Drop-In Group Class: 1

LOVED this class! I cannot say enough good things about it!

We were in a medium sized class (maybe 10 dogs), consisting of GSDs, another Lab, Goldens, a beagle, and a spitz. The class was held out side (beautiful fall weather). We weaved in and out of dogs/handlers while heeling, practiced sits and stays and downs and stays, we heeled and did drop sits and drop downs. Excellent practice!! And everyone was so nice and the class was directed wonderfully.

I seriously enjoyed it and will definitely be attending more regularly.

Training: 5th Class

Last private class.

We went down to the dog park to proof Apollo's downs and sits and stays. He did exceptionally well. I was very proud- not surprised. We've been work

Topsfield Fair Dock Dogs 2010

Apollo did amazing today at the Topsfield Fair Dockdogs competition. He had such a fun day. I'm so proud of him!

It was only and hour drive from our house- not bad at all. We decided not to bring his crate and our chairs and pop-up....bad idea. I wish we brought all our stuff, but I'm not sure where we could've set it all up anyway, and the parking lot was pretty far from the site.

The first wave Apollo came in 3rd in the junior class. He was so excited to get in that water! He made sure everyone knew he was there and ready- he barked, and barked, and barked...

The second wave he also came in third in the junior class with his biggest jump of the day, 14'5"!! :)

We met a trainer there and his Belgian Malinios that I knew. His dog did great (as expected). Quite a few members of our club were there and they did great, too.

Such a fun and exciting day. I wish I didn't have to work tomorrow because the finals are tomorrow and I really want to go watch and cheer on those that I know that are competing- I hope everyone does well!

Training: 4th Class

Today was a GREAT training class!

We worked Apollo around so many different dogs and breeds. At first his hackles were up, but after some exercises he calmed right down and was able to focus. He did so well- and you can see the improvement now!

Training: 3rd Class

Third class...this is flying by too quick!

We worked on heeling and down and down/stay. Another trainer also brought in her dog so we could work with a distraction ( Apollo can be "leash reactive"). We learned the most during this class. I was over correcting Apollo, I need to let him work through some stuff. That definitely something I need to work on because it's habit.

I also got to meet a friend I had previously only communicated with online.

GREAT class!

Training: 2nd Class

We began by practicing the first lesson: attention.

Then we started sit, heel, and stay. We need to work on our left turns while heeling and sit with eye contact.

So far so good!

Heel

Auto Sit

Sit, Stay

Training: 1st Class

We began training with Apollo at Fortunate K9 today, in Derry, New Hampshire.

We began with a simple exercise; walking Apollo in a large triangle on a long lead. The point is for Apollo to learn an attention exercise.

So far we've been practicing this exercise twice per day for 15 minutes or so. Apollo is improving.

Can't wait to see what the next class lesson is!

Seacoast Dock Dogs *First* Regional Event

We decided to drive up to Augusta, ME on Saturday (8/21). We hit a ton of traffic the entire way up and the entire way home. It sucked! It made a 4 hour drive an (at least) 6 hour drive- ridiculous! My brother, Joe, came with my husband, Apollo, and I.

We finally made it to the motel (Motel 6- it's pet friendly). It was clean, thankfully. Most, if not all, of the competitors who traveled up to Union, ME stayed there. Lots of dogs and people!

We checked in then went out for lunch. We ate at Amato's and I'm so happy we did. I got a small cheese pizza (I'm a pizza aficionado, haha), my husband got a sausage parm sub, and my brother got a chicken finger sub with lettuce, mayo, and tomato. Everything was delicious!!

After lunch we decided to drive up to Union, ME to check out the dockdogs (we weren't jumping until Sunday). We got the shaft and had to pay to get into the fair even though we were just checking out our club- urgh, $20 down the drain. We watched some of the dogs jump, then left after 15 minutes (if that). What a waste.

Sunday, 5am, came VERY early. We washed up and loaded the truck. We made a quick pit stop at a Tim Horton's. I got an iced coffee (which was horrible, tasted like burnt, watered down coffee) and 10 honey dipped "Timbits" (aka: munchkins). I missed my MaryLou's ( it's a South Shore thing). Jeremy got a breakfast sandwich with sausage, egg, and cheese and that was actually very good...so I had a few bites. We finally got to Union, ME (still half asleep). I checked in and got Apollo on the dock to practice.

