[MafiaPrincess]

Sadly no Squeeker, I volunteered to scribe, the Nats committee goofed and thought you had to time and scribe both days.. Couldn't do sat and sun.. They offered me scribing the steeplechase friday last night.. but now it's kinda late and I lack anywhere to stay.

Kinda wish I was going, but I hope to run regionals next year (we ran last year and I was a ball of stress). If we make it, I'll drive to Nats, I hear it may be Alberta. Easier drive than the year it was in BC

[Squeeker]

Aww too bad, you could have stayed with us.... we are in Ottawa, not far from the site actually.

I'm lucky that the first year I even found OUT about regionals and Nationals that they were local! It has been a blast to watch and volunteer!

I get my volunteer positions Monday... can't wait!

[MafiaPrincess]

LOL, aww that's sweet that you'd take in strays from a dog forum I was going to ask where you were located. That is definately awesome that you could attend regionals and Nats as you are local. I went to the 2007 Nats for a day to just watch. Was my first year competing and it was amazing to see that level of competiton.

[Solid Mutt]

Miss Mutt - great video! Marge is looking great!

Shaina - How was your trial? I can't wait to hear all about it. I can completely understand only trialing one day as well. I would do the same thing. It does sound like a busy weekend if you have to fit work in with it. LOL Sometimes that happens though doesn't it?

Kyllobernese - That is awesome your sister and you have your own equipment. Your new pup sounds like a fun project.

CorgiKarma - That is awesome you had such a great class. I am telling you once you have your first class under your belt it is easy to get hooked. I was hooked immediately and could not wait for the next week. LOL

Squeeker - It sounds like Libby did great on the teeter. Congrats for going on to the next level!WOO HOO Big dog ring. How exciting!

ara28 - Congrats on your first class. Welcome to AGILITY. Sounds like Dohggy really had some fun and did great!

Wednesday we had our first level 3 class. There was 12 in the class. About half are repeat students from last session. They said that you will normally repeat this level once and maybe twice. Anyways, it was a new instructor but the "assistant" instructor is one from our last level. This level basically works on the handler and handling skills. We did a sequence of 6 jumps it was three rows of two. We practiced doing front crosses, rear crosses and post turns while running these as a sequence of 6. It was pretty fun. Voodoo did great. I was so proud of her. The instructor even commented on how focused she is and I could probably start sending her to things and not keep her close to me. The second half of the class we worked on sequences with the Weaves, tunnels and jumps. One sequence was jump, weave, Front X, tunnel weave jump. There are a couple others that involved a second tunnel and going from one tunnel to the second one then back to the first one like a figure 8 but I would probably have to draw a picture. LOL I am not great at explaining. It was a great class. I am pumped about this class. LOL

Now on to the exciting news. The "School" we are taking agility from had a show 'n' go today at the horse park during the Breyerfest. LOL They were in a field away from it but there was lots of spectators coming over to watch. Anywho , I went to check it out and was super nervous. They did convince me to go ahead and enter. They had walk thrus about every hour. So I did that and then waited. I have to admit it was exciting. I was sooo nervous though. Our first run was ok but I was slightly nervous and almost missed one obstacle. LOL I was uncoordinated as usual. LOL All of my instructors from previous classes and current were there and pep talked me during the walk thru. LOL So our second go was much better. I still had a couple mistakes. But she did great over all. The only thing is at the teeter I praised and rewarded when I got ready to release the dogs in the crates outside the area barked and distracted her so she did not realease. LOL But that was really her only mistake. I had a few though. I do have to say though after it was all said and done I could not have been prouder or more excited. It was an amazing feeling. It was so funny too it seems like it took me 30-45 minutes to get back to my leash because everyone was stopping me and tell me how awesome Voodoo is. LOL Let me tell you I was on cloud 9. LOL I have a video and I will post it but prior to watching please understand it is shakey and not realy steady. My mom went along and videod and she is not the greatest at it, LOL. My husband watched it when I got home and was like oh my gosh that is horrible. LOL (I am just happy to see a video) LOL You may want to by pass the first minute. I went to set her up to go and the dog prior well it's handler did not exit the ring as it was supposed to and just strolled through the course to come out where we were set up to go. PLEASE EXCUSE that part and the shakiness. I am just excited to post. LOL Oh one more thing. We did not do the weaves because they are in line so after the tunnel I took the jump insteadyou will see my terrible rear cross. LOL Oh well it was such a BLAST! LOL I will hush now SORRY! LOL


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWWr0BcHUBI

Sorry all - I am not good with posting videos. I hope this works.

