Heeling and Healing

I've had a slowly building pain in my left hip for several days, and by Tuesday I was in absolute agony. Every step was awful and fortunately my chiropractor was able to fit me in. I felt better after the adjustment but she recommended I also get some muscle work done with the massage therapist on staff. She's wonderful and has helped me since the accident. These sessions are continuing to get more and more bizzarre. The previous session yielded a lot of electricity, causing cell phones to ring (they were off) and lights to flicker. She also received electrical shocks via my body. Yesterdays session had its own set of strange circumstances: while she would work on my hip, the pain would radiate down my body, she'd work on that part, until we got down to the toes, then it went back up into the hip. She expressed frustration as this pain ping-ponged its way around my leg. I told her my theory is that for some reason I am holding onto the accident and it's manifesting itself this way, and the reason I think this is I feel myself resisting her efforts as she works on me. I don't know why. So, I think it's time I visit a "shrink" to explore what's going on in this head of mine. I do know I still have some leftover trauma and grief so maybe it's time to talk to someone about it.
After the hour session I felt looser and more fluid and I was sooo grateful for these two talented people in my life. I was able to go to Moto's Open class in the evening and he continues to thrill me with his enthusiasm and rapid progress. He has the concept of the BJ, DR and ROH down. What needs work now is the understanding that he quickly needs to return to me. Now that we have a proper-fitting dumbbell I think that will come. Front work continues to need work but is coming along. But overall I am really thrilled with how we are coming along as a team!

Lessons Learned

Blitz is recovering nicely after his surgery. He is walking well and seems to have no discomfort from his neuter. Now I'm monitoring him closely to see if the surgery did help (seems to) and infection from the stitches. So far, so good. He isn't 100% himself yet but heck, he's on pain meds and it said "may cause drowsiness". This disease is hell and I'd put it up there with cancer in the emotional toll it takes watching your dog slip away. But, he is still a happy guy and as long as he has that sparkle in his eye we'll keep plugging along.
Over the weekend I learned several lessons regarding training. On Saturday I took Moto tracking and laid a long track, several turns, aged 45 minutes with food every 15 paces. Even though we've worked corners pretty hard he still stresses at the corners. He really wants to be right and is visibly relieved when he finds the turn. Lesson learned: he needs easy, motivational tracks interspersed with these harder ones, and I need to back chain to semi-circle turns which are easier to work.
With this reminder that Moto is still an immature, insecure dog who really wants to be right, we went to an obedience fun match Sunday morning. We got there plenty early and walked around the show site, treated so he'd get a good association, and walked around the ring when it wasn't in use so he could get used to the sights and sounds in the area he would be working. This paid off big-time with another fantastic performance. He worked confidently with a wonderful attitude. Just a few minor things to work on at home. If he brings into a show what I had on Sunday, I might actually be able to dream of an OTCH. His heeling was nothing other than lovely.
A few hours rest and we were off to our herding lesson. Moto was thrilled to see sheep and ran to his stock and yet again turned in a wonderful working session. He rated his stock beautifully and his balancing was to die for. We had a nice "walk in the park session" and ended it on that high note. But here's where the other Lesson Learned comes in: I got greedy. Erik worked Daisy and they did great. I thought heck, we'll go in for just one more quick session and work on his Away side more (his weak side). BIG no-no. Moto turned into a silly puppy who raced at the sheep and he didn't give a hoot when he lost them. After a few gentle corrections he did a gather/fetch and we called it a day.
Overall lesson: this is not a drivey dog who will work all day, simply for the joy of working. He's immature and short sessions are still the most productive. The time will come when we can push hard and work hard, but that's not in the books for now.
But, I have one helluva dog who can do great things.
Just not now.

A Change for the Worse

Unfortunately my worst fears were realized and Blitz has taken a rather dramatic slide downhill. It's odd in the fact that the symptoms made themselves known THURSDAY - four days after the show - but that always seems to be the case with him. Yesterday morning he was unable to put weight on his left front leg. Typically it's been his rear leg. As always I examined his entire leg closely for infection, nail problems, and nothing could be found. His little leg was a mass of muscle spasms. We have a medicated soak, and I did it 3X yesterday and by the evening he was able to walk on the leg. This morning I was hopeful to awake to a rested and sparkly Blitz but it was not to be - not only was the left front leg not working, now the right rear was also not working. He struggled to potty and not fall. Additionally he took longer to eat, and when he drank lots of water ran out of his mouth and onto the floor. I'm getting ready now and will call when the vet is opened and hopefully there will be time to see him this morning.
Of course had I known he'd deteriorate so quickly after a show I never would have done it. With that said, if Blitz rallies (and I'm hopeful he will) he is officially retired from any showing. This is not worth it.
His spirit is still very bright and he is cheerful which is a great sign. I think this is what will pull him through this setback.

