Rubie's Agility Career

[LifeofRubie]

Well done, Moo! You can see he has lots of potential. And of course Rubie at her finest! I’m in total awe watching these pups

Thank you! Mr Moo actually starts classes this week! I wanted to try barn hunt with him but right now it's a lot cheaper to just do agility with him at the same place Rubie trains.

There's that smile on my face again! You guys seem to have so much fun. And you get a work out too!

When Rubie is in the mood to run, she RUNS! And it seems the faster I run, the faster she runs so she's only limited by my speed hahaha!

Moose looks fantastic out there and has that innocent energy of just wanting to please. He looks like he is having fun.

The same ole Ruby....What to say?? That shit just burns up the course if she wants too!! Damn she looked good out there.

Good job.

Thank you! I would say we were one of the more advanced teams out there during the fun runs but this was also her first time in this building so that makes it double impressive!

This was a close-by and very small fun run but the lady running it was driving me BATSH*T crazy. When I had Moo out there, I was introducing him the tire jump. He's never EVER seen one so I was was trying to just get him to go through it a couple of times and the lady was barking commands at me. SAY TIRE SAY TIRE! I looked her dead in the eye and said, "He has never seen a tire before so me telling him "TIRE" will mean nothing. I'm just trying to get the behavior." I was throwing treats through it and she offered YOU SHOULDN'T THROW TREATS BECAUSE THEN HE GETS REWARDED FOR NOT DOING IT. Ok, Crazy, He's a puppy and he's out here having fun. We're not trying out for the world team tomorrow so calm the eff down.

She had a lot of unsolicited advice after Rubie's first run which made me red in the face. We weren't the only team she was barking orders at; one lady was out there running her dog and yelled back LEAVE ME ALONE! Dog Dad actually came with and asked if I was going to fight this lady.

I didn't mention to her that her course set-up was god awful for large or fast dogs and that I was the only person there doing blind and rear crosses to try and muddle my way through it. Pyshco.

 

[Kaiser2016]

Dog Dad actually came with and asked if I was going to fight this lady.

OMG I hate people like this and there’s always one that is barking commands at people like a know it all.

 

[LifeofRubie]

OMG I hate people like this and there’s always one that is barking commands at people like a know it all.

If her dog had been perfect, perhaps I would've kept my mouth closed... but...

 

[JanS]

She's doing great and Moose is off to a nice start too! I have no idea how you can remember those different courses when I struggle with basic rally with signs. LOL

I seem to be having issues with video quality for some reason?

They look perfectly clear to me but sometimes if you post them right after uploading they're not completely done processing yet.

 

[LifeofRubie]

She's doing great and Moose is off to a nice start too! I have no idea how you can remember those different courses when I struggle with basic rally with signs. LOL

I have actually read articles on how NOT to get lost when you're running full speed ahead with a dog in tow. We also get 8 minutes to walk a course, usually with a map in hand that's been studied for hours! Do you get to do that in Rally or do you have to memorize it all from a map??

 

[JanS]

We also get 8 minutes to walk a course, usually with a map in hand that's been studied for hours! Do you get to do that in Rally or do you have to memorize it all from a map??

I think you get about 8 minutes for a walk through in rally too but my memory isn't that long.

 

[LifeofRubie]

I think you get about 8 minutes for a walk through in rally too but my memory isn't that long.

I would think running full speed might make it easier to remember a course, perhaps?! If you're walking, too much time to think about your next move!!! If I forget where I'm going, I can usually get Rubie near me so she doesn't get an off course or refusal and then look for my next numbered cone to get back on track

 

[JanS]

then look for my next numbered cone to get back on track

Oh they do have something that kind of tells you what's next? That would definitely help a bit.

 

[LifeofRubie]

Oh they do have something that kind of tells you what's next? That would definitely help a bit.

oh, absolutely! There are cones at each obstacle numbered sequentially which helps a LOT when your mind stumbles for a second!!!

You can see orange and purple cones in our last video. Orange is one course, purple is a nested course.

 

[LifeofRubie]

Well ended a very exciting weekend with some agility!

