Last Thursday was a very busy day of agility indeed, but apart from being pretty tired out at the end of it, it was a great day. Our lesson with Shaun Hunt was really enjoyable and reminded me how much I love training my dogs, but also how much work Martin and I have left to do to bring our young dogs up to the standard of our beloved, and more experienced dogs, Ella & Spud. This week is not the week to come up with a plan, much less implement it, but the seeds have been sown and I predict they’ll be flowering before too long knowing me! Maria & Ella continued building on the great work they’d already achieved since they’d met during the session, whilst Tracey had her first opportunity to train Spud. We had both treats and toys at the ready, and Spud explained that he really rather enjoyed food over his toy, so Tracey dutifully complied which was the start of a beautiful friendship 

Spud looking very handsome in the team kit

Shaun and Maria use and teach the Greg Derrett handling system, which appears to be fairly similar to the way I handle Ella already judging by the way Maria was able to get such great results from Ella so quickly. It’s had me pondering whether or not having such a defined method to work with would be of benefit to me and my dogs, so another seed to think about for the future. I can certainly see how it gives Maria confidence in what she’s doing. which I’m sure contributes to how positive she is, even when handling a new dog like Ella.

What was evident during the session with Shaun, and shone through in all the training we’ve done, is the depth of knowledge I hold about Ella – information that I just take for granted, that is in the subconscious part of my brain and is just taken into account in everything we do together. Silly things like her self-releasing off a contact – a very un-Ella like thing to do, just automatically tells me that she must be in need to a wee. Reasonable when you think that the weight shift position she adopts to achieve her end position a contact must press on her bladder I guess! Never mind how, just as it would with us, affect our concentration when she’s desperate for the loo. Another dog would probably leave work to relieve themselves, but not my girl – it’ll just show up in mistakes and frustrated barking, but you wouldn’t know that unless you knew her well.  Mother Teresa says that we should “be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies”. I feel that this amazing experience has given me renewed confidence in my training abilities and relationship with Ella, because it truly is the details which matter when competing at the highest level. I truly know this little girl inside out, and I’m even more in awe of her than I was before if that’s possible. And you know what’s great is that this includes having to explain her weaknesses to Maria, so that’s she’s aware of where she might have a problem.

Best girl

A few areas to watch were highlighted in our evening session at Martin’s on Thursday evening, as both Ella & Spud love training indoors with the other Dervish club dogs – it’s pretty exciting, and for exciting read LOUD! Though I think in fairness to the rest of Dervish, Spud was probably making up at least 90% of the noise all by himself Maria & Tracey were able to see the dogs working in a highly charged environment, where the dogs were excited and obviously more driven than they had been in individual sessions. Both worked really well despite some of Martin’s more challenging exercises, and it was particularly helpful for Tracey to have Martin guide her about how Spud works and how best to handle him. Some really good work from both dogs, and the end of another long day for their handlers.

We had a quiet morning the following day to recover a bit, before some more training on the Friday afternoon prior to the weekend’s competitions. Ella & Maria were heading off to compete at Tunbridge Wells on the Saturday, whilst Spud & Tracey were going to HJ UK Agility show for both Saturday & Sunday. Due to Martin needing to work it meant that Ella was travelling off with Maria without me so I could be with Spud on the Saturday. Fortunately in the few days that I’ve had to really get to know Maria, I’ve seen what a professional she is, and how the need’s of the dog are at the forefront of her mind. Even so, I was very sad to see my girl heading off without me at the end of the day, so Martin distracted me with some training with Jade & her brother, Emma Melford’s Stryder. Jade’s skills are already approaching, and in some cases overtaking, her auntie’s, so she was a welcome distraction and comfort. She’s also a big cuddle monster, so she had some of those to share in the armchair once home too

Jade & Stryder, bounding forward on their release cue

The weekend went really well for both Aussies, with Maria & Ella getting 2 out of 3 clear rounds, and a 20th place in the Olympia Qualifier with held contacts for one of them. Thank goodness she was holding contacts otherwise she might have needed to make another trip for the semi-finals!

