Museum visit and new project

Sunday was a cold and dreary day and I was looking for something to do that didn't involve sitting at the computer.  The Taft art museum has free admission on Sundays and I had never visited before, so I thought it would be a nice outing.  They have an historical Christmas exhibit that I thought would be interesting.  So off we went. 

It is a nice little museum, but I was actually more intrigued by the historic house than the art :-)  I didn't take any photos because several of the exhibits say "no photos".  It's an amazing house with stunning archtectural details.  I talked with one of the staff and learned about it's history through 3 families and what each added to the mansion.  Thankfully they all stayed true to it's historical roots and it showed. 

I couldn't resist a peek out the front windows to get a view of the main entrance (no longer used as an entrance), which had to be a grand affair for visitors who then entered the very large foyer which led to the T-intersection main hallway and the "music room".  I couldn't help but wonder how many "talk of the town" events were held in that room, including a wedding of one of the owner's daughters.  Leaving the house, it was kind of a shock to the system since the house is located so close to downtown.  Also had to navigate the traffic and tailgaters for the Bengal's game.

Since the Taft museum visit didn't take long and the Cincinnati Art Museum is close, I decided to drive up there (also free admission thanks to a grant).  This museum is quite large by comparison and the layout is more like a contemporary art piece than something designed by an engineer.  I felt lost in a maze and like I was missing things for almost the entire visit.  But I still managed to see quite a bit of amazing art in all forms.  And I took several photos, where I was allowed.

I thought this would make an interesting photo.

Actually, everyone was really great about not touching him or bothering him for the most part.  Maybe it was from the hands-off and hushed feel of the museum? 

Here is the contemporary art piece that they had to label as art so people would know.  Big brass colored box, who knew this is art? Or that what looked to me like a paint covered drop cloth on the wall (not shown) is also art.  I think I own one of those pieces and MINE was painted by my dogs!  But then contemporary isn't really a style that "speaks" to me. Thankfully there was plenty of other interesting art in many forms to see.

 I tried to use the flash to get this photo, but it was reflecting off the bench.  So I took one without the flash, not sure how it would turn out.  I had to lighten it in a photo editing program, but I like the effect. Click on the photo to enlarge it to read the bench. 

This hand carved bed was amazing! Along with each of the other matching bedroom pieces.

This is some of the detail of the headboard.  The photo just doesn't do it justice.  Some of the birds were only barely touching the headboard.

Another bed in the asian wing.  I think this is Cherry wood, very intricately carved. As you can probably tell, I like and am impressed by intricate carving.

This was the only piece Dazzle showed any interest in, so I had to get his photo with it.  When we walked in, we were looking at the side on the right in this photo and I think he was trying to figure out if it was alive or moving/falling.  After a quick sniff, he had no more interest in it.  I got the impression Dazzle was not impressed with the art visit :-)

One section had several small "rooms" that were showcasing a single piece of art.  Each room was divided by a wall of strings.  I loved running my hand through them and it didn't take much to get Dazzle to go through a "wall".

While I was taking his photo, a patron came up and was talking to Dazzle (& getting his own photo of him).  He knelt down just out of the frame here and had Dazzle's attention.

This was one of the main exhibits.  Again, the photo doesn't do it justice.  The bright overhead lights were not doing good things with my little point and shoot.  And I had to wait quite awhile to get no people in this shot! Ended up having to crop a person out on the right side.

Each glass piece was simply hooked at the top (just barely) and carefully hung from the wire frame.  They had a looping video playing in this room showing how the pieces were made and then hung in place.

This time I used the lighting to create interesting shadows

A simple 3 piece sculpture, in the same room with the hanging globes.

I was attempting here to get a reflection of Dazzle in the mirror without getting myself in the shot.  It wasn't till I got home that I realised it was an "infinite" shot because of the mirror on the other side.

Playing around with the signs again :-)

Here I was playing around with the lines while I was taking a rest break on a comfy couch overlooking the main entrance.  It would have been better if I could have had him sit directly in front of this and have his ears end up in the same place, but it was a railing, so it was too low for that.  Also made it black and white because the box in the bottom right was bright red and distracting. Again, trying not to get people in the shot while also getting his ears lined up was a big challenge! 

