First Agility Class

Tonight was Eden's first Agility class. I was a little nervous about how she would do (it is hot, humid and a new place, new dogs, new people etc) - I didn't want distracto-dog but I also wanted her to really have a good time. Shouldn't have worried. She spent the first part of the introductions barking randomly at different dogs in the class (there are only 4 others besides us) but settled down when we started to move around work on the obstacles.

We had the dogs walk on a flattened A-Frame board and also a flattened Dog-Walk board. They wobbled a little bit but Eden didn't think anything of walking across them what-so-ever. Not that I expected that she would - she LOVES to balance on the curb on our walks around the apartment.

She went through the tunnel, scrunched short and straight. By the end of the tunnel work, it was totally extended and in the shape of a U. She got confused at the first sharp turn but with some verbal encouragement, popped right out the other end. She especially liked this obstacle as there was a person at the end with a treat and she loves people/praise/treats.

We worked on the table, no issues there. I had her sit and down, even though that is no longer a requirement for AKC agility. I want her to learn that rule at first at least and then I can decide later if I want to fade it.

The tire was up next. She cleared the bottom by 3-4 inches - she was really jumping high to get through it. That was really fun to watch, she's so cute when she jumps.

I was very curious how the closed tunnel/chute would be introduced. She started with the chute partially extended but actually all the way open at the end. Then each time we had a turn she would extend it further and close it more. It was much faster than I have ever encountered in my other agility classes but luckily, my dog's nerves seemed more than capable of handling it. She finally went through the entire length of a totally closed chute and was happy and very pleased with herself coming out the other end. I was happy and very pleased with her too! :-)

I think she has the potential to end up being quite fast. As fast as legs that are that short can be! LOL The more repetitions that we did on each obstacle, the more excited she got. She would whine and pull and get really excited every time our turn came up - which was really exciting for me. I can't wait to see how she progresses!

There was also a wading pool set up. I had her go in it every other obstacle or so, to cool her feet off as she was quite warm. Seemed to really help and she didn't have any concern about climbing in there. Overall, a really great, fun class.

Flyball Harness!

The girls' flyball harnesses came in today. I can't wait to try out my theory at our next training! I want to see if it makes a difference that the skin on fur contact is lessened by holding the loop on her harness. I let them run around with the harnesses on for a bit to learn that it didn't inhibit their movement and that having them on was fun. I think they caught on pretty fast.

Starved

Clearly Eden is starved!!

Spoiled

The little girls are allowed on the couches. Dottie can hop up any time that she would like. Eden needs assistance. Either way, they sure are spoiled little brats! ;-)

Eden's Progress!!!

I've been videoing, or having others video rather, the various things I have been working on with Eden. She's come a very long way and I could not be more pleased with the progress she's making! She's heading in the exact direction that I was hoping for and the more I work with her, the more I have fun with her and enjoy myself. I am absolutely ecstatic with how far she's come in such a short time!

I emailed the update, complete with video and pictures of course, to her breeder and I think he is just as excited about what I'm doing with her as I am :-) Can't wait to start agility later this month!

UKC Premier

Eden traveled along to Kalamazoo to the United Kennel Club Premier. One of the biggest dog events in MI - complete with just about every dog sport that UKC offers going on at one venue. Loads of people, kids, dogs, puppies and vendors. It is an overwhelming amount of crowds, action, barking, running and in general mayhem.

I took her along to watch a lot of the events and into most of the vendor tents to pick out a couple of toys. But, she actually got to try lure coursing and dock jumping. She didn't so much jump as swim but it's a start! Lure coursing came very naturally to her and she had an absolute blast. We will be working towards her title in that area once I get her paperwork filled out and sent in.

Flyball Practice

Eden's flyball practice went really well tonight. We are just doing run-backs right now, over the jumps. She does that really well but we are struggling with other people touching her. She is so praise driven and so excited about new people that anyone putting hands on her (as for lining her up in the lane to come back to me) is a total and complete distraction. I am hoping that putting a harness on her, lessening the hands on her body contact will help her focus more. Plus, the more practice she gets, the more used to it she will become and hopefully the less of a problem it will be.

A Face Made for Cuteness

Herding Instinct Test

Eden's Herding Instinct Test was today. She had so. much. fun. It was the first time I saw her really light up and just cut-loose with no reservations. A joy to watch her doing what she was bred for!

Here are some of the pictures I got of her during the test:

Here is her video - it is pretty hilarious - complete with some serious sheep mistakes.

I am thinking of taking her back for lessons. I would like her to title as well but there just aren't enough trials in MI this summer to make it feasible. I may have to focus on other areas and come back to this later.

They had to change the sheep out after Eden's run - she was so energetic and drivey - it was wonderful! :-D Needless to say, she was exhausted (so was Dottie) afterwards...

Eden Collage

I made up a little collage in PhotoShop for the work bulletin board. It took me forever to figure out how to do it, but once I did, it went really quickly. It's alright, there are parts I would change but I know I'll have new photos to work with quickly anyway so I'm not going to bother.

New Bling

I couldn't order Eden's tags and such until I got her and decided on her name - and I had to wait to get her microchipped and the chip number registered so I could add that to her ID tags/collars. When I ordered her water collar, for the summer, Jason also ordered a collar for Ike and Dottie. They are such wonderful collars - really sturdy, they look nice, the brass plate is great and the price is extremely reasonable. We order from Gun Dog Supply. This collar is my something like my 8th or 10th order from them.

Comfort Levels

Today was the first sign that Eden has begun to trust, relax and be happy with me and in her new house.

Can she Swim with those Stumpy Legs?

She sure can!

We had a ton of fun at a friend's pool after Schutzhund training today!

Eden's First Schutzhund Training

Today I brought Eden to Schutzhund Training to do some obedience, socialize and make a plan for her tracking training. I plan (if her drives come through as expected), to title her in obedience and tracking. She's very excited about other dogs so it was tricky to get her to focus on me for any length of time. Plus, it was very, very hot and she doesn't have enough drive to work through the heat yet. So, I just did some very simple obedience things that she is quite familiar with now (Front, sit, down, focus) with her breakfast and then put her up.

Presents in the Mail

Today Ms. Eden got a wonderful package in the mail from Nancy and her dogs Bujo and Jaxx. She was pretty excited. I was really excited because the toys were worthy of chasing, tugging and retrieving (in Eden's opinion) so that immediately upped their worth above everything else I've been using. These photos were the very first time I placed her in a position that I expected her to hold (on command as we've been practicing sit/down etc every day for her breakfast). She did quite well :-)

The note said:
"Eden -
Welcome to your new family. We're friends of Dottie and Jason's so we know we'll be friends of yours. Hope to see you this summer.
~ Bujo and Jaxx"

I first started working her retrieve in the hallway where she would have no option but to bring it back to me.

 She LOVES them! And of course, they are purple, which is her color.