Spring Fling or was it a FRAP?

Last night we checked out our summer agility field. Where we walked the dogs off leash last year, is a huge slough. Kitt and her pal Aire took off and headed directly to the slough. We could not get them out they ran and dived and slide and spun and chased for a good 10 minutes.


Aire(6 months) and Kitt (8months) on a F.R.A.P. Last Fall

The slough is not deep enough to swim in, but too wide to walk out and get the pups. Ardi went in after them once and they paid no heed to her and nearly knocked her over with their antics,she came out indignant that they would not pay her any mind. We took the two big dogs back to the vehicle and brought a bumper out, waved it in the air. Eventually they noticed and came on the run. We gathered the pups up and took them to the vehicles.
I don't think I will ever forget the look of joy, fun and freedom the 2 young dogs had as they cavorted in the slough. I hope to see this same joy as they grow, train and eventually compete in whatever dog sport they choose.

She's too young to drive!!!

The snow is just about gone for the 2nd time and I am really anxious to get Kitt out and try the things we've been working on over the winter. I’m itching to work on some retrieving marks, get to the wide open spaces, string together a few agility obstacles and try out some new skills.

I really have to keep the reins on myself. I think this is where many young dogs and not so experienced trainers (like me) run into trouble. In retriever training they call it the transition period, it is where you go from yard work to field work.. The distractions to the dog are higher, skills learned singly are now being put together and it is hard not to have high expectations. Like anything else, my expectations should be based on the work and effort I have put in. I think Cheryl Bartlett talked about this at Puppy Agility Camp.

Okay, so I’ve got a bit of a plan for the retriever stuff, I'm still scratching my head about agility, I know I’m not going to hand the keys over to Kitt and let her drive. Any suggestions or advice for making these transitions would be very helpful and appreciated.

Happy 1st Birthday Kitt

Let the party begin !!!!!!!!

April 11th is Kitt's 1st birthday. She is shown laying beside her buddy Ardi.

Kitt is a pup in training. Kitt's first year has been spent working on house manners and basic obedience, foundation agility skills, and some structured retriever work to enhance the natural retrieving ability she came with. She is a great swimmer and is proving to be a pretty good marker. She will be starting her 1st formal Retriever class next week. With Kitt around there is never a dull moment and no object will be left un-retrieved.

Here are some pictures from Kitt's 1st year

Official Weather Watcher

Poor weather is keeping us from getting out side. Rain, wind and snow.

Sometimes we just get out and play in the park even though everyone ends up needing a bath.

I've been doing some retrieving with both Ardi and Kitt and shadow handling with Kitt the pup.

I'm trying to teach Kitt to wrap around me and sit on my right as well as my left. So far I can't think of any way to do it except luring for now, I'll keep thinking though.