I know this blog is mostly about Kenzie's training but I thought since Ness doesn't really have a blog of her own that I would post my end of 2009 trialling year review in Kenzie's blog and include a section on Ness.
Ness:
Agility
After finishing off both her Masters and Open Jumping titles in 2008, 2009 was concentrated on trying to finish off her remaining Masters Agility and Open Agility passes so she could go into semi-retirement. She managed her 6th leg towards her ADM title at our club trial back in April. The May GSD club trial saw her obtain leg 3 and 4 towards her ADO and finally on the homeward stretch with her agility titles. It wasn't until the August ADC trial that she was able to obtain her 7th leg and finally finish off her ADM. One title down. We had a lot of near misses in the remaining trials but unfortunately finished 1 leg short off finishing off her ADO. Her agility results did however make her SAODC's top Masters Agility dog for the year - well done Ness.
Obedience
2009 wasn't quite the year I intended. I was dearly hoping for a UD title and that just wasn't to be. A lack of commitment and motivation to train greatly hampered our chances. Exercises kept going to bits and not being able to get through a full round correctly at training probably meant we were never destined to pass. We did come close at the Southern Districts trial with just a shitty stand signal and 1 article all that stood between a pass and a fail. Mostly for the rest of it we were way off the mark though. Disappointing but as I said what can one really expect if you don't put in the hard yards with training. The other disappointment was no 190 in Open. There were a few close ones only for her to mess up one single exercise. In the end we only finished with 2 open passes for the year. However that was enough for her to be awarded top SAODC Open trialling dog.
Dances with Dogs
Quick trip to Sydney in December saw Ness come home with 1 qualifer towards her novice freestyle starters title. She gave me some good work and it was nice to see her attitude pick up and for her to be enjoying herself in the ring. She came very close to her first title in the sport but unfortunately missed out by 1 single point in the afternoon trial.
Kenzie:
Agility
Training has been progressing along ok. She has some lovely weaving happening and loves to play. Her jumping work is progressing but I need to do much more work on jump grids/contacts and handling skills. I hope to get her into the ring in early 2010 however I am after solid foundations before I even consider trialling her and I don't feel we are there yet.
Obedience
The grand goal when I got Kenzie was to have her ready for the Perth Obedience Nationals in October. With her people issues though that goal got somewhat lost in the grand scheme. She entered a mock CCD trial early in 2009 and coped better then I expected. After lots of hours spent clicking and feeding her for hanging around outside shopping centres I finally was able to get a stand for exam on her sometimes. We still have a way to go before she would cope in a trial. She can get through a ring session with Kathy Millington putting us through but her work on the whole is still scatty. She has potential, she still has potential but she is still lacking the serious polish I want on her. I hope to get her out and trialling mid 2010.
Herding
July saw Kenzie pass her Herding Instict Test at SACA. There was no doubt this time around that she showed sufficient instinct to pass. Didn't get to pursue it any further this year but would like to try some more in 2010 if we can find time.
Dances with Dogs
Well sometimes dreams really do come true and they exceed everything you have ever hoped of. I took the kids to Sydney and really wanted somebody to come back with a title but you can bet my last dollar I didn't for one moment anticipate that to be Kenzie. Some days you just want to take and bottle and Sunday the 13th of December would have to be one of them. I am so pleased with my shy timid munchkin. I never would have thought in my wildest dreams that I could take her interstate, enter her in her very first ANKC competition and walk away with her first ANKC title - DWDF.S, the first Dances with Dogs title for Winpara and the first and only Dances with Dogs titled dog in South Australia. She came home with a first place in starters heelwork to music with a lovely routine as well as managing a third and forth place for her title in freestyle. I am still on cloud nine with my little baby and so pleased with her. I guess sometimes you have to expect the unexpected and yep dreams can become reality even when you least expect it.
So thats 2009 in review for my girls - now to my goals for 2010 - well:
Kenzie
Obedience
Hopefully we can continue to work through her people issues and I can get her out there and passing with some lovely scores on the board. Really need to get some work in on stays though as that would be the weakest link at the moment. She has already started playing around with the Open and UD exercises so we need to do more with those as well as duration heelwork. Guess its a never ending training list and thankfully for me the ever ready bunny seems to always come out with new batteries and plenty of drive for training.
Agility
Want to try and get her in the ring next year but again I am in no real rush. I want solid foundations and won't be entering until I feel comfortable that she has more skills in place.
Herding
If we can get some more training in we might see about trying for her PT.
