Picking a groom for Olympia and preparation....

The last few months have been so busy, my feet rarely touch my lovely new heated floor in my new pad at Bowerlands but I am loving it......

It definately has been more difficult this year picking a groom for Olympia and normally it would be Matt however Matt has done fantastically well in 2010 by qualifying not only for the novice with Indi but also for the Large KC Olympia Stakes with Bailey. This is a massive achievement and I am really proud of him not only as his partner but also as his very accomplished trainer ;) ;) I am really impressed :)

Therefore he can't be my groom. So the search was on and I narrowed it down to three people who I really thought I would work well with on the day Sian, Kim and Helen. These three people are not just clients but also trusted friends who always make me feel good. Kim is coming to watch, Sian is looking after our dogs and Helen Brown who is my groom :) She is really excited and so am I.

I am sure they could all be there in their own right one day, particularly Sian who is just a baby at the sport - at just 16 she is already an amazing dog trainer - see Spice below Dash of Spice at Devongem.



So Helen and I are excited we have the hotel sorted as well as car parks, meals and I am really pleased to have the benefit of a good and very trusted friend coming along with me. The next week or so is looking great - Stretcholt, Thurs Christmas group, training with a friend, WAO qualifiers and some time off in a holiday cottage with the dogs up country. Lovely :)

Lauren xx

A day of development...

Days like these are what life should be made of....

Today we had fabulous friends, trainees, discussion and learning. I definately feel like everything is starting to fall into place. It was lovely to have Gemma Hanekom here as she is definately like minded and I really wish she was closer. I also really appreciated how much Mark and Karen are making such close relationships not just personally with us, as we have always got on well, but also with our club as they really knew many of the individuals that were with us today.

On another note Gemma picked up Hoax, it has been really interesting to have this little Merlie girlie to stay. Last night we had a FULL house - Mark, Karen, Mel, Val and obviously all of our family and LOADS of dogs. One thing is for sure there is never a dull moment at Bowerlands :)

Below is puppy Rhyme leaving with the Lakers - he is destined for greatness I am sure :)

Today I am grateful for great friends, colleagues and family. I really enjoy life right now xxxx

Below Reef and the puppy development book - he is a very dedicated father ha :) xx

A fantastic week.....

Busy bee, yes thats me but this week has been so productive. I really have a few things I am grateful for this week, Fern, Val and Sian - you guys make everything so much easier. Matt you are fantastic at coping with the madness! My mum and dad for tolerating everything. The dogs for always offering more. See the puppies :)

I absolutely love training my dogs and I do have to say a big thankyou this week to all of those people that help me to enjoy it even more. Stretcholt - I just love being able to train with like minded people and enjoy the company of so many great people. Thursday evenings are also just THE BEST I really love teaching every single partnership, the club just seems to go from strength to strength and there are some amazing partnerships developing. I also have to thank the last group - I ADORE working in this group, particularly with the banter and of course the dog that looks like Dobby and Salexis (you have to be there) and some talented partnerships - I really had been missing this in my own training and over the past few months I really fill this group has taken my own individual training to the next level. And finally a thankyou to Gary - your texts re Tiki made me smile and I really cant wait to do more with her :) She is such a fab girly and the squealing and growling into her weaves makes me chuckle!

The most surreal day...

Oh the fun..............

As you can see, our day has been action packed, fun filled and really different. Filming last time was absolutely exhilarating as we were staying in a hotel, eating out for every meal and looking at new homes. Life is so different now and I cant believe this is the end of the story as the 'relocation relocation,' team would say and here we are. I am at home, life is good and I love our new home.

Bowerlands has so many opportunities and the future seems too good to be true, I wake up most mornings and can't believe how lucky we are. This place is inspiring. I feel really content - for once :)

The team were wow, Kirsty is just fabulous and so interesting and yet very down to earth with it. We had lunch at a lovely local pub and then trained the dogs for the camera, Reef fell in love with everyone and everyone loved Reef and the puppies. Some days are just destined to be good and today was one of them....

The programme is aiming to go out in January and will be the first of the new series - watch this space.

If you havent seen the puppies check out my Devongem puppy blog

http://devondogs.blogspot.com/

Lauren xx

Course Analysis

Course analysis is certainly a weak area in many peoples agility ability. Today certainly pulled up some areas of weakness for lots of our guests at Bowerlands to work on but also interestingly showed some of the strengths of certain dog and handler partnerships and built the confidence of some individuals. I am going to name them as I am sure most of the people that follow this blog have a real interest in DD and what we do here.