Below is my favorite shot of the entire visit.  LOVE the symmetry and even his glowing eyes seem to work because they are the same color and approx. size of the other lights to each side of him.  If I had a better photo editing program, I would have straightened this out the tiny bit it needs, but the program I have can't make adjustments that fine. Click on the photo to enlarge.

Which brings me to my newest project (like I don't have enough already!)  I found a "52 weeks of dogs" photography group on a photo site and put in an application to join it.  There is a long waiting list, so I don't know if I'll get to be an official member or not.  But even if I don't, I plan to participate on my Flickr account page each week.  http://www.flickr.com/photos/scoutdogs/ 

Per the group rules, only one dog can be the subject (main focus) for the 52 weeks, only 1 photo gets posted per week and some weeks will have an optional theme.  The date function has to be properly set within my camera so that it's clear the photo was taken during the week being posted and if a week is missed, it can't be "made up" later. Each person is on their honor regarding the date setting on their camera and not cheating.  

My rules for my Flickr account: I'll be posting my single favorite photo from each week in the "52 weeks favs" set.  But I'll also post all the ones I like from my weekly attempts in the "52 weeks potential" set.  And if I miss a week, I'll still post it to my own set, just not the group's page: http://www.flickr.com/groups/52weeks4dogs/ 

As if that's not enough, I'm also going to be participating in a "52 weeks of working dogs" photography group on Facebook.  As you'll see on the above group page, many of the photos are staged, still shots of beloved pets.  The focus of this facebook group will be on dogs that lead a more active lifestyle.  Some weeks I may use the same photo for both, other weeks, I will likely use different photos.  I'm hoping Santa will bring me a new camera with a faster focus/processor so that when I push the shutter button, the photo gets taken right then, instead of up to a full second later.  What a novel concept! :-)  I might even be able to get some action shots! 

This week, I have decided I really want to get a nice silhouette, but the weather is not cooperating.  I found the perfect location for a sunset photo, just need the sunset to be visible!  Someone chase these clouds away please (without dropping the temp). 

I don't know if this is a reasonable expectation from my point and shoot.  I made some indoor attempts that didn't go so well.  So I'll have to wait and see.  If the weather or camera don't cooperate by Friday, I might have to punt and pick a new plan.  Though I do have an idea for something I can try in the basement if I get a white sheet.

Here's an attempt that is interesting, but I'm not crazy about it

So I'll do my best to remember to post my weekly attempts here and will likely give more info about the shots here than on Facebook or Flickr. 

2 down, 1 to go!

Dazzle made up for the mistake yesterday by getting a 1st place ribbon today!  I had meant to get a photo of him by the ring, but I wanted to wait till they removed the rally signs that were set up as soon as our class left the ring.  Then I forgot to get the photo after I was done helping with steward duty.  So I got this one in the living room of our two ribbons (from Friday and today)



Today's run didn't FEEL as nice as Fri and Sat, but when I looked at the video it wasn't as bad as it felt.  His nice Fig 8 heeling wasn't as nice and still had issues with the about turn.  But I'm VERY happy with his overall performace and attitude.  Only minor things to work on for the next Q.  And I'm looking forward to the next level because I think Dazzle will really like the dumbbell retrieve and the jumping. 

For the stays, I got him REALLY adrenalized with some vigorous play/tug before we went in.  I could tell when I first started to practice the sit stay a bit that he would have laid down again.  So I had to take the chance and see if getting him amped up would help.  It DEFINITELY did!  His sit was great!  He was a little bit more figity in the down, but I didn't see any moment where I thought he might get up.  This is great progress, because I know doing this (in the not too distant past) would have made him too amped up to work.

Because of how I thought the run felt, I really didn't expect to be in the ribbons.  There were 17 compeditors and a ring full of qualifiers.  So I was truely surprized when our number was called for 1st place!  Score was 193.5 (out of 200).

I got some great pro photos from our runs.  The photographer is great at capturing shots that aren't the usual heel, sit, finish photos.  Two made me laugh out loud each time I saw them, so I had to include those in the purchase. I'll post them as soon as they arrive.
I'm SO happy Dazzle likes to play these games as much as I do! :-) I promise buddy, the next level is more fun. Just need to get through one more Novice class!

