Midsummer Ramblings
Does absence really make the heart grow fonder? Well hopefully that is somewhat true since I haven't posted here in a very long time!
My MIA excuse? Summer and the onslaught of camera fever that came with the warmer days! In my quest to get to know my camera better, I have been on the hunt for new adventures to photograph and have found myself with dirt flying in my face at the race track, dancing to Pretty Woman at the Polo For Heart Match, oh and can't forget sitting in the bush waiting for a hawk, and the not so dainty, tiptoe through a flower bed at the botanical gardens to capture butterfly on a flower. If you want to view a few of my summer adventure photos head over to my photo blog Beyond the Dog Dish.
I didn't totally neglect the dogs though!
Becky really enjoys training. So all winter we worked at learning Rally Obedience. I thought we were ready for our first Rally Fun Match this summer. Whoops, I learned a valuable lesson! Perfection at home or in class in no way prepared us for the high distractions a new location brings on.
Back to the training pad for us! Someone gave me good advice and suggested to train Becky at a busy park. When she had that down, go to a new location - keep practicing in new areas till she can focus right off the bat in a new location. So on that note, I guess I have my work already laid out for this fall.
Rally is not very popular where I live - actually, most dog sports are not popular where I live. So that means I have to be resourceful and seek out my own materials; books Click Your Way to Rally, Yahoo Groups Attention Games for Rally and Sport, blogs The Dogs Are Really In Charge, Leash Free Living and competition videos.
Meet Becky's niece! This little girl is the smallest of the litter but she takes no nonsense from her 4 brothers over at Embee Cavaliers! In fact, Lil' Miss was first to bust loose out of the puppy pen and climb over the wall!
We also got to have a visit with Becky's Mom at the Cavalier Fanciers of Southern Ontario Specialty Show. Reese maybe over 7 but she is in fine shape and looking HOT in the Old Timers Fun Match. Look at that smile - like Mother like Daughter!
Becky really enjoys training. So all winter we worked at learning Rally Obedience. I thought we were ready for our first Rally Fun Match this summer. Whoops, I learned a valuable lesson! Perfection at home or in class in no way prepared us for the high distractions a new location brings on.
Back to the training pad for us! Someone gave me good advice and suggested to train Becky at a busy park. When she had that down, go to a new location - keep practicing in new areas till she can focus right off the bat in a new location. So on that note, I guess I have my work already laid out for this fall.
Rally is not very popular where I live - actually, most dog sports are not popular where I live. So that means I have to be resourceful and seek out my own materials; books Click Your Way to Rally, Yahoo Groups Attention Games for Rally and Sport, blogs The Dogs Are Really In Charge, Leash Free Living and competition videos.
At the end of the day Becky got her favourite type of reward - nothing beats a post workout snuggle. My reward was watching her do that whole body wag (complete with a goofy grin) while doing the course - she really loves her one on one time with me.
~ Ramblings by Debbie
Go Fetch!
What Is Rally Obedience
Canadian Kennel Club 2012 Rally Obedience Rule Book
Canadian Association Rally-O
Cyber Rally-O - great resource if your area is like mine and NO ONE will teach Rally :( and I have been known to beg people too... so if your reading this and know I mean YOU, you know what I want you to do :)
Go Fetch!
What Is Rally Obedience
Canadian Kennel Club 2012 Rally Obedience Rule Book
Canadian Association Rally-O
Cyber Rally-O - great resource if your area is like mine and NO ONE will teach Rally :( and I have been known to beg people too... so if your reading this and know I mean YOU, you know what I want you to do :)
That last picture really gave me the giggles! I know a lot of our 4H kids really seem to like rally, too!
I really could have used your links BEFORE Max and I went in to the rally ring lol! My friend says "oh don't worry it's a FUN match" which to me means bringing treats and toys in the ring but to the CKC apparently means it costs a lot less and it's not recorded. Regardless the people were helpful and told me what the funny signs and strange commands meant, the judge had a very generous definition of heeling, and Max acted like he'd actually heard some of these strange things coming out of my mouth before and we did have FUN.
Love the photos! :)
Thanks for another beautiful and endearing post :-) X X X
The puppy is just too much! I would have to have him/her, I think. :)
Beautiful post!
Love the shots!
Thank you for the kind words on our blog!
Have a nice week!
There's my spotty Sophie! Nice to "meet" you again online - see you at Renee's next match!
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