Jon and Elsa and Karen and Shadow both really showed that their agility ability is 'On Track!' They were certainly really outstanding in not only their knowledge but also their execution. Well done guys you are both doing a FANTASTIC job. Also a massive well done to Helene and Archie, boy this dog is looking fast and you two are really going to get it together this year. Well done :)

Above is Bowerlands - I hope you all had as good a day as Matt and I did - thankyou for your texts, out of the 10 customers who came today 7 text us to say how much they enjoyed it. Thankyou for your comments guys - always appreciated.

Lauren Langman
http://www.devondogs.co.uk/

More vision, more hope and a touch of reality....

Am so excited - Matt and his cool company tug-e-nuff have recently produced a DVD. We are in exciting times - I am so proud of him. Dave M is one of my best friends and has a Devongem pup from us who features in the DVD and Matt, my partner and best friend has done all of the design, editing and promotions and produced the DVD. 1000 dvds will be sold at the pre order reduced price  -  do not miss out :)

Lauren Langman http://www.devondogs.co.uk/

A head full of visions and a heart full of hopes....

So I read my stars and they say, "Here's a car. Here's the key. Here's a wide, empty road, anything missing from the list? Er...How about fuel to power the engine."

Sometimes I think that Bengally the cat has the right idea.....

I really feel that my feet just have not hit the floor, I am relying on so many fantastic peoples help. I don't know how I would have coped lately without quite a few FAB friends and boyfriend, employees, family, supportive colleagues and wonderful dogs :) Even my customers are outstanding and keep me fantastically grounded, Alexis, Vivienne and Jan Windsor - you are all rocks. Like I said above my head is full of visions and my heart is full of hopes and I am really looking forward to my break over Christmas to start an action plan - off for a family meal now - Bonus - Lloyd and Maria, Myself and Matt and Mum and Dad - and Relocation Relocation are here Monday - whirlwind days.




Lauren xxxx

Popi's Birthday....

Popi and I had a fab day, alog with Tiki, Reef, Coast and the pups. We went for a whole days 121 and really got to grips with a few of the things I am working on.

Coast was impressive, I really am enjoying this dog. He is patient yet responsive, very focused and mature and loves food and toys and yet can settle when you ask him. He is certainly on track for a dog of his age and I can't wait to develop him. Reef and I practiced a few well needed behaviours for the next few months - I am so proud of him as a dog - he is just so good now and feels very comfortable with a great understanding of so many behaviours, and Tiki is coming on really quickly - now I have invested more time in her she is really looking very Popi and gives me all of her attitudae! LITERALLY! :) Freebie couldnt come which was a shame as she was keeping Helene and Archie company - she really is the most lovely little BC, absolutely perfect for breed as she is just so well adjusted and even yet VERY willing to roll up her sleeves and get to work. Today I feel lucky to have such a great team of dogs and enjoy investing time in our relationships!

Below is Popi - I can't believe she is 8 today - this dog has given me so much, my first BC and she was the best move I ever made, she took me to G7 status at just 23months, qualified for Olympia and then the World Championships TWICE and has had 3 gorgeous litters. I feel very lucky to have her in my life and can't wait to get her working again next year - she has NOTHING to proove, she owes me nothing, I owe her everything - thankyou Mrs POPs xx

Bowerlands Visitors....

Sue and Nigel left last week and after asking their permission I have printed their card - here goes -

"Dear Lauren and co..

Just want to say a really big thankyou for letting mum and dad bring us on holiday and for giving them some lessons. We had a really great time and agility really has been fun. I am sure mum has already told you but I had a great time at the show and only clipped a pole (mum's fault) otherwise our time would have been third! Mum was delighted and don't you worry I got paid well :) Rigsby and dad went faster than normal and brought home another 2 rosettes!

Mum chose flowers for you but I thought you might like something nice to eat. Looking forward to our next holiday already. Just keep reminding mum and dad about lots of lovely food and dont forget the ball. Woof, woof

Molly and Rigsby xx'

What a pleasure to have these visitors on site and to train :) I feel very lucky - above are the puppies - cant believe they are only 4weeks - they act sooooo mature play bowing and staring right into your eyes - gorgeous :)

Lauren xx

And the weekend just got better :) :)

Fabulous Training Day - EXCELLENT PEOPLE, fantastic young dogs and lots of food for thought at Bowerlands. As usual lovely food although my naughty father forgot the cheese board, tut tut! The pups have just had so much socialisation! Virginia has now left but we are full again next week and then Dave Munnings is back and Karen Laker and Mel Doyle too - lucky Jonathon Woodger is able to visit as often as he likes and the puppies will all be gone by mid December - they really have had a FAB start even if I do say so myself :) Happy days :) xxxx

Dartmoor show

We decided to go to Dartmoor despite the mud mainly because it is 6, yes 6 minutes away from Bowerlands. We had a FAB show with some great results.......and cloudy lemonade to top it off....It left me with a real buzz :) We also took the new van - mistake - MUD CENTRAL!