VIDEO of today's run:
 http://youtu.be/yZzCOo2dSYU

So close, but no Q

We had another nice run, but Dazzle laid down on the sit stay. :-(  He didn't look the least bit stressed, just bored and tired.  My hubby wasn't feeling well and in an effort not to catch what he has, I slept in the spare room last night.  Perhaps that tired Dazzle out?  Maybe it was the later start time?  We'll see if the 8:30 start time has an better effect on his performance. 

It would figure that he's a crack of dawn dog, since I'm NOT a morning person (just like he loves cold weather and I don't) :-)  So we can't get our CD title this weekend, but I'm hoping I'll only need ONE Q after tomorrow and not two :-)

We would have had a 192.5 out of 200 if he had been able to sit for 60 seconds.  Here is the video of the run:

VIDEO: Nov Obed NQ
http://youtu.be/wulfjUn0IKs

AKC Novice Obedience Q

Today we were up and on the road before dawn (ick!) to go to Queen City and try for a qualifying score in Novice obedience.  There were 17 dogs in the class, but only 12 showed up (oops, just realised I forgot to correct that on the video and I posted the wrong number on Facebook- drat!)  Anyway, I was the 8th dog into the ring and the judge decided to do the sits and downs for the first half right before my run. 

No problem, more time to get ready.  Mostly Dazzle relaxed in his crate till they started the downs, then I did a short warm up and was ready when the dogs left the ring.  But then the judge took a bathroom break!  More warm up, but in hindsight I realise I should have just used "squish" (a stand-by position I learned from Denise Fenzi that lets the dog know they can just chill out). 

Once the judge was back, we went in for our run.  I saw glimmers of the heeling work I have been doing.  My goal is to get him to shift his weight onto his rear legs so his front legs can come up and add a bit of "prance" and flair to the exercise.  It will be fun to look back on this weekend's videos and see the beginning baby steps :-)  We didn't have any crowding and bumping or "contact heeling" and I'm SO happy that practice carried over into the ring!  I've been working on that a bit longer than the weight shift/prance.

Another thing I was very happy with was that I was able to use some excitement building moves (leap to touch my hand) and exciting tones of voice that in the past would have had him jumping around and nipping me and getting too out of control.  Now he's at a level of training and maturity that he can handle that and it will really help us as we progress.  I only used a little because I didn't want to push my luck :-)  But as we get more and more practice, this is coming along nicely.

I was VERY happy with our run, but I think by the end Dazzle was really wondering where the damn toy was!  I think that's why his sit was crooked- he was asking "Toy? Now do I get the toy?" Silly boy.  I had to grab his collar to keep him from running to the steward and grabbing his leash.  I let him tug it on the way out of the ring because he sat still to let me clip it on and he was moving with me out of the ring (not pulling back on it) and not out of control (another great improvement!). 

We had several dogs before our group sit/down stays so I had Dazzle rest in his crate.  The sits and downs were no problem except at one point on the sit Dazzle had to inspect his boy parts and was all contorted and I really thought he was going to lay down, but he managed to get back into a good solid sit and held it.  I think he just wanted to keep me on my toes :-)  I was thinking lots of "up" thoughts as he was close to the ground! LOL  On the down, he looked totally bored.

So we managed to get a score of 194 (out of 200) and walked out with a 4th place ribbon!  No photos, but here is the video:

VIDEO: AKC Nov. Obed 1st leg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ov-y5Qa3kFA

Photos from Agility Trial

Here are some of the professional photos from the Nov. 11-12-13 Agility trial.  Thank-you to VW Perry Photography for these!

He doesn't leave much room to spare! He did clear this without knocking the bar

A-Frame contact sequence. 

 I wish he wouldn't hit the floor so hard!

So much momentum his back feet come up! But they come back down and he sticks it!

Broad Jump

He gets on the table with spring in his jump so he doesn't go sliding off the other side (usually)

He loves weaves! 

New title!

Dazzle and Sarah

Dazzle adds another title to his list!  The day started with the Standard course that he and Sarah did perfectly!  Of course, I totally flubbed the video.  I was told yesterday that the short leash we were using so that Sarah could ball it up in her hand was not long enough.  We were using it to try to keep it out of his mouth at the start.  If he was able to grab the leash, he would proceed to play tug and not let it go.  But the AKC rep did say I could hand the leash runner a different leash after Dazzle got started.  So I was concentrating on that job and not the video work.  When I realized I was missing the run, I accidently hit the power button instead of the record button!  By the time the camera was ready to record again, I only got the last three obstacles.  Oh well! 