[Squeeker]

Solid Mutt... that was great!! You and Voodoo tore up the course!! And FYI, I didn't think your back cross was that terrible at all! Congrats!

[MyCharlie]

Okay question - we have a trainer coming to do a seminar (Lynne Stephens out of North Carolina) and the second day she is here we have the opportunity to get private lessons from her. Yippee!! I guess she is really good and even writes some things for "Clean Run." Anyhow, I can't decide what to sign up for for my private lesson!! Help!!

Here is a link to her website that tells about different things she offers:

http://www.doglogictraining.com/host-one.php

For those of you who have been doing agility longer than me, what do you think would be the most beneficial?

Background on kaya - she has only done one round of beginner agility so she is still very new to it even though I have competed with my other dog. She loves her contact obstacles and does okay with tunnels, but doesn't do as well on jumps (often goes around instead of over).

I'm leaning toward weaves since Lynne teaches channel weaves and our instructor only teaches luring through. I also love the clicker and Lynne is the only Karen-Pryor-certified-whatever in NC. But I think anything would probably benefit us since Kaya is new and doesn't have very much focus yet, although I'm thinking crosses might be a little over her head still.

Argh!! lol What do ya think?

[MissMutt]

If it were me, I'd probably take the jumping one. I just feel like weaves are the kind of thing you can work on by yourself.. for example I got a set of six weaves for my backyard and now my dog is an excellent weaver. Keep in mind though that I've only been agility for like 4 months so I'm not really experienced at all.

BTW Solid Mutt great video! I watched yesterday but didn't get the chance to comment. You and Voodoo look great and I think that back cross is totally fine.. better than I could have done anyway.

Shaina where are you? Did you go to the trial?

[Solid Mutt]

Originally Posted by Squeeker

Solid Mutt... that was great!! You and Voodoo tore up the course!! And FYI, I didn't think your back cross was that terrible at all! Congrats!

Thanks Bunches Squeeker. I love watching your videos!

I was sooo excited to have one to post. I have to say I was sooo proud of Voodoo. It was such an awesome day. I know we have a long way to go, but I was on cloud 9 that day!

MissMutt - Thanks so much. I was soo nervous! LOL The rear cross definitely looks better on the video that it felt in person. HA HA HA I was just stoked to be there and that she did so well. (I am a proud momma) LOL
Are you ready for class this week? I can't wait to hear how Shaina's trial went. LOL

[MissMutt]

We have no class this week sadly. My trainer is going to a concert. I told her last week how upset I was that she was abandoning us for Nickelback. LOL

We've REALLY gotta get to working on backs again.. but my dog HATES to use the grass in my backyard for agility. To her, that is her pee/poop grass and nothing more. I've had to go so far as to set up my weaves on the concrete! But I obviously won't do that with jumps. Trying to get her to potty in one spot so that maybe we can use the rest of the grass for training.

I also found out that we're having a NADAC trial here on Nov 1. Wondering if we'll be ready for it.. I would LOVE to enter.. a) it will be cold b) there will likely not be a huge crowd because of how late in the season it is and c) I just really want to start trialing lol.

[Squeeker]

I told her last week how upset I was that she was abandoning us for Nickelback.

*SNORT* no kidding, she could at least abandon you for a GOOD band...

[ara28]

Solid Mutt, sounds like you guys did awesome! I haven't had a chance to watch the video yet, that'll have to wait until I get home.

MissMutt, sorry class is cancelled. I know that when our first class was cancelled I was so disappointed.

They had a dog show in houston this weekend and I went on sunday and watched agility among other things. They had two jumpers courses (i think that's what their called) and two courses set up with all the equipment. It was really fun to watch. Some of the dogs on the jumper course were so excited that at one point, they broke away from paying attention to their handler and just started jumping over all the jumps at random. It was cute, but I'm sure the handlers were a little frustrated, i think they were all in the beginner level.

There was this one dog that was really hesitant to do the course so after the handler tried to lure the dog onto several peices of equipment, he decided to just call it quits and let his dog run through the last jump. I thought that was good because he was really keeping it positive for the dog.

