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We start classes again next Tuesday, I am so excited!!! But then we trial that weekend (AKC), I'm kind of nervous about it since we haven't done anything since mid-December. Classes were supposed to start back up this last Tuesday but it was postponed another week.
She needs one more Standard Q for her Open title. She doesn't have any JWW Qs yet in Open.
Remind me: what does JWW stand for? I don't know the AKC acronyms.
Had a moment of panic tonight: took Kit to agility class and then put on her fleece jacket because I was going to dinner with friends while she stayed crated in the cold car. When I got home and got her out, I thought I saw a limp. I got all worried, but the velcro on the fleece jacket had come partially open and the jacket was falling off, tripping her. She was fine as soon as I got it off.
We've got 6 runs at a trial on Saturday. If I'm lucky, we'll earn our novice superior title in TNG, which means we'll be ready for Open in two classes (weavers and TNG). Wish us luck!
"We know accurately only when we know little, with knowledge doubt increases."
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Well, we had our first agility class last night after the holiday season, but it's technically the second class of this session. We had to miss the first because Opal was playing frisbee and jumped like a maniac (caught the frisbee of course) but came down wrong on one of her front legs.
Then, since we're trying a new facility, we got ridiculously lost in the snow on the way there and finally found the facility which is in the ghetto. :-P
When we got there, the session was almost done, but they did let us get one run in, and she did really well. We just did a short sequence and worked on front cross, and we just tore through it because that's old hat stuff for us.
The instructor is thinking of upping our jump height and letting us practice at 12 inches, because she has no trouble jumping that. She's a bit higher on leg then most Cardigans, so it's not such a big deal for her as it would be for a much lower dog.
We DID start work on the teeter, and Opal did fine with that.
Right after that, we started our first Rally class, and I like Rally! It's easy to do, but hard to do right. Opal and I definitely need to work on our finishes and heeling.
Good luck at your trial, Sibe! You have to let us know how she does (obviously!)
Have fun tomorrow, GLM! I know Kit will do great!
We had our first class back on Wednesday since the holiday break. It was lots of front crosses/discrimination stuff (so work for the handlers, not really for the dogs LOL), which is what I need more and more of. Kimma did wonderfully. Everything was just solid. Even if I messed up a bit, she nailed it. I just can't wait to start competing with her. I'm glad we are taking our time (getting in some Open stuff even before we begin Novice - it's the way the club does things LOL), but I'm so anxious hahaha.
Owner of Loistava Kennels and Red Fox Dog Training
Loistava's Jari - 12 weeks old (M)
Loistava's Kimma RN NA NAJ CGC - 3 years old (F)
AOM CH Finkkila's Kupla ("Bubbles") - 3 years old (F)
CH Finkkila's Pentti CGC TDI - 5 years old (M)
We had our first class back on Wednesday since the holiday break. It was lots of front crosses/discrimination stuff (so work for the handlers, not really for the dogs LOL), which is what I need more and more of. Kimma did wonderfully. Everything was just solid. Even if I messed up a bit, she nailed it. I just can't wait to start competing with her. I'm glad we are taking our time (getting in some Open stuff even before we begin Novice - it's the way the club does things LOL), but I'm so anxious hahaha.
Oh, totally. Working beyond the level you're trialing at is paramount. Case in point: Kit has been weaving 12 poles in class for over a year now, but has never seen 12 at a trial (but that's coming soon!) My current agility class is composed exclusively of dogs who are already in elite. Several of them have their NATCH's, or even multiple NATCH's (me = in awe). It's good for me, because I learn way more by being the least experienced handler in an advanced class than by being the most experienced handler in an intermediate class.
My instructors (hubby/wife team) are on vacation right now for 3 weeks :-( It's ok, though, because we have a substitute instructor and he rocks.
Off to bed now so that Kit can get her beauty sleep before the trial tomorrow!
"We know accurately only when we know little, with knowledge doubt increases."
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Oh, totally. Working beyond the level you're trialing at is paramount. Case in point: Kit has been weaving 12 poles in class for over a year now, but has never seen 12 at a trial (but that's coming soon!) My current agility class is composed exclusively of dogs who are already in elite. Several of them have their NATCH's, or even multiple NATCH's (me = in awe). It's good for me, because I learn way more by being the least experienced handler in an advanced class than by being the most experienced handler in an intermediate class.
My instructors (hubby/wife team) are on vacation right now for 3 weeks :-( It's ok, though, because we have a substitute instructor and he rocks.
Off to bed now so that Kit can get her beauty sleep before the trial tomorrow!
Yeah, we've been doing 12 weaves for months LOL. And we do serpentines and pinwheels and all that junk. It's just SO MUCH FUN that I can't wait to see how she does in competition (so then I can see what I need to work on more, too, because I'm sure I will be a mess LOL). Right now, I'm the high/middle of my class, but that's pretty much just because I've never done it before (we have handlers in there that have competed with other dogs). I am pretty sure that once we work our way to Monday nights (the competition level classes) we will be in the bottom of the group. And that's totally cool with me!