His Jumper With Weaves run was a whole nuther matter!  He got frustrated at the start and then skipped jump 3.  Sarah got him back to it, but then he crashed jump 4 (the double), then after jump 5 he went off course to jump another jump (and took that one out) instead of turning to jump 6.  And that's when he got pulled. 

Other than class on Thursday and practice runs on Friday, I'll be putting my focus on Obedience in prep for the December trial. But it will be interesting to see what effect, if any, pulling him off the course has. My guess is that it will make him more careful, but we'll see!

  

No Q's today :-(

Today was a bit shorter day.  Our runs were scheduled for 3:45p and 5:40.  The trial was only slightly behind schedule, but we arrived in plenty of time. 

Dazzle was kind of rushed getting into the ring for standard though because the dog ahead of us crashed the tire at the 2nd jump on the course and that ended his run sooner than expected (thankfully he wasn't hurt). 

It only took a very brief time to get it repaired, but that wait on the start line plus seeing his leash get picked up off the ground frustrated him a bit and in his excited, non-thinking state he tried to leap the first jump instead of adding a stride in front of it.  He didn't make it and took out that jump- NQ. 

But the rest of his run was really nice! :-)  I didn't get video because I realised I didn't have the video camera about the time I was handing Sarah the leash to get him in the ring. 

His JWW course was VERY nice!  He was under control, thinking and being careful about the bars.  However, he got just a hair too fast on the final line and... you can see.  We missed the Q by literally a 1/2"!! 
VIDEO:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6WGXrYhdXo

Hopefully, tomorrow he will be able to Q for at least one of the titles, preferably both! :-)

Here is the view from his crate area:

Over 300 dogs entered in the trial!  Thankfully they were not all in the building at the same time :-)

2 Q's!

Happy Veteran's Day!  11-11-11

Dazzle and I headed out early to arrive at the show in time to get set-up and ready for the 9:15 run.  The day started with the F.A.S.T. course.  Dazzle did really well!  He was calm and listening and only had a minor problem with the last jump (that can be jumped either direction).  He needed 50 points to Qualify and they ended up with 73 and beat the buzzer! 
VIDEO: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygDw0PxTMik
Our next run wasn't scheduled till around 5:30 pm, so with 8 hours to wait, we headed home!  We got back about an hour before the run and I helped with the Open level course runnning score sheets.  Then it was time for our Jumpers With Weaves (JWW) run.  The first 3 jumps were almost in a straight line and Dazzle got up a bit of momentum.  Sarah was trying to catch up as he shot past jump 4 instead of turning.  As a result, he jumped it the wrong direction earning the NQ.  But he kept ALL the bars up (even the akwardly jumped one) and the rest of the run was really nice, so I'm happy with how they did.
VIDEO:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQj92ZulD4g

The last run was around 7pm and was a Standard course.  Dazzle was a bit tired, but he didn't get cranky and was able to remain calm and focused.  I'm sure coming home instead of spending 8 hours in his crate had a LOT to do with it! He had a really nice run for 100 points and again ended up with first place! 
VIDEO:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNScqb0k7q8

I think we have found the key to his success!  Keep him really calm before the start and during the warm-up and have a small enough leash that Sarah can ball it up in her hand so he can't get it and play tug at the start line :-)  Keeping him calm helps reduce his frustration too. 

So the tally so far is:

FAST - 2Q (need 1 more)
Stand - 2Q (need 1 more)
JWW - 1Q (need 2 more)

We have 2 more runs in JWW and Standard this weekend.  Will have to wait till the next show for the next FAST Q.

The red/white ribbon in the center is the "Double Q" ribbon :-)

Chicken? No, thanks

I made chicken soup and set aside some of the chicken for the dogs.  But I have such a weird dog!  How many dogs do you know that pick out the real meat from their bowl and then set it aside because they DON'T want to eat it? 

April Dock Diving photos

I was looking through some photos I posted to Facebook and saw a few I took at an April dock diving event near Indianapolis.  It reminded me that I hadn't gotten the photos taken by a woman there.  I contacted the club and found out the photos were posted online!  Here are a few of my favorites:

He makes a big splash!

