We are back,.....

Well, been quite a slacker with my blog. I didn't realize I hadn't posted anything since May. I went into heaving training mode for Pip's Excellent Rally title, then did no training at all - went thru a slight rough patch but hope to be back on target now.

Pip did receive her Excellent Title for AKC Rally in July. She did a nice job, and I know works really hard.

Now we have started training for her WC (Working Certificate). This is a certificate offered specifically for labradors. Similar to a Hunt Test but with less criteria somewhat. Pip is a hot ticket with this - it certainly feeds into her prey drive thats for sure. We have only done land work so far. I don't think that she will have any issue with water but will need to get a couple of tries in. I am also going to give my Lucy another shot at the WC. Lucy received her WC last year - but I am currently working on her "visiting" social piece of the retrieve - so am repeating before I move onto bigger better things. I haven't quite figured out how to stop the visiting,.....

I've also decided to make this blog about my dogs in general - not just Pip. My oldest Sarah, who is almost 14 is struggling with many things - and everyone in my house has a story at one time or another. It will be fun to write about them and I think soothing to me also.

Activity Update!

We have been busy the last couple of weeks.

Pip was successful in getting her Rally Advanced title 3 for 3. As I had begun to work on heeling with her quite diligently, the heeling for the last trial was much better then the first 2. We even survived a very excited dog barking in the next ring that totally blew Pippi's mind. Just as we approached the first station, your basic Sit, Down, Sit - the dog started barking and Pip lost her focus. I had quite a time getting her focused and on task, we reapproached the station and we got threw it. Pip even started barking herself, I think she thought it was play time or something. In the end, we had a score in the 90's - that first station was our only blip. Getting her back on task after that is such a big achievement and by far the best thing we did that day! Now onto the Excellent level. Many of the shows now are outside and we are not ready as a team to have that experience. I'll wait for inside trials and start heeling work and attention work outside now.

We've also done quite a bit of USDAA Agility. Pip was able to get her P1 level titles in JWW, STD, Gambler and Snookers - over the course of about 4 or 5 trials. We have moved up to the P2 level and ran for the first time at that level this past weekend. The courses really become quite a bit more challenging. We managed to do 7 runs in 2 days - needless to say both of us were tired by the end of the weekend.

Our hiking needs some additional work - while she is very aware of where I am, when that nose gets to the ground she is like a blood hound or something. I still get nervous when hiking her because of this and I just need to trust my dog! That will be my goal for tomorrows hike.

I've been a slacker in the picture taking department. Need to get on the stick with that. Thats all for now - not to exciting.

Good for Pip (and thank you to Lucy Goo also!)

Today we went to Rhode Island for Pip's second Advanced showing in Rally. We have never been to this building before and starting time was scheduled for 8:35 am.

Other then some stress related sniffing, Pippi did awesome! We received a score of 100 and First Place! I was very surprised - I'm not sure I would have scored it with a 100 - but I am not the judge. As the judge handed me the ribbons she indicated that she does not give out 100's very lightly - How awesome is that. I will say that there was not a single exercise that Pip did not perform for me or correctly. Her walking/heeling was not up to her standards - but we will continue working on that.

We had a lovely ride back as well. After doing a tail gate lunch in the parking, Al and I hit the road. Looked back into the doggie condo and Luchy was passed out on Pip's back and Pip was sleeping on Lucy's leg. Once again - an example of how much Lucy has brought to the house and Pippi. She has never curled up wth anyone - and there is plenty of room in the doggie condo for her to move away if she cared to. Every week I see changes since Lucy joined us.

Next week we are entered in Rally again both Saturday Sunday. We will continue to work on all until then.

The Loveseat,.........

The loveseat in the den has seemed to become a place of calmness and peace for Pip and Lucy together,..........stay tuned for more

A Weekend of Ribbons

We had a great 3 day weekend and birthday celebration. Since I am the Rally Obedience instructor where I work, I wanted to continue working on Rally with my own dogs. In addition to agility, I decided to focus on Pip's Rally skills as well. We've been practicing walking around food bowls, front from the side and all of the other Rally adventures. Pippi already has her Novice Rally title so I am working on Advanced. By entering 4 trials it sort of forced me to get moving on specific things!

