Playing with Skye

Last week it was the first time that Jesse played with Skye and he did again last night. It only lasts maybe 10 or 20 seconds, but what a result! Jesse is now much more relaxed around Skye and I think is starting to see her as part of the family. Yipee.

A bit of clicker training

I did some clicker training two weeks ago when Marzia took some pictures...

Antibiotics

Jesse has developped a skin infection again, probably due to Marzia using spray deodorants etc. So I know for sure now that this is an issue. Mark gave him his usual antibiotics shot yesterday for these situations, so it should clear up swiftly, he has already stopped scratching.

As Jesse is also very hot in this warm weather, I have shaved his chest and armpits now and it does keep him cooler. It looks a bit strange when he is on his back, but I can live with that. :-) At least Jesse is more comfy now.

Marzia has taken some pictures of Jesse doing clicker training and I will upload them when I can.

A couple of pictures

With Marzia

Dylan's birthday party

Dylan and I had a birthday party on Saturday and Karen made three lovely cakes! One for Dylan (that Skye could also have), one for me and one that was suitable for Jesse and Flash. Here are some pics:

Dylan's birthday cake

Karen made a special cake for Jesse and Flash

Eye infection clearing up and some new pics with his new sister

I took Jesse in this morning to check up on his eyes and it has improved drastically. He needs to continue the drops for another week though.

Jesse and Skye

And Jesse on his own

Eye infection

Jesse has an eye infection. I have been using eye drops I had left over from Magic for about a week, and although it looked better, it wasn't clearing up. So yesterday I took him to see Ian and he said that it was allergic conjunctivitis and looked very angry. He gave me different eye drops which didn't just have antibiotic properties, but also anti-inflamatory properties too.

Today, Jesse already seems much more comfortable and the eye looks better. He is going back to the vet's on Friday to check up on it when I drop Skye off for her spay.

Agility

Two weeks ago, I took Jesse to agility training for the first time as neither Dylan nor Flash are allowed to do it anymore! Jesse did really well considering that he had never done anything on full-size equipment and only knows jumps, the tunnel and the weave.

Two weeks ago, he learnt the gate, the walk, the sea-saw and the soft tunnel. Though he was far from confident on the walk and wouldn't do the soft tunnel without anyone holding it up! But overall, he did great - especially for a first session.

Well, today he completely excelled! He did the soft tunnel without problems, shot over the walk like a rocket, getting more confident on the sea-saw... and we taught him the a-frame. After the first attemps, he went over the a-frame without the slightest problem! What a star he is.

He really enjoys agility and is like a duracel bunny on the course. He goes so fast and I have trouble keeping up. LOL

Culverstone Obedience Show

Last Sunday it was Culverstone. I worked so hard on Jesse's stays all week and - he did them fine on Sunday! I was so over the moon. He even stayed in the sit after scratching twice, which is fantastic. Still more work to do, but it's a fantastic result.

Unfortunately his round wasn't so great this time round, so he only got 9th, but hey... it will all come together one day. LOL

PS. I got a Judge's Special rosette in the post today from the Southern Border Collie show which was a lovely surprise.

Here's Jesse's report for Culverstone:

Handler Vera Marney Lost 5¾ Marks

Dog WEIAMBEA JESSE JAMES (Jesse) Breed Am Cocker Spaniel
HOL 4 HF 1½ Rec ¼ Ret Clear


Nicely handled, with Vera very focussed on Jesse from the moment they entered the ring. You make a nice team. Worked in the running order, and one of only 2 clear retrieves of the day. Not around for the presentation, so I hope you got your rosette.

So close yet so far... Southern Border Collie Obedience show

Today, Jesse and I went to Southern Border Collie Obedience show. He did a beautiful round with lovely heelwork, excellent recall and excellent retrieve! I was so happy and he lost only 1.75 points and was in the lead with that.

Then in the afternoon, we had the stays... and he broke them both! I am so gutted. In the sit stay, he apparently lifted his bum a bit and sat down again and in the down stay he apparently sat up, then layed down again. He also sat up when I approached! What a shame; I so wanted this win as it would have been such a deserved win!

Well, I am hugely disappointed - not with Jesse as it's not his fault (in fact his stays and also his round improved from last year), but it was such an opportunity and we missed it again - the third time!

We are at Culverstone next week, so we'll be practising the stays of course - one of these days, it'll all come together. :-)

On a more positive note, Jesse's car sickness is very gradually improving. He is now taking treats even during the travelling which is fabulous. He doesn't poo anymore in the car at all and isn't in a rush to go out and poo either. So we are very gradually getting there and I am so pleased about it.