Also, pretty much every single dog after they finished the course were so excited they were jumping up and down like 'i did it! i did it!' that was really fun to watch.

Then i watched a bit of flyball and boy, that's a fast sport.

[Solid Mutt]

Originally Posted by MissMutt

We have no class this week sadly. My trainer is going to a concert. I told her last week how upset I was that she was abandoning us for Nickelback. LOL

We've REALLY gotta get to working on backs again.. but my dog HATES to use the grass in my backyard for agility. To her, that is her pee/poop grass and nothing more. I've had to go so far as to set up my weaves on the concrete! But I obviously won't do that with jumps. Trying to get her to potty in one spot so that maybe we can use the rest of the grass for training.

I also found out that we're having a NADAC trial here on Nov 1. Wondering if we'll be ready for it.. I would LOVE to enter.. a) it will be cold b) there will likely not be a huge crowd because of how late in the season it is and c) I just really want to start trialing lol.

Oh no Miss Mutt no class this week? I am sorry. I guess it is ok, I am not a die hard nickelback fan, but do like some of their tunes. LOL

I am sorry that Marge doesn't like to use the grass to practice on. That is all Voodoo and I have to practice on.

That would be so exciting if you could start trialing in Nov. It looks and sounds like so much fun. I can't wait until we get to the level we can do that too. I sooo want to do it. LOL

Originally Posted by ara28

Solid Mutt, sounds like you guys did awesome! I haven't had a chance to watch the video yet, that'll have to wait until I get home.

MissMutt, sorry class is cancelled. I know that when our first class was cancelled I was so disappointed.

They had a dog show in houston this weekend and I went on sunday and watched agility among other things. They had two jumpers courses (i think that's what their called) and two courses set up with all the equipment. It was really fun to watch. Some of the dogs on the jumper course were so excited that at one point, they broke away from paying attention to their handler and just started jumping over all the jumps at random. It was cute, but I'm sure the handlers were a little frustrated, i think they were all in the beginner level.

There was this one dog that was really hesitant to do the course so after the handler tried to lure the dog onto several peices of equipment, he decided to just call it quits and let his dog run through the last jump. I thought that was good because he was really keeping it positive for the dog.

Also, pretty much every single dog after they finished the course were so excited they were jumping up and down like 'i did it! i did it!' that was really fun to watch.

Then i watched a bit of flyball and boy, that's a fast sport.

That show you went to this weekend to watch sounds like lots of fun. I would love to go watch some around here. There is just not too many that close. I am waiting there is supposed to be some trials coming up so I am excited to go check it out.

Oh and I have watched the flyball on TV. I can only imagine what it is like in person. LOL

[Shaina]

Originally Posted by MissMutt

Shaina where are you? Did you go to the trial?

We didn't go. I had to work so it just didn't work out. I think it's for the better though...I saw the courses after the fact and we could have easily Q'd, but I'd like to have the dogs running at easily Open level before starting to trial, since trialing adds a lot of stress and such. The only reason I considered it was because CPE Level 1 doesn't have teeter (Kim) or weaves (Webster). Both are okay on their respective "weak" obstacle but not where I want them to be, and our handling isn't as flowing as I would like, especially regarding distance work. If we wait a while and are really solid we can skip ahead and start CPE at Level 3 anyway, which is good for my poor dog-abused wallet.

Plus we have (possibly) an obedience trial and (definitely) a rally trial next month so we are going to take things easy from an agility standpoint for a while (other than Kim's weekly class and the occasional get together) then go back to it hopefully refreshed...and with a more educated handler lol.

[Squeeker]

Weee, I will be a "scribe assistant" all day Saturday and Sunday for the AAC Nationals next weekend! It's the perfect job... basically, I take the paper from the scribe and hand it to the runner... and that's it. The rest of the time I get to watch the dogs run! I am totally bringing my camera (as long as the weather cooperates) and will post photos!

We didn't go. I had to work so it just didn't work out. I think it's for the better though...I saw the courses after the fact and we could have easily Q'd, but I'd like to have the dogs running at easily Open level before starting to trial, since trialing adds a lot of stress and such.

Shaina, I don't blame you for skipping it. Trials do look stressful for the dogs, especially their first time out.

[MyCharlie]

That sounds great Squeeker, I bet it will be a lot of fun! I scribed and timed at our trial last year and I liked it a lot, but it is hard to just watch the judge and not watch the dogs running! So your job sounds perfect

Too bad about the trial Shaina, but good luck at rally!

