update on Marley and a training question
In the beginning of June we started rehab therapy (and I say we becaus eshe doesn't log her miles of walking and trotting alone - Morgan lost 13+ pounds and I am doing okay as well  ). the intention was for her to resume herding in early July and agility about now. We continued with daily therapy, started seeing a chiropractor once every six weeks, and went to weekly swim therapy (I am thinking of trying some weight pulling with her this fall after hearing the swim therapists all be amazed over what a strong swimmer she is).
As of last Saturday I really can't see even the slightest limp or hitch in her step and I cut her swim therapy back to every other week (it is an hour plus drive). Yesterday she saw her chiropractor and Heather was amazed at her progress. She said we should continue what we have been doing and we don't even need to see her any more (we will continue). And now for the question, has anyone trained the Mecklenburg jumping method? I figured since we were down anyway, we might as well retrain or train things we never did properly in the beginning as we reintroduce agility into her schedule. This week we started with jumping and are at 24" which is her AKC height. What I am not seeing is a lot of her offering jums, and she seems winded after jumping to or 12 times (with plenty of "I know there is a treat ont he foor here somewhere" breaks.) Should I be concerned that she isn't as "pumped" about agility as she used to be - or will that come when we move back to courses and classes? This morning she maybe offerred (with some - hurry up I need to get to work encouragement) maybe a total of 12 to 15 jumps in 10 minutes time - usually she would be a jumping machine. Tonight we get to play with sheep  |
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| Kerry, even with the walking and rehab work keeping her in great shape, jumping uses other muscles and those have to be brought back up to speed again. Lowish jumps placed tightly together and taken from a sit (if you can risk it with her possible ACL injury) will whip her quickly back into shape. If concerned, skip the sitting, but do some grid work/jump chutes and she'll be back in shape in no time. Though usual precautions: don't over do it, build up slowly.
At least that's my thinking. When a bitch has had puppies their ab muscles go to hell (much needed for proper jumping and sitting straight) and you have to spend a fair amount of time getting them back to jumping properly even of they've stayed relatively trim and well-muscled. Not what happened in Marley's case, but the time off made me think of it. Thank heavens no puppy flab to work through. You should ask her rehab therapist though. Off to a goat show.  Vet's tech breeds and shows dairy goats. I'll be there sans dogs thinking "what a waste, we could be having some fun with these critters!" Herding clinic tomorrow. So much for my relaxing weekend, but oh well.
Daphne's coming back tomorrow. Mostly she sounds like she was just too much for them. Husband really enjoyed her though. Kept marvelling at her speed. Their other two must be slugs. She bolted from them early on, ran ten miles and jumped a 4 1/2 ft fence to end up at an airport. Damn lucky they got her back. Amy and I almost had a heart attack. Really must find her an agility home! Kristine |
| Thanks Kristine. I was going to enter her in a CPE trial in two weeks for practice - but decided not to after all. I think we will train for a while and then enter a trial in October (which was our original goal this year anyway - we just were ready sooner than I thought and started trialing in the Spring)
I did notice last night we were doing sit jumps and she either got tired very early (like after 6 jumps) or - more likely - we are dealing with a boredom issue. I am making a few more jumps so I can set up some speed circles and work on that intermittingly with the sit jumps. She was thrilled at our class Friday night when we did the speed circles - almost back to her old self - at a higher jump height! Of course when we worked jumping into the wall - which she was more than happy to do - my intructor pointed out more than once that her coat was actually knocking down bars, not her limbs  |
kerry wrote: Of course when we worked jumping into the wall - which she was more than happy to do - my intructor pointed out more than once that her coat was actually knocking down bars, not her limbs
Belle's leg coat did that a couple of times For some reason she's the only one of mine who can grow it like she's working on a specials career. At least we don't have to worry about tails smacking down bars. Otherwise that's really only likely to come into play when you're working real tight and they're really collected. Normally movement keeps it flowing out of the way.
With Mace my big thing is keeping her head coat out of her face so she can see. Going to have to bite the bullet and have Sunny put her in a puppy cut for me. Gulp. I'm doing the same for Belle for herding and hiking's sake and I already buzzed Liz and Che because they have that fuzzy undercoat from hell thing going on. Yes, I know you're growing her out and don't have that option. I'm just aiming for low maintenance as burr season is gearing up
It's not a bad thing to wait to trial her again till October. Soft tissue injuries tend to take a deceptively long time to heal. Better to take it more slowly and wait till she's fully healed than risk re-injury, so that's OK. Kristine |
Ditto about the waiting.....boring but probably for the best. You'd hate to loose all the progress because she worked too hard too soon. 