9am came and Apollo had 2 weak jumps, only about 12' or so. He was still sleepy, and so wasn't I- I threw his toy very late. The weather didn't help; it was cool, rainy, and overcast.

As the afternoon got going more and more people started to show up. After getting a coffee in me I finally woke up. Apollo had 2 more jumps and he did awesome. The first one was 16' (his new personal best!) and the second was 15'8". I was (am) such a proud  dog-mom!! Unfortunately, it wasn't good enough to earn a place rosette. Oh well! Next time!

All in all, we had a good weekend. We met some very nice people. The Seacoast Dockdogs put on an fun event. Over 130 dogs jumped that weekend!! They worked so hard to get this event up and running and it was a success!!

Hogan Leather Combination Collar

I ordered Apollo a new collar. It was time. All his nylon collars were starting to look really beat up and smell awful (even after washed).

I ordered him the 3/4" Combination Rolled Leather Collar in brown from Hogan Leather. I initially wanted tan leather, but they were out and I didn't want to wait (yeah, I'm that impatient), and, Paula Hogan pointed out that a dog that swims with tan leather on the leather would just turn brown. When the collar came it was the wrong collar and too big (because I measured wrong). I sent that collar back and emailed Paula to let her know the size I need (which is 20"). 2 days later his collar arrived and.....I love it!

It's designed to be worn as a slip or flat buckle collar. The leather is thick and very heavy duty but already breaking in nicely. The leather is rounded, not rolled. The brass hardware is very sturdy. It's beautiful but not "cutesy", definitely very functional.

We've gotten a few compliments on it already; people really wanted to know where they can get one (as you don't often see these types of collars) and I was happy to recommend Hogan Leather.

I have no doubts this collar will last many years! 

Apollo's Been Sick :(

Since Wednesday (7/21) we've been dealing with some extremely unusual medical issues with Apollo.

It all started Wednesday. Jeremy and I played fetch with Apollo in the yard. It was hot out, so we didn't play very long or hard. When we came inside I gave Apollo fresh water, put his Koolie Collar on, and put him in our bedroom with the A/C on. I checked on him and all seemed fine.

As the day went on I noticed he seemed stiff. It was unusual but I thought maybe he was just a bit out of shape (he did spend the weekend with my parents who did not work him at all). I took him to the park with me where he proceeded to have the runs and the stiffness got worse.

Jeremy and I rushed him home. I put him in his crate to rest, but he began whining. I took him out of his crate and this is where it got scary; he COULDN'T even walk!!! I called the Weymouth VCA and they said to bring him in ASAP, which we did.

They ran all sorts of tests on him; blood work, range of motion, vitals, etc. Everything came back clean. By this time not only could Apollo not walk, but his back was hunched up (very roach back) and he vomited. The emergency vet thought he strained a muscle in his back, though she didn't find anything to confirm this. She gave us the OK to bring him home (after several hours of observation) because he was eating and drinking normally. We planned on brining him to our regular vet first thing in the morning. The Weymouth VCA faxed over all their findings to our regular vet...and a few minutes later our vet's office called us to inform us the vet wouldn't be in until Friday!

The next morning Apollo was acting normal- walking, pooping (though it was diarrhea), and peeing. But, he vomited five more times throughout the day. His vomit was mainly food and yellow bile. But, after he vomiting sessions were done that day, he seemed much better!

Well, Friday morning he pooped out some paper towels and we're confident that is the reason for all the medical symptoms. Apparently, when dogs have an extremely upset abdomen they will hunch their back and refuse to walk (because they're in pain!).

We brought him to our vet and by that time he was almost 100% back to normal. The only thing that was unusual was he had diarrhea. She was confident he had a case of pancreatitis. I wonder what was in those paper towels because he would never eat plain paper towels, something had to be in there.

However, after the paper towels Apollo didn't pass another bowel until....today! He pooped but is was silvery-grey and covered in a mucus (yuck!).

