Sprinter Fun!

Sprinter trials are one of the few dog events that have been running during the restrictions of Covid-19. The trials are just pure fun , no real training innvolved. Dogs love it, because its a chance to just open up and run.

 The dogs dash 100m down a straight track. A lure is in operation for those who want to use it or you can just do a send or recall. Most people use the lure. The real sight hounds chase the lure, but others use the lure  more for a visual that usually leads to their handler.

Last weekend Nugget ran in 4 trials, in her fastest race of the weekend she completed the 100m in 8.8 sec reaching her top speed of 40.7kph. Her run is more or less just a whistle recall to her dokken, but she does love it. 

Backpacking Meet up

Five of us enjoyed the Saturday morning back pack meet up.  We hiked a trail between  trees , up the Mt Pleasant hill on the west side, back down the hill,  across the top of the parking lot and then wove our way  through the trees to the finish.  The trail was 810metres long, some of the dogs were carrying a sixth of their weight which is what is required for the DDX test, some carried less and others just wore empty packs.  A couple of dogs came along for the hike without a pack.  We went in 2 separate groups  so those with 2 dogs could take  each separately.    

 

Reese went in the 1^st group  and  Nugg and Toscane went in the second group.  Nugg was trying out her new low profile backpack and Toscane did not have a pack yet so walked along with Bonnie. 

Jump Grids with the Nugg

In May, I started an on line jump grid class with Nugget. We are now just winding down after 8 lessons spaced throughout the summer. Nugget has really come a long way.

Nugget's 1s Agility Trial

On July 24, 2015 Nugget was entered in her 1st AAC Agility Trial. Nugget is not quite ready for a full agility course, but I wanted to enter her for a couple of reasons. 1) to get her 2 needed measurements , so I know what height she has to jump. 2) this particular trial has a totally fenced ring 3) to have her first experience be a filled with fun. AAC now allows toys in the ring if a dog is entered FEO (For Exhibition Only) . The trial was hosted by Prince Albert Kennel and Obedience club. We got to the trial site on Friday night early enough to get Nuggets 1st measurement. She was measured as greater (>) than 16” but less (<) than 21”. This means in AAC she would jump 22” Regular or 16” Special. I chose to enter her @ 16” Special FEO in both Gamblers runs. That way I could take her bumper into the ring and find short 4 to 7 obstacle sequences that she could easily do. First of all I was very happy that she measured under 21”, but even happier with how she faired in the ring and outside the ring. She had a few moments of judge visiting and a couple of times I could she her nose go to the ground, but over all I was happy with her debut.

Early spring training

This year spring came early, most of our snow was gone by the end of March so in early April, I started back with field work. We are working mostly on handling drills. Reese has done a fair amount of this, but I'm amazed at how fast Nugget is catching on to them all. Here are a few pictures taken by Lianne last night while we were doing a lining drill and 3 leg pattern drill.

I'm her keeper

At night, setting a book down, closing a lap top or turning off the TV, signals the end of the day at our house. The dogs know how it goes and begin their own bed time routine. A drink of water, finding a kong to take upstairs and last call for outside. Now that Ardi is 14, she sleeps very soundly and doesn’t always see or hear the cues. I’ve noticed lately that Nugget has added one more job to her routine. At the 1st sign that it’s bed time Nugget starts looking for Ardi in her usual sleeping spots and wakes her up. Once she has her up she wags and wiggles until Ardi follows her upstairs or to the door. It is really heartwarming to watch.

Last night the snow was swirling and blowing when the dogs went out for last call. When I opened the door to let them in, Reese and Nugget came bounding up the deck. As usual they were both trying to be the 1st one in the door. Just before Nugget hit the top step, she stopped spun around and ran back around the garage. She stood in the wind and snow , not budging until Ardi came around the corner. She then wagged her tail, waited for Ardi to pass her, stood on the deck until Ardi was up the stairs, shook the snow off herself and then bounded up the stairs. This is something new, usually the 2 younger dogs race in jostling to be the 1st in and Ardi comes tootling up the stairs without fear of being knocked down.

Happy New Year

In 2015 keep your eyes on all that matters. Give it all you've got and enjoy your friends and family.

Christmas 2014

2014 Training Group

Nugget~Reese~Danno~Tim~Torque~Emy

 

Whiskey Creek Precious Mettle WC, JH

At the Regina Retriever Club Hunt test on July 6, 2014 Nugget qualified for the 3rd leg and final leg of her Junior Hunt title.  Judges were Danielle G and Grant Wasniuk.
Nugget got her mojo back after having difficulty with shore running in Brandon she came to the water marks confidently and left from a slippery mound.  Both back to back singles were executed in fine form with Nugget going straight as an arrow and returning the same from the marks.

 

Nuggs new cart

Yesterday Nugget got to take her freshly painted cart for a spin at the Draft Workshop hosted by Wascana Dog Obedience Club.  We started with a short spin around the trails with no weight, by the end of the session Nugg hauled 30lbs along the trails with ease.  She is a lot more relaxed pulling now.  I don't think 40lbs will be to tough to work up to for her, she can use some work on her turns and backing up.  She understands hike and does pretty well with easy and whoa.  She does pretty good going up hills, but could use more control on coming down.  Now to work on the obedience parts in preparation for the test in September.

CBRCC Hunt Test 2014

Tim and Nugg with their ribbons

On July 5 & 6 the CBRCC held a Hunt Test in Innisfail, AB.  Nugget ran in the Junior test both days and qualified.

