Friday, July 9, 2010

Obedience Weekend!

Tonight I'm sitting home and relaxing with the dogs for a bit as we gear up for a fun obedience filled weekend! We started the weekend off early by going to our group obedience practice.I took Bess. I think she's holding back just a little bit still, but I think that will get a lot better as she gets better conditioned and gets used to moving the scarred tissues. Adam actually came along for a bit to watch tonight! He's never watched any obedience period and it was kind of nice to explain and show him a few things. I think he'll understand a little better now why I'm constantly working on things and fine tuning them. We got there early so that I could get Bess' crate set up in a good shady spot and get her warmed up. I did some warm up heeling and was explaining to him all the little things that we can get docked whole points and fractions of points for in obedience. I think he has a better appreciation for the precision of the sport now.:o)

Tomorrow Heffner and I are off to My Dogs Gym for an Advanced Rally workshop. This is the same wonderful facility that we've done some obedience matches in. I REALLY like this place. When I saw on their web site that they were offering an advanced workshop, I figured that it was the perfect opportunity for me to work on rally with Heffner and hopefully show him that he can still have fun in that ring even though he doesn't get to move out like he does in obedience.

Then on Sunday Bess and I are off to Vancouver, WA for an obedience match. I felt this was essentially the perfect match for us to go to because it's being held outside. There's so much that I want to work on with regards to being outside, that I couldn't pass up this opportunity! There's a trial in August that's outdoors that I am tentatively planning on entering Bess in obedience. This match would be a great mimic of that. My friend Andrea will be there with her studly bullmastiff Brody too!

Overall, Bess is healing up so well. The hair is really starting to grow back in. I just have to gradually condition her back to the level she was at prior to coming down with pneumonia and we'll back on track. Heffner is feeling sooooooo much better! He was definitely happy to have his regular food getting mixed in with the bland diet today. He's only been getting relatively brief walks yesterday and today due to his physical state and how hot it's been lately. He's a heat sensitive boy and I don't need anything heat or exercise related stirring something else up! I think he will be VERY happy to have some one-on-one time with mommy tomorrow for such a big chunk of time.:) I'll try to take some video and hopefully post it. I hope that everyone else is set for a fun weekend!

3 comments:

Amy / Layla the Malamute said...

Good luck this weekend!

I'm glad Bess's hair is growing back. They had to shave Layla's belly for the ultrasound and a band on her foreleg for the IV. I'm hoping the fur grows back sufficiently by October, because there are a few Malamute specialties locally which never happen, PLUS a huge show that only is held every FIVE YEARS. It'll be such a shame if we can't go because she's half bald.

Have a great weekend, and enjoy the one-on-one time with Heffner!

houndstooth said...

I hope you and Heff have a great weekend together! It sounds like Bess is improving, too, which has to help reduce stress! :)

Laura and The Corgi, Toller, & Duck said...

Glad to her the dogs are healing nicely. I hope you had a great time at the match today!