Mayberry is a State of Mind

I was saddened by the news that Andy Griffith died yesterday at the age of 86.  Sure, he was an actor, but he created the memorable character of Sheriff Andy Taylor.  Although his character was a simple, sheriff of the North Carolina small town, Mayberry, he was a great, calm leader.  Many Facebook tributes, newscasts, and media have spoken of Andy Griffith’s legacy – even President O’Bama had something to say of Andy’s death.  Ron Howard, who played Opie Taylor, the son of Griffith’s iconic sheriff tweeted,  "His pursuit of excellence and the joy he took in creating served generations & shaped my life.  I'm forever grateful."   This last quote really resounded with me as I get ready to travel with Jefferson for a three day trial just outside of Raleigh, North Carolina.  

As for the first part of Ron Howard’s quote, we (team J-Dawg) have been in pursuit (hot pursuit - the temps are crazy!) of excellence in our agility practices this past month.  I have worked very hard on reinforcing Jefferson’s nailing fast, weave pole entries, hitting  his running dogwalk contacts and going to a fast down on the table.  I have brought in some unexpected chicken treats to up the ante.  But, knowing that during a trial atmosphere I cannot treat in the ring, I have relied more on my verbal praise of Jefferson’s performance.  This has worked extremely well as he really feeds off of my energy.  So, I am learning to verbally praise him as he runs the courses or exercises we have had in our classes.  Of course, I am still a work in progress and need to push myself to consistently keep my energy up and use verbal praise more during our runs.

Another part of the quote about taking joy in creating really struck a chord with me.  Agility is fun and it should be joyful while we work with our teammate.   To my team’s detriment, I had forgotten the “joy in creating” a unified team.  Recently, one of my agility friends unexpectedly lost her heart dog and reminded me that nothing is better than having fun with your dog.  I intend to savor every run – for better or for worse – with Jefferson.   During this weekend’s trial, we will have fun running together as a team, even if we make up our own courses from time to time!   And we WILL eat a big, juicy steak one night too....

Finally, regarding the passing of iconic Andy Griffith, his character, Sheriff Andy Taylor taught lessons of patience.  He was always the calm, collected sheriff when interacting with the likes of Floyd the barber, drunk Otis Campbell, goofy Gomer and Goober Pyle, his pre-pubescent son Opie, but especially with his side-kick, blundering Deputy Barney Fife.   Regardless of what unanticipated event transpired during the show, light-hearted Andy had unwavering faith that things would resolve themselves.  He showed a kind spirit and patience to all those memorable characters who surrounded him in Mayberry.   This is the kind of patience I need to exhibit in agility as Jefferson and I learn how to better work together as a team.   Patience in my making mistakes in handling; patience in Jefferson’s spunky unpredictability; and patience that we will be in synch and have many great runs together as a team.  There is no need to rush; rather, savor every moment as a training opportunity to learn how to be a better team.

So, on the eve of our heading up to Andy Griffith’s stomping grounds in North Carolina, I am excited about us having our own little “Mayberry” experience this weekend.  Afterall, we did have a run-in with a copperhead snake last week and according to an old wives tale (and Anderson Cooper)...that is a sign of good luck!!!

Read about it here: http://www.andersoncooper.com/2012/07/02/15-signs-of-good-fortune/#10_encountering_a_snake

"I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it."

~ Thomas Jefferson

The Ultimate "Proofing" Exercise for the Weave Poles

With one week remaining before traveling to the Carolina Piedmont Agility trial in Raleigh, North Carolina, we have been practicing the weave poles, dogwalk and table.  We have made great strides and I continue to be pleased with Jefferson’s weave pole performance, especially his driving to them and my ability to work from a great distance while he completes this obstacle.  I am feeling confident and positive about our 3^rd agility “road trip” next week!

