Sunday 10 December 2017

Advanced and Expert Trick Dog Titles!

Yesterday I finally got round to making Millie’s Advanced Trick Dog video. I was assessed and she passed! Here it is: https://youtu.be/QHvHoDzxBw4

Today I did the Expert one which also passed! This is it: https://youtu.be/FBgOZhQqgAs

They’re mostly older clips as she’s not able to do some of the tricks now because of her joints. Glad she’s got the titles now though! I’ve sent off for her certificates so hopefully they won’t be too long. 

Just Trick Dog Champion to go now! Shouldn’t be a problem - will be something to do in the New Year probably. 

Monday 4 December 2017

Christmas Posing and Dog Training

This morning Millie had a little Christmas photo shoot!! As usual, she was fantastic at posing!




Tonight was also the last proper night dog training before Christmas, next week is the Christmas party. Millie was very good, I had to do a recall with my eyes closed and hands out the way, and Millie did it better than most! We also had to call other people’s dogs. When it was my turn to call another dog, I tied Millie to the table. I called the dog and Millie came running - with the table - knocking over and opening the pot of sausages in the process! Only Millie could manage that!

Thursday 30 November 2017

Training in the Cold

Despite the cold weather yesterday, Millie, Rumple and I went outside to do some training. I took a skateboard for the dogs to practise on. I don’t do too much skateboarding with Millie now, because of her arthritis. She was desperate to have a go yesterday though, so I got her on it a couple of times. She flew across the car park! She really is a superdog! https://youtu.be/so9UGC2kPm0

We also filmed an Obedience challenge, which she did well too. 

Tuesday 21 November 2017

BGT Audition!

On Sunday, Millie and I went to London to do some filming and for a BGT audition!

I sent off a video in August, before Millie’s arthritis became apparent. I thought that if I did hear from them, we would have to decline. However, on pain killers and various supplements, Millie’s a lot better, so when we got the email saying our video had passed Stage 1 and we were wanted for a Stage 2 audition in front of the producers, I thought we’d give it one more try!

We loaded the scooter, barrel and other props into the car and headed up to London. 


The auditions were held at the ExCel. 


When we arrived we were taken to a big room with lots of other people waiting to audition. It turned out that most of these people were waiting for Stage 1, but we’d already got through that with the video. 




While we were waiting, I decided to ask Millie to go on her scooter, as she hadn’t done it for months! She was perfect, and the whole room was watching her!! She got a massive applause when she stopped! Loads of people ran to take photos of her, and the ones that missed came to me after and asked if they could have a photo! I also got her on the barrel, which had the same response! Unfortunately though, Millie had a little slip off the barrel. I think this must have hurt her hips so she was unable to ride the barrel properly afterwards. When we finished practising, loads of people came and asked to stroke her, and some even wanted pictures with us!

We got some GB ears and a flag while we were in there too!




After an hour or so, everyone went outside to do some filming - shouting and cheering etc. We didn’t do this as they thought it might be too stressful for Millie. Shortly after this, we were found to do some arrival shots. These were done outside by the river. Millie got given a scarf to wear while she did it! We started off on the barrel, but Millie struggled with this a bit. She managed to do a little though. 


We then went on to the scooter. 


Then we went just around the corner, so we had the river and the city in the background. The ground was more level here so was easier for Millie on the scooter. 


We also did a running shot. For this I left Millie much further down the path, and told her to wait. She had a crew member with her but she wasn’t holding her or anything. I walked about 50m away and she stayed exactly where I left her, despite and birds, people and unfamiliar surroundings. I then called her and she came flying back to me! The cameraman ran next to her and got a beautiful shot of Millie running along the river, with her scarf flowing behind her! He was out of breath after though!

Once the arrival shots were done, we had to go back in to register. This took ages as I managed to get stuck behind all the kid dance groups!! Eventually, we were called for our audition. We were taken upstairs to wait. We had another little practise and some more people came and told me how much they love Millie!


