Chace 'N Brody

Blog the Change

2012-01-15T18:27:00.000-08:00

I may have missed the date for this, but after reading Shiva's post on the Rescued Insanity Blog (see here) I decided to do my own version, even if I miss the entry!

Blog the Change is all about supporting animals in need in whichever way is close to your heart.

So my thing is giving dogs the respect that they deserve. I feel like so many people dont care, or do the wrong thing out of lack of information. For instance: if you are not willing to do everything that is required for your dog to have a happy, healthy and comfortable life, then its simple. This may be harsh, but you shouldn't have a dog. And my expectations are very high.

Dogs give us unconditional love joy and attention, and the least we can do it make every reasonable effort to do the same for them. This means that they should have a clean and comfortable living area, attention exercise and some brain work EVERY DAY, and the necessary effort in providing an adequate diet and health care. I dont care if 'you didnt know that'. Its every dog owners responsibility to FIND OUT things you dont know about, like training and exercise requirements. Ignorance is no excuse.

One small part of this is training your domestic dogs and managing them so they behave appropriately when out in public. It is not appropriate to have dogs off lead in on-lead only areas. It is not appropriate to allow your dog to run up to unknown dogs or people out of your control. It is not fair on the other dogs or people if they are not comfortable with this behaviour. Also it is not safe for your dog to be off lead unless they are under complete control.

My other big thing is the 'dog people' side of dog welfare.

There are many competitors / trainers / breeders around the world and in New Zealand that are cruel and ignorant in their methodologies and practice. I'm sorry if this offends, but this is my view!

NO training should include any aspect of physical correction, wether this be a check chain of flick on the ear, or squirt of water in the face. Again ignorance is no defense. If its illegal in NZ to do this to a child, why do you think its ok to do it to a dog that cannot understand your reasoning behind your actions? Positive dog training methodologies are easy, produce happy working dogs that LOVE their work, why would you want your dog to work for you because its scared of you? I sure don't want this. Again, ignorance is no defense! Just because its the way your have always done things, dosent mean that its ok or right.

Dog breeding should NOT be done for money, for fun, or because you want your kids to see a puppy being born. Dogs should only go to homes where every need is going to be meet. Breeding should only be done from healthy, tested (DNA / x-rays etc.) dogs of perfect temperament. Looks (like a rare coat colour) or designer dogs should not be breed from. There are hundreds of dogs being put down ever week in shelters, there is not need to breed for the sake of it, or to make money selling to pet homes, or overseas to unknown people and homes.

So what I am going to (continue to) do is do my best to help any person that would like to learn about positive training techniques through my local dog training club, and continue to educate the public through my job ( secondary school teacher) and as a domestic obedience instructor at my dog training club.

Chace - first frisbee training

2011-12-21T01:06:00.000-08:00

Chace AKA the alligator

2011-12-14T19:08:00.000-08:00

NDOA

2011-11-30T02:24:00.001-08:00

Just realised that in all the busyness I havent posted about NDOA in October.... will write something ASAP! In the meantime heres a few pics from the trip....

Good Morning Pets in the Spotlight - Brody (extra footage + photos)

2011-10-11T03:02:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Pets in the Spotlight - Chace (extra footage + photos)

2011-10-11T03:00:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Pets in the Spotlight - Brody

2011-10-10T02:45:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Pets in the Spotlight - Chace

2011-10-10T02:24:00.000-07:00

Peanut training

2011-09-18T14:55:00.000-07:00

Chace - Chess

2011-08-28T17:01:00.000-07:00

Rally-O results

2011-07-31T18:26:00.001-07:00

Recently Brody had his first real go at a Rally-O Championship show. It was at the AEC Benefit show at the NZKC exhibition centre in Ardmore.

We were entered in all four of the Novice Rally competitions, with the hope of gaining three qualifying certificates (gaining at least 90 / 100 points) in order to achieve our first Rally qualification (Rally Novice - RN).

I was so pround of Brody - he was SO happy to be in the ring, and worked like a champion. All that to my rediculously long stride and fast walk..... and we did really well!!!

We gained 4 /4 qualifying certificates, with two wins and a second!!! I was so happy, and stoked that Brody was happy in the ring.

VOTE FOR BRODY

2011-06-26T14:12:00.000-07:00

I have entered Brody in the Auckland More FM competition to be Toto in the Wizard of Oz production.

Toto the dog, Dorothy's big-hearted friend has been winning the hearts of Wizard of Oz fans worldwide for over 50 years. Now, it's time to find New Zealand's very own Toto.

PURINA BENEFUL, MORE FM and the Peach Theatre Company are on the search for the next dog superstar to star as Toto in their production of The Wizard of Oz.

Vote for your favorite and the dogs with the top 4 votes will automatically go through to the finals next Saturday.

Brody is the only big dog, vote for him he would be great!!!! Go here to vote

Dog tricks

2011-06-22T18:44:00.000-07:00

One of the articles in the series Brody and I am writing in Fetch Magazine:

Dog tricks

Having a go at Rally-O

2011-06-21T15:17:00.000-07:00

In the weekend Brody and I had our first proper go at a Rally-O Competition. It was a ribbon trial at the Ardmore Exhibition Centre.

Rally-O is a new sport that has only recently been recognized by the NZKC as an official sport, that you can gain titles in. It consists of a course of heel work, and many other activities such as turns, sits, downs, weaving through cones, recalls etc. The course is set out with signs that you walk around before your round.

I was a bit nervous, because I have given Brody a BIHG break from obedience due to his epilepsy, and how anxious he was getting in the ring when doing obedience competition.

When it was our turn to go in the ring I tried really hard to be positive and happy even though I was a little scared about getting lost or doing the signs wrong. I also aimed for speed.... because you are placed based on your time, and I thought it might be better to keep Brody focused if I was moving fast!

I was SSSOOOO happy with how Brody worked in the ring. He was happy with a wagging tail, and enthusiasm. He tried really hard the whole round, and did everything properally. The picture above shows him 3/4 through the course doing his slow pace.

Our round had no deductions, so we got 100 points, and then it went on our time for the placing. And we won!

Now I'm looking ahead to the upcoming champ shows so that I can work towards getting some Rally-O titles for Brody.

Brody the Si-bord - Can from the fridge

2011-06-21T15:08:00.000-07:00

Achoo - I need tissues!

2011-06-21T15:07:00.001-07:00

Brody - Find the keys!

