Everything To Date - Summarized

I (Maci) was my mom's first golden after a husky and several Tervs and Shih Tzus. She wanted something that could be off leash and good at dog sports. LOL she got me! I came from a registered breeder but I went to my new home at only 6 weeks. Mom says never again. I am a bit uncertain, do not really play with other dogs (do not really know how) and I am very hyper. Guess I was a big headache in my teenage years!

I tried agility...but I have bad knees so we quit. It was fun except for that see-saw thing! I love rally though and I have a novice title in CKC and novice and advanced in CARO. Trying for CKC advance soon...I just need to remember I can not run around and visit everyone while off the leash...that is why my nickname is Spaci Maci!

When I was 2 1/2, my mom brought home Harley. I was not impressed...I mean the first 2 weeks I would run if he even accidently touched me. But I came around, he is a very cute golden. We are best friends as he knows when to bug me and knows that all bones are mine.

Harley gets to do more running around an ring than me but he has to endure a long bath and grooming beforehand...not for this non-princess! He has his championship now and is starting in rally. He is always cuddled with Mom but that is okay cause I get Dad and his human treats (do not tell Mom!)

Now Mom has a full time job (always says she needs another because we are so expensive- need to tell her if she ate turkey necks too we can buy in bulk and it would be cheaper :)) and also is a director with the AB golden club - membership and rescue. She gets upset and mad sometimes with rescue but also has lots of times when she is all excited.

That is us...forward and onwards!

Nerves

Well, this weekend is Harley's first attempt at Dockdogs. It will not be stressful, etc - actually (regardless of weather!!!) it will be fun. Mainly because I refuse to do anything and not have fun...that is all my dogs every want. And trust me, Harley knows when I am not having fun and turns into the 'rock'. Making me feel extra guilty for stressing my boy.

It is getting ready for next weekend and Maci's second attempt at being off leash in rally advanced. I know she is way more mature and can do it, just hope my nerves do not set her off into a spacey Maci run around the ring. We are also attempting prenovice - if she settles and clicks in for heeling we have it made! Good thing she is always having fun and it is so hard to be mad at her - cheeky thing.

Harley is entered in Rally novice --if he does not get stressed and I can keep him up, up, UP he will do wonderful. I still can not believe how much energy it takes to work a low drive, calm dog.

Oh well- stocked up on new treats, new toy and a new bottle of Rescue remedy (for me!).

Quading

We had quads when Maci was younger...she has always loved them. No issues sitting in the seat and riding. She learned to brace herself when I say bump, bump. So she is all good to go this year.

I kind of messed up with Harley. He is just a calm, confident pup that I just put him on the quad and took him a slow, flat ride. OOOPS! He is not fussy on quad riding...he actual hide under the trailer once. So we will start back at the beginning properly and slowly. He does want to go, he hates everyone being separated.

One other thing about hitting the trails...got to see what the 2 would do with deer. Yeap, they chase things that are running but did come straight back when called. Since there was no danger, I did let them chase for a bit (the deer has a big head start). There is no need to not let them have their fun. Also, I think they learn that those animals are too fast and do not bother or try has hard the next time. Okay, that might just be Maci :)

Update in regards to trials

November - CKC rally and OB

Harley got 2 qualifying scores in rally advanced. I did not enter him the second trial in the same day. 1 a day for this boy. Because he was not on leash...more sniffing. Everyone says it was a boy thing not a stress thing. But more sniffing meant slowwwwwer. But I am happy - he is what he is :)

Maci was entered twice in Pre-novice. First run of the morning was beautiful...I was teary actually. Some sniffing at the feet of 1 post but heeling was wonderful! Second run in the very noisy afternoon - we were back to crappy heeling..she is just too distracted still. Back to training :) Oh - her second sit stay was perfect. The dog beside her broke his stay and did a lovely recall at a fast pace - I was just praying. Maci loves recalls...but she stayed!!

December - CKC rally

Harley pulled out a very decent for him score. But was 5 minutes in time!!! But then I found out 20 minutes after his run how upset his stomach was...yeap did not even wanted to play or visit :( He has his title now and can retire for now. We will see what we get when he gets fixed and older.

Maci - did 1 sign and then started the running around and trying to leave the ring again. I do know she loves to run but I do not know why she wants to run out of the ring - more space??? The judge was extra nice and let us restart...but she left right away to see the jump etc. So I asked to be excused. Lots of work here..wish I knew where to start though. She does not do it at practice!!! It hurt a bit because I know she can pull off perfect scores if she would not lose her brains. She is definitely my mental issue child :)

Harley and Skin

Since the summer I have been battling hot spots with Harley. Since October I noticed black spots - some like scabs, some like pieces of dirt but moister. Could this be the reason for the hot spots??? We were thinking all the swimming but...

I have bath him with a shampoo with tea tree oil but the spots are still there. Not getting worse but it seems they eventually get itchy and he scratches and makes a new hot spot. Every day I would check him over...fingers crossed I would see some creepy flea or the like. That would be easy to fix! But nothing...

Gave him a bath last week and noticed the black spots seem worse. Okay---vet time. We are waiting for lab results from the skin scraps but the vet thinks something fungal.

The good news in our household---Harley is more excited doing training and rally courses in practice. I had made a list of thing he gets excited for...and other than mommy coming home, the next thing was his food bowl and supper time. So we now take his supper and bowl to practice--finally something that he gets animated over. Yeap - he is a silly boy ---prefers kibble to pieces of liver or steak.

Now the hard, slow process I will take to remove the food bowl from being with us to coming out after the course is down. First night, I could barely get 1 sign out of him before he would not 'be in the game'. This will be very slow until that light bulb goes off in his head. It happened with left pivots....I just need lots of patience!