Happy dog

Focus!

Almost got it!

Such effort!

View of the cabin and the dock.  The dogs were jumping off at the end with the slide

Close up of the patio area and dog catch area

Hopeful attendees waiting on the raffle drawing- nope, I didn't win

Dam where Dazzle played with a few other dogs before we were advised that the dogs weren't allowed to be off-leash there.

Compeditors waiting their turns

Delinqent posts

I have been remiss in keeping Dazzle's blog updated.  Now that he has a Facebook page (or more like, now that *I* have a facebook page) I have been puting the quick updates there.  You can see his page and "like" him as your favorite athelete if you'd like :-)
https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Dazzle/168699929853175

I also like to have photos accompany the posts here and I just haven't taken many lately.  Enough of the excuses and onto the updates!

Since the previous post,  I have competed in a Glock Shooting Sports Federation (GSSF) competition and won the highest scoring female plaque!  Also got a gun bag. I felt like I was having an off day so I was really surprized to have won!  I guess the other women were having more of an off day than me :-)



 We have been taking an Agility class based on the "Alphabet Drills" book.  It's giving Dazzle more opportunity to work with the young woman I have running him in Agility.  They are doing really well together and Dazzle loves working with her.

Dazzle did great at the packed 1500 vendor gun show we went to near the end of October.  His favorite vendors were the Jerky vendor that gave me some samples for him and the taxidermy booth, but that vendor wasn't as keen on Dazzle sampling his wares :-)  I didn't let Dazzle reach any of them, but he really wanted to!  He stood there and stared at them for nearly a minute. I think he was waiting for something to move :-)

We went to Toledo for a Denise Fenzi seminar and it was just as excellent as the first one I attended.  The first one was problem solving for obedience competition and this one was "Building Drive and Motivation" for all dog sports. I LOVE her seminars and her creativity.  She is a positive, no compulsion dog trainer and is a really nice and knowledgeable person as well.  As before, I took a LOT of notes and Dazzle seemed to enjoy the working spot.  Sorry, no photos :-( I didn't think there would be enough light for my little point and shoot to take decent photos.

Halloween was uneventful for us as we don't get any trick or treaters here.  So it was just another night here.

On the 2nd of November I went to Posidog in Columbus and had a really great training session. Did some work on Dazzle's release of favorite objects on cue, stand for exam and heeling with attention.  Wish Posidog was closer!

On Sunday afternoon, I was building some jumps in the basement for obedience competition practice and Dazzle was running up and down the concrete steps.  I didn't think much of it because he does that quite often.  But he apparently over did it and bruised his feet.  By evening, he didn't want to walk and when he needed to (to go outside to potty) he was trying to walk without his feet touching the ground.  It would have been comical if it wasn't so painful to watch. 

I spent some time on the floor with him on his back (feet elevated) while I held an ice pack on his feet.  I wasn't sure if it would do anything, but by this morning, he was walking MUCH better!  I had some errands to run that didn't involve much walking so I took him with me, but it was clear his feet were still sensitive so I skipped a few places and had him wait in the van while I went in to get dinner. 

I have been restricting him to the office with me, an x-pen area near the kitchen or on-leash for walks outside to potty so he can only walk.  And he is sleeping in his crate again to prevent any running or trotting in the morning excitement (or late night cat chasing).

So far, I think it's helping a great deal and he's dealing with the restrictions surprizingly well.  I haven't gotten him any pain meds because his feet don't seem to bother him if he stays off them (my goal) so he is self-regulating.  We'll see how long that lasts. 

If he's sound (fingers crossed), we have entered a 3-day Agility trial this weekend.  I'm hoping his recovery continues to be as fast and dramatic as the difference between last night and today.  Why do injuries always happen right before trials? 

On Sunday, Dazzle decided his Kong bone would be better as TWO toys.

As you can see, he got about half way through in two other places before making it all the way through this solid rubber bone. I guess there's a reason they are known as Maligators!

So that gets this blog up to date again.  I'll post more after the trial that he will hopefully be recovered for (and not too "cranked up" to think from the restricted activity this week). Hopefully I can post about some new titles!