The agility thread

[blackcob]

I have a decently sized but unconventional and cobby small, we beat plenty of cockers on the way up. Speed isn't everything. But yes, back in the day there were far more shelties, poodles and terriers and class sizes were bigger all round. More like 100+ at the time I was running larges, I recall having rosettes with placings into the teens.

If they want to increase class numbers they will have to reduce the number of show licences granted, and/or reintroduce the proximity limit for show licensing so entries aren't split across several nearby shows.

If they want to decrease champ entries (and I don't see why this is currently necessary...) then introduce a qualifying system, X wins in G7 to be eligible for champ. Although this essentially makes champ into grade 8.

I dislike the argument that champ should only include the absolute best of the best, we already have a system for showcasing those with the Ag Ch title and the the prestige finals (Crufts, Olympia not Olympia, KCIAF) and it's already dominated by professional handlers. While the numbers remain steady as they are, the hobbyist also-rans affect nothing - but probably fund a lot of it - and the fastest dogs will still win as they should.

I wouldn’t even know where to start looking for an indoor hire for agility in southern Devon, I’d like to find somewhere though.

There's always Devon Dogs Although I think I'd sooner retire from the sport than give her a penny.

 

[Spotherisk]

I have a decently sized but unconventional and cobby small, we beat plenty of cockers on the way up. Speed isn't everything. But yes, back in the day there were far more shelties, poodles and terriers and class sizes were bigger all round. More like 100+ at the time I was running larges, I recall having rosettes with placings into the teens.

If they want to increase class numbers they will have to reduce the number of show licences granted, and/or reintroduce the proximity limit for show licensing so entries aren't split across several nearby shows.

If they want to decrease champ entries (and I don't see why this is currently necessary...) then introduce a qualifying system, X wins in G7 to be eligible for champ. Although this essentially makes champ into grade 8.

I dislike the argument that champ should only include the absolute best of the best, we already have a system for showcasing those with the Ag Ch title and the the prestige finals (Crufts, Olympia not Olympia, KCIAF) and it's already dominated by professional handlers. While the numbers remain steady as they are, the hobbyist also-rans affect nothing - but probably fund a lot of it - and the fastest dogs will still win as they should.



There's always Devon Dogs Although I think I'd sooner retire from the sport than give her a penny.

Don’t even go there - I drive past the place most weeks and back before she bought it, we nearly did!

 

[Spotherisk]

Off to an agility club fun show this morning, Storm Bert still well and truly battering us in Devon, hopefully it will improve - setting up has gone back from 8.30 to 10.

My biggest issue will be reaching the main road!

 

[Spotherisk]

I didn’t make it a mile from home…
These were taken later on with Mr StR from his pickup.

Edited to say that Rew is most put out. Early rise, then delayed as the show went back an hour or more, then 10 mins in the car and back home!

 

[Jenko109]

We went to a small, local winter league today. First time competing indoors (other than a 'home' venue we regularly trained at)

3rd in her agility, although there was no weaves or seesaw.

1st in her steeplechase.

Was our first time out competing since the summer and she was a little wired. She held it together though with no reactivity. Yay.

 

[Ditchjumper2]

What a day! A win in the combined agility with Pebs. I was so proud. We've had our ups and downs, plus she had a large lump removed recently from her muscle near her ribs. In the jumping I was in the wrong place causing her to back jump for an E.

Daz the pup was really good. Nailed contacts and weaves but I forgot she needs more support so we picked up a 5. Then she missed a jump and I didn't notice

Both were E in the jumping but went well. A really good day and it wasn't too cold.

 

[blackcob]

Fabulous day with Sam again. I need her on speed dial for when I get my head up my arse about things. Large dog didn't have a single pole all day, has developed an alarming but effective skid technique for her dog walk contact, and layered weaves beyond a dog walk with about 10% of the effort it took to get small dog to do the same. He didn't miss a dog walk contact all day so I'll take it.

 

[sarah.oxford]

Well done everyone on recent positive experience.
I am still in shock over last weekend, involving a very expensive trip to Crewe for the A4A Grand Finals.
Long story short, it ended up costing me about £1000 in loss earnings, accommodation, diesel and entry fees, which resulted in having to withdraw as Arthur was off colour, sneezing with discharge from his nose.
I'm still in shock. Thankfully he's made a speedy recovery and is now back to normal, but what bad timing .
I am completely on board that I made the right decision, but it is tough to take.
We can only look ahead to agility vision next week and think positively.
Agility is a Rollercoaster of emotions and we are due a change of luck
We had a spectacular first half of season but since July luck has not been on our side. Meanwhile his level at training has been incredible. Consistent with great skills.
One day this will transfer to the ring and we will get the last G4 win. Maybe.....

 

[Ditchjumper2]

Oh @sarah.oxford that is awful I really feel for you...all that money! And whilst you know you did the right thing it doesn't make it any easier at all.