2011-06-21T15:07:00.000-07:00

Chace 'limping'

2011-06-21T15:06:00.000-07:00

National Dog Show 2011

2011-05-09T14:42:00.000-07:00

I left Auckland on Wednesday morning to head off early to Nationals in Fielding. I bought my first every house at auction the night before (both scary and exciting!) so my head was a bit all over the place. The drive down was bit yuk - wintery and windy and cold!

We arrived in Palmy to the motel I was sharing with Nicki and her three shepherds to find a very wet and cold Nicki - she had been out doing tracking with Reicher.

Thursday was nice - wandering around the Mansfield arena watching everything that was going on - it was the prelude obedience (off site - I didnt go watch that) and the prelude breed inside that Nicki was doing with her youngest GSD Indie. Nice to just wander and not have too much to do.... except for spend some money of course!

Mansfield Arena

Nicki breed showing Indie

Friday was the first day of agility, unfortunately they moved the agility from outside Mansfield stadium to the Fielding club grounds. It was a bit of a pity because it didnt really feel like we were part of the national show, and the grounds felt fine on Sunday when we were there for AD / Finals!

Brody ran in Intermediate, Novice and jumpers. He had a good run in intermediate except for Brody contacts (leaping off the top!), but kind of fast. He went clear in Jumpers C which was great as we are only a few away from JD, but not super fast. I managed to watch some agility, but missed most of the obedience I wanted to see!

Chace posing at the agility grounds

Saturday was a very busy and somewhat stressful day. Brody's health has been a bit up and down lately - no seizures since Christmas which is awesome, but since then skin and shoulder issues. So I was really worried all day about how he was. We ran Novice (I didnt know I entered it and didnt walk the course) and knocked a rail, and Jumpers C (clear but slow). Went and watched some breed and obedience, and then got back to agility only to have drama with Nicki - she just got bcak from breed showing and had four GSD's to run right away. So I got my intro to shepherds - I had to take each one to the ring from the crates in the car for Nicki to run. I think I scared the judge a bit when Reicher hauled me to the ring and almost pulled me onto my face! Then the drama of trying to get one in and one out and of the crate with three dogs in...... Fun!! Also Nick almost had an asthma attack, then when I was taking the last dog back to the crate when Nicki was all done there were BC's running all around the ute, with Reicher and Tess in one crate going nuts, and I was meant to open that crate and get Indie in. Needless to say I decided NOT to open the crate! I didnt want any GSD eating BC incidents!!!

Brody with best buddy Reicher.... that is until Brody decided it would be a good idea to hump him!!! Really not a good idea!

Paws N Music

Saturday night was the Paws N Music event, and both Nick and I were pretty nervous!!! My first routine was the HWTM - little star.

This was me completely out of my comfort zone, as Brody's not too keen on heelwork, and I'm not a dancer, and definitely not good being all delicate and girly! Unfortunately Brody got distracted by someone eating something that smelt REALLY

GOOD off the the side of the ring, and apparently I didnt have enough heelwork in to score very high. Its a bit of a pity because I think that although there was not as much heelwork, it was better choreographed and more entertaining than many of the other HWTM routines. But it didnt score well - we got 4th. The next routine was our starters freestyle - Brody was a bit tired and laggy, but hit most of his moves. We got third behind Kate and Irma.

Nicki did really well with Reicher - 4th in Elementary with her werewolf routine, and first in HWTM with the routine that I choreographed! Stoked for her!!!!

After the prizegiving all the kiddies came up to see the dogs, and as per normal Brody was VERY popular! We had a good play with all the kids, and jumped over (or on top of) a few of them!

I got back into the car after prizegiving to find a puppy surrounded in sequins..... Silly me had put Brody's beautiful sequined bandana too close to the crate, and forgot to give her a chew, so I think she is going to have gold sparky poos for a few days, little bugger! And after the hours of sewing!!!

Sunday morning we had AD at the Mansfield grounds, I was a little disappointed because both Brody and I managed to completely stuff it up - completely demo'd the second jump! It was a bit disappointing because theres hardly any AD's this year, and I am trying really hard to get ADX with Brody this year. Then we had lots of fun watching all the breed show, parade of winners, and Test C obedience. I took Chace for a few circuits of the stadium to get her used to the strange noises and surfaces.... and to tire her out!

Then Nicki went back to the unit to eat a whole lot of junk food, and drive home Monday morning, another crap weather day! Raining and windy.

All in all another great Nationals, a bit disappointed with some of our performances, but Brody is happy and seizure free, and thats the main thing. I always love watching all the events, like the Breed showing (still dont get it though!) and the YKC (there are some SUCH awesome young handlers!) and it was great to see the South Island girls!!

Looking forward to next year.... hopefully Chace might be on the scene then too!!!

Brody and Chace posing on the ride home - North end of the Dessert Road

Chace A.K.A the little piggy

2011-03-06T15:30:00.000-08:00

The constant veterinary battle.....

2011-03-03T16:08:00.001-08:00

Just wanted to make a post about my boy.... Poor Brody! We have been making pretty frequent veterinary visits over the last few years, unfortunately the line seems to have major health issues, and unfortunately his breeders are continuing to breed from Brody's siblings! Pretty frustrating and not very responsible if you ask me.

The two dogs from Brody's litter and

the other identical mating that work in obedience or agility have lupus, addisons disease, and one of them died unexpectantly last year.

Brodys past problems include: thyroid issues, skin problems, kennel cough and eye infections, stomach problems, seizures, cortisol abnormal levels, then FAD, more skin issues....

In the last four months Brody has had no seizures, which is AWESOME after 7 months of irregular seizures about once a month. I think this was mostly due to me getting rid of any environmental chemicals, and a new probiotic supplement.

Unfortunately in the hot muggy Auckland summer we have had other problems...... Fleas! I have never had the problem before, and not both dogs are going crazy with fleas, and of course Brody gets FAD. Being newly chemical free I cant use the usual topical products on Brody, so heres what I have been doing:

Advantage on Chace and Max the cat
Organic flea oil on all of them frequently
Lots of baths with neem oil soap
dusting the house with a mixture of salt, baking soda and lemon essential oil
Cleaning all the leaf litter and long grass and sprinkling diatomaceous earth everywhere
Adding garlic and brewers yeast to their food
lots of brushing with the flea comb. Yes through Brody's hair!

And now that I seem to be starting to win the battle with the fleas, I now have a very sorry for himself feeling coughing kennel cough inflicted boy.

Poor Brody.

Chace progress...

2011-02-23T14:48:00.001-08:00

Chace 'N Brody

2010-12-02T12:46:00.001-08:00

Chace is now almost 10 weeks old.... and she's getting bigger - everytime I see someone who knows her the first thing is 'She's grown'!

