John Heffernan

I have been very occupied with the end of the school year and the robotics grant but I continue to train Wyatt in agility and both dogs in obedience.  I missed the deadline for the July 4 shows in Springfield in obedience and rally.  I still have some interest in trying for a open obedience leg (Patriot is the most likely to get one) but have lost some of my motivation for obedience and rally trialing.  The dogs still like to do it at home so that’s the most important thing.

Wyatt and I have not gotten a Chances Q this year despite many close ones so I am rethinking that too.  I guess I will still try for it, a NADAC championship (still need 8 Chances Qs only) but it seems to be losing some of its importance.  As the dogs and Aidan get older, some of my titling goals are fading in importance.  If I had a new dog, it might be different, but that’s not in the cards right now.  Wyatt still seems to love agility so I will get going and see what happens in terms of the NATCH.

I set up a course at home that mimicked the part of last Sunday’s Chances course we did not get.  It is a very common part of many NADAC Chances courses.  Here’s the part we missed.

I set up something very similar at home except with an A-Frame.  Wyatt took the dogwalk but did the rest of the course brilliantly.  I thought I did not back up enough to get enough of a push out to the tunnel.  I did repeat the “Out, tunnel” command several times, which was one of my goals.

Anyway, on the first day at home, I just could not get him to take the tunnel unless I was very close.  I was surprised because I thought we were much further along.  So I planned to work on it and gradually improve the distance.  Well, on the second day, after and initial failure, Wyatt was doing the tunnel (and the A-Frame if I signaled that) with ease.  Well, I was happy but still mystified on why it was so difficult the day before.  Was my timing off?   Did we just need some practice?  Is the A-Frame in the yard a big draw because of all the treats that have been received there?

In any case, I did get clear on what kind of signal I need to give.  It has to be a strong push against his line 1/3 of the way to the A-Frame with arm extended (but not pumped) with multiple voice commands.  I am finding with agility now that so little is about training the dog what to do.  It is about 99% finding the right signal and timing to give to your dog!

We are going to stop in tomorrow at a NADAC trial and just do  Chances and Regular courses.

It was not a good feeling dropping off Patriot for a procedure Tuesday.  Wyatt and Patriot are the first dogs I have ever owned and I am starting to see them age (as well as myself!) Worst case thoughts crossed my mind of cancer or problems with the anesthesia.  I made it out with a tight throat but was hoping for the best for his throat exam.  Well, it turned out he has laryngeal paralysis.  It can be quite serious but my sense from the vet is that it is not in his case, at least for now.  Dr Dwight said he would test Patriot’s thyroid levels because low thyroid can cause LP.  This would actually be good because otherwise, there is no treatment barring surgery with lots of possible complications.

Thinking back, a lot of things clicked:  not wanted to be active in the heat, lots of panting in heat compared to Wyatt, reverse sneezing, gagging at the end of lure coursing runs (which can also be a symptom of heart murmurs, which he also has), and trouble swallowing.  Even though we have just noticed the voice changes this year, I believe he has had symptoms for a while.  So I kind of resigned myself to stopping him in agility, at least in the summer.

Well, I got call from Dr Dwight that his thyroid levels are, in fact, low (.7).  That also causes low energy levels.  This I know from my wife, who has low thyroid levels and who takes supplements.  Anyway, looks like Patriot will also be getting supplements.  Hopefully, it will help his LP and his energy levels.  Who knows?  He could be better than ever in agility with thyroid supplements.  It’s funny that we always considered many of these symptoms (for 10 years!) part of his personality!

In reflecting on problems with NADAC Chances (distance game) at home and at trials, I came up with the following mantra to remember before I run.

1)  Keep moving!  Don’t stop suddenly.

2)  Communicate.  Keep a stream of commands going.

3)  Cue early.  I need to cue Wyatt as he is in or right before the previous obstacle.

Seems to be working much better at home and at trials. We had a nice Chances run today.  Just missed one thing (one of the easier parts).