Sian and Ash had a 3rd in G1&2 Agility  -  well done you!
Lauren and Reef 3rd in G5-7 Agility with a very held seesaw :) bonus as thought I had 5r :)
Linda and Gyp - 3rd in ABC
Alexis and Ruby clear in agility but we had to leave - we had a long way home - hehehehe
Nigel and Rigsby 9th in 1 agility
Sue and Molly some really really motivated runs - well done you :)
Also lovely to watch some great progress from lots of different partnerships.

A lovely show and some very appropriate courses I thought - and lovely Chris Huckle judging - we always enjoy his courses! Thankyou Chris!

Then back to Bowerlands for some cuddles and coffee and had to say no to others as house was full! Great for puppies and lovely reward for us :)

Lauren

Virginia Harry from the Voice, Karen Laker and David Munnings....

Well we have been busy this week, camera people, photographers, Virginia Harry and a lesson a day, Dave Munnings and Karen Laker and I just feel like my feet havent touched the ground.....

Karen has picked her puppy, Dave Munnings wants a puppy and Virginia Harry is after a puppy hehe, there just arent enough to go around. Lessons have been fantastic - everyone is keen and love teaching people with such a passion for what they do. I just feel very lucky to be in such a privileged position.

Today I worked in the barn - this weather is just unpleasant but am lucky to have a lit space to go into. Off to Newhall to teach now - please let the weather be kind :) Above is Reef - he is just a pleasure :)

Lauren

How many lovely people are there out there?

So pleased with the weekend. Trained some fantastic new customers who were so open to new learning and also some amazing existing customers. It is always fun to have new blood but also love that we have some great people who come again and again! However today was just inspiring, I had the most amazingly positive group - just great. I had two messages from them on my way home and an email. I also had some lovely feedback from a new customer - always good to hear :)

Hi Carole and crew..

Firstly - thank you for making me so welcome even when I turned up far too early.

Thank you for the lovely food - it was very well received.

Lastly can you let Lauren and Mat know how impressed I was with the day and wish we lived alot closer, they never once did anything to destroy anyones confidence and only ever built people up, that in itself is something I as a relative newbie to the sport will take away with me (even though I have a g6 dog) I have already made a list on paper of what I feel we need to concentrate on - in both the short term and long term.  I also wanted you to know when reading the Agility Voice yesterday I looked at every decision making jump to try and work out the best way to do it, not just the way I would of done it in the past!  So if I get a nervous breakdown I blame you two.

Lauren and Mat and Carole - thank you all again for letting us invade your home and giving us a very enjoyable learning experience.


PS
Trying to rearrange about 4 things so I can definetly come on February date to follow up this session.

Below is our stable block and tack room - the dogs think there new play den is FAB - loads of work to do but sooooooo much fun :) This place is INSPIRING :) Feel lucky to be here xx

I couldn't help but post it :)

I have been looking at blogs today and checking emails and FB and ahhhhhh I have spare time on my hands. My fabulous helpers agreed to work without me as I just felt too ILL :( so whilst searching and blogging I found a lovely informative blog and reading this really cheered me up along with Tiki and Reef who helped me work! (well sort of - their whole face just says MISCHIEF!)

The blog talks about, "Games and early training, and everything we've picked up from the wonderful Lauren Langman of Devon Dogs. Hopefully this should give us the best possible start! And if we put in the effort to building a solid foundation, then introducing the pieces of equipment at 12 months is so very, very easy that they'll be out there competing successfully in no time! You only have to look at the results of those coming through Lauren's training system to know that it works - all those coming through Devon Dogs go to their first few shows and seem to start winning classes straight away, and move up through the levels so fast, achieving such consistently good results. And I know she's one of the biggest proponents of Foundation training in this country. If we only lived closer we'd be down there training with her every week! (and we have more-than-jokingly looked at the possibility of moving in her direction so we could!!)"

Thankyou guys - you really boosted my day along with Vivienne who is an inspiring person to teach, work with and know! And to the lovely Tiki and Reef too :) Even though you are wild :)

Winning - not a must but still feels good :)

http://www.agilitynet.com/

If you scroll to the Split Pairs final 2010 there is a link to the report! Matt and I won this final for the second year running and really enjoyed ourselves - great feeling being such a competitive partnership - especially as Bailey is Reefs biggest fan :)

Sian and pup - these are some of the fattest pups I have had, Pops is certainly enjoying having this litter :)

Hoping to train all of the youngsters later today such fun and some lovely 121s lined up too, great day ahead now I just need to shift this cold :) PMA I have been told!

Lauren