It was then time for our audition. There was a Stage in the middle of the room, and carpet either side. Ideally, the stage was too slippery for Millie and the carpet not slippery enough! I decided the carpet was best though. Unfortunately there was only a small space, made smaller by the props. The accident on the barrel earlier has hurt Millie so she wasn’t able to do it and the man messed up the music, so it could have gone better! It wasn’t Millie’s fault though, and I couldn’t be prouder of her. I didn’t think she’d be able to do it again with her arthritis, but she gave it her all. 


I’m not expecting to get through. If we do, we’ll probably give it a go, but if not then this was the last time Millie will be doing the barrel and the scooter and the more strenuous tricks. As much as she tried and wanted to, and to everyone else it still looked amazing, I could tell she was struggling. It’s hurting her even more now a few days later. I wanted to end on a high like this. 

We both had a fantastic day. Millie is the most amazing dog and best friend anyone could ever want. I’m so proud of all she has achieved, we’ve done more together than I ever dreamed of. She’s really is one in a million. 

Thursday 9 November 2017

Certificate and Rosettes

Yesterday Millie’s Pre-Beginner Obedience Excellent certificate came! Only been waiting since August but still a good achievement!



She also won a couple more rosettes in online shows! She came 1st in Best Jump and 2nd in the October Obedience Challenge!



This means Millie now has over 100 rosettes!! Smart girl!

Friday 3 November 2017

Millie’s Qualified for Crufts!

At the beginning of August, Millie and I went to Ditton Obedience Show. We entered pre-beginner, beginner and special pre-beginner. We won pre-beginner, we’re really pleased and thought nothing more of it. 

Today however, I had an email saying that we were the highest placed YKC member at the show, so we’ve qualified for Crufts!! We’ll be competing in the YKC GCDS Special Pre-Beginner Stakes on the Friday! I’m so thrilled, the dog everyone said would never be trained has qualified for the biggest dog show in the world! I can’t wait to go with my champion!!

Thursday 2 November 2017

Millie on the Mend!

After Millie was diagnosed with arthritis, we hadn’t been doing too much so that she could rest and hopefully it would improve. I’ve started giving her a couple of joint supplements as well as pain killers and fortunately she’s a lot better now! She can jump in the car and had been running in the fields again! 

She came with me to trick training classes yesterday and I let her on her skateboard again, which she loved! She’s also won a couple of online shows today, coming 1st in Best Trick on her scooter and 1st in Best Jump! Although she’s not allowed to do these any more, she’s still winning with them!

It’s lovely to see her so much better - hopefully she will stay like this!


Thursday 12 October 2017

No more jumping for Millie...

We haven’t done too much the last couple of weeks. Been going dog training and Millie’s been helping me at my trick training classes! They’re going well and everyone seems to be enjoying them. https://youtu.be/sBJBFZMiXvo


However, on Monday at dog training, we were doing a recalls and Millie wouldn’t lay down. When she finally did she got straight back up again. I thought she was just being difficult, but I left her in sit in the end. Then she didn’t want to get in the car. Again, I thought she was just being awkward. When we got home though, she jumped on the bed and yelped, then I realised she was in pain, not being difficult. I thought she’d probably twisted something. On Tuesday I didn’t do much with her, but she was struggling to get on the bed and sofas, still yelping a few times. She was also struggling to go up the stairs. Yesterday she didn’t seem so bad. I though whatever she’d done was getting better. I took her training and she seemed fine. However, when we were leaving, she struggled to get in the car. Outside she went up the kerb and yelped. I had to lift her on the bed as she couldn’t do it. She was clearly in lots of pain. 

I called the vet first thing this morning and booked her in. The vet examined her and poor Millie really cried. The vet said she has arthritis in both her hips, but the right is particularly bad. She’s on metacam for a week and we have to go back and review next week to decide the best course of action. There are lots of options to help relieve the pain, it’s just finding what works best for her. 

Fortunately, she will be able to live a happy, comfortable life but she’s not allowed to do any jumping or anything else that puts extra pressure on her hips. i.e. no more riding her scooter or hind leg tricks. Her exercise is important but she should do too much of it, so will have to reduce the length of our morning walk as well. 

Poor girl, she’s been so brave. 


As if to try and cheer us up a little, her rosette came when we got back for coming 3rd in the September Obedience Challenge. 


