k9kreationz
Forums Celebrity
I always think NADAC is a good fun venue. So, good choice. 
Sounds like you'll be busy, but having fun! Enjoy your Easter weekend.
Sounds like you'll be busy, but having fun! Enjoy your Easter weekend.
Local NADAC Trial
- Thread starter HopeShelties
- Start date
HopeShelties
Forums Enthusiast
This will be the first time I've ever done NADAC. I can really only afford to do one venue, so for me it's AKC, but given all circumstances, I decided to do this one. I think it'll be a good experience for the green dogs, especially Aurora. From what I've heard the jumpers courses tend toward being open and fast. That should be what she needs to keep her mind on running instead of stressing over the people in the ring and the dogs outside the ring. I am a bit nervous about running her, given what all issues she has, but she is confident working the practice jump at shows, even with dogs passing, so I'm hoping she will stay focused on running and having fun. I think it'll help also that this should be a fairly small trial.
I'm a bit more concerned about Ember with the more open fast type of course, given she is a wild thing, and can easily get away from me and just start going around things, but for $10, regardless of what happens, I won't be too upset. Ultimately, it's something to do this weekend, and the green dogs will get ring experience.
I'm a bit more concerned about Ember with the more open fast type of course, given she is a wild thing, and can easily get away from me and just start going around things, but for $10, regardless of what happens, I won't be too upset. Ultimately, it's something to do this weekend, and the green dogs will get ring experience.
k9kreationz
Forums Celebrity
Yup, have fun with it. I'm like you, I can't afford more than one venue, so I'm kinda doing more AKC than anything else. But I started in NADAC, so it'll always be close to my heart. lol. I love it, it's fun and so laid back. And just remember, refusals don't matter. Even if Aurora ran off to go greet the judges, came back, and didn't take any obstacles in btwn, you could still continue and Q. Granted though, Q's have to be clean (no dropped bars, missed contacts, etc)
As for Ember. Good luck. This will show you if you have control. LOL. But if she is listening to you, it'll be a wild but super fun ride.
I have to plan a NADAC trial. I miss it. AKC is so tight (I'm in ExA JWW) compared to NADAC. I miss seeing Koji just run full out.
HopeShelties
Forums Enthusiast
Oh, it isn't visiting I'm worried about with Aurora. Its her shutting down because of the people in the ring and the dogs outside the ring. That's why I like the idea of open and fast for her- less time to notice and stress over them being there.
I'm pretty sure Ember won't be ble to stay with me the entire time. She doesn't yet have the experience to work as far head of me as she's likely to get.
I'm pretty sure Ember won't be ble to stay with me the entire time. She doesn't yet have the experience to work as far head of me as she's likely to get.
k9kreationz
Forums Celebrity
Ohhh.....well, let's hope fast works for Aurora then. As for Ember....you'll need to RUN FASTER!!! lol. Good luck. Sounds like it should be an interesting weekend.
HopeShelties
Forums Enthusiast
This morning started at the trial with torrential downpour, and continued off and on throughout the entire day. We even had power out for a few minutes before the trial started.
First up was standard 1. It was a big wide open fast course. Athena was the one entered in it, and given where she is in her agility career, I expected her to qualify, so long as she did the hoops (my dogs have never seen hoops before). Not having a table really suits her. She ended up qualifying, and winning the class. She ran the course in 29.5 seconds, which equated to 4.98yps, which was the fastest time/yps of all heights. She has no trouble with the hoops.
The second run of the day was standard 2, which was with Kai. With the changes made to the course, it was set up to be even faster than the first. This course type wasn't exactly the ideal course type for Kai, as there is more room to get crazy, and there was a lot that could go wrong with the hoops. She ended up really ahead of me several times on the long straight lines, and had a lot of craziness going on at the hoops, as she just hasn't done them before. I won't post the course time or yps, as it really doesn't reflect on the type of speed the dog has and has well she did the parts that weren't hoops, but it was still enough to win the class. I did have a lovely 4 jump lead out with her.
