Smokee Pics

I know  it's been a while since I have posted updates.  In the next few days I should be posting some new videos from our new house (ok, actually from our new backyard).  We have moved cross-country to the foothills area of Colorado.  We are safe from fires, but can occasionally see the smoke plumes. 

To tie you over until I post my updates, here's the latest picture of Smokee - I know who got all the fur in the family.  You would think that he could share with his sister Heidi, seeing that he has enough fur for about a dozen dogs.

Smokee

Puppy Match & Disc Dog

Saturday our club held a keeshond puppy match.  Before the match started, we did a mini disc dog class.  Since I've gone to 2 classes, I was the "trainer".  Everyone worked on how to properly hold and throw the disc, then we brought out the dogs individually to play.  For the dogs that weren't used to catching the disc, we threw rollers (throw on the edge of the disc to the ground, so it rolls quickly across the ground) - very fun chase game for the dogs.  Izzy and Heidi then got to show off their moves.

After the disc dog fun, the puppy match was held.  Heidi was entered in the adult category, and won best of adult.  Tug also participated and received best of opposite adult.  Heidi and Tug got in some good practice time in the ring before the show season begins.  There was also time during the day for a lot of play time with the other dogs - lots of fun.

Izzy heading down for the catch

Heidi doing a flying catch

Heidi showing off her freestyle flip

Heidi doing a freestyle catch

Heidi & Tug's first agility trial

Today was a big day for Heidi and Tug - their first agility trail.  I entered Heidi in all 5 runs, and Crystal and Tug were entered in 2 runs. 

The first run of the day was Full House.  I call this a run-a-muck game.  You have a time limit to collect points by performing obstacles in any order that you choose.   Heidi started the run by heading over to the table, which normally stops the clock.  Lucky for us, the clock had not started, so we didn't get zero points - not really a great start to the day.  She then did a few obstacles, then jumped on me, barked at me, and snapped at my legs.  Hmm, she doesn't do that in class - guess we were wound up.  Tug started out about the same, except he didn't snap at Crystal's legs.

After that, we were entered in Jumpers.  This is a marked course, with only jumps and tunnels.  Heidi had a slighly better run, only barking and nipping at me a few times.  Tug's run started awesome, until the ninth obstacle.  After doing jump number 9, he decided he had enough.  The audience entertainment then followed as Tug went into zoomie mode.  Maybe not so fun for Crystal, but very cute to watch, and Tug sure seemed to enjoy himself.

Heidi's third run of the day was Standard, which is just that, a standard agility run with a numbered course.  Heidi was awesome - just like class.  No barking or nipping, just a nice run.  At this point our weekend was successfull.  Heidi received her first qualifying run.  Go Heidi.  We completed the day with 2 more runs, one of which was a qualifying run.  All in all, a very fun day. 

Heidi's First Agility Run - Full House

Tug gets the zoomies

Heidi's much better Standard Run

Flyball Izzy

Izzy and I participated in a U-FLI flyball tournament this past weekend.  Izzy had an awesome time - what's better then racing other dogs, getting a tennis ball, AND getting treats!  Izzy received 2 new titles TF-1 and TF-2.  Izzy's team also got 1st place in their division.

Since the tournament was over 2 hours away, we decided to stay up in Euclid for the weekend.  We shared a room with a friend who brought her miniture poodle and her Hungarian Mudi puppy, who is 4 months old.  At first, Izzy & Heidi were playing with each other - of course on the bed.  The puppy was getting upset because he couldn't get up on the bed to join in.  I helped him up, and he joined right in the fun.  He quickly learned how to get up on the bed himself so he wouldn't miss any of the action.  They had a great time.

Dodger, Trophy, Izzy, Yippee

Cleveland Specialty

This past weekend, we went to the IX Center in Cleveland for the dog show. 

On Friday, I only showed Moon.  He was excellent in the ring, and was awarded the Select dog (2nd place), which gave him a 5 point major win towards his grand champion title.  Just 2 more points to go. 

Saturday there was a keeshond specialty, so I entered all 3 dogs - I must be crazy.  Grooming 3 dogs on a rainy day is insane.  At least Heidi and Moon aren't in full coat right now, so it was easier.  First was sweepstakes, for the younger dogs.  Heidi was excellent in the ring, and received 2nd place in her class.  Tug also got 2nd place in his class - way to go Tug.  My friend Rick showed Moon in Best of Breed, while I showed Izzy.  Neither dog got anything, but they were very good in the ring.  I was very pleased that Moon did so well, since it was his first time being shown by Rick. 

Heidi doing her triangle in sweeps



Moon also showed on Sunday, and again didn't get anything, but the judge was really looking at him.  In the end, she gave the Select dog to Moon's father Kuniva.

Flyball Practice

Took the girls to flyball class.  They're crazy for it.  I was going to start with Heidi, but Izzy was so excited in the car, I let her go first.  Izzy is very focussed on the ball and very motivated.  After Izzy, I went back out to get Heidi.  Izzy was mad that it wasn't still her turn.  Heidi was so excited, she could hardly stand still to get her collar on.  Got her in the building, and let her try the full 4 jumps with the box (up until now we have been either working on the box by itself, or the jumps without the box).  We put some gates up by the far jump to help guide Heidi into the jump lane.  She was crazy fast. 

Izzy showing her moves

Heidi's first full run

What can you do with 2 boxes?

What's better then one box?  That would be two boxes.  Now I'm sure that the box is better then the gift.