Ella at warp speed over the dog walk

Tracey & Spud were able to enter 5 runs each day, and as it was a UK Agility show, were able to treat some of the runs as NFC or ‘Not for competition’. This meant that if Spud ran off his contacts, then Tracey could put him back over them and reward him in the ring with a toy if he did them well. This approach meant that after just one run, Spud’s contacts were rock solid for Tracey, and she didn’t have to correct a single one after that – a massive endorsement for UK Agility’s system, and so helpful for Tracey & Spud before the WAO. And for those runs for competition – well Tracey has a very nice 1st place rosette to take home with her, at win by 3 seconds no less!

Having spent a lot of time with Tracey over the weekend, I was blown away by what a great person she is and how lovely she must be to have as an instructor. She cares so much about Spud having a good time in all of this, and has taken on board lessons learnt from last year’s competition and her previous host dog’s experience, and incorporated them into improving things for the future. For our part, we know that Spud will be having a good time because he’s running agility, so we’re keen that Tracey enjoys herself! But for her, as with Maria, that’s about the dog’s enjoyment being paramount – they are both such excellent ambassadors for their country. Australia would be very proud of how they are conducting themselves.

The end of the show on Saturday saw the safe return of my Ella-bella, and I think it was clear to all that we were both very pleased to see each other! Maria had reported that in the first run of the day she had reached the ringside with her and Ella has stopped tugging for a bit (very unusual for her) and was searching the crowd for me to turn up. I was quickly forgotten when she stepped onto the startline, but I know how she felt – there were several times I pointed out dogs to Tracey that looked similar to Ella, including her sister Mimi who was there competing there with her handler Tim Marsh. As Maria headed out to Belgium on Sunday, it meant I had my girl back to play with again for a day, and judging by how fast she was going, I think she was pretty pleased we were back together Martin’s little miniature poodle Rizzo distracted him from not having Spud to run, by putting in a storming run in the Beginners Steeplechase qualifier – the big 1st place rosette and pint glass are bigger than she is! But the experience has certainly highlighted to both of us how much work we have left to do in order to have future agility superstars in our youngsters – the positive for us is that they are all great dogs with massive potential. Being part of Maria & Tracey’s grand adventure, might well be the encouragement we need to find the precious time that we found for Ella & Spud. Watch this space

Today I’m grateful for my friend Emma Melford – who not only calmed me down yesterday by helping me get ready for my new classes that started last night, but is also coming to babysit our precious dogs who are remaining at home whilst we accompany their big brother and sister to Belgium.You’re a star!

Stryder with Emma Melford

Maria & Ella had another great session together yesterday with Martin at his field in Bristol. It’s amazing to watch them, you wouldn’t believe they just started training two days ago – they already have a good bond and are training really well. We’re taking lots of photos and video clips – here’s one from their session yesterday

Maria and her husband Gordon are staying with my friend Lucie Corrie (owner of Ella’s daughter Pixie) in Cheltenham, so Tracey and I will be heading up there to have a lesson with Shaun Hunt. I know Shaun from when I trained to be an instructor with his mother Kim so I know a little of how he trains, and I’m really looking forward to doing a little with one of mine before our Aussies have their session.

This will be Tracey’s first training session with Spud, and although she did meet him last year when they were here for the last World Agility Open I’m sure she’s keen to get started! Martin and I are really pleased with how he’s been working recently, and more than that, how good he’s been physically looking. Spud turns 11 years young in October of this year, but to watch him out on a walk or running an agility course, you’d be hard pressed to realise it! I’m so grateful to the SMART Clinic for the care they provide for our dogs, they keep them in such great shape for both their everyday life and of course their agility careers. They are an integral part of our agility team and I wouldn’t know what I’d do without them. Plus the new formula of the Omnipro dog food that they are all fed on, is giving them plenty of energy and making their coats look fantastic. My nerves on the startline are greatly alleviated by knowing that the dogs are in great shape – my biggest worry is being able to keep up with them!

