Oops - time flies.

Been to three shows since my last post. At the first one Elton was just entered in the Kennel Club Junior Warrant qualifying heat - he went beautifully but judge didn't seem to like little dogs! Ria got Best Puppy AVNSC and Reserve Best AVNSC.

The second one I just had Ria entered (gundog only show) - she had Best of Breed and Best Puppy in Breed, went beautifully in BIS where I knew she didn't stand a chance, then completely lost the plot for BPIS! She was tired, she'd had enough, concentration completely vanished...disappointing, but ah well. She's still only a baby.

That said - Ria turned 8 months old on Monday! Scary; where did that little baby puppy go?!

The Monday before last I took her to obedience again - and yet again didn't actually get to do obedience, as we went walking :-P

Over the last couple of weeks I've been trying to take her out every day to areas where we may encounter other dogs, I met someone with a black Lab who I know is lovely (working Guide Dog), Ria did her usual...she was just calming down and getting it into proportion when the IDIOT dog wasn't looking where she was going and canonned straight into the mans legs (he was standing still) - which scared her so much she put her tail between her legs and charged off in complete blind panic. *Rolls eyes*.

Wednesday was her first week of foundation agility. I believe she's the youngest in the class, but not by much - it's almost all young dogs of around a year, think the next youngest are 10½ months old and there are a couple of around 12 months.

It started off with a bus journey which was ok except for a group of teenagers that were messing about at the back and suddenly squealed, that started her barking (not good on a bus - but I quietened her fairly quickly), then we walked to the venue.

Great atmosphere when we walked in, and looking at what was set up it looks like they do 2x2 weaves, which is fab as far as I'm conerned! Bit difficult to pass judgement on the class as it was very introductory, but so far so good :-) Also like the fact the trainer understands all dogs are not Border Collies :-P

Third show was today, another open show. I'd hoped the judge may like Elton, but he was standing quite badly in front (since he lost the nail - it is growing back now so am hoping he feels better for next weekend!) and (more to the point) didn't behave that well. He mated his first bitch a couple of weeks ago and this was his first show since, so not sure if it was cos of that or just Elton being Elton! but either way when we all went round together he was not good (or assessable!) and although his triangle was better he just wasn't going properly. So he got a 3rd.

Ria won her class, Best Puppy AVNSC and Best AVNSC! Bit unfortunate when as the judge was going over her some dogs erupted and she jumped out of her skin - but I think recovered. Nothing in the groups, but when it came to the puppy group, for the first time I felt like she may actually be in with a chance, rather than just making the numbers up! So fingers crossed for next time :-)

Afterwards she had a lovely run off lead and I had a tired puppy for a couple of hours :-P