Saturday, February 28, 2015

Hex 13 Weeks

I often get asked what you can do with your baby puppy... here are some ideas. Hex has been with me for 2 weeks now (He only arrived when he was 11 weeks). In my experience he has learned quicker than most dogs,except maybe Volt, but there are not limits, be creative, think of new things.

I have to say, that I am so grateful for Hex and Psych's breeders for really only introducing dogs with a SOLID temperament into their lines.  It makes the world of difference not to have to struggle with issues.



On a different note, I am really having heartbreaking problems with Volt.  He has developed a very big problem with our regular show grounds.  The problem seems to be that he has gotten a fright of any people or dogs that are even remotely close to the ring.  Training or competitions at any other grounds are not a problem and even if I train at these show grounds outside of a show environment he is still my mad, crazy, loving, barking Sheltie.  Seeing him shut down in the ring is heartbreaking.  We have cut down on competition a lot (doing maybe one round a day, maybe none), while I am trying to find ways to make it all a positive experience again.  It seems it might be a very long Agility year ahead for me... and no AWC and maybe not even any big events.  His welfare is a lot more important to me.

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Erm.... Oops... Introducing Hex...

I have an incredibly unplanned puppy... That is the long and the short of it.  Basically I saw this picture on the Monday:


And by Thursday I had a puppy!

He is from Psych's breeder, in fact he is a half brother. So many things in his favour that brought him here.  I absolutely LOVE his mother, in fact my next Border Collie was planned from her or a grandchild of hers... of course this was supposed to be in a few years time.  A good few years! Anyhow Tula (dam) is a bit of a noisy, crazy, nutso, hard as nails, non-stop looney tune!  Explains why I like her right?  He shares his father with Psych, a dog that I also adore. A tall, lanky, easy-going, workaholic boy from the UK (Astra Lad).  Most of the other puppies had left (some of these pups in the background are from another litter), but the breeder had kept this little guy back for a bit, thinking he would rather keep him for a bit and look for the right serious working home...

Of course there are several factors that contributed to Hex coming home, but being a tri-colour with a left blue eye really did help his cause...

A few people have asked, why I would get a related dog, after stating several times that Psych has been the most difficult Agility dog I have trained to date. First and foremost I live with my dogs, Agility is a big second.  I LOVE living with Psych, when she is not being a ultra serious, perfectionist, confidence lacking Agility dog, she is the most fun, amusing, intelligent and easy going dog to live with!  I did, after all, take the pup with the strongest herding instinct when I chose her, so not completely unexpected.  I love the confidence, character and intelligence of the Chrisri Dogs...

Today Hex has been here a week, but looking at it, you would more guess that he has been living here for the last century.  Luckily for me, we hit it off from the word go and he fits in like a dream.  I look forward to many years together!

Without further a due:



Having an unplanned pup means a lot of crash planning for training and thinking of what one wants to do differently and the same from previous dogs.  I am very busy with work at the moment, but really hoping to catalogue Hex's youth and training and my thoughts and some more videos on the blog.  I am also hoping to fully catalogue his story growing up, but once again, we will see how things go with regards to work.