The rest of the day was the baby dogs. It was the first trial for both of them. The jumpers course wasn't quite as fast and open as the standard course, and there was a serious off course tunnel that I was somewhat worried about. First up was Ember. I was, to be honest, expecting lots of craziness. I didn't get as much speed as I could've pushed for, as I was trying to make sure she wasn't going to go around anything, and she did go around the last jump and I had to bring her back, but all in all, I was very pleased with what she did. She didn't get out of control, did what I asked, was on and running, and other than the last jump, didn't go around anything. She ran it in 21 seconds, which figured to 5yps. Could've been faster, pushing for more speed, and without a few wide turns, and without probably amounted to 3 seconds wasted bringing her back around for the last jump, but it was still nice. It was enough to q and win the class for her. Needless to say, she was by far the fastest dog out there.
Aurora was the last dog of the day in jumpers. I was worried coming up to the run. Instead of putting her on the ground to get stressed by all of the other dogs and handlers being near her, I held her until we went into the ring. I fully expected her to shut down and not run. I was completely surprised when I set her down and took off the leash, and she proceeded to spin, bark, and wag her tail. It caused her to go around the first jump (time started), but when I brought her back around, she was still happy, and while not running as fast as at class, was actually RUNNING, and ran very nicely. She didn't take the tunnel suck option. She also managed to q and win her class. I was so proud of her. We have come so far. People told me to get rid of her... she would never make an agility dog. The culmination of all of that hard work finally paid off today in watching that little dog run as happily as she did, and with confidence. It was such an emotional moment for me. I ended up picking her up and hugging her at the end, and had to hold back tears of joy because of how well she did. Someone who hasn't had to fight with a dog who came from as bad a start as this dog has had will never truly understand what a success that one run was. Course time I think was 24 or 25, and yps was around 4, but without going around the first jump would've still been better. I know it isn't the fastest yps in the world, but trust me when I say this dog has more speed. She is easily Kai's equal... She just isn't there yet to be THAT fast at a trial yet, and the refusal cost us time.
All in all, it was a good day. We were 4 for 4 on blue ribbons. I do think this venue is much easier than AKC, but was a good first trial for the baby dogs. They were easily some of the fastest dogs at the trial. I'd say it's a good venue for newer handlers and dogs, especially dogs needing confidence. If I had had more money, I would've entered more classes, but I wasn't looking to spend too much, and had already signed up for 10 runs for the weekend. I'll post tomorrow about how it goes on Sunday.
First up was standard 1. It was a big wide open fast course. Athena was the one entered in it, and given where she is in her agility career, I expected her to qualify, so long as she did the hoops (my dogs have never seen hoops before). Not having a table really suits her. She ended up qualifying, and winning the class. She ran the course in 29.5 seconds, which equated to 4.98yps, which was the fastest time/yps of all heights. She has no trouble with the hoops.
The second run of the day was standard 2, which was with Kai. With the changes made to the course, it was set up to be even faster than the first. This course type wasn't exactly the ideal course type for Kai, as there is more room to get crazy, and there was a lot that could go wrong with the hoops. She ended up really ahead of me several times on the long straight lines, and had a lot of craziness going on at the hoops, as she just hasn't done them before. I won't post the course time or yps, as it really doesn't reflect on the type of speed the dog has and has well she did the parts that weren't hoops, but it was still enough to win the class. I did have a lovely 4 jump lead out with her.
The rest of the day was the baby dogs. It was the first trial for both of them. The jumpers course wasn't quite as fast and open as the standard course, and there was a serious off course tunnel that I was somewhat worried about. First up was Ember. I was, to be honest, expecting lots of craziness. I didn't get as much speed as I could've pushed for, as I was trying to make sure she wasn't going to go around anything, and she did go around the last jump and I had to bring her back, but all in all, I was very pleased with what she did. She didn't get out of control, did what I asked, was on and running, and other than the last jump, didn't go around anything. She ran it in 21 seconds, which figured to 5yps. Could've been faster, pushing for more speed, and without a few wide turns, and without probably amounted to 3 seconds wasted bringing her back around for the last jump, but it was still nice. It was enough to q and win the class for her. Needless to say, she was by far the fastest dog out there.
