Training Update

Just an update on how the girls are doing.

Darbi:
Darbs has been in Texas with Kenny since January. She has been training like a bear and is looking really good. Great momentum, good attitude and she is generally doing all that we're asking of her. Kenny says she has been consistently one of the best dogs on his truck so far this year and she is ready to win an Open. She has learned to do the HUGE marks that we see more of in the US than Canada and she is doing great on her land and water blinds.
Biggest issue we are working on with her is that sometimes she can be lazy and not put in a 100% effort. I struggled with this training her for years, but since Kenny gave me the tools to combat any lack of effort, she puts in way more good days than bad now.

Miikka:
Initially shocked coming back to full time training after raising a litter and sitting on my couch for so many months, Miikka is coming along nicely. She is starting to mark like we know she can and her blinds are coming along. Miikka has always been a bit of a head swinger, so we are doing lots of singles with her to prevent this, as well as hone her marking. Her water blinds, one of her strengths, are almost back to where they were last fall. She'll be ready to run the next trial we are entering (two weeks).
Biggest issue we are working on with Miikka is still her whistle stops. She slips whistles when stressed OR if she's too loose. It's a fine line with her. We are also working on getting her relaxed as a whole, she's a bit tense coming back to training. She's as birdy as they come, but she also worries if she's always doing the right thing.

Libby:
Now that her plate and pins are out, we need to keep her exercise restricted for another week or so. She is the cutest thing ever, and she is DYING to retrieve, but it's not time yet. She is mostly housebroken and is learning manners in the house. She sits on command, comes very well. She has no limp and does not favour her leg whatsoever.
Biggest issue with her...trying to keep her from overdoing it on her little leg. One more week and then we can stop worrying (as much).