North West Kent Obedience Show - a bit of a disaster...

Well, we went to NWK Obedience Show yesterday, together with Sandra, Tasha and Vincent. It was a lovely day, though a bit windy.

However, Jesse's attention was non-existing in the ring, he just didn't want to know and was extremely distracted by what I am not sure! I ended up doing a training round with Jesse in Novice, using a toy. I worked Beginners, but from the word "Forward" in HOL, Jesse's attention was gone again... so I didn't even do the HF and turned it yet again into a training round!

I have no idea what caused this, Jesse is always praised by the judges for his attention on me (he never takes his eyes off of me) and for his brilliant working attitude... neither of that was present yesterday.

I have some thoughts and theories:
* He is hating car travel more and more, my car, other people's car... I have no idea why. Could this spill over into his working attitude as we go to training and shows by car? (I am now going to sort this car thing out because it is becoming a big issue now... Jesse messed twice in the car on the way to the show yesterday).
* Another thing I forgot to do yesterday is to use Jesse's cue for training which is "do you wanna do some training?"... I doubt that this alone was the reason for it, but certainly something to remember.
* After Jesse started dropping the dumbell at my feet at shows, I started to do a LOT of retrieve training. Could it have been to much? Another thing to look at.
* Are the allergies affecting his mood; he does seem slightly quieter in general at times. Or is the thyroid out? I think I need to get that checked. Or has the antibiotics affected him in any way?
* And lastly, has he worked out that he is not getting treats or a toy in the ring? I don't think that is the issue somehow, he isn't the type of dog for that. Having said that though, it is a possibility and I need to work hard on this! I will also use a toy more during training as it is now a matter of motivation. I have bought three toys at the show yesterday, so we'll see what works best. I really need some training with Kay and Lyn I think... I need help to progress a bit more now - roll on winter when I can attend training days with them again!

The whole thing though is just a puzzle to me. It was all so out of character!

Jesse at vet's - skin infection again

Jesse has been scratching more or less over the last few weeks, but it had got worse over the last couple of weeks. So today he came to see Mark together with Charlie. His skin is infected again and he got the same antibiotic he got last year, which stopped the itching immediately and cleared up the skin fairly swiftly. Let's hope it will do the same again!

I also told Mark that I was desperate to give Jesse an omega 3/6 supplement for his skin and coat, but that everything I had tried so far seemed to cause a reaction. Mark suggested to try corn oil. I will start Jesse on that as soon as his skin has cleared up (so we know what's working and what isn't).

Other than his skin, Jesse is doing really well. We haven't had any aggressive incidents at home at all, he is very controlled in class and at obedience shows and no problem in the park. He is a fabby chappy.

5th in Beginners at South Eastern

Jesse and I entered Beginners and Novice yesterday, and we worked Beginners.

He did super heelwork on lead, clear recall, nice heelwork off lead... and then completely buggered up the retrieve with anticipating it and dropping the dumbell in front of me... I have no idea why he does that, but we need it sorted!

I am very pleased about the place though as I didn't expect it.

Here's a couple of pictures taken by Dave Scott (as usual at obedience shows):


















Whilst waiting for the presentation, Dave Scott took this fabulous picture

3rd in Beginners at SATS

Jesse and I went to SATS Obedience Show in Warlingham today. It was so hot!

Jesse was quite sluggish in the ring today, probably due to the heat. But he still came 3rd in Beginners; having said that, only 9 dogs completed the test, so it was an easy rosette!

Bad back

On Saturday morning, I went out for a walk before classes. As usual I had Dylan, Flash and Jesse with me. All was fine until we were on our way home, when an ex-client came up the stairs with her dalmation. All my dogs went balistic. I calmed them down immediately and made them all sit, which they did nicely! I then had a chat with the lady (who ironically said that my training was extremely helpful for her).

Just as we finished and I turned round, another guy came up the stairs with a GSD and a ball... and mine went balistic AGAIN! I pulled them back, twice... then went home! (Not in a very good mood).

Throughout the day, my back got worse and worse, until by the evening, every move hurt. Things improved a little on Sunday, but my lower back/bum are still very painful, so I didn't go to agility yesterday!

I can't believe this has happened. Last week really wasn't much fun with this lot!

I have now started taking them out at 5.15 in the morning, mainly to avoid that little dog. The park was nice and empty. And it also gave me the opportunity to walk Troy as well before going to work as he hasn't been out since Friday... (Cornel is hardly walking him at all now, maybe once a week... and he hasn't walked him at all since Thursday, 11th June...).

Findon Downs Obedience Show

Yesterday, Jesse and I went to Findon Downs Obedience Show, together with Sandra and her dogs.

Beginners was quite good - except for the retrieve where he dropped the dumbell on approach... no idea why! Very strange as it is something he has never done before.

Novice was a longer round than we had before. Jesse did the on lead really nice, set exercises were ok (other than crooked sit in retrieve), but he was tired and lagging during heel off lead!

So no rosettes yesterday! Never mind, we had a great day out!

Shame only that I had to take Charlie to the vets when I got home as her steroids have worn out earlier... but luckily she is fine again now.

A bit of fun with Jesse James

Gravesend Obedience Show: 24th May

I completely forgot to update the blog with the results of our first obedience show this year: Gravesend on 24th May.

We entered both Beginners and Novice. Jesse did very well in Novice, we didn't get placed, but were nicely in the middle field, which was great considering it is only our second attempt in the Novice class! I was well happy with that.

But to top that off, Jesse came 4th in Beginners! He did a very nice round and we only lost points because I apparently kept moving my right hand when motivating him, which made him move off my leg to look at me... But we got another rosette and it was a great start to the show year!

Our next show is Findon Downs on 14th June! I am looking forward to it, Jesse is working nicely and with a bit of luck we will win out of Beginners this year.

Added on 22th July: Judge's Report (Maurice Sage)
4th. No. 246 losing 4 Vera Marney with WEIAMEA JESSE JAMES ACS. A good team to watch, Jesse has a lovely attitude for working, nice and close but when handler moved her hand Jesse jumped out of position. Excellent recall and retrieve. Keep up the good work.

Holiday in Wales - 25th April - 2nd May

Yet again, we went on holiday with all four boys to Swallows Dance in Pembrokeshire! We had a fabulous time and really enjoyed ourselves.

I have set up a separate blog for the pictures... Here is the link:



I will update gradually as I have over 200 pictures and another well over 300 from Sandra that took fab pictures at Freshwater West.

Titre test

Last week, I took Flash and Jesse to have their titre tests! And yippee, both Flash's and Jesse's tests came back as fine and having enough immunity. I am so glad as I really didn't want to vaccinate Jesse! So they only need the lepto this year.