#dogs – Pet Momma

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!

Agility Diaries: One Week to Go!

One week from today, Stanley and I will most likely have finished at least one run of our very first agility trial. I cannot believe it is only a week away. Yikes!

I also cannot believe I signed up for a fourth run. At first, I entered three games and no Standard agility, but then I realized that a Level 1 Standard course should be a very reasonable challenge for us. In class, we are usually working on much harder courses—often Level 5—so adding the excitement, stress, and energy of competition to a Level 1 course feels like something we can attempt.

Of course, we will see if Stan agrees!

Four runs may end up being a little much, but I can always scratch one if he seems tired or overwhelmed. I could also use one of the runs as practice time: get into the ring, work together, and make it a positive experience without putting too much pressure on either of us. We will see how the schedule goes and how we are both feeling.

We had class again last night, but the weather did not cooperate, so we were indoors. It was not Stanley’s best night. He has not been indoors in a while, and I think all the new smells, close quarters, and dogs hanging around near the course were very distracting for him.

His first run was pretty awful, honestly. But after that, he started to figure it out and listened much better. That is what matters. The new start-line routine—simply putting him down and going—is still working fairly well. I would still love to eventually have a reliable start-line stay, but with competition only a week away, I think it is more important to use what is working now. We can keep refining the stay after the trial.

Today there is no class, and it is absolutely beautiful outside. I am hoping to make time this afternoon to set up a small course in the yard and do a little practice. I keep the jumps very low so we can work on focus and discipline without putting unnecessary strain on his little body.

Tomorrow should be a fun adventure. A little roadtrip, and we are going to watch some of our friends compete, which will be great experience for me—and good exposure for Stanley—without asking him to do much physical work. On Sunday, I am hoping to find time for some simple obedience practice.

Then next week, we only have class on Wednesday. Maybe I can get out to the outdoor course for a little practice Thursday evening. Some walks and obedience practice on the off days.

And then Friday… yikes!

Stanley and I are definitely not going into this trial expecting perfection. My goal is to have fun, keep him feeling confident, and hopefully finish at least one run together. Everything else will be a bonus. This first trial is about learning what competition feels like and celebrating how far my little guy has already come.

Much better alternative to the Pupsicle — and way cheaper

We started with the blue Pupsicle and while my dog Stanley loved what was inside, I couldn’t stand the toy itself. I could never get it open, even after trying the coconut-oil trick people recommend online — no luck. Eventually I gave the whole thing away, freezer tray included, and picked up this orange toy instead.

Big improvement. It’s noticeably harder but much easier to open than the Pupsicle. I haven’t tried it with frozen treats yet, but I did put a shelf stable Pupsicle type treat in it and it worked out great. I need to make some frozen treats to try.

I’ve been using bigger chunks of dried liver (the hole is a bit large for regular kibble, so stick to bigger pieces). It comes with two freeze compartments so you can make your own frozen treats too; I plan to use baby food mixed with kibble, peanut butter,

Sassy, Classy, and BadAssy!

That’s how I’m attacking this upcoming year! Thanks to Skye for the motivation.

I’ve added a bunch of stuff to my eBay listings, there are over a 100 listings now including handmade jewelry, crystal bracelets, and still lots of books. I’m hoping to add some pet products at some point, but still experimenting and learning how it all works.

Cats

The cats are doing well. I am always grateful for the everyday joy that comes with sharing life with them.

Bean’s fur is growing back quickly—possibly a little too quickly for my liking! I am hoping he makes it through the winter without needing another shave, but for now, it is nice to see his coat filling back in.

Puck is, of course, still Puck: sweet, lovable, cuddly, and always ready to make himself comfortable nearby. Some things never change, and that is one of the best things about him.

One thing I need to improve on is brushing their teeth more regularly. It is easy to let little routines slide when everyone seems happy and healthy, but dental care is important too. So that is my reminder to myself: make tooth-brushing a more consistent part of our cat-care routine. If I need motivation, remember the cost of a vet dental cleaning!

Hector

Hector is her usual cranky self. Yesterday, while I was on a Zoom call, she was screaming, whistling, chirping, and banging toys in the background. Thankfully, I do not think anyone else on the call could hear her!

First Agility Trial!

Stanley and I have been working hard, and I officially signed us up for our very first agility trial. I am so excited! My only real goal is to show up and experience what a real trial is like. If we actually finish a class, that will be a wonderful bonus.

It is a three-day trial, and on the first day we are doing three game classes: Jumpers, Colors, and Full House. We are entering the easiest level in each class, and little Stan only has to jump 8 inches.

Jumpers is a set course made up of jumps and tunnels. We will need to complete the course within a certain amount of time—hopefully without going off course, refusing obstacles, or knocking down jumps.

Colors has two courses set up in the arena at the same time. We get to choose which course to complete, which gives us the opportunity to find the one that works best for us.

