13th November 2011

Just to let you know that Indy will be competing at Novice level HTM next season, as he gained 2nd place and 6 points at Aberystwyth yesterday. He also gained 6th place at Freestyle, but there's still loads of work to do there! So he's now Tithelea Last Crusade St. HTM (Ex)

Indy has just come back from a HTM competition at Westglen DTC where he won his first heelwork class. He gained a score of 22.17! It wont be long now till he moves into Novice.

Indy has now competed at starters heelwork to music on three occasions - gaining a 9th, 8th and 5th position (with two lovely rosettes), and twice with his starters freestyle routine - gaining 7th and 3rd positions. As well as some lovely rosettes (which now take pride of place in the lounge) he's also been awarded 4 points for freestyle. Once he gains 14 points then we have to move up to Novice, and our trainer Jackie reckons that it won't be too long. As you can see from the huge smile on his face in the photo's, he absolutely loves it, and really shows off in the ring. We have a few more competitions lined up over the next few months - Rugby, Anglesey, Aberystwyth, Blackpool and Westglen nr. Stourbridge, so I've bought lovely little van to accommodate all his gear and he can ride in style and safety. If anyone spots the registration K900 HTM, then  it's us off on our travels. Will keep you posted as to his progress.'

Thought you'd like to know that Indy got an 8th place (and beautiful burgundy rosette) at his first HTM Starters competition this morning. There were 17 competitors in the class, and his routine went quite well, with some nice long stretches of heelwork. I'm really pleased with him, and certainly didn't expect to be placed this early in his dancing career. He's now having a well earned snooze while I chill out for the rest of the day.

Written for the feedback page:
Tithelea Last Crusade (or Indy to his friends) is a pup from the initial mating between Snoopy and Tinker Nell. Snoopy's dashingly good looks have come down the line, along with his intelligence and excellent temperament. Indy has been an absolute pleasure to own and train, and is currently in the KCGC Gold class. He is now showing a great enthusiasm and aptitude for heelwork to music and canine freestyle and will begin to compete in May of this year. Snoopy certainly 'stamps' his pups with the willingness to learn and the ability to turn their 'paw' to anything. So if you are looking for a high energy dog with which to compete in a variety of disciplines, then from our experience puppies from this sire should be ideal for you.

Indy and I had our first time out in public today at a Heelwork to Music training day. It's none competitive, but there are judges there giving feedback. I did it just to try him in a ring and do his routine in front of other dogs and people - and he was brilliant! I'm so proud of him! Thought you might like to see some pickies and here's a selection of our feedback comments from three judges:  
'Well done, some really good work, especially at this level.
The dog is confident and happy to work with you, teamwork is obvious.
Well up to standard for this level'  
'A good demonstration of some long stetches of LH and RH heelwork and some good lateral work. Well done.'   'You are doing very well'  
'Good range of heelwork positions executed well.'  

First competition will be in May. - keep you posted.

Just to keep you up to date with Indy's progress....as you know, he's taken to Heelwork to Music like a duck to water, and he's learning all sorts of new things. He really has to watch me for cues, so consequently, it's tightening up his normal heelwork too! It will be a while before his first 'performance' but he's now beginning to run through the entire routine and we are perfecting our moves. I'll let you know when we have our first outing!   We also have a new addition to the family - Canen Quest for Gold (Quest) arrived three weeks ago and has settled in really well. He and Indy are great pals, but like chalk and cheese. I think Quest will be less flambouyant than Indy - so maybe he'll be more suited to obedience - we'll see!

Indy and I have just got back from our first official engagement as part of the Derwent Valley Dog Club Display Team, and I must say he was an absolute angel! It was quite a big show (Derby Live 'The big One') so there was lots going on including a fun fair and loads of people wanting to stroke him. He, of course, loved all the attention, and was very good with small children.   He was brilliant in the ring, lovely recalls and even did some dancing - twirls, spins and weaves. He just takes everything in his stride.   As he's taken to heelwork to music like a duck to water (he loves to learn new and different things) we are starting some one to one sessions with Jackie de Jong (an advanced trainer) tomorrow, which we are both looking forward to. It really is sharpening up his heelwork and his attention span, as he has to watch me like a hawk for signals.   Have just looked at the latest photo's of Sasha, and it's like de ja vus - its puppy Indy all over again. Snoopy really does stamp his offspring!


Well there's a bit more news - Indy has been invited to join the competition class at dog club! One step closer to my dream of competing at Crufts one day.We now go to dog club three nights a week and we are going to agility on sunday mornings. That'll keep him busy.


Message from Indy:   Hope all my brothers and sisters are doing well. Mom went to crufts on Saturday to watch the obedience, agility and flyball - and came back with some presents, as well as some 'new goals' as she calls them!   She has booked me in to go to her old agility club so that I can have a bit of fun learning agility as well as my obedience training...... only trouble is, she says that I have to go to heelwork to music classes as well. She reckons it will sharpen my heelwork up a bit! I have started to learn sendaways and retrieves. I like sendaways the best as there's always a treat on the target mat. Now she says I have to learn to lie down as well when i get to the mat! She doesn't want much does she! Retrieves are fun too, as I can tease mom and not give her the dumbell. I'm only joking with her though! I have been asked if I would like to join the dogclub's display team and mom thinks it's a great idea (more heelwork!)   Having a great time in Brassington - it's lambing time, so unfortunately I have to stay on lead more when I go out for a walk, but mom's friend has a stables down the road and I can go for a run offlead in an empty field - great!


1 year old - Indy celebrated his first birthday on the 2nd February with an extra long walk and some training,and an extra treat or two!  It was his Kennel Club Bronze test on the 11th February - everything was going well until the minute's down stay.  Recall was to die for - he's very consistent with those, the gate was exemplary, as was grooming and inspection. Heelwork was ok. However, he has been very hit and miss with his stays lately, so my heart was in my mouth when we came to it. It was the longest minute of my life! We passed! so it's on to silver now. Way to go Indy!

Indy has moved up into the the Intermediate class at dog club and is beginning to work more consistently. Recalls are much better, heelwork improving, but stays are still a bit hit and miss. Still - it'll come!

As he's reached adolescence, Indy is 'doing a bit of a Kevin' at the moment- something we've got to work through - but is still a great dog to own! He's been going backwards at the recall and stays, so we've had to go back to the beginning with those two exercises. We'll get there in the end! Just a little glitch. He is still handsome and gorgeous - and I wouldn't swap him for a eurolottery win! In fact, I'm very tempted to put my name down for a pup from the repreat mating!

Well Indy is turning out to be a wonderful boy! We have completed a puppy class - which he passed with flying colours -  and we start the next class up on September 15th. Can't wait! Once I've got the horse in from the field in the morning, he comes up with me and has a romp around whilst I collect the muck, then later in the morning we go out for our walk around the lanes and do a bit of training, then he'll either have a nap or play in the garden, sometimes we get another walk in the afternoon. My husband also takes him out in the evening when he gets back from work - he never runs short of exercise! He's very sociable with other people and dogs - just all round fabulous really! Indy is my fifth border collie, and I can honestly say he's been the best character. Fun loving, demanding and very loving.