Here’s a little video from the weekend. We were away with Team Coldfeet enjoying training runs, keeping our dogs fit and active with maintenance training which helps keep their muscles toned during the summer months.
We train in the early mornings when the temperature are cool. The dogs really enjoy being away and having a change of scenery Once we’ve run, we head back to the camping field where the dogs have their breakfast and chill out. Lots of happy smiley huskies with wagging tails as they enjoy their CSJ CP30 which they are fuelled on!
Great food for all of our dogs young and old it keeps them in tip top condition
I brought a dog who was a lock down puppy, collected at 6 weeks from the breeder and sold to a family that had never had a dog let alone a springer.
Six months down the line she was fat, crazy and not a happy dog.
Six months on, she has started her training and moved onto CSJ food. When she came to us, she didn’t like food she was given human food that wasn’t appropriate.
Look how much she loves CSJ. She follows us to the kitchen and sits there smiling until we feed her. en amazing, our latest edition is another lab who adores it too. I’m so glad we stuck with CSJ.
I’d planned to continue writing about goal setting and ideas for conducting annual reviews this month. That was until I watched One Man and his Dog on Countryfile recently. I felt moved to write about the incredible people and their dogs at this year’s finals.
Watching dogs work sheep has always fascinated me
I appreciate the hundreds of hours of training and dedication that must go into working a dog at the top level of the sport.
Karen and I went on a trialing taster day many years ago, we enjoyed it. The dogs we had at the time were hilarious. Millie couldn’t see the sheep, she was totally fixated on us, and Deacon my Border Collie, was apparently a natural, not on sheep though, maybe cows, or Buffalo! he was far too strong for sheep – I think the trainer was being polite and meant unruly!
This year’s young handlers put on an amazing show of professionalism and dedication while competing at this high level. Even when things didn’t go to plan, they continued to focus on the objective and worked with their dogs – I was impressed.
And then there was the judge, our very own Ceri
Karen and I were shouting at the TV “Hey, we know Ceri, she’s famous, we know her!”.
For me, this competition demonstrated top human and dog performers working in unknown and testing conditions – including a motley bunch of sheep, and under the pressure of TV and fellow competitors.
After the immediate ‘wow’ I got from watching these dogs and handlers, my brain flicked into sports psychology mode. I started wondering how the competitors prepare for these events, how do they warm-up (all that whistling must play havoc with your lips), do they visualise the outrun, the drive, how they’re going to pen the sheep. And how do they maintain focus when the performers (sheep and dogs) are working so far away. These questions and many others went over in my mind.
Congratulations to this year’s finalists who were all fantastic and a credit to the sport.
Thanks again to Ceri and the team for their sponsorship over the past race season. Admittedly like most it hasn’t been as action packed as we liked. However, of the events we went to we managed the following.
1st place DR4O at NATB October 2020 with Nero, Nala and Kai
1st place DR4O at NATB December 2020 with Nero, Nala and Kai
2nd place Checkendon Challenge Team Event with Nero and Ted
3rd place Checkendon Challenge Bikejor with Nala
Top 5 canicrosser at the Trail Events Company Exmoor Half Marathon with Nero
1st place season finisher at Newnham Bark 2 Dog Rig Series with Kai and Nala
3rd place season finisher at Newnham Bark Bikejor Series with Nero
As well as some agility top 3 placings for Kai at some UKA and independent shows.
In the last couple of months we have also welcomed another new rescue to our team, a failed working Kelpie called Wally. Although no good on sheep we are hoping that he will thrive having a job competing in various dog sports with the other rescues over next season.
Many of our clients are first time owners and are very receptive to CSJ food and nutrition advice, as well as the CSJ welcome puppy packs.
Thanks again for your ongoing generosity, especially during this crazy past year.
‘One step at a time’ a message which will forever remind me of Captain Sir Tom Moore motivating the nation with his incredible fund raising and life story – what an amazing man. Taking one step at a time in my pre-lockdown world wasn’t easy
For the last 10 years I’ve had to be very flexible in my career as a Project Manager. I’d have a few days working from home, then I’d be away on business trips for 3-4 days, then a couple of days spent on-site locally. No day was ever the same. That all changed in March 2020 when we went into the first National Lockdown.
Since then, I’ve definitely been taking life one step at a time
That doesn’t mean I’m not planning ahead (I love planning), but for the first time in many years I’m now time-rich (sounds like consultant talk). I’ve had time to plan ahead, consider what I want/need to do, do it properly i.e. not rushing because I may not have time again, finish it, check it’s finished and then really make sure it’s finished. This may sound like common sense, but it’s surprising how many times we think we’ve completed a task/activity and then discover there were still some loose-ends. I suppose in dog training terms, it’s like proofing what you believe you’ve trained is the desired behaviour you’re getting.
And what about our dogs, how have their lives changed over the last year?
They’ve had even more exercise. Over the last year I’ve challenged myself to walk at least 5K every day. Karen has had time to brush up their existing skills and train new ones and of course they have our company at home all the time. Dogs are incredibly adaptable though, I’m sure they will soon adapt to the next routine as life changes again as lockdown restrictions lift.
