Good Morning!

Good Morning Ellie!

Jan-Busy Trainer

Having a baby and four dogs does not always leave a lot of time for agility training. I wanted to make sure I was getting in some foundation training and came up with a plan. I picked two activities that I could do in front of my house five days a week (I change it every month). These activities take about five minutes (more or less is up to you). First I posted my activities to the fridge to make sure I don't forget and it is already planned out for me. Example: Inside circle work with cones and hand touches.
This month I am going to talk to you about the inside circle work with cones. I wanted an easier way to work on inside circle work to help my coordination with it. I set up four cones in a square and placed a fifth one in the center (can make it as big or small as you want).
Then I have my dog on the outside of the cones on my left side (since that is our weak side). I treat my dog as we walk along the outside (less treats as they get better) and always treat at the cone as you are turning. The cone just gives you an obstacle to help teach you and your dog the turning technique. Once you are comfortable doing the outside you can change direction going to the center cone or doing figure eights. This helped to keep the game more exciting for myself and my dog really had to pay attention to what I was doing.

Hope you are having fun training with your dog and remember a few minutes a day can make a world of difference.

Look what I can do...

I love sleeping with my musical sea horse.
You talkn' to me?

Look at my Christmas dress.

Spring during winter.

I have lips and look what I can do.

Ellie time

Ellie is changing and doing new things all the time. I try to catch some of it on video but what do you know just like her Daddy when the camera comes on she becomes shy. I can't get Ellie to do half of what she does off camera. So here is a little peek.

Playing with her puppy dog toy.

Playing in her play box.

Welcome 2011

So many things came and went in 2010 and now I am looking forward to a new year. I have been thinking what I could do for the new year. Here is what I have come up with so far. I would like to blog better then I have. At least once a month post a dog training exercise, give updates on my 1/2 Marathon training, and of course post on the new things Ellie is starting and will be doing along with updates on my favorite four dogs.

Here is a look at some greats from 2010:

1. Finding out Ellie was growing in my belly (even though she had no name)
2. Ski trip with family
3. 3 days of agility training with Laura Derett in Houston, TX
4. Todd and I see Ellie for the first time on ultra sound
5. Spending a week at home with Todd (staycation)
6. Ellie being born
7. Watching Todd light up every time he sees his daughter.
8. Losing the baby weight
9. Being amazed at how loving and supportive Todd is for me
10. Ellie's first Christmas

And here is to a great 2011!