Just got back home from Rally class with Slider.
We stayed after our class, this evening, so we could watch the more Advance Class exercises. We were then invited to join in...so we gave it a try. Glad we stayed as Slider did pretty well. Still getting tons of compliments on his rear-end awareness and movement.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Rally Class
Slider and I recently started a Rally class at Austin Dog Alliance. And we are really enjoying it! We have gotten a lot of compliments on his "prance" during heeling and his rear-end movement and awareness.
For friends not familiar with Rally Obedience. It is a sport in which the dog and handler complete a course that has been designed by the judge. The judge will tell the handler to begin, and then the dog and handler proceed at their own pace through a course of designated stations (10 - 20 stations, depending on the level). Each of these stations has a sign providing instructions regarding the next skill that is to be performed.
The signs for example may instruct you to: "Call to Front, Finish Right", "360 Turn", "Moving Down".
The team of dog and handler move continuously at a brisk, but normal, pace with the dog under control at the handler's left side. And there should be a feeling of teamwork between the dog and handler both during and between the numbered exercises.
Unlimited communication from the handler to the dog is encouraged. For instance, handlers are permitted to talk, praise, encourage, or use any verbal means of encouragement. I love this as it makes the obedience exercises very upbeat for the dog and handler, to perform.
Hopefully, our classes will go well and we will be able to enter some Rally events in the near future.
For friends not familiar with Rally Obedience. It is a sport in which the dog and handler complete a course that has been designed by the judge. The judge will tell the handler to begin, and then the dog and handler proceed at their own pace through a course of designated stations (10 - 20 stations, depending on the level). Each of these stations has a sign providing instructions regarding the next skill that is to be performed.
The signs for example may instruct you to: "Call to Front, Finish Right", "360 Turn", "Moving Down".
The team of dog and handler move continuously at a brisk, but normal, pace with the dog under control at the handler's left side. And there should be a feeling of teamwork between the dog and handler both during and between the numbered exercises.
Unlimited communication from the handler to the dog is encouraged. For instance, handlers are permitted to talk, praise, encourage, or use any verbal means of encouragement. I love this as it makes the obedience exercises very upbeat for the dog and handler, to perform.
Hopefully, our classes will go well and we will be able to enter some Rally events in the near future.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Agility Class
We're back!!!!! I've been working hard on locating an Agility Class for me and Slider, so I haven't posted much lately. Well with some great recommendations we finally found one!!! The recommendation was for Travis Agility Group aka TAG. It is located in Cedar Park, about 20 minutes from my home. Robert, one of the instructors contacted me and arranged for an Agility evaluation on May 4th. Robert set up several small sequences to see how Slider handled himself on the equipment. Slider did fantastic!!! Handling all the sequences beautifully and with fantastic contacts. Robert could not believe that we had not done any Agility in 18 months! Thank you, Wendy Pape, for the wonderful foundation you gave Slider!!!
After the evaluation, Robert asked me to drop in on their Monday night Advance class.
Fighting all my nerves...Slider and I attended the Advance Class. The class worked on several sequences focusing on acceleration and deceleration. Again, Slider performed beautifully! I was so proud of my little man!!! We then ran a course of 14 obstacles. I had Slider jumping at 16" since he had not been doing any agility in such a long time. He did great... but my timing and handling was off due to the low jump height and being a very rusty novice handler.
After the class, Robert spent time discussing our performance. He feels Slider is very strong in the technical aspects. And he is still amazed at how well he performed after all this time off. He feels our focus will be in developing and strenghening my handling, and communication with Slider.... and becoming a team again. Robert then said he felt that the Advance class would be a good fit for us.
I was a bit scared about being in an Advance class but I really like how he conducted the class and it felt like it will be a good fit for us. Needless to say, I am so excited about being out there and doing agility with Slider, again!!!! It just felt fantastic!!!!
After the evaluation, Robert asked me to drop in on their Monday night Advance class.
Fighting all my nerves...Slider and I attended the Advance Class. The class worked on several sequences focusing on acceleration and deceleration. Again, Slider performed beautifully! I was so proud of my little man!!! We then ran a course of 14 obstacles. I had Slider jumping at 16" since he had not been doing any agility in such a long time. He did great... but my timing and handling was off due to the low jump height and being a very rusty novice handler.
After the class, Robert spent time discussing our performance. He feels Slider is very strong in the technical aspects. And he is still amazed at how well he performed after all this time off. He feels our focus will be in developing and strenghening my handling, and communication with Slider.... and becoming a team again. Robert then said he felt that the Advance class would be a good fit for us.
I was a bit scared about being in an Advance class but I really like how he conducted the class and it felt like it will be a good fit for us. Needless to say, I am so excited about being out there and doing agility with Slider, again!!!! It just felt fantastic!!!!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Tricks Finale
Slider and I just finished up our Tricks Class, this evening. We really enjoyed the class, and Slider did fantastic. He would have made his big brother,Casey, proud!!
