Disc training and other

We decided to get back into some disc training.  We have just been working on full retrieves with the only toy that she would bring all the way back which was a soccer ball.  If Daiquiri would find a Frisbee somewhere she would pick it up and look at me like "please play this with me".  So after a couple days of her wanting it we went back to working on it. 

This time we took two discs out with us in hopes of using one as a lure to get her all the way back to me.  We had tried to use a long line in previous sessions to help with her retrieve but when I would go to pull her back she would drop the disc as if she were in trouble.  I would much prefer her to view all things fun with frisbee.  One disc was a regular hard plastic and the other was a SofFlite (a little softer plastic).  Miss Daiquiri decided right away she did not like the softer disc.  She would play with it but much preferred the regular disc.    So this time we started with short tosses within just a few feet because I knew she could be successful at those and still be in reach to get the disc back.  She was doing rather well with this so we moved to some longer throws.  I am super happy to report that she can consistently catch 20 yard throws with ease.  She is such a natural.  Her return needs lots of work as it is super slow right now.  I know with time we will get there though. 


At this point we were still struggling with the hand off.  She returns all the way but turns to the right just before getting to me.  So after only a small handful of those I decided to bring it back in close for some baby freestyle stuff.  That girl is CRAZY!!!  She LOVES close up work with a passion.  While I was holding the discs up high so she could not grab them she was leaping up to my head then trying reverse chest vaults (more like reverse stomach vaults) off of me.  She was not understanding when I told her she was not old enough for all that jumping so I decided it best to just sit on the ground for her safety.  I did not want to correct her for all that jumping as it would make it much harder to teach when we are ready.  We started baby "overs" with my legs flat on the ground.  It was game on for Daiquiri!!  To this point she has never been so intense on playing frisbee.  She stayed right with me, dropping one disc in preparation for another.  She has the most beautiful tucks when she jumps.  I had gotten to see them when she would jump up on the deck or couch but she even does it when she baby jumps during play.  Once she is old enough she will fly thru the air ever so gracefully!!  


With Daiquiri's disc training I am having to dig deep into my training techniques.  It has been such a long time since I have had to start from scratch.  Ariel was such a complete natural in every area from over the top, intense drive to full retrieves to catches.  With Ariel we just flowed onto each stage of training.  Daiquiri is taking me back almost 7 years ago when I started with my first dog.  I appreciate that as it really signals to me the great control that she will have as a disc dog.  Ariel is so crazy that we struggle because of it.  At four she is just now starting to calm enough that we may actually start being competitive at the level that we have to compete. It will be at least another 18 months before I start competing with Daiquiri in freestyle and boy I can not wait!!!


In other areas we are doing so good I could not be happier.  She does not go into automatic defend mode anymore.  Her focus on what we are doing is starting to override her previous need to see everything that is going on around her.  I think she is gaining so much trust in her family she is not feeling the need to be a protector every minute of the day.  The other day my 4 year old and Daiquiri had stepped outside together.  I was on my way out with them but by the time I got there (no more than 30 second later) they were headed back in.  I asked my 4 year old why and he told me that Daiquiri was barking at the men working next door so he told her to stop and come back inside.  It really cracked me up that she had actually listened to him!!


Ariel and Daiquiri are starting to "dance".  It is the funniest thing to watch.  They both get their hackles up and just jump around each other, never touching in an effort that neither lets the other behind them.  Ariel usually ends it by just walking away, ignoring Daiquiri.  If they do it close to me I stop them and to my surprise Daiquiri already calls off with ease.  Daiquiri likes to give Ariel the stink eye but she is not getting anything out of Ariel with it beside being ignored.  At this point I see Daiquiri being on top of my little pack as she matures with no problems.  Ariel is the alpha bitch here only by default, she really does not have it in her.  I really think they will get along with no problems in the future either.


Daiquiri thinks the sun rises and sets on my oldest son.  She can not wait for him to return from school.  She is not too fond of the rocking recliner yet when he is in it she willingly jumps up to sit with him.  He was sick over the weekend and she became the nurturer.  She gently climbed into the chair with him to give him the sweetest of kisses.  It was as if she knew she had to be gentle.  He told me the next day just how much better she made him feel.  I see an ever lasting bond being created there.  Daiquiri will be the dog that will pierce his heart for the first time.  He loved Tess very much but I can see something even more special between these two.  


Well I do guess I need to post more often in effort to not write a book.  Sorry no pics or video this time.  I am hoping to get some of her playing soccer with me.  She will back halfway across the yard on command.  It is so cute!!  


Oh - she did get the leg weave we were training by the end of the week!!  We have started the base for another trick (secret until we get it and then I will post video).