I know thats what puppies do...but she's growing so fast!

Chace is doing well with her basic training.... she's recalling (when not distracted), sitting, down, touch, and shake.

I'm also starting to work on racing to the toy for agility.

She's great at home with toilet training and in the crate... just not so good away from home yet!

Chace and Brody have an interesting relationship... Brody has told her off once or twice, and now she dosent understand when he wants to play - she thinks he's telling her off again! And when she wants to play with him he ignores her! They will get there in the end though..... Whenever they have been apart they do a waggy tail licking face greeting which is cool.

Chace is doing really well at school - she LOVES all her student buddies, and they love her - she gets cuddles and walks every interval and lunch. She also gets to play with her puppy playmate Nitro!

Introducing Chace

2010-11-24T13:43:00.000-08:00

This is Brody's new little sister..... Introducing

Weyahead Chace 'N Chocolate

Last moments with the rest of the litter.

First night at home, playing with the treat ball.

Chilling out at the first of many dog shows with 'Auntie Michelle'

First day at school, navigating the lab chairs.

Chace, Brody and Max playing outside.

Chace trying so hard to play nicely with Brody!

Being cute in the grass in the backyard.

New Baby sister!!!

2010-11-17T14:57:00.001-08:00

I am SSOOO excited, tomorrow Brody and I go and pick up the new addition to our family.

The litter was born late September, and they are full Border collie - their mum Chip is a chocolate merle, and their dad Bear a chocolate and white.

After many visits, I have picked the chocolate merle girl, she is very

friendly and inquisitive, and very brave... plus she is playing and tugging really well already!

I will post later with more about Brody's little sister!

Brody's 5th Birthday

2010-11-10T11:15:00.000-08:00

Nationals & NDTA 2010

2010-10-26T19:31:00.000-07:00

Nationals in Fielding

NDTA in Taupo

Brody the newly diagnosed epileptic

2010-08-24T20:04:00.000-07:00

Brody has started having seizures over the last couple of months, and over the last fortnight he has had many trips to the vet to try to figure things out.

The seizures started on the 9th of May on a Sunday morning at home. This first one was the worst (see the previous blog entry!) and very very scary. Since then he has had two more, the 8th of July and the 8th of August, all at home..... there is a pattern forming!

On the third seizure, as per agreement with my fabulous vet Lyn (see Raw Essentials) I took Brody off to VSG for further tests to see if there was any underlying conditions that were causing the seizures.

Neurological exams showed that there is little risk that there is a tumor / injury causing the seizures, but blood work showed that he had very low levels of cortisol. Because his sister has Addisons Disease, Brody went back into VSG the following week to have another blood test. This ruled out Addisons disease, so his diagnosis is idiopathic epilepsy.

Idiopathic epilepsy basically means that there is no apparent cause for seizures, as apposed to symptomatic epilepsy, meaning seizures are a symptom of another condition.

My options for treatment as far as conventional vet treatment is the use of anticonvulsant drugs such as Phenobarbitol or Potassium Bromide. Given the potential side effects of these drugs I was keen to look at other options, unless the severity of Brody's seizures, or the frequency changes.

After reading a fantastic book on treating epilepsy naturally, and talking to Lyn @ Raw Essentials I decided to trial Acupuncture as a treatment. On Saturday Brody had his first session with Elaine Bennett (of Peace Clinic).

He was fantastic, sat nicely for the needles and the laser treatment, and it was amazing - as soon as the treatment ended Brody curled up and napped on the matt in the treatment room.... he NEVER does this in a vet clinic!

He was super chilled out, relaxed and sleepy for two days or so after the treatment, and very settled. Brody has two more weekly treatments, and then monthly treatments if it helps with the seizures.

I have set up a Facebook page called 'Canine Epilepsy NZ', so if you are an owner of an epileptic dog, or know someone who is let them know about it!

Last few weeks.....

2010-08-01T14:44:00.000-07:00

North Shore Jumpers Show

Brody and I had three clear rounds, but none quite fast enough to place! For once NSDTC had a beautiful day.... only one little rain storm! See our YouTube video for our best run.

Akarana / Manakau Jumpers Show

Photo by supashots.com

This weekend Brody and I went to the East Auckland obedience show.... and kept up our Kamal training but entering elementary for no points and training.... fingers crossed that we get up to speed for Nationals!!

Obedience Seminar - Kamal Fernandez

2010-06-24T16:56:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I went to an Obedience seminar - Training course with Kamal Fernandez.

You Tube Video of Kamal at Crufts

Brody and I were lucky enough to get one of 10 handling spot, where I could take Brody and work with him during the seminar.

Saturday started with a FREEZING cold start at Ardmore.

The four reasons that you are not getting what you want from a dog

Lack of understanding - the dog does not actually understand the task you are asking it to do properly
Lack of motivation - the dog is not motivated to do it
Lack of Respect - the dog does not respect you
Relationship problem - a handler issue.... eg. the dog is a rebound dog, or trying to live up to a previous dog.

I think that Brody definately has a lack of understanding of the things I am asking him to do, and needs more motivation.

The basic ideas were that in training a dog, to get a really motivated excellent dog you should:

Positive reinforcement (LOTS)
Clicker training - allow the dog to learn what you want by offering behavior, rather than being lured. A clicker could be an actual click, or clicker word.
Teaching to dog to be focused on the handler, almost WILLING the handler to notice that it is doing what the handler wants so it can be rewarded.
The dog should learn to hold a strong heel position, despite distractions or the handler looking away, talking, or doing strange body posture
The handler should not lead behaviors or nag to heel, or look at the dog... instead reward with a high motivation reward when the dog is doing it well
Lots of training in the ring is really important e.g. 4:1 training:competition. So your dog isint sure when a reward is coming. The dog thinks the ring is just an awesome place to be, as it gets all these rewards there! Choose what you want to reinforce and have your rewards ready.
Overtrain what you need in the ring - do 150% more heelwork then you need in the ring, or three retrieve's when you only need one.
Randomizing where the reward is coming from, and teaching that the dog must do the behavior to get the reward, rather than be lured to follow the treat.
Reinforcement zone - using where you reward a dog to build importance for that area e.g. the left side for heel work
Plumbline - the position your dog should hold during heelwork - like a piece of string from you hip down to the ground
Using lots of hands on tactile work with your dog, to build your relationship and value for interacting with the handler, and desensitize to handlers touch / movements
Being a 'lumper or a splitter' e.g. breaking an exercise down to lots of very small pieces
Hierarchy of reinforcement - having a range of rewards, and understanding the importance / value of each for your dog, and using them appropriately.
NOT naming a behavior / task till you get exactly what you want. Kamal used noises to gain attention rather than asking for things, and rarely used to dogs name. Also just click / reward for a long time until you get your 'finished product' that you can start adding the cue / command to.
Reward NOT lure. Train the dog that yes. there is a treat in my hand but you only get it for looking at me, not following / nosing the treat. The dog learns that to get the treat / reward he must give the correct behavior.
Don't 'cheerlead' your dog. If you cant get the attention / work you want in the ring you need to do more training. Your dog should WANT to be in heel, looking at you because you might just look and see him working really hard, and reward him!
Not all dogs are toy motivated, but you can build this drive. By making the toy more rabbit like (not a half dead three legged rabbit - be exciting and realistic!), putting onto a rope, flicking around etc. Trying different types of toy, incorporating treat into toys to build interest. Even playing with other dogs in-front of your dog. Work over many sessions to build up the interest / drive.
Food circles - to reward, build drive and interest. Throw a treat out, and encourage the dog back, pull the dog around you and throw another treat out.... You can change so the dogs runs around you, through your legs etc.
Targeting - teach a dog to hold a nose touch to hand, to use in heel work and maintaining head position.
Transfer of value - making a little boring thing totally exciting and the best thing ever for your dog because of the rewards / high value you build for it.

