Katie came over to me today and we did a bit of training on the babies boxes. We decided to put a board infront of the box to encourage them to jump on and off the box rather then headbutting it as most Staffs tend to do!! We took them all up to the box one by one and got them to step over the jump and put all four feet on the box and jump off. We did this several times until they had it and then gave them a small run up with the ball in the box to get them to use the box properly. Well that was the plan!!!!
Boston was a complete numpty!! I'm sorry Kate but they all have to know!! LOL!! He was going up to the box, leaning over the jump, stealing the ball out and running off in some random direction!!
Stacey was fab in the beginning! I have taken over running her because of Kate's leg. She got the idea very quickly and was doing a beautiful box but then that game got boring and she ran off under Kate's jeep and chewed her ball. Hmmmm
Fox was amazing!!!!! He took a step forward this week. I have never seen him so focused. He even chose the ball over the ragger. I think we were all a bit gobsmaked. Perhaps the incident at Barleylands (and the subsequent training I have been doing) has done the trick (all fingers and toes are crossed now!!)
We also did a tiny bit with Barley and Henry. They are nearly five months old now - can you believe it!!! We just stood them both on the box giving praise and getting them used to the noise and the feel of the box. Henry is great because he is so focused on a ball, I was walking him on the box and rolling the ball away to get him running of it. Barley had to be bribed with food!! She not hugely bothered by a ball and just wants a fuss so I just got her standing on the box and gave her a treat.
I promise I will get some pictures soon. I keep forgetting to take the camera out!!!
Friday, 24 April 2009
Thursday, 16 April 2009
RIP Magic
Yesterday we had to say good bye to our gorgeous boy Magic. He was nearly 12 years old, a good age for any cavalier but especially for one of his breeding. We got him at 9 months old as an abused, frightened little lad who blossomed into a fantastic little man. He was our team mascot and although he never did flyball, he loved coming with us and spending the weekends in my caravan or escaping from it!! LOL!!After our weekend at Stockbridge he became ill and couldn't move or eat. My sister took him to the vets and finally made the kindest decision - he was tired and had given up
Run free at the bridge little dude we will miss you xx
Tuesday, 14 April 2009
Stockbridge at Easter
I have just got back from a fantastic weekend in Hampshire but goodness am I tired!! I think we all decided that perhaps it was a bit silly to do our own show then three days later do a four day show!! :)
Friday was starters which started disastrously when Kate twisted her bad knee whilst running Boston. She has a cruciate injury and her knee just gave way. She was carried out of the ring and we decided not to race for the rest of the morning. In the afternoon Dave took over Boston and I ran Stacey, Boston's sister. Stacey had been eyeballing the other team and then running across the lane in the morning so I calmly held my hand over her eyes and then let her go. She ran like a dream! I have told Dave that he can't run her any more LOL!! Kate went to A&E and came back several hours later with her leg in plaster from hip to ankle oops.
On Saturday the Mad Muttleys (Jamie's team) ran. Sam had to run Lily as Kate couldn't. Lily was not right all day and I could not get my changeovers right, this is really unusual. We were rather outclassed in the division but we ran our fastest ever time of 21.47 and Jamie ran a stonking time of 4.36 in the wet! This was the fastest time that any of our dogs did all weekend not bad for a Beardie, LOL. Then at presentation I was presented with Jamie's Graduate and Neo's Advanced in beautiful silver frames. Ahhh!
Sunday was our top team's turn in Div 2, We were the Cannon fodder!!! Poor Fly really struggled with her arthritis and was very stiff when she got up this morning. I warmed her up for about half an hour and massaged her legs which really helped but she didn't really run right all day. She did not like the slippery ground and didn't run faster then 4.60 secs all day, which is really slow for her. She was start dog and these are a new set of lights which meant that there were loads of false starts and she had to run lots. She was exhausted bless her! We made the decision at the end of the day to put her down to the second team for the next show where she can run anchor dog (her favourite position) and interchange her with another dog so she doesn't have to run all day. This is a really hard thing to do as she was my first flyball dog and a superb dog in her day. She was easily one of the fastest and most reliable start dogs in the country. Its such a shame when you start to see them get old. :(
Monday was multibreed. Jamie ran with Lily, Taff and Poppit. We did really well and came second, only loosing to a team that was a second and a half faster then us! So we were really pleased with our time of 19.36 secs.
