I'll go first!
2018
Linus:
My plan was to finally start trialing in AKC Obedience again and see how far we could get. We did, and achieved our CD with three tries and scores in the 190s, two firsts and a second place. Linus is trained to Utility and I'd hoped to get at least one Open leg before the end of the year. We tried...and failed. Linus shut down on me in the second exercise and I excused us from the ring. Skills have been the easy part for us and the rest has been a struggle. So, while I wasn't completely surprised, because I know he has it in him to stress down and quit, I was disappointed. He loves to train, so we'll continue working at it and go from there. Agility has been going great; we just need to perfect our weaves. We didn't do field work all year, as I was focusing on obedience and agility.
Presto:
Well, I made it through the waiting, the plane ride, crate training, potty training, socializing, and then some. He has a good foundation in obedience going on. Agility, too. We started some private lessons (online at the moment) with Janice Gunn for heeling, as my heeling experience has been not so great, and, having worked with her at camp last year, I really liked her results as well as the results of her students. I'm hoping for a focused and happy heeling dog in Presto.
2019
Linus:
In obedience, we'll keep on keeping on and see where we get with it. In agility, we'll begin trialing in 2019 and see how that goes. I'm pretty excited as it's so much fun! I'm going to start tracking with him and signed up for a class that starts in a couple weeks. I'd like to get the AKC Versatility title (obedience, tracking, agility) with him. He's always been game to do whatever and I figure, if obedience isn't in his future, at least we can commemorate his willingness and talent. We might get that final barn hunt leg, too. I'm not sure if I'll do SH with him. I am thinking about taking him with me for Presto's lessons (when we start; probably when Presto is around 12-18 months) and using him to practice training for the SH. We have some of the skills needed for a SH, but not all, and I'm wondering if he has the chops to get through the hard parts.
Presto:
Top goal is to get through adolescence and continue building our bond and relationship while he grows and matures. I'm going to get a really good obedience foundation on him before doing field work. I know from experience it's much easier if your dog already has a stay, hold, fetch, recall, etc. And, I'm going to work on tracking with him as well, while I'm working on it with Linus. We have in person privates with Janice scheduled in the early Spring (I'm in Oregon and she is in Vancouver, BC) when Presto is more mature mentally and physically. We'll continue our agility foundations. No jumping until he is older, of course. Obedience trialing won't begin until he's at least three. I don't know if we'll do rally.
General:
We have an action-packed 2019! In August, I have a working spot at Janice's obedience camp for four days. I'll probably use Presto, but I'll take all the dogs and stay at the same farm with the fenced acreage like I did last year. We are also planning on going to Labrador Nationals in October, down in Chino, CA. I'd love to be able to do obedience with Linus. I want to get both boys' conformation certificates. Maybe I'll get Presto's WC. I'll do agility with Linus. I may see if I can get a Dog for all Reasons trophy for Linus (I'm still a little confused about how to obtain one). Presto will mostly be there for the experience. He'll be old enough to trial in agility, but we'll have to see how he does, but also how he is on his body and if he's fully mature by then. I am not one to hurry things along in agility!