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Pet Update: Nobody Is Being Ignored (Even If Stanley Gets the Spotlight)

I know I haven’t written much about the rest of the household lately. Between agility classes, trials, and everything else Stanley keeps me busy with, the other pets haven’t shown up here as often as they should. I promise the cats and Hector are not being ignored. Everyone is healthy and doing well, so here’s a catch-up.

Hector

Hector is great. She’s keeping herself busy destroying any paper or cardboard that gets in her way, throwing her food everywhere, and making messes in general. If it’s flat and can be shredded, it’s fair game. I’ve stopped leaving anything on the floor that I want to see again. She’s great company when I’m working from home. Thankfully she is getting used to me being on Zoom calls and has learned not to screen every time she hears new voices.

Puck

Puck is as loveable as ever. Nothing new to report, and that’s how I like it.

Martin and Martha

Martin and Martha are still visiting often. Martin has been very well behaved lately, which I’m choosing to enjoy while it lasts. Martha is still a little shy around Stanley. I wish she would stand up to him just once, because I think that would solve the problem. So far she’d rather keep her distance.

Bean

And then there’s Bean. He’s a bully to the other cats, and lately it seems to be getting worse instead of better. This morning I heard a cat meowing and went to see what was going on. Bean was sitting at the top of the stairs, blocking the way so Martin and Puck couldn’t come up. I chased him off and cleared the path, but I’m not sure what to do about it long term, or whether there’s anything I can do. If you’ve dealt with a bully cat, I’d love to hear what worked for you. Tell me in the comments!

We also shaved Bean again a couple of weeks ago. He looks pretty awful, but he’s clean and mat-free, and I’ll take that over looks any day. He doesn’t seem bothered by it, which is more than I can say for the other cats’ opinions of him.

That’s the latest from around here. Stanley’s agility adventures will be back soon, but I wanted to give the rest of the gang their moment.

Stan Knows His Job (I’m Still Learning Mine)

Class last night was a hard course, with lots of back-and-forth all over the ring. We were indoors in a not-so-huge room, but once I remembered the course, it went really well for Stan and me.

Working on low hands and keeping an eye on him really helped, and he barely wandered away from me. He did the teeter with no problem at all. I was a little overwhelmed when I first saw the course and afraid I wouldn’t be able to memorize it because of all the twists and turns, but we broke it into two parts, then put the whole thing together, and it was actually really fun! Stan did great!

Practice today with Tammy was so good! We went back to the gym where the last trial was held and rented the room for ourselves. I got there first and practiced a little on my own, and it went well. When I remember to use a low hand and eye contact, it makes all the difference for Stan.

Tammy noticed that Stan tends to nip my ankles when he wants my attention or gets nervous. She had me work on planning ahead and calling out obstacles as early as I could, and it really helped! So the bottom line is that Stanley is fine. He’s doing his best, and I’m the problem. If I stay connected to him and let him know where we’re going, he knows his job and he will do it!

So: keep eyes on Stanley, use a LOW hand to guide him, and call out obstacles as early as possible to support him. Talk to him while he’s in tunnels so he knows what’s coming next.

Another suggestion from my trainer was a special command to call him to me in the agility ring. I use “Here” every day, so I wanted to train something with more excitement that I can hopefully transfer to the ring. I came up with “Zip,” and I’m teaching him that coming to me when I say Zip is fun and exciting! Hoping it helps keep him with me and focused for our next trial. Yikes, it’s only 10 days away!

AND I love my pet stroller! It makes it so easy to lug my stuff around, and Stan is even getting used to hanging out in it. He is barking so much less. It’s really well made, easy to push, and holds my stuff in the bottom. I think Stan prefers being up high in the stroller to being on the ground in a crate.

Agility Diaries – Another Trial

After good practice runs at my agility club a couple of weeks ago, lots of practice at home, and a really good class on Wednesday night, I had high hopes for today’s trial.

At home, I’ve been doing focus games, working on “wait” and all kinds of tricks, and having him stay with me as we walk. I really thought he was doing well.

Stan needed to be re-measured today. CPE requires it if a dog was measured before turning two. We don’t know his actual birthday, so I’ve called it 10/29/24, which makes him officially two now.

I arrived about an hour before our first walk-through, set Stan up, and checked in with the judge. She was between classes, so she measured him right away. He’s still under 12″, which keeps him in the 8″ jump class.

He settled in his stroller, I caught up with friends, and walked the course. Afterward, he got some zoomies in the fenced area and we practiced “touch” and “here.” He wasn’t listening perfectly, but he was listening.

