ANOTHER TRY

I am going to try Marley again in an agility trial this weekend. Going to Belton, TX for 3 days. Checked the running order and I don't recognize a single name from this part of the state....meaning NO DRAMA for me!!! Hoping for positive results! Our goal for the weekend: No jumping and no biting!

PACK PLAY

I went to my second pack play today. I was scared! I don't like it when dogs get in trouble. When theres a squabble, I run into the woods. It's safe there! Mommy says we are going back again until I learn its ok to play with other dogs. Finally I'm not the 'bad' dog! I'm a good girl!!

STARTING OVER

Once Marley came back from the trainer, our life was very different. Marley is doing Susan Garrett's 'Ruff Love'. She is on a schedule of exercise, training, and play. She has no personal freedom to do what she wants. Molly and Missy really enjoy the new life. They can now eat w/o Marley standing over them, they can lay of the sofa w/o Marley pushing them out of the way, play w/o her taking their toys, go out the door w/o Mar pushing them out of the way.

Marley has adjusted well. She has always done well with structure. She is paying better attention to me and her behavior is a complete turn around! She had the chance at Pack Play to get in on a fight but she chose to run and hide in the woods. Last year she would have been in on the fight. I'm so proud of how far she's come!

It has been hard on me seeing her in the crate so much. But I know its for her own good. I receive encouragment about Marley and about keeping up with her program and that has kept me going. I can't wait to see her back out on the agility course.

ROUGH ROAD

Just as things were going well, we hit a rough patch. Marley had to sit out of agility on pain meds and rest as her hip dysplasia flared up. New Xrays revealed some progression of the dysplasia. As she always does, Marley bounced back.

We were entered in 3 fall agility trials. Marley started acting out in the ring. She began jumping up on me..to the degree that she would even get in front of me and totally stop me. Even with her jumping on me, she managed to earn her first agility title. Novice JWW in AKC. She managed a few more AKC Q's and some USDAA Q's.

At the LRDTC agility trial, her behavior worsened. Now along with the jumping on me, she was biting at me. I excused myself from the ring twice and the judge excused us twice. I finally had enough. I took her to our trainer and left her for 10 days of doggey boot camp. I had to get control of her behavior before it got even worse.

It was not an easy decision for me. I believe Marley can be a great agility and obedience dog...we had just hit a rough patch. We have worked through other issues with Marley before and we can work through this one.

Although I enjoyed being with new friends at the trial, the LRDTC trial was an awful experience for me. I had been ignored by people I had previously trained with at an earlier trial. Even when I tried to talk to them they would either barely acknowledge me or completely ignore me. The behavior continued at this trial. Then I started getting comments about where I chose to train Marley and was even told I should be 'careful' training there.

It was enough. It was hard making the decision to take Marley to the trainer and then to have to deal with petty, ignorant people. Some people just need to get a life and stop worrying about Marley and I.

I have faith that Marley's time with the trainer would help get us back on the right path. I fully trust where and who she's with. Time will tell.

HIGH POINT

The next couple of months were good for us. Marley was progressing well in her agility. She learned to do 12 weave poles. Her behavior was way better.

I entered Molly in the Teacup Agility Trial since it was just 5 minutes from the house. I worked her in a private class and she seemed happy. Day one of the trial wasn't so good. She started the Alzheimer's routine right away. I left her in the ring as I had been told to do. She came running to me once she realized I was gone. She then paid better attention. She ended up Q'ing 4 times and getting 1st 4 times. One of her runs was a Gamblers and she did it with no problem. She got her weaves every time. I was so happy! She ended up winning best 16" Jumper and Best 16" Veteran.

I entered Marley in an AKC agility trial for practice. She did well for her first trial. She ended up Q'ing and placing 4th in Novice JWW in her very first attempt. She is so different to run than Molly. She is always so happy and really tries.

I then entered her in an UKI agility trial and she Q'd and placed 1st 3 times. She hit her weaves ahead of me and did them perfect. I couldn't be prouder!