[Solid Mutt]

Shaina - Sorry you did not get to the trial. Gotta work to pay the bils. Your obedience and rally trials sound great! I can't wait to hear how they go. Will you trial both Kim and Webster in them?

Squeeker - That sounds like sooo much fun! I can't wait to hear all about it! What an awesome thing to be doing!

Where is ACM? Has anyone heard from her?


Wednesday night we had our 2nd level 3 class. LOL It was pouring down the rain and we still had it. I was the first student there and the last to leave. HA I was soaked and so was Voodoo. Only 9 of us were STUPID enough to go "play" in the rain. LOL We worked on 270/90 jumps. We did a mini course that was jump, weaves, jump, tunnel, jump, weaves and the jump. It is hard to describe with out drawing a picture but anywho it was quite fun and entertaining. We also worked on a large pinwheel with 5 jumps and sending our dog up and back and us not rounding the area with them. Very interesting. Lots f fun but when we got done I ended up cold. LOL I can't wait until next week.

Oh the pictures from the show -n - go got posted online. I plan to order a couple. When I do I will make sure to post them.

[ara28]

Solid Mutt - sounds like an interesting class. I hate the rain, and so does my dog. I'm not sure how you guys did it! It sounds like voodoo is doing really great!

We had class on Saturday and we worked on the tunnel, the dog walk, the a-frame and the tire jump. Dohggy did the full height dog walk and the full height a-frame! We were the only ones that did the a-frame and the full height dog walk. we stayed after class to do the a-frame because rebecca, our trainer, said she usually waits until the last 2 weeks to do the a-frame in the pre-agility class because a lot of the owners tend to freak out and that could possibly be dangerous for the dog but I wanted to try.

so first i thought, well i'll let him get used to it so i was going to let him walk up it and rebecca said you might want to give him a running start and i heard her say that, but i didn't take her advice, so dohggy started walking up it, didn't get very far and started sliding back down because it was so steep. so she goes, here i'll show you, and took the leash and gave dohggy a running start and up and over he went! FULL HEIGHT! And then, he did it again!! I was very proud of him! seems like he really enjoyed himself.

The tunnel was curved this time and at first he was a bit reluctant to go through but after a couple of times he was going right on through.

Then, after class dohggy found himself a girl friend There was this woman there and her dog who also stayed after class for a little bit and dohggy just loved this dog. he wanted to be right next to her the whole time. rolling on her, giving her kisses, etc... he tried to mount her head a few times but i said 'dohggy no mounting' and he stopped before he actually mounted her head....silly boy.

but back to agility class, it was TONS of fun! We won't be going this coming saturday because i'll be out of town, but we'll be making that class up next wednesday night, but then there will only be 3 weeks left after that I'm hoping they put an agility 1 class on thursday nights for the fall so we can sign up for that because during the school year, thursday nights are my only free nights.

[MissMutt]

Sounds like fun ara. Isn't it nice to see your dog progress so fast?

We're supposed to be going tomorrow night, but I'm not banking on doing a ton because a) I will most likely have Marge on melatonin and b) it is going to be SUPER hot and humid.

[ara28]

Originally Posted by MissMutt

Sounds like fun ara. Isn't it nice to see your dog progress so fast?

We're supposed to be going tomorrow night, but I'm not banking on doing a ton because a) I will most likely have Marge on melatonin and b) it is going to be SUPER hot and humid.

It definitely is wonderful to see him progress so fast. Watching him enjoy himself is awesome too. I'm so glad we found something that we both enjoy and that we both have fun doing!

I can relate to the hot and humid thing since it's like that 24/7 here. Right now we're at 90 degrees with 70% humidity. The only reason it's not hotter is because it's cloudy since it's supposed to rain. The dogs start to get a little tired after only 30 minutes because of the heat and humidity. What's the melatonin for if you don't mind me asking?

[MissMutt]

Marge's fear issues are through the roof right now (as you can read in this (What now?) thread) so I'd rather have her calm and ever-so-slightly downed than off the wall reactive. She's usually okay at class but I'd just like to see how she does while on it there. The results seem pretty good as of last night and today. It doesn't dope her up or anything, nor does it make her sleepy or drowsy, so it should be fine.