Thursday, January 27, 2011

Where we have come from and where we are going

I have had a few weeks off from blogging and taken a little time for reflection. Christmas break from training has traditionally been a time off from serious training and a time to recharge batteries. This year we have gone against tradition and continued on with training and growing from strength to strength. After the forced time off for injury over December, January has seen us right back on track.

Kenz's Open and UD exercises are starting to come together nicely. Solid foundations have meant that she has picked up where we left off and her continued increased confidence has made training exercises a piece of cake. The last week or so has seen some serious commitment to reducing her crabbing and forging heelwork. I think we are starting to make progress so I am waiting eagerly to see what happens with our first ring session for the year in a couple of days time.

Any way from where we were at this time last year compared to where we are now the picture is looking a hell of a lot different. Kenz is now the performance dog of my dreams and then some and looking forward to lots of trials in 2011 and hopefully a CD and CDX title. No pressure though and just out to have a good time.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

New Years Eve - Obedience Debut

Well guess what we finally got there - wahoo. I finally got Kenz into an obedience ring after all these years of just hoping we could get there. It was looking a little rocky when she injured her front right shoulder on the 16th of December - so with a trip to the vet and a trip to see Matthew few days before Christmas (yeah yeah yeah Kenz not great timing) and a few weeks of crate rest and leash walking I really had no expectations.

My little super star not only managed to get through without melting by we also managed to pass - not the score I would dream about but a pass is a pass and she did manage to come second. It was a little messy and we weren't really in the groove but after a few weeks of no training it was a very nice 29th birthday present and a great way to end 2010.

She worked a round full of enthusiasm and her tail never stopped wagging. Who would have thought 12 months ago she could manage such a pattern with an unfamiliar judge and unfamiliar stewards without having a major meltdown.

Kenz you have come a very very long way in the last 12 months and fingers crossed this is the start of many great things to come in 2011 and into the future.

Way to go Midget Dog :).