Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Posted with Blogsy
Dogs Welcome
A man wrote a letter to a small hotel in a Midwest town he planned to visit on his vacation. He wrote: I would very much like to bring my dog with me. He is well-groomed and very well behaved.
Would you be willing to permit me to keep him in my room with me at night?"
An immediate reply came from the hotel owner, who wrote: SIR: "I've been operating this hotel for many years. In all that time, I've never had a dog steal towels, bedclothes, silverware or pictures off the walls.
I've never had to evict a dog in the middle of the night for being drunk and disorderly. And I've never had a dog run out on a hotel bill. Yes, indeed, your dog is welcome at my hotel. And, if your dog will vouch for you, you're welcome to stay here, too."
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Hunt Test Organizations Allowing Poodles
Hunt Test Organizations Allowing Poodles
Hunting Retriever Club (HRC)
North American Hunting Retriever Assoc. (NAHRA)
Upland Gundog Assocociation (UGA) - Rules
Hunting Retriever Club (HRC)
North American Hunting Retriever Assoc. (NAHRA)
Upland Gundog Assocociation (UGA) - Rules
Jason Pittman's Beam
I sure would love to meet this guy "Beam" sometime.
UG Nahunta’s 2 Shots Of Beam
09/29/12 - UG Upland Gundog
Poodles Make History at the Upland GunDog Association Event!!
"Whiskey" is the first Standard Poodle to earn the UG Upland Gundog Title.
"Cooper" is the first Standard Poodle to earn the UGA Upland Gundog Advanced Title.
"Beam" is the first Mini Poodle to earn the UG Upland Gundog Title.
Rich & Jason had a blast at the Upland GunDog Association Event in Parnell,
Iowa. They were able to get in a days hunting prior to the event on Sat. and
resulted in a grilled quail dinner. The Friday's hunt was filmed by an Outdoor
Sportsman Channel Videographer, who got some good footage of the dogs working
and making some good retrieves.
The GunDog division consists of quartering a field and finding 2 birds in 20
minutes. Birds must be shot and delivered to hand. At this level the dog is
not required to sit to shot or flush.
In the GunDog Advanced, this consists of quartering, finding & flushing 2
birds in 20 minutes. The dogs are required to be steady to shot and or flush
and be under control at all times. Also they have to honor another dog's
retrieve while running in a brace. They also have to deliver to hand.
Angie & Rich Louter http://www.redhuntingpoodles.com/
UG Nahunta’s 2 Shots Of Beam
09/29/12 - UG Upland Gundog
Poodles Make History at the Upland GunDog Association Event!!
"Whiskey" is the first Standard Poodle to earn the UG Upland Gundog Title.
"Cooper" is the first Standard Poodle to earn the UGA Upland Gundog Advanced Title.
"Beam" is the first Mini Poodle to earn the UG Upland Gundog Title.
Rich & Jason had a blast at the Upland GunDog Association Event in Parnell,
Iowa. They were able to get in a days hunting prior to the event on Sat. and
resulted in a grilled quail dinner. The Friday's hunt was filmed by an Outdoor
Sportsman Channel Videographer, who got some good footage of the dogs working
and making some good retrieves.
The GunDog division consists of quartering a field and finding 2 birds in 20
minutes. Birds must be shot and delivered to hand. At this level the dog is
not required to sit to shot or flush.
In the GunDog Advanced, this consists of quartering, finding & flushing 2
birds in 20 minutes. The dogs are required to be steady to shot and or flush
and be under control at all times. Also they have to honor another dog's
retrieve while running in a brace. They also have to deliver to hand.
Angie & Rich Louter http://www.redhuntingpoodles.com/
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Gifts from Dogs
"It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life, gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are." Unknown
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
PCA WC/WCX Medallions
Since 1994, Standard and Miniature Poodles have been eligible to earn Working Certificates and Working Certificates Excellent by passing the required elements of the field tests at either locally sponsored events or at the PCA and PCA affiliated poodle club sponsored tests. Once a dog earned each title, however, no additional levels of Poodle Club of America competition were available.
In an effort to promote continued participation in PCA sponsored WC and WCX tests by previously-titled dogs, and to encourage sponsoring WC/WCX tests by PCA affiliated
local poodle clubs, PCA approved the awarding of three levels of medallions for multiple WC/WCX passes.
