Stig is finally a year old!!

Last friday was that spaecial day we had been waiting for Stig turned a whole year old woop flippin woop. So this is where the real training begins. Ive got him booked on some different courses as well this winter to see it from other peoples points of view so hopefully we are going to have an action packed training winter woop woop. Im really pleased with him so far he does a fantastic stop one on a frame other way he tries but his bum just bings off so weather hes weaker on the that side. We started weave training last night which were fab and i cant believe how quick he picks it up and hes always so much better next day once hes had a think about it so im really looking forward to going up the paddock tonight. Its really funny as now my dogs are all really interested in it when im playing with Stig there running up and down the a frame or waeving as poor Stigs trying to learn think there abit jealous lol. I let him have a play in the practise ring at the weekend and te only thing he was distracted with some kids playing with a tennis ball outside the ring but i soon called him back and he was off again.
We went to Capable canines last weekend and its such a gorgeous little show we probably had 10-15 dogs off at one point and there was still loads of room in the exercise area plus theres a river next to it so we spent alot of time by the river with the poches splashing around. On the Saturday Diesel got a 4th in beat the judge and Gemma got a 12th in her agility. Sunday Jess got a 9th and Gemma got a 14th in there agility Jess beating Gemma by 4 secs aswell cause she had a new toy. Then Gemma got a 7th in power and speed which was fab as if someone hadn't parked there great dane outside the tunnel we might have been a couple of seconds quicker lol.
Gonna get some rescue dogs up on her later so if you no anyone whos looking for a rescue show them including a stunning little australlian kelpie more to follow...

Blogs

Wow ive just looked on everyones blogs and there rather impresssive theres wins everywhere so i wont bore every one with our efforts and congratulate everyone first,
Emma and Maisy first i am so pleased for you, you really deserve it, i think we all feel a sigh of relief as everytime i watch im praying Maisy wont have a pole.
Ellen and Hamish another jumping win not long now till your in grade 3 how exciting, congratulations.
Jo and Kody well done again although it always seems were saying well done to you all your hard work is definatly paying off.
Lucie and Murphy i'm so pleased you got an 11th in the agility you worked hard and really deserved it and theres still alot to come from Murphy which is exciting.
On that note im very pleased Gemma has forgotten about last weekend and got over it and is running nicely again, she gained a 10th in her agility, Diesel got a 12th in the same class and Jess for a 3rd in anysize agility.
I shall leave it at that as everyones elses blogs are far more interesting at the moment, keep up the good work guys hopefully next year i'll be joining you with Stig.

Golden Valley

Well that weekend has just flown by boo!! We really look forward to this weekend as its a great venue and only seems like its up the road for us. Jessica had a fab run in the 4-5 combined agility which was a lovely course and i was really pleased with her, there was no one on the line so we were luckily enough to go straight in which she obviously loved. She had a rubbish pairs round but i didn't want to run her as she went so well in the morning and i just knew she'd play up in that round which she did so i should remember to trust my insticts from now on. Yesterday Melanie did a fab job of taking her round the team especially as me and Diesel were before the so we had to do the change round but she was great just having a spaniel moment and running round one fence but well done Mel you did really well shes not easy.
Diesel had a fab agility run flying round after the whole morning and most of the afternoon spent sleeping on the caravan and then yesterday she was in the team and just spotted the ice cream van and forgot what she was doing for a split second he he! Its really working her only doing one run a day and only the nice courses as i love running her and she does enjoy it just not too much of it plus ive stopped queing with her so she doesnt get wound up at the back of the que and then cant be bothered at the start, so i have a quick rag with her and her lead and then shes off!
Gemma is looking and going great at the moment we had lots of comments over the weekend about how good she is looking finally abit of fat to cover her bones up woop woop. She is alot more relaxed at camping shows and we are looking into buying the screen fencing so she really cant see out. Shes had some fantastic runs a couple off clears some eliminations due to me but im so pleased with her shes really starting to tighten her turns up aswell on one course i was just about to que her and she just did it so were really getting it together and know shes been spayed hopefully this will be her from know on, the future looks bright.

