Dog Vegas - 23 & 26/08/2017

This show was a little different from the others that we normally do. While I usually run Ethel and sometimes Kelly the Staffie for her owner, this time, I only ran Kelly as I forgot to enter Ethel! Nevertheless, it was a fun and successful show for Kelly and I, plus I got to give Ethel a few runs in the training ring, so she didn't miss out. This also proved extremely beneficial for her, so a major positive came out of forgetting to enter her in the competition!

As you can see, Kelly and I did really well, with a win and two 2nd's in grade 7 jumping! They were near flawless runs with tight turns and Kelly's usual power and speed! I haven't been running Kelly for that long and I don't train with her away from competitions, so her owner and I were especially pleased! Our partnership is improving with every show and I'm looking forward to a successful future running Kelly!

I also took Ethel for a few runs in the training ring over the couple days, mainly to train her contacts as she's been having some issues with them in competition recently and jumping off them too early! Well, she did them all perfectly every single time, proving she can do her contacts properly when she puts her mind to it! Our goal is to get them just as solid as they were in the training ring in actual competition and I'm determined to make it happen!

Despite the difference to our normal competitions, overall it was a very fun, successful and beneficial couple days for us all! I can't wait to get back to running Ethel (and not forgetting to enter her...!) and improving even more with Kelly at the next show!

DINAS 2017

Yesterday was our first ever time competing at DINAS and we really enjoyed the show! It was a big show and another one with a lot of very tough competition. However, we got to meet up with our friends again which was very fun. Despite losing her head in a couple of runs during the day, Ethel did some lovely work and gave me a better idea of what I need to work on with her. She's such a star that I often forget she's still young and we still have lots to improve on. It's all about enjoying the journey, having fun with the highs and working through the lows!

She pulled off a lovely flowing clear in grade 7 jumping which I was very happy with! It was our final run of the day and a brilliant one to finish on. She's always excelled in jumping and they're always so much fun to run with her!

She also had a very close YKC agility run, with a naughty dog walk contact right at the end! It was going so well up until then, too! It looks like we need to work extra hard to perfect those contacts! She will have consistent and reliable contacts one day, I'm determined to make it happen!

This little girl makes me work for sure, but a challenge is always a good thing and will help me become a better trainer in the long run. Come on Ethel, let's get to work!

KCI 2017

Wow, what an amazing couple of days we've had at KCI! I absolutely love the buzzing atmosphere of this show, it always makes for so much fun both in and out of the ring! Due to the show's ever-increasing popularity, it's always insanely busy and it gives us a super opportunity to see all of our friends and their dogs that we don't always see at normal shows. I had so much fun running with Ethel and she was once again awesome, even in such huge classes with such tough competition!

You can't go to KCI and not get a photo on the prestigious podium!

Our first day of the competition was on the Thursday. Upon arrival we had to make our way around the whopping 18 rings and find our bearings! We then went clear in grade 7 agility and came 14th/112, which I'm very happy with considering the size and standard of the competition in this class!

Our next and final day was on the Sunday, and this was YKC day. We went clear in both YKC classes and came 3rd in the jumping and 4th in the agility! These courses were so much fun to run and I felt like Ethel and I were perfectly in sync for them. She's never performed so fantastically, I'm over the moon with her!

Overall, KCI 2017 has been amazing and a huge success for us, and we cam't wait for next year already! I'd also like to thank our awesome friend Rebecca Colley for taking the podium and action photos for us! Now to look forward to DINAS this Saturday!

Our Partnership In Pencil

Have you seen our most recent post, titled Pawsitively Barking New Bows? If so, you'll know we recently won a giveaway on Instagram. Well, another one of our prizes was a personalised pet portrait from JJ Art Handmade on Instagram! Joanna even chose to draw my favourite photo of Ethel and I and it looks amazing, I love it!

Isn't it fantastic? It portrays my partnership with Ethel perfectly, and of course, I just had to frame it!

And, when you look at the photo it was drawn from, it's hard to tell the difference!

I love it, thank you so much Joanna! Make sure to head on over to JJ Art Handmade on Instagram sometime and check out all the amazing artwork!

Pawsitively Barking New Bows

We recently won an exciting giveaway on Instagram and one of the PAWsome prizes was a bow from Pawsitively Barking Designs, a small company selling beautiful canine accessories on Instagram! I was given the opportunity to choose the bow and I ended up choosing the rose velvet bow as it caught my eye and I knew how well it would suit Ethel! We were also kindly sent a turquoise velvet and faux leather bow for Earl, which was a lovely surprise when they arrived!

As you can see, Ethel and Earl look pawsitively barking in their new bows (pun intended!) and there are so many other beautiful canine accessories available from this amazing company for any and every dapper dog out there! Check out Pawsitively Barking Designs on Instagram and treat your pooch to something stylish!

Take Us Back To Luxembourg

The EOJs in Luxembourg - one of the very best experiences of my entire life so far. I feel privileged to have been given the opportunity to experience the event as a competitor and Team GB member and make such incredible memories that will last forever and keep the experience alive. Along with the memories, I have these amazing photos of Ethel in action to remember the event with!

These photos capture the thrill of the moment and what it was like to run in such an atmosphere brilliantly. As you can see, Ethel had an absolute blast out there, as did I! There's no better feeling than blasting round the course with my furry little sidekick, that's for sure!

I'd like to thank Pics4dogs Fotografie for taking these amazing photos! Be sure to check them out sometime!