Aurora was the last dog of the day in jumpers. I was worried coming up to the run. Instead of putting her on the ground to get stressed by all of the other dogs and handlers being near her, I held her until we went into the ring. I fully expected her to shut down and not run. I was completely surprised when I set her down and took off the leash, and she proceeded to spin, bark, and wag her tail. It caused her to go around the first jump (time started), but when I brought her back around, she was still happy, and while not running as fast as at class, was actually RUNNING, and ran very nicely. She didn't take the tunnel suck option. She also managed to q and win her class. I was so proud of her. We have come so far. People told me to get rid of her... she would never make an agility dog. The culmination of all of that hard work finally paid off today in watching that little dog run as happily as she did, and with confidence. It was such an emotional moment for me. I ended up picking her up and hugging her at the end, and had to hold back tears of joy because of how well she did. Someone who hasn't had to fight with a dog who came from as bad a start as this dog has had will never truly understand what a success that one run was. Course time I think was 24 or 25, and yps was around 4, but without going around the first jump would've still been better. I know it isn't the fastest yps in the world, but trust me when I say this dog has more speed. She is easily Kai's equal... She just isn't there yet to be THAT fast at a trial yet, and the refusal cost us time.
All in all, it was a good day. We were 4 for 4 on blue ribbons. I do think this venue is much easier than AKC, but was a good first trial for the baby dogs. They were easily some of the fastest dogs at the trial. I'd say it's a good venue for newer handlers and dogs, especially dogs needing confidence. If I had had more money, I would've entered more classes, but I wasn't looking to spend too much, and had already signed up for 10 runs for the weekend. I'll post tomorrow about how it goes on Sunday.
k9kreationz
Forums Celebrity
Heading out, but wanted to say congrats on the great runs!! Sounds like you had a great day with some very fast dogs. And yay on Aurora's run. I'm glad she was excited and had some fun.
corbinam
Moderator
I'm so happy to hear that all of your dogs did so well.
I had a huge smile on my face reading about Aurora. I know how hard you have worked to re-build her confidence. I'm so happy to hear that she had fun! (And won, on top of that!) Sounds like NADAC is a great place to start or build confidence--good for you for taking advantage of that.
I had a huge smile on my face reading about Aurora. I know how hard you have worked to re-build her confidence. I'm so happy to hear that she had fun! (And won, on top of that!) Sounds like NADAC is a great place to start or build confidence--good for you for taking advantage of that.
HopeShelties
Forums Enthusiast
I should also mention Aurora and Ember are both dogs I personally bred, so it was extra exciting to get to compete for the first time with my own home breds and get to see the choices I made pay off. Aurora was out of my first litter. Ember the second.
I should say though that these two weren't the first out of my breedings to compete-Cinder, Ember's sister, has already been competing in UKC and 4H agility and obedience for a few months now, and is apparently doing quite well
My third puppy I bred debuts next month with a friend of mine at a trial I'm going to.
I should say though that these two weren't the first out of my breedings to compete-Cinder, Ember's sister, has already been competing in UKC and 4H agility and obedience for a few months now, and is apparently doing quite well
My third puppy I bred debuts next month with a friend of mine at a trial I'm going to.
HopeShelties
Forums Enthusiast
Today was the second day of the NADAC trial. Fortunately, we didn't get near as much rain.
The first class of the day was jumpers. Ember's nemesis, the serpentine, was part of the jumpers course today. Fortunately, she did it. I made sure to do a front cross (fortunately with the way the course went after the last serpentine jump, a front cross was a good option) which gave me more control over getting her over the jump, and gave her a hard name call. She did decide to take the middle jump that I had to work so hard to get late, which set her up a little poorly for the last jump in the serpentine and caused her to knock a bar (Ember has never knocked a bar prior to today). Otherwise, it was a VERY nice run. She didn't go around anything, and was on and running. She ran the course in 17 seconds, which figured up to 5.5yps (even then, we still had a few wide spots so I really do feel she could hit 6yps). If it weren't for the knocked bar, she would've won the class, but because the other two were clean, she wound up with 3rd... despite her having the fastest time and yps of all dogs in all heights.