Important concepts to consider when teaching new tasks

Proofing - testing your dogs understanding, giving controlled chances to fail so the dog learns

Generalizing - transferring the experience + learning to a new environment

Reinforcement - builds behavior

Kamal used lots of games to build motivation for the dog

Get the party started

Sit in a chair, somewhere quietly with the dog with you. Suddenly jump up and have a big play with your toy, being super fun and exciting for the dog. Alternatively to playing you could do food circuits. This builds interest in you, and the dog is always looking at you to see is a game is going to start.

Eye Spy

Stand up with the toy / treat in your hand. Stand still until the dog looks at your face, rather than the treat. Click and reward. Progress by increasing the time the dog must look, then increased time and you looking away. Teaches the dog that he wont get a treat by focusing on the reward, instead is rewarding for giving the handler attention. Encourages the dog to be looking at the handlers face all the time just incase they notice and reward.

Give us a clue

Stand and without giving any other clues / cues (dont' move your body!) move your hand to the left side in the heel position. Click and reward your dog for any movement towards the left side, and each time ask for a little more movement. Reward on the left hand side to build value for the heel position. If your dog dosent notice your hand, do more eye spy games and you can wiggle your fingers a little.

Chase the rabbit

Basically running around with the tog (tug toy is best) making it super exciting and fun, the dog tugging and playing with the toy. Make it exciting and not predictable, let the dog win sometimes (unless you have a very dominant dog) to encourage drive for the toy.

Hit the baby

This is an extension of chase the rabbit..... when your dog is playing / tugging with the toy really well, with your hands touch their face and body. You can add in doing the same with your foot. Desensitizes the dog to touch, and also increases contact/importance with the handler.

Musical chairs

Ask the dog to do something (sit, spin, down, thought legs....) click, run to your chair and reward the dog. Repeat. Then ask for two things, click and reward. Then do the same, but run to another chai you have set up with rewards..... This can be played with lots of people or on your own, and teaches the dog that it dosent know where its reward is coming from.

Good Cop Bad cop

Ask the dog to do something with handler (like eye spy), then another person tempts them with a box of treats. The dog dosent get treats from the 'bad cop', who says 'oh no too bad' and pulls the treats out of reach. When the dog looks / returns to the handler it gets clicked and rewarded. Teaches the dog to stay focused on the handler and ignore distractions to be rewarded.

Catch up

Another person holds the dog in the middle by the collar, and the handler walks in a circle around the outside (left circle) with hand in heel position. Dog is released, and when the dog arrives in the heel position with the handler is clicked and rewarded. Ask for a little more heel work each time, and then can change to right hand circles. Teaches the dog to race into the heel position and it will be rewarded, also good for Test A recalls.

Beat ya

Hold the dog by the collar, and throw the toy out in front. When the dog is pulling against the collar restraint release and race towards the toy, let the dog win! Builds drive for the dog, and also desensitizes against collar touching / handling.

food circle

A different way to reward with food to help build drive. Throw a piece of food out in front, and encourage the dog to move fast, and come back. With another piece pull the dog in a circle around you, and throw it back out in front, repeat. Can change to the dog going around the handler, through legs etc.

Simon Says

How well does your dog actually understand its cues / commands?

1. put your hands at the side, and ask your dog to sit

2. Hands on head, ask your dog to sit

3. hands on hips, ask your dog to sit

4. Hands on knees, ask your dog to sit

You can do this for a number of commands and do all sorts of body / hand positions.... what about when you sit down? Will your dog stand etc. This tests your dogs understanding.

Push me pull me

For building a stronger heel position, where to dog actively maintains the position ('plumbline'). When the dog has a strong static heel position, start testing by pulling the lead so it pulls the dog out from your hip slightly. As soon as the dog resists the pulling to pull the head back into heel, click and reward. Can add in more active pulling, pushing the shoulder away etc.

I hope my summary of the seminar has been helpful, I will keep everyone posted with how our new training regime is going, and hopefully load some pics / video's from the seminar if I can get them.

Agility weekend away

2010-06-20T15:34:00.001-07:00

This weekend Brody and I went on an agility mission to Cambridge and Hamilton. We went down with Debbie and Bailey, and met up with Matilda with Hiska, and Tonka with Molly and Jazz, also Darren and Adam.

Saturday started with a very early morning drive - we left at 5.30am! We arrived at Cambridge far to early, despite the Mystery creek Field days traffic. And surprisingly the weather was actually great, despite a bad

forecast.

Brody and I ran in Jumpers C (knocked a rail because I didnt time it right, and Brody's pacing was wrong), Starters (placing yay!), Novice (missed an up contact), and our first ever AD.

I was really happy with our attempt at AD, as we got much further that I thought. My only goal was to get the see saw, which we did. It was really only me mucking up the cross over that blew it.... But check out the video.

Saturday night Debbie and I drove to Hamilton, and stayed in a great little dog friendly motel (the Abbey travel Lodge) with Tonka and Matilda and all the dogs.

Sunday at WAG was more like the forecast..... very wet and muddy, so not all the pleasant! Tonka started the day in great form - getting the last ADX she needed with Molly to get ADX gold! Wow.

Despite the weather and a tired Brody we managed to get two more ribbons - in Jumpers C and Starters. All in all a great agility weekend.

