Burnham on Sea dog show

Willow and Tangent both had running orders for this show, so it was a bit of a nightmare and I wasn't quite as laid-back as I'd like to have been!

Tangent was very focused throughout hisround. Love that boy!

Tangent was 9th in the running order for Beginners (dog and bitch). The judge was very pleasant and didn't mind me training the round. I was very happy with Tangent today. He was very motivated for his toy, was very focused and generally seemed to be having a whale of a time! His heelwork is coming along (well, as long as we avoid left-turns!) and he's starting to work much closer to my leg.

He wasn't this close during all his heelwork,

but I thought I would show his best position!

He proved entertaining with the retrieve excercise as he initially brought the dumb bell to the steward, probably because she was closer!

Willow drew 2nd in the running order for Novice, but I decided not to work her in this class as she didn't really seem herself (I've decided that working two classes with her is asking too much of the old girl now).

I worked Beginners with her and her heelwork was ok, although she was working quite far in front of me:

Top: Willow miles in front!

Bottom: She wasn't really concentrating;

it looks like she's out for a jolly little walk!

She was quite distracted throughout this round, and ended up anticipating her recall. By the time it came to the retrieve she had lost the plot somewhat and toddled out after the dumb bell when I threw it, stopped, looked around and caught site of a dog in another ring she took a disliking to and bolted after it. Fortunately her instant downs are pretty ace so I yelled "Down!" and she dropped. I tried training the rest of the round, but by now she was far too distracted so I ended it there.

I was not disappointed with Willow, just how it went! I think she is definately past her peak with Obedience and considering the 6 year gap in shows, I was happy with her.

Willow once again distracted! Excuse my

vast ass - going by the position of all the

surrounding dogs it looks like it has its own

gravitational pull!

Well, next show is 26 September, and with plenty to work on with both dogs, I will not be short of things to do! I suspect that the next show will be Willow's last one before she is retired completely as her arthritis is getting quite bad. As such, I hope our last show together will be fun, if not successful!