Casey and I have not been trialling since May of last year. He did complete his Rally Novice title with high scores and two placements, earned a Rally Excellent leg (and placed!), and earned his first Companion Dog leg. My goal for this year is for us to give our best performance everytime we go into the ring and have a ball doing it. In the process I aim to complete his Rally Excellent and Companion Dog titles by November 30, 2010.
We have been taking it easy since May so I have decided to back up and start from scratch. This will allow me to benefit as a trainer from what I learned last year, and since it's material we covered last year we should get through it quickly. I intend to draw up a training plan and keep a training journal to keep me on track and record our progress. Last night Casey and I went over basic skills. His tuck sit is not quite what I'd like, so we'll work on that. We worked on finding heel position; he comes to heel position, c/t, reset. Down is good, fast, and on cue. I captured some good, square stands. We worked on coming to front using Susan Ailsby's ray and circle diagrams. I started using these after we'd started trialling last year and found them very helpful.
We will continue working on Casey's tuck sit. We'll walk a bit at heel position and practice holding heel position as I turn in place. We'll begin stay work with the down and practice down at heel position. We'll practice going into a stand from sit and down. We'll also go up a notch on the front diagrams.
I really don't think I need to start from scratch, but I think that it will be good for both of us to do so. If there are any holes that I missed last time they should show up quickly.
Completed CD and RA
Casey and I began trialling for the year this past weekend with good results. He qualified in both Obedience and Rally both days. Saturday we earned a 174 in Novice A Obedience placing 4th, and an 87 in Rally Advanced A placing 1st. Sunday we earned a 177 in Novice A Obedience placing 3rd, and 92 in Rally Advanced A (scores were high and we were outplaced). Casey and I enjoyed our time in the ring and got a chance to test our team working skills with an audience.
Casey is my first clicker-from-scratch dog and my first dog to title in Obedience. (My Toby earned his RN and retired) We'll work on completing his Rally Excellent title and maybe debut in Open Obedience before the year is out. We've been playing with Open skills but nothing serious, now I'll need to draw up a training plan for us. Most of the Rally Excellent skills he has, but the back up at heel needs refinement. We have time to polish. :)