Due to the lack of availability in WC WCX tests in all regions of the United States, PCA has deemed certain passes in AKC and UKC Hunting events as equivalent passes for the WC WCX Medallion [see the chart below for detail].
In instances where a JH, SH or MH pass is achieved at the PCA National Specialty or at PCA Affiliate Club events, passes will count as PCA passes.
Note that the UKC and AKC equivalent passes may be discontinued at the Board’s discretion as Poodle Club WC WCX events gain momentum nationally.
AKC & UKC Pass WC WCX Equivalent
Junior Hunter Pass WC Pass Equivalent
Senior Hunter Pass WCX Pass Equivalent
Master Hunter Pass WCX Pass Equivalent
Started Hunting Retriever UKC WC Pass Equivalent
Seasoned Hunting Retriever UKC WC Pass Equivalent
Finished Hunting Retriever UKC WCX Pass Equivalent
Bronze, Silver and Gold Medallion Qualifications
The medallions will be awarded to dogs that meet the criteria below:
• Bronze Medallion - 5 total WC or WCX passes with at least 3 being earned at the PCA national or regional/local Poodle club sponsored tests.
• Silver Medallion - 10 total passes. At least three of the passes would have to be WCX passes with at least 6 of the passes having been earned at the PCA national or regional/local Poodle club sponsored tests.
• Gold Medallion - 15 total passes. At least 5 of the passes would have to be WCX passes with at least 10 of the passes having been earned at the PCA national or regional/local Poodle club sponsored tests.
As you can see, these medallions will be earned by those who truly are committed to testing their field dogs at multiple locations, including the national, regional and local specialties. If you are affiliated with a local poodle club and are interested in sponsoring a test, please feel free to contact me for details of what the test entails. It's not as complicated to sponsor a test as you might think, and it could be a minimal money-maker for your club!
The medallions will show a poodle exiting the water, carrying a duck in typical poodle fashion and will have “The Poodle Club of America” emblazoned around the face of the medallion. We think the possibility of earning the medallions will add to the enthusiasm and excitement that is always present at WC/WCX tests, and definitely should keep all participants training and entering tests for their chance to earn multiple medallions.
To apply for a medallion, contact the WC/WCX Chairman, Joyce Carelli, jcarelli@cfl.rr.com , or 407-814-1240.
Products
During hunting and training I use a horse product called Show Sheen. I spray the legs before going out and then the burrs etc are much easier to comb out and in the winter it prevents the snow from balling up on the legs.
I have also found that leaving a bit of coat between the pads when pheasant hunting seems to save their feet a bit, just the opposite of what you would think, but I get lots less foot injuries with a little protection of hair there. We also will use mushers secret, or Shaws Paw Wax between their toes and pads in winter to help prevent snowballing, and tearing up of the feet on the ice and snow.
I have also found that leaving a bit of coat between the pads when pheasant hunting seems to save their feet a bit, just the opposite of what you would think, but I get lots less foot injuries with a little protection of hair there. We also will use mushers secret, or Shaws Paw Wax between their toes and pads in winter to help prevent snowballing, and tearing up of the feet on the ice and snow.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Agility iMap HD
Check out this application on the App Store:
Agility iMap HD
Agility Vision LLC
Category: Sports
Updated: Sep 28, 2010
Agility iMap HD
Agility Vision LLC
Category: Sports
Updated: Sep 28, 2010
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Live Like a Dog
Have you ever wondered about the sad fact that dog lives are shorter than human lives.
A six year old came up with a comforting explanation.
He said, 'People are born so that they can learn how to live a good Life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?'
The Six-year-old continued, 'Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.'
So .....
Live Like a Dog
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it..
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.
ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY..
A six year old came up with a comforting explanation.
He said, 'People are born so that they can learn how to live a good Life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?'
The Six-year-old continued, 'Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.'
So .....
Live Like a Dog
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it..
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.
ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY..
Monday, October 8, 2012
First WC Pass
Special thanks Carol Stone for being my training mentor, travel buddy, and friend and to hubby for tolerating all the dog stuff and helping me with my practice ducks.
