Trial Results (March - October)

Well it's been awhile since we've last posted, but damn if we're not back full force now with a whole new revamp to the blog. We've done a handful of trials over the summer, including our first USDAA trial in 5 years! Other than that we've been fairly quite with training, but then again we don't do much during the Summer due to the heat. Hot weather and Black Dogs don't mix!

Kiba and I have had a blast running agility together this year. Together we've become stronger with both our listening and handling skills. I've come to love her attitude during our runs, it lets me know where I'm messing up, though she does have her share of wtfness-insubordination. I've leaned she'd rather be pushed than pulled, and is really not a distance dog. She loves to run with me, and I with her (and boy do we RUN!), so we'll see what that does in terms of achieving her C-ATCH this Spring. If I have to, we'll drop down to Enthusiast and continue to have fun together instead of worrying over Qs.

CPE
Level 3: (2) Jackpot Qs, (3) Snooker Qs
CL3 Title on 6/23/12
Level 4: (5) Standard Qs, (3) Fullhouse Qs, (1) Colors Q, (2) Jumpers Qs, (3) Wildcard Qs,
               (1) Snooker Q
Level 5: (2) Fullhouse Qs

CPE Qs

USDAA
PI - Gamblers Q, Jumpers Q

USDAA Qs

TDAA
(3) Games I Qs, (3) Beginners Qs
TG1 title and TBAD titles (not pictured, awaiting ribbons)
(3) Games II Qs, (1) Intermediate Qs
TG2 title (not pictured, awaiting ribbons)

TDAA Qs

Tsuki started trialing back in April in both CPE and TDAA. I'm focusing on keeping it fun and becoming a stronger team, so we're easing into trialing slower than I did with Kiba. I've noticed that each trial we do, the more confident Tsuki becomes. We've gotten the chance to start doing more fun runs and I am already seeing a *huge* difference in her. She'll be back in the ring this winter as we work towards her TG1 and CL1 titles.

CPE
Dilly Award

TDAA
(1) Games I Q

The Dilly Award is presented to dogs that NQ in all entered runs

Tova TDAA trial 3/17/12

Today we attended our first ever TDAA trial held by Tova Training. For those not familiar with TDAA, it's an agility venue aimed towards small dogs under 17". Here's a little about TDAA, and why it was created. The obstacles were adorable, the people were very welcoming, and we had an awesome time! This trial offered four Standard runs, Dare to Double, and Quidditch. I loved having the challenge of following a different venue's set of rules, as well as different games to play (though I still don't know the rules to Quidditch!!). 

• Dare to Double (G1) - A point-obstacle game where every time your dog successfully completes the aframe their points are double. We accrued 399 points, Q-2nd.
• Standard (B) - Very nice run with Kiba. Boy is she fast over these obstacles, she finished in half the SCT!!! Clean run, Q-3rd.
• Quidditch (G1) - A very fun, challenging game. We were one of two dogs that got the "Golden Snitch"!! 260 points, and Q-1st.
• Perfect Weekend - We brought home a Perfect Weekend rosette for Qing in every run entered. I just love it when clubs offer different awards! They also had a Perfect Fun ribbon that one would win if they NQ in everything they entered. 

I cannot wait to go back in April. Kiba will only need one more Game and two Standard runs to finish her TG1 and TBAD titles. TDAA I think will be a perfect venue for Tsuki, it's just about as cute and adorable as she is. I'll probably bring her along next time and see how she does. Thank you Tova Training for hosting the trial, and Mark Giles for judging!

We also got a gift for coming!

EMAC CPE trial 2/18/12

Saturday we attended EMAC's CPE trial at Happy Tails. We haven't trialed in over 9 months, and I was pleasantly surprised that Kiba and I were still working as a team, and it didn't go as bad as I thought! I didn't realize until after the trial, that it was almost 4 years exactly (same judge even) that Kiba got her Level 1 title! I wonder where we would be right now if we hadn't taken so many breaks in between competing. Anywho, here's the break down of this weekend!

