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2nd

Since I was attending obedience classes tonight I didn't want to over-do the work at home. I just did go-outs wit Xanadu and Kamikaze here at home. Spirit got a little stand stay work too. I took my jumps to obedience. Xanadu doesn't 'get' directed jumping in a new place yet. She needed a lot more help there than here. Since I'm really trying for the last CDX leg, I decided maybe I should practice some of that stuff with her too. Bummer! She's not got her usual racing recall anymore. She trotted, not walked. She has also lost all enthusiasm for the dumbbell retrieve. She did it 4 out of 5 times, but no spark. I want the dog that was racing out and smashing it with her feet and such again. Wonder if I can fix it in two weeks. 

Kamikaze did her Open work too, as she's entered in Open one day and Utility one day coming up. She was spot-on the Open exercises. Her directed jumping was OK, but she the first try she was picking her own jumps and not watching me. Second try she was very good, even fixing her trajectory after stepping off the wrong way once.

Spirit spent 30 minutes in Advanced class. She is OK. Needs work on sitting up pretty and not hip sitting or slouching. She did nice six foot away stays for short periods of time though.

Now tomorrow to pack up for the conformation show in Monroe. I'd like to see one or two of Marie's beagles take home a major!! (hopefully one of mine :)

1st

I worked more with Kamikaze on her go-outs and directed jumping. Her go-outs were great, and for once she got the jumps right on the first try! That was enough of that. I like first try success. I have also discovered some of Kamikaze's struggle with the drop signal in the ring. What I think is her drop signal is NOT what she thinks her drop signal is. I came upon this realization quite by accident. She responded to something silly I was doing with the beagles with an instant drop. One like she would do if she thought I was asking it. "Hrmm," I thought, "What did I do?" As it's hard to describe signals in words, let's just suffice it to say she thinks the drop signal is what I'd consider the wind up to the signal. Must remember to do a full windup in the ring from now on. My right hand must touch my ear before I push it forward signal the drop. This realization may solve our drop issues in the ring completely. Can't wait to see.

Xanadu is perfect on her half a ring go-out now. She's improving on her directed jumping. I don't have to take a big step now. A small one with a lean that way is working. I worked her on signals and she was very good. Keep in mind Graduate Open signals allow you to use the word as well and are much closer than Utility signals. She even has a nice moving stand now.

Spirit had to have her turn too. We worked mostly on her stand stay. She is doing better, but is not confident at all about that one. I also did a recall with her and worked some on stays.