Daisey Needs a Hobby

 Q: Sooooo, what happens when you leave your year old puppy alone and she gets bored? A: She'll find stuff to do...and you're not going to like it. Antique coffee table, antique wooden chair, antique blanket chest 0. Daisey 3. I can't post any pictures of this...it's too painful.

 So Daisey started agility training. And you know what? She's pretty good! She's been doing it for 7 weeks and actually advanced to Beginners 2. (Beginners 2 is really more intensive training for handlers but Daisey thinks it's still all about her.) The class has about 10 dogs in it and most came from the Beginners 1 class so we've made lots of friends. There are 5 little dogs and 5 big dogs. We love watching them all! Some of those little dogs are so fearless. Daisey likes to watch the other dogs, too.

 

 

 Sometimes it's just so hard to wait tho.

 But when it's her turn, boy, is she ready to go! Daisey is almost too fast right now. She doesn't listen very well yet and often designs her own courses. The instructor calls it "running amok". Daisey's very good at amokking. The following are some pictures from Wednesday's class...the black blur is Daisey.

 This is Daisey sailing over the A-frame. It's impressive, true, but she's doing it wrong! She's supposed to be in a little more control as she goes down the back side. There are yellow contact areas that at least one paw has to touch before she leaves the obstacle. This was a no-paw-er. Fail.

 

 

 Next she did the teeter. Since these guys are still learning, usually the instructor will guide the end of the teeter down so it doesn't "bang" and scare the bejeebers out of the pups. Daisey's feet are so big, everyone thought she would have trouble on the teeter and dog walk. Nope. She's a natural. I think it's due to all the practice time she's logged standing on my coffee table.

 

 

 (Did I mention Daisey Bug's nubbin? Whoever had her before she went to the shelter decided to dock her tail. Probably the Boxer part of her is OK with that but I bet the Labrador side is a little ticked off.)

 Next was a little work on the pause table. Daisey doesn't pause. Daisey doesn't stop. Daisey doesn't listen. Daisey doesn't really "get" the pause table. Although, she does like the snacks that are served there!

 

 

 The last run of the night was a real test: Hoop, tunnel, jump, then pause table. Yeeeah. Again, black blur? Daisey. Running amok.

 So far it's been a lot of fun! Daisey really gets into the running and jumping and treats. She's made some new friends and she has something to do besides chew up expensive, irreplaceable furniture. It's a win-win for everybody! And if nothing else...agility is a really good reason to eat cheese!