Dances with Dogs
With no local trials there is a possible plan in place for another interstate trip somewhere to see if I can't get her other starters HTM pass and also manage to get some passes towards her novice freestyle title. Possibly another trip to Sydney unless I plan a trip to Perth for another trial and their happens to be a Dances with Dogs comp scheduled.
Ness
Obedience/Agility/Dances with Dogs
2010 will be a year of semi-retirement for Ness. Fingers crossed she finishes off the 1 remaining pass she needs towards her open agility title so I can then pick and chose what she is entered in. I intend on only running the occasional jumping course with her if Kenzie is at the stage of trialling.
Obedience I am hoping to still keep trialling and trying for passes towards her UD title. As long as she is enjoying working then I will continue to train and trial her.
Dances with Dogs - having achieved the 1 pass in Syndey I am tempted to try and see if we can't get back to finish off the title. Having said that I am a realist and I also know if I take Kenzie somewhere I may not necessarily take Ness. Its a lot easier trialling and travelling with 1 dog and I know Ness wasn't as happy this time away as she has been on previous trips to Perth.
So there is my 2009/2010 summary. I am sure to add to it in the coming weeks but for the moment this is where it stands.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Introducing Winpara Dream Chaser DWDF.S (Kenzie)
A few photos taken today of Kenzie with her sashes and trophies from Sydney last weekend:
Friday, December 18, 2009
Dances with Dog Comp Sydney - 13 December 2009 Videos
Kenzie's AM Heelwork to Music
Kenzie's first Place win in PM Heelwork to Music Starters
Kenzie's AM and PM Freestyle Videos
Ness's AM Freestyle Qualifier
Kenzie's first Place win in PM Heelwork to Music Starters
Kenzie's AM and PM Freestyle Videos
Ness's AM Freestyle Qualifier
Kenzie's First Title and a holiday in Sydney
Well its been a while since my last blog post - not a lot been happening in the training department - we have been spending time at the park throwing the ball and aside from training twice a week at club (agility and obedience) Kenzie has really just been growing up and having fun. Life is one big party.
Back in early November I had some hair brain idea that I would take the girls for a trip to Sydney in December and enter the double Dances with Dogs comp with both of them. I thought it might make a nice introduction to the trial ring for Kenzie and thought I might just be add a title to Ness which no other dog in the state has. Kenzie was to tag along for the ride with no expectations attached.
We flew over last Wednesday afternoon to stay with Nic, her partner Bren and her two wonderful dogs - Soaks and Jedi. Wednesday was a getting to know you afternoon and both the girls coped well with the flight over. Kenzie wasn't so keen on Soaks and kept putting her in her place whenever she looked at her.
Thursday morning bright and early we drove over to the Animal Referral Hospital in Strathfield and dropped Kenzie off there for the day so she could have her worn tooth sealed. Kenzie weighed in at 14.37 kg and Ness was her usual 17.3 kg. With Kenzie in safe hands the rest of the day was spent lazing around at Nic's trying not to stress to much. Back in the evening to pick Kenzie up, and the vet said she was very well behaved and if I didn't want her she would take her any day of the week. By the time we got home Kenzie was ready for dinner and a ball game.
Friday morning - woofenpup from DOL came around with her kelpie Abbey and her baby finish lappie Demi - well that was a turning point and a half. Abbey and Soaks decided to play chasy in the yard and Kenzie joined in their mad game and after that Soaks and Kenzie were best of mates. Mitch another finish lappie showed up Friday afternoon and the girls didn't stop playing for 9 hours straight. Kenzie was besotted by him and even seemed to like Mitch's idea of a game which usually involved trying to hump.
Saturday we took all the dogs out to a DOL meet at Erskine Park for a few hours. It was nice to meet all the people especially a few BC people who I have known through the BC thread. I spent my morning throwing the ball for Kenzie in the hope that when we showed up for the competition on Sunday she would have good positive associations with the place.
Sunday was back to Erskine Park bright and early for the double Dances with Dog comp. Silly me had both of them entered in everything so I had 8 routines for the day.
Lisa (PAX from Ozobedience) and Vickie and her daughter came out to watch, as did Jane with Kenzie's half brother Twitch. Was really nice to meet everybody and it was just a shame that I didn't have more time to spend saying hi as I was slightly preoccupied with the days trialling.
