Zio's New Singles Best Time

Here is the video of Susan running Zio when he set a new personal best on the clock.

Racing in Bonham

A great time racing in Bonham, TX! Zio was running hard and I saw a personal best Saturday of 4.191 seconds. He topped that one while running singles with Susan on Sunday with a 4.183 second run. In reviewing some of the video I shot, I need to tighten up my passing. In analyzing the runs, Zio is definitely capable of 4.0x second runs with better passing. We're going to go back and reintroduce the 10" jump board on the box too and tweak his turns. I also caught him checking out the other lane on his run backs. I'm actually thinking he could be a 3.9 second dog if he put it all together with a better turn and harder run back.

Other highlights...
Susan also got to be our boxloader for the weekend and did a great job, especially since we just threw her into it at the last minute! Jean-Luc made his debut for Susan Owens and is already capable of 4.3 seconds or less. A good start would put him in the 4.1 second range and he'll only get better with experience. Wisp has been healing up and sounds like he may be ready to compete in Las Vegas. Scout ran the best I've seen her run with several 4.8 and 4.9 second runs. We could easily be running sub 18 seconds in October with the right practice and health. We'll have to start working on passing with Jean-Luc. It would be nice to get him in some races in Las Vegas.

"Tank"

It was a very good practice. Eric and Lee were first timers coming to flyball practice and had a few good beginners sessions. I worked on doing turns with Zio initially without the ball and he was good from 25 ft away. We did a few more with the ball and then let him rest for a bit.

I did a few recalls with Maverick and he did very good for the first time out. He had excellent stride over the jumps and good tug play. I tried again later in the practice, but there were other dogs out and too many distractions. I decided he had enough and put him back in his crate.

Zio ran with the team later in the practice and was really tugging hard, but his turns were sloppy, three legged attempts. I took him up and had him redo turns a few times. Burst is still diving out of the lane, but did better later... so only time will tell if she is able to pass any dog bigger than a terrier. Zio had a scary moment with Scout. I let Zio go too soon and they both got to the first/last jump at the same time. Scout tried to move over a little and hit the stanchion as they sideswiped each other. Zio was knocked off stride and crashed into the third jump and broke the jump board. He earned the nickname "Tank" by continuing on, doing his turn, and coming back to tug. Both dogs were okay and were ready for another run after we replaced the broken jump. Whew!

Maverick

We had a good team practice Sunday. Zio had been stressing with a temp foster at the house. He hadn't been eating, had diarrhea, and occasional vomiting. I wasn't sure we would go to practice, but he started settling down Saturday. His turns were sloppy, so I may have to bring the box home next Sunday and try to work with him during the week before the next tournament. Excellent drive to the tug though.

The latest news is that a handsome youngster is coming to us from the Canton Animal Shelter. Maverick was stuck there for a month waiting on foster space somewhere... anywhere. I think he would make an awesome flyball dog. Based on the description of his personality, he could make a great companion for Zio... but that's a whole different can of worms. Here's his picture taken by Penny of All Border Collie Rescue after springing him!

OKC Kennel Club's AKC Canine Experience

A fun weekend doing demos at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds. Zio got a lot of complements and I think we may have inspired some people to give it a try. I thought it was interesting how the club members that have only seen Zio play frisbee were really impressed with how fast he is in flyball. The club members that have only seen him compete in flyball were impressed with how much he loves frisbee!

To top it off, the OKC Kennel Club is very interested in helping us host a flyball tournament next year at the event!

Sizzle

It's just been oppressively hot here and I limit Zio's activities in it. Other than our morning walk/jog, we go out a few times each night and toss the frisbee a little bit. We haven't done any evening flyball practices at home for the past week.

The team practiced early Sunday, but the dogs and the handlers were both ready to call it quits by 9:15 am. We're going to get together Thursday evening at the practice field and see if we can find a shady spot to help Jean-Luc prepare for his first tournament.