She is so cute!!!!! I love the part with Penelope under her leg. Also Vito's swimming cracks me up. Is there a way to clicker train him the proper way to swim? Maybe with a doggie life vest to help get his rear up?? When can Zumi start competing? It's over a year and a half for agility right? She's doing so great with her training. I love the videos you make.
I always kept hoping that with practice Vito's swimming would get better. Clearly not the case! He actually does have a lifejacket that I should make him wear more often. Maybe muscle memory of actually using his back legs would help. I wouldn't know how to go about clicker training it as even if I had a plan, I don't think there is any reward greater than the chance to splash around! It's SO bad though!
18 months is the standard age most organizations allow for competing. Some dogs are ready then, some people wait until 2yrs. Based on her level of focus I would think she would be ready then, but she could surprise me! Won't start real jump training and weave pole training until growth plates are closed.
Mentally she definitely seems ready, but yeah definitely need to wait for the growth plates to close. When does that happen in dogs??
The only thing I could think with Vito is put his jacket on, take him into a pool so you can see his legs and click when he moves a back leg, but like you said, what would the reward be?? He's not likely to want to eat while swimming. Doesn't he have a trick that involves kicking his hind legs back while laying on the floor? Maybe you could cue that while he's swimming? That might confuse him though. Hey at least he stays afloat hehe. :D
You don't really know for sure when they're closed unless you do xrays, which I'm thinking about doing with Zumi at some point. Anywhere between 8mo-18mo of age, but the smaller the dog the faster with most dogs done by 12mo.
I think I'll just suck it up and bring Vito's life jacket along on our lake walks :)
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This blog is about life with my 3 dogs. It's mainly to keep track of my training with the dogs and my exploration into the world of competitive obedience, agility, disc dog, and trick training. We reside outside of Minneapolis, MN.
Train With Me!
I offer online private lessons, online group classes, and in person lessons! Find out more by visiting my official training page, Tandem Dog Sports
Fenzi Dog Sport Academy
Lance the Corgi
Lance is my first dog, born April 2007. We faced early retirement due to an injury but Lance enjoyed playing in obedience, rally, and agility. He got me hooked on dog sports.
(photo by Sarah Beth Photography)
Vito the Toller
Vito was born on Halloween 2008. We currently compete in agility and are slowly making our way back to the obedience ring. Vito is making me into a better trainer every step of the way.
(Photo by Great Dane Photography)
Zumi the Duck
Born October 2014, Zumi is adventuring into the agility world and competitive obedience. We are working on some over arousal issues!
Luke the Kitty
Luke is a 10yr old kitty who finds his greatest joy in tormenting Lance. He also loves to wrestle with the fosters, cuddle with his tollers, and steal as much food as possible through trash can raiding and chewing holes in pockets.
She knows so many things! She's so grown up!
She is so awesome!
And I love the clip of her & Vito swimming together: vastly different strokes :)
I don't think I would call her grown up! Definitely a bratty teenager right now :)
Merina, Vito is special in oh so many ways!
She looks very grown up and responsible in all the pieces you showed us. Yes, I called her responsible.
Wow look at her go!! (Oh I giggled at Vito's swimming, you aren't kidding about Zumi being a better swimmer heehee)
She is so cute!!!!! I love the part with Penelope under her leg. Also Vito's swimming cracks me up. Is there a way to clicker train him the proper way to swim? Maybe with a doggie life vest to help get his rear up?? When can Zumi start competing? It's over a year and a half for agility right? She's doing so great with her training. I love the videos you make.
I always kept hoping that with practice Vito's swimming would get better. Clearly not the case! He actually does have a lifejacket that I should make him wear more often. Maybe muscle memory of actually using his back legs would help. I wouldn't know how to go about clicker training it as even if I had a plan, I don't think there is any reward greater than the chance to splash around! It's SO bad though!
18 months is the standard age most organizations allow for competing. Some dogs are ready then, some people wait until 2yrs. Based on her level of focus I would think she would be ready then, but she could surprise me! Won't start real jump training and weave pole training until growth plates are closed.
Mentally she definitely seems ready, but yeah definitely need to wait for the growth plates to close. When does that happen in dogs??
The only thing I could think with Vito is put his jacket on, take him into a pool so you can see his legs and click when he moves a back leg, but like you said, what would the reward be?? He's not likely to want to eat while swimming. Doesn't he have a trick that involves kicking his hind legs back while laying on the floor? Maybe you could cue that while he's swimming? That might confuse him though. Hey at least he stays afloat hehe. :D
You don't really know for sure when they're closed unless you do xrays, which I'm thinking about doing with Zumi at some point. Anywhere between 8mo-18mo of age, but the smaller the dog the faster with most dogs done by 12mo.
I think I'll just suck it up and bring Vito's life jacket along on our lake walks :)