The Weight Pull

It finally came! The Mid Florida Conformation Show and Weight Pull was so much fun! There is nothing like meeting up with other pit bull lovers who don't look at you crazy for being obsessed with your dog. In fact, most people there have multitudes of dogs, and get plenty of exercise running from the weight pull area to the conformation ring. If I add another to my pack, that will be me. Not that I am getting another puppy, of course.

Normally I am a freakshow for bringing my pit bull to schutzhund training, so this time I got to be a freakshow for bringing my German Shepherd to a weight pull. Not that Saint competed, she just contented herself to locating and destroying the brake light wiring in the truck's bed. Clever girl.

Of course, as much as I loved competing with Sinn Fein, I have to say a huge unexpected bonus was meeting Joanie Winchester. And I didn't even know she loves horses too. That pretty much puts her on my "Coolest People in the Universe" list. Before I was trying to talk myself out of getting another puppy, now I am looking forward to her next litter. sigh. Not a good sign. But I immensely enjoyed listening to her past experiences with dogs and horses, it was tempting to take notes.

The actual competition part was great...Sinn pulled 970 lbs. Last year, same venue, I believe he pulled 800 and something, so big improvement. He squeaked in with a third place ribbon due to the dog ahead of him getting disqualified. I do think my handling can be improved, the first time he fouled out I should have told the cart guy to push much sooner than what I did. Poor Sinn was straining and reverted to jumping in the air to start it. I fouled next pull as soon as he showed signs of trouble, and let Sinn get a helping hand much sooner. His last try, he pulled it no problem. That was his last pull though. He did good:)

Weight Pull is Almost Here!

I am temporarily neglecting Saint, as Sinn Fein has his weight pull competition THIS WEEKEND. I am a little excited. He is pulling drag weights about a mile. I wish I had time to increase the weight, and do more endurance as far as road work with him. But I always have should haves and could haves when it comes to training. Practice makes perfect.

Though he is not practicing with as much weight as he had for the last competition, I have been gently correcting his form, so I suspect he won't tire from the wasted effort of jumping up instead of pulling low and engaging is hindquarters. We shall test that theory soon enough...

Another Beautiful Tracking Morning!

Met Denis and some new members of the Broward Schutzhund Club for a lovely early morning tracking section. I arrived last, so my dogs went last:) Sinn Fein took his bathrooom break, then dragged me over to the track, he really LOVES his tracking time! Sinn did an approximately 35' track, last time he sped down the track, missing MOST of the hot dog bits, but surprise this time, he took his time and really kept his nose deep. Denis told me to increase the treat amount (add a hot dog) while decreasing the frequency of treats on the track...I have been putting them on every footstep, so I will try it every other step next time.
Saint finally is figuring out she is allowed to go pee while on leash. It is the little things that make me happy. She also did 35' and I went ahead and added a hot dog to make 3 sliced up ones. I kept it at a half slice to every step for her. When I point out the hot dog slices to her, Saint takes my hand motion as a "Down" command and lays on the track, so I will continue to practice voice only commands at home. She also slowed her speed from last week, and didn't rush down the track.
I am guessing the improvement in their careful tracking was because I took my time on the way to the track, I let them pull me, but didn't start until the leash was under their leg and didn't rush myself. Must buy a marker and 10 meter lead this week.