In quite an unexpected agility "proofing" exercise, we had a run-in with a copperhead snake after Tuesday night’s class.  I decided to go to the darker, back field to practice our weave pole entries and work “around the clock” with a jump that was already set-up.  Ironically, I threw his new toy into the edge of the woods and thought to myself, “Wonder if there are snakes in there…yuck!”  In a hurry to get the toy, I called for Jefferson and he quickly found the toy and ran out of the weeds and back into the lighted portion of the field.  “Whew…I am glad that he got that toy out so fast!  No snakes!”   

So, we went back to practice driving to the weaves and wow, was he nailing those weave entries!  YAY!!  Needless to say, I was feeling pretty good about my boy – when suddenly, while he was finishing his weaves (about pole 9 or 10) he raised his back legs up and his front legs were still on the ground.  He does "hop" in the weaves....but, what in the world was up with that move!?  He did not yelp but just keep on going to complete his weave poles.  And that is when I saw it…a scary, slimy brownish speckled snake slithering across the base of the weave poles!!! YIKES!!! It was scary…but I got Jefferson to come to me, leashed him up, and went over to peak at the snake to get a description of its markings.  I called for another agility friend to come over and help me check out the snake.  He came over and we watched in slither back into the woods….but, we did get a good look at it and confirmed with a few others that this in fact was a copperhead snake.  Poisonous.  I was scared but pretty certain that Jefferson had avoided the snake.  So, I made sure that Jefferson had not been bitten and was doing fine before I left the field to come home.  

Here is a link that has some great information about snake bites and dogs:  http://www.petmd.com/dog/care/evr_dg_snake_bites_and_dogs#.T-vQ6vWRGxM

This sure was a wake-up call for me to be more observant of my surroundings while training Jefferson.  I was lucky that J-Dawg avoided the snake and wanted nothing to do with it.  It is a good thing that he is so athletic and able to perform an improvisational "handstand" while completing his weave poles.  Another type of dog may have barked at the snake, tried to chase it, and would have resulted in getting bit.  I also have learned how to identify poisonous snakes, what to do if my dog gets bit, where the emergency vet clinics are located and which ones carry anti-venom.  Above all, I have learned to remain calm in order to keep my sweet cocker spaniel safe from all those nasty critters out there.  Eww….yuck!!!




"Look before you leap, for snakes among sweet flowers do creep."
~Proverb quotes

Summer Agility Staples: Pumpkin and Blue Bell Ice Cream

Today marks the longest day of the year, the summer solstice.   To us dog agility nuts, that means extra time to train our doggies!  So, we will attend class tonight and run a Starters Standard Course.  Fingers crossed that we are successful.  Reflecting on the past week of training, I have focused on getting independent, fast weave poles.   At last night’s class, he ran fast and nailed his weave poles.  Looks like the tug toy and the treats have really worked well:-)

However, during last Thursday night’s class, we had a set-back and I was disappointed in our progress.  Sometimes it seems like we take one step forward and two steps back.  It was the first time in quite a while that Jefferson stood there and refused to run.   The course was a standard course and we could never make it past the 6^th obstacle (there were 19 obstacles).  He wanted nothing to do with running agility.   Not to mention that he had the “poopies” all over the field!   Earlier in the day, we had spent a couple of hours at the beach; Jefferson is a great swimmer, frolicking in the waves and even body surfing the waves back to shore.  He also loves to swim in the shallow pools of water that line the beach as the tide recedes back into the ocean.  He is quite a sight to see – digging and rolling in the sand after his swim.  Spaniels are water dogs after all!  

