Hailey really wanted that treat. Once you get to the end turn around. Change the leash treat into the other hands and go back. It is very important to practice this on both sides.

Station 4: Tunnels
We are not at the stage of going through the tunnels yet, even though she did do this in obedience class. At this station we used toys instead of treats. They are bigger and can be seen at the end of the tunnel and we don't want them to only pay attention to food, right? Hailey is a lab, is there anything else they do pay attention to? She did great. I got a tug toy that is the same as her favourite chewing bone. She went nuts for it. And she let go when I said off. She did fantasic at this station.

Sorry I didn't get any pictures at class, it is still pretty dark out. Maybe next week. After we got home, she just wanted to stay on her bed.

Overall I'm really proud of our first class and can't wait until next week. Off to practice right now!

Our first class

2009-04-02T08:22:00.000-07:00

Here is the place where we take classes. I took some pictures inside but it was so dark in there they didn't turn out very good. I'll have to take more pictures next time when it is lighter out.

The first class is more of an introduction than a class. We got all the dogs into the barn, which took some doing to keep them under control, and sat down. We heard all about what we would be learning, how it would happen, what we need to bring, and make sure you have lots of treats. We went over the basic that you learn in obedience class, sit, down, stay, recall, etc. Hailey had so much energy and excitement I couldn't get her to stay focused. The teachers, all 8 of them, said we did well, and to try to tire her out before class next time. Also to get some tastier treats. I think she is bored with her usual ones.

Things to do before next class:

Get kennel to keep at barn
Get new tasty treats
Practice obedience with distractions
Get new tug-toy as special Agility reward
Figure out how to tire the dog out, haven't been able to since she was 4 months old...

Let's get started

2009-03-31T15:55:00.000-07:00

Hailey my puppy is starting agility classes tomorrow. I plan on reporting what we've learned, how she is doing and such every week. I don't know how many photos I'll be able to take as I hope to be learning lots. I hope you enjoy this blog.

(Here we are on a hike a few weeks ago.)