All in all it was weekend of mixed results but a good one at that!
Friday was starters which started disastrously when Kate twisted her bad knee whilst running Boston. She has a cruciate injury and her knee just gave way. She was carried out of the ring and we decided not to race for the rest of the morning. In the afternoon Dave took over Boston and I ran Stacey, Boston's sister. Stacey had been eyeballing the other team and then running across the lane in the morning so I calmly held my hand over her eyes and then let her go. She ran like a dream! I have told Dave that he can't run her any more LOL!! Kate went to A&E and came back several hours later with her leg in plaster from hip to ankle oops.
On Saturday the Mad Muttleys (Jamie's team) ran. Sam had to run Lily as Kate couldn't. Lily was not right all day and I could not get my changeovers right, this is really unusual. We were rather outclassed in the division but we ran our fastest ever time of 21.47 and Jamie ran a stonking time of 4.36 in the wet! This was the fastest time that any of our dogs did all weekend not bad for a Beardie, LOL. Then at presentation I was presented with Jamie's Graduate and Neo's Advanced in beautiful silver frames. Ahhh!
Sunday was our top team's turn in Div 2, We were the Cannon fodder!!! Poor Fly really struggled with her arthritis and was very stiff when she got up this morning. I warmed her up for about half an hour and massaged her legs which really helped but she didn't really run right all day. She did not like the slippery ground and didn't run faster then 4.60 secs all day, which is really slow for her. She was start dog and these are a new set of lights which meant that there were loads of false starts and she had to run lots. She was exhausted bless her! We made the decision at the end of the day to put her down to the second team for the next show where she can run anchor dog (her favourite position) and interchange her with another dog so she doesn't have to run all day. This is a really hard thing to do as she was my first flyball dog and a superb dog in her day. She was easily one of the fastest and most reliable start dogs in the country. Its such a shame when you start to see them get old. :(
Monday was multibreed. Jamie ran with Lily, Taff and Poppit. We did really well and came second, only loosing to a team that was a second and a half faster then us! So we were really pleased with our time of 19.36 secs.
All in all it was weekend of mixed results but a good one at that!
Wednesday, 8 April 2009
May Barleylands Update
Barleylands in May will now be going ahead but just for the one day. The entries are pathetic but we will hold it for the people that have entered. It is really disappointing that we have not had more support. Some of the biggest teams in the South East have not put in entries, very upsetting. I swear that if I hear one team in the South East complain about the distances they have to travel I will hit them over the head with a Barleylands brochure!!! GRRR! The May Bank Holiday show will probably now be moved to a more central position which is a real shame as Barleylands is a fantastic venue. Oh well. My view is, that if people are not going to support their local shows then they don't deserve to have them. :(.
Monday, 6 April 2009
Barleylands April 09
Well what a weekend. Barleylands was a great success even if I do say so myself! I am soooo tired though lol. I got there at 9am Friday morning and marked out the general position and size of the ring so that we could organise our camping. Tasha, Dave, Kate, Lee, Tony and Faye got there about half an hour later and we decided to get our caravans sorted. By the time we were all set up Sam and Andy arrived so we helped them with their awning and spent the rest of the afternoon marking out and setting up the ring (no mean feat I can tell you!!). We were finished at about 7 so had some dinner and a few drinks and went to bed very early for us.