GC's got talent.... Results!

2010-06-20T15:20:00.001-07:00

Well apparently Brody and I have got Talent - we won the most talented teachers award! Yay!

Look out Nationals and NDTA here we come

GC Talent Show

2010-06-08T19:21:00.000-07:00

Today Brody and I participated in the schools talent show... GC's got Talent!

It went ok, except that the floor was super slippery (so Brody couldn't do some things properly), I was paranoid that he was going to bolt into all the students, also we ran out of room moving forward in the first part and had to stop and stand there!

All in all it was alright, but I definitely need to do more work, mostly on me dancing better and being more theatrical.

Poor Brody...

2010-05-30T18:31:00.000-07:00

Brody hasn't been very well lately, not good at all! It started a few weeks ago with his skin breaking out into new itchy spots all over his tummy and underarms, and constant scratching. So we went back to the vet and decided to add some supplements and bits and pieces and hold off on any stronger medication, just an injection to help with the itching.

The itching continued, and Brody was scratching away all day long, the kids at

school were constantly yelling 'Brody stop scratching!'.

Then on a Sunday morning he had a big grand mal seizure. It was the scariest thing I have ever seen in my life, I though he was going to die! He started with dry reching, then was on the floor with all muscles tense, I though he was choking. Then he started going into convulsions with saliva going everywhere and his bladder emptying.

This lasted long enough for me to run around the house like a crazy person yelling, and throwing trackies and a hoody over my PJ's, and finding my phone / keys / wallet. When he stopped convulsing I touched him, but he was still out of it and bit my hand. I left him for a minute to kind of wake up a little more, and then loaded him into the car... when I realised my hand was bleeding quite profusely.

When I got to the vet (that my friend Beth worked at, and it was open on Sunday thank god) I was a mess - crying, bleeding, PJ's and everything!

At this stage Brody was all hyper and still quite out of it. The vets sedated him and put him in a cage to keep an eye on his recovery for the rest of the day, it was pretty hard to leave him thrashing around in that cage!

Since then he has had no more seizures (touch wood!) and my regular vet has done some further diagnostic testing, and he is on thyroid medication for hypothyroidism. Although he wasnt completely out of the normal thyroid range, he was low enough for my vet to put him on the medication. Since then he has also gone onto a course of Prednisone to try to stop the itching... fingers crossed it all helps!

And me... well I got a trip to the doctor for antibiotics for the hand bite, and a speeding ticket!

Holiday Fun

2010-04-18T17:24:00.000-07:00

Aahh another holiday over. Quite sad really!!! Especially as I spent pretty much the WHOLE holiday sorting out my stupid car.... The old one died, and I had to dispose of it and get a new one....

Here are some pics of the exciting parts of the holiday, ending with the trip to Taupo for obedience, which was a great weekend, unfortunately Brody decided not to work in the ring!

Taupo Obedience

Jan and Janna having a balance competition... after a few wines!

Brodie and Bodie are searching for Rabbits in the great big dog walking field, great fun!Murphy and Brodie posing on the log in the field
Brody's new buddy and Young Handler for agility - Amir
Onxy posing on the log, dosent he look good!
Koru, Onyx, Moss, True.
Counties Agility

EBOP Obedience show (in Kawerau)

2010-03-10T12:39:00.000-08:00

Last weekend Brody and I, once again, travelled away for a dog show. We left school by about 3.30, but unfortunately the motorway traffick really slowed the trip.... we limped past Sylvia Park about 5.10pm!

So we arrived in Kawerau (totally in the middle of no where!!) about 8.30pm, and had to pitch the tent in the horrible volcanic ground, with the monster mozzies, in the dark.... Luckily Roy was being lovely and held the torch for me!

From club there was Chris and Sybill (see the photos to the left), Lise & Roy with Bessie & Bruiser, and Karen with her dogs.

Saturday was our first ever time in Novice, so it was very exciting and scary! Of course I didn't watch how they were doing the numbers properly, so got Brody out far to early, and then when we went in the ring, he was all laggy. So we started training pretty quickly with our heelwork. But I was happy with his recall - only 1/2 a point off for a crooked sit, and he did his first ever dumbell retrieve pretty well!!! Only 1/2 for mouthing, 1/2 for a crooked finish.

After competition Lise and I took the dogs for a swim in the lovely clear stream down the back of the camp site. The water was great.... but very cold! It took some convincing to get Bessie and Brody in, and Bruiser refused! Lise and I even went for a swim too, it was very refreshing.

Sunday I was a little more relaxed, as we had already trained on Saturday, and usually Brody isint so good on the second day. Also it helped that I turned up at the ring to find that I had to go straight in so not much time to warm him up!

His heelwork was pretty good, I was resonably happy with it, and he did a nice recall and retrieve (some slight crooked sits etc).

Then we had the stays. Pretty much the most drama filled stays I have had in a long time! As we walked away in the sit stay, all you could hear was "time, time, time....". Out of our half of dogs in the stay, there were

only three left at the end of the sit stay! About 10 dogs broke!

Wow, and Brody didnt break! Then in the down stay, I could pretty much see Lise watching Brody and having heart attacks... the stewart even came up at the end and said that Brody was really unsettled, and looked like he was going to break. Wow, stressful!

Brody and I were then told that we had to do a runoff (WOW!) with the dumbell. I was just so happy that Brody had a good round! We did an ok retrieve, and ended up second! Not bad for our first Novice competition!!

Pet Magazine

2010-02-22T17:50:00.000-08:00

Check out the latest issue of Pet Mag for a little follow up piece on the article I wrote last issue

Progress in Obedience training... The dumbbell retrieve

2010-02-17T18:44:00.000-08:00

Eukanuba Food Auction

2010-02-10T15:37:00.001-08:00

I am running an auction to sell one of my prizes for obedience competitions (Brody cant eat this food because of his allergies). The auction closes next Friday 19th of Feb.

Eukanuba Adult large breed dry dog food
15kg bag
small tear in the top from me trying to carry it (its heavy!)
worth $119.95 in vets / pet shops

AUCTION.... Current top bid is $80

AUCTION IS CLOSED... congrats to David :-)

To bid email me, or write a comment at the bottom of this posting. And NO Brody does not come with the food!!!

Christmas Holidays

2010-02-09T15:01:00.000-08:00

My Christmas holidays started with marking for NZQA, which I'm sure as you can imagine was thrilling stuff! I managed to get that all wrapped up just before Christmas, and was lucky enough to have two Christmas days, one a bit early with Christine and her family, and Christmas day with Suzanne and her family (including Brody's best buddy Jack the Labrador!).

