I went to audit the 2nd day,  but one of the participants was out sick. So I purchased her spot  from her and was able to participate for the second day as well. This was Freddie's first seminar and he did very well. He was up to all of the tasks and held his own with the big dogs. I have to be honest here and say that this is the most fun I have had a seminar. I do believe it is because I am running a BC. He wanted to continue no matter what happened, he held Daisy's interest, I wasn't frustrated because he couldn't do something, he was capable of all she asked us to do. This is not equal to the experiences I have had with Nova, Blaze, or even my Flat-Coat Halo. His little pads even did very well with the mats.

I was going through my training notes and realized that the reason it was so easy for Freddie to pull across my body for a rear cross on the flat, is because I have worked on them before. One time, but he seemed to remember it. It was just too easy for him at the seminar, I mean I know my Freddie is a genius, but something like that has to be trained. I am still a bit awkward with it, but I am awkward with a lot of the handling. Like getting Freddie to turn into a tunnel, why do I loathe this? I freeze and have no idea what to do. I mean logically it is simple, it's a rear cross, BUT it is on the flat, and therefore awkward to me. I will need to practice this until it becomes comfortable to me. I think I will practice without Freddie at first, just getting the movements down. There are times when I am behind him at the dogwalk and I  want him to turn into a tunnel. I suppose I can still give the cue from behind. More practice? But when I think about it, and reread my training notes,  I have practiced it, and never went back to it. I didn't like the turn on the flat. It feels like I am executing a FC. Freddie seems to understand the difference, he is a smart guy, but I can't work it through in my head. More practice? I just can't stop wondering why I have trained it in the past and dropped it before. I'm doubtful I will ever really use it, except for at tunnels;)

Freddie's strengths are also his faults. He is worse at what he does best. His tight turns, his amazing abilities to read my motion,  his literal mind. All great strengths, but huge weaknesses when you factor in me. I must become a better handler to be fair to him. Although he never seems to mind, he has a great time no matter if I pull him off a jump or send him off-course, he enjoys it all. i want to be better, will I be able to pull it off;)

His jumping was as I expected. When I was focused, non-rushed, he respected the bars. When I was frantic and unsure what I was doing, so was he. After many years of rushing around to make sure I am always in front of Nova to give her information, I now no longer need to handle like that. Freddie reads my motion. He will read it if it is frantic, calm, correct, or incorrect, how weird for me;) he is growing up and maturing a bit more each day.

Freddie did get tangled up in a bungee cord as he was exiting a tunnel. That was a very rattling and frightening moment. The tunnels were held in place by giant water containers connect by bungee cords. One of the cords slipped over the exit and as he exited, his head slipped through and he sort of hung himself. Luckily Barb was right there and was able to release him quickly. He was non-phased,  but I was rattled to no end. I know Daisy wanted me to continue, to try to work through my mind melt, but it was impossible. All I could see in my minds eye was Freddie hung up in that cord. I just wanted to take a breather and walk him around outside. I eventually just could not get through the exercise and did go outside. The adrenaline caught up to me out there. I was able to leave it all behind and we were able to do the remaining sequences in infredible fashion.

I do wish we had more seminar opportunities around her. I am VERY grateful that I do have Heather as a friend and mentor. She is wonderful and Freddie and I would not be where we are right now without her, but we do many things in a similar style. It is always nice to have new feedback and a different way of seeing something. I enjoy seminars more than competitions, classes, or private lessons. We had a wonderful group of dogs and handlers. I just love watching the different breeds playing. I say bring more seminars to Oregon will ya!