Ness was up first in Heelwork to Music. Well she didn't do as badly as I thought - no qualifier but she was the first dog in the ring for the day and the first place getter in starters. Kenzie - well I took her out of her crate, into the room, took her lead off and first thing she does is shoot off out the door. Eeeek I was thinking what the hell have I got myself in for. I retrieved her and revved her up and ran out onto the floor. She was majorly skittish and about 30 seconds into the music I gave up all idea of trying to work through the routine and we just messed around and I tried my best to get her happy and able to work. Well by the end of the routine her tail was wagging and she was at least not trying to leave.
Short time later we were back in the ring for the freestyle. Kenzie was in first to her music "Step in Time" out of Mary Poppins. I had no idea what to expect from her but it was like having my normal backyard Kenzie. She was absolutely full of herself - cheekie/bouncey and happy. Well to my surprise she not only qualified for her first leg of her dances with dogs freestyle starters title but came third. Go Kenzie :). Ness then came out and put in a half decent routine to Surfin USA for her first qualifier.
Onto the afternoon trial - I had considered scratching both girls from HTM. It was extremely hot and I wasn't sure how they would go. In the end I decided to put them both in anyway and just see. Ness was up first again and while she put together some good bits I think not really having a solid plan in mind for her routine cost me a qualification. Ah well she gave me 100% so that is all I can ask for. Now to Kenzie - well after the disaster of her first routine it was like I had a different dog in the ring. She came out all guns blazing and for the nervy dog I had in the morning there were only small signs of any of that and that was only as we were waiting. Once in the ring it was as if she owned it. I got some wonderful stuff out of her. She was pushy, tail wagging, eyes bright and giving me everything she had. Boy was I surprised to find she had not only qualified but won the class as she was the only dog to qualify in heelwork to music starters. Not bad for only her first ANKC competition in anything.
Back into the ring for the freestyle. Kenzie first and she put together a nice performance again for fourth place, her second starters leg and therefore her DWDF.S title. That made her the first and only SA dog with a DWD title as well as the very first DWD title for her breeder. It was also her very first ANKC title.
So Kenzie is now known as Winpara Dream Chaser DWDF.S.
Unfortunately Ness who put in a much better afternoon performance in her freestyle missed out on her title and a qualifier by 1 point. Ah well she gave me everything she had and it might just give me an excuse for a return trip sometime in the new year.
I will post the videos of the girls performances in a separate blog post.
Monday was spent recovering from the weekend with a couple of nice walks around the local park and then off to Hills training monday night. Met with a number of Ozobedience list members including Dianne, Ann and Sandy. I took my two into the pre-trialling class where they were doing start peg work. Kenzie was good until she took 2 paces off the peg and then freaked at the strange person in the ring. Looks like we still have a way to go before we can get into a trial ring. Ness did her usual Ness at the peg so got a few ideas on working with her.
Tuesday we had more walks and Mitch, Soaks and Kenz spent the day playing before we flew out again Tuesday evening. Think both girls were pleased to be home and Ness was back to appreciating that she could actually get some seriously uninterrupted sleep.
Back in early November I had some hair brain idea that I would take the girls for a trip to Sydney in December and enter the double Dances with Dogs comp with both of them. I thought it might make a nice introduction to the trial ring for Kenzie and thought I might just be add a title to Ness which no other dog in the state has. Kenzie was to tag along for the ride with no expectations attached.
We flew over last Wednesday afternoon to stay with Nic, her partner Bren and her two wonderful dogs - Soaks and Jedi. Wednesday was a getting to know you afternoon and both the girls coped well with the flight over. Kenzie wasn't so keen on Soaks and kept putting her in her place whenever she looked at her.
Thursday morning bright and early we drove over to the Animal Referral Hospital in Strathfield and dropped Kenzie off there for the day so she could have her worn tooth sealed. Kenzie weighed in at 14.37 kg and Ness was her usual 17.3 kg. With Kenzie in safe hands the rest of the day was spent lazing around at Nic's trying not to stress to much. Back in the evening to pick Kenzie up, and the vet said she was very well behaved and if I didn't want her she would take her any day of the week. By the time we got home Kenzie was ready for dinner and a ball game.
Friday morning - woofenpup from DOL came around with her kelpie Abbey and her baby finish lappie Demi - well that was a turning point and a half. Abbey and Soaks decided to play chasy in the yard and Kenzie joined in their mad game and after that Soaks and Kenzie were best of mates. Mitch another finish lappie showed up Friday afternoon and the girls didn't stop playing for 9 hours straight. Kenzie was besotted by him and even seemed to like Mitch's idea of a game which usually involved trying to hump.