Our favorite trick was teaching the dogs to turn off a battery operated push light. I used my flyball command of "hit it" and Slider picked up on it quickly... taking his paw and hitting the light. We've progressed to placing Slider in a sit, and then sending him to the light by saying the command "Lights Out". I now want to add onto this trick - "Time for Bed" and have Slider go to his bed and lie down.
One class we touched on Freestyle and worked on stringing together some of our tricks, and setting them to music. What a blast!!!! I remembered a Dance sequence that I had done with Casey for a Christmas show at the Hyatt, years ago... and gave it a try with Slider. And what fun!!!! Slider did it and with tons of enthusiasm!!! Maybe just maybe we'll give Freestyle a try one day!!!
Our favorite trick was teaching the dogs to turn off a battery operated push light. I used my flyball command of "hit it" and Slider picked up on it quickly... taking his paw and hitting the light. We've progressed to placing Slider in a sit, and then sending him to the light by saying the command "Lights Out". I now want to add onto this trick - "Time for Bed" and have Slider go to his bed and lie down.
One class we touched on Freestyle and worked on stringing together some of our tricks, and setting them to music. What a blast!!!! I remembered a Dance sequence that I had done with Casey for a Christmas show at the Hyatt, years ago... and gave it a try with Slider. And what fun!!!! Slider did it and with tons of enthusiasm!!! Maybe just maybe we'll give Freestyle a try one day!!!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Grand Opening
Yesterday, Slider and I went to the Grand Opening Party for Austin Dog Alliance.
Austin Dog Alliance is a non-profit organization, with the goal of making dogs an integral part of the community.
They do training and evaluations for Delta Society, focusing their Therapy work on hospital and nursing home visits, reading dog programs, and educational programs that enhance the self-esteem of children.
Some of the training classes that they offer are Puppy Manners, Tricks, Freestyle and Rally.
While we were there we got to see several Freestyle demonstrations, which were a blast to watch. Hmm, maybe a new sport for me and Slider to try, one day! And never being one to miss a "photo op", Slider had his picture taken by Pet Pawtography.
Austin Dog Alliance is a non-profit organization, with the goal of making dogs an integral part of the community.
They do training and evaluations for Delta Society, focusing their Therapy work on hospital and nursing home visits, reading dog programs, and educational programs that enhance the self-esteem of children.
Some of the training classes that they offer are Puppy Manners, Tricks, Freestyle and Rally.
While we were there we got to see several Freestyle demonstrations, which were a blast to watch. Hmm, maybe a new sport for me and Slider to try, one day! And never being one to miss a "photo op", Slider had his picture taken by Pet Pawtography.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Canine Massage Seminar
Today, Slider and I attended a Canine Massage Seminar, by Christina Hardinger, at Austin Dog Alliance. It's been quite a few years since I had gone to a Massage Workshop, so I thought a refresher would be great for us.
Christina Hardinger is a certified canine massage practitioner and a large and small animal acupressure therapist. And works with local rescue groups and trainers, here in Austin. Christina began by discussing the benefits of massage, from pain relief to relieving anxiety and depression.
She then did live demonstrations, breaking down the Relaxation massage step by step: Head & Neck / Shoulders, Front Legs & Ribcage / Back and Hind legs. We then worked on our own dogs, received individual instruction and the oppurtunity to discuss any specific issues our dogs may be having.
Other key topics that Christina covered were:
* Helping your dog relax in stressful situations.
* Learned how essential oils can improve physical and mental health.
* Learned the effects of massage on injury and physical disorders.
* Build an improved immune system using massage.
* Improve relationship between you and your dog.
Christina was very informative, attentive, and the individual instruction we received was great. Slider was very receptive and was putty in my hands by the end of the seminar!
Christina's website is http://www.skillfulpaws.net/
Christina Hardinger is a certified canine massage practitioner and a large and small animal acupressure therapist. And works with local rescue groups and trainers, here in Austin. Christina began by discussing the benefits of massage, from pain relief to relieving anxiety and depression.
She then did live demonstrations, breaking down the Relaxation massage step by step: Head & Neck / Shoulders, Front Legs & Ribcage / Back and Hind legs. We then worked on our own dogs, received individual instruction and the oppurtunity to discuss any specific issues our dogs may be having.
Other key topics that Christina covered were:
* Helping your dog relax in stressful situations.
* Learned how essential oils can improve physical and mental health.
* Learned the effects of massage on injury and physical disorders.
* Build an improved immune system using massage.
* Improve relationship between you and your dog.
Christina was very informative, attentive, and the individual instruction we received was great. Slider was very receptive and was putty in my hands by the end of the seminar!
Christina's website is http://www.skillfulpaws.net/
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Fun Sunday Afternoon
Today, we dusted off our weave poles, and set them up. It's been quite awhile since we've worked any agility equipment. So, I did not know what to expect! Well, Slider did fantastic, hitting all his entries! We do have to work on distractions....as the allure of a squirrel was much too much for Slider to bear!
Enjoying a break
"Hey, where did that squirrel go?!"
Enjoying a break
"Hey, where did that squirrel go?!"
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