FIRST EXCITING thing is weeks ago I took Breeze to the vets. We have been doing the Sylvia Trkman Puppy 2 class. I have worked with all three dogs. Apparently the tricks, stretches, etc..from the class have improved Breezes back. A few months ago the vet said that Breeze would never be able to weave and she just felt like Breeze had improved as much as she was going to.
Breeze is like a cat, and apparently there **MIGHT** be another life or two left in her. Because of all the strength and flexibility required for the tricks in Puppy 2....The vet was totally shocked at how much progress Breeze has made and how her back feels. She could not believe it.
I noticed a lot of the exercises/tricks are ones that were just a step beyond what I have done in Breezes rehab programs....and Sylvia did make a comment that a lot of the exercises she does in puppy 2 is based on her experiences from doggie rehab. ANYWAY, the upshot of the appointment was that Dr. Modglin said that she would not discount that Breeze might improve enough to actually be back to 100%.
I am not sure what the future holds for Breeze and agility but knowing that she is that much better just makes me feel so hopeful that she is going to have a lot more pain free years. She is still only 4 yrs old so her long term health is a huge concern. Sylvia's class paid for itself so many times over because of what it has done for Breeze. I am hoping by doing these tricks/exercises I can keep Cricket in tip top shape so she is less likely to get injuries as time goes, and who knows...the vet now says we will just have to see how far Breeze can go.
I am very excited we are not done with the Sylvia Trkman Long Distance classes yet...we just finished up Puppy 2 but now are starting the Agility Foundations. We got our first lesson and it looks like it is going to be a lot of fun. http://www.lolabuland.com/
I was just dying watching the first weeks lesson where we are supposed to proof the weaves, and Sylvia was demoing where she was actually running the opposite way along the weaves while her dogs were doing the weaves....she was doing some awesome weave proofing, she says the same thing I keep reading from so many others, once your dog commits to the weaves they should just weave until they are done no matter what you do. I do think we have a little ways to go until my dogs skills are there ;-).
It is hotter then HECK! Last night we went to the park to do our weave challenge and it was still 102 at 6:30. It was HOT. I got up this morning to work and got out at 8 am....not sure what the temp was but it was just too hot to work for more then a few minutes.
WEAVE UPDATE
I have got to say this dog/handler team ROCK!!!
Marie and Dare got their fourth position weave challenge done. They are on a roll! They added in some sequencing with the jump position at the end, and mixed in a set of weaves at the end, FANTASTIC proofing!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg4PgvevFZQ
I do not know how I missed posting this from Dare and Marie, but I think I did, sorry.....but here is their position 3 video ;-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4jrJasbvbo