People read this blog?

Wow!  I had no idea.  I met a friend at a trial this weekend who told me she was anxiously waiting for new posts on this blog  Initially, I thought LR was my only reader but it seems that I acquired a second one.  ; )  I apologize for being so slow and will try to improve my posting frequency in the future.  I have to admit that my blog was originally written in French and I added this English blog later on to keep a kind of brag page for Jasmine's accomplishment.  Way back when I was in high school, I was considered quite a writer, but my every day job requires me to write only report-like compositions, all very blah and boring. 

The first blog "La carrière canine de Jasmine", was my solution to that.  It would be my place to write about our adventures in different dog sports and make it interesting.  That way, I would go to my original love, writing.   I may not have mentioned this before, but you may have noticed by my style of writing that English is a second language for me.  My first language is French and I really want to keep it alive, not only by speaking it.  If any of you have heard of a very good agility blog in French, let me know.  I'd like to add it to my list of "interesting links" on the French version of this work.

I started an English a few months later after the French one, but the work involved keeping both blogs updated, as well as doing the translation, was a bit too much.  It discouraged me and I didn't blog at all for several months.  Now, I'll make an effort to keep both running and updated.  The entries might be shorter, but at least you'll have the latest news. 

Thanks for the encouraging pat on the back. 

Q 2 = Bye Bye Starters Jumpers

We're back in beautiful Kingston for a Spring trial.  Finally, I can truthfully say I completed a run with no butterflies in my stomach.  That is an accomplishment in itself.  Maybe it has to do with the fact that I'm getting more and more comfortable?

Just before our run, we do a few jumps in the warm-up area, when, as we were walking out, Jasmine was attacked/lunged at by a boston terrier.  This isn't  the first time a dog of that breed attacks her, and I'm starting to wonder...  Is this only a coincidence or is she sending out bad vibes to them?  Anyways, I spent a good moment working on focus exercises with her such as sit, heel, down, stand, and rewarding her with salmon treats.  I then insisted she play tug with me, which she finally did after I knelt down.  I now know what to do to get her to tug for with me on deck.  Usually, she does everything she can to avoid making eye contact with me.  


For some reason, I did the walking/run release at the start line to practice what we've been doing in class.  Jasmine is having trouble targeting when I walk or run during lessons.  Maybe I shouldn't have tried this in a trial but it worked.   Did I mention I'm getting too comfortable in trials?

Never thought for a moment about using my arms so the usual routine is there.  I start with no arms, bring in arms in the middle, and then just run for dear life at the end.  Luckily, Jasmine sees her line for the end sequence, but I kept yelling out obstacles names even so.  Another behaviour she finds challenging in class and I had a flashback while I was huffing and puffing my way to the finish line.

Result?  Hehehe.  A Q!  We've now finished the Starters Jumpers Class and we've moved up to Advances.

Yikes!!

Double yikes!!!

Interested in the run?  Here is the video.  Enjoy!

School is over!

At least a month has passed since the last time I posted anything on this blog but remember, Spring has arrived and much needs to be done.  Does that mean I'm a garderner?  No, my condo doesn't allow me that luxury.  Nope, it's finally agility time!

First, let's go back to my 2 days at Say Yes!  Yes, I did enjoy it.  Yes, I did learn many things.  Would I go back?  Of course!  Do I appreciate my instructor in my neck of the woods?  Even more so!

During the two days, we had to keep our dogs either crated or in our cars.  In my case, my vehicle isn't an option because even if I leave the windows wide open, the inside is till too warm for a dog.  We were also going through an April mini heat wave and it was hot, hazy, and definitely humid outside.  Jasmine was instead crated in the building and didn't like it one bit.  I spent a very long two days taking notes and anxiously listening to Jasmine's clawing at the inside of her crate, and her barking, and her whining, do I need to go on?

First thing I did when I got home was to buy Jazz a new crate.  Why you ask?  My old one doesn't have a flat bottom, but a wired one usually used for puppies or (ahem) rabbits.  She now has more space to stand up or lie down.  This may I have my best purchase yet.

 
Second, I make sure I reward Jasmine a lot more for being quiet in that new crate.  By the way, I was able to stay at a local bed and breakfast on the last day.  The motel I had been staying at had no available rooms for the Friday because of a local swim meet (or whatever they're called).   Here is Jasmine on the Saturday morning, just before we left.  I don't think she felt like getting out bed.  As a friend told me, she was flicking a dew claw at me, that's for sure.