A great weekend

As you can see from the picture, Blitz finished his Rally Novice title in style with 2 first places, scores of 98 and 99. He definately was more confident in the ring this weekend and on Sunday we were a very nice team together. Now it's time for me to watch him carefully for any adverse effects from the stress of travelling and showing. We'll take time off through Christmas and if he is healthy, we'll try Rally Advanced next year.
What I loved about the weekend: Blitz clearly had a blast. Moto turned in a great performance at the Sho n go. I have hope for us in Obedience.
What I hated: the stares. Blitz clearly is disfigured and odd-looking. I have his note from our vet stating it is a non-contaigious, non-communicable disease, that she has examined him and he is well enough to compete in dog shows. It lay on top of his crate all weekend in case anyone was curious. It is just going to be a fact of life and honestly, I'd stare too. I ignore the stares but will politely answer any questions as Blitz's presence is a good opportunity to educate people about DM. But still having people stare at your beloved dog is no fun.
We kept the momentum going and Moto and I began finishing up what we'd started on his scent discrimination work. He is really blazing along quickly. Now, I need to finalize what method works best for his directed jumping. He'd been running to a cot which worked great, but once he leapt on it and toppled, so now he doesn't want to use it. I turned the cot upside down and got good results (the sticking-up legs kept his turns tight and a good straight on entry). He can also go out to his favorite toy but I fear wide turns. Maybe later on, once he has good muscle memory. What is exciting is he understands the exercise and can also do the jumping too. But, all this requires a lot more work.
If he continues to make this wonderful progress we may try Rally next spring and see what we have in the ring. He may begin his career sooner than expected!

Tired Unmotivated, a show - Oh My!

Today I'm leaving for Springfield, MO, to finish Blitz's RN title. He's looking good but I do see him flagging just the tiniest bit. Most noticeable is it's taking him longer to eat. And he's not as active. Oh, he's still active but it's not the constant "let's GO Mom!" active. But still, he is ready, willing and eager to make this trip.
After the weekend show I was on a roll and was training Moto every morning. Our new articles arrived and I had a blast doing articles with him - my favorite teaching process. We also had a great tracking session, and a herding lesson. He's really doing great.
Then....crash. I *still* am not able to do my normal schedule. Monday and Tuesday were great - up at 5:00 a.m. and hit the treadmill. I'm just walking 2 miles for God's sake, nothing big. Then make the dog's breakfast, my breakfast, my lunch, and do errands around the house until the sun is up. Then train Moto, exercise all the dogs, pick up poop, and the rest of the morning is spent getting ready for work. I was thrilled that I could do this...
...for two days.
Wednesday I awoke exhausted. Too tired to go on the treadmill. Drug myself out of bed and did everything else....except training. Training Moto takes a LOT of energy as he is not a drivey dog. I just didn't have any. Maybe when I come home from work....
No, not then either.
Ditto Thursday.
And today it's Friday, the show is tomorrow, and I've not done a thing with Blitz. Not that he needs it - it's Rally after all, but Moto really should be trained daily at this point. I'm still exhausted but we're packed and ready, and we'll make the 3 hour drive to Springfield after work.
Maybe once I'm at the show site or hotel.....

Fantastic weekend!

It's early Monday morning (no holidays for the wicked) but I wanted to post about Blitz's accomplishments. With very little training we entered the Rally Novice B ring. Blitz held up his end of the leash and did all the exercises at the various Rally stations, and I held up my end by turning the correct ways indicated and not missing a station. But because I am slow and Rally is based first on score and second on time, we got a 3rd place both days. Day 1 he got a 98, Day 2 he got a 100. So, the little guy can do it I think. I'll watch him closely this week and if his health holds, we will go off to Springfield, MO to finish his Rally title. At long last, this amazing little dog who has defied the odds will have a title behind his name.
Again, Moto continues to surprise. After the Obedience show we went off for a herding lesson. Moto was clawing at his crate door to get out. When we went into the field I decided that he needs to learn a little self control so I made him hold a sit and obtain permission to go to his sheep. We are still in the large field with about 20 head of ewes. Moto did a pretty nice near-outrun and while he was wild for about one minute, on his own he quickly settled down and went to work. We fetched beautifully in the large pasture with the typical "walk in the park" that I've always wanted to have. I took a few turns here and there to see if he could balance on his own and he did. It was jaw-dropping wonderful. I think, after what I'm seeing, that we will skip the instinct test and try for the PT title in the spring. Of course we need to pair down the number of head and try different stock in different places but I am really, really encouraged. The way he is working at present makes me wonder if I might be able to go to the "big pasture" with him - really!

Another big breakthrough!

We had a thrilling Sunday afternoon. Hubby brought his BC Daisy and I brought Moto out for a herding lesson. Daisy's been the superstar, remembering everything and working very nicely for Erik. In the beginning of herding Moto has been pretty unimpressive and making slow progress. But our instructor suggested moving Moto into a bigger area with more sheep and he's been improving by leaps and bounds. In this video, while it's not pretty, he is RUNNING and going around the sheep which is thrilling for us! Our second time out later on that day was even better than what is shown here. I'm elated! Blitz is still holding healthy and we're moving forward with showing him in Rally Novice this weekend. I just hope I hold up my end of the bargain and don't do something stupid to NQ us or cause a major point loss. I know he will be wonderful. After this weekend I will monitor Blitz closely to see if this will cause him to deteriorate. I hope not - it would be great to pursue a Rally career since for him it requires no training.