It is so nice to be out of school, and back at Applewoods spending long afternoons training dogs again. We have started working towards our training goals for next year already. I wanted to post them on the blog to keep me honest. The opportunities available and quality of life of a well trained dog are tremendous and I love being a part of the process that makes those opportunities possible.
Rugby's goals are already listed on his Points and Progress page. I want him to earn an Obedience Trial Championship (OTCH) and a Utility Dog Excellent (UDX) title. I believe he is capable of both of those things. We may not finish our OTCH in one year, but I hope we are really close by this time next year. I spent some time watching old videos I had of Rugby, and of the two of us in the Obedience ring. The changes just in the past year blew me away. He has really matured, and is turning into a nice working dog. We have lots of room to improve and grow still, and I think we are on the right track.
Diesel is the GSD in the picture above. I have watched this dog make amazing changes this year as we worked on our Novice and Open Obedience. He went from refusing to leave his house when I first started to work him, to whinning, jumping and spinning when he sees me coming. His confidence level has gown by leaps and bounds. I plan on putting a Companion Dog (CD) title on Diesel in the Spring, and a Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) title on him before the end of 2012.
Holly is the Labrador in the middle of the above picture. I was her trainer when she came to Applewoods for the Board and Train program last year, and now we will start again with goals for earning a Companion Dog (CD) title by summer of this coming year.
I can't wait to get started! We have a big year ahead of us!
2 CDs, a CDX, as well as the UDX and OTCH
Also - Our training school, Applewoods Dog Training, is having a Scavenger Hunt Contest! The first place prize is a copy of both Mud Heaven and our Back to Work training DVD. Check it out!
Sam, you inspire me! thanks
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! Good luck on your goals for 2012. Sounds like it will be an exciting year for you. That is such a cute picture! :)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! Thanks for visiting.
ReplyDeleteYou have some awesome goals for this year! I'm going to enjoy watching you work towards them! :)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you!
ReplyDeleteSounds like wonderful goals. Best of luck to you!
Fantastic goals to shoot for in the new year!! Happy 2012!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! You have some great goals for 2012. My goal is that I will pass the intermediate and advanced training classes at PetSmart. My goal is also to get well acquainted with doggy day care (which I am starting tomorrow) and hopefully completely be in day care 5 days a week starting February. The humans think that it will be good for me since I am getting older (8 months now) and would rather be out making friends than cooped up in my crate for 12 hours. Do you think these are do-able? Sighh.
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