21 MAY 07 We went to Medicine Hat Alberta last weekend and Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan this weekend.  We just got home.  We took our Punkin and Cat.  At the Alberta weekend, Cat lost to Punkin all three days.  We finally asked the third-day judge why.  He said Cat was dog-tracking.  Some there said it was because she is still a puppy and will grow out of it.  Others said we should try going faster with her.  She doesn't do it all the time, but was pretty consistent that weekend.  Anyway, Punkin ended up with 3 points - including a 2-point major the first day - her first show.  The third day, both Cat and Punkin lost to other dogs.  We tried to use clicker training this last week to get Cat to run straight.   In Moose Jaw, Cat beat Punkin on the first day!  She also was judged better than one of the Specials - so she got her first CKC point.  Another Special got Best of Group.  Yesterday, Punkin beat Cat and a beautiful black 3-year old open from Manitoba with a professional handler to get another 2 points.  Cat was dog-tracking or side-winding badly and lost out.  The woman who owned the Best of Group Afghan (2 out of 3 days) Special from Calgary Alberta previously told us it was nice we could be there to make points for the black girl.  Then Punkin beat her - cool!  Today, we both lost out to the black girl who got her championship in today's show.  The judge said Punkin needed to lose a few pounds and she would be right up there.  (It was so close, he had Punkin and the black girl go up and back side by side.)  I previously had  Punkin lose 3 pounds but I think she put some of it back on. She is 27" tall and probably weighs 60 pounds.   So Punkin has half the points needed to become a Canadian Champion in 2 weekends and Cat got her first CKC point.  We just need to get her running straight consistently.  We have really enjoyed showing so far and next weekend go to Spokane Washington for 2 days and Coeur d' Alene for 2 more shows.  We thought of the Canadian shows as practice for the AKC.  It will be interesting to see how the AKC competition is different from the CKC.

28 MAY 07 We have been busy.  Last weekend was the third in a row at shows:  Spokane Washington and Coeur d' Alene, Idaho.  The two days in Spokane were encouraging.  Cat got Reserve Winners one day - 2nd best of 7 girls.  Punkin beat Cat and Tracy Farmer's Spirit from Custer Washington the 2nd day in 12-18.  We didn't do so well in Coeur d' Alene.  Spirit beat our girls both days.  Cat was running crooked as can be.  Punkin is losing her coat after her first heat cycle - looks kind of scraggly.  She also took a big dump half way around the ring one day too.  She didn't get any etiquette points or anything else that day.  No girls got major points that weekend because there were only seven entered.  Eight are required in Washington and Idaho.   We are working with Cat every day.  I take her to work with me but she may have to grow out of her sidetracking.  We have her entered in all eight Montana show June 19-26 -- maybe for nothing if she won't go straight.  We'll try Lynda Farley's suggestions on gaiting:    Put the lead on her and have the lead come from the wrong side of her head  (under the chin) and then across her muzzle, which will throw her off balance when she moves and might help to have her gait correctly and stop the crabbing. Gait her along side a wall. That is a great method. I would keep at it, and I also would gait her on the opposite side against the wall too. When you take off, make sure her head is pointed straight. Walk her or gait her on top of a curb. If she gaits or walks incorrectly she will fall off. Gait or walk her in the gutter next to a curb. If she gaits incorrectly she will run into the curb. Hold a treat in your hand and letting her focus on the treat in front of her as you gait. Next I learned this from a handler and it is a bit hard to do, but I think you can manage. Stretch her muscles: stretch her loin by extending her rear legs at the hips. Do it every day. Start with 5 reps, and every 2nd day add another repetition until you are up to 20. Stretch her good too. It will take awhile before you see improvement from this, but I would do it to loosen up the loin. Running will also help this as she extends the body when she runs. Exercise her before getting to the show ring. Try to go in a big circle around the ring. If she is moving in an arc, the sidewinding may be less recognizeable. This won't help in the up and back, of course. Find a speed that she is most comfortable, maybe slower than you think is best. Tracy Farmer of northwest Washington has suggested a handler friend who will be at the Montana shows.  We haven't caught  up with that person yet.  Tracy and other Affie owners really liked Cat too.  Tracy thought she could get her majors right away.