I've had a good weekend with both my 'working' boys. On Saturday Yogi was placed 4th in Beginners Obedience, which I was very pleased with as the standard was pretty high and it was raining. The judge couldn't believe he was nearly 11! I'm only competing for 'fun' with him now but he enjoys it so much. Although the arthritis in his shoulder does bother him, he is so happy to train and work that I haven't the heart to retire him. The 4th place was a real bonus. 
Interestingly the 2nd and 5th place went to a sheltie too so it was nice to see our breed well represented in a sport so dominated by border collies. 
Sunday was Epic's day doing agility. It is really quite amazing to see the difference in him when his agility harness goes on. At the obedience show he was really spooky around the other dogs and quite freaked, yet at the agility show where if anything there are more potential worries (lots of barking, tugging, running dogs) he was calm and relaxed, queued sensibly and even greeted other dogs - in short he behaved almost like a normal dog! I realised just how far he has come when he had to do a start line wait with some very vocal terriers behind and he was OK. This is a dog who at a year old wouldn't stay if I took even a tiny step away so agility has made a massive difference to him.
This was our first time in Grade 2 so didn't know what to expect. The jumping round went quite well but for some reason he missed the weave entry, I don't know why but if anyone has any thoughts (if you can see it that far away on the video) please share! Was pleased with my handling choices too (blind cross on tunnel paid off!).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWjTv8c4hMs
Then we ran the Combined Grade 1-3 Steeplechase which required further handling decisions - decided to use mostly rear crosses and while I can see considerable scope for improvement we were clear and finished a pleasing 8th from an entry of 72.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLYImYRiRNU
Unfortunately Grade 2 Agility was a mess. We just got the first part right which was a tricky pull through then it went downhill, totally due to my sloppy handling as he missed a jump that I didn't work and the teeter ditto and stupidly I pulled him out of the weaves by saying 'good' half way though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RNEAgEz7BA&list=UUQJlNTW6pECiFi7ylKmm1gQ&index=1
The dampner on the weekend was the news that the BC I run has just been diagnosed with epilepsy. Understandably his owner is devastated because he is only 2 and a brilliant working dog and I'm gutted for her and for him. We have been having such fun together and although hopefully he will be able to continue training because he loves his agility, obviously life is going to be very different. I don't have any experience of the condition but have read that some dogs can live near normal lives with it so very much
at the moment.
Interestingly the 2nd and 5th place went to a sheltie too so it was nice to see our breed well represented in a sport so dominated by border collies. Sunday was Epic's day doing agility. It is really quite amazing to see the difference in him when his agility harness goes on. At the obedience show he was really spooky around the other dogs and quite freaked, yet at the agility show where if anything there are more potential worries (lots of barking, tugging, running dogs) he was calm and relaxed, queued sensibly and even greeted other dogs - in short he behaved almost like a normal dog! I realised just how far he has come when he had to do a start line wait with some very vocal terriers behind and he was OK. This is a dog who at a year old wouldn't stay if I took even a tiny step away so agility has made a massive difference to him.
This was our first time in Grade 2 so didn't know what to expect. The jumping round went quite well but for some reason he missed the weave entry, I don't know why but if anyone has any thoughts (if you can see it that far away on the video) please share! Was pleased with my handling choices too (blind cross on tunnel paid off!).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWjTv8c4hMs
Then we ran the Combined Grade 1-3 Steeplechase which required further handling decisions - decided to use mostly rear crosses and while I can see considerable scope for improvement we were clear and finished a pleasing 8th from an entry of 72.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLYImYRiRNU
Unfortunately Grade 2 Agility was a mess. We just got the first part right which was a tricky pull through then it went downhill, totally due to my sloppy handling as he missed a jump that I didn't work and the teeter ditto and stupidly I pulled him out of the weaves by saying 'good' half way though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RNEAgEz7BA&list=UUQJlNTW6pECiFi7ylKmm1gQ&index=1
The dampner on the weekend was the news that the BC I run has just been diagnosed with epilepsy. Understandably his owner is devastated because he is only 2 and a brilliant working dog and I'm gutted for her and for him. We have been having such fun together and although hopefully he will be able to continue training because he loves his agility, obviously life is going to be very different. I don't have any experience of the condition but have read that some dogs can live near normal lives with it so very much
at the moment.
I hope he lives a long normal happy life.
with Epic I am happy with NQ if he runs well, the clears are just the icing on an already tasty cake! If I ever find that changing I will stop competing.