Tuesday 26 September 2017

Another little show

On Sunday Millie and I went to another little fun dog show. We did have a go search and rescue where she got a certificate and some treats. We did Best Trick and came 2nd! Not Millie's fault - The grass was too long to push the skateboard but she was very good! People told us afterwards she should have won but 2nd isn't bad anyway!


She was also a good girl at dog training yesterday, though there were only 3 of us so she had to work hard!

Monday 18 September 2017

Paws in the Park!

Yesterday we had our annual trip to Paws in the Park in Kent! 

When we got there we headed up to the hall at the top of the show ground to book in to a couple of things. I saw someone from dog training and as I was taking to her, Joe was stealing treats that were for sale! He hasn't quite got the idea of running once he's stolen something so he laid there to eat his prize! 

After Joe had helped himself, we got a coffee and some human treats from the bakery!


I booked into our classes and we had a walk around the show. I entered the obedience with Millie, but she wasn't herself again yesterday and just couldn't focus again. We did one class and then went back into the hall to do the heelwork to music with Richard Curtis. 

She was a bit better here but still not herself. It was still good though. 


I did our other obedience round with her without much success again because she wasn't focussing. We decided to have lunch and watch the duck hearding display, which was excellent. 


After that we went back to the car to get the scooter and skateboard for Best Trick. By the time we got back up to the hall, the class before ours was in the ring. We didn't have long to wait before our turn. 

Millie still wasn't right, being distracted by someone taking a photo of her, but she rode her scooter very well and did a few other things. I know she can do much better but it was good to anyone watching - good enough to come 1st!

I also entered her in the Best Biscuit Catcher, just because she enjoys it! She came 2nd in that too! It was funny that Millie and the winner were both part Lab! 

She was tired on the way home and slept most of the way back. 


Although she wasn't quite with it again, we still had a good and successful day. Smart girl Millie!


Sunday 10 September 2017

Haywards Heath Dog Show

Yesterday Millie and I went to a fun dog show in Haywards Heath. We entered 'Dog with the Best Trick' and won! Millie stacked her hoops, played the tambourine and a few of her other tricks. The judge was very impressed, and so were the other competitors and everyone else watching!

Fortunately she's back to her old self now after she was a feeling a bit off last week. I haven't done anything with her since Monday and she was ready to perform again!

My clever girl!


Thursday 7 September 2017

A small blip!

On Sunday we went to Great Baddow obedience show. For some reason Millie wasn't herself and just couldn't focus. This meant all we got was 2nd in the YKC basic class, missing out on a place at Crufts by 1/4 mark!! 



Monday was our first night back dog training after the summer. It was good to be back but unfortunately Millie still wasn't right, so we didn't do too much. 


Fortunately she seems to be herself again now, although I'm still not working her at the moment. 

Yesterday we went for a lovely walk in Ardingly. 


They'd had an antiques fair on there during the day, meaning there was a bit of rubbish laying around. Millie, who was off her lead, of course decided to see what she could find! I saw her with a big green thing and when I went to see what it was, it was a load of wax that some cheese had been wrapped in! I know she likes wax because sometimes she steals it when I cut up BabyBels for her! I got some of it off her, but she ate a bit! Fortunately the green wax reappeared this afternoon, and is now in the bin where it should have been all along!!

Friday 1 September 2017

Update

Haven't posted much recently again!


I've been doing a bit of training with Millie. We filmed a video for an online obedience challenge which we will get the results for tomorrow, so will hopefully be good! I've also been practising send always, dc and trying to get her to do scent! The others are coming along but scent's taking a bit longer!


We've gone for some nice walks in Lingfield and Ardingly. 



Also, I had an email yesterday saying I passed my CTDI exam, so now I'm a Certified Trick Dog Instructor! Thanks for your help with that Millie!

Saturday 19 August 2017

Ditton Obedience Show

Millie and I went to another obedience show today - she was a star! 

We did our pre-beginner round, which was really good. We did the pre-beginner stays, in which there was a bit of a disaster with another dog and nearly all the dogs, including Millie broke the down! Fortunately it was done again and moo went clear. 

We did the Beginner stays and the special pre-beginner stays and she was also clear. We did the special pre-beginner round, where she wasn't bad, but we lost points because I dropped the lead! 