We had just two runs, Standard and Full House. The Standard course was pretty circular, so I wasn’t worried. Full House had no obvious path, so I’d drawn out several options at home the night before. But once I walked it, things didn’t line up with the paper map and none of my plans would work. It didn’t matter anyway. Stanley had plans of his own.

Our first run, Standard, started with a tunnel, and since Stan usually loves tunnels, I thought it would go well. He did the tunnel, then took off to visit. It’s hard when he knows the ring crew sitting in the ring, because he wants to say hello. It was a battle to keep him on track, and we were halfway through before he finally focused. He also got very interested in smelling the A-frame and peed a couple of drops on it, an automatic disqualification and a first for him. Ugh. I didn’t know what to do, so I asked the judge whether I should clean it up. Evidently not. That’s the ring crew’s job.

The good news is that we finished. We were over time, but he took no obstacles out of order, so no official off-courses, and he ran the whole course with no bars down. It’s something.

His second run usually goes better than the first, but today wasn’t our day. He didn’t want to listen, and even though Full House lets us basically make up our own course, he was distracted and I had to keep redirecting him. We didn’t earn enough points, or the right combo of obstacles. I honestly don’t know which, maybe both. We were over time again, but at least he didn’t pee on anything in the ring!

The worst part came at the end, when he started nipping my ankles and the judge suggested I have my trainer work with us on it. So embarrassing! Little does she know we’ve been working on exactly that, and it’s much better than it used to be.

So, no Qs and no ribbons for us today. I know this is a hobby and the point is to have fun, but I got in my head and kept beating myself up over what else I could have done.

My parents came to watch today, too, so yeah, not the best day. I’m really considering whether to do the next trial I booked in a couple of weeks, or pull out of everything, work on training, and try again in the spring. To compete or not to compete, that is the question!

Some days he’s really lucky he’s so cute!

Super Quick Agility Update

We started back to class this week and had a fantastic class focusing on working distance. We had to stay in a ribboned off section and send our dogs through a series of jumps and a tunnel. Honestly, we did better than I expected! We definitely have more work to do, but it was a great exercise!

Our next trial was planned for November 20th, but I couldn’t resist signing up for another on 11/8 when I heard our friends were all going. It’s so addicting! We are only planning two runs, Standard and Full House, so we will see how that goes. I would rather do three runs in a day because our first run is usually an excited mess as Stan gets used to the new venue and people, but we’ll see how it goes.

In the meantime, we are working on weave poles at home, sending him “Out” and “around” and of course coming back to me and waiting. We are also working on some new tricks! He is learning “Eight” where he weaves a figure 8 around my legs, and he is getting really good at jumping through my arms when I make a circle with them! He really loves the tricks! If anyone has any ideas of other tricks to teach him, I’m very open to new ideas.

Pet Gear Special Edition No-Zip Stroller Review

Agility trials have become a bit of an addiction, and I realized this at my very first one. I also realized I haul an absurd amount of stuff: folding crate, treats, towel, leashes, toys, a book, snacks, drinks. I was considering a wagon so I could stop making five trips to the car, and then I spotted someone at a trial with a small dog in a stroller.

Brilliant. No folding crate needed, because Stan can rest in the stroller. With storage underneath, it keeps all my stuff in one spot.

I’ve used mine for one trial and one practice so far, and it’s been awesome. Stanley seems to prefer it to his crate, since he sits up higher and can supervise everything. The mesh makes it very breathable, and I add a blanket for coziness (or drape one partway over the top when we’re outside and it’s chilly).

Now I sling a folding chair over my shoulder, wheel Stan and all my gear in, and that’s it: one trip. Once we’re settled, I can take Stan out for a walk. Leaving is just as easy. Fold the chair, wheel everything to the car, and give Stan a last stroll before the ride home.

Strollers in general are great, but I really love this Pet Gear one. It wasn’t cheap at about $100 on Amazon, but here’s why it’s worth it:

No zippers. The top folds over and clips shut, which is much faster than zipping all the way around, and it feels durable.
Plenty of room. Stan is 11 lbs and can stretch out or curl up, with space for blankets and a toy. The sides are high enough to feel cozy.
Cool and breathable. Lots of mesh, plus I clip on a little battery-powered fan for hot days.
Big storage underneath. It’s about the size of the pet area, with plenty of room for toys and snacks.
Adjustable tether. It snaps to Stan’s harness, so I can leave the top open while I sit next to him and he still can’t launch himself out.
Three wheels. The two close together in front keep it stable, and it steers easily in tight spots. It rolls over grass and gravel, and I can push it one-handed through doorways.
Cup holder. On the handle, where it belongs.