On Saturday we started racing at the leisurely time of 10am as we only had starters, pairs and singles. It was a very relaxed day. We had no warm up limits and spent the day helping out teams and giving advice. It was very productive day and I feel that the newer teams went away with a clearer idea of the rules and etiquette of flyball. I learned that there is no way that Fox can go in a flyball lane until he has matured a bit more!!!!! I'm not even going into that disaster!!!! My friend, Sarah, came to look at Teddy a lovely little rescue dog that I had been looking for a home for, fell in love with him and took him home with a promise that she would be at our next training session with him! We also had some ladies from a brand new team in Manningtree who had a go in the singles. One of the ladies had a cracking pointer who did a time of 4.90 secs very impressive for such a tall dog. Pairs and singles went really well but not always completely smoothly lol! After presentation we had the fifty metre dash but I think all the handlers were too tired and we only had about ten dogs compete. After we had finished Kate and Sam went and got a KFC while we all fed and wee'd our dogs and cleared away the lights and gazebos. We then all fell on the KFC like vultures owing to the fact we had not had time to eat a single thing all day!
Sunday went like clockwork! Very few problems and some great racing. The terrierists won their division with some great racing and changeovers. The Muttleys were really outclassed and I just could not get my changeovers onto Lily sorted as Jamie was completely over excited and I had trouble holding him let alone trying to get a decent changeover!!!. The team did not really gel until the last race of the day when it all clicked and we got our fastest time of the day (probably because Jamie had actually settled a bit)! I'm not sure what was wrong with him this weekend as he barked constantly for two days (he never does this) and was bonkers! I'm taking him back off CSJ food LOL!!!! The Running 4 Mutts (our top team) were running pretty well. We were in line for a 2nd place possibly 1st when disaster struck and Poppit split her claw all the way up! ARGH!!! We came 4th! Fly was not very good in the morning and very stiff. I have to keep reminding myself that she is approaching nine and although she is in great condition and looks (and acts) like a dog of one age is definitely creeping up on her. Bless her. Barley had a great weekend. We put her, Henry and Fraggle in a big pen by the admin tent. Lots of socialisation!! LOL!! They had a blast! The only thing that marred the weekend was the fact that we found out that we had only received 13 entries for our May show so it looks like it won't be going ahead :( Keeping our fingers crossed.
On Saturday we started racing at the leisurely time of 10am as we only had starters, pairs and singles. It was a very relaxed day. We had no warm up limits and spent the day helping out teams and giving advice. It was very productive day and I feel that the newer teams went away with a clearer idea of the rules and etiquette of flyball. I learned that there is no way that Fox can go in a flyball lane until he has matured a bit more!!!!! I'm not even going into that disaster!!!! My friend, Sarah, came to look at Teddy a lovely little rescue dog that I had been looking for a home for, fell in love with him and took him home with a promise that she would be at our next training session with him! We also had some ladies from a brand new team in Manningtree who had a go in the singles. One of the ladies had a cracking pointer who did a time of 4.90 secs very impressive for such a tall dog. Pairs and singles went really well but not always completely smoothly lol! After presentation we had the fifty metre dash but I think all the handlers were too tired and we only had about ten dogs compete. After we had finished Kate and Sam went and got a KFC while we all fed and wee'd our dogs and cleared away the lights and gazebos. We then all fell on the KFC like vultures owing to the fact we had not had time to eat a single thing all day!
Sunday went like clockwork! Very few problems and some great racing. The terrierists won their division with some great racing and changeovers. The Muttleys were really outclassed and I just could not get my changeovers onto Lily sorted as Jamie was completely over excited and I had trouble holding him let alone trying to get a decent changeover!!!. The team did not really gel until the last race of the day when it all clicked and we got our fastest time of the day (probably because Jamie had actually settled a bit)! I'm not sure what was wrong with him this weekend as he barked constantly for two days (he never does this) and was bonkers! I'm taking him back off CSJ food LOL!!!! The Running 4 Mutts (our top team) were running pretty well. We were in line for a 2nd place possibly 1st when disaster struck and Poppit split her claw all the way up! ARGH!!! We came 4th! Fly was not very good in the morning and very stiff. I have to keep reminding myself that she is approaching nine and although she is in great condition and looks (and acts) like a dog of one age is definitely creeping up on her. Bless her. Barley had a great weekend. We put her, Henry and Fraggle in a big pen by the admin tent. Lots of socialisation!! LOL!! They had a blast! The only thing that marred the weekend was the fact that we found out that we had only received 13 entries for our May show so it looks like it won't be going ahead :( Keeping our fingers crossed.
