Last weekend we went on Natalie Mitchell's training day in Cheshire, pre-booked a while ago, we were lucky to get on as Nat had a reserve list of handlers waiting in the wings..
Jette and I loved it and, despite it being quite a long session for us, 2.5 hrs, Jette was really up for it. I knew nearly everyone there too which made for a positive, relaxed, working atmosphere. The exercises were set at an appropriate level with challenges for all of us without being over-faced. Some interesting approaches too, especially liked the reward/startline wait which I've been practising with both dogs ever since. It really increased focus and drive :-) Also a different approach to wing wraps/turns I found easier to understand than some I've tried of late. Good day, hope it's one of many more, would highly recommend to everyone.
Fabulous choice of venue too, Dig It Dogs near Sandbach, easy to get to and great facility! Nice to see Clover and Kirsty in her new posh van too!!
Then, driving home, I cut across to Dove Stones again... weather was very foggy and damp but the dogs didn't seem to mind and enjoyed their walks and play.
What a difference some sunshine makes!!
I could hear Jette snorting under the bedroom door, this normally signals breakfast lol!! Then, squinting, opening eyes, saw the weather, we got sunshine!!!! All day!!! I'd booked hydrotherapy so made plans to drive on from the pool at Luddenden to Hardcastle Crags instead of coming home. Wow what a lovely day, dogs enjoyed themselves hugely and what a fantastic place to visit, Gibson Mill is just such a picture lying at the foot of the steep valley, really atmospheric!
Coming home I stopped off to stretch the dogs legs before bedtime and also to try and get Flynn weaving. I've had use of some stick in weaves from a friend, which will have to go back to her, so wanted to utilise them as much as possible over the weekend. Building on what we'd started to work on at the club, just 10 mins each time both days.... just trying to stop Flynn jumping them instead of weaving through. He did well, seems to be getting it and this time I've removed the toy so he's not going forward haphazardly, it seems to help him think through the movement more, so yeah!! Progress!!
Sunday, another lovely day so off we went to Cannon Hall for ball games and fun. Returning laden with recreational bones from the farm shop for a leisurely doggy Sunday evening, we stopped off again for weave practice and, lo and behold, it seems to be working and Flynn actually went through 6 weaves by himself. Well pleased we've not over worked this obstacle, so he can learn to understand it. Result!!!
What a lovely weekend!! Jette has Lucy O training Tuesday, she'll really enjoy that I know, not sure if we'll have access to these sessions anymore now we're not training with the club at the moment, but maybe we can go on the reserve list if not, Jette soooooo loves her Auntie Lucy!!
We've still not got any regular training in place, which isn't good for Flynn especially, but I'm hope something will crop up for him eventually and, in the meantime, hey, touring is great! (especially when the sun shines.....) :-)
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