Category: Blog

I didn’t get to conformation class the last two weeks, so went yesterday and ended up being the only team at class for Verjean’s 10:00 am

She still gaits very nicely, stops nicely and free baits.  However, she isn’t good on the table, but she is improving.

Since we had a private, I asked if we could work the table.  We spent about 30 minutes rewarding her for what we wanted.  It will be fun to see if that helped next week in class.

Here’s the nicest thing about her – she really liked to snuggle!  Yesterday evening she volunteered to keep my feet warm while Macy was up to no good, and Dulce was just being lazy.

I remember when Amy started Diabetes Mine!  There is an article about Dulce and I on their site today.  He was quite impressed that she alerted on his high.

http://www.healthline.com/diabetesmine/kathleen-weaver-diabetes-story

Because a friend of mine wants to train at WAGD on Mondays, and has dogs at the same level, I get to train both of my dogs in one trip. 

Well, she’s teaching one of the classes

Summer started agility today and had her first class.  Once she’s running courses, I will add an outside class, but in the meantime we’re training inside.

Dulce is training inside at WAGD (in Richardson), and outside at EmDogs.  Works well.

If you ever do dog agility outside, you HAVE to train outside.  Especially if you are trialing in the Texas heat.  Otherwise, don’t expect a good performance.

They are doing a great job at putting the new facility together.

I’ve entered Dulce in an agility trial.  Friday only, McKinney in February.

She was absolutely a mess when we went to the National Specialty which made me very sad.  However, she’s been better in class lately, and at Fun Matches and a Workshop.

I’m taking a full course, and giving her a treat after each obstacle.  I’m going to start fading that a bit with tonight’s fun match, but giving her treats at the practice jump (if there is one), and giving her treats after every obstacle for the first 5, then every 3. 

Last night, I did my first run with a treat every obstacle, and then repeated the last three giving her a treat after the third.  Then the second run, I gave her treats after three to five obstacles depending where they were at.

She ran really nicely, not stopping and sniffing at all the last run.

We did something similar to that at a workshop we went to on Wednesday, and we had some really nice runs the rest of the day.  Anytime she blew something, mom’s feet were pointing the wrong way.

Thanks to Mildred Austin and Martha Shea, we had another great show weekend. This time we were at home, Dallas Market Hall. 

On Friday, first place and Reserve.

Saturday, first place

Sunday, first place and Reserve.

Very happy with my girl.

Summer was given to me on November 16 and came with show entries. 

This weekend was her first show weekend.  She was entered in Sweepstakes and three regular show.

She won her class each show, giving her 4 first place ribbons (pink for sweepstakes, blue for regular classes).

She took Reserve Winners on Saturday.

For those who don't know about conformation shows, if you don't have your championship, you have to win your class in order to compete for points.  Each of the class winners compete for Winners and Reserve.   Only Winners gets the points.

Summer came with show entries. Today was a Regional Speciality so she was entered in sweepstakes and in Regular confirmation. She was in the 6 – 9 month puppy class. 

Here is what she won.  Two first places   We got to go in the ring a lot   Twice in sweepstakes, three times in the regular class as they had a puppy competition.

I almost forgot! This was my first time to show in a regional specialty in conformation. I swear I came down here for a regional specialty in the 80's when I was competing in obedience, but they say they hadn't participated in that before.  <shrug>

Well, her most dominant marking – her blanket isn’t showing.  Her blanket looks like angle wings and isn’t completely black as this picture is showing.  I had to look closely at her face.  Also I couldn’t tell the size of the beagle from the picture.

But it’s definitely her and I’ve purchased the picture.

There were others, but these were the best.

Not only do I love Summer, but my husband does too.

I was warned she misbehaved, she was loud, and she didn't like her nails done.  Oh, she climbs on tables.

She does climb on tables, so does Macy and Dulce.  As for behavior, not any more than any other puppy.

She IS loud. We're working on that. 

She is very attached to me and likes my husband.  That means I have to go to upstairs when she goes to bed, but I had to do that for a while with Jamie.  She was vey loud this morning and very loud when I tried to take her to yoga.

Oh, and she is better than Macy at nails.