• Fullhouse (4) - 29 points after losing one due to time. Kiba kept dodging in front of me on the way to the table. Also nailed a tricky entrance to the weaves. Q-1st
• Standard (3) - 5 faults due to me accidentally pulling Kiba out of the weaves. Nicely recovered and continued the rest of the course as a team. Q-2nd. This also finished off our CL3-R title!!
• Wildcard (3) - Clean run. Q-2nd. This also finished off our CL3-H title!!
• Jumpers (4) - Off course. I did not make it in time for a front cross and ending up stopping short at the tunnel. Took her a few times to get in there but the rest of the run was nice. 

Stuff to work on:

• Treat every run like we Q'd! I was upset about our Standard run because of the weaves and didn't jackpot her afterwards like I normally would. In the end we Q'd and I felt like a jackass. Opened my eyes that we just need to go out there and have fun!!
• Distance work and directionals
• When I stop short I would like for her to keep moving
• Start line stays need to be improved upon. 

We're Still Here!!

Not a whole lot has happened since I last posted, but I'm back and there's nothing you can do to keep me away! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Anyways... here's a general recap on what's been going on here at Casa de SHK9s:

• Poodles tried committing suicide by eating a bag of m&m. A couple of teaspoons of peroxide and they are none to worse for the wear (though the couch could say different).
• If her stuffies are taken away, Charlie will resort to sucking the comforter 
• Kiba and I ran at the EMAC trial in February and Q'd 3/4 runs, finishing her CL3-R and CL3-H "titles". Only 5 Qs away from her CL3!!
• The dogs suck at folding laundry

Good news at the Vet!

Took Kiba in today for an annual check-up, rabies vaccination, and to discuss her leg. When walking she would swing her left leg around and twisting it inwards and sticking her right leg out to the side (very minimal movements, only because I live with her I could tell and it took the vet a few minutes to see it too). Dr. Anna checked her hips, knees, joints, etc. and come to find out her right knee slips a bit. The weird gait is most likely due to Kiba overcompensating for the other side. Dr. Anna also found no signs arthritis or weakness in her hind end.
 
Kiba has a few more sebaceous cysts than her last check-up. Dr. Anna confirmed the lump on her chest is a fatty lump, and the smaller one on her loin is another cyst. Kiba is also bladder-stone free! All in all it was a very good visit for my lumpy bumpy Schnauzer girl. We have a week long trial sample of Rimadyl to start tomorrow, then we'll  go from there if it needs to be a daily thing or dispense as needed.

 "Mum! Don't tell em I got probed!"

Charging the Clicker

Our first how-to training video! I plan on training the dogs a lot more this year, and want to share some of our methods/techniques that have worked for us. Enjoy!

The SugarHigh K9's Blog

Finally decided it was time to start a Blog for the dogs. I want to Blog about everything the SugarHighK9s do this year, and many more years to come. Right now our primary focus is Agility with Tricks and general oddness thrown in. We plan on trying Rally-O at some point this year, and perhaps some Weight Pull and Dock Diving thrown in.

Now for the introductions:

Kiba, born 7/12/04 is a black Miniature Schnauzer. My HeartDog, my Rockstar. She is always up for anything, and lives to play Agility. She currently holds a CL2 and CL3-F titles in CPE Agility, and has a few Qs in AKC. Plans for Kiba this year: Obtain her CATCH

Stryder, born 1/4/06 is a black Miniature Schnauzer. My Babyboy, he is Kiba's 1/2 brother, though nothing like his sister. Very high drive, though missing a few fries from his Happy Meal. He is dubbed "Uncle Stryder" as he just LOVES the rest as puppies, almost motherly. Plans for Stryder this year: Agility, Weight Pull, and maybe Flyball.

Tsuki, born 11/14/08 is a silver Toy Poodle. The Charmer, she is hands down, the sweetest dog I've ever met. Don't let her size or breed fool you, she is a kickass little spitfire. Often times she is beating up one of her brothers and giving Kiba a run for her money. Plans for Tsuki is year: Agility

Lincoln, born 11/27/08 is a red Miniature Poodle. The NaughtyDog. No obstacle is too high, nor can anything be left untouched. He makes me laugh everyday. The odd dog out, the Orange Blur, I have high hopes for him. Plans for Lincoln: Agility

Charlie, born 1/29/11 is at best guess, a Border Collie/Terrier mix. The Beast. Fast, smart, drivey, with an off switch. Plans for Charlie this year: Started in Agility and Dock Diving