Good Dog/Bad Dog

Yesterday we did the AKC trial in Youngsville, NC. Venus got her first official over 2 years old measurement! She measured 21 1/2, yay. Venus has always measured at 21 1/2, we measured her at that at 9 months old, at 17 months at her first trial, in Jan her under 2 by the VMO, and now her 1st over 2.
So now onto the runs:
Open Standard- There were so many nice things about this run. I started with a 2 jump lead out, she was so excited but stayed like a good dog. The tunnel entrance was beside the dog walk on the far side from me. I didn't really want to have to run all the way with her because I would be stuck and she'd get out of the tunnel and I wouldn't be in a spot to tell her where to go next. I decided to use "get out" and it worked great. She went into the tunnel no problems. She missed her weaves on the first try but we got all 12 on the 2nd try, yes! That is a big improvement over what we've done at recent trials. She did great on holding her contact at the bottom of the dog walk but almost messed up the table. I told her go table and she blasted full speed at it. I yelled table again hoping she'd think about the fact you can't blast onto it. She flew up, slid across, and wobbled on the edge, somehow she stayed on. Lol, someone told me later that my dog has good brakes. After the table was the broad jump, yes in open. Venus ran right across it, silly dog. I had been so nervous about that in novice and we had no problems, of course we had a brain when we were in novice also. The rest of the run was nice though.
Open JWW- It was a very tight course and I had no clue if Venus would be able to control herself or not out there. The answer is no but I never got to really find out on the tight part. She crashed the 2nd jump on the course and I was mad. I didn't do a front or rear cross there, I wasn't in her way, and I didn't say her name. I saw no reason for her to do that other than out of control craziness which I don't like. I called her back to me and told her down. She looked shocked that I asked her to do this in the middle of an agility trial. She dropped her head and tail and I again told her down. Lol, she laid down and rolled over and looked pitiful. I thanked the judge and we left the ring. He might have let us keep on running but I wanted to make a very clear point to her. Since it was only the 2nd jump she knew I wasn't happy and I was ending the game very early.
Whenever we've finished a course she loves to jump into my arms and have me hold her. It works out well because I think it's cute and I can't be upset with her when she's up in my arms. So even after a messy run we are both happy. Well there was no jumping in the arms so another clue to her that I wasn't happy.

At the last two trials I have gotten lots of very nice compliments from people about Venus. Mostly from people who saw her at the seminar. There are two things I keep hearing again and again; they've never seen a Samoyed that has as much speed/drive/motivation as her, and that I should be happy with the wild and craziness and that it will get better as far as me knowing how to handle it.
Brandy

Charlotte, NC trials

Ok so there is a reason that I call this blog agility laughs. If you are running a Samoyed in agility you have very few options. Mainly, laugh with them or turn red, hide your face and never appear at an agility trial again. (I actually did the 2nd choice after an obedience match with one of my Sams many years ago.)
Venus did her most Sammy like performance this weekend. She is still trying to listen and she doesn't seem to mean to be bad but she was out of control. If I got too close to the ring gate while walking by she would try and drag me into it. I love the enthusiasm with this dog!
We ended up with 4 NQs this weekend. I wasn't surprised. Her behavior about agility lately has been crazy. She's just so excited she does things like flying off the a-frame or wildly doing the teeter. We had lots and lots and lots of weave refusals this weekend. I'm going to see if I can go to someone's house and work weaves where she'll be excited enough for there to be issues.
There were handler issues also, again not surprised. For some reason I don't seem to be able to get it through my head that I can't push Venus off away from me. It just doesn't happen at this point. I need to do a cross of some sort so she knows where to look next. Eventually I will have that ingrained in my mind and remember to do it.
Run first, think later. Examples: flying off the top of the a-frame, crazy out of control teeter at our lesson, literally running into the tunnel at the trial. Hopefully the thought will come back soon. Our next trial is March 23.
Here's a fun video for everyone.

Brandy

Seminar and Lessons

Ok, so let's start with the Silvia Trkman seminar. The courses were difficult but doable. Venus had a very good time and I learned to think a little differently. One thing she focused on was making the best line for the dog. Some places I saw it on my own but others I didn't and I would have handled it in a way that was tougher for the dog.
Remember how hyped up I said Venus was at the warm up jump during the last trial? Well since she is really liking agility this excitment is becoming her usual thing. I didn't warm up with a jump with her at the seminar, and that was a huge mistake. The course was jump then a-frame and that's as far as we got. Venus flew over the jump, up the a-frame, over the top, and never touched the down side. She was ok and didn't really seem bothered by her fall other than maybe that was a bad idea.
Despite being hyped she still listens which surprises me. Silvia liked her speed and thought we could get some nice times. She also said I need to quit trying to slow her down and control her, lol. I am still having a hard time with Venus' speed but it's getting better. I didn't video because it looked like most people were wanting to watch and not fool with a video camera.

Then last night was a lesson with Ronda. Venus had some nice runs and started off with nice weave poles. The longer we worked the worse they got though. She started a little out of control on the teeter and tire, but she did some very pretty a-frames. We have our next lesson the end of March with her.

We have a trial in Charlotte, NC this weekend. It will be Venus' first 2 day trial. We'll see how that goes.

And since I haven't posted a video in a while here's one of some things Venus is learning.

Brandy