I got it ready while we were waiting on results from the previous title. This was our first submission on the Grand Champion track, which has different requirements at each level than regular. So, I wanted to get it in with plenty of time to spare in case I had to re-video something. Catching a time when it's not raining, it's daylight, and I'm not working or otherwise unavailable, gets challenging this time of year.
This site was a challenge. I got almost everything taped and then realized the thing I'd planned to jump-clean wasn't going to work. So you'll see I found a piece of branch which had fallen from a tree, propped it against the playground equipment to make a jump. Gimme thought I was nuts, but fortunately she'll do anything if the pay is right. I used a piece of the same branch to weave through the tennis net to hold the bottom up so Gimme could go "below" it. I want to teach her to push under on her own for another title. The jump-assisted had to be redone because I dropped the leash and the rules say she can't use an EF higher than her elbow if she's off leash. So we went back to do it with me threading a longer leash through the opening.
The final bugaboo was getting the tree weaves. Doing it with six trees made us soooooo small at the other end I thought we'd be too hard to see. So we did it again with four trees, but when I reviewed it at home, saw a car had come too close at the very end (the trees are in a landscaping strip right next to the road - in a residential area). While I trust Gimme to "come" when I call her, I didn't want to show it publicly. So again we went and this time got it, on the 9th try. Who knew there'd be so much more traffic at 2:00 p.m. At least I could be happy at all the wonderful recall practice Gimme got.
You can see the video at: Lakepointe Park parkour video.
Naturally I had to reward Gimme's efforts with a steak-cake and a new toy. The cake was decorated with 30 peanut butter chips.
Gimme thinks posing with her cake and toy are overrated and she should be allowed to immediately get down to the business of enjoying them.
For a few minutes, as I was cutting the tags off the toy, I thought the steak-cake might be ignored. The cake only lasted a few seconds. I think Gimme knew the delay would be minimal. She's sleeping with Mr. Frog as we speak...
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