Saturday we took all the dogs out to a DOL meet at Erskine Park for a few hours. It was nice to meet all the people especially a few BC people who I have known through the BC thread. I spent my morning throwing the ball for Kenzie in the hope that when we showed up for the competition on Sunday she would have good positive associations with the place.
Sunday was back to Erskine Park bright and early for the double Dances with Dog comp. Silly me had both of them entered in everything so I had 8 routines for the day.
Lisa (PAX from Ozobedience) and Vickie and her daughter came out to watch, as did Jane with Kenzie's half brother Twitch. Was really nice to meet everybody and it was just a shame that I didn't have more time to spend saying hi as I was slightly preoccupied with the days trialling.
Ness was up first in Heelwork to Music. Well she didn't do as badly as I thought - no qualifier but she was the first dog in the ring for the day and the first place getter in starters. Kenzie - well I took her out of her crate, into the room, took her lead off and first thing she does is shoot off out the door. Eeeek I was thinking what the hell have I got myself in for. I retrieved her and revved her up and ran out onto the floor. She was majorly skittish and about 30 seconds into the music I gave up all idea of trying to work through the routine and we just messed around and I tried my best to get her happy and able to work. Well by the end of the routine her tail was wagging and she was at least not trying to leave.
Short time later we were back in the ring for the freestyle. Kenzie was in first to her music "Step in Time" out of Mary Poppins. I had no idea what to expect from her but it was like having my normal backyard Kenzie. She was absolutely full of herself - cheekie/bouncey and happy. Well to my surprise she not only qualified for her first leg of her dances with dogs freestyle starters title but came third. Go Kenzie :). Ness then came out and put in a half decent routine to Surfin USA for her first qualifier.
Onto the afternoon trial - I had considered scratching both girls from HTM. It was extremely hot and I wasn't sure how they would go. In the end I decided to put them both in anyway and just see. Ness was up first again and while she put together some good bits I think not really having a solid plan in mind for her routine cost me a qualification. Ah well she gave me 100% so that is all I can ask for. Now to Kenzie - well after the disaster of her first routine it was like I had a different dog in the ring. She came out all guns blazing and for the nervy dog I had in the morning there were only small signs of any of that and that was only as we were waiting. Once in the ring it was as if she owned it. I got some wonderful stuff out of her. She was pushy, tail wagging, eyes bright and giving me everything she had. Boy was I surprised to find she had not only qualified but won the class as she was the only dog to qualify in heelwork to music starters. Not bad for only her first ANKC competition in anything.
Back into the ring for the freestyle. Kenzie first and she put together a nice performance again for fourth place, her second starters leg and therefore her DWDF.S title. That made her the first and only SA dog with a DWD title as well as the very first DWD title for her breeder. It was also her very first ANKC title.
So Kenzie is now known as Winpara Dream Chaser DWDF.S.
Unfortunately Ness who put in a much better afternoon performance in her freestyle missed out on her title and a qualifier by 1 point. Ah well she gave me everything she had and it might just give me an excuse for a return trip sometime in the new year.
I will post the videos of the girls performances in a separate blog post.
Monday was spent recovering from the weekend with a couple of nice walks around the local park and then off to Hills training monday night. Met with a number of Ozobedience list members including Dianne, Ann and Sandy. I took my two into the pre-trialling class where they were doing start peg work. Kenzie was good until she took 2 paces off the peg and then freaked at the strange person in the ring. Looks like we still have a way to go before we can get into a trial ring. Ness did her usual Ness at the peg so got a few ideas on working with her.
Tuesday we had more walks and Mitch, Soaks and Kenz spent the day playing before we flew out again Tuesday evening. Think both girls were pleased to be home and Ness was back to appreciating that she could actually get some seriously uninterrupted sleep.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Its Official ... I have my 400 Agility Dog
The midget was measured today at the Agility Dog Club games trial and was measured at 453mm and then 452mm (her official height) so just scrapes into the 400 height class for agility. Makes her the same size as her half sister miss Spryte.
Now the fun begins in less than 2 months she could conceivably enter her first agility trial.
Also happened to weigh her the other day and at 16.5 months she weighs 14.2kg.
Think its time for some celebrating couldn't have planned it better if I had tried.
Now the fun begins in less than 2 months she could conceivably enter her first agility trial.
Also happened to weigh her the other day and at 16.5 months she weighs 14.2kg.
Think its time for some celebrating couldn't have planned it better if I had tried.
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