We had a professional photographer on-site and should soon have some spectacular close-up photos of the action.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Best Friend
Outside the Johnson County Courthouse in Warrensburg, Missouri, stands a statue dedicated to a Foxhound named Old Drum - commemorating a famous trial held there in 1870. Old Drum was shot and killed when he wandered onto the neighboring farm. His owner’s only recourse was to sue the neighbor.
A young attorney – George Vest, who later became a United States Senator – was retained by the owner. Senator Vest’s closing argument at the trial was just 400 words, eloquently in support of the value of a dog and included this thought:
“The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog. He is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens."
Shortly after he spoke, the jury found for his client and awarded him the maximum allowable damages of $50 – which was a lot of money back then. In addition, Vest’s speech established the phrase “man’s best friend is his dog.”
A young attorney – George Vest, who later became a United States Senator – was retained by the owner. Senator Vest’s closing argument at the trial was just 400 words, eloquently in support of the value of a dog and included this thought:
Shortly after he spoke, the jury found for his client and awarded him the maximum allowable damages of $50 – which was a lot of money back then. In addition, Vest’s speech established the phrase “man’s best friend is his dog.”
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Heavy Duty Crates
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Wednesday, June 6, 2012
More on Dynamic Stretching
Clarification on dynamic stretching:
Standing high fives: dog is standing (four paws on the ground) and giving you a high five.
Sitting wave: dog waves 3-5 times in a row before putting his paw down.
Toe-kicks: same as standing high fives, but while you're standing facing the dog, you lift your foot about dog's elbow height so dog has to shift weight forward and reach forward to touch your foot with its paw. Switch feet and continue. It's ok if your dog starts to take a step forward to adjust for the weight shift, you can just take a step back.
Figure 8 through legs: make sure you change directions. Many don't believe me but a direction change is required.
Circle work: large enough circles to get your dog into and maintain a trot. Change of direction is required.
Walking backwards: when dog is going backwards make sure it's in a straight line.
Robin Pelletier
Standing high fives: dog is standing (four paws on the ground) and giving you a high five.
Sitting wave: dog waves 3-5 times in a row before putting his paw down.
Toe-kicks: same as standing high fives, but while you're standing facing the dog, you lift your foot about dog's elbow height so dog has to shift weight forward and reach forward to touch your foot with its paw. Switch feet and continue. It's ok if your dog starts to take a step forward to adjust for the weight shift, you can just take a step back.
Figure 8 through legs: make sure you change directions. Many don't believe me but a direction change is required.
Circle work: large enough circles to get your dog into and maintain a trot. Change of direction is required.
Walking backwards: when dog is going backwards make sure it's in a straight line.
Robin Pelletier
WARM UPS - Dogs Are Side Dominant
Dog's are side dominate, so I recommend all activities (heel work included) to be practiced from both sides and in both directions.
Please, not too much flak from the obedience experts out there. I'm looking at this from a rehab, fixed a lot of dog necks and shoulders, perspective.
Robin Pelletier
www.poodlesinmotion.com
Monday, June 4, 2012
Pride
I'm really not proud of my results. I'm only proud of my dogs. I think they are the smartest, cutest, and funniest dogs in the world and I make sure they know that, I make sure they know that I'm their biggest fan.
From: Sylvia Trkman
From: Sylvia Trkman
Agility Warm Up
There just isn't enough warm-up happening in agility! Especially dynamic stretching.
Many get confused with the stuff that goes on while you're waiting your turn to run as being a warm-up. That stuff, IMO, is to rev, ready, and focus your dog.
I also see good intentions happening on the first day of a multi-day trial, but the energy usually fades by day three which is when your dog needs it the most.
Warm muscles can keep a slip from turning into an injury.
Five minutes of trotting is the minimum warm-up to do.
Dynamic stretching routine:
- Standing high fives
- Sitting waves
- Toe-kicks
- Figure 8 through legs
- Circle work
- Walking backwards, etc .
Multiple reps of each AFTER the 5 minutes of trotting.
The practice jump is not a dynamic stretch its a ballistic event. Ballistic events require dynamic stretching. So if you warm your dog up and then do the practice jump to get your dog's "head in the game" great, but it can't replace a dynamic stretching routine.
