Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Breeze AXJ

Breeze has so much enthusiasm for agility, she is a fun fun dog to run. Recently she earned her AXJ at Mensona Kennel Club. Unfortunately her first run wasn't videoed but her second and third leg were. She is fast, she is agile and she is very willing to play the game.

I have to keep remembering though what a baby dog she is, her mistakes-and they are many-are honest misreadings or misunderstandings. It took me a long time to realize dogs have performance nerves as much as we do and can forget what they have learned(ie holding contacts, leaving the table, how to enter weavepoles etc). They are not being bad just excited-these are what I call baby dog mistakes. If they are corrected poorly it makes playing the game, be it agility or obedience less fun. Dogs also need to learn confidence and trust in the handler to do their best. I have trained dogs for years and have learned something new from each dog along the way.

I think Breeze is getting the benefit of my past mistakes and current knowledge. She is willing-if only I were a better handler!!!



Her third leg was the next day-again another fun course.




The following month-last weekend she earned her first 14 MACH points. The course was tricky and many experienced handlers went off course.




5 comments:

houndstooth said...

She is such a gorgeous girl!

Hiking Hounds said...

She looks great! Looks like she is smiling and wagging her tail through the runs. Congratulations!

Hazel said...

A lot of work went into both the dog and the handler! Congrats!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!!! Ms. Breezy is such a joy to watch with her speed and enthusiasm. :)

Donna

Greyhounds CAN Sit said...

Wow, Breeze is doing SO well! That was a great save before the weaves in the first video :) She looks so happy and focussed. Well done!