Finally something positive to talk about!!

Well it feels after months and months of disappointing runs we seem to have our mojo back again. Hence why my blogs have been few and far between as i have been trying to figure out whats been going on. Jessica only did one run this weekend as she messed her weaves up and although the rest off the course she did was nice i choose not to run her as she just winds me up as shes so capable and i feel like abit of a numpty in grade 4 with her queing up with all these awesome dogs and then theres Jess who just skips around. So she is in the team next week and then im going to give her a break. Gemma has gone fantasticlally this weekend i couldnt have asked for more maybe due to not running Jess i was alot more relaxed! We got back in the routine of Ian queing for me wilst i sat by the ring watcing with Gem and then when we went to walk down letting her have her ball which works really well as she doesnt wind herself up as much with the other dogs. I tried a new start with her where you throw them back i've always thought it was for people trying to give themselves a tiny bit off a head start and then someone mentioned trying it and it works a treat even with Diesel.
Yesterday there was a boxer trophy on offer for the highest boxer in the 1-4 agility. I managed to get Gemma down at ring for first dog and she just got 5 on her dog walk otherwise a lovely run. We watched a boxer go clear so the pressure was on Diesel and for all you guys who knows Diesel hmmm! I was rather nervous, Ian had a play with her whilst i was in the que and then i had a quick play to get her growling at me and she flew round bless her she was going so well, abit too well as she pinged her a frame contact, yes Diesel missed a contact lol. Thinking back know she did fling herself on it and leapt over the top in surprise off how fast she was going and then had no choice but to fling herself off or land in a heap on the floor. So no boxer trophy this year but im very proud of the girls efforts they really tried hard and roll on next year.
Congratualtions to Jo and all her achievements we saw them spilling out the caravan and Anne and Gloria for there splendid clear round keep up the good work.

Firstly i must congratulate Jo on all her achievements at dog vegas what an amazing weekend you had we were shocked when your name wasn't read out in the presentations what great pooches you have and all your training is paying off and its great too watch. Also Amy and Summer for there achievements. And also to Lucy and Milly for there first clear round at a KC show well done you deserved.


We went to belvoir castle which as much as i love the heat the dogs so not and there was no shade to keep the dogs cool so i ended up hiding in tents and then runing to the ring. Gemma wasnt running as still had her wound from being spayed, Diesel had a potter in Diesel style and Jess kept popping out her weaves which seemed to be a new issue getting worse. Her and Milly got a 6th in pairs which was fab as we both got faulted in our weaves lol and Diesel got a 10th in the alpha agility challenge.


Last weekend we went to dog vegas we have had a beagle stopping with us for 3 weeks which has been driving us up the wall as it has severe separation anxiety so i was glad to see the back off it on friday and start to enjoy my dogs again! I was determined to relax as i have felt rather stresesd over the past couple off weeks. Saturdays agility attempts wernt great so well forget about the bad and concentrate on the good, with alot off effort from me i managed to get Jess going like she does at home and she got all her 12 weaves woop woop that gave me abit off confidence. And Diesel had a fantastic day her first class we didnt get in the ring till 2pm, i ragged with her and got her growling and then just let go and she was off she stonked round and just missed the last fence as it was on an angle and she ran to her Daddy lol but it was fab and i love running her like that. She went clear in her jumping again full on and in her last agility she did a fab clear she was great. Even Monday morning i gave her a run and she flew round shes so much fun to run as she really tests me as believe it or not she works away from me and i have to get my positin exact otherwise she goes very wide and then she takes along time to come back so fingers crossed we can keep this Diesel as shes fab!!!
Jess had her back done the other night and (technical term) she had a stringy shoulder and her neck wasnt too good either maybe why shes been coming out her weaves?? I dont no!! I took Gem back to the vets this morning as her wound is abit swollen and yesterday there was some oozing coming out the vet said shes just having a reaction to the dissovable stitches and they would be dissolving know and shes on antibiotics so hopefully will clear up and she can start competiting again!!

