We still have another day of trialing to go tomorrow, but today was SO AMAZINGLY AWESOME I just couldn’t wait to post. I want to remember this feeling. Awesome!
Today, for the first time ever, we tried some bonus boxes. While we didn’t fully complete either course from within the box, it was still awesome!!!!!!!!!! I was so so so proud of Zora!! And the practice we’ve been doing. She WAS FANTASTIC! I love that little dog.
Attempting the bonus runs was exhilarating. I had so much fun! I think Zora did too (I hope). Our first bonus attempt was the very first course of the day – Elite Regular Round 1. We’ve been struggling with the turn and send away still in practice, so it doesn’t surprise me we did on this course either. BUT!! She nailed that lead out line, I was so happy with that!! I was also thrilled with the distance we were able to do even after I left the bonus box.
Our 2nd bonus attempt was in Elite Tunnelers. After our barrelers run, I took migraine meds and Tom and I went off to the car to nurse it, and told my husband he could run Zora in tunnelers. Then I was informed there was a bonus box on that course and I reneged (I blame my reneging on Maxalt and the length of time we had between barrelers and tunnelers, damn when that stuff works it works really really well for me). Poor guy. Thankfully he is a really great sport, and had fun laughing at me about it. LOL.
When I walked the course, I thought, “Hmm, we’ve been working on that switch turn away on a box, but doing it on a tunnel is still often a struggle first time for us, we’ll give it a try but I’ll plan on helping her if she needs” Yup that’s the spot she needed my help. It was still awesome fun!! Again her lead out made me so so so happy. We had a while where she’d have likely come to me instead of going straight into that #1 tunnel, so I was thrilled we’ve worked so hard on that! It paid off!!
We also now only need 3 more jumpers qualifiers to complete our NATCH! (NADAC Agility Trial Champion). I’m so excited!
It was a great day!! Not many Qs, but awesome runs!! I’m so happy. Damn I love this little corgi dog!
Also, Zora says Tuna Brownies are excellent and I should think to make them more often. Tom equally agrees. Seriously, they both snubbed the cheese I offered them and held out for the tuna! If you don’t know about tuna brownies, here is the recipe I use. Be warned, your dog might stalk your fridge after.
Tuna Brownies:
In a bowl beat with a mixer until well combined and fairly smooth:
- 2 eggs
- 1 6 oz can tuna in water (undrained)
- 1 6 oz can tuna (water drained out)
- 1/4 cup grated cheese (optional)
- 1 Tbs garlic powder (optional)
Then using a spatula, mix in until well combined and dough looks glossy: 1 to 1.5 tapioca starch. Tapioca starch is one of the coolest ‘flours’ to bake or cook with. I love the stuff, use it all the time. In this recipe it helps the cooked dog treats be more doughy and less crumbly. You can use regular flour of some kind as a replacement, but if you do these treats are likely to be crumbly and maybe flakey. I prefer the doughy option that tapioca starch gives especially for training treats as they are easier to toss while still being soft enough to break up with your fingers.
Pre-heat the oven to 350’F. Grease or line with parchment paper a cookie sheet or other baking dish.
Plop the dough onto the prepped cookie sheet, then press into a 1/2″ thick disk or squarish shape.
Bake for 15-20min. Remove from baking tray and cool on a wire rack.
Once cool use a pizza cutter wheel or knife (pizza cutter wheel is waaaaay easier) to cut into bite sized dog treat pieces. Store in an airtight container in the fridge (after of course letting your dog sample your wares, need to make sure you get their seal of approval, right?)