Early January Brody and I had a great adventure... A flight down to Nelson to catch up with the family. Those of you who

know Brody can understand that I was a little nervous about having Brody at my

parents place in Nelson - its a big lifestyle block with farm fencing (e.g. not Brody-proof), lots of cows and chickens, and other things to get into!

But it really shows my how much Brody has grown up... He took the whole flying thing with ease, and settled in quickly to the farm and his NEW buddy Dougal the Huntaway.

Although we still had to watch him carefully, he just loved scouting out the farm, and chasing (NOT eating) the cows and chickens. And after a little settling in period, him and Dougal became great friends.

The only thing he couldnt get his head around was the pool

- he just didnt get that the pool actually had a bottom to it, therefore would NOT go in. He would site for half an hour, waiting till he toys got close enough to grab. Very cute though!

After our lovely relaxing Nelson trip, I just tried to do all those things that I dont get time to do in term time (clean the car, and house, clean under the bed et.) ad relaxed. And Brody and I did heaps of extra training..... see the next posting about his great results, coming soon!

Email Hack

2009-12-08T19:49:00.001-08:00

Well people suck. Someone has hacked / put a virus into my hotmail account, and emailed a hoax email to all my contacts and now all my my contacts have been deleted, along with most of my emails.

So if you got a wierd email from me... DELETE IT! And email me so I can enter your address back into my contacts! Grrr!

Christmas Party

2009-12-07T19:27:00.000-08:00

This weekend we had the North Shore Christmas Party on Saturday (along with the everlasting NZQA marking!) then Hibiscus Ribbon Trial on Sunday.

The Christmas Party, as always, was lots of fun. It started out with nibbles, and a dress up competition, before all the relays and games.

Then Brody and I did a dancing demo (he was a bit manic, so we didnt get all the tricks), then Michelle and Moss did their routine (looking great as normal).

Brody looked the part in his cute (but somewhat tight) elves costume.

After our routines, Mark did another fantastic Magic show, then it was into the serious (or not) stuff... prizegiving. To our surprise, we actually won something! Mark and Sophie, and Brody and I tied to win the Elementary Obedience Trophy! Very exciting.

Then we had dinner, and a few more games - including a weave challenge, where they set up 48 weaves and timed how long it took to get each dog through, which was fun! Brody actually did pretty well, getting through then all to pop out two from the end, but he was a bit slow. The photo is of Rachel and Quest.

Thanks to Debbie for some of the photos of Brody and I dancing, and Matilda for a dancing photo, and the photos of Mark and Brody and I with the trophy.

On Sunday we had another great doggie day out, at Hibiscus Coast. We had a nice group of North Shoreans, including Emily, tanya, Lise and Roy, Debbie, Sarah and I.

Its safe to say that all the dogs had fun... (i.e. Appollos), and a few were even quite well behaved.

Tanya placed with Bindi in Elementary Obedience, in Specials Lise and Bessie came third, and Brody and I came 5th (just left turn issues). Brody and I also managed a 7th place in Starters for Agility. A fun, sun filled day.

Another action packed weekend

2009-11-22T18:20:00.000-08:00

This weekend we had two agility competitions. They were both ribbon trials (the easier less important ones).

Saturday was NorWest, in Kumeu. It was actually pretty nice, but I was really tired! I ended up having several nanna naps in the car.

Brody was disqualified in Starters, and then we had to wait around for Elementary. But it was totally worth the wait - after bolting over to say hi to the judge, Brody ran a great run, and we came second (by 0.1 of a second)! Yay!

Then Sunday was our clubs agility ribbon trial. True to form NSDTC put on a great, but very wet show. We arrived early to help take entries and set up, and ran a fantastic elementary - the first time that I have been sprinting and not able to keep up to Brody. And Brody and I WON... we beat Suzanne and Jack by less than a second, and now we are out of elementary!

So I am really happy - Brody is finally getting somewhere, after years of unpredictable (but happy) bolting and being naughty! My goals for this year was to get out of elementary for obedience, agility, and paws n music, which we have now done!

... Now I need to decide what my goals are for next year!

Nationals part two.... Photos!

2009-11-17T13:42:00.000-08:00

I finally have some images of Nationals, the last four taken by the fantastic Ashlee from North Shore Dog Training club, the first four taken by the official Nationals photographers, and purchased from them e. cate marshall.

Agility weekend

2009-11-16T17:27:00.000-08:00

This weekend we went two agility champ shows, Akarana on the Saturday, then ACAC (auckland canine agility club) on Sunday.

Luckily these were both in Auckland, so I didnt have to travel too far for once... just 45 minutes out South to Ardmore.

On the Saturday we had a great group of North Shore and other

hanger hangers squeezed into a little space... So some great conversations!

Brody ran in Starters (disaster.... he wasn't focused, and all over the place), Novice (very nice run!), and C jumpers (another clear round but not very fast).

Brody also got to have a fun play with Cheryl's new puppy, Shona.

Brody managed to go fast enough in Novice to gain a 12th place... his first agility ribbon! Very exciting, and in the line up Brody was called out as 'the prettiest dog here'.

Sunday we had a ok day, but Brody was just too tired - two days of competition is alot! He has a really nice Starters run - his time would have placed him in 7th, but I sprinted ahead to speed his up and he knocked a rail!

Brody's 4th Birthday

2009-11-10T15:32:00.000-08:00

Today is a very special day, as Brody is all grown up now!

He is now four years old.

It seems so long ago, when we drove in peak hour traffic to pick him up from Auckland airport, where he was flown up from Christchurch from his breeders Johanna and

Janice.

He was SO cute - totally looked like a teddy bear.... he was almost called Rupert, but then proved to be much to naughty and full of beans, so we called him Brody.

Then came the geeky teenage phase, when he lost all his puppy fur and looked plain ugly for a few months! Poor boy!

Now after many years, lots of fun, running (as he bolted away from me/the car/the house...), heaps of training, and many great memories and friends made, he has reached the grand old age of four!

Now I spoil Brody, just a little bit, so this morning Brody got his birthday presents. He is so cute..... gets all excited, and unwraps them (see the video below!).

And then he got the best treat ever.... he got to come into school.

He just loves coming into school, as there is heaps of people to pat him, play with him, take him for

walks.... and he gets to lick the floor which is just great! Then when he's tired, he gets to curl up under the desk and nap.

Whangarei Championship Show

2009-11-08T12:36:00.000-08:00

This weekend we drove up to Whangarei for the WDTA obedience and agility championship show.

