Training Spritz

I have been having fun training Spritz.  We have a trial this weekend, so it will be interesting to see what he gives me.  It is getting a little harder to run full out as I am 4 1/2 months pregnant.  I find my center of gravity a little more forward then before.
Here are a couple videos of today's training session.  He has a great running A-Frame and we have been working on his 2o2o on the Dogwalk.  I am teaching him to fight to stay on it instead of coming off as he pleases.  In the jumping exercise we are working on him jumping 26 inches and also learning to collect for a turn so that he does not launch himself into space and then turn on the ground.
All in all things are starting to come together.

Fusion x Spritz Puppies 1 Day Old

The Fusion x Spritz litter arrived on Februrary 20.  Momma and pups are doing super.

Fusion had 2 boys and 5 girls.

Atom (Male)

Quantum (Male)

Fizz (Female)

Ion (Female)

Kinetic (Female)

Nova (Female)

Velocity (Female)

Singe Running Mat 1

Well, as those who watched the last training video for our running contacts know that Singe was leaping the last section of the plank. VERY frustrating! I went and bought these foam mats as they are wider and I could make them longer than the plank and I could vary the color pattern as it seemed he was leaping when he saw the yellow on the plank.

The first couple reps I had 7 squares as this made it the same length as my plank and he was leaping at the end. I added an 8th square and this seemed to help. At first he would leap every now and again, but he seemed to settle into a rhythm. I plan on keeping the 8 squares until he can run this length with absolutely no problem. I will then go to 7 squares. Once he can do this I will move him to the plank again. I have some ideas for down the road.

I did not video Havoc and Rave as I moved the plank to a new location in the field and had to start from ground zero. I will move it every couple of days until they can run it perfect in any location. I will then gradually raise the plank.

Running Dogwalk 2

Today was our second session fro running dogwalk. It has been very windy here the past few days, so no training until today.

I learned something very interesting with Singe today. I started the plank work with Singe last fall and gave up over the winter. The reason I gave up is that he was constantly jumping over the end of the board. After watching videos of running dogwalk training all winter long I figured out what I wanted to see. It just wasn't happening with him and he is still jumping over the yellow. Watch in the freeze frame pictures. Then there was this one clip where Singe accidentally ran along side the plank instead of on top of it. The little bugger ran in perfect rotary gait and it was beautiful. So, my conclusion is that he is seeing the yellow on my plank (teeter plank on the ground). He goes into collection right at the middle of the plank and then extends out and over the entire yellow section.

Tomorrow's session will be 10 reps of him running along side the plank instead of him on it. If this works I will then switch to a solid colored plank or foam mats.

Running Dogwalk 1

Well the last 2 days I have felt good enough to train dogs in agility. I have been working some of them on sheep though. I am nearing the end of my 1st trimester so things are becoming easier to do now.

I have started on a journey of training a running Dogwalk to Havoc, Singe and Rave. All 3 dogs are very different. Havoc, so far, is easy and has a nice running stride. Singe, is harder as he has more of a jumping stride. He seems to switch to a running stride as he settles in and becomes more comfortable. Rave, aka Lil' Nigget, is a young dog that is having her first experience in agility. She has been a little flyball girl up until now.

I am excited to see how each of these 3 dogs progress over time. I will be documenting their progress, so stay tuned.

Here is the first session of their running dogwalk training.

Running Dogwalk 1

Well the last 2 days I have felt good enough to train dogs in agility. I have been working some of them on sheep though. I am nearing the end of my 1st trimester so things are becoming easier to do now.

I have started on a journey of training a running Dogwalk to Havoc, Singe and Rave. All 3 dogs are very different. Havoc, so far, is easy and has a nice running stride. Singe, is harder as he has more of a jumping stride. He seems to switch to a running stride as he settles in and becomes more comfortable. Rave, aka Lil' Nigget, is a young dog that is having her first experience in agility. She has been a little flyball girl up until now.

I am excited to see how each of these 3 dogs progress over time. I will be documenting their progress, so stay tuned.

Here is the first session of their running dogwalk training.

Dogs enjoyed the first snow of the year

The dogs enjoyed the first snow of the year. It was in the teens today, but nothing a Carhart jacket couldn't handle.

Here is video of the dogs. The first part is pictures and then there is video footage.