Heddy tries Confirmation Class

Last night I had a meeting in Salisbury after work so we ended up arriving at the kennel club over an hour before our Rally class was due to start. I figured we would just hang out and watch the other classes.  While waiting A very nice gentleman came over and was asking me about Heddy. (My favorite subject) Course it did not hurt that he was full of complements about her.  He then asked if we were going in to the Handling class. I said no that we were not signed up. He said no problem He was the instructor and drop in were always welcome. WELL guess that ended that I was in the class.  First I found out that my color was ALL Wrong. so... Collar OFF No more collars breaking her coat. Then He did not like her chain collar either it to was hard on her coat and my leash was too long.  So one of the other ladies in class went and got me a proper show leash to borrow for class.  NOW we were ready ... OR so I thought.  I soon found out that I did not know how to walk. and that I was impeding my lovely dogs natural movement. ARE WE HAVING FUN YET. Actually YES  I WAS. I have never met anyone that was able to correct almost everything I did and yet not make me feel like a fool. He explained why I needed to do things this way and DARN when I did what he said  Heddy responded by NOT jumping and spinning and just walking along at a very nice pace.  I learned so much and I was amazed I ENJOYED IT and so did Heddy.  He even took the time to advise me on grooming and said that next week I should bring my grooming tools so he could show me a few tricks.
I was amazed that Heddy stood nicely on the table and let him go over her. The  only problem we had was learning to STAND. I have worked so hard with her to learn to SIT when I stop that it is automatic. So NOW we are working the STAND and stay command to death.  BUT as long as there is LIVER involved she will sell her soul.
Heddy thought this was a great warm up for Rally class and she had a great night at class. again most of our mistakes were MINE. I just can not seem to keep my feet still. Then when I think about keeping my feet still I forget to give Heddy the right commands.  It is really tough when an 8 month old Border Terrier is smarter than You. I am just really glad that she is having fun.

BACK TO SCHOOL

OK Break time is over.  After returning from Nationals I had every intention of Heddy starting Agility classes it seems that Heddy had other plans. As soon as we got home from Nationals Miss Heddwyn went into her first FULL BLOWN HEAT CYCLE. SO needless to say we did not get to go to the Agility class. I just do not think it would have been at all fair to Heddy’s Brain or to the Male dogs there to take her. The instructor AGREED. It seemed Heddy was the ONLY girl in Class.

So now that we are done with all the silly stuff. And Heddy’s brain seems to be coming back into focus a little ( OK I admit it her brain has never been totally in focus)  I started looking for classes we could join. There are only two kennel clubs with in driving diatance and Everything had already started.  Misipillion Kennel Club   http://www.mispillionkc.org/index.html   was not having a Rally class this time and we have already done PKT and CGC.

So I took a chance and sent an E-mail to the Rally Novice instructor of Salisbury Kennel Club  http://www.SalisburyMarylandKennelClub.org/ 

Barb  Walls. WOW are we glad we did. Class was last night from 8-9 and she had no problem with joining the class half way.

What a wonderful instructor.  We ran into Heddy’s PKT Instructor as soon as we arrived so we felt very welcome. The Hour went by so fast and I learned so much. I have tried for several months now to learn Rally from the Internet but NOTHING beats havings someone explain and show you how to do something correctly.  Both Heddy and I had a wonderful time. Unfortunately I was the only one tired after class.  Heddy went home ready for more FUN.

 

Time to PRACTICE .