Collection is a Four Letter Word…..

Just ask Seeker!!

Our collection or lack there of, has been deteriorating for quite awhile now. I know, you should catch it early, but why would you want to do that when you can simply avoid it? So, in the meanwhile, it keeps getting worse. I’m frustrated, Seeker’s frustrated, so nobody’s happy! So, it’s back to basics!!

You might be asking yourself, if not…I’m doing it for you….”Why ignore it?” That’s easy! I find working collection rather boring, it’s much more fun to run around a course as fast as you can in wide open arcs! While this type of handling will work on some courses, it simply won’t on others.

Why worry about collection? The most obvious reason is that it wastes valuable yardage, which will add to your overall course time. Keep in mind, ‘Agility is a Timed Event’, just in case you’ve forgotten. Most importantly however, if you’re dog doesn’t understand collection, lands hard and tries to turn, it’s hard on your dog’s body. Fortunately, for Seeker, he compensations (and saves his body), by adding a couple strides (wasted yardage), in order to make it easier for him. Good for him! Not good for our times! Some training is needed here!

So, this week we’re ‘Back to Basics’ on collection! I realize it’s not something we’re going to change overnight, but it will become a focus on our training. I’m going to look for some fun games to play, that will keep us both happy! Luckily, Nettle is ready to focus on this type of work as well, so it’s a double bonus!

Working collection can be a lot of fun! There are so many games you can play, and it doesn’t take much set up. How totally silly not to practice it! UGH!

Monday I went out to the barn, and brought in a large traffic cone to get started. Yep, right inside the house! Could it get much easier? I doubt it! Loaded with some food and a clicker, I simply shaped them to go around the cone. Working turns in both directions of course.

We will continue to build on this, moving out into the building today as we’ve run out of room for tugging in the house. Maybe play a little barrel racing, that’s always fun!!


Trial Training for a 10 Month Old...

Of Course, Nettle was along for the 'ride' last weekend when we traveled to Lawrence, KS.  There are so many good lessons to be learned, 'on the road'. How to be quite in a crate while I'm running Seeker.  How to walk on a loose leash through a crowd.  How to old position with distractions. So, we of course did all that! 

We also played a bit with the practice jump, when of course no one else wanted to use it.  This was on Sunday while they were setting the courses, so dogs weren't running at the time.  There were people moving around close by, so plenty of distractions and opportunities to leave her 'work', but she didn't!  Not quite the same energy that I get at home, but it was a great first experience.  I was so happy with her sits, not on foot moved.  Earlier, before people started arriving, I set her up for recalls in the alleyway. She would sit and I could run 50' away, stop and call her.  She never moved!  GOOD GIRL!!

Then we moved onto the table.  Can you get up, do you care about the wicket?  Do you mind the slider bar? I even dropped it once, as you know...that can happen!  I moved her around, because sometimes the judge wants them to stand the opposite way you've loaded them onto the table.  No problem!  Another great experience! 

Make sure you're using your puppies trial experiences to your advantage!

Not to mention, it will make your evening at the hotel much quieter!

Master Pairs - It's Plain FUN!!!

Seeker and I teamed up with Zildjian and Liane Lewis, from Texas, to compete in the Master Pairs Relay on Sunday at the Lawrence, KS USDAA Trial.  This class consists of two handlers, two dogs, and a baton which the first handler must hand off to the second after completing their part of the course.  Each dog completes 9-10 obstacles, with an exchange area somewhere in the middle. 

Both dogs, and handlers, must remain in the ring while their 'team' is competing.  You are able to hold your dog, or keep it on leash, while the other dog is running.  It's obviously an advantage if you don't have to, so, your exchange is cleaner. Another great reason to work on your impulse control! It's really nice when you pair up with someone, and they tell you their dog is solid at holding position.  I think our exchange saved us a lot of time.

Which half do you do? On this particular course, it was dictated to us which dog needed to complete a side, the lower height dog, Zildjian, needed to complete the second part of the course.  If you get to choose, then you obviously try to pair the dog's strengths with that side.  Another great asset is when it doesn't matter to either handler. 

Pairs is really fun.  You get to meet new people, and run with new dogs.  You must run with 5 different pairs partners (as in dogs) to earn your ADCH (Agility Dog Championship). If you don't have a partner in mind, you simply list the dogs you've successfully competed with and the trial secretary matches you up with someone. 

More Homework at this trail!

Bars all stayed up!

YIPPEE!!

But we need some collection work!

More to come on that later!!  

A Herding Rabbit?? BC's Beware!!

Look out Border Collies, you're about to be replaced! 

Okay, maybe not, but it's rather cute.

The 'Bark Side'??? Super Bowl Commerical previews....

I can't believe there's not a Schnauzer!

Am I the only one that feels that way??

Sorry Rilda and John!

Okay...not really!!  LOL

The Great $5K Running Contact Debate..

If you compete in agility, and don't live under a rock, chances are you've heard of the upcoming running contact seminar offered by Susan Garrett. It's for 5 handlers, 5 dogs, 5 days....thus costs 5K.  Okay, well, maybe that's not exactly how it works, but it gives you the basic idea.

In my opinion, this is a fantastic marketing ploy.  You shock the small agility community with a seminar that most could never afford (or would be willing to pay that much for) to build hype.  Then you select 5 people, that have 5 dogs that you are sure will to be able to offer what you're looking for.  Those handlers, in turn sign a waiver, releasing all royalties, then you turn this seminar into the real big dollar deal, on line running contact classes.

By listing this seminar as a $5k course, she's going to reduce the number of applications to review.  Along with the fee, you need to be able to get off work, and pay travel expenses, not cheap.  Who knows, maybe once they get there, or are chosen, it's free?  Please donate to my 'PayPal Account' (just kidding!!) G

Let's say she wanted to do this seminar at no cost to participants, but you still needed to sign the waiver for rights.  Can you imagine the nightmare if she opened it up 'free' to any 5 people that was interested? She would never be able to review all the applications.

Logically, what she's doing makes sense.  I'm not saying I agree, or disagree, just that it's a great marketing idea.

I think Susan is a great dog trainer, along with a lot of others out there.  Do I think running contacts are worth $5K?  Personally, no, but I'm sure there will be some that do.  Along with most other people, I'm curious as to who's willing to pay it.  This might be a awesome reality television show!!!

Kruz Continues to Improve.....

and is giving me heart failure in the process!!

 

Yesterday, he decided he could jump up on the window ledge!!  

I took this picture, then carted his arse back to the floor!  UGH!!  

Note the x-pen in the background, those are protecting my summer gold fish from Nettle.