Agility Class #3

Hi, it's me Riley. Mom and I went to agility class last night and she seemed really excited to go. I found out later that her day was stressful and so she was looking forward to the class. I have to say, she did have a lot of fun. I think she likes seeing me jump things. I can really soar over those hurdles, though Anne (the instructor) said I'm jumping really early...I just get so excited about the food on the other side!!

Anyway, let's see what did we do yesterday? Oh, we started with the tunnel and a jump after it, that was fun. Then we did the a-frame. Sometimes I think mommy wants me to jump off of it, but I think I'm supposed to go all the way up then all the way down the other side. It's pretty fun. Then we did the tire jump and ended up on the table. Oh yeah, we did something called the "dog walk" that was new. Since I'm little, I sped right across it and Anne had to tell mommy to run! I don't think mommy thought I would go that fast having just learned it! That was fun.

It was really hot out, even though we were in the shade so mommy kept giving me water, then she sprayed me with a hose!! Can you believe that?? At first I wasn't too happy about it, but then it felt really good. In fact, after she did that, I rolled all over the dirt. It's like sandy dirt and it felt so good! Mommy just looked at me and laughed. At the end of the class, she hosed me off but wouldn't let me roll around...she said something about maybe getting a bath and not wanting to get the car dirty...I certainly didn't want a bath when I got home, so I didn't roll anymore!

I really like this class, it's so much fun!!! I'm hoping daddy can come see it so he can see how much fun I have. Plus, we want him to take video and pictures so I can show you guys.

Gotta go watch the yard for birds and lizards...Bye!

My First Agility Class

Wow, I had so much fun last night! Mommy came home and changed into her "walking clothes" so Fin and I were so excited to go on a walk!!! However, she grabbed some new treats that smelled so good and took my crate to the car. My crate only, not Fin's crate. Wait, what's going on here?? We got in the car and headed off...poor Fin was crying and wanting to go with us, but mom got him a bone which I found out later so he was happy. He and dad got to lay on the sofa and watch TV. After a bit, we got to the place where mommy tells me to do things, I do them, then I get a treat - way cool! An American Eskimo dog ran towards me as we headed in and I just kept on walking...I thought mom was going to pass out since I didn't bark or anything! She was already proud of me! We got inside and I found out this class is called agility - whatever that means.

The first task was called a hurdle, I'm the smallest dog in class so all the rest of the dogs had to jump over the hurdle, I on the other hand was small enough to go under it on my belly! Everyone thought this was really funny and they all laughed at me. So, we did it again and this time I jumped over it, got some food and praise. OK, point taken, jump over the hurdle, don't go under it, I get it. We then moved outside, did more jumps and then went through a tunnel. Mommy got to the other end of the tunnel so I could see her, she called me, I ran through and got a treat. After a few times, we ran together and I ran through and got my treat at the end. Next was the A-frame. I ran right up it, got a treat at the top, then ran down and got another treat! Very cool! We did that some more, then moved to a hoop we jumped through and got our treat on top of a table. I think so far I like the A-frame best.

These are the dogs in my class: an American Eskimo, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Cocker Spaniel, Dalmatian, Border Collie (mix?), and a Golden Retriever puppy who I barked at because it looks like that dog on TV that always runs towards me - that dog is called Marley. He/she is some kind of movie star, but I just hate how she always tries to run through the TV at me! The dalmatian is also named Riley but he's a boy. His mommy kept telling him to leave me alone, but he didn't bother me...except one time when he spooked me so I barked at him.

Oh, our training place is called Alchemy Dog Training and you can see their website at: http://www.alchemydogtraining.com/. Anne is the lady in charge and she's a good lady to know because she always has yummy treats! If you can, go see her because she will share her treats with you and her classes are really fun!

Tonight mommy practiced with me, then Fin. Fin's not in the class but she practiced with him too. He took this class when I was a puppy so he kind of knows what he's doing. Personally, I think he just wanted the treats (like me!). Mom took some pictures of us tonight so you could see us in the tunnel. Can't you tell what fun we had?!

It's hot and humid tonight so I have to lay on the floor and cool off...

Bye for now,

Riley

Agility Class!

This is Riley here and I wanted to let you know that I start agility class tonight and can't wait! Mom even bought some new treats today for me, yum! I'm not really sure what to expect, but I'll let you know how it goes. Mom says there are going to be other dogs there so I need to behave...I just see other dogs and bark like crazy...isn't that what I'm supposed to do? Hopefully we will get some pictures too!

Bunny Bonanza!

OK, I don't know what's going on but in the past week when mommy and daddy take us for walks, we see at least one bunny, usually more! It's so exciting because sometimes they "unlock" our flexi leashes and let us run after them. We haven't caught one yet, but we'll let you know when we do. (Side note from mom: we won't let them get at the bunnies, don't worry!). Well, whatever mom says, we're still fast and we might catch one. We'll try to get a picture to show you. There are big bunnies and small bunnies, bunnies everywhere!!! It's so cool...