A dynamic stretching routine consists of activities that increase the body's temperature and increase blood flow to the muscles so they can be ready at a moments notice. A good dynamic stretching routine uses movement patterns that require muscles group activation, muscle groups that will be used during the trial, but activities that don't replicate the actual activity you're going to do in the trial. You want to save the "bang" for the competition, don't waste it on the warm-up.
Robin Pelletier
www.poodlesinmotion.com
Many get confused with the stuff that goes on while you're waiting your turn to run as being a warm-up. That stuff, IMO, is to rev, ready, and focus your dog.
I also see good intentions happening on the first day of a multi-day trial, but the energy usually fades by day three which is when your dog needs it the most.
Warm muscles can keep a slip from turning into an injury.
Five minutes of trotting is the minimum warm-up to do.
Dynamic stretching routine:
- Standing high fives
- Sitting waves
- Toe-kicks
- Figure 8 through legs
- Circle work
- Walking backwards, etc .
Multiple reps of each AFTER the 5 minutes of trotting.
The practice jump is not a dynamic stretch its a ballistic event. Ballistic events require dynamic stretching. So if you warm your dog up and then do the practice jump to get your dog's "head in the game" great, but it can't replace a dynamic stretching routine.
A dynamic stretching routine consists of activities that increase the body's temperature and increase blood flow to the muscles so they can be ready at a moments notice. A good dynamic stretching routine uses movement patterns that require muscles group activation, muscle groups that will be used during the trial, but activities that don't replicate the actual activity you're going to do in the trial. You want to save the "bang" for the competition, don't waste it on the warm-up.
Robin Pelletier
www.poodlesinmotion.com
Sunday, April 29, 2012
PCA - RETROSPECTIVE
Nina and I had a grand day at our first PCA agility trial. We were more than a little overwhelmed and a bit intimidated with the spectacle of the all-poodle line up. The dogs were awesome! (Do we really belong here?)
Our start line jitters fell by the wayside as we started our standard run with wide-open fun - unfortuneately we had a little too much zip approaching the table from a sharp left turn. I could tell by the look in her eyes that she
wasn't going to be able to put on the brakes fast enough. I tried to block her with my body, but she was flying, and I would have had to poodle punt her to get her back on the table. Everything else on the run was sweet.
T2B gave us our first PCA Q and 7 points. What a fun course with two long gently-curving jump series. I love it when judges give you a wide open, run for your money Time 2 Beat course.
The jumpers course took me over a dozen walk-throughs to get it straight in my exhausted head. I worried and stewed about how to handle it. There were so many options. New friend, Jennifer Deslauriers from Canada, helped me stop over-analyzing and got me to concentrate on just running it. Sweet success followed with my girl doing everything I asked. We even had an international cheering section in the upper deck giving us motivation to run for the finish line! Another green and a 3rd place.! These awesome runs also brought us MXJ7 (that's 70 JWW Q's in 14 months) and MX5 (50 STD Q's in 11 months). Pretty awesome for my Novice-A girl at 3 yrs 4 months old.
The agility trial followed an awesome day of field work. Yes, I said field work. This year four miniature poodles joined the big boys and girls for the Working Certificate Test: Bowie and Owen (Ros Beaman - Kitchener, Ontario), Ren (Lisa Harrison - Memphis, TN), and my Nina (Beth White - Maryville, TN). The weather was unrelenting with cold rain and wind all day long. Nina worked her heart out, and had a blast! She completed two successful retrieves on land.
Unfortunately, she returned duckless after two trys with her first duck in the water of a very challenging pond. She wanted to get her quacker soooooo bad, but was unable to maneuver through the submerged brush in her path and did not
figure out a way to get around it. I was so proud of her enthusiasm, tenacity, and spunk! Owen was the hero for us mini's with two successful retrieves on land and two in the stick pond and PASSED with style.
And if that wasn't enough, the Salisbury AKC Trial (Friday, Saturday - AND Sunday after the ducks) was so good to us. I loved the judges, courses, turf, and friends. Nina Q'ed in 8 of 9 runs with and six placements! We finally got the
last leg of our XF Excellent FAST title Friday, and our first Triple Q and a T2B 1st place on Saturday. Has AKC started titling Quadruple Q yet?!?