Nugget on water Sunday

Junior Chesapeake qualifiers. Nugget and Visa

Reese and Nug sled Craven

 

 

 

What a great day to get out and do some sledding.  The temperatures hovered around 0 degrees and there was a bit of a wind.  We started from the Craven Big Valley Jamboree grounds and travelled a little over 3 miles on the creek, stopped for some lunch and the dogs played a few snow games.  This was a 1 sec clip that was slowed down twice and then sped up again.  It was a whole lot of fun.

Team Nugget & Reese

We again took advantage of some brilliant winter weather and ventured out to do some sledding.  This video was the most controlled part of our run which came right at the end, after we had gone for at least a mile.

There was turning on 1 runner at high speeds, clipping of snow banks as we went. There was passing of the other dog teams , of which I had 0 control. Just smiled and waved to my fellow sledders. There were screeching halts to check pee mail.  There was much running by me when 2 brown dogs took off,  if the lead teams flinched.

As in this video when we coasted Nugget did the lions share of the pulling.  But when we went up hill, turned or passed the other sleds Reese kicked in.  Crap Reese who accelerates on a turn.  Oh yes my arms are about 6 inches longer now.

 

Christmas Day Happiness!

 

Kicking a little snow!

After a real cold snap of -33 the day before, we were treated to a day time high temperature of +3C the day the Grey Cup was played in Regina.  Since the game didn’t start until around supper time. I thought it a perfect opportunity to get out with the kicksled. I headed out to  Lianne’s  place where her  yard  had just been freshly cleared.  The yard and the approaching lane provided a pretty good surface for our maiden run. 

One of my 1^st concerns was  how to hitch the sled bridal to the sled.  I had seen a few pictures of kicksleds that had rings welded to the top part of the runners.  My thought was to try using a couple of  rings that are attached to Velcro that were made to hold water buckets in soft sided crates with metal tubing.  So we fastened them securely, then attached the bridal and ganglines.  Reese was going to be the 1^st to give it a try, I doubted that Nugget being smaller would be able to pull the sled and I on her own. 

Reese did great at being harnessed as she is used of standing still for drafting.  Once hitched , Lianne stood a short distance away with a target and some treats and she fairly effortlessly pulled.  We did this several times and lengthened the distances we had her pull.  Lianne and I took turns riding the sled .   

 

Reese seemed to be doing well, so I brought Nugget out and hitched her up.  Again not to many problems with hitching and getting them to stand with the “line out”.  On the cue of “hike” they took off, but very quickly Reese started to hang back letting Nugget do most of the pulling.  We had the idea of unhooking Nugget from the sled, but leaving her attached to Reese by the neckline.  Reese was still attached to the sled.  This was even worse, at one point Nugget was actually dragging Reese who in turn was dragging the sled. 

What I learned is that Nugget can definitely  pull on her own.  Also after  talking to Erin, she told me that probably Reese just needs to gain confidence on her own before adding the Nugg.  So next  outing, I will do some one dog pulling with Reese.  Erin also said that using a quad that will stay just ahead of them can also be useful in getting the dog to move out.

We also hitched Torque, Em and Sonny up.  Using the target to get  them going, and  a person calling, worked fairly well for our 1^st time out.  Torque took me for a ride while Lianne called, and HOLY CRAP…all I can say is weeeeeeeeeeee!

 More Winter fun to come for sure.

2 X 2 Weave training with Nugget

Nug getting ready to try the freshly taped poles.

 

This weekend I started weave training with Nugget. After several sessions we have gone from 2 poles angled on the reward line at 9 and 3 (of a clock face) to 2 sets of poles angled at 1 and 7 and about 7 feet apart. 

Things seem to be clipping along at a pretty good rate. One factor is that Nugget really seems to like the pole game as much as she likes to retrieve. My struggle has been the timing of my throw and the accuracy, but she is forgiving on all accounts and just keeps playing.

Two in 1 Day!

On the same day August 18, 2013, at the Regina Retriever Clubs Working Certificate Test,  Reese earned her WCI. I was most impressed with her heeling to the line, her steadiness, manners in the blind and her honoring.   She will be taking some lessons from Nugget on "HOLD" and recalls.  But overall it was a privledge to run both girls and have them earn new titles on the same day. 

Whiskey Creek's Precious Mettle WC

Nugget earned the title of Working Certificate at the Regina Retriever Clubs WC test on August 18, 2013.    I was nervous about the  WC land marks right off the hop and the water marks were not a gimmy either .  About 2 weeks ago Nugget was barely doing 40yd marks. So the 75 and 72 yd marks, the gallery and judges seemed to be a big challenge.

 I thought back to everything we had done this summer and remembered the day at Lianne’s when Heather and I did a few recalls with Nugget and tried throwing a bumper and she had Zero interest in it.  Then there was  Decoy Days in June and she wasn’t picking up anything,  but she walked through the decoys and took a turn honoring to a big dog. I remember Lianne and I spending the hottest part of a day in June with a duck on a leash.  Throwing it dragging it and having a big party when Nugget finally picked it up.  

I remember Jill and I setting up the bumper boy for Danno, Reese and Sonny and not being able to resist firing a bumper for Nugget, then me being thrilled with how she came alive even though she wouldn’t pick it up. Then at the picnic trial in July, she was in season, but came out last and tried a few retrieves with a bumper. Keith did everything under the sun to help her finally bring back one bumper. I remember feeling like we turned a corner when Nugget ran out and picked up a bird after Lianne and I had her watch Torque do some short retrieves. 

I am really pleased with all that Nugget did this year and at the Test, but I have to tell you there is no one happier than her breeder, and that is kind of cool.  In everything I have ever done with the dogs no one has been more proud then Kathy Case, yeah yeah it is a WC, Canadian at that, but she is very proud of her.  Good Girl Nugg!

A busy summer!

We have been enjoying a fun filled summer outdoors.  Filled with playing and training.  

Nug, Ardi and Reese