Sometimes it just feels like things are on a roll! LOVE THAT! It sure seems to be going better then GREAT with Breeze right now.
First off she has finally got to start trialing again and of course did fantastic. Then we have just been having a heck of a time with Breeze and the weaves until the last few weeks, and all of a sudden she was just unstoppable at the weaves. In class last night I could recall her through the first set of weaves,...LIKE RECALL from after the first set of weaves-get that 5th pole exit STRAIGHT into a second pole weave entrance which requires her to hit them straight between one and two poles and then crank her body around that second pole and get in the weaves for the rest of the weaves. She just did it so well, she got all the entries on this whole silly course ;-). I really think it is that her back feels good now...I had suspected some of our weave problems came from pain but now I am really suspecting that more. Breeze's holistic vet says that she feels the best she has ever felt on exam and all of a sudden she is able to do a lot more, whooo hoooo. Maybe it isn't a pain issue but what ever the deal is she is looking HOT now.
As an Update on the RELAXATION PROTOCOL I have been doing, based on the program that Karen Overall uses...
I think.....I have been seeing some FANTASTIC progress. Breeze has always been a bit of a nervous Nelly, just nervous and wound up enough that I notice it, but not enough to make her noticeable to others. She has always been sensitive about handling and grooming her was a nightmare. The only thing that has changed is doing the relaxation protocol and her start lines are so rock solid, and she looks so comfortable and just set until I release her. She was totally comfortable on the table with me way far away from her and those were things that would have wigged her out. Last night at class I could sit and massage and stretch her almost the whole time between runs, with all those weaves I was making sure to keep her warmed up and stretched, so we did a lot of walking and massaging. Breeze almost fell asleep with her head in my lap, and everyone commented on it, the difference was amazing. I think that is all helping her focus more and not be scattered and frantic while she is doing agility. It is so cool.
Thanks for all the suggestions about Breezie trying to take off her nose. I am still thinking on this one, she really liked to crawl in a den, she does get nervous at trials, and tries to crawl in every crate she sees when we walk into a trial, so I definitely think we have to stay with a soft crate. She used to get out of the soft crates if I left and I am not sure she wont if I have another dog with me. She LOVES the crate, it is me leaving that starts her scraping her nose, and think that is a separating thing, she does OK once I am gone, but especially if I leave or am working with another dog,...that is not OK in her book. So think the manners minder is a good idea and I used a Ryobi fan in front of her crate for a little white noise and a little breeze, and I am keeping her crate covered in the front when I think things might get her going. I did not have another dog this last trial, and Breeze did terrific, but think the next test will be if there is another dog. She does do better at home if I put her in a down and she is out when other dogs are working, but I really cant do that at a trial, so thanks for all the suggestions and guess we are still working on implementing a few of them!
In the meantime though wow, it has all been good news with Breeze the last month, I am just in awe of how fantastic she has been and how much more relaxed, or softened around the edges, not sure if that is all relaxation protocol or maybe just feeling better, but she is in top form right now and that is so exciting to see, just gives me goose bumps when I get to run with her!