For some reason, weaves were hard for us this weekend (so guess what we'll be practicing this week!) but a beautiful standard run on a very fun course. I think we were only 1 of 2 teams to Q in Standard Novice. A lot of other teams started the run on the right side of the jumps which sent their dogs directly to the A-Frame (which would be the natural direction from that side). We've been working the Dog Walk contact a lot with a target at the bottom so Rubie nailed that which was awesome! She saw the weave pole entrance but took it a little too fast and ran into the second pole but we get 3 tries.

JWW Q still eludes us. An awesome run but hose pesky weave poles gave us some trouble! Even the judge was rooting for us: I heard her saying "weave... weave... weave..." during our attempts. Since we couldn't get them on 3 tries, we just continue on but NQ. Wonderful courses and fun judge!

That's two of three Qs for AKC Standard Novice! We are attempting two runs each on Saturday and Sunday for CPE next weekend... A first for us as we've not trialed two days in a row, yet. Very curious to see how it goes! The good news isn't she hasn't done a victory lap before the run is over and hasn't gotten stuck at the start line for several trials now

 

[JanS]

She's doing great and congrats in your Q's! I'm guessing you're going to get your third very soon the ways she's going.

 

[LifeofRubie]

She's doing great and congrats in your Q's! I'm guessing you're going to get your third very soon the ways she's going.

Thanks, Jan!! I'm really hoping so... Not signed up for any trials in August yet but we have plenty of AKC opportunities!!

Rubie got her official height card from AKC yesterday and measured 24.75" tall!

 

[LifeofRubie]

Well, I've been told that I'm spending too much time doing agility with Rubie and that her overall obedience is slipping

Because she barks along the fence (literally 99% of the dogs in our neighborhood do this but my dog is the 'bad' one)
Because she sometimes growls at dogs who approach her on-leash (which is dog communication for please don't come near me)
Because she doesn't like the dog park

And those are the three examples I was given.

Apparently it's impossible to take just one dog to the dog beach and leave the other behind. Apparently me finding weekends during which we have nothing on the calendar and signing up for a few hours of trialing usually one day that weekend is really inconvenient when last minute plans pop-up and need to now plan around my "hobby." Apparently leaving for half a day to trial really stresses Moose out because he doesn't understand why we're gone. And there is a concern that if I start doing agility with Moose, we'll have a stronger bond.

When I started training agility, it was just for fun. And then it was Maybe we'll get a ribbon. And now I'd like to get titles in several different venues - which is apparently an issue. Never mind that there are actually people in our class who STARTED agility to help teach their dogs to ignore people/dogs and learn to focus on their people. Ignore the fact that we can go out there and run a course with dogs barking, people talking, a judge and bar setters ON the course, toys squeaking, food everywhere on the floor, and finish it well enough to Q and place.

Just venting. I signed up for the trial this weekend over a month ago. Then a few weeks ago, we get the text announcement that it's my SILs baby shower on Saturday. I told Dog Dad we might be cutting it close leaving on time but if the trial is running long, I'll scratch our second run and come home. Well... that is just RIDICULOUS that I even thought about being a smidge late to his sisters baby shower. It's annoying I have training twice a week (once with Moo now and once with Rubie... on a Wednesday and Thursday from 8-9 when we'd otherwise be watching TV) and trialing one day a month is too much because what if something else comes up. We literally have all the time in the world as two childless people who work 9-5 M-F office jobs.

Never mind how many things our friends have been late to or left early from because of their kids sports. Or how many things they've missed entirely. Or how they have to plan around babysitters when they do come out. Or may or may not be able to go on the vacation we as a group planned over a year ago because their childcare plans fell through. Or our friends who have a legitimately dog aggressive rescue dog and can't stay out all night because she literally cannot leave the house. I mean. Honestly!

I spend more time watering plants than training/trialing in agility. I've spent more time working out recently than training/trialing. We spend more time cooking meals, watching TV, taking the dogs for walks, or driving to and from work than training/trialing.

Vent over. arg! I feel better.

 

[crypticintent]

Well, I've been told that I'm spending too much time doing agility with Rubie and that her overall obedience is slipping

Because she barks along the fence (literally 99% of the dogs in our neighborhood do this but my dog is the 'bad' one)
Because she sometimes growls at dogs who approach her on-leash (which is dog communication for please don't come near me)
Because she doesn't like the dog park

And those are the three examples I was given.