My original plan for her had been to debut at the USDAA Hattiesburg trial in July. We went and I had 2 very different experiences. The first was that I tried one more time to run Molly. She managed part of one course and then I couldn't even get her in the ring for the second. I finally came to terms that Molly was retired. It was too much for her and I just couldn't let it go. Seeing how unhappy she was that weekend finally did it for me. I feel so bad that I kept on trying so long with her. Her career last about a year, but in that year she titled 8 times. Not bad for a dog that entered her first agility trial when she was almost 8 years old.

Marley on the other hand, had a fabulous weekend. She qualified 4 times and got 3 1st's and 1 2nd. She was able to run pairs for the first time and didn't even notice the other dog in the ring! She would try to jump up on me at times in the ring but I chaulked that up to bad handling on my part and inexperience on hers.

It was at this trial that I noticed that people from the former training place made comments about Marley in a negative way and ignored her when she tried to be friendly to them. She is a happy dog and just wanted to be acknowledged by people she knew. It broke my heart to see her still treated badly..by people we didn't even see anymore.

I don't get why some people just can't let it go. It was getting old being asked if I was happy where we were training now....really you are? And why did you leave? I didn't realize this crap was going to keep following me for many more months.

THOUSANDS OF TEARS

The next couple of months were rough for us. Both Marley and Molly were entered in an agility trial. A week before the trial, Marley became lame and Xrays revealed that her hips had worsened. I was told to retire her and find a surgeon. Devastating news. I pulled her from the trial and took Molly.

Molly had a terrible time. The ring anxiety continued and she was also becoming wary of the judge. It was an awful experience for both of us.

I took Marley for a second and third opinion. Her hips, in their opinion, didn't need surgery at this time but would sometime in the future. I was advised to continue with her agility and to closely monitor her. She also required a minor surgery for another matter so she continued sitting out of agility.

For some stupid reason, I took Molly to another agility trial. Marley went too b/c she was just a few days post op and I needed to watch her. Molly did ok but it was obvious that she couldn't deal with the ring. Marley got into a squabble and of course it was with someone's dog whom I used to train with. Great, more disapproving looks.

These 2 months were the most awful I had experienced yet with Marley and Molly. Sure couldn't have predicted there would be an even worse time in our future.

TURNING POINT

In early December, I went to a different agility trainer on a consultation. To see if Marley could be helped. Why she still couldn't weave after a year and to see if we could get her to jump her required height. Also, to get advice on her dog reactivity issue.

I left feeling more optimistic than ever about Marley. She was jumping 22" and I got some good advice about her weaving. Most importantly, I got great advice about her dog reactivity issue.

That day was a turning point for us. I felt at home with this trainer. I knew that day that if I was going to continue to train Marley in agility, I would train with her.

CROSS ROAD

About a year ago I was at a cross road with Marley. She wasn't making progress in her agility and even worse she had developed a dog reactivity issue. After over a year of agility, she couldn't weave and had NEVER jumped above 12 inches. She got labeled a 'bad dog' and spent lots of time being punished and crated at class. I usually left class frustrated and upset. Frustrated at her behavior and the class treatment of her and upset at myself for not standing up for her. Why I let this go on for so long, I don't know.

It's not like I didn't try to help her. I enrolled her in more advanced obedience classes and worked with her at home.

One particular class finally made me decide to do something about it. Marley had had a bad class...arguing with another dog and then being overly corrected for jumping up on someone. I had finally had enough! My choices were to quit agility or find someone that could help me handle a dog like Marley. Marley can't help that she is strong willed, spirited, and super smart. We needed help corraling all of her potential into reality.

By this time Molly was having trouble with her agility. She was freezing in the competition ring and wouldn't or couldn't do it anymore. She then began balking the teeter in class. I was at a loss at what to do with her too.