Today I’m grateful for my dogs, who freely offered their cuddles at the end of a long day yesterday – think they might be required at the end of today as well!

Spud in action at TAG Agility show, Easter 2012

Maria has posted some pictures on Facebook of Ella that Gordon took of them yesterday at their first training session. I was really nervous leading up to our first meeting, wondering if Ella would be what Maria remembered from when we met back at the World Agility Championships, but I should have remembered my golden rule when I step into a ring with Ella – trust my dog. She was her usual fabulous self, responding to those well-known cues just as she always does. Maria was perhaps even better than I remembered, and her confident, positive handling told Ella straight away that she was with someone who knew exactly what they were doing. Ella will run for anyone, but she doesn’t suffer fools gladly – and will be very verbal about it too! But there was hardly any barking last night, she knew she was in good hands and she responded to Maria like they’d been training regularly for months.

I can’t imagine how scary it must be to travel all that way to compete at a World Championships with someone else’s dog – I know I find it difficult stepping into your average competition ring with a strange dog, let alone the scale of what Maria and her fellow Australians are doing! I love competing with my own dogs, but then I know what went into them right from the start as they have all been loved from puppyhood, so by the time we step into a ring I’m pretty certain of the responses I’m going to see. That relationship is so precious and important to my confidence as a handler, although I’m gaining it with other special dogs that have entered my life as adults. Funnily enough though, Maria commented a couple of times how Ella was responding in a similar way to Kwyk, her dog back home in Australia. So perhaps in a funny way our dogs are with us all the time, and a part of Kwyk will be with Maria as she steps onto the line with my girl. I know whatever happens next week, it’s going to be a very exciting competition

Today, as I am on pretty much every day, I’m grateful for Ella.

Maria & Ella

]]> http://daybreakdogs.co.uk/world-agility-championships-adventure-begins/feed/ 0 http://daybreakdogs.co.uk/beginner-agility-course-starting-tuesday-1st-may/ http://daybreakdogs.co.uk/beginner-agility-course-starting-tuesday-1st-may/#comments Sun, 15 Apr 2012 20:26:32 +0000 admin http://daybreakdogs.co.uk/?p=550

APRIL / MAY 2012

Please indicate the workshops you would like to attend by ticking in the boxes alongside each workshop and then filling in the details at the bottom and returning this form along with payment. Cheques should made payable to ‘Daybreak Dog Training’.

APRIL

17^th

6.30pm – 7.30pm Walking the Course ☐

7.30pm – 8.30pm Foundation Fun ☐

24^th

6.30pm – 7.30pm Walking the Course ☐

7.30pm – 8.30pm Foundation Fun ☐

MAY

1^st

7.30pm – 8.30pm Handling skill – Pull Throughs ☐

8^th

7.30pm – 8.30pm Handling skill – Boxes ☐

15^th

7.30pm – 8.30pm Handling skill – Front Crosses ☐

22^nd

7.30pm – 8.30pm Handling skill – Cross Behinds ☐

29^th

7.30pm – 8.30pm Handling skill – Snakes/ Serpentines ☐

WORKSHOP FEES:                 

HANDLER & DOG NAME: ……………………………………….

EMAIL ADDRESS: ………………………………………………….

TELEPHONE NUMBER: …………………………………………..

Cheques/PO payable to:  DAYBREAK DOG TRAINING

Booking 3 workshops or less:

…….Workshops at £7.00 per dog £………..…..

Booking 4 workshops or more:

……. Workshops at £6.50 per dog £…..……..…

TOTAL       £……………..