Apparently, all the time at the beach resulted in his consumption of lots of ocean water.  We had a big day at the beach – and excess saltwater, sand and treats consumed in the heat.  Looks like the beach and agility do not mix too well with my pup (me too, for that matter…I didn’t feel too good myself during last night’s classes.)   Luckily, I keep an extra can of pumpkin in case Jefferson has belly problems; he consumed almost a whole can after having belly problems for 2 days.  Poor boy…

This week the heat and humidity are on the rise so I am going to be extra cautious with Jefferson.  He already is extremely sensitive to the heat so I will not be taking him back to the beach on days we practice dog agility.  And, before we practice, I am going to cool off his belly and underarms with water and ice.  Sometimes he will not drink enough water so I need to be extra careful to keep him hydrated as we practice.   Once he is hot, he is D-O-N-E!    Maybe a spot of Blue Bell ice cream couldn’t hurt either…

So, in the in summer, we will need to practice early morning or late evenings to avoid the heat as much as possible.  Thank goodness next month’s trial hosted by the Carolina Piedmont Agility Club will be in an indoor, air-conditioned venue.  

“Summer's lease hath all too short a date.”
~William Shakespeare

We've Climbed Aboard the Dream Weaver Train!

This summer is chocked full of agility projects – the first one getting Jefferson’s weave pole performance back on track and  back on the dream weaver train!  Since I have been preoccupied with Jefferson’s motivation issues, I have neglected to continue training the weave poles, the table and running contacts.  As a result, his performances on these obstacles has been lack luster.  We had a really nice run through during last Thursday’s class, but he wanted nothing to do with going “down” on the table nor going fast through the weave poles.  He did “get” these obstacles, but his performance was not up to par.  He is definitely capable of faster weave poles.  Interestingly, Jefferson has very good weave pole entries and seems to take them faster and more confidently whenever I send him to the weaves and stay behind him as we run.  He performs them “better” whenever I am not breathing down his neck applying pressure while he runs through the poles.  Even my class instructor noticed this and recommended I send him to the weaves and work on using a baited toy during our practices so I can get him driving faster through the poles.

And so began my search for an appropriate baited toy to use for my weave pole and running contact training.  Luckily, I found a great "rip and tug" toy at a local pet boutique (and yes, I paid "boutique" prices$$$)  Here is what the new toy looks like: 

It really works well - the toy is part tug, part ball and part hidden treat dispenser.  I hide a treat inside the Velcro ball center (it comes apart) and then entice Jefferson to play a game of tug.  Of course he loves it...there is food inside and he IS a Cocker Spaniel.   Once he is really excited, I send him through the weaves; and I give the toy a toss and he runs through the last weaves and over the jump to retrieve his new toy.  It especially works well when stuffed with liverwurst (yuck!!)  I am very excited that Jefferson is driving enthusiastically through the weave poles from different angled entrances when I began working "from around the clock."  So, I plan to progress through the weave pole proofing exercises that I found online and in the Clean Run archives.  By the end of practice on Monday, he was offering the weave poles both enthusiastically and fast.  Yay!  Looks like we have climbed aboard the dream weaver train...

Next up...training the running contact on the dogwalk....

  

"Enthusiasm is everything. It must be taut and vibrating like a guitar string. " ~Pele'





 

Got Attitude?

As part of the Dog Agility Bloggers Day, all bloggers are to write about “attitude” and dog agility.  I truly have learned much about “attitude” and I have my three-year old Cocker Spaniel, Jefferson to thank for these lessons.  We have been competing in dog agility for 1 ½ years now and it has been so much fun!   From my experience, agility handlers need to possess three types of “attitude:” 1.)  the attitude of continually learning and being the student; 2.)  the attitude of  building a team; and  3.)  the attitude of having fun with your dog.

As a high school teacher, the “attitude” of being open to continually learning and perpetually a student appeals to me.  I enjoy the challenge in agility of never quite knowing all the answers; rather, researching and learning all I can about dog training, handling, and the like.  Whenever Jefferson and I have problems successfully running a course, I want to learn how to make our runs more successful.  What I have learned is that there are many ways to handle courses and it is up to me as the team leader to determine the best way for my teammate.  I try to take every seminar and class that I am able (and can afford!) to learn as much as I can about the sport.  Whether it is a class with a national competitor or a local guru, I am open to learning and being a student of agility.  Everyone has taught me something I can use to be a more successful handler.