At dog vegas there are some beautiful walks just 5 minutes from the show and footpaths everywhere its fab so the dogs have all had a paddle in the river this weekend and yesterday i took Stig with Milly for a swim and he loves it hes very natural, im going to take him down there a couple off times a week to build him up plus its great fun too watch.

Last couple of weeks

These photos were taken by a lady at leamington show the other day so thankyou for that he is a handsome chappy!! Well me and my dogs dont seem to be gelling, clicking whatever you call it at the mo. Jess which i already no is a spaniel and will only run when she wants to and yes she may run lovely at my paddock as shes already so excited before she even gets there but at a show i must be doing something wrong as neither off them are going like they used to plus its only the start off the season. So it must be me maybe im abit more stressed as i am realy busy at the mo and we've had dogs stopping all the way through May and an increadably difficult one at the moment which seems to be taking all my attention off my dogs. So im really going to try and make more effort this weekend and chill and have a good time and think postive and practise my weaves with Jess this week.
Gemma has been spayed today so thats all the bitches done fingers crossed less hormones lol!! The vet sedated her whilst i was there and then i had to put her in her cage which was horrible as obviously she didnt want to go in and then i made that fatal mistake off looking back at her my poor baby i dont worry about the others as i know the vets and nurses are all lovely there but it doesn't matter how much you are nice to Gemma she still takes along time to get used to people cant wait to pick her up.

Massive congratulations to Ellen and Amy and Anne for her clear and good luck to Jo and Keisha!!

What a couple of weeks.. with qualifying for crufts woop woop!!

Well my dogs and i are having a little break for a couple of weeks. I took the decision after our last show i just needed abit of a break and a catch up with my paperwork. So last Saturday was spent having a much needed clothes shop for me and Ian, then Sunday i spent 6hrs doing paperwork but he ho i had a dog at my feet and my paperwork is know ready to be sent off to the accountant woop woop. Monday we did a few odd jobs round the house and then taught flyball at night which was great fun and Jess had another go and she was fab. Diesel has been spayed and she is fine and one ovary was bigger than other which could have caused abit more of itching so hopefully it will take a little bit off the itch out of her. Mid week we were walking through a wood and watching the boxers play when Gemma suddenly went lame, couldn't see anything and no blood so put her on lead and went home by the time we got home i could see some blood and noticed she had cracked her nail from half way up to the top off her nail so rather painful. I managed to clip it abit too make it shorter so it wouldn't keep catching and TRIED to keep her calm. Anyway i have a vet that comes to agility classes and i spoke to her about as her whole foot was red aswell and she said that she would have to have it removed but she said wait as shes being spayed this week and it was clean. Last night it was hanging but she squealed when i tried to pull it off but this morning it was even more off so i manged to pull it off so hopefully be abit comfier and will keep cleaning it.
Yesterday me and Amy went to Stafford to enter the dogstable it was freezing cold and rather miserable and i wasn't feeling particularly hopeful as Jess gets very bored with heel work and i couldn't take Diesel as shes been spayed. Jess was fab when we got in the ring and did some fab heelwork think she must have been watching Summer do her heelwork lol, think the cheese outside the ring worked a treat so she came 2nd after Amy so we are both qualified woop woop its a great feeling to be qualified this early on.

Agility nuts/WBSDS

What a lovely show agility nuts is, very relaxing chairs to sit by the rings and watch lovely sunshine and some fab runs. Gemma had a cracking weekend although one ring shes was particularly rubbish in but the other two where fab. She got a 5th on touch and go and a cracking round in her jumping getting a 3rd i was well chuffed. Jess ran well doing some off the hardest courses we have done and just having a few spaniel moments i.e sniffing the judges tea on the floor instead of weaving and jumping over the tunnel!!
WBSDS started off fab with a fantastic clear from Gemma just me wasting time trying cut behind her in the tunnel and Gemma wondering what i was flapping about. Don't really know ow it managed to go so down hill. Jess was very off even standing in the que with her tail down and just stood there whether she has got abit off a bug not sure. Gemma just seemed to get slower and slower as the weekend went on so have come to the conclusion that she is feeling the effects of her phantom so have started her mediation so she can be spayed.
I have come to the decision that i am only going to run Diesel in one agility round as she enjoys it but soon gets bored!!! She has been spayed today and the vet nurse commented that she has slept most of the day so i informed her she does that most days so its nothing out off the blue. She is know cuddled under two blankets as her temperature was still abit low when i picked her up. The wound is tiny and stiches on the inside which are disovable so fingers crossed she'll be feeling better in a couple off days.
Stig has had yet another fab weekend playing with his friends and in general anyone who will play or cuddle him hes not fussy!!