Hope you guys have fun at your trial
Owner of Loistava Kennels and Red Fox Dog Training
Loistava's Jari - 12 weeks old (M)
Loistava's Kimma RN NA NAJ CGC - 3 years old (F)
AOM CH Finkkila's Kupla ("Bubbles") - 3 years old (F)
CH Finkkila's Pentti CGC TDI - 5 years old (M)
Not only did Kit get her TNG superior and 4 more Q's today (that's 5/6 for anyone counting), I got to watch my closest agility friend and mentor earn his NATCH2 with his bullet of a BC. So awesome to watch!
Our TNG run was beautiful, but the other Q's were dirty dirty dirty! Kit is easily distracted on course and I find it very difficult to prevent this, especially in places other than our own regular training facility. I wonder how far I'd get if I worked on just keeping her attention in distracting settings (dog park, crowded street market, etc.).
"We know accurately only when we know little, with knowledge doubt increases."
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
@GottaLuvMutts - Congrats on the Q's! I don't think it would hurt just to try and keep Kit's attention in all sorts of distracting settings! Other than that though I don't know enough about distractions, how is her recall??
So we have not 'officially' started our jumping/jump grid class yet, 2 weeks I believe it starts. For now we have been able to train with one of the owner's of my training facility on running contacts! We are using the Silvia Trkman method and things are actually going really well (knock on wood). Coming from a dog who has had no contact performance we have been able to raise a dogwalk plank to about 2" off the ground and she hits the contact nearly 100% of the time. The plans for that now is to just keep raising the dogwalk plank & using a lowered dog walk to make sure she still hits her running contacts. My ultimate goal would be to have nice running contacts by the end of February.. we can dream? :P
However this weekend we are trialing in USDAA for the first time! I only entered her in Jumpers on both days & Performance Speed Jumping on Saturday. She has a decent A-Frame contact so I didn't think it would be bad to just give it a try. This will be our first trial since I left for Australia in July, so who knows what will happen. I am excited to see an actual USDAA trial and we will go out and just have a few fun runs! No expectations, just going out to run!
Hope everyone has been doing well in their training & good luck to anyone trialing this weekend!
Andy & TACh BelleTAM TMAG3 CL1 CL2 CL3 CL4 SSB
CPE Nationals 2011 High In Standard 8" Regular Level 4
TDAA Petit Prix 2011 Weave Pole Challenge Finalist
We had a good class last night. She had some trouble with 180s, but only because she decided that instead of turning in a way that completes the 180, she would go straight ahead for the table LOL. (The class before us did lots of table work, and I think there were some good treats/crumbs there hahaha). So yay for her listening
She's usually good with 180s and serpentines/pinwheels, so I'm not too concerned. It was just really funny LOL. It was good on the second try, though!
We also did some more difficult weave entries, which she nailed. I'm so happy with her weaves thus far. Here are a couple of videos from last night. Sorry for the quality - I had my camera on some weird setting and my friend taking the video didn't notice haha:
Owner of Loistava Kennels and Red Fox Dog Training
Loistava's Jari - 12 weeks old (M)
Loistava's Kimma RN NA NAJ CGC - 3 years old (F)
AOM CH Finkkila's Kupla ("Bubbles") - 3 years old (F)
CH Finkkila's Pentti CGC TDI - 5 years old (M)
Nice videos, Finkie. Your practice barn is extremely similar to ours - I had to look twice to make sure it wasn't the same place.
And, Kit's recalls are generally good. I don't think the sniffing is displacement behavior - she just has a good nose and likes to use it in new places, particularly where there have been other dogs, treats, horses, etc. It's hard to work on it much, cause she doesn't do it in class or practice at our normal training facility - mostly it's in new places where we trial. Frustrating!
Good luck to anyone trialing this weekend! Although there's a trial near me, I have other commitments this weekend, so I'll be skipping it. We have agility league on Sunday, though.
"We know accurately only when we know little, with knowledge doubt increases."
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Denali can almost always hit entries in class but she rarely gets it the first time at trials. She likes to shove her nose into the grass as she approaches, ugh.
So after being off for 2 months and only one class right before the trial last weekend (which was great, she got her OA title!), I then showed up to class Tuesday and the field was dark- great, it only takes me an hour of driving and costs me $6 in tolls and $8 in gas to get out there and back.. I emailed the instructor and apparently she'd sent out an email telling us there was no class but I didn't get the message. There is also no class next week because the Club is having a dinner for members. The next week there is a class, and I'm trialing that weekend. Just wonderful. I thought we were going to have a few weeks of classes before the trial, not just one again! :/ I am definitely going to need to make a PVC jump or two and practice at home. I have weaves but no other equipment at home. I have a good guide on making a PVC jump at least!
