Today I'm having a Sad Sunnie Day so thought I'd cheer myself up by watching old videos. I came across this one of Sunnie taken in May 2010 doing an Allsorts Class with Hayley. Even after 5 years competing on and off with Hayley she still has to check that I'm watching lol.
I miss her so much and its hard because she was so well behaved, sometimes I forget for a while that she's no longer with us.

This is a photo of Sunnie in her show coat, she was just 2 years old and we'd just been to an Open Show.  She had the most beautiful coat, even though she wasn't classically marked and, gladly, she has passed this onto most of her puppies.

Sunnie was rarely the fastest at agility or the most favoured in the show ring but she gave me so much more than a few ribbons and bits of coloured card. I'm so glad now that she helped make my dreams come true, against the odds, and I am surrounded by her legacy.

Well Buddy had his birthday, he got spoilt and expected it again on Saturday so sulked for a while lol. We went up the field to do some training and for a class with an excitable Staffy, called Daisy. She's a lovely dog but needs her boisterousness channelling into something positive, so her owner thought she might like agility.
She had great fun chasing her raggy over the obstacles, completely fearless, she ran over the dog walk on her own while I was chatting to her owner. She also took advantage and covered me in kisses while I eased the seasaw down for her, she is soooooo cheeky!
I have given her owner some homework to try and encourage Daisy to focus on her more. We'll see how much she improves over the week. 
After they left I had a little training session with Skye and Buddy. We noticed at the Winter League last week, that Buddy had knocked some poles down - which is very unusual, so I put them on the highest level while we did a few direction commands. He didn't knock any down so I think, again, it was that he was just in looney mode. 
I ran Skye over a small course, she got all her contacts first time and did everything I asked of her, including a really nasty weave entry. I also pushed her more by being ahead of her as she came over a jump and entered the weaves while I continued to run ahead. She did it first time and every time - what a star she is!!
Buddy is not quite ready for that yet and as I'm still building his confidence in the weaves I made sure I was behind or with him. He enters beautifully but will not stay in if I run by. We will be working hard on this over the next few weeks.

Here is a video taken in March 2011 of Buddy training, handled by Hayley. I love the way you can see him coming through the weaves. It all goes a little wrong afterwards but we always have great fun training with him.

Training went well today again. We are working on building the dogs' confidence to go ahead and all the dogs are enjoying it, handlers too I'm pleased to report. We also did some ringcraft training with a border collie, called Poppy, who's mother has just been made a show champion. Buddy wooed her and we let them have a play together after some fun agility training too. She's going to be a real beauty when she matures - Buddy thinks so now lol.
Puppy class is going well, we had a new recruit in Cally the cocker spaniel. She's so pretty but very mischievous so fitted in well with Pepper (a yorkie x jrt) and Ruby (border terrier).
Well Skye and Bud are exhausted after their long day, its peaceful in camp Gilbert tonight lol.
   

Yesterday was so busy I didn't have time to put anything on here so quick catch up.

Skye seems herself again, thank goodness, but then we did go to see her most favourite person in the world, Grandad. She is back to normal now and Hayley, having to only work 3 days a week on her work experience, has decided she is going to take Skye jogging to get her super fit.
Buddy was crying his little heart out when they left but I think it is good for him to have some time on his own as he never has really since he was born. I took him out, just the two of us, and guess what? We ran into Hayley and Skye! I know Raunds isn't that big but come on!!
Anyway, Hayley decided to come along with us and we all had fun, chatting and chasing in the field.

Buddy did an awesome recall when he spotted a man through the hedge and thought he might go and investigate his intentions. He came back instantly, I was very impressed (although I think the markie I was waving might have had something to do with his keeness to come back lol)!

I have been researching some strategies to try and get Buddy to listen to me during agility shows, instead of getting so overexcited he's deaf to my instructions. I guess I'm a victim of my own success as from the start I've trained him to go ahead of me and enforced commands at a distance. Well now I realise that's all well and good but he has to learn to keep his head. Its not that he isn't focused on me, just that he's like a coiled spring with an adrenaline rush.
You would think with him being my fourth dog that I'd have learnt to get it right by now. Trouble is, all dogs have their own persona and respond differently. Just when you think you've conquered one issue, another crops its head. I think I might have found something to try and will have a go tomorrow at the field.

Tomorrow Buddy is going to be 2 years old but I'm hoping no one will tell him so he have a surprise party lol!

