Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Our First Trial

Well, we finally made it to our first trial.  B Match in Perry, GA, Wednesday, July 7, 2010.  It was really fun, and we learned a lot about what to do and what NOT to do.  Here is Joe's video of the milestone.  I'm not sure what is funnier:  
  1. Joe trying not to laugh (but you will see his camera bouncing when he couldn't contain himself), or
  2. The fact that I STILL had not caught my dog when the video ends.
Our second run was prettier.  Maybe a LITTLE prettier.  I wonder what tomorrow will bring?


Some pics of our Georgia experience...







Thursday, July 1, 2010

My Fence

I am so, so, so happy to finally get a backyard fence.  It has made practicing agility so much easier!





Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Used MAX 200 Equipment

I am so happy with the used equipment I purchased last week.  Less than two years old. Great shape! I am so lucky!


Adjustable A-Frame
The side walls of the A-frame are 3' wide and 9' long and made from 1 1/2" square aluminum tubing skinned with wood sand painted.  The aluminum frame doesn't require painting. Includes a large diameter rod for connecting the side walls, two corrosive-resistant chains and s-hooks for attaching the chains to the side walls. By shortening or lengthening the chains, you can set the apex at regulation height or at any lower height for training.

Adjustable Dog Walk
Aluminum base - lightweight, never need painting, and won't rust. Each base folds up flat for easy transportation and storage. By adjusting the chain that connects the legs of the dog walk bases, you can set the height of the middle plank at regulation height or at any lower height down to only inches off the ground for training purposes. The substructure of the 12 ft planks is solid aluminum skinned with wood sand painted. The middle plank has hinges for attaching it to the bases and the up and down ramps.

Adjustable See-Saw
See-saw base is manufactured from steel for weight and so it will long outlast traditional wooden bases. It weighs 25lbs. (just the base) and folds up flat for portability and easy storage. Powder-coat painted base.  By shortening or lengthening the chain that connects the legs of this see-saw base, you can set the pivot point at various heights for training and regulation height for competition.  The substructure of the 12 ft plank is solid aluminum and is  skinned with wood sand painted.  (Not included: See Saw anchors for securing the See Saw during trials. Anchors fit over the ends of the base and have spiked tips so you can drive them into the ground. The stabilizer bar is used to keep the See Saw fixed at the 24" competition height. Great at trials as it provides more stability and saves time.)

Tunnel
Open tunnel 24" in diameter 20' length made from heavy-duty material that is used for air ducts in mine shafts. The material is a scrim - vinyl coated and reinforced with steel rings. UV resistance and anti-microbial treatments insure longevity.  Durable with a thick wire sewn into the fabric. Has grommet tabs so the tunnel can be staked into the ground or attached to a tunnel holder with a short bungee. Mine have sandbags not tunnel holders.  (Two)

Collapsed Tunnel (Barrel and Stand)
Collapsed tunnel consists of a 25" diameter heavy-duty plastic barrel bolted to an aluminum stand. The stand is sturdy and yet compact, lightweight and requires absolutely no maintenance. The barrel comes with a locking ring and a bungee for attaching a chute. To give dogs more traction, the floor is covered with non-skid tape.  The  chute is made from durable nylon pack-cloth. Regulation AKC/USDAA 12' long chute with  sandbag pockets to help in windy conditions. 

Weave Poles
Competition Base - No agility obstacle is more difficult for dogs to master than the poles. There are many methods of training the poles and this versatile base handles them all. The competition base is the traditional set-up where all poles are in a straight line.   22" spacing (allowed in all agility competitions).  Two sets of six each.

Bendable Knuckles 
The rigid weave pole base can be converted into the weave-a-matic training system. 

