It's been awhile! Sorry about that, it's hard to use any free time for the blog when I have so much slag to do.
Lots of things to discuss and talk about though. I have two class dogs currently, Skids my Malinois and now Arcee my Golden Retriever. The next Mal comes home in April and I'm still on the hunt for another puppy. I came here to learn how to train dogs after all, not just a specific two! TRS is a trip, I really cannot recommend it more. The instructors are amazing people and the level of education is at a higher standard than it's ever been with the new team vs. how it was for previous classes.
In random news, Skids dislocated a metacarpal bone in is front left paw last week during preliminary testing and has been out of commission since. He's just now starting to do low impact stuff like statics on the ground, articles, finishes, hand touch, etc. He's favoring it a lot still after heavy activity, Friday we were only able to do three field searches for cocaine before he needed to be put away. It's pretty much impossible to keep a Malinois off an injury, even with meds and being crate confined! Skids is nuts, but we love him and he should be back in the game one hundred percent in a few days. I'm going to be honest though, this put us behind other students in the program as we couldn't start a lot of the new things and when he comes back it's going to be a game of catch up. Incredibly stressful, but it is what it is and I can't dwell on it- I can't make him heal any faster. The school is extremely helpful and understanding, working with me the whole way. Injuries aren't uncommon in young crazy puppies, especially with how much we're doing with them. This happened as Skids flew from my arms in an attempt to fly or some shit I don't know, he has no self preservation instinct it's maddening.
Outside of injury? He's awesome. Learns fast and does it fast, with precision. I don't think we're ever going to have any problems with rocking sits or crooked fronts, he's way too rad for that. Drive building is stellar, right from the gate he holds things calmly and bites full, lots of drive and need for the toy. I love this puppy, selling him is going to be difficult after all the work and stress I've poured into him.
Then of course, there's Remote Control. I mean RC, rather, Arcee. Another Autobot joining the ranks. She's a Golden Retriever I picked up on a whim because she was very cheap at $350 and tested well, bred by mom & pop out in Springfield, MO. Field slash pet lines, but a looker to boot with an awesome temperament and disposition for my motivational requirements and not as psycho for Agility as Skids- aka, easier to direct. Her only current problems are minor sensitivity (she's worried about tracking flags for christ's sake), and lack of prey drive that has been steadily improving over time with building. She's a cool little dog that is quite different from anything I've had previously, but I'm enjoying the experience. My goal for her is to pass some requirements, train on smokeless & black powder, then sell after the course. I thought about keeping her indefinitely because I honestly love her, but it's not fair as I'm admittedly easily frustrated when training her, I keep comparing her to my Shepherds and Malinois which is ridiculous! She's a retriever, she isn't going to be driven on that level, and that's okay.
Hades! My main man is doing great, he loves it here. He can bite people, participate in IKT class calling, cuddle with other students, help me learn my footwork, help other people handle, go play at the ranch, hang out in the lounge during lunch...basically Hades is the current dorm mascot and he likes it that way. As for the puppies, he is tolerant and a little smitten when it comes to Arcee but he's indifferent if not a little miffed about Skids. I don't allow contact between any of my sport or working dogs, so it's all through crates. No worries.
MORE THINGS THAT ARE COMING- I have at least five drafts on equipment, things we're learning, organizing training schedules, tracking, scent detection, and obedience sitting here that I haven't finished up or am still tweaking. The thing with this is, I need the time and the knowledge on it to elaborate for you guys. The more I'm here the clearer it is, the more accurate the information I can give you all. Hang in there.
As always, ask questions! It gives me things to answer and talk about without having to compile a post.
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