Starters debut

From the end of August

Tai's first starters! from Ali Barnett on Vimeo.

Contact training

Early stages of dogwalk training

Untitled from Ali Barnett on Vimeo.

Bit of fun!

A few of us did a demo of agility on one of the morning shows, Sunrise.

Here is one of the presenter's dogs who is 9ish and rather chubby! He did a fantastic job (thank god!) as he'd never done agility equipment before the segment this morning.

He was so cute!

Tai's debut

Here are Tai's runs from the Tauranga Jumpers competition.

Tai's debut from Ali Barnett on Vimeo.

We both had a blast!!

Tai's first course!!

Today we ran a link course (jumpers) in the pouring rain!! I am sooo stoked with my baby dog!

Tai's 1st course 1-8-09 from Ali Barnett on Vimeo.

It's almost been a year since Tai's accident.

He did some nice jumping stuff considering the conditions and his lack of experience at maxi hieght sequences.

Weaving

Here's some sessions which show the great understanding that 2x2's give dogs!

Tai did about 4 weeks worth of 2x2 training (once I figured out what we were doing) and then had 5 weeks off. In his first session back he nailed his most of the entries. I'm going to start really working on speed into the poles (as well as some hard entries) in our little backyard.

2x2 weaves 22 July 09 from Ali Barnett on Vimeo.

2x2 weaves 23 July 09 from Ali Barnett on Vimeo.

Happy training!

Update

Tai has had 5 weeks off weaving while I had exams and then went to Rarotonga. Yesterday I went outside to do his first 2x2 session back and he came up to me with one eye swollen and completely closed over!

So, off to the vets. Couldn't see any scratches or foreign bodies so we got some antibiotic drops. Today his eye is almost back to normal so hopefully later this week we can get back into weaving.

Below is bung-eye (looks a bit worse because I had flushed it with water).
Wish I was back in Raro, away from the crappy rain and freezing winds!

Now we're weaving!

After initially starting the 2x2's but having too many failures early on (up to stage 6), we went back to the 2 pole stage last Monday. Exactly a week later Tai is doing 4 straight poles!!! We've done 10 sessions of 3 min long each to get to this stage - 2x2 training is amazing!

Today we added a jump to the four poles and will continue to progress from here.

I just love working with Tai!

2x2 training - Stage 9 from Ali Barnett on Vimeo.

2x2 training

Here is a vid of Tai at Stage 4 of the 2x2's as per Susan Garrett's method.

2x2 training - Stage 4 from Ali Barnett on Vimeo.

We have been playing around with the 2x2's for a couple of weeks (when it wasn't pouring with rain!!) but at Chapter 5 & 6 he kept failing to enter the first 2 poles and would drive to the second set. So, back to the two pole stage to work on those off-side entries!

Not the most exciting video to watch but its a good record for me to have.

Agility training!

We've been doing bits and pieces since the all clear from the orthopedic vet and the physio. Tai has begun his 2x2 weave training and we are progressing with jumping grids and did our first double-box sequence today!!

I think the weaker left leg is making it harder for him to get the correct entries in the 2x2 training so we are going to have a break from it and then start again at the two pole stage.

He is not lame after his short (2-5 min) sessions which is a great sign. However, he is lighter on his leg near the end of the session.

There is still so so much to do before getting in the ring and the crappy wet weather is not helping. Fingers crossed it improves soon.

Tai seems to lose his brain when I start running beside him so I think that is a good indication to go back to circle work!!!

Thought this was a cool pic of him wrapping tight around his cone...
... and digging in to come to front during a stationary recall.

Happy training :)

Good news

I will update the blog this weekend but for now here is a video I've just put together...

Tai April 2009 from Ali Barnett on Vimeo.