Nice videos, Finkie. Your practice barn is extremely similar to ours - I had to look twice to make sure it wasn't the same place.
And, Kit's recalls are generally good. I don't think the sniffing is displacement behavior - she just has a good nose and likes to use it in new places, particularly where there have been other dogs, treats, horses, etc. It's hard to work on it much, cause she doesn't do it in class or practice at our normal training facility - mostly it's in new places where we trial. Frustrating!
Good luck to anyone trialing this weekend! Although there's a trial near me, I have other commitments this weekend, so I'll be skipping it. We have agility league on Sunday, though.
Thanks, GLM! Yeah, I actually really like where we train. Big enough for full courses, but not too heavily distracting. Though Kimma always finds stuff on the ground to smell and/or eat. Gross
Though as long as she's not interrupting her runs to sniff, I have no problem with it! It's while we are waiting that she goes nuts with it. Fine by me as she used to get distracted by smells and go off course. Took lots of work including a 6 month break from agility and most off leash stuff to work on it.
Originally Posted by Sibe
Finkie that was great!!
Denali can almost always hit entries in class but she rarely gets it the first time at trials. She likes to shove her nose into the grass as she approaches, ugh.
So after being off for 2 months and only one class right before the trial last weekend (which was great, she got her OA title!), I then showed up to class Tuesday and the field was dark- great, it only takes me an hour of driving and costs me $6 in tolls and $8 in gas to get out there and back.. I emailed the instructor and apparently she'd sent out an email telling us there was no class but I didn't get the message. There is also no class next week because the Club is having a dinner for members. The next week there is a class, and I'm trialing that weekend. Just wonderful. I thought we were going to have a few weeks of classes before the trial, not just one again! :/ I am definitely going to need to make a PVC jump or two and practice at home. I have weaves but no other equipment at home. I have a good guide on making a PVC jump at least!
Thanks, Sibe! We've worked hard at the entries, and she has never had an issue with weaving in class or elsewhere so far. Hopefully it stays that way! We have too many other things to work on HAHAHA.
I used this for building my jumps - http://www.instantagility.com/2008/0...ump-or-hurdle/. I have 4 of them now (perfect number for us) and I use them constantly. And since they didn't cost that much to make, I just leave them outside on the porch when we aren't using them
Owner of Loistava Kennels and Red Fox Dog Training
Loistava's Jari - 12 weeks old (M)
Loistava's Kimma RN NA NAJ CGC - 3 years old (F)
AOM CH Finkkila's Kupla ("Bubbles") - 3 years old (F)
CH Finkkila's Pentti CGC TDI - 5 years old (M)
That jump is basically the same as I am doing. Instead of adjustable jump cups I will be cutting off part of the T connector. The jump will only be able to be set at 20", with a lower bar at 12".
Speaking of jump heights, Denali was measured at 16 months old to be 21 and 1/4" which has her jumping 20" for AKC. She is coming up on her 2nd birthday so will need to be remeasured. I am hoping and praying that she hasn't squeaked up another 3/4" because that would have her jumping 24". I'm not going to do that, instead I would just enter in Preferred. I see no reason to have her jump 24". I'm not going to measure her myself to get an idea, I like living in ignorance for now haha. At 9 months old she was 20 and 3/4", so between then and 16 months she only grew 1/2 inch. I'm sure she's going to be under 22.
Nice jump, Sibe! We (uh my dad, lol) built 3 jumps for Harleigh, definitely have been enjoying having sturdy jumps around.
On the subject of jumping and Harleigh... we had agility class last night and I think we had two of our "best" runs! We've had some other great ones before at class, but last night everything went so good. Harleigh seemed to be following whatever I did and we just seemed in sync.. it was nice, lol. Her turns were awesome as well.
I figured she would be a bit distracted as we had 2 new dogs in class - which she was in between our runs, but when it came to our turn she was all business
Ya'll can be jealous I'm in shorts LOL - the joys of a Florida winter!
At the trial in January, Denali got her Open Standard title on Saturday. I did the moveup form for Sunday.
I had already submitted the form for the trial this coming weekend, and had marked Open of course since she hadn't gotten the last Q yet. After the trial in January I completely forgot to move her up for this trial. I always double check everything a couple weeks before but I had a few migraines that completely messed up my head (husband almost took me to the hospital, I am still having random numbness and not ok). So I called and of course it's too late to do anything now. I'll run as is tomorrow, do another moveup form, and run Excellent on Sunday. I'm so mad at myself.
JWW is first, then Standard. I figure I already paid so I might as well stick around and get the run in! I'm trying to be positive but I'm embarrassed. At least I have the excuse of my brain exploding, right? lol
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Originally Posted by Sibe
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Well...hopefully they run Standard first and you get a really get totally stress-free practice run on Saturday to kick off the weekend 