I’m not sure what our next routine will be
I’m beginning to dislike the over-used term ‘new-normal’ because, I don’t want normal. It sounds boring, repetitive and non-eventful. I’m hopeful it will not be a new-normal, but life will be interesting, exciting and present different opportunities. I also hope there’ll be more appreciation for how fragile the planet and our lives are, and we’ll start seeing more proactive steps being taken to look after what we already have.
There’s an unusual family history behind CSJ – the British natural dog food, herbs and treats company – and it’s now on YouTube.
In a fascinating 2 minute watch the pictorial story unfolds of Ceri Rundle’s and her late father H. Glyn Jones’s background in working sheepdogs and huge success in trialling and breeding their world renowned Border Collies.
Packed with old photos of Ceri and her dad though the ages with their dogs – and even one of her shepherdess Great-Grandmother – we also see the dazzling breadth of top winners who swear by CSJ in canine activities from sled-dogs to agility dogs whilst not forgetting ‘the little dog next door’.
In its own quirky and engaging way the video illustrates why CSJ has been so successful over the last 20 years and become probably the best loved pet-food in the UK … developed by dog people … for dog people!
We’re still in lockdown, the world is still coming to terms with covid-19, and life still goes on as people adjust to the situation.
Coping strategies
Over the last month or so I’ve been asked to share coping strategies that might help people while they’re working remotely, feeling isolated and are concerned about what our new normal might look like. I thought I’d share a few with the CSJ readers.
My sports psychology research and learning has led me down some interesting paths over the years. One common thread I hear from many experts is ‘turn obstacles into opportunities’. And even though this phrase was around long before the coronavirus, it still applies.
For me this means, I could mope around at home longing to get out, socialise, travel and be free to wander. Or I could accept that the situation is the right one for everyone and turn this into an opportunity to get stuck into projects and activities that I never normally get a chance to do. There are lots of new opportunities out there at the moment, we just have to look for them.
Control the controllables
‘Control the controllables’ is another well-used tip. There is little point worrying and wasting precious energy on things we cannot control e.g. when is lockdown going to be eased, when are canine competitions going to restart. We can be mindful of these things, but we cannot control them. We’re better off putting energy into things we can control. Like:
What can I do to maintain my physical and mental health and fitness;?
How can I offer support to family, the community and friends?
Controlling how much/little news and social media I absorb
Focusing on contrallables helps to build resilience, confidence and self-esteem, which are good traits to have in these times.
Don’t let the external affect the internal
My third ‘top tip’ this month is ‘don’t let the external affect the internal’. Start by writing down your key values and beliefs (if you haven’t already). Revisit them and think about how they influence your life and your decisions. Don’t let external influences distract you away from these values and try not to let external pressures sway you. Maintain a growth mind set and live to your values.
Stay safe and make the most of this opportunity to grow.
Wow, the world has changed massively since my last blog. Who would have thought nearly half the world’s population would be in a lockdown situation under the threat of a nasty virus back in February.
I hope all the CSJ readers are keeping safe in these difficult times
It’s a huge challenge to the world. I have been home based for the last six years, so I’m lucky that I’m used to this way of working. We also have space to get out for daily exercise and living in a rural area means social distancing isn’t a problem either. However, I do understand the challenges, the worry and uncertainly other people are experiencing and readily offer my support where I can.
I’m confident we’ll pull through this and move on to a stronger future
In March I announced my retirement as the Team Manager for Agility Team GB. I had always planned to review my position in 2020, and after seven years in the role I decided that the time was right to hand over the reigns.
My time as Team Manager has been immensely rewarding. Of course there were challenging times and some incredible highlights too. In a role like that you grow broad shoulders and learn a lot about people; I’m sure there’s a future book in my journal somewhere.
I thought I’d have a lot of time on my hands now with no agility shows and no team manager responsibilities. However I’m finding myself busy with other projects and interests that have been on hold… a subject for future blogs.
I hope all our readers keep safe in these difficult times. And if anyone wants any hints and tips about working from home I’m more than happy to share.
“Maddi was testing her new coat out at a canicross event today! Such a smart coat!
The coat was needed – Sunday was horrendous!!!!
Race overview
So this weekend Maddi headed to Westonbirt Arboretum – Forestry England to take part in CaniX UK (official) Cani-Cross UK or CaniCross UK weekend event. Due to Bella our spaniel being in season. Maddi’s brother Lewis ran English Pointer Bronte which meant Maddi had to find a replacement…. so she teamed up with K9 trail time team mate Chris & Wolfie Canicross and ran eurohound Wolfie. Maddi together with Chris remain unbeaten this season 💪🏼
Maddi, Wolfie and Chris managed 🥇 on a slippy slippy course with a super strong dog, Maddi did well to stay afloat.
Thanks to Di Newton for the pictures
Huge thanks to sponsors
CSJ K9 foods who fuel our dogs
K9 Trail Time who provide kit for our dogs and Madison
CSJ blog 