Happy Camper

'Tis the season for agility camps and seminars here in Florida! Earlier this month I audited Karen H and Ann B's handling camp in Sarasota. I would have loved a working spot, but since I wasn't sure if Peyton would be ready (and since I have yet to win the agility lottery), I think auditing was a good choice. I always learn a lot from watching other handlers and as usual, there were a lot of great working teams this year.

I did make a late decision to join a one day mini camp with Linda M and Wendy P last Monday. I was a little worried that it might be a little too much for Peyton, but once again he proved me wrong and was a super star spotty dog. He was a little wound up in the morning which made collection exercises a tad bit challenging, but otherwise he was happy to work all day, even with lots of stopping and starting over to work on his handler, who was just a little challenged. I can honestly say that he gave me everything he had all day and showed almost as much enthusiasm at the end of the day as when we started. So so proud of him!

Lots of "ah-ha" moments this month and I took away a bunch of new thoughts and ideas for our training. It seems like our biggest challenge at the moment is transitions. While I understand how to use acceleration and deceleration to cue a turn, I struggle with timing and coordination (or my lack of). I think once I manage to figure it all out, it will make a huge difference in our runs.

We've got the next few weekends off and then will have a busy trial schedule in March. Then things will slow down again once the weather warms up (if it ever does...I'm beginning to wonder!).