DISTANCE

Mommy and I have been working on distance in agility. I am trying hard. I really want to please Mommy! Sometimes I think Mommy needs to work on her handling...sometimes I don't understand what she wants me to do! We have a private lesson with Mrs. Linda next week. Just me...if I mess up then Molly gets to try...that way I get a breath!

4 Q's

Mommy and I went to Hattiesburg, MS last weekend for an agility trial. I did so good. I q'd 4 times! Q and 2nd in Snooker, Q and 1st in Standard, Q and 1st in Jumpers, and Q and 1st in Gamblers. I almost had a Q in Pairs but my partner was too slow..I ran fast but couldn't make up the time.

Mommy saw some friends from our old training place. She had a good time catching up with them.

I saw my old teacher and went up to her to get petted. I put my head under her hand and was wagging my tail. She ignored me. :( It made Grandad mad. Finally the old teacher look at Grandad and kinda petted me. I don't know why she doesn't like me.

Our new agility teacher is proud of me! I try hard to be a good girl and a good agility dog!!

UKI AGILITY TRIAL

Mommy and I went to an UKI agility trial last weekend. It was so hot, but I ran hard and tried. I Q'd 3 times! Mommy was so proud of me. I even got ahead of her on the course and did all 12 weave poles right! Someone was there from the old training place and all they had to say was "Marley looks good". I look more than good....I look great!! Mommy says I would have never gotten this far if we hadn't changed to Mrs. Linda's agility class. I love my new class!!

AM I HAPPY?

Mommy gets asked by some old classmates if we are happy where we are. Mommy always says yes, this is where we need to be! I like my new class. I made friends and people don't pull their dogs away from me. I fit in nicely!

Mommy says I have made alot of progress in my new class...I can do 4 jumps in a serepentine and Mommy stands at the end of the 4th jump! That's TALENT!!!

MY FIRST AKC Q!

Mommy and I went to an AKC agility trial last weekend. I did good. I stayed in the ring, paid attention to Mommy, and finished all 4 of my courses! I also earned my first Q in Novice JWW. Mommy was so happy!

People who hadn't seen me run agility in awhile couldn't believe how good I did.

My new agility teacher thinks I have incredible potential in agility. I really like agility and I really like my new class.

NO FIGHTS!!

I have been a real good girl lately. I haven't gotten in any fights in a long time. Nobody in my new agility class keeps their dogs away from me. They are all nice to me. So I don't feel like I have to be snarky. Mommy says this is where we need to be now for my agility training. I really like it b/c I'm not the "bad girl" anymore. Mommy says I need the structure that our new class offers.

NEW MANNERS

Mommy is making me mind more. I don't really like it. She won't let me get on the sofa anymore. If she catches me on it, she makes me get off. When she goes to work, we all take turns rolling on the sofa. She also makes me sit in a stay when Molly practices her weaves. I don't like to wait, I want to go weave!! I kinda like the weaves now!

SNOW

I have had a lot of fun playing in the snow. Mommy has taken us on walks and let us play. I even went for a couple of swims. I like it when Mommy throws snowballs at me and I catch them. I also like running fast in the snow!! I hope it snows lots more!!

NO MORE AGILITY

I had to go back to the vet last week. My hips were really hurting and I couldn't hardly walk. They did Xrays and the vet said they were bad. He said I couldn't train or compete in agility. He also said I needed surgery on my hips. Mommy was real upset. She had to withdraw me from the agility trial. She also had to call my agility teacher and cancel my private lesson. Molly got to go to the agility lesson in my place. Missy and I went and watched from the car.

I go tomorrow to another vet for more Xrays and a second opinion. I hope my Xrays are better!!

HURT KNEE

I hurt my knee yesterday. Its real sore and I have to limp when I walk. I had to go to the vet today to have it looked at. He said antibiotics, pain meds, and rest. Mommy is worried b/c I have an agility trial next weekend. The vet said I should be ok. I also have an agility lesson this weekend. I hope my knee feels better by then!