Technical problems yesterday I couldn’t get this post to work. But here it is a day late! Today is September 2nd. That means only 16 days until the FCI world championships begin and only 11 days until Encore and I start our trip to Austria. At this point you have to pretty much rely on the training you have already got. No sense attempt to teach anything new now better to just rehearse the things you both are comfortable with in order to build confidence and teamwork.
A week ago I started to train Encore exclusively on the carpet in the building. Running on carpet presents a different challenge for dogs compared to running outdoors on grass. A dog that likes to run low to the ground will struggle more on carpet than a dog that runs upright. The upright dog can turn more effectively. I have noticed that with practice on the carpet Encore does work more upright when inside than outside.
Last week I started with just having her work jump grids. In these grids I included the long and higher broad jump, the European wall jump and the bigger spread jump. I have also been reminding her of her up contact responsibilities since an up contact call was what kept us from a silver medal in the individuals last year:(.
For myself I have stepped up my own workouts and push myself a bit harder to be sure I hurt just a little bit more the day after a workout. My plan is to have stiff and sore muscles over the next two weeks so I won’t have them when running in Austria!
Tiffany, Adrian and myself head to opening ceremonies in 2008. All 3 of us are back on the team this year!
Yesterday Lynda came by and we ran couple courses from two of the men that will be judging over in Austria. Each judge has a different ‘flavor’ to their courses so I will try to work 5 or more courses each judge before I leave. I will keep you updated as we work towards our travel date of September 13th. However I still have a 5 day camp starting here tomorrow plus (sadly) still more decisions & discussions about the new house (no, we still have not moved in:() so it can’t be all fun and games around here!
Today I am grateful for Encore. She is such an awesome dog. Regardless of what we are doing, teaching, hiking, training she is just happy to be a part of the SOMETHING with me.
Good luck in upcoming event, I was so sorry that Encore missed her contact last year, for both jumping and agility were fabolous runs. Hope you and Encore will enjoy this year as well.
Best Wishes to you and all The Team,
Go Have Fun!
just a question…why does Canada only have 2 team members for the large dogs? I thought there had to be 3? Just a question, can you shed light on that for us less knowledgable?
Congratulations as well, I always look forward to watching you run your dogs. Can’t wait for the videos to be posted. You both make it all look so easy…but obviously not considering the work and dedication you put into your dog’s training, health as well as your own. True athletes, wish more people would/could appreciate that.
Good luck – I know you don’t need it cause you guys ROCK
K
Good luck for you and Encore! I’m sure you both will have a lot of fun ^^
I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you ! I hope both Encore and you will have fun and success.
Good luck to all heading to the worlds. Safe travels, here’s to some FAST clean runs.
looking forward to see you guys run – just booked my flight/hotel and got tickets
cattldog fan in los angeles
you go !!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Andrea–can you get my handler to pack lots of cookies too? We all know I’m always STARVING!!
You don’t get more patriotic that Red & White dogs! 🙂
Red Dogs Rule!!!! And their handlers are okay too 😉 You guys are going to take the world by storm. Just remember to pack lots of cookies for Missy En and then let the speed demon loose on the world and show them what Canada is made of!!!!!!
I’m looking forward to watching you and the rest of the Canadian team sock it to the WC ! I won’t be there in person but people from my club are going, and I expect them to be blown over !!
Travel safely both of you! We’ll be pulling for you to do your best which we know will equal the Gold 🙂 -Lynn & the Ragtyme Beardies
Can’t wait to see you and Encore in action at the WC. I’ll be at the sideline cheering.
The very best of luck to both of you!
Rikke
My girls and I wish you the best of luck at the FCI. You and your girls are amazing and a constant example of awesome teamwork. If we can only ever walk in one of your footsteps, we will be successful.
Cheers, Pat and my Westie girls.