'THE UNDERDOG SHOW'

Leigh's BLOGS

 

Friday 2nd March 1st training session:

     I was scared, nervous and excited all at the same time. I couldn’t wait to meet my trainer and dog. When Darren walked in I was really glad because he seemed to be a really nice man. We had a nice talk and I was very pleased.

     Now it was time to bring in the dog. I was really nervous because I had been waiting for ages for this to happen and now it was. When Ruby walked in I was amazed. She was beautiful and sweet. When Darren told me about her I knew that we were going to win. She already knew sit and she really loves cheese! It was a great time.

Wednesday 7th March - Training session with Darren and Ruby:

     I got there and it was a bit chilly so I was glad I was inside. We walked Ruby up and went into the hall where we changed Ruby’s lead. I like changing her lead because she doesn’t fidget at all.  She got distracted very easily because there were lots of people in the room.

     We started training but she wasn’t taking any notice of me because she was too busy being nosey. But once we warmed up she was ready and raring to go. First of all we did sitting and stay. She was distracted so she wasn’t paying attention but when I did get her attention and she sat for me I felt very proud. She was brilliant at staying and was concentrating on me. Next we did obstacles. She went over a bridge and I was really happy because we did it without a lead. She also went through two tunnels but I felt sorry for her because she seemed a bit scared when she entered them. She did go through and I think with more practice she will get used to them and not be scared. I feel nervous when we try new things because I am scared that she won’t do them for me but I also feel excited because after some practice, I will have actually trained her to do something new.

     Next Darren taught me how to get her too stand up and walk on her hind legs. She was really good at it’s my favourite trick so far. She looked very sweet. I found it easy to do but at some points she wouldn’t do it for me but she would for Darren. I get frustrated sometimes because I know I am doing something wrong and I start to rush and panic. I lost her interest a bit and had to work hard to get her focus back on me. Then I taught her how to circle around my legs. We only did it a couple of times and she kept pinching the sausage from my hand.

     To end with we took her out for a walk in a field. It was great to relax and I loved walking her around. I also got to bond with her more. It was lovely.

     I think it was a really good session today and I learnt lots of stuff. I would give it marks of 8 out of 10. We had a great time and I love Ruby.

Saturday 10th March 5th training session

     Not too cold today. We were in the barn first of all today and when I took off Ruby’s lead and called her over she came easily which made me very happy. We did some of the agility activities. I was really proud and happy about the big bridge and the flat tunnel but we weren’t so good at the jump. We need to improve a bit. Next we practiced sending Ruby to her bed. It was brilliant. She was very clever and so eager to please and I enjoyed that a lot. Once she knows how to do something there is no stopping her.

     When we went outside she got distracted and I got frustrated because she was so busy barking. I get worried when we train outside because the other dogs distract her. She is fine with people and doesn’t get excited at all but the barking dogs make her not pay attention. We did ‘stay’ at the bottom end of the paddock and she was quite good with that. She sat and Darren said because she was so good at it maybe I could skip or dance around her. I did and she was really good. We tried the walk on her hind legs she kept grabbing the food. I need to get the hang of that.

     After a break we went into the hall. We tried some agility but she wasn’t interested and I got confused. I think I paniced because she wouldn’t do what I wanted. She wouldn’t do the jump and I hope I havn’t put her off. When I tried with her lead on she would do it and was brilliant. In the end she was exhausted and fell asleep in her bed which I thought was so sweet and cute.

     Overall brilliant today, much better than ever before. My tone of voice was really better and she is responding to me better.

     Mum can I keep Ruby please!? 

 

Sunday 11th March – Team Ruby Training Session:

     I arrived and was ready to learn (and teach). First of all we did some agility. It was really difficult to get her attention but she did respond in the end. She wouldn’t do the jumps but when she was on the lead she would. I finally taught her how to do the flat tunnel, I was so pleased. We spent some time teaching her to go round the bin. It was hard work because she couldn’t do it but she does try very hard. I have been trying to get the tone of my voice right so that she understands what I mean.

She is brilliant when we get her to go into her bed but not so good when it is a long distance away.

     We had a break because Ruby gets very tired (me too!)

After our training we took Ruby for a lovely walk. I had a really lovely time and I think we are bonding really well.

     Overall it was a brilliant day.

Tuesday 13th March – Team Ruby Training Session:

When we got to our training Ruby was being fed so we had to wait for ages until they would let us have her. When she came out she was very hyper and I was really looking forward to it.

     We got in the barn and they played music of crowds. Ruby didn’t react or anything so I was surprised but very pleased. I do worry that she can be easily distracted so I hope this is a good sign.

     We did some jumps, flat tunnel, the bridge and bin and she was brilliant. The best I’ve seen her. She was on a roll, I felt astonished and excited and proud. I was amazed when we did the bin. I said round and she went round and came back to me.

     Trying to get her to say hello is quite hard but I think it will be good eventually. I am also a bit worried because on the sheet it sayes something like go under and I don’t know if Ruby will know it or not.

Overall I am really excited and I think we are going to win!

Saturday 17th March. Team Ruby 8th Training Session

     We got into the barn and I discovered that Ruby was brilliant at all the things we tried. It was really cool, the only thing I was worried about was the dog walk because she kept jumping off. Overall though she good at going to her bed, and lying down. I felt really confident because she was listening to me and she never got distracted, even when I had my tap shoes on. I think she only gets distracted when she sees other dogs and then she doesn’t take any notice of me at all.

     She is very fidgety and needs to move around a lot so I was really pleased because she came to me after sitting a long distance away.  I feel really happy about hte way we say hello to the judges.  Brilliant day, can I keep her please??

Tuesday, 20th March. 12th Training Session with Ruby

     Darren taught me how to use hand signals and body language today. I was happy with the hurdles but still worried about the slalom. It definitely needs improvement. I need to be more steady, and slower and offer more encouragement to Ruby. We practiced going to her bed which was really good but she doesn’t always lie down. She always comes to me when I recall her though which I am happy about (Although it’s the food she loves really). I am really proud of her when we get things right.

     I helped Darren give Ruby a bath after our session in the barn. It was good fun but I felt sorry for her when she attacked the blow dryer. I think she quite enjoyed the fuss and attention and she liked being combed and rubbed with the towel. She looks a real stunner!!

Wednesday, 21 March. 13th Training Session with Ruby

     When we got to training today we discovered that Ruby had hurt her paw. She had trapped her toe and pulled off some skin. I was really worried and felt sorry for her.

     We couldn’t do the hurdles and we had to be careful with her although Darren said that he didn’t think she was in any pain. She did the S bend brilliantly and our heel work was good although we could always improve. The slalom was good but she wasn’t so keen on going to her bed today. We practiced our greeting which I think is really good and I was thinking that butter would be a good thing to put on my face to get her to lick me.

     Even though her paw was wounded we still had a really good session. She really is a tough and brave girl.