AGILITY TRAINING – GOING BACKWARDS

[Cathy C. Bennett]

Writing this post is painful – both physically and emotionally (keep reading). I feel like a mother who has to tell her athletic “super star” husband, that the son they had together didn’t make the “little league” team, OUCH…

Saturday was Agility training (week 2) for Leo and I.

*Feel free to catch “Agility Training -Just the Two of Us” for a better understanding as to why we’re doing this.

Saturday started with all the look, smell and feel for a great morning. No rain (which was a miracle in itself), and no line at the coffee shop…

Business as usual at  Olde Towne Pet Resort for a Saturday morning, lot’s of pets, people and activity. One of The Boys favorite camp counselor walked by and Harley went nuts with the “doodle love.” Poor thing had to drop the bag of food to keep his balance…

Last week the parting of the two was seamless. While Harley socialized with the staff behind the front desk, Leo and I quietly walked down the hallway and out the door to the agility area. Harley then went upstairs to his furrends and no one seemed really interested in the whereabouts of the other one.

Not the case this time! Due to the rain on Friday, the agility area was muddy and nasty. Bless the instructor for bringing a few equipment pieces into one of the playrooms for indoor training – thanks Karen!

As Leo and I walked down the hall, I got the surprise of my life. My body was suddenly ANDinvoluntarily jerked backwards into a stance that surely wasn’t intended for any living human being.

For a minute there I probably resembled the victim in a horror movie. You know the scene, when the woman’s body gets twisted into one of those painful positions, then she’s yanked back and forth by some super natural something that finally hoists her into the air and she disappears through the ceiling tile…. that’s how I felt and probably looked.

Anyway – without warning, I was pulled completely around and hurled back down the hallway. This all happened so fast, instinctively I first gripped the leash as a defense mechanism, and then I held on tight for the safety of others. I didn’t know “what in the doodle” had gotten into Leo.

And then I saw it -

Harley – up the hallway – getting on the elevator!

“What had happened was”…

Someone saw Harley in the office, and out of the kindness of their heart decided to do a good deed and take him upstairs, not realizing Leo hadn’t “cleared the area.”

When I tell you he pulled me like a one dog sled team, I almost had to take a squat position like a water skier to stay on my feet. The elevator closed right before we reached it, and then he stopped pulling. That is the only thing that saved my backside from sliding across the linoleum floor embarrassing me FOREVER!

I gathered my composure, adjusted my clothing, smiled at the pet parents watching this Saturday morning cartoon, and I walked Leo to the playroom.

Once inside, Leo greeted Karen, and he remembered the “touch” exercise…

But that was about it!

When I tell you he shut down, I mean it – he “shut down.” He wouldn’t do anything else!

I sat with him and together we watched Winston practice the weave exercise. He was impressive. He came up to the start area…

Sat down on command…

And went through like a champ…

Leo came up to the start area, and stood…

So we sat and watched Oscar get ready…

And he ran through it like “butter”, baby…

And what pray tell do you think Leo mastered?

This…

All ninety two pounds refused to participate, and remained on the red couch.

Karen the instructor and I decided when Leo saw Harley get on the elevator headed to camp, that did it for him. We both thought it was best not to force him. We had begged and bribed him several times to no avail – so we let it go.

I told her a story about Harley at an outdoor charity event – how he saw an agility tunnel, seemed curious, so I went to the other side and called him, and he ran right through it…

From that, she had an idea! She suggested I come to the course during the week, and bring them both. Allow Harley into the training area, and after they’ve run around a bit, start taking Leo through the course and practice with just us. So we will be back out there on Tuesday, mid-morning, for “remedial” training. Have no fear, we are not giving up – I feel a breakthrough coming!

PS: If you’re wondering and/or worried about Leo’s emotional state – trust me, he’s fine. Once reunited with his BFF (best furry furrend) – life went right back to normal…

I, on the other hand, need Alleve and “Five Oil” ligament from The Boys Auntie Yvonne just to type this post…

As always, thanks so much for reading, and I promise to keep writing…

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

He didn't do well because Wilson wasn't with him.  Just sayin'.......

[Stella]

Don't worry about feeling like you are going backwards. I did a whole summer of weekly outdoor agility lessons with my younger LD last year, and then indoors once every two months during the winter. When I took him back to outdoor lessons this spring, you would think he'd never seen a piece of agility equipment in his life!! I actually had to withdraw him from the trial we were entered into. It has taken about five weeks of lessons for him to get back into the groove! Our other problem is that he is very attached to my husband, so DH can't come to lessons or trials anymore because Chase is too attached and just runs along the ring fenceline looking for my husband!!

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Cathy, you had me laughing out loud and I can just picture you being "pulled and squatting" to keep control.  I'm sorry about the laughing, but this is just too funny:)  Leo definitely was "on" a mission to do "nothing"!   OMD, this was just tooooo cute.  I hope by now you are feeling better and ready for the next "ride" Leo may take you on and hopefully "not"!  Love your writing and blogs!

[Sheila & Finnley]

Hahahaha, Oh Cathy.... Leo looked great against the backdrop of the red couch ! Sorry you had to have that Alleve moment at all. Maybe Wilson need to go and be used as a bribe ? Wilson, just might enjoy the outing too, LOL ! Rest up, and Five Oil up too. Good luck on Tuesday, I for one will be looking for the follow up blog !

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

Oh MY!  that is exactly how I feel after my walks with BEN if he wants to run somewhere and i'm holding his leash!  Except Bens not 90 lbs :/  I hope you are feeling better!

Leo is so cute!  Such a BIG baby :D

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Glad the boys reunited and that you survived! Keep us posted and thanks for great pictures and story!

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Ha, what an adventure you had...wish me luck on Wednesday lol Great pictures, love them, especially the red couch one!