Agility Progress & Competitions so far in 2017!

The 2017 agility season kicked off for us on the 18th of February at the Fingal Fun Day where I did a couple of runs with Holly and, despite getting lost on the course a few times (I really must stop missing course walking!), we managed a 3rd place (our first ever agility placing!) in G1-7 Tunnels. After much thought I decided to just go for it, and entered Wilson in a training round, I'm so glad I did as he did such a nice run and his focus was brilliant! I honestly wasn't expecting anything from that run, but that really boosted my confidence in running him.

Nervous about how Wilson would perform in a more crowded environment and with the lack of tasty treats in my hands I chose to just bring Holly to the IKC show in March, despite missing our last run, we had a great day and she did 2 lovely runs.

Next was the Fingal Fun Day in April, whilst Wilson only completed 1 of 3 runs, he didn't make any attempt to run off and did a really nice running start, agility run and realized that long curved tunnels aren't that bad!

Then we went to our first Agility Workshop in Fingal, I was pretty nervous as I've never had anyone give me any advice/feedback about my training, handling or dogs (except online) but I was also very excited. We had a nice time, and Holly ran really well (I'd have loved to take Wilson too - but we could only run one dog) and I got some good advice on blind crosses, start line waits etc..

On the 3rd of June we headed to Athy for the first time to compete at an IASDA show! Whilst Holly and I didn't manage a Clear round, we did get away with only 15f in G1-2 Jumping, but got an unfortunate E in 1-3. Wilson amazed me and did what is probably his best run yet (unfortunately it wasn't filmed) in 1-2 Jumping - it would have been a fab Clear round had he not missed a weave pole - Super proud!! A few silly mistakes and an E in 1-3 Agility, but he ran really nicely and got all his contacts.

Only a week later we went back up to Fingal for another workshop, this time with both dogs! Although I could only run Holly on the real course, I could do some work on wraps with cones with Wilson. Both dogs ran really well.

Our most recent show was the Midwest Dog Training Club agility competition at the Clonmel Agricultural show, really enjoyed this show - despite having to leave early due to the heat! Our entry got lost in the post but we were still allowed to do a training round, so I decided to forget about the weaves (currently a work-in-progress) and just focus on getting nice fast rounds. Both dogs had a great time and Holly's round would have been clear if we'd not skipped the weaves!

Our next show is an IKC one on the 6th August, I have 6 agility runs and also entered Pre-Beginners Obedience with Wilson so we'll see how that goes!

Beth, Wilson & Holly Xxx

Toy Motivation: Play with Balls

I've just been doing some work on toy motivation, Wilson isn't the most toy motivated dog: you could throw a ball and he'd ignore it! I think working for toys would be good as I think he'd run faster in agility and I also think it would be good to reduce treat's: not that he's fat! I also think it would just be more fun for both him and me.

I decided to use a purple squeaky ball, because he likes it, it squeak's, which will make him more likely to chase it, and besides I couldn't find any other toys! I'm going to buy some tug toy's an balls. Anyway I squeaked it and threw it and just played, then I asked for basic tricks, sit, jump over my leg ect... and got him to do it before he got the toy - eventually I want to be able to hide the toy or show it then hide it (as you would in agility you play with the toy, give it to the person at the end and then run, then reward!) ask for the behavior and reward after he does it! I was sort of luring him today. I also did some restrained chase's - I held him with one hand bounced or rolled the ball or just waved it around and then yelled "Get It" or "Go" and then released him! I also made the ball go side-to-side and then let him go telling him "Get It" and throwing it!

He really enjoyed it and we stopped the game with him wanting more!

Beth + Wilson Xx

Swimming!!!

Taking a break from paddling

Yesterday we went to the beach, our beach walk lasted - 1 minute. It wasn't until we were on the beach that we realized - there are no dog's allowed on the main beach between 8am and 9pm (or something like that). So we turned round got the dog's in the car and went to the cove, which is a little pebbly beach with a lake/river running into the sea. We brought the cameras (the Cannon E0S 7D and my GoPro - which ran out of charge as soon as we got there) so we could get some photo's and clips. I had brought the Hurtta life-vest we're testing at the minute. I wore short's and rock shoe's as I had planned to go in the water with Wilson.

We went straight in the water after putting on the life-vest. Wilson was happy to go in and he paddled about - not much swimming mostly paddling (but in quite deep). We went in the sea and river and he was great in both! We got loads and loads of clips.

The clip's will go in my Summer 2015 video - which should be filmed/edited/published by September 1st.

Beth + Wilson Xx

Wilson - just before he jumped in the water again

Paddling in the Sea