Full House sounds like it will be especially fun. There will be a variety of obstacles set up around the arena, but no assigned course. Each obstacle is worth a different number of points, and we will need to earn a set point total within the allotted time. A jump might be worth one point, while an A-frame or weave poles could be worth five points. A tunnel or tire jump may be worth three points. We can choose the order in which we do the obstacles, so if Stan decides a tunnel sounds more appealing than a jump, that is completely fine—as long as we meet the requirements!

I have also signed us up for another Jumpers class on the third day. I am thinking it might be good to give Stanley a day of rest and then return to the trial atmosphere while it is still fresh in his little mind. Of course, I can always skip the Sunday class if he seems like he needs a break.

Back to agility class tonight! We will be doing lots of practicing over the next few weeks as we get ready for our first competition.

How’s your summer going? What are you doing to keep your pets busy and engaged? Let me know!

Exciting News!

It’s time to declutter! I’ve been going through my house and selling off a bunch of books and other items. It all started a couple of months ago when I had to pay for two cat dentals in less than two months. Needed some extra cash, and selling off a bunch of stuff I wasn’t using seemed like a good ideaand, I discovered that I’m enjoying reselling!

Finding items, photographing, listing, packaging and mailing. It’s been fun, so I’m going to keep doing it!

I’m mentioning it here because the name of my business is now PetMomma’s Picks! You can find me on ebay.

Right now there is a huge variety of books out there, Stephen King, horse books, and just novels. Feel free to take a look!

Sales are going to help fund my pet expenses and new obsession with Agility, and I’m donating part of my sales to my local animal shelter 😉 Hoping to add more pet related products as time goes on. What would you like to see me selling?

Saying Goodbye, a Sick Pup, and a Tricky Cat: Never a Dull Moment

Happy 4th of July!

A little sad news to start today’s post: I lost my bearded dragon last week. She’d been slowing down for months, pickier about food, sleeping more, and less active, and I knew she was getting up there in age. I got her about eight years ago when she was already around five. I’ll miss her watching me work and tapping on the glass whenever she wanted to come out.

Stanley picked up kennel cough while boarding during my daughter’s wedding, so he had to sit out our 4th of July trip. He’s doing fine now, and thankfully a friend stayed at the house to take care of him and the rest of the pets, I think she enjoyed the relaxing weekend. His quarantine ends this week, so we’re excited to get back to agility after missing two classes.

Hector seems happy the foster bird went back to the shelter, though I’ll admit I loved watching the two of them interact.

The cats are doing okay. Bean’s haircut is growing in nicely. My son’s cat’s urinary issues have flared up again: he’s peed on a new bed and the couch several times despite closed doors and a tarp. It’s rough since he’s such a sweet cat, but we may need to try anxiety medication. For now it’s back on the calming prescription food.

Never a dull moment!

Little Things Count

Stanley has been keeping me busy lately with agility classes, tricks, manners, and plenty of walks. Last week was the final class of this agility session, and we celebrated with agility games. The basic rules were simple and a little chaotic: race around the obstacles any way you want within a set time, but hit certain required obstacles along the way for points.

Some weeks, I can’t even take Stan off leash because the smells on the course and the other dogs around the room are just too much for his little brain. Other times, he locks in with me and we have a great run. Last week was one of those great nights. I was a little overwhelmed trying to plan a path that would both rack up points and play to his strengths, but Stanley absolutely rose to the occasion. He stayed with me, followed my cues, and even ran the weave poles. Tunnel, A‑frame, jumps, tire jump – he did it all, off leash and focused. I was so proud of him, and I really feel like all the focus training we’ve been doing is finally starting to pay off.

As thrilled as I am about his big “game night” success, I’m realizing how much the tiny, everyday moments matter just as much. The other day I came home, let him out of his crate, did the usual potty break, and then hit a wall. I just didn’t feel great and really needed a nap. Of course, as soon as I lay down, Stanley decided it was playtime. He bounced on the bed, nipped at my hands, and dug at the blankets while I silently begged the universe for twenty minutes of quiet.

I gave him a gentle pat and told him I needed to rest. A minute later, he hopped off the bed. I figured he’d found something else to get into, but instead he came back carrying a chew toy. He settled in next to me, happily chewed for a few minutes, and then curled up against me and fell asleep. Self‑soothing, respecting my need for a break, and still taking care of his own.

That tiny moment felt just as big as his perfect off‑leash agility run. It’s easy to celebrate the flashy stuff – the tunnels, the weave poles, the game nights – but the little choices he’s starting to make on his own are what really show me how far he’s come. I love this little dog so much, and I’m trying to remember that in training and in life, the little things really do count!

Bean also had a big day recently with a dental cleaning, and I’m so relieved that all went well. The vet did end up removing one tooth; the root was pretty badly damaged, so they think he must have injured it at some point and that it was probably causing him pain. He got injections of antibiotics and pain medication while he was there, which meant no meds for me to juggle at home – such a gift. He came home a little sleepy but comfortable, and I’m grateful we caught the problem and that he should be feeling so much better now. Hoping for a break from large vet bills for a bit!

Bean’s tooth for the curious: