Welcome to my blog. This is all about me, Edge, and growing up with Mom and Gary. Mom was going to blog but I took over as it is a lot of fun. I am a Weimaraner that loves to hunt, play rally, agility, run, and eat good food. The World is my Playground and you are invited to share my experiences!


Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Agility practice

We did agility tonight, it was hot in the sun but not bad under the trees. We worked on forward sends to a single jump and a pinwheel. Mom and I have worked hard at me staying with her, so this has been a little difficult for me. I did do much better tonight though. Then we worked on weave pole entries outside and I ROCKED! I was doing really tough entries like a pro. Mom was very proud of me.

We worked on my rally Level 3 obedience inside tonight. I am doing so good with my signals and drop on recall. I sure hope we can go to school on Friday so I can show everyone how good I am doing.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

My new bed

Mom decided to make a new "pillow topper" for my kennel. I wanted to help. So we first cut the fabric to just the right size

After it was cut and sewn, we had to cut the padding to fit inside the bed:

I am such a good helper. I helped hold it in place so it didn't move when Mom cut it. I wanted to cut and pin, but I was not allowed :(

After it was all cut and put together, I gave it a test run before the final sewing. I think it is great!


And then when it was completely done, I did test runs on it. It passed the "Edge test"

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Agility Run Thrus

We went to the Wild Weavers building today for agility run thrus. We did the excellent course and I did a pretty good job. There was a serpentine that was jumping into the poles and I missed one of the jumps, but we kept on going. We have not worked on many serpentines, but I guess we will now... I did great weave poles and they were from the table.

The best part is that there was a little German Shorthair girl, Troi, there today. She really liked me and I REALLY liked her. She kept giving me her butt. But then when I tried to sniff her she would "get me." I thought it was a fun game, but she was being ornery. I got to watch her run agility too.

We played a couple times and then came home and played in the back yard. We played bumper and mom and I chased each other - I really like that game.

Then we had a cookout!! woohoo - we even had steak. YUM! I like steak and Mom shared with me. And then we had cream cheese frosted brownies for dessert, after running in the back yard again.

what a great day!!

Friday, August 27, 2010

Rally Class

We went to rally class tonight and had lots of fun. We couldn't go last week because we went to the rally trial in Cincinnati. We ran a Level 3 course and I did a great job!! Then we practiced our new Level 3 exercises as we would like to enter Level 3 in October.

I have been doing really well on my signals and drop on recall at home, but was still having issues at the building. Well, tonight I did it all perfect!! Mom was so proud of me (and I was proud of me too!) We even did it in the middle while dogs were working on both sides, so lots of distractions. I did it several times too. We also worked on our "honor" for AKC excellent rally as I will be in Excellent very soon too.

We had a great time at class and I was a very good boy!!!

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Play and Cookout

It was definitely a better day! After Mom finished with her "spring cleaning" we went out to run for a long time. It was so nice outside and I ran and ran and ran. I pointed and hunted and just had FUN! After I cooled off, we played in the house. We did distance sits and downs and a lot of weaves poles with Mom standing at one end and calling or sending me through. Then later in the day we went outside and played agility.

Then we had a cookout!! I LOVE cookouts! I always get my own piece of chicken and it is really yummy on the grill.

It turned out to be a pretty good weekend after all!

Boring weekend...



Wow, what a boring weekend. I am so glad we played rally on Friday and had a good time. Mom and Gary are "spring cleaning" the basement and garage and I have nothing to do. We did go out back to run several times yesterday, but it was hot and muggy, especially after the rain. We didn't even have a cookout??!!!

The only good thing that happened yesterday was that I got a few new toys. Mom found two bags of toys from Cat, Rock and Jag. So I got a new pheasant and duck and a tug ball (well, that's what I think it is best used for!)


Hopefully we can do something fun today, although we are not starting out that way...

Friday, August 20, 2010

CELEBRATE!


I always get to raid the cooler of the leftover ice when we get home. It was a *jackpot* this time as I got a great BIG piece! I have even learned to open the cooler all by myself, so it is even self serve ice now :)

Blue and Q


Mom took a vacation day today and we headed to Cincinnati for a rally trial. She wasn't sure that I would still like rally as much since we have been doing agility. But I showed her that I do! I even did two big leaps in the ring to show her how much I like it! As always, we got there early so that we could get a good spot, I am so happy that Mom worries about my space, it is very important to me where I spend the day. And I get to greet all the dogs when they come in since I am one of the first ones there. There were a lot of them that I had never met before and I was excited. So excited that Mom was a little worried if I would pay attention; especially since there was an Irish Setter girl right by the ring gates.

Mom's friend Susan was there and I really liked her!! She put her hands on me and I could tell she does good work. I smiled at her and flipped around and gave her my back. She bent down to work on me and I put my head on her shoulder and smiled and her and told her how much I appreciated it.

Mom and I worked on some of our rally signs that we would have to do in the ring and she was happy with my performance. We didn't do a lot as the A/C was not fully functional and Mom didn't want me to get too hot.

When it was our turn, we went to the ring to wait. We were the last big dog and were ready to go in and then they blocked us and said to change the jumps. Mom wasn't sure what was going on and then someone told them, no, there was still a "Weimaraner" to compete. When Mom walked in she told them that she thought I may have to jump higher (she was kidding of course :) We started with a sit, down, sit and then immediately to a jump, I did the jump and then when I went in to heel, I leaped again - once just wasn't enough. We went on to do the rest of the course and I did a great job. We finished our last movement sign, then had slow, normal, finish. Just as we were in the middle of our slow sign, the leash runner starts walking toward us with her hand extended - holding my leash!! Hmm, do I get the leash, do I heel, what do I do?? I started walking toward her and Mom told me to heel. I went back to Mom and then the lady was in our way, so Mom stopped and told her she was not to be in the ring. I sat down, of course, since Mom stopped. We were all very confused!!

When we were done, I got my jackpot of chicken and a jar of beef! It was really good. When we went back to my cage, everyone told Mom what a great job I did and what good heeling I have. They thought we should do obedience the following day. Mom said "no way!"

We went back in the ring for awards - I won the class!! woohoo! how exciting, I got a new toy too. It was funny as Mom was going to buy the same toy for me in their store. I didn't need her to buy it as I *won* it! I earned a 98, mostly due to all the confusion at the end.

What a fun day we had. Mom told me she was very happy with my focus as I am able to focus much quicker and not as distracted with things going on outside the ring. I am maturing!! :)

Please move...

When we walked in the trial, a bunch of Shelties barked at me and scared me. Whenever we walked by their cages, Mom would walk between me and the cages and I would go wide so I could keep my eye on them. We were walking back to the cage and a lady was standing in my way so I could not "go wide" -I checked out the situation and reached up and "tapped" her in the butt and she moved over. Wow, that was easy. Once she moved I was able to walk right through. I am so glad she understood what I needed!

Sunday, August 15, 2010

2 runs - 2 Qs - 2 Firsts AND a title!



Long Wait

After our Jumpers run, we had a long wait until standard. It was too hot outside to do much and not much room to play inside. We took a few quick walks outside, visited all my friends inside, and even sat on the bleachers and watched for awhile. I thought it was fun to sit and watch others play agility. It was quite exciting at times. Mom brought a Panera sandwich for lunch and I got to share.

About 3:00 Mom was able to walk our course, it was pretty difficult. They used the excellent course and made two changes, removed a tunnel and moved the chute to make it a harder weave entry. Mom was worried about the teeter approach too. When she came to get me, she told me that she didn't expect to qualify, but just that we do our best and have fun.

The chute was the first obstacle and when we went out to the line I was READY!! I flew through the chute, but stressed a little at my poles. I did come back and do them, but got a refusal since we are in open standard. I did the rest of the course great, for a difficult course Mom told me she was very proud of me. (It also took me awhile to lay down on the table, but I did do it!!) The ending was 5 jumps in a line coming off the dogwalk. I did my contact, Mom told me how good I was and then she took off running - huh?? where is she going. She got ahead and then released me and kept her arm back for me to follow - the race was on!!! That was FUN!!!

My first open standard leg!!! And a first place.

Now to pack up for our drive home.... it has been a long day, but a very fun day!

First ones in the door

Mom was worried about getting a good spot for me today, so we were up very early to get to the show site. We were the first ones in the door at 6:30! She found a pretty good place for me, so I was glad we got there early. We had 2 hours to wait before our class started. But by the time we were set up and walked and all settle in, it was time for mom to walk our course. She told me it was pretty difficult for a Novice Jumpers course, but we would go do our best. She just wanted me to enjoy it! I was the first 24" dog so we were by the ring with about five 20" dogs to go. I got to watch a couple of them run and then played the "see it" game with mom. She had really good roast beef for me!!

It was then our turn, they were setting the bars and we went to the line. I was acting a little stressed so Mom and I played a couple touch games and then we did the big "give ten" jump and I got a little zoomie. It made Mom smile :)

We had a great run and I did a very good job! It was a very tight, twisty course but we managed it well. I didn't hit my weaves on the first try, but went right back and did them.

We were clean, won the class and earned my title! Great way to start our day.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Off to Cleveland!

Mom and I drove to Cleveland today for an agility trial tomorrow. We left early so that we could set up today and not have to worry about it tomorrow morning. About 5 minutes after we left, it started thundering and lightning and raining really hard. We had to pull over as we could not see where to drive. I was sleeping, but it woke me up and I sat up and watched. It rained the entire time we were driving, sometimes really hard. Unfortunately, we got to the building too late and couldn't set up.

We went to get our dinner and then to the hotel. I was sure happy to get out of the van! After dinner, we took a long walk so I could stretch my legs. Then we went to our room and played chase and tug with the toys that we brought. Then off to bed early for our big day tomorrow!

Friday, August 13, 2010

Tim Horton Timbits

We were watching TV last night and I was almost asleep on the couch when I saw TIMBITS on TV. They were dancing across the screen so I watched them very intently hoping that one may fall on the floor or something. It was so exciting to see them on television!

I didn't even know what they were until a few weeks ago. One morning Mom and I drove to Tim Horton's and ordered a box of timbits. I thought the little box was cute but then got really excited when I saw what was inside. (don't tell Mom I told on her, but the only reason we went to Tim Horton's is because she hadn't had a shower yet and didn't want to walk into Panera!) But I was glad we went to Tim Horton's as timbits are really good!!!

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Silly people

Mom and I went out back tonight and worked for a few minutes. We just ran the course that she set up over the weekend. When we finished we were standing under the tree and noticed two guys watching us from the neighbor's yard on the other side of the fence. (The neighbors have moved and their house is for sale.) When I saw them, I ran over to say "hi" and they got all upset. One of them starting swishing his notebook in the air at me telling me to "get back!" Huh, you were watching me and this is my yard. Did they think I would "get them??" There was a fence and I was being nice. Well, after he starting yelling at me and swishing his notebook at me, I barked at him! They took that as time to leave.

Silly people....

HOT week!

We have not been able to do much outside this week as it is HOT! We did go to Home Depot one night and played some in there. It was not too cool in there either! Mom and I were very warm by the time we left. Last night Mom and Gary took me out to hunt after it cooled off a little, they just walked around while I had fun! Then Mom surprised me with the bumper and Gary was very impressed at my self control. We have been working on that a lot getting ready for birds!!!

I cannot wait to go outside tonight. I am driving Mom crazy (she told me so!) as I keep begging to go out. I just want to go do something, anything... I am tired of being inside!

Tomorrow we go to rally -yea!! We have not been for a few weeks, Mom was really sick last week and we couldn't go. Then on Sunday we go to play agility!!!

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Work from home day!

I was so excited when I found out Mom was working from home today. She has not been able to for quite awhile so it was really nice to have her home today. Plus I always get special snacks when she is home. We get to go out and play on lunch hour since we have more time and I always get a bone to chew and I get to lounge on my bed while she is working.

It has been a great day, I sure hope she can do it again next week too!

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Alum Creek!

We had SOOOO much fun at Alum Creek. I even met new friends today too.
First I got to run and hunt:


Then I saw friends coming my way, I was soo excited to see them.


This is the hill that we climb (and the one I ran up to visit the jogger last time we were there)

What a fun afternoon. I am so glad we got to go run again this weekend.

A good start to a beautiful day

We started our morning with Panera bagels and yogurt! Then Mom and I went out to play in the back yard. I got to run and hunt and Mom swept off all the equipment. There was a lot of grass and debris from all the winds over the past few weeks as well as grass clippings from Gary cutting the grass. After Mom swept off all the equipment we played "get yer butt" another one of my favorite games. Mom tries to get me and I run as fast as I can. I get really close to her and just when she thinks she can "get my butt" I swing it to the side and put it in high gear. It is a really FUN game! I ALWAYS win!

Mom and Gary built a course for me last night so later today (when the grass dries) Mom and I will go out and RUN. We are going to Alum Creek soon, I really like to go there to run. There are a lot of smells and trails and I can track critters.

No more cleaning today - YEA! And I didn't have to work for my breakfast :) Only my salmon treats, Mom said since it was Sunday I got "free" breakfast. Can it be "Sunday" everyday???

Saturday, August 7, 2010

A Fun Day


We had such a fun day today. Lots of games, chasing, playing and fixing my training room. I am so tired, but I just am not ready to give up yet.

Work for my dinner?? Really?

Is she serious? Mom got this great idea to work on my table and weave entries for my dinner. I really like to do my table and weaves, but I think my dinner should be "just because" not because I work for it? But since she had this idea, we had to clean the training room today. Mom got shelves like in our storage room for all my training stuff. Now the entire room is to "play" not storage AND play. So now we have more room to work our entries.

The room is a lot of fun now as we have a BIG space to train and run and play. You can see how much room we have now and how nice our shelves look.


And this is where I stayed while Mom was cleaning. It was MUCH safer on the couch in the other room!

Pearly Whites

Look how pretty my teeth are from my raw diet. They are sooo white!

Hmmm, do you think they will scare Gary so he will listen to Mom and not be so grumpy?

Friday, August 6, 2010

Mom's phone

Mom's new phone can do all kinds of cool things. She found this new app that she can modify all my great pictures right from her phone. So now more pictures of ME!





the only bad thing is that it means less time *playing* with me....

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Long week

It has been a long week. Gary is back to work, but sure is grumpy in the evenings. Mom keeps telling him to "go to bed!" but he doesn't listen.... I think I would be in trouble if I didn't listen like Gary!

Mom and I have been training this week on the drive off the aframe, table, and weave poles. I have been getting baby food for reward - YUM!! I will do most anything for baby food, beef is my favorite. It has been so hot that we just do about 5-10 minutes, then we "hunt." Go back inside to sit in front of the fan for cooling off then back outside for another 5-10 minute play session.

Mom said it is supposed to be nice this weekend, cooler!! Yea! I am excited as I do NOT like hot weather. Hopefully we can do a lot of fun stuff this weekend.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Caught Up!

Well, I am now caught up. I apologize to all my friends, those who have contacted me to make sure I am okay and those that keep checking back and wondering where I have been. Mom and I have been very busy and we feel very lucky that Gary is doing so well. We don't have many pictures to share until this weekend, but hopefully made up for the lack of them. Mom and her camera....

How do you get cool?



When I am really hot, I like my fans. Mom put a fan in the family room for me one time when I was overheated. Now I lay in front of it all the time. I have Mom and Gary trained too :) Whenever I want the fan on, I lay in front of it and roll around on my back. They run and turn it on for me. Ahh, how nice to have trained help!

I like my fan so much I even gave it a kiss the other day. Mom was panicked and told me not to lick the fan or it may grab my tongue. Wow, I sure didn't know that! I do not kiss it anymore as I need my tongue!

Alum Creek




Mom and I went to Alum Creek this morning to take advantage of the nice morning. We had so much fun, I ran, pointed, hunted, chased birds (even ran up the big hill to see a jogger.) But I kinda got in trouble for that one. Then Mom thought I was going to tumble butt over head when I came flying back down to her. We have not been in a long time since it has been so hot.

All I can say is FUN FUN FUN!!!

Back to class!

We have not been to class in two weeks. Mom said that we could go tonight and I was so excited. Carolyn designed our course tonight and it was a lot of fun. She had some new twists in it and kept us on our toes. Ethan was at class tonight too, and I was okay with that. Like Mom said, I need to get used to it and work through it.

I was the first to run the course and we did a good job. After that, we worked on our honor while Seeker ran. We did a sit stay first and then a down stay. I did both of them without Mom giving me treats while waiting. This is the first time we have done this.

Then we worked on my directed jumping. This is a requirement in level 3 APDT. I am doing much better with it and we worked to full distance. Then we worked on the new AKC cloverleaf and offset weaves.

It was a full night at class and Mom was exhausted. She has had a busy couple weeks. We quit a little early and I greeted all the friends coming in for the beginner class.