Spring at Suttleworth

Well what great weather we had for our first camping show off the year. Maybe abit too nice on the Sauturday as boxers seemed abit off and really not bothered. I'm finding it really hard as i no any time soon Gemma is going to go off it all as she is producing milk and every time i walk in the ring i'm always wondering if this is the time instead of getting on with it. Jess has done alot of air sniffing this weekend and has seemed incredably distracted so i only ran her once on Sunday as shes come far and got quicker and it felt like we had got back in our old ways so i didn't do anymore with her as im just hoping it was the venue. Sunday went much better with the boxers and we were very lucky with some lovely confidence giving courses. Diesel flew round one course it was a good job i was on her inside as i would never have kept up with her. I love it when shes like that and she just missed a fence as she was going so fast but i kept going as she hadn't even realised she'd done it bless her. Gemma had a fab day yesterday and had a great agility round just missing her down contact on the dog walk probably because i was thinking about the turn after the dog walk. We were packing up the caravan yesterday and was pleased to here Gemma got 22nd on 1-3 jumping, i was well chuffed with that as i wasn't expecting it at all. Fingers crossed Jess can figure herself out by next weekend.
Stig loved camping and was truly knackered after all the walking and queing and playing with his best buddy Ruppert so he slept very well in the caravan and even when we got home last night he was still knackered lol. All my dogs where mental in the field this morning which was strange after a two day show altough maybe it was all the husky food there eating keeps them going...

Easter weekend!!

Well what a productive weekend we seem to have had. Friday we moved all the agility equipment to our new venue in all the rain. It seemed to take along time but once its done its done. We also manged to get the car stuck in the field opps he ho looks like the 4x4 may be coming quicker than what i thought woop woop!!!
Saturday we went to the Midlands border collie utility day, we towed the agility equipment up and nearly lost the tunnel on the motorway, luckily it held on until we manged to stop. The dogs where really good and Jess and Diesel had another go at flyball which the remembered very well.
Sunday and Monday we went to Bretford and both days i managed to get home before 1.30 even beter. The dogs where fab and really seemed keen. Gemma had some fab rounds altough i know shes going to have her phantom soon as she is producing milk again know but he ho i'll have plenty of years to compete her after shes spayed. Due to our early finishes and Ian stayed at home Sunay so he managed to sort out my new office area in the house so i can do all my paperwork dog free!!

Crufts Jessicas round

Thanks to Ellen heres Jessicas round, she came 6th and im really pleased with how she coped and didnt run out the ring, just a quick blog as im knackered!

Stigs lesson!!

Stig had his first lesson the other day at Yvonnes, he played with the weaves, contacts and going through jump wings, he was very good and was rather upset to be going back in the car but hes got to learn. Then Jessica had her go and once again she was flying round we were doing some obstacle discrimination with the tunnel under the dog walk, i think i may have the only dog who prefers going up the dog walk to running flat out through a tunnel he ho if i really shout she goes through the tunnel something i will have to remember. She is doing things that i never thought she'd do so i'm rather excited about this season although she won't be doing as much as i don't won't to do to much with her rather than knacker her joints up. I have started doing some obedidence with Diesel in preparation for crufts and i shall take Jess down the paddock Friday afternoon and put her through the weaves, starting to get really nervous know!!!

Jessica is buzzing!!