Skye still seems very down today. I took Buddy and Skye to the 'Concrete Strip" for a run this morning before work, as I had to drop Hayley off at Rushden for her work experience. The weather was awful, pouring with rain, so it was ideal to stay in the car and drive with Skye and Buddy trotting around having a good sniff, while I stayed dry and warm.
Buddy raced the car back to the beginning and has now realised when he has won the race and stands there waiting looking very pleased with himself! Skye had made it to the tailgate by the time I'd opened it, bless her, she really does not seem herself.

Sunnie at JDA Agility June 2011

I plan to take her up the field tomorrow and practice some agility and see if she cheers up. I do wonder if something has sparked a memory of Sunnie (her Mum, who died just before Christmas) and she's missing her again. Its hard to know for sure. At least if she is happy to train and is her usual happy, bouncy self I will know its unlikely there's anything physically wrong with her.

After all the excitement of yesterday today seems a little tame. Skye and Buddy are a bit quiet, I think Skye is a bit down, she stole some treats out of the training shed and I think they might have upset her tummy. Buddy is merrily shredding their "Honk" (thus named due to the funny noise it makes when squeezed) the stuffing is coming out everywhere, don't you just love dogs?

I'm still getting the hang of this blogging thing so bear with me lol.


This will be a positive show report on the 3rd Winter League. It was great to see Chloe with Poppy and Charlotte with Monty having a go at the jumping and agility. You should be proud of yourselves for not giving up. We’ve all been there and I can sympathise, its never easy when you feel like everyone is watching and judging you. Keep up the good work Girls, we’ve got some new strategies coming that should help keep your dogs’ focus.

Another well done to Issy with Sasha on nearly gaining a clear round, you’re almost there so keep trying.

Marilyn and Alfie were very tempted to have a go but just as they were going to enter the jump height was changed. Come on Guys, next time eh? Hayley and Skye  ended the day with a 3rd place in the agility woop woop! Well done you Two, a text book run if ever I  saw one.

And then there was Buddy and Me! Our best run was the jumping class where he only got 5 faults after running straight past the weaves. I’m confident he’ll have his day but we’ll put this one down to experience I think!

Anyway a fab day was had by all, we all achieved something and learnt a few valuable lessons. Keep it up folks!

A big bonus just for me and Hayley was seeing our little Emmy again from Skye’s last litter (now named Sixx) and her owner, Becky. She’s adorable and looks so like Sunnie I nearly welled up. Its good to see her legacy living on :-) I’m not sure Buddy and Skye realised she was a relative but were very happy to say hello (especially Buddy lol)!
Photo here is Sixx aged 7 weeks and on the right is Granny, Sunnie, her mirrored, maxi me. It was hard to let little Sixx go, she was such a delightful puppy and always reminded me of Sunnie.

A bit more news to offer - our next Open Day is being planned for Sunday 29th April, which is a week after the Easter Holiday finishes. It is also Bordertrix Ultimate Dog School's 2nd Birthday so we will be celebrating that too.

As before you will get an opportunity to use the equipment at your leisure, take part in lessons and have a go at flyball. Everyone is welcome.

Welcome

So, here goes, my Blog is born and what to put? Click here to read about us, our dogs, our dog training school and our plans >>>>



Quick introduction, our dogs are pictured below;

My first dog - Tipsy

My second dog - Sunnie

We run a dog training school, here in Raunds and I stood outside in the wind and intermittent rain today, got wet, cold and frozen. However, I have to say I was very pleased with how training went, everyone turned up despite the weather and I'd planned their lessons, as Hayley wasn't available to help, so there would be minimal slipping in the mud and maximum effect on their training. Keeping everyone moving when its cold is so important if you want to keep the dogs stimulated.

Well done to Data and Lola on completing and passing our Puppy Class, you all did so well today, even Border Terrier Ruby, only on her 2nd week and already so much improved. Keep up the good work Guys!

Now to tomorrow. We are attending a friendly agility match (from now on referred to as "The Winter League"). Hayley is running our Skye and I will be running her son, Buddy. Issy and Sasha will also be running and Chloe with Poppy is having her first go ever - woop woop! Come on Guys let's go for it for Team Bordertrix!
Hopefully we will be seeing a couple of Skye's pups from her last litter, Sixx and Polo, and Buddy's brother, Sam. I love to see them again and watch their progress.

My 3rd dog - Skye

I'll let you know how we get on :-))