Eden's a Working Dog!

Eden is staying at my parents' for the weekend while we make a trip to Kansas for some Schutzhund training. My Mom decided to bring her to work as she is such a nice, calm and pleasant dog to have around. She's a working dog now!

2nd 5K Run/Walk

I realized today when Eden and I were doing our Couch-to-5K run/walk that if I cheer her on when she starts to lag, she will quickly speed up and charge to the front, pulling like she was never tired. It's really endearing. I only had to do this once today so I think she's starting to enjoy herself. I'm pretty sure she thinks our official job is to be on squirrel patrol in the neighborhood.

2.2 miles covered today :-)

Eden does Couch-to-5K Program

I've decided to run a local 5K (very local, it starts a block away) at the end of October. With this in mind, I started training utilizing the Couch-to-5K program. Since Eden has a ton of energy, far more than any of our other dogs, she was nominated to be my running partner. The plan I am following is by time, so we run and then walk for a certain amount of time and our pace is what determines our distance. Which, is different from setting a certain distance and then taking the time to do that no matter what.

Eden started out strong but then by the end was lagging a little, having lost interest in this whole running business. I think she just has to get used to it, usually once she does something a couple of times she ends up loving it and really does well.

 

2.27 miles covered

Flyball Practice

Eden's box turn is making a tiny bit of progress. She just doesn't really know how to go fast and keep her rear-end with her! The joke was that if we put legs in her middle, then she would be fine! hahahaha Her enthusiasm over the jumps is perfect and I have faith she'll get the box turn. At one point she hopped up on the top of the box and then looked around, wagging her tail - like a Queen surveying her land LOL. She's such a funny little girl!

First Agility Trial

Grand Rapids Agility Club held a trial about 2 miles from home so I decided to enter Eden on a whim. I figured why not see how she performs in the crazy atmosphere and activity. She's had a whopping 6 weeks of agility classes and a handful of weave training one-on-one with me in the front yard. In short, I had no expectation of doing well, or even Qualifying but was there to have fun with my little Shorty.

Friday, September 16, 2011

I only entered Eden in Standard, she enjoys those obstacles the best and I was unsure if she had the stamina for the full Jumpers with Weaves course.

This is the course:

She was a little weirded out by the dark tunnel with the sharp turn in the back corner. I got a refusal for that one but she went into it fine with a little reassurance. She nailed the weaves! Well, first she thought the duct tape keeping the base down was a target (which, at home, it is LOL) but after she realized her mistake she was on! Absolutely no hesitation on the A-Frame which I was a little worried about and the entire rest of the course was incredibly smooth. Plus, she was fast! Yay little Shortcake!

Here are her stats :-)

And her ribbons!!!! :-D

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Eden was entered again in Novice Standard. She didn't do as well as on Friday but I was still happy with her run considering her experience level! Here is the course.

 

We've got to work on her Teeter - she's only ever done it on-lead and she is a little overzealous about slamming the end down. She sailed past the tire and unfortunately, the way I was set up caused her to think she should go through the tire on the way back, which is a big no-no for qualifying. We got back on course and then she went to visit the bar setter (she's a social little thing!) but called back fine. She blew the weave entrance, but that didn't count against us and when I asked her to do it again (and again and again LOL), she did them well. She bailed on the dog walk, something she has never done before. A significant number of dogs did so at the same spot and many of the ones that did not, sniffed there. I'm not sure what was going on with that.  The judge told me that we could either re-do the obstacle she bailed on and then be totally done or pass it and finish the course. Since, jumping from the top of a full height dog walk did not phase her (it did me!) we finished the last jump and called it a day. Overall, I am very, very pleased with her performance. She's a little young and ditsy sometimes but she sure is a happy, willing girl!

Here are her stats from that run.

Cuddling with Mom

Playground Fun!

The whole gang, along with Rebecca and Gus trooped out to a park for some weaving, running, playing and sliding. We had a blast and Eden was great on the playground equipment - going through the tunnel, up the stairs and down the slides.