Our final competition of the season: PetFest hosted by Dixie DockDogs in Georgia!
Kestrel *again* pulled out a "longest jump of the weekend" award with a new personal best; a whopping 23'4" jump that also meant he was the only dog who jumped into the "Elite" category for the entire 3 day event! Yay for the original Red Menace! :D
Aeri was on fire and is now consistently jumping into Senior with jumps between 15' and 16'2" (also a new personal best for her).
A compilation video:
The event itself was a good one - cool, sunny weather both days we attended, a great friend to hang out with between waves, and a very welcoming host club! We'll def be back next year!
I'm so proud of the progress I've seen in both dogs during out first season of dock diving competition. We'll be training through the winter and are hoping to start jumping in competitions again in March or April 2012!
Showing posts with label video. Show all posts
Showing posts with label video. Show all posts
Monday, October 24, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
"Under the Lights" with Team Menapode: Part 2
We had a *fabulous* weekend!
Both dogs made the finals and placed second in their jump group (Master for Kes, Junior for Aeri) and KESTREL HAD THE LONGEST JUMP OF THE ENTIRE COMPETITION before the finals! Wooo!
Aerten's full video (had music but it's been removed :( )
Kestrel's full video:
Kes got to do Speed Retrieve again and while he didn't qualify for finals, he still performed well, tying his PB from Cherokee. We did try EV, but Kes didn't really understand the concept. In practice he managed to grab the bumper at 4'6", but in the actual competition he looked at me like I had 3 heads and stood on the edge of the dock and barked - we've obviously got a bit more training to do there before we're ready for Iron Dog.
Given how well the dogs did this weekend, and the prize money they earned paying for their entries and most of my gas, we've decided to drive down to an event in GA hosted by Dixie Dock Dogs. We'll be staying with my friend Heather, so it should be a fun time regardless of how the dogs do!
Both dogs made the finals and placed second in their jump group (Master for Kes, Junior for Aeri) and KESTREL HAD THE LONGEST JUMP OF THE ENTIRE COMPETITION before the finals! Wooo!
Aerten's full video (had music but it's been removed :( )
Kestrel's full video:
Kes got to do Speed Retrieve again and while he didn't qualify for finals, he still performed well, tying his PB from Cherokee. We did try EV, but Kes didn't really understand the concept. In practice he managed to grab the bumper at 4'6", but in the actual competition he looked at me like I had 3 heads and stood on the edge of the dock and barked - we've obviously got a bit more training to do there before we're ready for Iron Dog.
Given how well the dogs did this weekend, and the prize money they earned paying for their entries and most of my gas, we've decided to drive down to an event in GA hosted by Dixie Dock Dogs. We'll be staying with my friend Heather, so it should be a fun time regardless of how the dogs do!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
"Under the Lights" with Team Menapode: Part 1
Kes, Aeri, and I helped at the Carolina DockDogs dock diving demos at the Lee County Fair tonight. I figured that 1. it would be a great way to get both dogs familiar with the dock they'll be jumping off on Sat/Sun and 2. it gives us a chance to give back to our club and share the joy of dock diving with more people.
The biggest news? AERI JUMPED!!!!!!
At the last minute I threw Aeri's life vest in the car just in case. The vest has given her more confidence in the past and has handles that would allow me to lower her into the water if needed, so I figured it might be helpful.
As at the Cherokee event, Aeri didn't want to jump all on her own, but I held the handles and started to lower her into the water and she finished getting in on her own. The next round, I held the straps but she jumped on her own, and then after that I just threw the toy and she did the rest.
After a few nice vested jumps, I went ahead and took the vest off and that's where the video picks up. :)
Kes did nicely as well, especially given that the pool was set up at a *fair*, only about 100 feet from the food vendors, and after dark!
We had a ton of fun and can't wait until this weekend!
The biggest news? AERI JUMPED!!!!!!
At the last minute I threw Aeri's life vest in the car just in case. The vest has given her more confidence in the past and has handles that would allow me to lower her into the water if needed, so I figured it might be helpful.
As at the Cherokee event, Aeri didn't want to jump all on her own, but I held the handles and started to lower her into the water and she finished getting in on her own. The next round, I held the straps but she jumped on her own, and then after that I just threw the toy and she did the rest.
After a few nice vested jumps, I went ahead and took the vest off and that's where the video picks up. :)
Kes did nicely as well, especially given that the pool was set up at a *fair*, only about 100 feet from the food vendors, and after dark!
We had a ton of fun and can't wait until this weekend!
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Casual Saturday!
The dogs and I got a chance to attend a fun day at a local pool yesterday! It was a great opportunity to get Aeri jumping off of a low surface (the pool deck) and in a new place in preparation for our next event.
Dogs are poor generalizers, so making things easy in a new location can often help a dog gain confidence in their performance faster than trying to get them to jump at standard height in the new place where the setting can be intimidating, especially if there are spectators and lots of noise like at most events.
I'm hoping the extra exposure and recent practice will help prevent us from having another "Erin goes swimming" Big Air Wave. ;)
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Dryland Dock Diving
With the new tool came the desire to test it out fully, so I worked with both dogs this morning.
Kestrel and I focused on finding the best starting position for SR and EV runs, building a cue for gathering himself before taking off, small jumps, and adding speed off the start.
Aeri and I worked on stays, finding the best starting position for SR and EV runs, and drive for the bumper.
Kestrel and I focused on finding the best starting position for SR and EV runs, building a cue for gathering himself before taking off, small jumps, and adding speed off the start.
Aeri and I worked on stays, finding the best starting position for SR and EV runs, and drive for the bumper.
Friday, August 19, 2011
In which the EV rig goes to the lake
The EV rig is now complete, so it's off to the lake to try it out! Both dogs were jumping up for the bumper on the rig at home; Aeri was so keen on it that I had to put her up to allow Kes a chance to try it out as well. Perhaps EV will be her fav dock diving element?!
(Video Notes: I call my dogs names, but in jest, I say "frick" twice in the video, and yes, Aeri is fine LOL)
Guess we have some more work to do. ;)
(Video Notes: I call my dogs names, but in jest, I say "frick" twice in the video, and yes, Aeri is fine LOL)
Guess we have some more work to do. ;)
Monday, August 15, 2011
On Air
It looks like I made it into a short Youtube video the Visitor's Info Channel put together for the Cherokee Dock Warriors event! My interview (and a Kestrel cameo) is at the end. Please excuse the horrible hair - that's what high humidity does to a gal!
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