I have to say that I was expecting to enjoy my first PCA, but I was not expecting to absolutely LOVE the entire experience - dogs, exhibiters, breeders, dinners, .... and I did I mention that the shopping opportunities for poodle bling were incredible!?
I HAVE TO COME BACK AND DO THIS AGAIN NEXT YEAR! I must hooked; I booked my hotel room for 2013 before I left town.
Beth White and MACH Menina de Prata RA XF "Nina"
p.s. Grateful thanks to so many people who have helped us along our way:
Thanks to Ace Russell - for getting Nina and I started with the fundamentals of agility AND and starting us down a eye-opening thought-provoking path for communicating with and appreciating my dog.
Thanks to all my fellow agility competitors / friends: Your camaraderie, feedback, and guidance were my source of strength when times were tough and my education on what was possible - Kim, Lisa J, Lisa H, Valerie, Theresa, Tracy, Butch, Shelia, Julie, Dan, Barb, Linda, Wanda, and many more.
Thank you to my mentor and new friend, Carol Stone - who has shared with me her time, her skills, her work ethic, and her limitless passion for training our poodles to showcase the unending feats for which they are capable.
Thanks also to the entire crew of our Thursday training group. I am so grateful that you have allowed a such a novice to share in the depth and wealth of your experience. I learn something new every session. Your encouragement has been so helpful.
AND most of all, a special THANK YOU to my husband and friend, Joe White - who has tolerated my absences, shared in my successes, and learned to love our little four-legged Nina.
Our start line jitters fell by the wayside as we started our standard run with wide-open fun - unfortuneately we had a little too much zip approaching the table from a sharp left turn. I could tell by the look in her eyes that she
wasn't going to be able to put on the brakes fast enough. I tried to block her with my body, but she was flying, and I would have had to poodle punt her to get her back on the table. Everything else on the run was sweet.
T2B gave us our first PCA Q and 7 points. What a fun course with two long gently-curving jump series. I love it when judges give you a wide open, run for your money Time 2 Beat course.
The jumpers course took me over a dozen walk-throughs to get it straight in my exhausted head. I worried and stewed about how to handle it. There were so many options. New friend, Jennifer Deslauriers from Canada, helped me stop over-analyzing and got me to concentrate on just running it. Sweet success followed with my girl doing everything I asked. We even had an international cheering section in the upper deck giving us motivation to run for the finish line! Another green and a 3rd place.! These awesome runs also brought us MXJ7 (that's 70 JWW Q's in 14 months) and MX5 (50 STD Q's in 11 months). Pretty awesome for my Novice-A girl at 3 yrs 4 months old.
The agility trial followed an awesome day of field work. Yes, I said field work. This year four miniature poodles joined the big boys and girls for the Working Certificate Test: Bowie and Owen (Ros Beaman - Kitchener, Ontario), Ren (Lisa Harrison - Memphis, TN), and my Nina (Beth White - Maryville, TN). The weather was unrelenting with cold rain and wind all day long. Nina worked her heart out, and had a blast! She completed two successful retrieves on land.
Unfortunately, she returned duckless after two trys with her first duck in the water of a very challenging pond. She wanted to get her quacker soooooo bad, but was unable to maneuver through the submerged brush in her path and did not
figure out a way to get around it. I was so proud of her enthusiasm, tenacity, and spunk! Owen was the hero for us mini's with two successful retrieves on land and two in the stick pond and PASSED with style.
And if that wasn't enough, the Salisbury AKC Trial (Friday, Saturday - AND Sunday after the ducks) was so good to us. I loved the judges, courses, turf, and friends. Nina Q'ed in 8 of 9 runs with and six placements! We finally got the
last leg of our XF Excellent FAST title Friday, and our first Triple Q and a T2B 1st place on Saturday. Has AKC started titling Quadruple Q yet?!?
I have to say that I was expecting to enjoy my first PCA, but I was not expecting to absolutely LOVE the entire experience - dogs, exhibiters, breeders, dinners, .... and I did I mention that the shopping opportunities for poodle bling were incredible!?
I HAVE TO COME BACK AND DO THIS AGAIN NEXT YEAR! I must hooked; I booked my hotel room for 2013 before I left town.
