Already a Flyball Champion!

My first Flyball tournament this weekend resulted in my winning 3 titles - FD, FDX, and FDCH (Flyball Dog Champion)!

Many people in Denver said they had never seen a "first timer," do so well. The only mistakes that my handler saw were her own :^). I simply ran over those jumps, got that ball - and ran back the same way for those tasty tidbits of string cheese.

I made a lot of new friends, too. Everyone thought I was so sweet and my handler was so very proud of me. I sure slept well last night!

Love,
Josh

I'm a Grrrrreaaat Flyball Dog!

Abby and I have only been doing flyball for a few short months - sporadically, due to weather. But our group is already discussing which team to be me on! I really LOVE the competition, and I love to run HARD!

My sister, Abby, really isn't convinced she wants to go back and forth with the ball - so I'm not sure this is her "thing." But she is a wonderful Therapy Dog!

This month I'm going to start a Jumpers Class, too....wish me luck!

Love,
Josh

Agility and Now - Fly Ball!!

I already finished both my Puppy Agility Class, and Agility Prep class! Although we won't be taking any formal classes again until Spring, Abby and I are also playing Flyball on most Saturday mornings.

I really love that, too! I can't wait until I'm good enough to really compete with all the "regulars."

Love,
Josh

I Graduated!!

OK - in Puppy Agility we only get 6 classes, but Mom has signed me up for Agility Prep which will start late August. That will be great.

In the meantime, Abby and I began going to a Flyball Group. Boy, is it ever fun! And when we were done Mom took all the dogs to play catch on a big, BIG grassy area - which was a treat. Where we live it is all cactus and juniper.

But it was kinda' funny to see Mom look at a virtual "sea," of black and white Border Collies. Mom could find redheaded Abby easily, but she had trouble spotting me in the crowd :^)

I can't wait for next Saturday!!

Puppy Agility - Class 5!

Our regular instructor, Hannah was back on Tuesday. She is one of my person's and my FAVORITE instructors!

She said my person made a lot of progress in getting me to, "line up," to learn left and right turns. She also showed my person how to get me to "line up," correctly in front of each and every jump. Apparently, she told us the pressure of my person standing on the other side of the jump, and the jump itself, makes me want to sit kinda' sideways. I'm funny like that :^) She showed my person how to do a little kinda' dance with me, to get me to line up right. But I'm still not sure what that is about. My person said we have to practice at home.

I was a little tenuous about the tunnel, because it was longer than usual. But when my person got on the other end - I went right through it. Now, I LOVE the tunnel! Then we did weave pole entries - I like those poles.

We got to do both the ladder and tunnel IN A ROW! Boy, am I getting good! I have no problems with the teeter boards - all shapes and sizes, and I've got a better idea what "touch," means on the equipment. My person keeps saying, "Two feet on, two feet off."

My person remembered that my next class is our last Puppy Agility, so she called Debby about lining up an Agility Prep class for me.

Abby had her class on Wednesday - so you can see what she did, too this week!

Thanks for listening,
Josh

Fourth Class!

Yesterday we still had our assistant teacher. My person learned how to "throw food," and we started going through something called, "weave poles." We don't have to really weave - because right now they are placed like a tunnel we go through, so we get used to them. We also had to follow our person's finger - and got treats when our person was happy!

We also worked on going up and down some short stairs. Even though I have stairs at home, these were different and kind of scared me. So my person went with me the first time. Then I was OK going on them myself. Then we practiced stopping one stair before we get to the bottom - 2 feet on, and 2 feet off. I got treats when I did this!!

We then worked on all the other equipment we are already used to - just to get better. And we played the "2-toy," game.

My 3rd Puppy Agility Class!

This week was a little different, because our regular instructor - Hannah, wasn't there. Our instructor aide ran the class and she started the class with a massage....was that ever great! I especially liked the part where my Mom gave me a tummy and toe rub, without having to have my nails filed! I got so relaxed, I wasn't sure I'd be able to do anything else. But that only lasted a split second.

Next we walked our owners, and showed that we could "sit," on command. My Mom has already been working on how to tell me to do that - and I only pull on my leash a little....sometimes....., but we are working on that, too.

Then we got to go through something new called the, "tunnel." At first I was a bit wary, but after some treats and coaxing and making sure it didn't roll from side to side - I was good to go! In fact, I got so good - that by the end of class I was able to go through it when it was 15' long and CURVED. That means, I couldn't even see daylight at the end!

I admit, there are times I'm still hesitant and not sure I want to go in that dark place. But I'm treated SOOOOO well when I get through, and nothing bad ever happens - so I don't know why I still hesitate sometimes. I love seeing how pleased my Mom and everyone is when I make it, and I'm given golden treats!! Why would I ever hesitate again?

I wonder what we'll do new the next time? Maybe we can do the "luge," - I don't know - I just heard someone talk about it once in my old home when I was just a young pup. We'll see!!

Puppy Agility - Class 2!

On Monday I got to go with my sister Abby, for her Agility Prep class. She does everything right, but Mom would like her to be more enthusiastic.

I was very good, sat quietly and watched while my Dad took pictures of Mom and Abby in class.

The NEXT day was my turn!! I went to Puppy Agility, and got to do jumps this time! Mom is going to make some jumps for home!!

The only thing I don't like is when someone handles my rear-end to "help," me. They have no clue why I don't like this, but I'm going to practice, "lining up," for right and left turns at home where there is less pressure.

I can't wait to see what's new in my class next time!!!

Love,
Josh

My first agility class!

I have only been at my forever home for about a month now. My big sister, Abby has been showing me, "the ropes." Honestly, we always have the same rope, toy squirrel, or whatever in our mouths at the same time. And when we play together we roll on our backs and talk. Our people say we sound like something like, "Orka Whales," - whatever those are.

Yesterday my person took me to my very first puppy agility class. It was wonderful! You can read all about it at my marked spot - Sandia Dog Obedience where I rated it in more detail. Thank you for visiting me!