I started doing ‘agility’ with my Korthals Griffon – Ruby a couple of years ago now, because it’s something that really keeps her physically active and also mentally challenged. We train twice a week with two different clubs – the Severnside Dog Agility club and also with Daybreak Dog Training. We are keen to keep developing her and her attitude to life isn’t really suited to obedience training. Ruby is renowned amongst everyone who knows her as always being hugely enthusiastic – this shines through in her agility. During all of her training she always throws herself into it 100% and seems to absolutely love the thrill of jumping over jump after jump or flying over a see-saw. We’ve entered a few competitions without much formal success yet – one of my fellow trainees said that he judges success as entering the ring with his dog and leaving with it as well – at least we’ve done that! Most dogs who compete at a Korthals Griffon’s height category are collies, who are renowned as being highly intelligent and agile – I think a Korthals Griffon can be a good match!

Jamie Gordon owner & handler of Ruby

I think the point I’m trying to make can be summed up by an example of my wonderful Ella’s recent naughty behaviour. Anyone who knows me knows how much I adore her and rate her competitive ability, and yet just the other day she stole a tomato ketchup bottle off the side and then made a mess of licking it out on the sofa! The dog that at agility shows is self-control personified! It reminded me that she isn’t perfect, and it isn’t something that I didn’t really know. It’s just that thanks to one of my favourite dog trainers Susan Garrett, who has greatly influenced my dog training for the better,  “when I look at my dogs I can only see greatness.”

Karen Pryor in her fabulous book “Reaching The Animal Mind”, talks about the fact that once you’ve started training using positive reinforcement methods such a clicker training, your eyes are opened to a greater understanding of natural behaviour and reading the signals the dog is giving you. I’m so pleased that there are so many examples of handlers at the top of our sport building relationships with their dogs that are built on such solid foundations of love and trust. There are so many to inspire me in my own training, and take me further along the path of understanding. We’re starting to live in a training world where this is the norm rather than the exception, what a great time to be involved in dog training

Today, in fact like most days, I’m grateful for my dogs

Spud was his usual brilliant self, despite Martin feeling poorly with a bad cold. They put in a good clear in the Graded 5,6,7 Agility to win the class, but the jumping went a bit to pot after a knocked pole. Ella was her usual dazzling self, but I forgot a very important detail before we went in for our agility run – I need breakfast to function well! Whilst I remembered the course I was twitchy and pulled her off two obstacles – not like us at all. Then in her jumping round I planned a handling move which required advanced weaving skills, a challenge which she failed at twice before completing. More work needed there, but I also need to bear in mind our warm-up routine – a long queue is a struggle for a high-drive dog, and I think she just entered the ring a bit ‘high’. But overall I was pleased with our performance today, some good work and I think we can look forward to a season in G7 next year

Now just waiting for my beautiful boys to return home after a weekend with their daddy. The dogs keep us occupied, but it’s definitely quieter without them around! Busy day ahead tomorrow, all dogs to SMART clinic for appointments in the afternoon and then my Kennel Club Good Citizen classes in the evening. I have a great bunch of dogs working through the scheme at the moment, some real characters. I can see some of them moving onto agility in the future too, will be lovely to watch them develop and grow

Today I’m really grateful for my friend Sue Spring’s advice, to never give up even when things go wrong on course. If I had I wouldn’t have the satisfaction of completing the rest of our jumping round so well, and being able to take up a huge positive – thanks Sue!

• How to get the best from you canine athlete
• Fitness for competition
• Warming up
• Cooling down
• Injury prevention
• An introduction to canine massage – techniques, frequency and effects
• Coats & coolers – effectiveness, when to use and precautions
• Nutritional considerations for agility

Speakers:

• Ms T O’Brien BVsc, MRCVS
• Mrs H Price, Chartered Veterinary Physiotherapist ACPAT Cat A
• Ms S Ferris RVN

Date: Sunday 13th November 2011

Time: 10am – 5pm

Cost: £45.00

How to book: Call or email the SMART Clinic Cardiff on 02920 799006 / mail@smartvetwales.co.uk