Steel Pause Table
Adjustable pause table made from steel. 36" by 36" square top with a 3" fascia.  All joints are professionally welded. 1/2" primed plywood attached to the tabletop which is primed, painted and sand coated. Table base, the tabletop frame, and all the legs painted with a rust-preventative primer, then powder coat everything. The table comes with three sets of steel legs so it can be adjusted to different heights.
Legs for Pause Table
8, 16, and 24 inches

Long Jump
High Tech Plastic Regulation, Weight 50 lbs

Aluminum Tire Jump
Extremely portable and easy to set up and break down. The frame of the tire jump is comprised of four sections of square aluminum tubing. You can set up the tire in seconds and one person can quickly change the height of the tire without assistance.  Includes: Tire, wrapped with colored vinyl tape, stainless steel bolts for locking the frame sections in place, and a hook and wire and bungee cords for suspending the tire in the frame.   NADAC or AKC Specification - 24" Tire

Triple Jump
Lightweight, portable yet sturdy and made out of a new COMPOSITE MATERIAL which eliminates the required maintenance and care of traditional wood versions. Each jump comes with pole supports and four 5' striped poles.  Sides can be detached from the uprights in seconds, so you can easily transport a number of these jumps and store them compactly. The uprights are 32" tall and made of solid aluminum stock. The sides (approximately 26.5" wide) attach to the uprights using two stainless steel bolts and wing nuts. 

Double Jump
Lightweight, portable yet sturdy and made out of a new COMPOSITE MATERIAL which eliminates the required maintenance and care of traditional wood versions.   Each jump comes with pole supports and three 5' striped poles.  Sides can be detached from the uprights in seconds, so you can easily transport a number of these jumps and store them compactly. The uprights are 32" tall and made of solid aluminum stock. The sides (approximately 15" wide) attach to the uprights using two stainless steel bolts and wing nuts. 

PVC Jump
Non-winged jumps have 3' tall uprights made from furniture-grade PVC.  The jump comes with two 5' PVC striped poles.  Poles are easily displaceable and are supported by PVC Jump Cup Strips.  You can adjust the  poles in increments from 4" to 26".  The jumps are designed so that the bases can be connected to create a spread jump.  The bases are removable for easy transportation and storage.  Set of 5 jumps.

PVC Non-Wing Economy Jump
Made from the same furniture grade PVC pipe, this less expensive version of the competition non-wing jump is great for home use but it is built to regulation specifications so it can be used in a trial in a pinch. The jump comes with two 4' PVC striped poles. The jump comes with jump cups strip to hold bars at lengths every 2" from 4 inch to 26 inch.  Set of 5 jumps.

Free Standing Wing Jump
Convert wingless jumps to winged jumps easily with these free-standing wings made with sturdy, lightweight PVC and lattice.  Designed to straddle any foot that may extend from your non-wing jump. Feet are removable for transportation  and storage.  Two sets of 2. 

Obstacle Markers (A-Frame Style Markers)
Made from 10" A-Frame shaped high tech plastic with weather-resistant 3" high numbers.  The Frames can be stacked for portability and easy storage.  One set 1-20 with carrying case.


Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Trial Toaster

http://trialtoaster.com/

The Dog Agility "Trial Toaster" is set up to contain slices of many different trials. We are committed matching the lowest price in the country and at only $2 per first entry and $1 per subsequent entry per dog in each event day we hope you will find the service as economical as it is easy to use.

Agility Jump Heights

AKC

AKC Agility Jump Heights
Dog's Height at WhithersJump HeightTable HeightBroad Jump SpanDouble Jump SpanTriple Jump Span
10" and under8"8"16"4"8"
14" and under12"8"24"6"12"
18" and under16"16"32"8"16"
22" and under20"16"40"10"20"
over 22"24"24"48"12"24"

NADAC

NADAC Standard Class Jump Heights
Dog's Height at WhithersJump Height
11" and under8"
14" and under12"
18" and under16"
20" and under20"
over 20"20" or 24"

UKC

UKC Agility Jump Heights
Dog's Height at WhithersJump HeightTable HeightBroad Jump SpanSpread Jump Span
14" and under8"8"16"6"
20" and under14"14"28"12"
over 20"20"20"40"18"

USDAA

USDAA Championship Class Jump Heights
Dog's Height at WhithersJump HeightTable HeightBroad Jump SpanParallel Spread SpanAscending Spread SpanExtended Spread Span
12" and under12"12"20"N/A10-12"12"
16" and under16"16"36"N/A10-12"12"
21" and under22"24"48"12-15"15-20"20-24"
over 21"26"24"60"12-15"15-20"20-24"

USDAA Performance Class Jump Heights
Dog's Height at WhithersJump HeightTable HeightBroad Jump Span
12" and under8"12"12"
16" and under12"12"24"
21" and under16"16"36"
over 21"22"16"48"

Oaklines.com - Express Entries

http://www.oaklines.com/ExpressEntries/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=/ExpressEntries/Default.aspx

This link allows you to create entry forms online.  Available Anytime, Anywhere you need it.  Quick and Easy.  