We aren't ready (training-wise) but I did email the volunteer coordinator of a nearby trial to volunteer myself as a worker at their trial. She quickly emailed back her thanks.. I figure ME (vs Chewie) will be the weak link when we start, so the more I can get out there and learn by other's mistakes, the better I could be ..could...  - one can hope! |
got sheep wrote: I figure ME (vs Chewie) will be the weak link when we start, so the more I can get out there and learn by other's mistakes, the better I could be ..could...
- one can hope!That's always been my theory
Actually, I enjoy working precisely because I usually get to watch the runs. Watching the novice/starters classes is probably the most helpful at this level to see what pitfalls to hopefully avoid. Some of them are sort of green dog unavoidable to some extent, but... The club I train with is co-hosting a USDAA regional this weekend and I'm scheduled to work all day Sunday. Inside in A/C. Just as well since we finally look like the weather will be behaving like it's summer. Kristine |
| Yeah Dawn I found it easier to vounteer when we were pretrialing as well. You do see a lot, but until you get further into your training, some of it isn't as clear .
We are keeping busy - no time to be bored - she has a rally trial this weekend, and we are doing an upcoming herding seminar, plus i just joined a tracking club  |
kerry wrote: We are keeping busy - no time to be bored - she has a rally trial this weekend, and we are doing an upcoming herding seminar, plus i just joined a tracking club
Sweet!!! We have a tracking club well to the north of me and ditto one to the south, but nothing remotely local. Every fall I get the bug but it's hard when you're on your own and don't have a clue.
Keep us posted! Kristine |
| funny you should mention that - I just ordered a book/pamphlet put out by one of the Wisconsin clubs on how to do it - pretty much on your own, but i ma looking forward to my early Sunday morning sessions with a club in the fall |
kerry wrote: funny you should mention that - I just ordered a book/pamphlet put out by one of the Wisconsin clubs on how to do it - pretty much on your own, but i ma looking forward to my early Sunday morning sessions with a club in the fall
Presnall's Track Laying 101? And tracking in upstate NY in fall - it doesn't get much better than that except maybe fox hunting on a crisp autumn day. SE Wisconsin has color changes but nothing that dramatic. I really miss it every darn autumn KB |
| even more basic. the primer Novice Nosework.
Yep, cold october mornings with bright orange and red leaves and smoke in the air and forst bite on my fingers and toes - nothing better |
| I always thought about tracking with Simon - now that would be a hoot.
Re volunteering - I did sign up with a preference for the novice classes. The last trial I helped at, I only was off for Friday (they loved it!) but it was all excellent and while it was wonderful to watch, I didn't get to see that many mistakes. Seriously, I have never seen a trial with that many Q runs. They rocked  . (Kristine - it was the guy judge from your area that you recommended - super sweet course) I was a leash runner and I was very busy as they flew through the course. No downed bars, so the next dog was right there and ready to go.
Good luck a the rally trial this weekend, kerry. Chewie and I have one, but just on Saturday (not offered Sunday.) And hoping we get AKC CH confirmation this week for the much anticipated haircut! The forecast is for normal summer weather.... |
| Good luck Saturday- this is a four day show and I entered Friday and Saturday so I wouldn't have to drive to Saratoga on Sunday - when its always mroe crowded - august being race season |
got sheep wrote: (Kristine - it was the guy judge from your area that you recommended - super sweet course)
Terry Elger, by chance? His courses are typically fast and flowing. Kristine |
Mad Dog wrote: got sheep wrote: (Kristine - it was the guy judge from your area that you recommended - super sweet course) Terry Elger, by chance? His courses are typically fast and flowing. Kristine Yes - that's who it was. Really a nice guy too. There was some question about the stability of the teeter and he insisted that even more weight be added. That earned brownie points in my book.
BTW - the one judge on Saturday when I will be working may be from near you - Kathy Guerra from Lisle Il. Saturday she judges JWW and FAST. |
got sheep wrote: Mad Dog wrote: got sheep wrote: (Kristine - it was the guy judge from your area that you recommended - super sweet course) Terry Elger, by chance? His courses are typically fast and flowing. Kristine Yes - that's who it was. Really a nice guy too. There was some question about the stability of the teeter and he insisted that even more weight be added. That earned brownie points in my book. BTW - the one judge on Saturday when I will be working may be from near you - Kathy Guerra from Lisle Il. Saturday she judges JWW and FAST. Terry is one of my all-time favorite judges precisely because of his emphasis on safety. I may have run under Kathy too, though not as frequently if so. Name rings a bell. Have fun
Kristine |
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