Lanie
Forums Enthusiast
So glad to hear Spirit's feeling better. Echo had Kennel Cough about a year and half ago and it took about 2 weeks for the cough to completely go away. If was really scary.
Spirit Joy
- Thread starter Cara Sandler
- Start date
Cara Sandler
Forums Enthusiast
Thank you 
We still don't know what caused it, but this morning was the first day she has seemed 100% herself and is going back to agility. I suspect it was some kind of virus, but as long as it has cleared up I guess it doesn't really matter. And I ordered her a new pink life jacket just in case this was caused by swallowing lake water (though we really don't think that was the problem). I'll post a picture when the life jacket gets here.
We still don't know what caused it, but this morning was the first day she has seemed 100% herself and is going back to agility. I suspect it was some kind of virus, but as long as it has cleared up I guess it doesn't really matter. And I ordered her a new pink life jacket just in case this was caused by swallowing lake water (though we really don't think that was the problem). I'll post a picture when the life jacket gets here.
Cara Sandler
Forums Enthusiast
Well, Spirit apparently feels AMAZING! She got out there during her agility class and completely rocked the course. It's clear to me that she understands all the obstacles at this point and I've transitioned her off using an actual target for the contact obstacles. She's always had trouble with rear crosses (typical herding dog does NOT want me behind her) but tonight she did a few all by herself (meaning the trainer didn't have to help her turn the correct way while we were running). Now I sort of regret not having entered her in the trial this weekend. But I am seriously considering entering her in the trial at the end of January. Fingers crossed!!!!!
trini
Forums Sage
That is such good news that your pretty Spirit Joy is back to her usual happy, healthy self! 
Trini
Trini
Lanie
Forums Enthusiast
Make sure to get video of your first trial. Can't wait to see you guys. We'll be going to our first trial pretty soon too. I'm amazed that Spirit is so focused as young as she is. Echo was a total barbarian until she turned 2
Cara Sandler
Forums Enthusiast
That is such good news that your pretty Spirit Joy is back to her usual happy, healthy self!
Trini
Thank you, Trini
Cara Sandler
Forums Enthusiast
Make sure to get video of your first trial. Can't wait to see you guys. We'll be going to our first trial pretty soon too. I'm amazed that Spirit is so focused as young as she is. Echo was a total barbarian until she turned 2
I'll definitely get video
Well, focus is her biggest weakness. But she does just really seem to enjoy agility so much and that helps. She would rather do agility than anything else. She did go through a period that she completely lost her focus and ran off to play with the other dogs every time we tried to do anything (which was extraordinarily frustrating). The trainer felt it was mostly due to her age and that while we needed to address it, she would most likely just outgrow it. I also did a 6 class series of specialized focus exercises, and that really helped as well. I can't lie though - she's just a terrific puppy. My friend calls her a "ferrari dog". Everywhere we go, everything we do, people seem completely taken by her. It's not really anything I can take credit for. She just has this beautiful temperament and confidence. I really hope to get another puppy from her line at some point.
When do you plan to enter the trial?
Lanie
Forums Enthusiast
I'm hoping to enter JWW in February. I had one of those weekends where I couldn't do anything right last week. The dog is awesome, the handler, not so much
I have a habit of just sending Echo when I'm out of position or missed a cross and it works more often than not, but it's really sloppy and I doubt that it work out very well at a trial when I'm nervous and unfamiliar with the venue. I'm going to watch my trainer compete on Friday and I'm bringing Echo to see how she does with the noise and excitement.
Cara Sandler
Forums Enthusiast
I'm hoping to enter JWW in February. I had one of those weekends where I couldn't do anything right last week. The dog is awesome, the handler, not so much
Ah well, everyone has off days. Spirit is a much better performer than I am handler some days. It's hard to live up to these shelties!!!!!!!
Spirit has been going to watch agility trials since she was 10 weeks old, and is completely comfortable in that environment. I do always bring a crate for her so that she has a place to go chill away from all the action every so often. Great idea to take Echo and see how it goes.
Lanie
Forums Enthusiast
I keep reading all of these articles online that say it takes at least 18 months of training before you're ready for a trial. That makes me a bit nervous. We haven't been training anywhere near that long.