Why is Lady a Chicken?

Why is Lady a Chicken? I wish to God I knew. We are trying to get ready for the Games next weekend. To say Lady is freaked out about the new indoor location for Club Doggie is an understatement. I was trying to complete the a full run to practice for the Games and Lady is trying to hide out in the Tunnels. I am so frustrated. I am trying to have a good talk with myself and tell myself that it will take time for Lady to get used to the new location, but are you freaking kidding me? Okay! I think I have gotten my negative thinking out of my system.

In the scheme of things, who cares right? As Jubie's son stated, we have to start somewhere. I think why I am so frustrated is that this dog is scared of so much and we have been working so hard for so long. My cousin's wife Joy has been working so hard and so long to win her fight with cancer; I feel stupid even worrying about whether or not my dog will do well next weekend. I vow that I will not put pressure on my dog and myself to win. We are going to have fun and more importantly, work with Lady to not be scared.

In the acting school lessons, Lady is doing great. She is learning to shut cupboard doors, revolve around a training ball and nudge a ball around the field.

Tightening the Turns!

Today we had a make-up class, which has nothing to do with this picture posted, this picture is of Lady perfecting her down on the "Table". Our class today was a Serpentine with poles, a jump and the chute. It was not executed well (my fault - of course), but one good thing came of it: Lady actually went through the chute! We had to go last and of course instead of obsessing about executing the Serpentine well, I was obsessing about Lady going through the chute. Wouldn't you know, she did the chute fine and I screwed up the Serpentine cueing ( is "cueing" a word"?). Additionally, she went through the poles like a tortoise.

Next came the tight turns. I did well on the "wrapping around" the stantion cue, but having Lady go through the jump and to my side, where-by tightening her turn, not so good.

This was my first time back in the saddle so-to-speak and it looks as if I have a lot of work ahead to get Lady ready for Level 3. We are finishing this Level 2 and taking another 4 week session at Level 2, but I want her ready for Level 3 by the end of the next 4 week session. Looks as if Serpentines and Threttles, are going to be my life from now on!

Another lesson learned: stop worrying about the obstacles and worry more about my handling plan!