Scandal and Tia

Pics taken in fading light yesterday!

I've got loads of pics and I'll upload more when I get back. Here are some of my faves.

Taken by Steve Townsend, www.htimages.co.uk

Sunny holiday

I'm house sitting for Chel in Exmouth this week, we have been down since last Wednesday and are here until Sunday. It's been really great for Scandal to learn to live with a pack of 7 other dogs, I think she was rather mortified at the prospect last week, where as Tia who's been here several times before just settled in straight away. I think Scandal is quite at home now, and totally adores Chels 15 month old youngster Daizy... all they want to do is play so I split them up when I want some peace! And I don't like Scandal playing too rough (she likes Daizy as she also plays rough) as it scares me that she's going to get hurt, so they are only allowed limited playtime! (Im such a meanie!)

We have been to the beach 3 times, the weather yesterday was amazing, the dogs swam in the sea for ages, I am pleased that Scandal has turned out to be a total water baby, she swam for ages, she is very determined and already is very fast, and will swim faster than Tia in her determination to get the ball. Chel left me her camera to use, so I have got some nice pics of the dogs, just got to find the camera cable so I can get them on the computer! We also went sea fishing yesterday, and I took Scandal with me! How's that for socialisation! She was great, and of course was not content with lying on the floor, she had to be on the seat, with her paws on the top part, peering over the edge! The only thing she was VERY scared of was the bucket they put the fish in, that took some coaxing to get her near - I don't know if it was the smell, or what (there were no fish in it the first time) but that was a bit strange. Between Monday and today I have had 6 people ask me if she is a fox, or tell me that she looks like a fox. She gets loads of attention when we are out, which I don't think has helped her over-friendliness. Hopefully piccies will come soon!

Chippenham show

I had entered Hatchford Brook ch ob yesterday but decided not to go as Tia has done no obedience in a month and I didn't fancy the 2 hour journey to train in the rain!

So I took all 3 dogs to Chippenham Starter and YKC show in Dorset. Lovely venue, the only thing I did not like was the rings were so quiet, literally not one dog was barking, the only noise was from people talking. So when I arrived with Scandal, I now understand what zoo animals feel like with everyone staring at them, as everyone was looking at me and this screaming banshee dog that was bouncing around at the end of the lead, thrilled that she was finally back to an agility show after a 5 week break. I guess you could say things have slightly improved as I dropped the lead and Scandal charged into the ring but when I yelled at her she did come back, and only went a couple of metres into the ring, and didn't disturb the dog that was at the other end of the ring (phewf). We managed to practise some sit waits around the ring and this time she did listen. So I think that is some sort of progress.

But on to the better part of the show, Jess and her 23 month old springer spaniel Copper picked up a 2nd in grade 1 agility, and 4th in grade 1 jumping - well done Jess and Cop! In the last 2 months Copper seems to have acknowledged the word consistent and they have come home with lots of top 10 placings including a 2nd in beginners jumping at the UKA Nationals week. Knocking on the door for grade 2 now!

And even more well dones are in order as Imogen Clark and her working cocker Honey qualified for Crufts by getting 2nd in YKC ADOTY small 6-11 year olds - woohoo!!! Imogen is only 10, and has been training since end December 08 - about 7 months, so the progress they have made is amazing. I am very proud :)

A special blog post

Well maybe not for you guys reading it, but it is special for me :)

We have just got back from a holiday in Europe, I took Tia with me, and we had the most amazing time.

Below is a little video, watch it and you will see why it was just a little bit special :)



x

Scandal and Beee

I met up with Laura this afternoon and we took my three, and Be, for a walk, Be is about 15 months now and is looking so pretty. Scandal loved having a great play mate to run with, Tia wasn't sure whether to chase them or play with them, and Rix pretended they didn't exist altogether, hehe.
Rix is now 10.5, Tia is 7, and Scandal's 7 months, so it's no wonder Rix doesn't really want to play with the baby, bless him!






Tia about to snap at Scandal for stealing her 'find' (a bottle wrapper)


Scandal concerned she might be missing something that Be is rolling in


I is a sheepdog!

Scandalous and Bex

Just a short clip on Scandal's dog walk contact


Bex at Golden Valley, 1st in the agility and team came 2nd!

7 months

Scandal will be 7 months on Sunday. I keep saying it but time is just going so fast.



Scandal's training

I have taught Scandal left and right, but decided I was going to teach her a right wrap (cik) and left wrap (brake... lol). I did wonder if she'd be able to pick the cik and brake up but she now seems to have got it sussed, what a clever cookie.



Her running contacts are going really well, she is on a low dog walk now, still going from the top plank only... she was going from the top of her cage (28") however i didn't have any way of increasing the height any more, so we're on the actual dog walk now, it's probably just over 3 foot. However within the next month I will be introducing phase 2 of the dog walk, however the behaviour isn't strong enough away from the equipment at present, so I have that to work on first. Once I start doing this, it'll most likely slow our progress of running contacts down anyway, so I don't expect her to be running the full length (still low) until 11-12mths old.



I have also factored in that it will be winter when she is a year old = wet and windy, and as I am not planning on training her when it is wet/windy, I am very aware that this will limit our training time. We are training twice-three times a week at the moment, so not very much compared to most with running contacts.



Last night I roadwalked her and the other 2 to a new field, the ones out the back of our house are very grass seedy, and I'm paranoid about the dogs getting them. Scandal was very well behaved on her gencon, she walks like such an angel, pity that as soon as I take the nose piece of she pulls hard enough to give staffies a run for their money! We then walked through a field and I noticed the young cattle were coming towards us, they weren't running but they have a habit of walking with their heads quite low and it looks like they are about to charge, so we climbed over the wall, well, I had to lift all 3 heffalumps over it, as the other side was concrete and I didnt want them jumping on to that. Then I got Rix to sit on the wall as he's always been fascinated by the cows, he is so funny as they were trying to lick him and he wasn't at all sure what to do. I put Scandal up next to him and she didn't at all know what to make of them, she went from being fascinated, to scared (when they breathed all over her and tried to lick her with their longggg tongues), to fascinated, to wanting to bite them, to being quite chilled. So I guess that went quite well actually. As we were walking home she saw a water ornament type feature, a giant marble ball with water coming out - completely freaked her out she didn't have a clue what it was! Funny little dog, she was fine within a minute, but you could just see her thinking "omgggggggg what the hell is that". At least her recovery time is a lot quicker than T, who remains permanently traumatised!



Only got a couple of days left of work then I'm all finished - yahoooo!