PUPdate

Hello everyone!

It is quite a gloomy day today with on and off sun and on and off pour-it-downs. There are more pour it downs than sun, most unfortunately!

Well Earl has just finished chewing a stuffed KONG and has now gone outside in the back garden to potter about. We are stuck in between weathers right now, so Earl might just get to wander about until the next rain shower comes along. 

Anyway, I wanted to share some pictures with you - they are lovely!

Hope you liked them!!

And hope you and your doggles are making the best of the weird weather, if you are unlucky enough o also get it!

We have also enjoyed a walk today, and are soon out for another too.

Until next time!

Earl and I.

Much loved Ragster!

Today, I bought my Earl a new toy by 'PetFace'. It is like a little ferret but without the stuffing, and with one squeak in the tail and one in the head. Earl already has one, but it is bigger. I bought him this one so we can use it as an agility reward instead of food all the time! We have called this toy 'Ragster', so when I call the name 'Ragster' Earl can recognise the name and fetch this toy. It's a gradual learning process that will take time, but will happen, because we have already built up a word connection between Earl and other toys of his - it's great to watch Earl think and then go and succeed - he is wonderful and a very intelligent dog!

The pro of using food is: Earl loves food.

The cons: Over time they add up on your dog's weight.

The pros of using a toy: They are super fun, for dog ad owner. and they put no weight onto your dog(s)! 

The con: Earl might refuse to play with the toy at agility because he is not used to playing there... This will hopefully be overcome :)

I think of these makes of toys a bit like toy prey - terriers are sure to adore them, definitely!! I am sure that you understand the reasons behind my thinking...

So anyway; I bet you've been wondering when I will let the pictures out? Well, as seen as they have been cooped up for - oh wow, 15 minuets! I will let them out of the crate to greet you.... Enjoy them -most thoroughly!!!!

Too much playing Earl???? What???? You look a bit sleepy....

Oh no your not!!

Jumping for 'Ragster' - yes, very high indeed!

I hope you enjoyed this! I really do recommend you get your dog a non-stuffed toy!

Earl and I. 

Odd discovery...

Well only about half an hour ago I caught Earl eating something in the gravel. I went and saw one of what I expected him to be eating... it smelt of dog food but it was GREEN. It looked a bit like dog food shape, but slightly different... I am baffled!

...Yikes....

W...what?

What the heck could it be.....?!

I will PUPdate you if we make any further discoveries....!!

Earl and I.

Agility pictures!!!!

Well FINALLY I get to bring you some agility pictures, after a long wait you must have had! From me saying, no pictures today sorry, to, sorry, no pics but next time we will have some! To now, when we actually DO have some!

So today at agility I was very proud of Earl and myself again. All the team dogs were a bit sluggish and tired from the display yesterday, but after a lot of geeing up, he was back to his bouncy self! It was again a great day!

We have also now entered our first ever individual handler and dog agility competition which will be this July - we can't wait and we will keep you PUPdated! So now for the....

....pictures!! Which we have all been waiting for! Get ready to scream and shout, have your minds whooshing, and your heart melting when you see my little tot in action! So here we go then!

So wala! There are the agility-action-photos, now for the photos of our break, and one of the course, inactive - plus a friendship special!! 

Now here are a few pictures of Earl waiting patiently for our next run, accompanied my his Bedlington Terrier pal, Monty:

Bless them both!!!! Our blog's friendship special! 

We thoroughly hope that you enjoyed reading about our spectacular day, and you loved the pictures, finally! Now you can wander off, quite satisfied... :)

Earl and I.

  

Our First dog Display

Today was the the day that Earl and I performed our first ever team dog (agility/heelwork) display... and we are absolutely over the moon with how it went! I am so proud of us both - especially Earl who in a practice run ran straight past one jump and the dog walk because of a distraction elsewhere in the field. I was worried that this would happen in the real thing, but it didn't!! Yesss!! 

On the first run of the day Earl swerved a jump and refused to leg weave - however, I didn't expect much because we had never even done a team display before! So I was still very pleased. We then chilled out, had lunch, browsed stalls and my dad and I even had a game of archery whilst we waited for our next run to come around. When it did, the tension rose again, but Earl and I stuck together and worked it out of our systems - Earl walked perfectly at my side for the off-lead part, and did the leg weaves quite naturally. By the time the agility came round, we were calmer and more prepared after doing our first run earlier in the morning anyway! No mistakes were made and we had a great time, surrounded by our closest human and doggy friends. 

I am so proud, and so relieved we did it! The cuddle I gave Earl when it was all over was so huge, I didn't expect him to stand it, bless him; but he did - I think he was proud and happy too. 

(We did set this agility equipment up, VERY early in the morning too you know! Pahaha!)

When the team filtered out of the ring at the end of the display, we had claps and cheers and people came haring towards us with smiles and welcoming arms for the dogs too. The dogs were cuddled dramatically, and patted by young children. I proudly talked about Earl to the audience, and they smiled and replied about how well we did, and how amazing they thought the display(s) was/were!! 

So afterwards, as a special treat and congratulations, we got half price for 15 minutes on the epic, giant bouncy slide together! It was so much fun, we all had such a laugh and a perfectly wonderful time; the dogs were being held whilst this happened, no worries!

Then we got changed from our 'uniform' (which I adore!!!!!!) and drove happily to the pub together to have a celebration drink(s!) and meal which was scrumptious. I am shattered! And so is Earl! He is currently on my bed letting SBD doggy farts seep out...!! 

We had a great day, so here are the pictures!!! 

Some of the set up.

Flaked - after the first run!?

This photo calls for some 'awwwww's!

Calls for smiles!!!

Relaxing for the car journey home.

Resting up back at home.

So, we had a WONDERFUL day! It could have gone better, but that would be amazing if it did - on our first display, everything can't be expected to go 110% now can it? 

It also could have gone SOOO MUCHHH worse! I am relieved to be back home after an epic day, it was such a blast! I can't wait for a day like this again!

Now our next huge day is in July, when we do our first ever individual dog and handler agility competition! I am looking forward to it lots!!

Until next time!

Earl and I.