We drove up on the Friday, and stayed in a cute little cabin at Alpha Holiday park.. which I would definitely recommend, very dog friendly.

I stupidly entered everything I could, which was a bit too much! We entered Special Beginners for obedience, and Novice, Starters, and Jumpers C for Agility.... on both Saturday and Sunday!

So first up was obedience, which was very nerve racking.... as it was only the second ever

Specials we had entered, and we have been working so hard with Jan lately! And he did the best every heelwork he has every done in the ring, his off lead was a bit sloppy, but we havent trained off lead. A good recall, and he stuck his stays! Yay I was so happy that we saw some progress! And Michelle was the steward, which was very cool (she is a great steward!).

So we actually won Special Beginners, which means that we are now officially out of Elementary for Paws n Music AND obedience! Two out of three, I only need to get out of elementary for agility now, and I will have achieved all of my goals for dog training for the year.

Agility was good, he is still making progress... two of the runs he was great, and I made a handling mistake which meant we didnt get a clear round, and the other rounds he was tired and played up. But it was a big weekend.

Then to top it off, 5 minutes before I was about to drive off, they drew the raffle, and I won a huge Christmas ham!

Wow, so a great weekend all around . I am rather tired though, and so is Brody!

Another big doggie weekend

2009-10-20T16:27:00.000-07:00

This weekend we had two doggie events, but unfortunately Brody was not at his best! Since nationals (still waiting for photos and videos to post from the Paws N Music at Nationals!) he hasn't been eating properly, and the Friday night he threw up, poor boy!

On Saturday we were part of the Paws N Mus ic demonstration at the Wag N Walk. The Wag N Walk is a big doggie festive in the Milford Reserve, North Shore.

Its a fun walk, lots of demonstrations, competitions, and stalls with pet products. IT was also fundraising for the SPCA, and Paw Justice.

From Choredography we had Suzanne with Finnegan, Suzanna with Monty, Hsin - Yi with Honey, Michelle with Moss, me and Brody, with Jan on the microphone. See Honeys blog for Hsin-Yi's take on the event!

Brody was great despite obviously feeling not too great, he just wasnt quite his ADHD self. His routine was great, he hit everything except his weave was a bit wonky, but thats ok! We get a great cheer from the crowd, and lots of 'Ooooohhhsss'.

Then on Sunday we had the Counties agility championship show. Brody was very tired, but managed to get two clear rounds (Starters and Jumpers C), but was a bit slow as he was tired, so missed out on placing.

Weekend doggy events

2009-10-12T13:19:00.001-07:00

This weekend we had two interesting doggy events. On Saturday night we performed a demonstration with other Choredography dogs at a Ceroc Dance party, that was fundraising for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The dance was being held in

Edgewater College, in the school hall... which unfortunately meant slippery wooden floors. And also swarms of people sitting around the edge of the hall. This was really NOT ideal for dancing dogs!!

Although some dogs (i.e. Brody) coped better that others, it was fair to say that the performance was not great! They all slipped everywhere, Moss was freaked out by the loud microphone noise, and Honey just could NOT figure out what that weird slippery floor thing was!

For a bit of entertainment, take a look at the video that Hsin-Yi made of the night.

On Sunday Brody and I ventured, yet again to Ardmore in the ongoing battle I like to call obedience. We went out with Debbie and her dogs Bailey and Tia, and for once Brody actually behaved relatively well in the ring!! It was the Manakau Obedience Championship show, and we entered Elementary. I'm very proud to say, that Brody got second!! Yay, progress!! My goal is for him to graduate out of Elementary this year, only one win to go!

I will post a pic of him soon with his pretty ribbon :-)

2009 Eukanuba Nationals - Fielding

2009-10-07T16:56:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday Brody and I embarked on a great adventure - our first Nationals. We left in convey with Michelle, Jan, and Janna in two campervans, and made it to Fielding a mere seven hours later.

To our great joy we were to be camping in the event centre's carpark for the week, without power. On the plus side there were half decent toilets and showers pretty close, and the centre where it was all heppening was literally 100m away!

After setting up, and getting settled in it was down to buisness. On the Thursday the first of our group, Michelle was competing with Bodie in the Obedience curtain raiser event. He did very well, despite being a little over prepaired by Jan, with some pretty good heelwork and a nice recall and retrieve. Pity it was out in the carpark with a cone boundry rope!

Then I had my first glimpse into the strange world of Breed shows..... We ventured into the centre, and started wandering. After visiting the stalls, and checking out all the food stalls, I settled down to watch the breed shows. After a week I still dont really know how it works, it was definately an experience. The thing that got me the most was the amount of dogs that peed and pooped in the ring! And also the crazy costumes they were put in to keep their fur nice between shows... And I though obedience people were weird! (Just kidding).

Then came Friday.... The big day!! Friday night the Paws 'N Music event was held in the main

ring, in the centre. Scary! Michelle and I were competing with Brody and Moss, and Jan was judging, so a big day for our group. After a day of nerves it was time for the big event. The show started at 7pm, and I was 7th in the elementary group. Over 500 tickets had been pre-sold, and two big grandstands were full. I was SSOOOO nervous!

But it went great, despite some dubious practice in the corridor beforehand.

My new imporved part of the routine (with human props Kelly and Michelle) went great, he was totally focused! Just a little coughing incident, and a few bits that were not as well timed as I would like, but he hit all his tricks. Michelle and Moss's routine was in Novice, and she was competing against Chelsea Mariner, with a very different type of routine. And it went great, and Moss mostly behaved.

And then the prizegiving..... So nervous! My main goal was that Brody get all his tricks, and I would like to place. And then we won!!!! Yay I was SO happy! ANd to make it better, Ngaire with Risky got third (another Choredography dog). And Michelle and Moss won Novice! What a great night, Jan was so proud!

And of course, true to form, Brody slipped his collar and bolted... running through the crowds to dash into the mens bathroom. He came back, eventually!

So Brody is the New Zealand Elementary Paws 'N Music Champion for 2009!!

Friday was a very nervous day for Michelle (and

Jan) as she was also competing in Novice with Bodie inside. He was great, did very well, great retrieve, and stuck his stays.

I also was lucky enough to meet another of Brody's sister Fusion. She definately takes off her mum, very husky looking. She also ran in agility later in the week.

Saturday was a nervous day for Jan, as she was cometing in Test B with Onyx, who is a pretty young dog, in a very competitive grade.

He did great though, just a bit of a short send away. We also watched the junior handler competitions in the evening, which were heaps of fun. It was great to see so many young handlers doing so well. And having heaps of fun.