This brings me to the second type of “attitude” in agility:  building a team.   As a green handler with a novice

doggie, this one has probably been the most difficult for us, Team J-Dawg, to master.  I am still learning ways to motivate Jefferson and keep him excited to run a course with me.  Earlier this winter, I compared Team J-Dawg to others as we struggled to finish a course while many teams “Q’d” leaving us in the Starters dust.  But, as I have learned more about my doggie partner (and myself), we are beginning to mesh together as a team and reading each other much better than even a few months ago.  I am thrilled with the progress we have made by my not wasting human energy “worrying” about other’s performances. For instance, at this Sunday's run-thrus, we had set-up a very doable Advanced Jumpers course.  But, the heat got the best of Jefferson and he wanted nothing to do with running an agility course in the sweltering sun.  So, our first try was a complete disaster; rather than be discouraged, I took the advice of others who recommended I run "my own" course in the shade.  It was successful and we worked together as a team to run our obstacles in the shade.  Yay!

Finally, I believe the most important “attitude” is to have fun with your dog.  Afterall, isn’t this the reason why most people became involved in dog agility in the first place?  Think about it, the doggies do not know how to read course maps and the numbers on the cones (although I wonder if some border collies may have this skill!).  The doggies are running agility courses because it is fun to be with their owners.  They want to please us.  Likewise, they are attune to their handlers moods and whether or not it is "fun." 

From my own experience, I have found that as soon as I started to become preoccupied with earning a "Q," I began to not have "fun" unless I had a great run.  This put unwanted stress on both me and Jefferson.  Jefferson became stressed on the field...I became stressed on the field...and so it continued and the "fun" was simply not there. As soon as I realized this, I quickly made a change.  It took my sweet, black and white Cocker Spaniel to remind me that "Fun is Good!"  So, I have learned that this "attitude" of fun is probably the most crucial one to possess when participating in the sport of dog agility.

 And, so there it is...the three "attitudes" to exhibit as a participant in dog agility.  Needless to say, I am still working on all of these, but it has been a great journey so far and I look forward to many more successful years participating in dog agility with Jefferson!

"Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference."
~Winston Churchill

Some Days You're the Dog; Some Days You're the Hydrant

Crappy day at work.  Semi jack-knifed on the Don Holt Bridge.  Traffic at a standstill.   Drive home took over an hour.   On arrival, discovered that landscapers cut privacy shrubs down to nubs.  No time for dinner.  On the road again.  Late for class.  Tropical Storm Beryl threatening rain.  Exhausted.  Why am I here?  Ugh.

And so it goes.  All the “stuff” we human partners bring to the agility field and to our canine teammates.  Frustration.  Bad moods.  Job loss.  Death of a loved one.  Illness in the family.  Break-up.  Divorce.  Marriage.  Birth of a baby.  New job.  Final exams.  Big presentation at work.  Filling orders for clients.  The list goes on...given all that “happens” to us in our lives, it is a wonder that our doggies run agility for us with all of our human baggage.  But, they cheerfully oblige and are happy to be with us.

For many of us, we became involved in dog agility because it is fun to train our doggies and to escape from all the trappings of the real world.  During the hour or so we spend in classes and practices, we focus solely on our relationship with our dog and how to be a better team when running agility.   If just for that little piece of time, we are (or should be) oblivious to all the outside “stuff” in our human world.

But, if it were only so simple...I was exhausted and plain ole “didn’t want to be there” during Tuesday night’s class.  Of course, I did not tell anyone (especially Jefferson!) but he had trouble running a simple 5-7 obstacle jumping exercise without running off and sniffing.  At first, I blamed it on all the yummy treats on the ground from Intro class; next, I determined that he must be “stressed;” lastly, the instructor recommended I give stronger commands to get him focused.  All these explanations were probably true to some extent; but, the biggest reason for Jefferson’s lack of attention was me and my “didn’t want to be there” attitude.