Create PDF AKC Entry Forms  with all of your dogs infomation,  including the show, fees and classes .  No fee.  No more handwriting each entry!   Maintain an OnLine History of the shows entered.


Just Print It, Sign It, Drop It in an Envelope with the Entry Fee and Mail It off to the Superintendent. 

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Venterinary Contacts

Walter R. West
Diane Laviola

Chilhowee Veterinary Clinic
821 Montvale Rd, Maryville, TN 37803
(865) 977-6958

Dr. Lee Ann Blackford
ACVS Veterinary Surgery Surgeon
Blackford Veterinary Surgery Referral
1505 Bob Kirby Road
Knoxville, TN 37931-4604
(866) 693-9204
blackfordvet@bellsouth.net


Dr. Donna M. Raditic

UT Integrative Medicine Service
College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Tennessee
2407 River Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996
(865) 755 8222 Fax: (865) 974 5554
draditic@utk.edu

Friday, May 21, 2010

Get Back to Work (Play!)

I started getting out my agility equipment this week.  I had it in the garage during Nina's recuperation. 
  • Table - I built a table in March.  This has been one obstacle she really likes.
  • Teeter:  She has no teeter fear.  My problem is she gets in a hurry and want to jump off before it hits the ground.  Our practice teeter is full height.
  • Jumps -  I have her doing some jumping 8" to get her back in shape.  I have several exercises to help me with my handling.  Making sure I know how to lead her past hurdles and go where I want her to.  I need to get some more jump cups and bars so I can make double & triples.  Later I want to build a broad jump and a panel jump.
  • Wings - I've made a couple of lattice wings.  It is more for my practice than hers.
  • Tunnel - one of Nina's favorites.  I have a nice 12ft tunnel and a lightweight collapsed tunnel (with chute).
  • Walk - our practice walk is only about 3 ft high, but she has never had any issues at full height
  • A-frame - don't have one in yard - She's done OK at Ace's place
  • Weaves - she completed a four weave section first try yesterday.  First she's done since Feb.  I think she'll be back to speed in no time.
  • Tire - I have a dinky hula hoop.  I've got all supplies to build a good one - maybe I'll start next week.
Can't wait to get back into full practice!

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Rubberized Surfaces

Rubberized surfaces offer a safe climbing surface for dogs' claws to grip, without the loud 'scrabbling' of a sand-treated contact surface. It's becoming increasingly common at trials as clubs resurface their contacts for safety and speed. Rubber surfaces are taking contacts by storm!

Should you do it? We suggest you use rubber surfaces if you are serious about competing and concerned your dog might encounter rubber surfaces at trials, or concerned with your dogs' safety in performance. If you are still unsure, you can coat half your equipment (half the a-frame, half the dogwalk, teeter, etc) and surface the other half later if you wish with ContactACoat.

We are proud to offer Contact-A-Coat kits! These kits include everything you need to resurface your used or new equipment. You will receive colored rubber pellets, resin and detailed application instructions. The color-infused rubber chips will adhere to any surface, and there is no need to repaint. Contact-A-Coat will retain its superior grip in any conditions, for even the fastest dogs! We provide blue and yellow chips for A-frames, dogwalks, and teeters, and yellow for the Table. 



http://www.affordableagility.com/contactacoat.html

Monday, April 12, 2010

Agility - Definition

A concise definition of the sport.

AGILITY: It’s a dog sport where the handler guides the dog off-leashed into an obstacle course under a specific order and time given by a judge. To win this competition you have to run with your dog in the less time and with the less or none faults.