Nerves and Ribbons

This weekend was a big weekend for Miss Grace. It was her Rally debut! She did so well for her first time in the ring. I really had no idea of what to expect of the whole thing. The place was HUGE!!! People and dogs everywhere!

Side note:

Now, let me put this out there. I have NEVER been one to perform in front of a crowd. I hate public speaking, I hate being in front of a crowd, even if it's people I know, shoot, I don't even like calling people on the phone. In school, if there was a presentation at the end of the semester, I would spend the entire semester dreading it. So to say I was nervous about our Rally trial was a slight understatement. I was super excited, but dreadfully nervous.

Friday, Day 1. 

We got there and I was nervous, anxious, excited, and ready to go. We got everything set up and the only thing left to do was wait.

It came time for us to do the walk though and that is when the nerves really hit. "This is it, this is the real deal." "Can we do it?" "Were we ready?" "There are so many people watching." "Will the laugh if we mess up?" "What if Grace messes up?" " What if I mess up?" Those were only a faction of the things going through my head...

The time came for Novice A to start and as I waited for my turn to go, I could feel my face getting red, palms getting sweaty, knees getting shaky, and doubtful thoughts going through my head. Just as I am about the flee the building in a panicked screaming rage (ok, not really, but still), I looked at Grace and she is just as chill as you could get. I realize, she's right, there is nothing to worry about. This is going to be fun and yes, we will make mistake, but that's ok, we're here to have fun! Right?

The judge asked "Are you ready?" I answered Yes, but was thinking no! "Forward" he said, and off we went.

The rest was a blur, and the next thing I knew, my friends (visit her blog here, when you get a chance) and people around us where clapping. We finished and it was fun! IT WAS FUN! We had mistakes, a lot of them, but it was fun! We even Q'ed!!! We got a 79/100!

 Grace and her first ribbon

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Saturday, Day 2

Ok, so day two wasn't so overly dramatic as the day before. The sweaty palms, shaking knees and wanting run out the building were at a minimum. The nerves were still there (trust me) but we had done this before and I didn't die, so this was no big deal. I had friends cheering for us and Grace at my side, all was good.

We had a rocky start, but recovered and made another Q! 86/100! Only one more and she earns her RN title!

I am so proud of Grace!

 Pep talk time

 "We got this Grace."

 "Yep, we got this mom."

Ribbon #2

Go Grace Go!!

A week with Mr. Red

Over this last week I doggie-sat Red. His mom and dad took a vacation, and I was in charge of his well being. Lets just say Red makes my two look like lazy bums! Talk about energy!!! This guy is non stop and I mean literally. But all that aside he is really a good, funny dog, and I enjoyed my stay with him.

For most of the days it was just Red and I, but there were a few days that I brought over my pups and just let them run loose! So here are some pictures of our week with Red! Enjoy!

Busy Times

We have had a busy few weeks. I kept meaning to blog about everything but was just not able to or sleep over came me.

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First and for most Grace and I participated in our first ever Rally event!!! We went to a show 'n' go to practice for the real event coming July 22nd and 23rd. She did awesome in and out the ring. She very calmly laid in her kennel, watched people and dogs go by or even went to sleep. I think I was more nervous about being there then she was!

When it was time for the novice crew to do the walk through, my teachers were there to help me out and assured we would do fine. Finally, it was our turn! As I waited to go I was so nervous, but when Grace and I moved forward, I forgot all nerves and just walked the course like I knew it, just me and Grace, together.

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Riley and I are progressing in agility. I have been practicing 2x2 weaves and I couldn't be more proud of my little guy! I need to practice more consistently, but so far Riley is weaving 4 straight poles!!! I never thought I'd see the day! I'll have to get video of his weave progress, but for now here is a video of our run on Wednesday. Once we get the weaves down we will enter our first agility event.

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Riley and Grace got new SUMMER COLLARS! Hehe :) I won a drawing for a free collar last month and picked one out for Riley, but I couldn't leave Grace out :)

 I LOVE my dogs!

 Showing off their modeling skills

 Close ups!

Grace wanting what Riley has. Isn't that always the case?

 My sweet pups!

 Can we has treat now?

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I also was dog-sitting for my friend this past week, so pictures of Mr. Red in the next post!

Heat wave and training

Ok, so I know I haven't been blogging lately.... sorry about that. Things here have gotten slow and HOT!!! And I mean hot, not like "oh it's warm today" or "yea it's kinda hot", I mean like "HOLY SHIT SHERLOCK HOT!". It has been well in the upper 90s and 100s with humidity sky high, which make doing things outside very difficult and unpleasant. So, in turn we have been doing tricks and training inside, in the A/C.

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First off, Riley still was not getting the concept of weaving. We were stuck on the treat stick and I was frustrated we weren't moving forward. So what do I do? Push it away and forget, out of sight out of mind....right?

Of course that's not the right thing to do, but it's all I wanted to do at the time. Then one day in agility class a friend (who just switched to the same time as Riley and I) asked how we were doing on weaves. It was like he knew we were having trouble! I said "weaves? what weaves?" He laughed and asked if I heard of 2x2.

He explained how he and his dog did it and I had also seen the 2x2 method done by some fellow bloggers. I was a little wiry about doing it because Riley isn't really toy motivated. Shoot, what the heck! I'll give it a try!

I started with a treat container I threw, but even then, Riley only cared for a few reps. Then I used a squeaky tennis ball and BAM! Crazy Riley appears! Followed by progress! Did you hear that? PROGRESS! We are just up to two sets of 2x2's but he actually looks like a weaver!!!

I'll post a video of his latest weaves soon.

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Second, I've been working with Grace and her Rally skills. She is doing great but just needs some fine tuning on the basic things, she has a tendency to swing her hind end out when she sits. We are participating in a 'show and go' this weekend and it will be our first ever competition like setting (mid July we are participating in a official rally event at the Reliant Center!). I am nervous but excited at the same time. We have been practicing here at home (which is easy) and I've taken her to the petsmart that's close by and working her there (which is harder), getting her use to noises, sights and distractions.

Most definitely will be posting video of the show and go and of us at the Reliant Center!

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I really need to get my camera back out and start taking pictures again!!! And I promise to write more then once a month!

Oh, P.S. I ordered the pups new collars so you are guaranteed pictures in the near future LOL :D

Grace passed her CGC test!

Grace passed her CGC test!!! She did AWESOME! Her and the 3 other dogs in class, were doing so good we took and passed the test a week ahead of schedule :) So this last class we came in to record a fun run through (I didn't have my camera for the real test the week before) and to celebrate our great dogs.

I am so proud of Grace and how far she has come!

 

Wordless Wednesday