Gidget was also at the Soccerblast trial back in May. She didn't do so well. She was way fast for her JWW run, so fast I had to drop my planned front crosses and switch to rears. She didn't qualify, and I got frustrated. Just a little though. I love when she's fast and happy so I couldn't complain too much at that point. Then our STD run was up. She ran part of the course with me well enough (she missed her contacts and I think she popped out of the weaves), but when I released her from the table she left the ring. I think she was looking for my mom who had been bar setting for Gidget's class but stepped out of the ring for her run. Whatever the reason, I was beyond frustrated and am not very proud of how I acted (I was rather rude to a ring steward on my way out of the ring. If anyone knows who that was, tell them I'm really sorry!)
I feel like I'm getting frustrated in everything I try with Gidget lately. Though she's had several positive things this year: she rocked at the TDAA trial both days, she got her first AKC obedience Q and a CDSP obedience Q. Her obedience performances seem to be getting worse with each trial and she's only gotten 1 Q in AKC agility out of the 10 runs we've had this year. Not to mention she hasn't qualified in STD in over a year. She failed at lure coursing again too. Plenty of reason to be frustrated right?
Well I'm done being frustrated! It's not fair to Gidget, Gracie, or me. So Gidget is taking a break from trialing while I figure out how to not be frustrated. In the mean time, Gidget is getting her own classes. She won't have to share with Gracie and she won't have to sit in her kennel while I'm doing other stuff. When we do go back to trials Gidget will have her own trial days so I can focus on her and if I do get frustrated Gracie won't have to deal with it. Gidget will still have to come to trials since Gracie does better with Gidget around, but she can hang out with me instead of being in her kennel most of the time. I've always kept her in her kennel thinking that that would be a less stressful place for her and she could nap and rest. It will be interesting to see if she'll actually do better being with me most of the time.
I already use DAP (now Adaptil) and a thundershirt at trials. It was suggested that I also try some aroma therapy/essential oils. I'd love to try Valor, Clarity, or maybe even Grounding, but they're expensive! I'd have to find some to borrow before I could actually spend that much money on them.
Gidget and I are having fun in our new obedience class. It's a different instructor and I really like her slightly different style. Gidget has been super happy the three times we've gone to this class. Last night we did a short heeling pattern and a recall with our eyes closed! It was so cool to find out how well Gidget could do even though I wasn't looking at her! Before I opened my eyes at the end of the recall, I was certain Gidget was off to my right somewhere. Then I looked and she was sitting right in front of me! It wasn't a perfect front, but pretty darn close! If this class keeps going well, we may still try a CDSP trial in July. I still have to figure out how to manage my own mental game though.
That's it for the Gidget update! Gracie has a 2 day AKC agility trial this weekend. It will be interesting and fun! Happy agility!
