Tango's better!

I'm thanking the powers that be that Tango's feeling better. We've never had such a pathetic sick dog before. All Tango wanted to do was cling to me. And when there was snot running down his beard he was not really attractive, and I didn't really want him on me. But that's what we caring dog owners do. You suck it up, put a towel on your lap and let your sick dog take a nap on you. Sunday night in the Land Cookie we watched DVDs, and Tango was miserable on my lap. Fortunately he was feeling better on Monday, and on Wednesday we even had our lesson! Tango's here at the shop with me today. And he's been training very well. (I tried to take a short video of our weaves, but ran out of battery juice before I figured out how to work the camera.)
- Fran

Too Tired...

Tango's too tired to even chew on his bone. We had Agility class last night, with lots of jumping and climbing and weaving, and leaving the other dogs alone! And I was inspired by the Intermediate class, just after our Beginner class, to attempt some of the weaving challenges here at the shop today. (Our instructor Dee calls it the "Wacky Weaving Challenge," where handlers do strange things while their dogs are weaving through the poles correctly.) Usually people are running beside their dogs while the dogs are weaving, so a difficult task is for the dog to weave with the owner out of their line of vision. So I sat in a chair well behind and to the side of the poles, and Tango ran through them! Just six so far, but we'll get all 12 before too long! Thanks for the idea, Debra!
-Fran

Non-stop Tango

Poor guy. No rest for Tango. Work on Monday, lesson on Wednesday, class on Thursday and work again on Friday with the addition of a trip to the groomer! He's pictured at the shop, in his crate with the door wide open. The snazzy pawprint thing is a disc we heat up in the microwave when it's chilly. Yes! the calendar says April 22 and it's about 45 degrees F. We still need to heat up the disc for the pups. Anyway, Tango's had a big day. After I brought him back from the groomer (where he was a very good boy!) we practiced weaves and other fun stuff. So now he's pooped. Tango's saying, "Close the door. Leave me alone. I'm sleeping."

Starting again, from the beginning

I thought that Tango was doing pretty well with his 2 x 2's - the start of weaving through a series of 12 poles in dog agility. But at our lesson on Wednesday, Tango showed me how much he didn't know. Not his fault. It's always the handler's fault (well, most of the time). Back to the beginning. GRrrr.... Work the clock from 6 to 10, both sides - left and right. Yes, I know ... Start with 2 and work up from there when he's ready. I keep telling myself it will pay off in the end. I picture Tango charging through all 12 poles, from an impossible entry!

- Fran