Show-N-Go

The Azalea Dog Training Club had a "Show-N-Go" recently at their facilities in Hampstead, NC. I took Mia and entered her in rally excellent, rally advanced, and novice obedience. The show-n-go provides an opportunity to practice in a competition like setting (but the cost to enter is much cheaper and we don't have to travel far). Since Mia already has her rally novice title, she is ready to compete in rally advanced. I thought it would be a good idea to try an excellent course to see how she did and what we still need to work on. These pictures are of her runs through the excellent course. She did beautifully on the advanced course as well, but my sister had to leave which is why there are no pictures. I entered Mia in novice obedience just to see what we still need to work on. She did an awesome job. So awesome that I think it's time to start competing for her CD (companion dog). We have a few minor things to tweak, including an enthusiastic recall that involved her sliding past me. Fortunately, an enthusiastic recall is better than a dog that's reluctant to come:) Other than that, we just need to work a little on figure eights and I think we're are set to go. Of course, you never know what's going to happen in the show ring...which is why you just have to take a leap of faith and give it a try...until then, you'll never know.

I've taught Mia to look at me when I say, "Ready!" That way, when the judge says, "Are you ready?" I can respond with, "Ready," and Mia looks at me.

270 Left

Moving Down, Walk Around Dog

Halt, Take 1 Step, Call Dog to Heel

Call to Front, Finish Right

Offset Figure Eight (The bowls of toys serve as distractions)

All Done! Good Job!

Learning to Retrieve

The Tarheel Weim Club had a "Learn to Retrieve" Day in Clayton, NC. Mia did well retrieving the bumper and bird on land. She still doesn't want to swim but by the end of the day, I was able to toss the bumper a few feet in front of her in the water, and she would grab it before turning around to swim back to shore. That's more than she was willing to do last fall. Hopefully, we will be ready to enter the retreiver ratings next fall and go for our NRD (Novice Retrieving Dog).

Eagerly watching...

Retrieving the quail...good girl!

Watching again...

Off she goes...

Good girl!

Off to the water...

Maybe if Remi is out there, Mia will go out there...

Looks like I'm goin' in...

Come on Mia, you know you want the bumper...

Just a little push and off she goes. Good Girl!

The things we do for the ones we love...you can't tell, but I am covered in muck!

Guard Dog to Princess

We are in the process of having our roof replaced, and Mia has been busy keeping an eye on the crew. Here she is perched on the couch watching them through the window. She does bark when she sees them come in the backyard, which is okay...as long as she stops when I tell her to quiet.

It's hard work being a guard dog!

"Mamma, I'm so tired"

So sweet...

I have to throw in a picture of Remi...here she is asleep with her head hanging off the chair.