Our first Advanced trial was this past Friday. I walked the course, pretty basic, nothing tricky. They did have the dreaded Offset Figure 8 exercise - which is normally a Figure 8 around pylons with food bowls (and food!) as a distraction. This judge 2 giant stacks of stuffed toys - lucky me, Pip isn't really into stuffed toys, she did fabulous. I lost a little attention at an outside corner of the ring -but all the rest was awesome. We received a score of 97 and a third place. VERY HAPPY with the day and Pip's ability to work under distration of the building.

The rest of the weekend we did USDAA Agility. Pippi did well there also, receiving 5 qualifying scores, a couple of second and third placements AND gained 3 titles over the weekend. Pip did awesome - poles were fabulous, her attention was fabulous - couldn't not have asked for more. As this particular weekend was also my birthday, this was a great present for me in addition to the awesome Murder Myster dinner with my husband!

Monday was day of rest for Pip - and we are off to Rhode Island on Friday for another Rally trial - I am somewhat rethinking this entry as I must be there by 7:30am at the latest but am hoping I do not use that as an excuse,..... I've certainly done it for agility!

More training at Petsmart this week for sure - our favorite spot is working together in front of the giant bird cage!!!

One of the Best Dog Days of the Year (so far!)

Today, Pip and I went on a hike together. Traditionally, if I am hiking by myself and want to get Pip out, I just take her. She is easier to manage that way and I am more relaxed. We had a fantastic hike - over an hour. Pip had a great time wallowing around in slimey mud and sniffing the deer trails.

As we were headed back, about 10 minutes from where I parked, someone I could not see started yelling loudly - those of familar with yelling for our dogs would have recognized the sound, pitch and excitement in the womans voice. I look at Pip and too late, she has heard it also and is jazzed up, "where is it, what is it!!!" look on her face. I know it will be useless to try and get her or call her. I look around and I see this brown streak headed towards us and I realize a dog is coming full speed and it looks like a pitbull to me. Nothing I can do, I start looking around at something I can throw if I need to and start scrambling for my pepper spray. Pip and the pit run to each other, do a little side dance, no play bow but no hair up on Pippi's back and the woman is still calling and running. I take a big breath and turn around to leave and Pip follows me! Leaves the other dog and comes with me. Unfortunately the other dog, who's name is Mica follows us as well. I turn back around and head back towards the woman so she can get her dog. She apologizes for scaring us and for her dog running.

I'm happy to say I tell her no problem, I was actually very happy with the outcome and with what did not happen - I leash Pip up and off we go. I had to keep her on a leash to the car as she kept zipping off looking for her new "friend".

Whats the big deal? I didn't scream or yell for Pip, I didn't panic, I in fact did not say a SINGLE WORD until I had her leashed up and then it was praise. Pip had no over the top reaction and in fact was more then comfortable to say hi and then on her own come back to me. Now, would I suggest that we should have hung around for a while and let the dogs play? No, I'm fairly sure but not positive that it might have gone down hill after that - but if I can manage and survive initial encounters like this and move on - I am so far ahead of the game!!!

A good day for all,.................

Pip's Arrival - February 2002

Pip was born on February 11, 2002. A friend of mine had bred a litter which resulted in 3 puppies. Unforutunately, one pup passed away and other injured while still in the litter and was taken care of separately. As a result, both girls were raised as single pups.

I had no intention of getting another dog at this time. I had 2 already and was not even considering. My friend wanted to keep this particular pup but with working full time, 2 young boys at home and a husband it was a bit much. Somewhere around 5 or 6 months, she asked if I was interested in co-owning. I said yes - which the knowledge that if it did not work out she would go back - knowing full well that of course once the puppy arrived in my house she would never leave. Pretty much nothing leaves my house once it arrives!

Pip came with the name "Paige", named by one of the little boys. I was very into dog agility at the time and could not envision calling on the agility field "Paige go right!" so I asked to change her name.

So, it was going to be Pippi Longstocking (?? don't ask me why) but I ended up with Pippi Tail Up High since as a puppy, she held her tail up in the air - very unlabrador like. My friend was not thrilled with this name, probably still isn't, but it works for us. My husband now calls her "Pippi Doodle" which suits her VERY well.