Apparently it's impossible to take just one dog to the dog beach and leave the other behind. Apparently me finding weekends during which we have nothing on the calendar and signing up for a few hours of trialing usually one day that weekend is really inconvenient when last minute plans pop-up and need to now plan around my "hobby." Apparently leaving for half a day to trial really stresses Moose out because he doesn't understand why we're gone. And there is a concern that if I start doing agility with Moose, we'll have a stronger bond.

When I started training agility, it was just for fun. And then it was Maybe we'll get a ribbon. And now I'd like to get titles in several different venues - which is apparently an issue. Never mind that there are actually people in our class who STARTED agility to help teach their dogs to ignore people/dogs and learn to focus on their people. Ignore the fact that we can go out there and run a course with dogs barking, people talking, a judge and bar setters ON the course, toys squeaking, food everywhere on the floor, and finish it well enough to Q and place.

Just venting. I signed up for the trial this weekend over a month ago. Then a few weeks ago, we get the text announcement that it's my SILs baby shower on Saturday. I told Dog Dad we might be cutting it close leaving on time but if the trial is running long, I'll scratch our second run and come home. Well... that is just RIDICULOUS that I even thought about being a smidge late to his sisters baby shower. It's annoying I have training twice a week (once with Moo now and once with Rubie... on a Wednesday and Thursday from 8-9 when we'd otherwise be watching TV) and trialing one day a month is too much because what if something else comes up. We literally have all the time in the world as two childless people who work 9-5 M-F office jobs.

Never mind how many things our friends have been late to or left early from because of their kids sports. Or how many things they've missed entirely. Or how they have to plan around babysitters when they do come out. Or may or may not be able to go on the vacation we as a group planned over a year ago because their childcare plans fell through. Or our friends who have a legitimately dog aggressive rescue dog and can't stay out all night because she literally cannot leave the house. I mean. Honestly!

I spend more time watering plants than training/trialing in agility. I've spent more time working out recently than training/trialing. We spend more time cooking meals, watching TV, taking the dogs for walks, or driving to and from work than training/trialing.

Vent over. arg! I feel better.

I think I’d rather be at agility trials rather than a baby shower...

 

[Kaiser2016]

Wow I came here expecting ribbons instead I got a rant I didn’t even know you had it in you

We literally have all the time in the world as two childless people who work 9-5 M-F office jobs.

It’s nice isn’t it

Never mind how many things our friends have been late to or left early from because of their kids sports.

Yep the double standard. I get it all the time from my friends with kids. I know that Kaiser is not a human child, but he’s still a living being that I’m responsible for. I find the people who are most bothered by our time spent ‘fussing’ over an animal are just the ones who can’t grasp that they are less interesting than a dog People feel offended by this level of rejection because deep down they know I’m choosing a four legged monster over them lol. Another thing I find is that they pretty much consider child free couples to be like their single friends and that we can just drop everything whenever they have time.

Being late to a non work-related event is hardly the end of the world. That’s actually one thing we can learn from people with kids. I used to arrive at gatherings right on time and leave only after everyone else because ‘of course I have the time’. Now I don’t bother with it. This is something Dog Dad is going to have to get used to. After this baby shower, he will see how those people put their own family ahead of you guys, so why shouldn’t you do the same? When I think of all the time I have spent wrapping perfect gifts with ribbons and paper and all that...only to have someone not even give it a second glance. Nowadays, if you’re lucky enough to even get a gift, there will for sure be a Kaiser hair under the tape and I will have seen it and smiled at it! Hair in tape is something icky to me so this is a bigger deal than it may seem haha.

Moo will definitely bond more with you if you work him - consider leaving him home to hang out with your hb while you pursue your goals with Rubie? That also gives him the TV time that he wants. Compromise - just one of the annoying little things about marriage

Ever since my hb discovered his “hobby”, I’ve been relishing my time home alone

 

[Viemarangelrock]

You get it all out girl!

 

[jazzies mum]

I find the people who are most bothered by our time spent ‘fussing’ over an animal are just the ones who can’t grasp that they are less interesting than a dog People feel offended by this level of rejection because deep down they know I’m choosing a four legged monster over them lol.

So true!

Nothing like a good rant occasionally! Good for stress release, sort of like the zoomies!

