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Silver & Gold Test .... the future.

Mon, 24 Mar 2014 19:10:38 +0100

I don't know if I have posted about this, but Tilly finally passed her Silver Test, and went on to achieve her Gold a few weeks ago! Unfortunately, she injured herself at the Challenge by crashing into a jump. On further inspection at the vets, they diagnosed her with Arthritis in her hips and front right leg. This means that does get quite sore sometimes and has to have 'rest' days to relax. The vets told us that she could continue to train in Agility, as long as the jumps were put down and she was warmed up and down properly. She loves it too much to stop, and it keeps her fit. The Gold Test was her last run at full height.
It means that a competitive career is out of the question, but I really don't mind, all I want is for Tilly to be comfortable and happy. I am trying two new joint supplements, one called 'Yumove' and the other 'Joint Aid For Dogs' which seem to be working really well. She also gets massages, Hydrotherapy and I am currently trying to get some more weight off of her.
If you would like to watch her Gold Test, please click on the link below:
http://youtu.be/MZF_q1-sGNI

February 2014

Sat, 22 Mar 2014 00:17:03 +0100

February means .... Tilly's birthday!! 7 this year! Time flies! Can't believe I got her as a lanky, scrawny pup for my 11th birthday. She got lots of special treats and a new ball as presents. I was off of work so she got lots of cuddles, and everyone sung happy birthday to her at training in the evening! She ended the day with mince for dinner! Happy dog!

Nearly up to date! We took part in the first club Agility competition of the year in February, and by 'we' I mean, myself, Tilly and Betsy! Yes, Betsy had a go in her first ever competition environment! And what a star she was! I was worried because the outdoor venue the shows normally take place in was completely flooded due to the torrential rain we had seen over a month, so the competition was held at the indoor training venue. The training venue is a riding arena, which will hold two rings and two classes of dogs easily. However, when you add around 30+ dogs, and ques to get into the rings - it becomes a bit chaotic!
Not only was I running two dogs over each course (I will have to get fitter) but I had to remember two courses at the same time! I would start one course with Tilly, run back to the car, swap dogs and start a different course with Betsy!
Anyway Tilly's results were:
Agility - 5F Missed Dogwalk contact - we'd been working so hard on those too!
Jumping 5F - Crashed into a jump (sadly, more news on that to follow ..)
Steeplechase - Clear!!

Betsy's results:
Agility - 5F Refusal on the A-Frame, I swapped sides to avoid an awkward tunnel entrance and she jumped off!
Jumping - Clear!! Woo Hoo!
Steeplechase 10F - Crashed jump and missed tunnel entrance. Barking dogs close to the edge of the ring put her off.

Very proud of my girls, they worked well in a challenging environment! Tilly got 3rd place in the Steeplechase and gained enough points to move up to level 2!! Betsy got her first ever rosette - a clear round after only 6 months of training!

January 2014

Fri, 21 Mar 2014 23:29:18 +0100

I've started to include Betsy in a few more things as well, and one of my goals for this year was to really kick-start her training. She started Agility classes in September 2013, and took to it really well. The main obstacle we had an issue with was the tunnel, so I bought a child's play tunnel to practice with at home After a few weeks she really started to love and will now fly through it 99% of the time. Our major issue at the moment is cross-behinds and getting her to 'go on' on her own. It will just have to be baby steps! It's been so long since I trained a dog in the basics I've forgotten what a long, frustrating but rewarding process it is!
As well as Agility, Betsy is my grooming-dog, and I was urged to enter a grooming competition with her. The theme is 'Asian Fusion' which revolves around curves, cute faces and a 'teddy bear' look. I also dabbled in a bit of creative grooming and dyed her tail pink! I think it looks great, but wow, do we get some funny looks when out walking!

December 2013

Fri, 21 Mar 2014 23:22:25 +0100

We had our Agility Christmas party this month (obviously!) it was a Barn Dance - something I had never done before! It was an experience and a lot of fun! This party was for the humans only, and the annual awards ceremony was included on the night. I couldn't believe it when I was awarded the 'Junior Progress Cup'. Tilly will never be the fastest dog out there, and she will probably never compete; but training her has been an absolute blast, and I hope to continue that into the future. She has been a struggle at times, but I've learnt so many things to put into practice with future dogs and to hopefully help me get Betsy up to a good standard (she's got big boots to fill!). Tilly is definitely one of those 'special' dogs, I love her to bits!
The trophy is lovely and we have our names engraved on it. The previous two handlers have Collies, so I also think it is an achievement to see a Labradoodle placed next to them!!

November 2013

Fri, 21 Mar 2014 23:15:01 +0100

Tilly took part in the last Crystal Challenge of the year in this month It was a mixture of some good and not so good runs!! She had her 'silly' head on and only managed 1 clear round out of 3!! But she had fun, which was the main thing. Out of 34 dogs she got 27th place. I was happy with this placing as the club had mixed levels 1,2 and 3 so she was competing against dogs of a very high standard!!

July/September 2013

Fri, 21 Mar 2014 23:08:37 +0100

A few things went on during these months, but here are the most significant! Tilly got 3rd place in Best Crossbreed in a dog show;

And she also get her 'Novice Trick Dog Title'. This means that she now has letters before her name (NTD). It means that she has learnt at least 15 tricks of varying difficulty. She can now go on to complete her Intermediate title, if we ever get around to it!

Hello, hello ....

Fri, 21 Mar 2014 22:52:46 +0100

I haven't updated this blog in a long time! I have lots of successes and announcements to share with you! I will try and post them in date order .....

Competition and Hydrotherapy

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 16:29:52 +0100

Tilly did very well in her first every Crystal Challenge competition on Saturday. She came 11th out of 27 dogs in the 1-3 levels combined. I was really proud of her. We were at the show for 6 hours, and she started to get really tired and hot just waiting around. Nevertheless, she ran well and had a great time. I've just got to work on her speed!
She went to Hydrotherapy the day before which she loves. I've started to do more training with Betsy and she is learning a lot very quickly. Here are some random pics:

Up and about - Crystal Series

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:07:53 +0100

Tilly is a lot better now thankfully and is running around like a loon. I've booked her in for Hydotherapy on Friday just to give her muscles a work out and to relax her.
I have put our name down for an agility competition at the weekend. It's part of a 'Crystal Series' run by our club which we haven't done before. I'm not expecting much, but want to use the opportunity to run her in the outside arena - as next weekend we have our second attempt at our silver progress test.
I've been working on her contacts by making her wait on them and treating her. I think it's working, esepcially if I shout 'wait!' her before she reaches the end. I also walk her along it so she isn't speeding off and make sure she is concentrating!

We've also been accepted for the Prettiest Bitch Scruffts heat at the London Pet Show in May! It'll be a great day out, but such a shame that Betsy can't come!!

Injury! - to the bench!

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 13:04:36 +0100

Yup - Tilly's injured herself! She was severely limping on her left front and back leg! This started two days ago after a very chaotic walk which involved her, Betsy, another Labradoodle, Rottweiler, Lurcher, Shih Tzu, Chihuahua and Collie!! I saw her slip in a rather energetic game, but it didn't phase her at the time. Only later on did I see that she was limping.
So I've rested her for a couple of days and apart from driving me crazy through lack of exercise (pacing, barking etc) it seems to be clearing up, which is excellent!

With Tilly on the bench at the sidelines, I've been doing some agility training with Betsy. Turns out she's taken to it quite well - so watch this space!