Cupholder is missing in this picture, but it just clips on to the handle, very convenient.

My favorite perk is having Stan safely contained while I get settled in a new building, and I can stop and chat with friends without worrying about surprise dog introductions.

It does feel solid and well made. Folding it took me a minute and a couple of fumbles, but now it’s easy, and it fits in my trunk with room to spare.

I’m excited to use it at all my upcoming trials. It makes everything easier, and Stan gets a front-row seat!

Agility Diaries – Practice Runs

Agility Diaries – Practice Runs

All summer, our agility club gets to use an outdoor property for practice. On Saturday we had our last outdoor session of the season and then packed everything up for winter. It was a really fun day!

Practice Runs

They set up a course with novice and advanced options. Each team got about 60 seconds to run either course, or just work on whatever they wanted. We did three runs.

On the first run I started at the wrong end of the tunnel on the novice course, oops! So I made up my own course on the spot. Stan was distracted anyway, so we got a few obstacles in and called it good.

The next run went better. I remembered the course this time, and Stanley stayed with me pretty well. It was all just for fun anyway!

Overall, Stanley did OK. He still gets distracted and runs off on me sometimes, but he’s getting much better about coming back, which is great to see. This winter I’ll be working on more obedience training.

My friend Lisa Hanley took some amazing pictures of Stanley in action, and they’re all through this post!

The Weave Pole Challenge

We also did a weave pole challenge: 12 weave poles, through a tunnel, and back through the poles again. Handlers had to stay outside one of two lines while working their dog, and the fastest time won. I almost didn’t enter, but it was just for fun, so why not get the extra practice? We didn’t win, but Stanley did OK.

To finish the day there was a costume contest. Stanley made an adorable bee. He didn’t win a prize from the judges, but he took first place in my heart!

What’s Next

All in all, it was a super fun day. Our next round of agility classes starts this week, and our next trial is in two weeks! I’m also thinking about Rally classes to help with Stan’s focus.

Have you done Rally with your dog? Tell me about it in the comments!

Agility Diaries: Trial #2 – No Qs, But a Whole Lot of Progress

Trial #2 is in the books! We didn’t earn any Qs this time, but I honestly feel like we had a better day than at our first trial. Here’s how it went.

Standard

Standard was our first run of the morning, and Stanley did OK. He took a few detours and we ran over time, but he eventually completed every obstacle. We had one off-course when he took a jump from the wrong direction, but overall, not bad for an early start!

Colors

Next up was Colors, and there were about four hours between our two runs. That’s a long wait! We went for walks, ran around the fenced area, played some attention games, and I made a coffee run, but it still felt like starting the day all over again. Stanley was so excited to get back in the ring.

In Colors, you get to choose between courses (each one is a different color, hence the name). The course I picked had a pretty tight turn, and we actually nailed it! Our big issue was that Stan decided to stop and visit the ring crew, which ate up way too much time.

Jumpers

Jumpers was our last run of the day. Stan headed off to say hi to the ring crew again after just the first two obstacles, and we lost a lot of time. We did finish, though, and came home with a first place ribbon! No Q, and I’m pretty sure he was the only dog in his height class, but whatever 😉 We finished the course and got a ribbon, so that’s something.

Stan’s New Ride

This was our first trial using the new stroller, and it was great. It’s so nice to have one place to pile up all my stuff. Stan isn’t totally thrilled about being left alone and “crated” in the stroller, but he’s definitely happier in it than in his portable crate.

The best part was at the end of the day. I loaded Stan and all my gear into the stroller and just wheeled everything out. I could stop and say goodbye to my friends without worrying about Stan pestering the other dogs. Once we got outside, I let him walk while I wheeled our stuff back to the car. So easy!

What We’re Working On

Mostly, we need to keep working on Stan’s focus. He knows his job in the ring. Obstacles, dog walk, A-frame, tunnels: no problem. The trick is finding a way to curb his excitement without killing his enthusiasm. Once we get better at staying focused, he’s going to crush it!

I also need to remember to keep my eyes on him while we’re out there. I tend to get caught up worrying about the course and where we’re headed next, but if I can stay connected with Stan, I think it’ll help him focus too.

We’ll keep practicing, and we’re looking forward to our next trial next month!

Mini Review: New Leash

We don’t have a fenced yard, so Stan gets walked every time he needs to go out. For a long time, I kept a collar on him around the house for quick trips to the yard, then switched to a harness for longer walks around the neighborhood.

