Calling all Agility Addicts!!

[adojrts]

Any ideas and advice is always appreciated, especially when it is as good as yours!

LOL We did the trailer ramp for quite a while last summer (when I was training the down)! I had never thought about it until someone else pointed out to me how handy it was. If I can ever dig the trailer out again after this storm, it may have to make another appearance.

With your contact board, you have the whole thing level 4" off the ground? I had been leaning my plank on various surfaces to make it a slant. Just wanted to confirm. That is certainly an easy thing to do, as the plank is now living full-time in the indoor for Meg's use.

Thank you so much for taking the time to type up your thoughts. As frustrated as I get at times, I really do want to get this issue solved, even if it does take all year!

Way to go, about using a trailer ramp. Sorry about all your snow, we have ice and lots of it right now.

The contact board is usually about 3- 4 ft long, 12 inches wide and raised up at both ends and supported in the middle by 4 inch blocks. It's easy to have in the house and to transport.

Your very welcome, I hope something in all that helps you in some way.
Don't get frustrated, it wont do Meg or you any good. I know you know this but I am going to say it anyways .
WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES, IT IS PART OF THE LEARNING CURVE.

Especially with our first agility dogs!! Agility is hard and its very challenging, it certainly isn't for someone who wants to train a little bit and go out and win. That doesn't happen. And I know you don't fall into that category.
I had one student, she has a very forgiving and had an over achiver type of dog. The dog was very talented and keen, the owner was very willynilly on training. Yeah they got through to earn their first Title and did it within 3 trials. Then the owner stopped training, a few months later she entered her wonderful dog in a trial. They got an E in every class, now that they were in Advanced they didn't have the skills needed to compete at that level. That was the last time they trialed. I would bet almost anything, that if that student had had any kind of issue, whether it be teeteritis, contacts whatever, they would never have made it to their first trial.
You will be fine, you have a bit of a bump in the road, you will get past it.

Good luck
Lynn

 

[Beanie]

Get all of the weave poles straight up, which we're pretty close to.
Also, blind crosses into the tunnel and the "out" command.
Maybe that's too much to expect, he's only two so he's still a baby dog... he's very velcro though, and it makes it really hard to do a lot of things. Probably won't be an issue in novice, but I don't know that I want to start trialing until we're actually... you know... READY to trial.

It would be nice if he'd give me a good contact on the a-frame, too. I'm honestly less worried about catching the contact and Qing, and more worried about him hopping off too early and hurting himself. Sigh.

 

[mrose_s]

ahh. by end of summer.

I'd like to work on his contacts mainly, and getting his weaves more reliable and then working on his offside weaves.

 

[Brandyb]

Whew ... my goals are a little more long term than winter. Brandy and I are trying to finish our Advanced title (AADC), one more Q, which is eluding us for some reason - LOL. I'm looking to perfect our weaves ... she was bang on at the last trial with two sets of 12 in the steeple chase (though we are just too slow for that game), she just seems to need refreshers just before a trial ... so we practice the week before at the arena, and the night before on my little set.
I'm aiming for our first CPE title as well - hopefully in spring when it starts up again, as well, I'd like to compete in the Canada Cup in the summer - see if we can beat our 4th place finish from last year (ok - that's a little far fetched, but I'd like to see how we do again).
Regionals ... well, I'm not sure what I'll be doing here yet ... I'll see where they're holding it first, then decide.
Over all, our goals are perfect the weaves (or as close to perfect as we can get), work on motivation (I've had to remove the ball and use a "less desirable" toy - she's crazy when it comes to the ball - but FAST on course, though a little uncontrolled when the balls around). And just have fun. She ran just wonderful at our last trial, attentive, quick, but not too fast, and accurate as heck - I was so proud, but no Q's (long story), and if she did that at every trial, I would be a happy girl.
I hope everyone reaches their goals, and has fun doing it - This is just such a great sport, and really helps the bond between owner and dog.

 

[adojrts]

Hi;
Regionals is in the same location as last year but they are being held in May somewhere around the 24th I believe. All the info in on AAC's website.

 

[Brandyb]

Oh really?
I was hoping that they'd be held somewhere else this year (though I couldn't find it on the site). I wasn't a fan of the "sand rings". At least its in May ... hopefully it won't be as bloody hot as last year.

 

[adojrts]

Oh really?
I was hoping that they'd be held somewhere else this year (though I couldn't find it on the site). I wasn't a fan of the "sand rings". At least its in May ... hopefully it won't be as bloody hot as last year.

I am pretty sure that is the time and location. I guess I may have seen it on the Barklist, which is the yahoo e-mail groug for the AAC.
Agreed, hopefully the weather is cooler and NOT wet, the footing last year wasn't great, but I would expect if it got soaked it would be worse.

 

[Bear Luv]

I think my long term goal for Honey Bear is just to fun a course lol. Like without being distracted. Paying attention to me the entire time, and not skipping any obstacles. I know for a long time to come she will blow her contacts, we are working on that. Thats another goal. As well as not giving up. We havent practiced in a long time, and I think thats because I am ready to give up. Goals are very important, and I think this thread is awesome, it really will help people realize what they want to accomplish.

Diane