Proud of my big boy!

We have been working really hard on training in preparation for the upcoming trials and I am so proud of my big boy! Our training has been going very well and we are both enjoying our time together.

I REALLY wish that we had more fun matches in our area because it's nearly impossible to mimic the real trial environment in training. We have a handful of fun matches for the whole year! :( Falkor can be distractable and while we try to train with distractions so we can work through it, it is simply not the same as a trial. I think there will be one fun match before the trial and we will take full advantage of it!

We did some tracking today after not tracking for almost a year (boo!) and I was totally shocked by how much Falkor remembered! He was SO excited when I got his harness on and we walked to the start line. I need to find time to do more tracking!! With some actual training I think Falkor could be a super tracking dog.

Eeep! I am scared to death!!

Well I bit the bullet and entered Falkor in two trials in Novice A to try for our CD. I am absolutely terrified!! LOL I have all the typical newbie fears in addition to the fear of Falkor's epic zoomies resurfacing and the fact that he isn't 100% comfortable around strange dogs. We have worked really hard on both issues and while he is SO much better than he's ever been with both that is obviously no guarantee. :)

Luckily we are entered in two smaller sized trials (both are at venues he is comfortable with) and have great judges for all 4 days.

We've been training heavily since I got back from the Field Spaniel National and it is very obvious that he missed it. He is SO freaking happy to be out working again and his work has been lovely. Having that big smiling face starting up at me is such a joy!

So I am sure I will be eating tums like candy and buying stock in pepto until the trials in November. Any tips and or advice for a terrified newbie would be much appreciated!!!