And ANOTHER THIRD! What's going on... LOL

We went to St. Edwards today. Jesse worked a beautiful round, fabby heelwork (although he got distracted on one turn, I have no idea what it was he looked at), nice set exercises. He got docked 2 1/4... the lowest score we have ever had. BUT... then he went and broke the sit stay exercise on return again like last week (though he did the down stay fine). That cost me 3/4 of a point and one place. But it didn't cost me the first place thank god because the very last dog in the ring did a better round than us and took first place - a clear stay would have made no difference there.

But I am really happy at how Jesse worked again today. He also did a really nice Novice training round. (Just need to sort these blooming stays out again now...).

What a big rosette

Me bro did it...

Well done, bro...

ANOTHER THIRD!

I can't believe it, but we got another third... looks like we are stuck on the yellow one this season... LOL

Jesse worked beautifully though, so happy, up for it, enthusiastic - I have nothing to complain about... except the stays which he both broke on return. Not sure why, but I think perhaps the dog that went up to him last time upset him more than I thought and he now doesn't feel very secure anymore. We'll do lots of practice and proofing, so hopefully we will get the solid stays again for next time (which is bank holiday Monday at St. Edwards).

Anyway, we got a third again. the broken stays cost him a second place, luckily not a first - that would have mightily annoyed me. LOL

We also did a lovely Novice training round and he was great too. He has started to yap a bit in the ring now that he has found his confidence, so need to work on that a bit... very carefully though as I don't want to stop his enthusiasm again! So happy though how he is in the ring at the moment. :-)

 

Here's my show report by judge Brian Olby

3rd; 328 / Vera with Jesse, American Cocker Spaniel
Jesse worked her little socks off for her Mum today but lost a little too much on heelwork. Clear retrieve and lost only a half on recall. I am sure you will be out of beginners soon. Well done on your 3rd place today.

 

Brian Olby also kindly sent me the line up picture, how lovely is that. :-)

 

 

Eye cyst

Took Jesse to the vet again today as the eye infection still hasn't cleared properly. Mark said that he has a cysts in the eye (the white spot I could see). He gave me different antibiotics and we will see whether these work. If not, then the cysts may have to be surgically removed. Bum.... let's hope the new drops work.

3rd place AGAIN in Halstead

Today, Jesse and I went a bit further - and alas, it was almost into Suffolk... LOL Not far to Diss from there. :-)

Anyway, we got there nice and early. First I did a Novice training "round" with him, which wasn't really a round, but just about five heelwork set ups. The first couple he did his usual switching off, I got the slightest hand touch from him and ran out of the ring to reward. By the third one he realised that paying attention got him treats and by the fourth one he was totally with me. For the last one I set him up (with the steward giving the normal instructions each time - thanks Jo Hill) and did a couple of steps, ran out and rewarded loads and he was fab.

Then when it was time for Beginners, Jesse was right with me from the start. I also have started doing a couple of static movements and sideways movements with him when setting him up, that seems to get his attention and gets him going. His HOL was great, only lost 1.5 points!!! Best ever I think! The rest was ok too. In the retrieve, we had some bad luck as he found a treat just before he dived onto the dumbbell. He sniffed it out and ate it, then on recommending him, he went to pick the dumbbell up and brought it straight back without any further sniffing. I was really pleased that he didn't lose it completely after that or try to go back and sniff more!
Then in the stays, it hit us again. In the sit stays, the dog next to him (a Border Terrier) got up and walked up to him. Jesse didn't notice him at first, but then did and I could see that he was wrangling with the thoughts of going for the terrier or ignoring him - bless him, he (luckily) chose the latter and turned his head away as far as he could! The steward then led the terrier away and Jesse completed his stay without braking it! How fabulous is that!

And we missed the red one again, but I am super happy with our third place. Jesse's attitude was great today, he had fun, he mastered two difficult situations, what more can I wish for!

 

 Line Up Picture by Jeff Apps

 

Here is the judge's report:

3rd 294 Mrs. V Marney and WEIAMBEA JESSE JAMES Am. C Spn D Lost 5 3/4 Loved this little dog that did a lovely round of heelwork. But then lost marks on retrieve. Well done on this place.