(Second attempt in writing this) 

First session was around 11 this morning which entailed working on collection and helping the dogs to understand how to adjust their stride. A course was created where two tunnels opposed one another and in between them were two jumps on one leg and a solo on the other. Chloe was first to go and she was rather peppy and fiery. While the success was high but not near the 90% percentile, it showed promised. She is fine when collecting with one jump but add another she has a problem identifying when to adjust her stride thus a lower success rate. This will be ongoing work thats for sure.

Scout's turn was OK but I started to think that this could be too much for him in which I could actually destroy his round jump form - think Chloe - so I backed off and continued working with jump, tunnel, and jump. When we started working on crosses, I noticed that Scout needs more work on the rear cross. Chloe was like this last year and we worked a lot on it. So this gets added to the list of "things to do". Also, I noticed his tunnel sends were rather weak since he was so caught with my body language. I forgot I was not dealing with Chloe so I had to literally get close the entrance. This work would continue in the second session.

I was pleased with both dogs in the first session and I see a glimpse of the old Chloe coming back to me prior to the dog attack. She seems rather focused on me and she could read my crosses and do what I asked of her. You know that feeling when you and your dog is running and making up a course on the fly, you feel that connection between you and the dog. The dog reads and listens what you ask and does it on a whim. As the connection gets stronger, the distance can start to increase and the confidence between you and your dog goes even higher. Thinking alike...

The second session happened around 8 after dinner. It entailed a course layout presented in this month's Clean Run isssue which worked on weave pole performance; speed and entries. The course consisted of 2 - 6 poles, 3 jumps and a tunnel. Chloe was still sassy from this morning and her performance showed it. She was light in her step however, I noticed she wasn't driving through the poles so that is planned for Sunday. Our intimate connection continued as I kept on making up the course as I go. She got the rewarded when she was coming out of the tunnel or about to finish the weaves not when she finished with a jump. When it was time for Scout, I did not know what to expect and for sure, his starting line stay needs work. But when he got moving he was nailing those entries and completing the poles! I was surprised and impressed by him. His success rate so far is around 80% and he is starting to "get it". Then we reverted back to tunnel send work and I use my infamous green football. I would send him from a close distance to the tunnel and then started to work further back. When he was in the tunnel I ran like a bat out of hell and then tossed the football. I am trying to get him excited to run when he is in the tunnel. Because Chloe is a like a little devil when she is in the tunnel, its like a speed rush for her because she comes out looking to hunt down something. We'll contine to work on this but in all, he did really good.

Now my kids are laid all out on the couch or recliner as they are normally taking their nap by 6-7 in the evening in which they are out for most of the night until I brush their teeth or do last call. I think Jen would be shocked to see how Scout is now. I think she'd be proud of him.