Beth White and MACH Menina de Prata RA XF "Nina"
p.s. Grateful thanks to so many people who have helped us along our way:
Thanks to Ace Russell - for getting Nina and I started with the fundamentals of agility AND and starting us down a eye-opening thought-provoking path for communicating with and appreciating my dog.
Thanks to all my fellow agility competitors / friends: Your camaraderie, feedback, and guidance were my source of strength when times were tough and my education on what was possible - Kim, Lisa J, Lisa H, Valerie, Theresa, Tracy, Butch, Shelia, Julie, Dan, Barb, Linda, Wanda, and many more.
Thank you to my mentor and new friend, Carol Stone - who has shared with me her time, her skills, her work ethic, and her limitless passion for training our poodles to showcase the unending feats for which they are capable.
Thanks also to the entire crew of our Thursday training group. I am so grateful that you have allowed a such a novice to share in the depth and wealth of your experience. I learn something new every session. Your encouragement has been so helpful.
AND most of all, a special THANK YOU to my husband and friend, Joe White - who has tolerated my absences, shared in my successes, and learned to love our little four-legged Nina.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Susan Garrett Quote
The stronger the foundation, the stronger our future performances!
We can't change the how we started our dogs' educational journey, but each of us can re-visit what we have in order to create more confidence and clarity for our dogs in everything they do for the future.
We can't change the how we started our dogs' educational journey, but each of us can re-visit what we have in order to create more confidence and clarity for our dogs in everything they do for the future.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Conformation in Agility Dog's
The pelvis is the most impotent factor in agility dogs.
- It not only needs to have a good slope (30 degrees or more).
- The length is incredibly important. The longer the pelvis,
the broader the thigh and that means more power.
- A long flat pelvis is useless.
- A short sloped pelvis is a little better but not much.
I have found that the shoulder angles is not nearly as important in agility dogs as the rear.
- Too much angulation in the rear and the dog takes too long to get up to speed.
- Not enough and there is not enough length of the stride.
You have to look at the whole picture when it comes to performance!
Helen King
- It not only needs to have a good slope (30 degrees or more).
- The length is incredibly important. The longer the pelvis,
the broader the thigh and that means more power.
- A long flat pelvis is useless.
- A short sloped pelvis is a little better but not much.
I have found that the shoulder angles is not nearly as important in agility dogs as the rear.
- Too much angulation in the rear and the dog takes too long to get up to speed.
- Not enough and there is not enough length of the stride.
You have to look at the whole picture when it comes to performance!
Helen King
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Success in Agility - Silvia Trkman
1. Develop a firm, trusting relationship with your dog.
2. Properly condition your dog (2 hrs off leash running in woods / day, 1 a-day hike / week in mtns)
3. Teach your dog tricks - achieves total body awareness
4. Teach your dog obedience. Teaches you about motivation.
5. Boost your dog's confidence. Always let her know she's a champion.
6. Don't be afraid to do it your way. Trust your intuition on what is best for your dog.
7. If something goes wrong, remember it is always your fault - your training or your handling.
8. Never forget that results don't count.
9. Dog's work best when they work for themselves.
10. Go out and have fun with your dog.
2. Properly condition your dog (2 hrs off leash running in woods / day, 1 a-day hike / week in mtns)
3. Teach your dog tricks - achieves total body awareness
4. Teach your dog obedience. Teaches you about motivation.
5. Boost your dog's confidence. Always let her know she's a champion.
6. Don't be afraid to do it your way. Trust your intuition on what is best for your dog.
7. If something goes wrong, remember it is always your fault - your training or your handling.
8. Never forget that results don't count.
9. Dog's work best when they work for themselves.
10. Go out and have fun with your dog.
Training for Speed - Silvia Trkman
'Speed is certainly my major focus right from the beginning and I won’t do anything until a dog is showing the attitude I want. Many people choose to do things slowly first to let a dog understand the job and then try to add speed: those with good drivey dogs with no problems – but an average drive dog might never add speed. And even if he does, very often adding speed to the picture changes that picture that much that a dog can’t do the job correctly anymore, then a handler re-does the exercise before rewarding and by that, gives a dog a message that going fast is not good."
