Week 6 EXAM(s)

Link to Week 6 EXAM(s) 

Week 6

Week 6 is uploaded including the last article written by Deb Kidwell.  

Week 5: The diagonal right step forward to fix a wide or lagging dog

FC Week 5 EXAM # 2: String Test

Link to Week 5 EXAM # 2: String Test (1/3 pages) 

11/17/24 Rachel and Poppy Week 5 Vickster's 2nd Try

Our practice/exam this morning with Poppy. Still not a pass (or is it?), but getting better. 

Poppy does great at sit/stay and stand/stay, even with major distractions. The winching is helping her turns a lot. Still not so good at keeping up with the heeling. I tried to walk faster, and when I do, the leash slips off of me. She does a better job when I'm holding the leash. 

Down is improving, but sometimes still needs some pressure. 

With the last sit/stay, she was also ignoring my OUTs when she was growling/barking at my dad making noise. I was a little late sometimes, but she also still ignores them at home sometimes too when growling at Esteban. Would love your feedback on everything!

11/13/24 Attempt at the Vickster's Exam

We did some weaving by the barn to warm up Poppy and try to get her to keep up and not lag. We also let her explore the barn more to see the addition of the Model T in the aisle and check out smells. 

Both Jeanne and Janet had some good moments with Poppy... and not so good moments. We struggled with auto sits. At one point with Jeanne, she self corrected to the left side after starting out on the right after a turn, but there was some movement at the 3 minute sit/stay and the stand/stay. Janet started out pretty good with Poppy staying close, even with the loud generator turned on outside, but she struggled with the down and stand, which she did good on the second try. Poppy did pretty good with Rachel, despite the new smells of mice running around the barn and Rachel wearing gloves for the first time. She did much better with the downs, though Rachel did forget to not say "stay" twice on the first sit/stay and forgot to say "stay" for the stand, but she still stood nicely!

Poppy rarely checks in with all of us, even with the weaving, pace changes and using an "alley" for practice. She even seems to shut down quickly. But the wince does seem to help get her moving. 

Pop quiz distractions are wood blocks that Poppy scatters around the grass and her toys.

11-12-24 Two EXAMS and one Pop Quiz

Link to FC Week 5 EXAM # 1: Vickster's Test 

11/10/24 Jeanne and Poppy Practicing for Vicksters Exam

Still work to do as Poppy is distracted by barn smells. A few days ago we couldn't even do the vicksters as she lagged so much, but a bit of improvement today. We also did some weaving between 4 planter pots and the finish for the recall. Here's the practice vicksters....

Fun on our Walk 11/4/24

 

We came across some very interesting things on our walk! First up - a wild balloon on a leash, tied to a mailbox, flapping in the wind. Very scary!

Poppy wanted me to get eaten first so she kept going on my right side, so we worked until she walked by on my left. We also had some other distractions including dogs and humans going on their own walks!

Then we came across a police officer who stopped to say hello! They also were willing to do our stranger test. Poppy was not a fan of all the gear (I told her she wasn't being arrested!) but we tried!

Week 5 EXM # 1: The infamous 'Vickster's Test'

Link to Week 5 Exam # 1: Vickster's Test 

Week 4 Exam with Janet and Poppy

Janet and Poppy were stuck this week with lagging and bracing. She tried to do the right thing to help Poppy succeed. The exam isn't pretty, and unfortunately both Janet and Jeanne didn't get more time with Poppy this week. But boot camp is this weekend while all the kids are at Deep Creek.

 

Used the wall and grass as the "alley" for Poppy's 6' recall.

Week 4 Test - 11/3/25

 

Today is my birthday! We got started a little late after birthday festivities (and with daylight savings it's now dark very early), but Poppy gifted me a pretty good test. For distractions we had geese squawking/flying away, leaves blowing/rustling, all of us and Riley walking around while others did the test, Hannah making noise in the apartment, neighbors doing work in their field, etc.

6' Recall

Aunt Jannie attempted her tests today as well, but after doing mine and my mom's back to back beforehand, Poppy was tired. She is going to try again tomorrow morning. 

Yesterday we had "strangers" over (our friends, strangers to Poppy) for lunch, which was  a perfect opportunity to do this part of our test!

 

The 2020 Iowa Trip

 

Can't hardly fathom that Jeanne, Deb, Stephanie and I are back from Iowa after flying out Friday noon.  What a crazy trip!

We ALL survived the Iowa winter, driving in the storm on icy roads, me leaving my cell phone in the rent a car in South Dakota airport, getting through security and changing planes at O'Hara airport. We got home mid afternoon yesterday exhausted, frazzled, but exhilarated with each puppy. The Temperament Testing went very well. Today, Monday, is catch up day and trying to get back to normal schedules (besides taking puppies out every 2 hours).

Post a video if you desire feedback.

Good to be home again-:)