Racing to fit in training before the Thunderstorms

Sorry, no photos this time!  Will try to make up for it this week.  We had a small window of opportunity to get in some training and we were on a mission.  Birdie did a great job on all of the junior exercises.  She dropped the line before going in to the water but I think that was miscommunication on my part.  It got stuck and I think she thought I was pulling it back. Anyway, I asked her to pick it up, she did and successfully went out to save Erin.  She also did some great underwater retrieves.  We didn't get any jumping done before the first thunder crack though.

Brenna also did great.  You wouldn't believe this is the same dog as a year ago.  She is developing much better self control and Erin's calm, methodical approach is resolving the issues with delivering the articles to hand too.  A long line and some strategic positioning between Brenna and the retrieve is working wonders.  A funny thing happened this week though. Brenna towed the boat in nicely but the kayak was in the way so she dropped the bumper line on the kayak before it was beached.  We thought we were being smart the next time and moved the kayak further on shore and started the boat far right to steer clear of it.  Brenna pulled the boat near shore then pulled it diagonally to the kayak and dropped her bumper line on it again.  The next time we pulled the kayak up on the beach so she would not be able to repeat that trick without beaching the boat, which is exactly what she did.  She clearly thinks that is a new and very fun exercise!

We had a fabulous time training this weekend!  The dogs are really  coming along in their exercises.  It was a great way to keep cool too!

Here Sammy is pulling the boat to shore.

He still does a really nice swim with handler.

And never flinches pulling me back to shore.

Hera launching herself off the boat in real style!

And delivering the paddle to Lauren.

And a bonus swim to shore!

She's got that underwater retrieve!

Woo hoo!

Sending her out with her line for a boat rescue!

It's like she's known how to do this all of her life!

And she isn't letting it go until it is firmly beached.

OK.  I'll save Mom too.

A newfie's work is never done. . .

Birdie is focusing on the boat cushion.

And she is learning to jump off the boat to save me.  Notice she's jumping straight off the back and not toward shore!  Yea!

Awesome landing!

And not pictured here . . . we made terrific progress with Brenna today.  She was learning to retrieve her article and bring it back to hand (instead of partying on the beach which she is want to do!).  She also took several brief little rides out on the boat and seemed to love it.  Her jump off at shore was nice and casual like she's been doing it forever!  We'd have photos but Erin was taking most of them!

Another fabulous day on the water! 14Jul2012

Hera and Lauren are watching that article drop!

Enjoying the ride out to retrieve the paddle.

We never get tired of seeing this awesome jump!

Underwater retrieve.

I'll save you!!!!

oohh! The water feels nice!

Kevin and Presley working on swimming around the handler.

Ozzy retrieving his paddle

Spotting the underwater retrieve article

Going in!

Got it!

Hera gives the nicest hugs!

Water Training July 7, 2012

 So much fun on the water yesterday!  The weather was lovely.  We had a tiny bit of rain but, heck, we were wet already!!!  Hera was refreshing her skills in preparation to requalify in the senior exercises this summer.  Just look at the awesome jump she did!  Brenna is making progress on controlling her enthusiasm for those articles and Erin is doing a great job with patient handling.  We also made progress getting Brenna back onto the boat.  She was able to sit on the boat platform for quite a bit while we floated a few feet from shore.  And she readily jumps on now and sits in her spot.  Birdie did awesome her first run through each of the junior exercises.  We struggled a little with beaching the boat the second run through but we have plans to fix that.  I am oh so happy that she also jumped off the boat for me three times (on a long line to make sure she couldn't just head for shore).  Afterwards the pups had playtime in the yard.  Baths and blow dries all round afterwards.  Tuckered pups and handlers.

Have you every seen a more perfect launch than this???

Airborne!

And stuck the landing!

Brenna retrieving her jacket with a long line attached so she can't hit the shore and party (girls just wanna have fun. . . )

Birdie delivering her cushion to hand

Birdie's reward for a job well done is a boat ride.  She loves it.

Hera taking the life ring to Erin

And towing Erin to shore

Nellie earned her draft title at this year's NCA National in Carlisle, PA!  She also got two special recognitions from the judges for her excellent teamwork and skills!  Awesome working dog!  Congrats to Mollie!

kayaking with newfs

Today we went kayaking with our newfs.  We're trying to build up some endurance and confidence being a little further from shore.  The girls did great.  We took them both out for a little bit, let them rest, and then went out for a shorter spin.  Then we gave them each a turn by themselves.  They really seemed to enjoy it!

Birdie's New Draft Title at the NCA National 2012

Photo op with judges before it begins

backing up in the direction of the cart

judges checking the harness and hitch

taking to the maneuvering course

low narrows

figure 8 around 2 potted trees

back up out of the stall

just out of the high narrows

removable obstacle

waiting while I replace the obstacle

the maneuvering course finish line!

passes all the way across!

And another photo with a new draft dog title!