Well Jessica had an amazing day on Saturday at Barking mad. She flew round all her courses and left me standing, just in every round i let her down either on her flick flacks or her pull throughs i just seemed to move that split secound to quick and she read my body language and did as i told her which is such a shame as she had a fab run in her 4-7 course i was well chuffed with her. She really worked for me and she kept one eye on my body language the whole time, that doesn't happen often lol. She had her back done she was a little tight in her left shoulder and in her lower back so i think that has made all the difference so she's booked in at 5pm the night before crufts although i will probably let her down again!! I am finding Gemma rather difficult as to be far one of them had been sick in the back of the car when i took them for a quick walk Saturday morning and she didn't eat her breakfast so it must have been her, so she was abit slow. Its so annoying as one week you think you have it and then the next she just doesn't seem to care, i'm hoping when the summer shows are her i won't have to que with her as she does find it really stressful, so bring on the summer!!

Jessicas Lesson

Well me and Lucy made it to Yvonnes today phew!! Although it was abit of a rush as i had 2 lots of dogs to walk before leaving at 10 plus my doggies to walk. Luckily Lucy came with me so we did 2 lots together which all the dogs seemed to love. Jessica adores Yvonne as soon as she walked down the drive Jess was barking away at her, she loves it there!!We did alot of work on weaves and had the guides on for Lucys dog but we also had ago with Jess which made a massive difference she was flying through so we are investing in some lol. We worked on me moving more to keep Jess going and her contacts. Compared i hanvn't much with her the past couple of weeks she was flying and really started to understand her go find contact so hopefully more effort will be put in this weekend and i'm even going to try it with Gemma lol that will be hillarious but worth a try. Next week Stig has his first lesson which im really looking forward too i hope hes been reading the Dawn Weaver book lol. I've just made the fatal mistke of having a quick cuddle with Gemma on the sofa which has just sent her loopy and trying to kiss me and before i knew it Stig was also trying to give me kisses although he soon got told by Gemma!!
All the dogs are booked in to have there backs done tommorow so hopefully that will all go well and no major problems, i just like to have them done before the season and before Jess goes to crufts. Ive got all my papework through for crufts so its all getting abit scary know and feeling abit real!!!

Cute boxer photos and Stig being naughty!!

Managed to get another photo of Stig althogh he is being naughty, he does this when the boxers tell him off and he trys to get away quickly lol. So just cute photos of the boxers, Diesel found a tennis ball so she had it all night well until she fell asleep and dropped it so Stig nicked it otherwise normally she sleeps with it in her mouth.

Trying to take photos of Stig!

Every time i pick the camera up to take a picture of Stig he always runs up to me hes obviously camera shy and i end up with pictures of his fur. So these are a few of the ones of been able to get not many im afraid. We were meant to be at a show yesterday but as Diesel was in season and jess's classes where all 4-7 i decided i could do with a day at home although that didn't happen either, after doing a few jobs at home i went over to Emmas for obedience and agility. I need to put alot more effort into Stig and plus Stig loves to lay down rather than sit lol as when we play in the field we always do downs so alot more sitting to be done. So me and Lucy stayed after my agility classes to do some obedience. Stig was loads better and his heal work was loads better especially for the sausages and after we'd done with that exercise he kept coming up to my side to have more sweeties. Ive also started teaching him the go touch command which is working fab with all the other dogs in my classes. Lots more work to be done.

Gundog leauge!!!

We went to the gundog show the other day and was shocked that Jessica came 6th in the grade 1 gundog leauge although she did get her points in medium lol, so she got a nice rosette. At the gundog show you get 2 attempts at the courses which is good. Jess ran past her weaves on her first course which was unlike her and she cut infront of me, i don't think she heard my command so i made sure i was much loader for the next time. I'm really pleased with how all the dogs worked as i was concentrating on getting them tighter and i definitely think they responded and i really think i should start trusting them more as some of the send aways they were doing i was rather shocked and pleased. Tomorrow Jessica has another lesson although she has been incredibly naughty this week so im just hoping thats shes got her naughty head away as i dont appreciate not being able to catch her in the field lol!!

