Training Daze
I am feeling very productive this week (with regards to dog training. Other things, not so much).
Dylan did some light work at agility last Tuesday, but I was conscious that he might be carrying an injury, so we didn’t do too much. Enough to test the waters and see what might be bothering him. He worked fine, enthusiastic and chirpy, just a little uncomfortable on the flat. His jumping form was nice, contacts so-so. He doesn’t seem to like our seesaw at training, which is a little bit weird. He actually has a better (ie. more confident, faster) seesaw performance in competition at the moment.
He did a little boxwork at flyball; we have a new flat-fronted box which I love, but it does trigger faster than our old boomerang. So far, Dylan’s turn has looked better and he’s snapping around faster, but the real test will be at Drax in a few weeks when he runs in competition with no props.
He had a chiro adjustment and massage after training, and he was soooo sore in his shoulders, particularly the left one. This is what I’d suspected and it wasn’t a major fix, but it does explain why he was popping the weaves at Lune. He was popping consistently at the fourth pole, which is the second step onto his left shoulder. Another Rio-related injury, but a new one! She’s a lot faster than him and when they’re out racing, she’ll run in front and spin to bark in his face, so he slams on and is obviously jarring his shoulders. That upright build doesn’t help!
Rio and I did a little contact board work at agility training, first time in a high-excitement atmosphere. I didn’t expect any problems and didn’t get any. She loves to work, and she had no problems with the transition from home to arena. I do need to shape her looking forward a little more, she’s currently just offering the 2o2o from wherever she happens to be on the board. She worked the rest of the exercises like a pro, she’s such a superstar. It’s a weird sort of pressure, I think she has a lot of potential, a lot more than my other dogs, and I want to make sure I can reach that!
She was also awesome at obedience, I’m excited about where we’re going with this. I discussed the possibilities for Rally and “proper” Obedience in the future with our trainer, and it was both enlightening and positive. Again, with the potential!
Finally, she did some recalls at flyball and is looking super smooth. The intention is to build a chute this weekend and start her box training, finally. Although I do say this every week, and so far … nothing. A lot more incentive now we have the new box however.
We got to play with Rave a little as well, who is 5months now and the fluff is dropping away, replaced by legs. He is such a nice puppy, I like him a lot. He loves Katie and is going to be very good for her, I think!