 

[LifeofRubie]

thank you, all! I'm not usually one for airing my dirty laundry but I was just FRUSTRATED!!!

@Kaiser2016 I'm 100% positive that we will be the first people there, at exactly 2p. My SIL with our two younger nieces is perpetually late and my BIL with the two older nieces is doing the party in 'shifts' because, WHHHHHAAAT???, they had a prior engagement. Dog Dad said he was bummed we had to leave the Ren Faire early on Sunday for my 'hobby.' We very rarely leave the dogs for more than 5 hours. We got to the Ren Faire at exactly 9:30 am (it's an hour drive) when we were told that's when my BIL was going to get there. They didn't get there until almost 10:30. We left at 12:15 and got home at 1:15. So... not sure if he wanted to spend another 15 minutes there before we reached doggies-home-alone cut-off time, or what.

We are SO flexible with short notice invites that it boggles my mind and yes, you're right, people just assume we can do whatever whenever with no notice. Most of the time we can! But sometimes, we can't, and recently my occasional agility trials have been the reason. So we show up a little late or leave a little early. Big.Freaking.Deal.

Whenever Rubie and I trial, it's always Moo and Dog Dad home alone. Sometimes they'll go to the dog park, or he'll take him to get groomed, or they'll just hang out here and do nothing. That is THEIR bonding time so I'm not sure why he's all worked up that Moo and I are going to bond. I'm NEVER home alone with just Moose. I keep telling HB he needs a hobby but then it's one more thing to spend money on and plan around... so what!

He's got some career decisions to make as of recently so not sure if the stress of that is just making everything else seem out of control or what so I'm trying to be understanding but telling me that Rubie is basically out of control because I've been pushing her 'obedience' aside to focus on agility just seemed out of line. Both Moo and Rubie has amazing agility practices this week and it's just reaffirms that I'm doing the right things with them and would be very hard pressed to quit.

Thank you for lending me your ears

Rubie and I are trialing Saturday and Sunday this week with several people from class so should be super fun and hopefully lucrative!!

 

[jazzies mum]

Of course doing something like agility will just reinforce obedience! You couldn't compete if they were blowing off commands and being inattentive. It's difficult if one partner isn't really into something you love but just quietly and reasonably sticking to your guns seems the best course for all. Betcha this all blows over in a while and becomes yesterdays issue.

 

[LifeofRubie]

Well, this weekend didn't go as well as I'd hoped but we still had some great moments!

Unfortunately we did have to scratch our second run on Saturday to leave in time for the shower (for which we arrived exactly on-time. the guests of honor didn't get there until an hour later...).

Our first run on Saturday was Jackpot which consists of an opening part in which you earn points and a closing part which is generally a distance challenge. This is one of the games where the judge yells out the points you've earned for each obstacle. It's been a while since we've done a Jackpot so the judge yelling ONE THREE FIVE! distracted Rubie a bit too much and she went and said HI to the judge. During our closing, we allllllmost had the distance part but it took a little too long to figure out so the buzzer went off right as we were going over the last jump. DARN!

Sunday was a little better. Our First run was Fullhouse. You need a minimum number of obstacles completed (three 1 pt, two 3 pt, and 1 5 pt obstacle) along with a minimum number of points. We needed 21 points and got 25 along with the minimum obstacle requirement so Qed! This was another game where the judge yells out the points for the complete obstacle but Rubie didn't pay any mind to her. She blew by the weave poles and flew off the A Frame but those are not faults in this game; you just don't get the points for them. But she was running FAST, listening to my cues, and having fun!!

Our Sunday Standard run was a little rough. We tried the weaves a couple of times but she just couldn't get them which is an auto NQ. Besides that, I sent her to the wrong entrance of a tunnel. This run though, her teeter, A Frame, and Dogwalk contacts were perfect!! And again, she was running fast and having fun! I have video's of the runs but they are super pixilated, unfortunately. I'll keep trying though as I think they were live streaming it on YouTube.

Our friends Jill and Nya, the corgi, were so close to a perfect weekend! They placed 1st and Qed in 9 of 10 runs! The last run on Sunday, snooker, got the better of them, though. We have 18Qs total in CPE in over a year of competing; they got 9 in one weekend man it would be fun to have consistent dog who enjoys the sport!!! We'll get there!