Just a-training in the Rain tra la!

Here I am again, either I have no life, or, as I would see it, better to bore the computer with tails of fun and frolics than people!!

I set off for another solid training session with the Mollster, only really this time. I worked out that as she is very nearly 2 and she doesn't tear around as much as she did, that she can take more training on her walks and it will do her good. Accordingly, I took all my dummies - 8 in all and set off. Walking out to the car neighbours were out and Jill said hello! I was really pleased that Molly didn't really even look at them and got into the car. Of course I had to chat with Jill and then it started to rain. By the time I actually set off it was drizzling unplpeasantly, and me with only jeans, no salopettes today! When I got up there it was raining quite heavily. However I was not to be daunted and the dogs didn't care so I set off to drop dummies around the field (too lazy today to put them out before getting the dogs out!); and the rain came down and the hail started and eventually I remembered that hail is not all that safe, coming from cumulo nimbus (thunder - and more importantly lightning - producing) clouds. So I set back, but intended to pick the dummies first. Molly was a bit skittish and had to be handled onto the first simple dummy. The same happened on the second dummy. I had her sat a few yards from the dummy when Gaynor called to say that 'Mouse', her lovely Norfolk Terrier, has had 7 puppies!!! She is so tiny and looked so very round last time I saw her. I can't wait until training on Tuesday so that I can see them. Molly had to be reminded to sit as she showed signs of wandering off since I was ony talking, but then stayed until I had finished. She picked up the dummy and the hail slowed to heavy rain. We turned round and set off back around the field. I set all the dummies down on the way round, reciting where I had left them! This has to be better than 'Brain Training' I love the DS, but this is like a memory game and more fun being outdoors!

We then stopped in the middle of the field and Molly was wondering what was up when I sent her 'back' but away from where we had walked (usually she is retracing our steps as I drop it, walk on and then send her back). She went eventually and took a right with encouragement to get the first dummy. The second was a straight back but quite a way and out of site. I was really pleased as she came back over the brow towards me with the orange dummy. However, she happened to come back over another dummy and swapped. She stopped and put the grey oval dummy down when told but I had to go to her to get her to pick the original and bring it back to where we had been. She then picked another well with some handling although it was straight back. I went to pick the one she had swapped, so that she doesn't think she can have them all; but she found it before me and picked it up - just to help! Another two retirieves, one from a pond and we were done. The weather was still threatening so we didn't go to the other fields, but both dogs looked as though they had had enough, we were all drenched!

Roast Lamb for tea. I made a victoria sponge for pudding but used low fat Flora. However I then found cream in the fridge that needed eating before it went off so beat that up and put it in with the jam. Sort of defeated the purpose, but is was very nice and the first treat I have had for 3 weeks, so what the heck!!! The Alli should help!

Blog for weight loss!

Yes, the blog worked - I had lost 2 lbs this morning!! Therefore I am writing another post now!!! Lets see if I lose more by tomorrow! Well, after meusli and banana, tomato roll and squash and potato topped with a small amount of low fat cheese followed by fruit and 0% fat yoghurt I feel quite smug. Especially as Molly and I have been out training most of the afternoon.

We were down at the sheep field today - courtesy of fellow trainee and farmer Geoff. One thing I am sure of, Molly won't bother to chase sheep, she just ignores them. She wasn't too happy about getting over the stile, but Gaynor and I manhandled her over. Maybe next time she will jump it. It has to be better than us getting her over and she regularly jumps fences that high. We were a select group, the three remedials: Mel and Eve, Leanne and Lucy, Molly and me as well as Sian and Bertie, of whom Molly is quite fond:

The other day whilst training, I had had to chase and catch Molly and have a short discussion about her behaviour. I then called her to heel and walked confidently back to my place with Molly close by. I didn't take too much notice when someone shouted, "Can you get your dog?" I did look down however, and was shocked to find that little brown body simply not there. She had dropped off at the end of the line to flirt with Bertie!!!

Anyway, she was a bit better today. Whilst waiting for everyone, she stayed with me until they were quite close before being overcome with the need to say hello to 'Aunty Gaynor'. However, when I was sent to put out dummies, she broke away to follow me not just once, but twice! Silly girl! I replaced her the first time, Gaynor spoke to her the second time!! When the dummy launcher came out she was pretty steady. She marked them well and retrieved them straight there and back. One was lost after rolling down the hill into the hedge. I finally got her to go through the hedge and into the stream and I was very proud when she came bursting back with the dummy!! We then had dummies fired and then retrieving the blind dummies and tennis balls. Molly handled reasonably well, but it still needs some work. I was pleased with her holding marks. I think she is good at this. This is a very good thing because she has been known to get me out of a spot or two when I haven't been paying attention, talking at the back of the class even!:-S

We had to manhandle her over the stile again at the end of the session. Something else to work on.

Life is never dull with a Chocolate Labrador!!!