"A dog can be slow if they worry too much about being right and their handler fails to give them a clear message that they ARE right."
"Forget about that start line stay. Run with your dog. You should reward right away when a dog shows more speed. I know it’s hard because it’s just so much fun to run a fast dog, but if you reward anyway, this will happen again. If not, it might never happen again. Rewarding is your only way to give a dog an information that fast is good. If you keep running and then even comment the possible mistakes that more speed brought, you’re giving your dog an information that speed is bad."
1. Make sure your dog understand agility is about running, not about doing obstacles. To beginners, I teach running first and then we include an obstacle or two that are on their way.
2. Keep agility training short and fun. Do all the necessary drilling outside agility field – no drilling allowed on agility filed.
3. If you want a fast dog, put is as your priority and act like it. Be happy and reward enthusiastically everything that is fast or at least faster as usual. Don’t worry about skipped or additional jumps.
"A dog can be slow if they worry too much about being right and their handler fails to give them a clear message that they ARE right."
"Forget about that start line stay. Run with your dog. You should reward right away when a dog shows more speed. I know it’s hard because it’s just so much fun to run a fast dog, but if you reward anyway, this will happen again. If not, it might never happen again. Rewarding is your only way to give a dog an information that fast is good. If you keep running and then even comment the possible mistakes that more speed brought, you’re giving your dog an information that speed is bad."
1. Make sure your dog understand agility is about running, not about doing obstacles. To beginners, I teach running first and then we include an obstacle or two that are on their way.
2. Keep agility training short and fun. Do all the necessary drilling outside agility field – no drilling allowed on agility filed.
3. If you want a fast dog, put is as your priority and act like it. Be happy and reward enthusiastically everything that is fast or at least faster as usual. Don’t worry about skipped or additional jumps.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Monday, February 6, 2012
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Picking the Agility Puppy with the Tippy Board Test
Article by: Justine Merrill - The Dog Lady of Forest Grove, Hillsboro and Portland Oregon
When considering a youngster, do not be in a rush to take home a puppy under twelve or fourteen weeks of age. All previous written advice in the 70’s and 80’s has advised the opposite. We were encouraged to take puppies home at six, seven and eight weeks. “So they bond to us”. I have never taken a sheltie home that did not want to bond, no matter the age. If we still believe that old myth why do so many nice agility dogs come from rescue?
Keeping youngsters in the puppy pen for a few extra weeks does no harm: they learn dog manners, and grow up just a bit. Sheltie babies are such babies at ten weeks. Constantly I advise people that a fifteen week show grow out youngster can be the best possible agility or pet pick, they have had lots of attention, are ready to learn, and the temperament is more on display.
Since the biggest issue that arises in agility shelties is stuff and noise sensitivity, I want to test puppies when they have a little more brains under that cute fluff. I like to test after twelve weeks, I am not sure that results with a tippy board under ten or twelve weeks are accurate. This is just based on working puppies and having a puppy or two that did well at eight weeks, which did not test so well, or poorly at seventeen weeks.
http://justineleo.net/articles/picking%20the%20agility%20puppDy.htm
When considering a youngster, do not be in a rush to take home a puppy under twelve or fourteen weeks of age. All previous written advice in the 70’s and 80’s has advised the opposite. We were encouraged to take puppies home at six, seven and eight weeks. “So they bond to us”. I have never taken a sheltie home that did not want to bond, no matter the age. If we still believe that old myth why do so many nice agility dogs come from rescue?
Keeping youngsters in the puppy pen for a few extra weeks does no harm: they learn dog manners, and grow up just a bit. Sheltie babies are such babies at ten weeks. Constantly I advise people that a fifteen week show grow out youngster can be the best possible agility or pet pick, they have had lots of attention, are ready to learn, and the temperament is more on display.
Since the biggest issue that arises in agility shelties is stuff and noise sensitivity, I want to test puppies when they have a little more brains under that cute fluff. I like to test after twelve weeks, I am not sure that results with a tippy board under ten or twelve weeks are accurate. This is just based on working puppies and having a puppy or two that did well at eight weeks, which did not test so well, or poorly at seventeen weeks.
http://justineleo.net/articles/picking%20the%20agility%20puppDy.htm
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