So, hopefully he's back to normal!!! Or as normal as he can get!!! :)

Kennel Shop 2010 Dockdogs Event

The Kennel Shop in Scarborough, ME did a stellar job hosting the Dockdogs! What a great weekend! We had such a fun time!

We ended up staying at a Motel 6 (the only place we could find that allowed pets at a reasonable rate) for one night. How funny is this: a dog show and an agility trial was going on during the same time as the Dockdogs in the same area so the hotel was jam packed with dogs!

I entered Apollo in 2 waves on Sunday (6/27) at 10am and 12pm. He placed 3rd in the "Big Air" competition for the Junior Class and had a PB of 13ft 1inch.

His second wave didn't go as well as the first- he crawled behind me the entire length of the dock and I didn't even know it! Little cheater ;) But, we had a fun time! He came in 7th in that wave.

Our club, the Seacoast Dockdogs, did amazing!! 4 out of the 8 finalists were Seacoast Dockdogs, I believe. How awesome is that?!

While we were in Maine we did some shopping in Freeport.....love LL Bean! Jeremy got a lobster roll that he thoroughly enjoyed. Apollo even got his own Maine moose stuffed animal that he loves- he's been carrying it around the house all day!

No Dogs Allowed In Hull, MA

Wow....I'm so dissapointed :(

We train at the bay just down the street from my parents house. There are rarely any dogs or people (except when launching a boat). We've been using this spot for over 3 years with an issue.
And before Apollo I brought Pepper there.

Yesterday a very elderly women pulled over- out of her way- to tell me "You know, dogs aren't allowed on the beach anymore". Ok, I know that, but this ISN'T the beach! Then after giving me the dirtiest look she just drove off. I didn't think anything more of it until today...

I walked down to the bay with Apollo and there was a large cardboard sign where I swim Apollo stating "No dogs allowed June 15- Sept 15". What the heck?! So, as I was walking home a cop drove by and I asked him about it and basically he said "someone" complained and that's why the sign is there now. Yeah right, "someone"...

I could see if we were bothering people- but nobody is ever there! And I could see if he pooped and I didn't clean up after him, but I always have baggies and clean up after my dogs. And I could see if he was being too loud, but he doesn't bark (not like at dockdogs!).
Guess we have to find another spot to train now.

Gee, I just love elderly summer people... NOT!

Seacoast Dockdogs Practice

We attended the Seacoast Dockdogs practice today in Berwick, ME- there was an excellent turnout!

Apollo jumped his own unofficial PB in BA, he jumped 14feet 9inches- I'm so proud of my boy!

We attemped SR, but Apollo had the most epic fail. He somehow decided to jump left and jumped onto the dock barrier! He was fine, only his ego was hurt! He definitely didn't "get" SR at all. So, I guess we'll just stick to BA which is fine by me! 

Seacoast Dock Dogs Fun Jump 6/2010

We woke up at 5:00AM to drive to Berwick, ME to attend the Fun Jump. I never did anything like this before, especially alone, so I was a bit nervous. We were definitely newbies, yet very eager to learn.

I got everything ready the night before; loaded his crate into my truck and tethered it down, got my cooler filled with ice and 2 gallons of water, got some clean towels, my fold up chair, sunscreen and bug spray, snacks, and Apollo's vaccine record (you never know when you'll need that). Oh! And the most important; tennis balls! Those really drive Apollo.

The drive to Berwick, ME wasn't bad at all, it took about 2 hours (probably would've been less if I didn't stop at Dunkin Donuts and wait forever in the drive-thru, but I need my morning iced coffee!). I used my GPS, so we got there with no problems.

Everyone was so friendly and very welcoming. There was a very laid-back attitude, and I very much enjoyed it.

We jumped the first wave, and Apollo averaged 11feet or so. I was so proud of him! I wasn't sure what to expect, but he did fabulous. We signed onto jump another wave later on in the day, and we made it to the finals. He ended up placing 3rd in the Junior Class with an 11feet 6inch jump.

I ended up joining the Seacoast Dockdogs as an associate member.