I had a wonderful day yesterday but....the same dog last year at this time at the same venue didnt want to know I did 3 jumps picked her up and went home. She has always been a sensitive little girl. I stopped training I stopped competing and was going to give up with her tbh. She had physio, and I backed right off. Once I started competing pup it changed my mindset. I ran Pebs again but almost didn't care and she went better. Then found a large lump in muscle which was removed a couple of months ago. She is now enjoying it again. Yesterday's win was more than just an agility win it meant so much. Would be good to get another win to get to G4.

Guess I'm saying we all have the bad times and it will improve.

 

[sarah.oxford]

Oh @sarah.oxford that is awful I really feel for you...all that money! And whilst you know you did the right thing it doesn't make it any easier at all.

I had a wonderful day yesterday but....the same dog last year at this time at the same venue didnt want to know I did 3 jumps picked her up and went home. She has always been a sensitive little girl. I stopped training I stopped competing and was going to give up with her tbh. She had physio, and I backed right off. Once I started competing pup it changed my mindset. I ran Pebs again but almost didn't care and she went better. Then found a large lump in muscle which was removed a couple of months ago. She is now enjoying it again. Yesterday's win was more than just an agility win it meant so much. Would be good to get another win to get to G4.

Guess I'm saying we all have the bad times and it will improve.

Thank you and congratulations on the progress you have made.
It's a great feeling when it's all going right and I think I've had a smooth run through with Arthur to this point.
I feel incredibly guilty that I ran him on the Friday last week in the steeplechase showcase. His run was the worst of his 2 year agility career and now I know why.
I'm aware that my mindset is the issue. We are one win off G5 and tbh I'm terrified as I will then be running 5-7 courses and that is going to take some getting used to.
It's a level above what I've done before and with a dog who is several levels speed wise to what I have had before.
I need to think about the long game and be realistic. Clear rounds are going to be hard to achieve and my first goal is to remember the courses.
Baby steps.

 

[Ditchjumper2]

Hey don't worry about the what ifs! I'd love to have the "worry" of a G 5 -7 course. If you get the wins to that grade you're more than worthy Just concentrate on you and your dog and you will be fine.

I totally get the forgetting the course bit Pup did a lovely run yesterday I thought I was clear but had missed a jump

You can do this!

 

[MurphysMinder]

What a shame Sarah , disappointing for you as well as a huge expense . Kelsall is local to me but frustratingly we just missed qualifying. My advice would be to take the pressure off yourself and just enjoy each run for what it is . Having run 5-7 courses with my now retired lad I have no desire to get there again , I struggle to remember 1-3 courses .

 

[sarah.oxford]

Hey don't worry about the what ifs! I'd love to have the "worry" of a G 5 -7 course. If you get the wins to that grade you're more than worthy Just concentrate on you and your dog and you will be fine.

I totally get the forgetting the course bit Pup did a lovely run yesterday I thought I was clear but had missed a jump

You can do this!

Oh bad luck. I know that feeling as I did a super clear in a jumping 4-5 at vision, or so I thought.
The judge came over with the bad news I'd missed a jump
Still overjoyed with the boy who did exactly as I asked.

 

[Ditchjumper2]

There's always a positive. I was gutted but she worked independently and was a good girl. When you run dogs that aren't viewed as agility dogs it makes our (occasional) sucess all the sweeter.

 

[sarah.oxford]

What a shame Sarah , disappointing for you as well as a huge expense . Kelsall is local to me but frustratingly we just missed qualifying. My advice would be to take the pressure off yourself and just enjoy each run for what it is . Having run 5-7 courses with my now retired lad I have no desire to get there again , I struggle to remember 1-3 courses .

Kelsall is a beautiful venue but the combination of the distance from me and the call up as a reserve for the steeplechase on the Friday, meaning I needed a day and a half off work as well as the additional accommodation expense made it add up a bit.
I would have loved to have competed there when I had horses. It's an incredible arena.
Was a bit mind blown by the length of the courses though.
My poor friend running a 250 height dog in the Masters had a course time of 60 seconds for a 270 metre course. She ended up with 15 time faults in an otherwise clear round, which was a huge achievement, bit damn that's a long way round.
They made full use of the space which my chest infection would have struggled with last weekend.
Not sure I will be doing much A4A next year. Life is very expensive and I may stick with kc. Still in 2 minds, as it feels like a betrayal....sounds stupid but uka/a4a was all I did until the start of last year. The qualifiers were what I loved but if I can't afford to do the finals.... I don't know.
I need to think. There are a lot less in my area since ownership changed, but I am entered in the Xmas chase at Cheltenham which is always fun and I'm looking forward to that.

 

[MurphysMinder]

I noticed how long the courses were in some videos, I’d have died ! My little guy is 250 , he’s fast but I’m not . I’m the opposite re A4A and KC , we’ve now got a lot more shows up here so tend to do those so he can jump 250 .

 

[sarah.oxford]

I noticed how long the courses were in some videos, I’d have died ! My little guy is 250 , he’s fast but I’m not . I’m the opposite re A4A and KC , we’ve now got a lot more shows up here so tend to do those so he can jump 250 .

Yes, I'd definitely do more A4A if I had a 250 height dog.
I did run my old girl at select height A4A for a couple of years but now she only gets one run a day so she just goes in veterans and jumps 200.
I've been trying to retire her for ages but she's not happy if she doesn't get a turn so while she's happy and physically able we will continue.

