The Dogs Are Really In Charge

I took the tollers to the first annual (hopefully!) Minnesota Agility Cup this past weekend. It's not affiliated with any organization so no potential for legs and titles. Just really fun "international" style courses, a laid back atmosphere, and of course the draw of winning big bucks! Or at least the opportunity to win back your entry fees.

I was really surprised at how few competitors were there. This is what agility is all about to me!

The courses were super fun. And super long. SO much spacing between obstacles that we're just not used to here. And I think they ranged from 200-240 yards each. I learned I am way out of shape. Not that it was really new to me, but it sure made me think about the upcoming US Open this November! Of course I'll only have 1 dog and more time between runs so that will help. But still. Considering doing some sprint training....

My dogs weaknesses weren't new, but they were certainly highlighted this weekend. No hiding from them on the international style courses!

Really Zumi was very over aroused and didn't get better. I think the wide open spacing really kicked her into gear. She still handled very well and I was proud of how she did this weekend but we do have our work cut out.

So my to do list includes:
- Actually training a strong "here" type cue so I don't have to do really lame handling to try and push away from the tunnels calling out to my dogs. I've always just given up hope and call my dogs name as I see them sucking in and of course they always just go in...

- Startline stays with Zumi. (Well and Vito technically too, but it's Vito and he knows I don't care with him. He definitely broke every startline this weekend.) Zumi I thought was fixed. She was back to sitting up nicely and not scooting. But major breaking, not just but scooting this weekend. On the positive side she did respond to her back up cue to help reset her!
- And the teeter stay? She broke on the last course too!

- Trained threadle cue. I was actually really proud of Zumi as she did a double threadle with me pretty far behind, but it could be a lot better. And I know it's not consistent.

- Dogwalks. Our lack of training with Zumi shows. Some great ones, some leaps. And all were straight exits...

Zumi technically won the 20in class with her billions of off courses, and Vito won the 16in select class.

Zumi round 6 agility. 240 yards...

Vito actually ran very well. This trial was my potential last trial with Vito as I wasn't sure if he would put up with me trailing him anymore based on the last UKI/USDAA weekend. But he was running great even though it was an insane amount of yards and way more than the 2 runs per day I had been doing with him. So I guess he rewarded my greediness and I'll just keep an eye on him until he tells me he's really done. He's certainly doing well physically.

Vito's final round. 230 yards. His 7th run of the weekend!:

Last week I escaped home life to go to the FDSA camp! I didn't think I was going to be able to go this year but thanks Mom for babysitting Vito and Netta!!!

Of course camp was amazing. Fun to meet people I've only seen online and wow there were a huge variety of breeds!

I brought Zumi to camp to be my emotional support dog for all the socializing required, and because I wanted the opportunity to work with her in that type of environment. We played in the empty rings about twice a day working on ring entrances, heeling and then a mix of exercises from gloves to go outs.

Mostly I worked on Zumi dropping the ball at my feet when I put my hands behind my back in order to work.

I usually train with her tug toy (still primarily fetch) and Zumi's great at offering that drop and knowing it starts work vs how I cue another toss. But I haven't been applying this type of consent cue to her agility training when I use a ball. With some brilliant reminders from lectures at camp I decided that I really needed to have this clear opt-in signal from Zumi in her agility training too. I know the ball is harder for her drop since she loves to just squish it! So instead of just trying to start right away applying that to agility I thought I would bring her ball to obedience work where she at least already knows the routine. Baby steps!

The first few sessions were difficult. She chose to lie down and squish her ball more than work. And that was ok!!! We can't ask our dogs if they are ready to work and then ignore their answer! But it definitely improved over the few days at camp. I know she's not ready yet to do that in the context of agility but we will get there.

I managed to break out the tripod to film her last little session of work with the tiniest bit of heeling, retrieves, a break, and then more retrieves. And of course her dropping the ball work.

I'm also pleased to report that Zumi really settled in well with her hotel stays. April was her first and only hotel stay before this trip and she was a little stressed when it was just us in the room whenever our roommates were out. She also went off her food. This trip I was prepared with a bag full of different brands of kibble! Zumi actually ate pretty well with her mixture of different foods, not even picking out her normal kibbles out of the mix like she did last trip. She was also much more settled about being in the rooms even with different roommates and hotels!