Rough life for Princess Mia

Don't worry Mia, I'll just sit on the floor.

Field Training - January 2012

Here are some pictures of Mia on point this past January. Thanks to Helen Sanderford for taking these. I'm hoping to continue working Mia on birds next fall and try for our Junior Hunter title.

Mia and the puppies

So yes, I know it's been a while since I updated the blog.  Things have been pretty busy with me working 3 jobs and taking care of a house by myself.  With that said, Mia and I haven't done much trialing and competing but we've still been training in obedience, agility, and retrieving.  Our goals this summer are to get another CDX leg and maybe even finish our title.  We are also going to make our agility debut.  Hopefully, I will do a better job of keeping the blog updated and can go back and add some pictures from this winter and spring...so here we go:)

Here are some more of the pictures from Mia's Thanksgiving visitors back in November 2011.  Thanks to my cousin, Jason Dohse of Barknbyte Design for taking these adorable pictures.

Happy 3rd Birthday Mia!

Today was Mia's 3rd birthday! I can't believe how fast time flies. She's been such a joy to have and I feel truly blessed to have her in my life. I'm looking forward to what will hopefully be many more birthdays.

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She started the day the way she usually does - with a nap, of course.

After a relaxing morning, we decided to go down to one of our favorite places, the Carolina Beach State Park, for a walk on the trails. Even though it's just the end of March, it's pretty warm (80 degrees already) so I tossed a stick out in the water and let Mia go for a swim to cool off.

We then headed over to another one of our favorite places - the North End of Carolina Beach. What we love about this beach is that dogs are allowed off leash as long as they are under voice control. Mia had a blast retrieving her bumper and showed no hesitation running out into the waves.

Mia finished her all day celebration with cake and ice cream especially for her. The cake was carob chip with cream cheese icing. She also got a peanut butter and cheese ice cream treat made especially for dogs.

I can't believe you are making me stay with my cake right in front of me...and on my birthday, too!

What's in the tree?

The other day, I noticed that Mia seemed particularly interested in a tree in the backyard.  I didn't think much of it...until I watched her go up on her hind legs.  I still don't know what's got her so intrigued, but she likes checking it out.  So today while I was working in the yard, I decided to take my camera and get a few pictures of my goofy girl:)

Checking it out

Mama, do you smell that??

Back to check it out again

I'm exhausted now...investigating is hard work!

Mia's Thanksgiving Visitors

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, Mia had some visitors staying at our house.  My aunt, who comes down every year from Virginia, had 3 doberman puppies she didn't want to leave with the dog sitter.  Mia did an amazing job with them (even my aunt was impressed with how well she did).  They tried to nurse on Mia a few times and Mia let them know there wouldn't be any of that.  She then redirected them and invited them to play instead.  Good girl, Mia!

 It was really interesting to watch the puppies over several days.  Even at a young age, you can really see personality differences.  They were very good house guests (or sun room guests)...but I think Mia was pretty worn out by the end of the week and was happy to have her yard back to herself:)

Don't worry, I won't be getting a puppy anytime soon.

Fall Show-N-Go

Retrieve over the high jump

We participated in the Azalea Dog Training Club's Fall Show-N-Go at a nearby park.  A show-n-go is like a practice competition. I entered Mia in Open Obedience and Novice Agility Jumpers.  I don't have any pictures of the agility runs but Mia did pretty well and improved with each run.  Her drive and enthusiasm is quadrupled in a trial/show atmosphere (practice or not) so it will probably be a while until we trial.  We both have to learn to control all of that energy:)  Mia did really well in her obedience run.  Since we NQ'd on a down stay at the Simpsonville shows, I was ready to correct her if she moved too much.  Sometimes in practice, dogs don't make the mistakes that they make at trials so you don't get the chance to correct them.  Mia did move a little on her down stay so I did get the chance to correct her.  We still have some work to do but overall, I was very pleased with how she did.



Drop on recall - I purposely waited to drop her, because you never know when the judge will signal



Figure 8

Retrieve on the flat - I'm trying to get her to straighten her front