Waiting for the beginner round, I got told we had to do a run off for first place for pre-beginner! We had to do the whole round again so I didn't have much hope but Millie only went and won it! We've won out of pre-beginner now!

We then did the Beginner round, which wasn't bad, especially considering it was the 4th of the day! I lost her a bit in the heelwork and she didn't wait in the retrieve, but I was pleased with her. 

Millie with her pre-beginners first prize!



When we got home, our rosette for an online obedience challenge had come too!


Friday 11 August 2017

Another Certificate and the Pirate Routine!

Today Millie's Introductory Obedience Excellent certificate came! Now she's Millie My Love Intro Ex!



We also managed to film our pirate routine this afternoon! Millie does it fantastically, even if I look like a complete idiot!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGaDJYRGzUY

Wednesday 26 July 2017

Training and Awards!

This morning Millie and I went outside and practised our routine. We did the first bit and then got the barrel and skateboard (the scooter doesn't go on the rough ground) out and did the rest of it. She did nearly the whole routine, and quite well too considering we only just started it! 



Also, Millie got her Intermediate Trick Dog Title today! Well done Moo!


Tuesday 25 July 2017

Prop Making and Training!

Yesterday I made another prop for Millie's new routine - that's nearly all the props done now! Our sword also came so we really got practising!


It's not going badly, but needs a lot more training yet!

It's not all work though, we went for a nice walk in Ardigly in the evening. 


Monday 24 July 2017

Training for the Routine!

I got creative today - making props for our new routine! Any guesses as to what the theme is?!


Millie doing so well learning it!

Sunday 23 July 2017

A New Routine!

This morning Millie and I started training for a new performance! It involves a few things Millie hasn't really done before, and stitching the tricks together. Today we started the new bit, which she did well at. Will keep working at it and hopefully before too long we'll have quite a good end product!

Yes, it is a 'golden bone'...


Monday 17 July 2017

16th July 2017 - Goffs Park Dog Show

We went to a dog show at Goffs Park, but arrived late so only entered one class - Cleverest Dog!

Millie's vet had a stall there and she knows Millie so came over to her and said hello. She was also telling everyone else about her world record!

 My little super dog impressed the judge and everyone else and came 1st again!


She rode her skateboard out the park and lots of people stopped to watch and take photos of her - she's on a roll!

15th July 2017 - Bolnore Dog Show

Millie and I went to a dog show in Bolnore. Millie was a very clever girl and came 1st in Best Trick! She won lots of prizes and everyone was very impressed with her skateboarding!


13th July 2017 - Lost in the Woods!

Someone told me about a nice place to go dog walking, so Millie and I decided to give it a go. It was a beautiful walk and Millie had a good run around. 



The only problem was, on the way back I got completely lost! I thought we had to go one way but that took us nowhere! We ended up going through the woods, and I had to use Google Maps to get us back to the car! The most frustrating part was that when I came back and looked at the photos, I saw exactly where we went wrong! At least I know for next time!

9th July 2017 - RSPCA Fun Dog Show

Millie and I had a good day taking part in the fun dog show at the RSPCA! The judges all recognised her and came to say hello!

We had a successful day, coming 1st in 'My Best Friend', 1st in 'Most Talented Dog' and 4th in Best in Show!




Not only did she manage to win lots of prizes, she also managed to get herself a free ice cream from the ice cream man! I don't know how she does it!

Tuesday 27 June 2017

Our First Obedience Show!

On Saturday, Millie and I went to our first proper Kennel Club obedience show! We entered Introductory and Pre-Beginners. We had a running order for Introductory so we did that first. The exercises were play, heel on lead and recall. She did them all very well, though I felt she could do better! They all said she was good. We then had to do the Pre-Beginner stays. Unfortunately Millie broke the Down stay, probably because it was such a different environment with lots of dogs she doesn't know. I decided to do the round with her after anyway for the experience and she wasn't too bad. We had a bit of a break before the Introductory stays and I walked Millie around for a bit. She did the stays and we went for the presentation. We won Introductory which was excellent, especially for her first show! 



We went dog training early last night, and ended up doing the class before outside as well as our own class. It was good practise and Millie got to be demo dog again!



We also got some cards from our class for our win!