As a handler, my biggest responsibility is to be true to my teammate:  to want to be there.  I have the good fortune of owning such a sensitive, soft dog who knows my mood even before I acknowledge it.  So, it is up to me to be in the moment whenever I am “doing” agility with Jefferson.  He picks up on my attitude – for better or worse – and sometimes we do not get a desired outcome. 

Dr. Phil would say that the first step to overcome any undesired result is to acknowledge it.  You cannot change what you do not recognize.  So, from now on, if I do not “want to be there” then I owe it to my partner, to not be there.  If I am unable to give my best to my doggie during a practice or class, then I should respectfully not attend and wait for another day when I am better able to be there for my dog. 

Sometimes we can tune out all the outside “stuff” and sometimes we cannot.  It is up to the human to make an informed decision that is for the betterment of the dog agility team.  

Sometimes you're the Louisville slugger; sometimes you're the ball!

 

“The dog has seldom been successful in pulling man up to its level of sagacity, but man has frequently dragged the dog down to his.”
~ James Thurber 

Will you succeed? Yes you will indeed! (98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)

We had the best trial experience to date this past weekend.  For the first time at our “home” field of Low Country Dog Agility (LCDA), I was relaxed, no upset tummy and no real nerves.  Yippee!!  But, most importantly, Jefferson had a few great runs without shutting down to stand and look at me.  In fact, in three of his runs, he was the fastest I have seen him run in a long time.  I was particularly proud of his debut in Advanced Gamblers – winning 1^st place, 25 points and running fast and confident.  That’s my boy!   During the 25 second opening, I had planned a lot of running and a flowing course that would encourage him to keep moving.  My strategy was successful - he “got” the gamble except that he launched off the down contact of his running dogwalk.  Hey, that’s the chance I take with having a running dogwalk that we have not proofed in a while.  (I have been focusing on the motivation part of training more than reinforcing obstacle performance.  Lesson learned.)  Here’s the awesome run:

Still another run that I am equally proud of is our Snookers run.   This is the best-looking 4^thplace finish I have ever seen and am as proud of this as I am of any “Q!”  Again, I planned as flowing of a course possible based on the position of the three red obstacles.  Jefferson stayed with me, ran fast and even was not offended, i.e. “shut down” when I called him back to take the tunnel in the opening (which he did!)   Unfortunately, after he made it over jump 7-A, he hauled butt past the 6 weave poles (7-B) so we earned 31 points in this Snooker run.  But, boy can he run…and fast too!  

Finally, I was so proud of our jumpers run - we were running so smooth and fast.  Again, Jefferson was quick, confident and staying with me while we ran this course.  Oops…J-Dawg rocketed too fast around the pinwheel near the end and headed straight to the finish jump.  Oh, well…we both had a blast and were running together as a team.  Yay!!  

I could not be more proud of Jefferson.  I can see results from our training and my implementing Stuart Mah’s advice to run whatever course Jefferson and I have made-up and have a party of praise and cookies at the end (outside the ring of course!)  I set Team J-Dawg goals and accomplished them all; not a one of them was to earn a “Q.”  Ironically, we performed more as a team and ran better when I changed my priorities.  I wanted us to run together as a team, to have fun and to reduce the amount of stress on Jefferson (and me too!).

For me, I have learned the biggest lesson of all – to remember to have fun and to not compare myself and my dog to other competitors.  So what if we are still in Starters?!  What’s the rush to move up anyways?  We have a lot of “kinks” to work out and being in Starters gives us the opportunity to perfect our team so that when (notice I did not say “if”) we advance, we will be well-prepared.  Much like whenever I ran the Savannah Half-Marathon last November, I was content to just finish and enjoy being in the moment during my 13.1 mile run.  I ran my own race and did not compare my performance to the lithe and nimble Kenyans.   

So, too, is agility a half-marathon of sorts…handlers and their doggie partners develop their unique training plans, log in the hours of training in order to gain the satisfaction of running their own race.  This weekend, we truly enjoyed running our own race and having fun being in the moment....that is what it is all about.  And all the rest is just gravy!