His agility leash is a martingale collar attached to a leash. I love the idea of it, but it’s a thick, fleecy thing I don’t want to use every day. So I went looking for something similar and found the BTINESFUL Long Slip Lead Dog Training Leash on Amazon. I LOVE IT.

Soft Rope – Thick Enough to Not Get Tangled

Collar has a stop so it can’t pull too tight

It’s well made and sturdy, and it’s a little reflective, which is nice at night. Because it works like a martingale, it can’t overtighten the way a choke collar can. I got the 10-foot one, which is long enough to give him some freedom in the yard. It’s a nice bright blue, and it slips on and off in seconds.

The best part? Stan can be naked in the house now, and I can still get him outside quickly and easily.

It was super reasonably priced (I think I paid about $10), and I may buy a spare!

Agility Diaries: Trial #2 & Stan’s New Ride!

Not sure what I was thinking, but I have another trial on Saturday! We’re only doing three runs: Standard, Colors, and Jumpers. We did well in Colors last time, so we don’t really need the points, but it’s all good experience right now. Hope it goes OK!

I also bought Stanley a stroller. I feel a little silly about it, but I think it’s going to make things so much easier. At the last trial, I had to leave Stan in the car while I brought in his folding crate, my chair, and two bags of my stuff and his stuff. This time, I’m hoping to throw my chair over my shoulder, put our bags in the bottom of the stroller, and just wheel right into the venue!

I’ll be trying it out for the first time this weekend, so we’ll see how it goes. I hope it works out as well as I think it will. So far, Stan really seems to like hanging out in it! And so does Puck! I’ll write a review of the stroller once we use it at Trial this weekend.

One trial in the Books!

Thanks for the support and photo Tammy Morse!

We Did It: Stanley’s First Agility Trial!

Sorry for the delay on this! I just realized I never published it! Next trial in less than two weeks! I think I’m addicted!

Last weekend, Stanley and I completed five runs over two days at our very first agility trial—and we survived! More than that, we had a wonderful time, learned a lot, and even came home with a first-place ribbon, and more importantly, points on our record!

Most of the weekend went about as I expected for a first trial. There were nerves, lots of new things to take in, a few moments that did not go exactly as planned, and plenty of lessons for both of us. But we also managed to earn one qualifying run, or “Q,” which means Stanley earned points toward a future agility title. To make it even more exciting, we took first place in that run!

I am so proud of my little teammate.

A Warm Welcome

One of the biggest things that stood out to me was how fantastic everyone was. What an amazing community!

I walked in on the first morning loaded down with a folding dog crate, treats, blankets, snacks, a chair, and everything else I thought we might possibly need. I am sure I looked like a deer in the headlights as I wandered around searching for a familiar face.

Several people I had never met stopped to say hello and asked how they could help. Everyone was supportive, patient, and kind. That made such a difference, especially when I was feeling a little overwhelmed and trying to figure out how everything worked.

The trial itself was very laid-back and friendly, which made it a wonderful learning environment for a first-timer. I could tell that people genuinely wanted to see one another succeed. it was amazing hearing people I knew and didn’t know cheering for Stanley!

Stanley’s Big Weekend

I was also a little worried about having Stanley measured before the trial. The judge could not have been kinder. He did not even mind when I asked him to remove his baseball hat, since hats can sometimes set Stanley off. That small bit of understanding helped Stanley—and me—feel much more comfortable.

Stanley was excited all day and clearly had a great time. He loves agility, and that enthusiasm definitely came through in the ring. Sometimes, though, his excitement got the best of him. He did not always stay with me, and I had to work hard to call him back and keep him on course.

That is all part of the learning process. We now know we have plenty to work on, especially coming back to me at the end of a run. I definitely do not want to hold up the next team because I cannot get Stanley out of the ring!

Still, I would much rather have a happy, enthusiastic dog who needs to learn a little more focus than a dog who does not enjoy the experience. We will keep building that teamwork one practice at a time.

Lessons and Motivation

I am so glad we went, and I am relieved that the first-trial jitters are behind us. It was a great reminder that trials are not only about ribbons, Qs, or perfect runs. They are also about learning how to handle a new environment, figuring out what skills need more practice, meeting wonderful people, and most important of all – having fun with your dog.

The weekend gave me so much motivation to work harder and level up our skills. We are back in classes, working every day at home, and focusing on the things that will help us become a stronger team.

And we already have more adventures planned: I have signed us up for another trial in October and one more in November.

Team Stanley—we can do this, as long as we keep having fun!