Every dog is different…
For those asking about Ta... You will see more of her in upcoming Foundations video - including our struggles. She is a special one for sure - my dogs all tend to be super driven and super fast. She is different. She loves to work, but for her, it's mostly about chasing me - she doesn't really care about obstacles. I think her favourite one is see-saw what is funny as historically, my dogs think stopping is stupid 🙂 - I guess taking after their handler...
But Ta is different. She doesn't mind stopping and she doesn't rush enough that she would have any problems with bars. And since she is not that crazy about obstacles as such, she is super easy to handle as she is indifferent to taking obstacles or not and doesn't really drive to them much... - so I call her my slow, but
In a way, it's fun actually - we never have to argue about things like bars, stays or see-saws. And unlike as with Le and To, I don't feel like the slowest handler on Earth when running her and can actually get to places! 🙂 So I actually really love running her - I'm sure she will get faster once she finds a more efficient way to jump... But jumping is really NOT her thing.
She was the clumsiest puppy I've ever seen - I couldn't even walk her in the woods like I always do with my puppies as she would trip and fall constantly... Also when we tried some agility, it looked terrible - she would fall in tunnels, on wraps, over low bars, when picking up a toy etc... - so we didn't do anything but mat work until she was well over a year old - it just wasn't safe.
Contacts and weaves went
So we first finished up contacts, then weaves, then spent 4 months on just jumping grids - but only bending grids as any time when presented with a jump straight ahead (even from a sit right in front), she would jump with her shoulders and neck instead of hind legs! I've never done any grids with my other dogs, they all learned to jump on our walks in the woods, through tricks and with low bars... But not Ta...
We actually only started with Foundations for the purpose of the video, when she was 17 months old. She remains easy to train, but jumping is still not easy... Jumping from front end, high head, overjumping - you name it, we've got it. So working on jumping (bending grids + building super strong rear end with conditioning tricks) is still our major focus - we've came a long way already, but still have tons of work ahead... Interestingly enough, the rest is all easy with her, so we set my personal record of getting to A2 in the first 3 trials we did (that's all we did so far) 🙂 So here is a little video for those asking about her... Nothing spectacular to show, but we'll keep working on it!!!
I guess there is some truth in saying that you don't always get what you wanted - but you always get what you needed. Thank you for all the lessons on jumping, giving it time and building strong foundations away from obstacles, my crazy tiny Ta!
Really love your attitude. Fingers crossed for your journey with Ta and I am sure you will enjoy it 🙂
Yes, it’s sure fun! Just in a different way! 🙂
This is such a lovely post! Well done Ta for your first show
Ta is so lucky to have you. That’s a perfect demo of what you always says about being able to adjust : she’s brilliant in her own way, and will be more and more with your support. Can’t wait to see your new DVD
Yeah, just when you think you know what you’re doing… -- they bring up a completely new challenge!!! 🙂
This is such a lovely post about Ta. I find it quite funny because in comparison with Musli, I think she is really fast! 🙂
I like her speed in between obstacles -- but she really loses all the momentum and speed with her jumping style… So in comparison to my other dogs (that are obviously among the very fastest few dogs in the world -- so maybe a bit unfair to compare…), she feels really slow!!! 🙂
I loved this post! They are all different for sure, and teach us different lessons
And congratulations in getting to A2 in notime
Do you know when the new Foundations DVD will come out? Looking forward to getting some new tips
Not before March… I keep coming up with more things I want to include -- and then it’s so long that I keep shortening the rest… -- and then think of something new, have to shorten things again etc., so it’s a kind of never-ending story 🙂
Haha 🙂 I’m sure I will enjoy it whenever you finish it 🙂
Silvia, will the content of the next Foundations class be different with your new DVD?
Yes, the program will be completely different now -- mostly the same topics, but different order and exercises.
Sounds great! I would like to do it with Dinky when you change the program 🙂
Not that we don’t love the original but I am excited to see what you’ve changed.
April class will be with the new program already.
I simply think Ta will be another great challenge for you Silvia and you’ll be able to have fun with her anyway!! Just need for more time to find the right key, I guess…but I’m sure you’ll make another masterpiece! 🙂
I can understand your feeling because Ceres also like to work for her and sometimes has been really difficult to find the motivation for going on to work with her…then your advices and patience, your classes, videos and REALLY precious way to see the bond with your dog started to help me and now we are almost accomplices…SO….COME ON WITH YOUR LITTLE DEVIL!!! ❤️❤️❤️
I always cheer for you
she looks absolutely fabulous ! wouldn’t be able to tell you had many issues with her training. I don’t think she is slow at all 🙂 congrats on A2 !!
I know about the getting the dog you need with Zae. but he has taught me so much that is certain !
oops I should note my comment means “AMAZING job adjusting with her for training- clearly it paid off” 🙂
Thank you! Still not happy with her jumping, she floats in that air for ever 🙂 -- but we have sure come a long way already!!! And yeah, it’s certainly through the challenges that we learn, not when it all goes smoothly…
She sure looks amazing in the video, especially for her first trials! Not at all slow and she is so accurate. I am looking forward to the new Foundations dvd. Go Ta!!
What a lovely post!!!! I sure know about maybe not getting the dog you wanted, but what you needed. Hahahahah, I didn’t know that I needed such a fast dog as Bim, but maybe I did? I just want to run little local trials, but he sure is taking me out of my comfort zone. And helping me work on my stage fright. Hahahahahaha!!!!
Ta looks really fun and in such lovely control I envy that. 😀
I look forward to your new foundations work!!!!!