 

[Ditchjumper2]

What a day! Like a mad person I drove off in the dark, gales and rain to a KC show. I did wonder whether to go or not but decided to give it a go. What a day for Team Schnauzers! Pebs had another agility win to progress to Grade 4 Daz had a jumping win to progress to Grade 3. They were both amazing and I was so chuffed! They also picked up a win a piece with penalties. A good day all round

 

[Jenko109]

What a day for Team Schnauzers!

Oh you run schnauzers!

Any videos? They are on my list of potential next dog.

 

[Leah3horses]

Desperate for advice, not sure if this is right place?

I am a very experienced dog & horse rescuer, veterinary professional of 36 years experience , know what I'm doing... but I now have a serious health diagnosis out of the blue, can anyone help with any possible avenues for a very very high energy , 8 month old female pup who won't be suitable as a "normal" house pet? She is mostly a Mudi, rescued from Bosnia 3 months ago, have several other dogs I rescued from Bosnia, but my friend who is looking after my dogs so I can go into hospital for urgent surgery cannot cope with this one.

She's only 9 kg, won't be more than 12 fully grown. Needs an agility / working type home. Can anyone help please?

 

[skinnydipper]

Desperate for advice, not sure if this is right place?

I am a very experienced dog & horse rescuer, veterinary professional of 36 years experience , know what I'm doing... but I now have a serious health diagnosis out of the blue, can anyone help with any possible avenues for a very very high energy , 8 month old female pup who won't be suitable as a "normal" house pet? She is mostly a Mudi, rescued from Bosnia 3 months ago, have several other dogs I rescued from Bosnia, but my friend who is looking after my dogs so I can go into hospital for urgent surgery cannot cope with this one.

She's only 9 kg, won't be more than 12 fully grown. Needs an agility / working type home. Can anyone help please?

Could the rescue organisation that you got her from arrange to foster until you are well enough to have her home?

 

[Jenko109]

Could the rescue organisation that you got her from arrange to foster until you are well enough to have her home?

Do the rescue not have to take the dog back anyway?

 

[Leah3horses]

Th

Could the rescue organisation that you got her from arrange to foster until you are well enough to have her home?

Unfortunately, she's from a rescue in Bosnia,impractical / unethical to send her back there... they are trying to help me & her through their UK contacts . I'm just trying anything rational ,in addition.

 

[skinnydipper]

Th

Unfortunately, she's from a rescue in Bosnia,impractical / unethical to send her back there... they are trying to help me & her through their UK contacts . I'm just trying anything rational ,in addition.

I hope the rescue organisation manage to come up with something for you, it's an additional worry that I'm sure you don't need at the moment.

 

[Ditchjumper2]

Oh you run schnauzers!

Any videos? They are on my list of potential next dog.

I love them but they are sensitive and stubborn but I am very uncoordinated so just do my own thing

 

[Ditchjumper2]

My girls

 

[Ditchjumper2]

I'd be embarrassed to post a video I don't do it properly .

 

[sarah.oxford]

Desperate for advice, not sure if this is right place?

I am a very experienced dog & horse rescuer, veterinary professional of 36 years experience , know what I'm doing... but I now have a serious health diagnosis out of the blue, can anyone help with any possible avenues for a very very high energy , 8 month old female pup who won't be suitable as a "normal" house pet? She is mostly a Mudi, rescued from Bosnia 3 months ago, have several other dogs I rescued from Bosnia, but my friend who is looking after my dogs so I can go into hospital for urgent surgery cannot cope with this one.

She's only 9 kg, won't be more than 12 fully grown. Needs an agility / working type home. Can anyone help please?

There is a mudi agility page on Facebook.
I'd try posting on there. Good luck

 

[blackcob]

Took large dog to DSD yesterday (her birthday ). First run was nice, second ok, third back to screaming batshittery. It’s a long way to go to have your dog look as if they haven’t been trained a day in their life.

Bless the lady in the background of the video though that did a ‘phwoar, nice weaves’. They were and I needed to hear it in that moment.

Nothing else on the calendar now, she’s booked in to be spayed and there’s no qualifiers for the small one for months yet.

 

[Ditchjumper2]

What a complete contrast to last week although the there was a common theme forgetting the course at the end my excuse is it was the works Christmas Party night before So Pebs was a bit sticky then flew but I was in the way causing a back jump. In the agility she went rogue! No offence but she was like a spaniel on speed! She flew all over flying through tunnels Aframe see saw weaves perfectly. Unfortunately she took her own course so that was 2 x Es.

Pup Dazzle was amazing in the jumping I just struggled to get there causing an E then the very last class of a horrendously long day we managed at last to avoid an E It was a hard 1/2 and we did all the hard stuff. The weaves were last but 1 and I crowded her at the end . So we finished on a 5 and won the class at least we are in limbo. Was dead chuffed to get one of the glass hanging ornaments as a prize.

Left there at 5.30 and it was a very long and cold day. I need to get my act together.