Oh my stars, I didn't realize that I hadn't written since our last trial!! We've been pretty busy since then and have been enjoying FINALLY being able to participate in classes again.
We've been working hard on our contact performances since the trial, using a method suggested to me by a friend. Basically we're targeting the bottom of the contacts with treats and shooting for a two on/two off performance. Luke does spectacular with the bait at the bottom, but he hasn't really connected the 20/20 idea without food yet. Regardless, he's still adjusting his stride and hitting the contacts, so it is an improvement! I'm really hoping that I've gotten through to him enough to be able to have a higher Q rate at our trial this weekend.
Our trial this weekend is a big one -- we're traveling to Crystal Lake, IL for a two-ring indoor trial at a soccer facility. It's going to be about a four hour drive or so; by far the longest distance we've traveled for a trial to date.
Luke is entered in 16" skilled all weekend, but I think this may be the last trial I run him at this height. We've started working at 20" again and Luke is handling it very well. It will take a little time for him to learn to adjust his take-off spot accordingly, but he isn't backing off the added height at all. Currently the plan is to go ahead and put him in 20" Proficient at our La Crosse trial at the end of April. We have plenty of time to practice until then! We'll finally be able to work towards our NATCH!
The other big news is that I've been working at adding another member to our family. I've been in contact with Eileen Gregory of Klee Kai Kennelettes in Colorado and I think I may have finally chosen our puppy. In a shocking turn of events, it's a female! I thought I had my heart set on a male, but the more I think about it, the more I believe that Luke might be happier with a girl. All of his dog friends are girls, after all. The girls also tend to be smaller and this way I can feed my PINK obsession!!! I am awaiting a response from Eileen to confirm whether or not my chosen puppy has been spoken for. If not, she should be mine on April 1st.
Luke has a chiropractor appointment tomorrow per his pre-trial ritual. Dr. Schilling was actually at the center this past Thursday, but I didn't want to "mess with success" and change up our schedule. We have the Collie Nationals going on at the dog center this week, so our ability to practice is limited. We'll be able to do a run-through on Thursday night and that's it. You can bet that we'll be doing contact work!!
Right now the plan is to leave around 2:00 on Friday so that we have plenty of time to settle in down in Chicago. Luke and I have our own room so that we can hopefully get a lot of SLEEP. We both need it!