Sunday was Janna's day, competing in the big Test C with True. He definately did Janna proud, with some beautiful heelwork, and he seemed to have fun!

Sunday was all the Best in Breed and other big competitions, which again was interesting to watch! Kelly (the prop in my routine) was competing for best young handler, to win a trip to compete in Crufts. And lots of the other winners did a parade, which was nice to see. Pity that they didnt want any Paws 'N Music demos. Oh well. Then came the big news..... Snow everywhere and the desert road closed! Dramas! Sunday night Brody and I checked into the local holiday park, as the others were leaving in the morning.

Monday and Tuesday were the agility competitions, and it was very cool to see the big centre all changed around for agility. We competed in Starters and Novice on Monday, and we achieved my goal - a clear round! I was stoked, he was pretty fast, and did his weaves first time. Novice wasnt so good, he was getting really tired. He got all his contacts, but didnt want to weave, so we just ran and had fun.

On Monday we ran Jumpers in the morning before we left, and we were both super tired, so just had fun. Then we

had to drive home, which was somewhat of a mission due to all the snow! We had to go National park, as the Desert road was closed. But that was kind of cool as Brody had his first ever romp in the snow.

Then we got home, and blobbed out! Two very tired people.... Well one human and a dog.

Grandad's Surprise 85th Birthday

2009-09-02T17:24:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I few (along with a lot of other family) to Christchurch, where we had a surprise party at my Uncle Noels place.

As my Pop's birthday was earlier in the month. he had NO clue that we were planning a party.... hence the surprise!!

I got to meet some family (little second cousins Ella and Riley) that I had

never meet before, and catch up with some relatives I hadn't seen in a LONG time.

And the Sunday breaky at the Dux Delux was nice too! A great weekend around.

August.... baths, vets, competitions, and basketball

2009-08-20T18:07:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone,

So the last few weeks, as per normal I have been far too busy!!

At school I have almost finished with basketball, which will be great as it takes up a lot of time. The season went well, lots of new girls,

and lots of fun. My top U17 team is playing in the final for their grade tonight, and hav

e qualified for the Greater Auckland Secondary schools tournament, which is next Wednesday.

Also my Tutor class (kind of like a

form class) has just completed our entry for the Fair Go secondary school ad competition, which looks awesome! The competition was to create a 30 second ad that promotes, or tries to sell an unpopular school subject. My students did a great job, and I cant wait to see the results! It was a bit of a rush in the end, with the final edit burning onto disk approximately 30m yesterday, rushed to the courier, as entries were due by 5pm today!!

I will post the video as soon as the judging is complete, I'm so proud!!

Brody's allergies have been playing up again (itchy skin and ears, lethargic and sad, upset tummy) so he has been back to the vet, his diet re-adjusted, and some more tablets! Poor boy, it has been affecting his competitions, as he is a bit down in the ring, and has to stop shake his head or scratch!!

We have had a couple of competitions in the last few weeks, with some success.....

We had the second Paws 'N Music competition at Ardmore, which was really good because heaps of my students from NSDTC (the new tricks class) came and had a go in the busking section, and Brody and I performed our routine to a much better standard, even though he has still a bit sick! But unfortunately the judge thought that we were placed in the wrong section (there are two grades) and marked us down heaps. So we placed third, which is good, but first would have been nice :-) It was also cool because we might be shown in the filming of a kids TV show that was doing a piece on Honey the Great Dane and her owner Hsin-Yi. I was jumping around in the background with Brody with their interview, trying to keep him under control!

Then on Sunday we did Elementary obedience at the Ardmore Benefit Show. We have been having some 'issues' with heelwork in the ring (its not as exciting as tricks or agility!!), so I tried to trick him into thinking it was tricks, by setting him up with some tricks before heelwork. It worked a treat, his heelwork was great!! Then he broke his sit stay... tried to go and say hi to a German Shepherd.

So the judge gave me my points at the end with the comment "That was a pity, you would have won if he didnt break the sit stay"!!! One day it will happen. Hopefully. I dont want to be in Elementary for ever!!!

Brody's competitions in the holidays

2009-07-19T15:55:00.000-07:00

This holidays Brody had a couple of different competitions. In the first weekend we entered in an elementary class at an obedience champ show, and Brody (for once in obedience!) did really well. His heelwork, which is usually the issue, was fantastic... only half a point off! But unfortunately he broke his sit stay. We would have won if he had stuck the stays!! But a third place ribbon was pretty good.

This Saturday we entered the Paws n music show, that was run in conjunction with the Ardmore Bennefit show.

It was a great competition, once I got over the nerves it was kind of fun! And it was great to see all the dogs we have been training with do their routines.

Brody did ok, I was a little bit disapointed because he had itchy ears (allergies!) and kept shaking his head, and this made him miss a few moves. Also my timing was a little of. But it was pretty good for our first performance!

We were placed first in Elementary heel work to music, but as we were the only competitior (the others were classed in freestyle) it dosent really count! But overall we had the second highest points, and considering that he kept shaking his head I was pretty happy with that.

So we will keep working on the routine for the upcoming local show, and Nationals in October.

Our new place

2009-07-19T15:35:00.000-07:00

Here are some pics of our new place! Brody, Max and I have been in for over a month now, but finally (after school holidays) I have actually got everything unpacked!

Its in Torbay, at the North end of the North Shore (Auckland). Its a cute little one bedroom place, and has a nice (but

at the moment soggy!) backyard.

Its right on the edge of the long bay reserve, so we

have a lovely view of fields

and trees and cows and stuff out the back, and its about a 10 minute walk to the Long bay beach

, which is a 24 hour off lead doggy beach.

More photos are in the slideshow or on my Flickr site.

Catch up on what's happened in 2009...

2009-07-13T19:50:00.000-07:00

This is a bit of what's been happening this year for me:

I'm back at Glenfield College teaching in a permanent full time position. Teaching Senior Biology, junior science, and some junior maths (aahh!!)

Still coaching the school girls basketball teams (they are doing well this year!), and also assisting in the coaching of the North Harbour U17 Rep team. We went to nationals and came third.

Matt and I broke up. Very sad, but we are both happier now.

Still doing HEAPS of doggy stuff with Brody and at club - still plugging away at obedience, doing better at agility (we have just been upgraded to the 8pm competitive class at club! And I'm instructing a new tricks class at club, and we are about to enter our first Heel work to music competition! See the video on the right for a look at us practising the routine.

Brody, Max and I have recently moved into a cute little 1 bedroom flat in Torbay - pics coming as soon as its looking neat and tidy and how I want it to look!