Wednesday, 1 April 2009
Beware Small furries!!
Look away now if you don't like ferrets!
This is Ferrari.
These are Sawyer (my baby) Raisin (mad polecat) and Tinsel (Ferrari's sister)
This is my gorgeous girl, Lex,
Raisin's favorite game is chasing my dogs (including Fox) around the garden. He jumps around on all four feet together and dives at the dogs! Monkey!
Don't blame me
I have been asked to post some pictures of them
This is Ferrari. He is two years old and the laziest ferret you will ever meet! He will only come out of his bed if he can be sure he is getting a cuddle!
These are Sawyer (my baby) Raisin (mad polecat) and Tinsel (Ferrari's sister)This is my gorgeous girl, Lex,I have to check her regularly to make sure she is not dead as she sleeps so soundly, i can pick her up and she doesn't wake up!
Raisin's favorite game is chasing my dogs (including Fox) around the garden. He jumps around on all four feet together and dives at the dogs! Monkey!
Only two days.....
to Barleylands. I went and picked up by caravan today (it lives with friends of mine at the moment as we only have a double drive and three cars - hmmm) and parked it on our drive. I have had to book a day's holiday from work tomorrow as I have felt too unwell with my ear infection to do anything!! So tomorrow will be spent shopping, cleaning and maintenance of caravan, housework and packing. All ready for friday morning argh!!
I took the dogs for a quick walk in a different place to where they normally go. This is a shorter walk but I didn't feel up to the normal hour. It is a bit darker as it is in a slight valley, and Barley was really funny. She would stop and sniff so I kept walking, she would look up, realise I was gone and screech at me until she got back to me! Sooo funny - bless her! It was as though she was shouting 'wait for me!!' She is getting really speedy on the flat now, it helps that the others are so fast so she has to work really hard at keeping up. Someone asked me last year where I keep getting all these super fast dogs from but I suspect a lot of it is that Fly is naturally very fast so if the others want a ball they have to try very hard to get it! Hopefully this will rub off on Barley:)
I have a plan for Fox this year to stop him chasing other dogs, I have never known a dog with such a strong chase instinct! I am going to put him in my car, in a cage, near the admin tent so I can keep an eye on him, very close to the ring so he can watch the racing. I am hoping he will tire himself out barking and will eventually get bored and sleep. I am going to put Neo in the other cage as he is very calm and not interested in the flyball until I am putting his harness on (maybe a calming influence?). I am really hoping this will work as I don't think he will ever do Flyball otherwise and this certainly can't make him any worse, Heres hoping!!
I took the dogs for a quick walk in a different place to where they normally go. This is a shorter walk but I didn't feel up to the normal hour. It is a bit darker as it is in a slight valley, and Barley was really funny. She would stop and sniff so I kept walking, she would look up, realise I was gone and screech at me until she got back to me! Sooo funny - bless her! It was as though she was shouting 'wait for me!!' She is getting really speedy on the flat now, it helps that the others are so fast so she has to work really hard at keeping up. Someone asked me last year where I keep getting all these super fast dogs from but I suspect a lot of it is that Fly is naturally very fast so if the others want a ball they have to try very hard to get it! Hopefully this will rub off on Barley:)
I have a plan for Fox this year to stop him chasing other dogs, I have never known a dog with such a strong chase instinct! I am going to put him in my car, in a cage, near the admin tent so I can keep an eye on him, very close to the ring so he can watch the racing. I am hoping he will tire himself out barking and will eventually get bored and sleep. I am going to put Neo in the other cage as he is very calm and not interested in the flyball until I am putting his harness on (maybe a calming influence?). I am really hoping this will work as I don't think he will ever do Flyball otherwise and this certainly can't make him any worse, Heres hoping!!
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