Jessicas lesson

The other day i took Jess to Yvonne Croxford for a lesson with one of the girls that i train who is really keen. We worked on speeding Jess up on contacts and weaves. She has given me a few methods to go away with so lots of practising to be done. it was really useful listening to the help she was giving to Lucy, it also reminds me of a few things i have let lapse so it was really good, so good were going once every 2 weeks and plus i can take Stig so hopefully soon i can take him and invest in a private with him so hopefully we can start the right way from the beginning. Business seems to be picking up again after a quiet Januay not helping with the snow, today it has been snowing all day luckily not enough to seetle phew!! Gemma is thankfully out of season although i have noticed that her microchip has moved and the other day was right at the top of her head and thankfully has moved back down towards the back of her head, i know they move but i didn't think upwards. She has her injection next month so i shall see what the vet says about it.

Gemma is very naughty...

Well on Saturday I went to barking mad show leaving Ian with Gemma and Stig. Jess was fab and i think i may have found the key to winding her on the line althoug i no Jess and one minute you think you've found the key and the next its like shes sticking 2 fingers up lol! So only time will tell. On to Gemma, well we had another dog stopping with us on Saturday night Bauer who i walk with my lot 3 times a week. According to Ian they where fine all afternoon and then Ian left them whilst he went into the kitchen to switch his phone of charge came back in and they were up to it!!! The tart, Bauer has been castrated in the middle of December and i phoned my vets and they said she should be alright. So for the past 3 days shes been standing for Stig and not leaving him alone at all the poor little man lucikly hes not intrested probably as normally Gemma is ripping his head off hes rather confused. So fingers and toes crossed Gemma is not in pup although how will we know as she has phantoms ahhh!! Just praying that we can get through one season without having a phantom so i can have her spayed!!

Not much going on!

We've had a quiet couple off weeks including no training, so am know trying to get back in the swing off it. Gemma has come into season and she is already tarting around the boys and is eating everything i put in front of her (very unusual) so she is obviously preparing to have babies, although i am feeding her CSJ phantom herbs so i have everything crossed that it works so i can get her spayed otherwise its a pain as she has a full on phantom so she'd need to have an injection to stop her cycling to get her spayed!! Otherwise i may aswell cancel her shows for a couple of months lol.
I'm starting doing bits with Jess again as shes going to crufts and actually shes been very good although im already prepared for her to go and say hello to everyone in the ring as she does get abit sidetracked.
Diesel had 10 mins in the paddock yesterday and she seemed to have forgotten how to weave lol so i need to do more work with the weaves but hey she has fun although shes got a team event in a couple off months so we've got to do some work.
I've been reading the Dawn weaver book so poor Stig is having some off her ideas tested out on him for the basics i.e stays, he he. He also needs to start doing some work he's had his fun and hes attending classes with Emma if i can get there in time as my classes roll over into Emmas so Sundays are know a real doggy day lol thats how we like them.
I'm starting to plan our season with which shows to go to an have entered some especially the camping ones i can't wait to get rid off the winter and into the show season!!

Snow!!!

Well we seem to have got the snow woop woop well it was woop woop although nowhere seems to have been cleared so i am stuck at home losing out on alot of money boo! I do love the snow and love having snow days but i also like to get around, Ian managed to get to work today but said that people are being towed up the hill so i know i have made the right decision. People have been panick buying aswell, well apart from us who have ran out of bread and milk already lol. So yesterday was spent playing the snow with our neighbours. We took the dogs for a long walk Stig pulled Becky to the field very excited about his first snow. In the night when it started snowing Diesel wanted to go out and Ian let her and Stig out at about 3.30 in the morning and had a job getting them back in as they where hooning around the garden he he. We took the dogs again yesterday afternoon for another round of snow play and the wind was getting up and it was freezing although the dogs didn't seem to notice. We made some sledges and went round the estate sledging until i got bored of walking back up the hill and Ian put me into a kerb lol.


Poor Stig was rather sick last night which is a first for me and then he coughed up abit of stick so im hoping that was all he has swallowed and its out although he does seem rather quiet this morning and he hasn't eaten, and hes actually asleep which is unusual so i shall keep an eye on him. It was -8 this morning so the doggies had to have there pjamas on for there walk and it also saves Jess getting some of snow stuck to her coat. She gets massive snow balls clumped to her even though i trimmed her so she has less coat hanging down but it still stuck to her so she has to get in the bath after which she hates.