The dog who really impressed me today was Aurora in jumpers. I set her up at an angle for more of a slingshot, though I didn't touch her like I would with a normal slingshot. For her, she needs to be able to spin and bark and get excited before we start. Once she was revved, I took off from that angle, and she didn't go around the first jump. In fact, she rocked on the whole course. She was flying. Still just a hair wide, as I was using all forward cues, but wow, I was impressed. What a fantastic job for a dog like her. She won the class, running the course in 18.82 seconds, which worked out to 5.2yps. She was the second fastest dog out of all dogs in all heights, right behind Ember.
Standard was next up. It really was a nice course for Athena... very fast. I definitely have my dog back after she shut down at the cluster. We had one wide turn at the serpentine as she tried to such to the aframe, which was the next thing over the first serpentine jump, but otherwise, she was fast, and very responsive, turning tight in other places, and her weave poles were the best I've seen at a trial in a while. She ran the course in 27.59yps, which worked out to 5yps, and it seems to be a trend for the day, she was the fastest dog out of all dogs in all heights Athena got lots of cheers and congratulations from people outside the ring, as it was a really pretty run with some nice distance and was very quick.
Kai was next up in standard. The course was changed for hers, and it was quite a bit trickier than the one Athena ran. She actually did really nicely, with me doing a lot of distance work, and a very nice forward send into no motion off the aframe to keep her out of the tunnel. However, there was a dogwalk tunnel discrimination which I knew would be trouble for her. At the jump before it, I called her name, and decelerated down to no motion. She took the jump, and I called Kai come twice more. She never checked in. She continued on to the tunnel, which was not what she was supposed to take, so I told the judge thank you, and ended the fun. If she had at least checked in, I wouldn't be upset, but when I am giving that much deceleration, and that many name calls to get her attention, it means to check in with me, not go on and choose to do whatever she feels like. I could've taken her back around and asked for the dogwalk, and probably still come away winning the class, but what would it be worth? It's not a venue where I'm worried about titling. For her at least, it did more in ending the run. None of my others could stand up to being taken off course, but at that particular point, that was what needed to happen.
The last course of the day was tunnelers. I didn't end up getting to walk it, as I was expecting it to be a different course for novice, but as it turned out, all three levels were the same course, and all walked together. It was a super fast course... A straight line of three tunnels (puppy rockets) spread out all across the ring to three tunnels in a curve, and then an O type shape, back to a curved tunnel, and then another three tunnels going straight out. Aurora did nicely on it. She Q'd and won her class easily. Ember.... It was a bit messy. Take a dog with that type of ground speed and give her the opportunity to run that fast through all of those straight tunnels, and pair it with her not understanding what to do when she gets that far ahead of me yet with her being so green a dog, and it causes trouble. She did a LOT of spinning, and missed a few tunnel entries that I had to call back to because she had just gotten too crazy, and lost herself being so far ahead. It was still a win, but it wasn't very pretty :x I can't be upset with the baby dog though. That was just too much acceleration opportunity for such a greenie.
All in all, it was a good weekend for the young dogs. It's not a venue I'm ever going to do seriously, but I wouldn't have a problem debuting another young dog there if there were another trial by this club 20 minutes from my house. It's not a bad venue... The people were friendly, and courses were good for young dogs. It's just I can only afford to be competitive in one venue, and that venue for me is AKC.
The first class of the day was jumpers. Ember's nemesis, the serpentine, was part of the jumpers course today. Fortunately, she did it. I made sure to do a front cross (fortunately with the way the course went after the last serpentine jump, a front cross was a good option) which gave me more control over getting her over the jump, and gave her a hard name call. She did decide to take the middle jump that I had to work so hard to get late, which set her up a little poorly for the last jump in the serpentine and caused her to knock a bar (Ember has never knocked a bar prior to today). Otherwise, it was a VERY nice run. She didn't go around anything, and was on and running. She ran the course in 17 seconds, which figured up to 5.5yps (even then, we still had a few wide spots so I really do feel she could hit 6yps). If it weren't for the knocked bar, she would've won the class, but because the other two were clean, she wound up with 3rd... despite her having the fastest time and yps of all dogs in all heights.
The dog who really impressed me today was Aurora in jumpers. I set her up at an angle for more of a slingshot, though I didn't touch her like I would with a normal slingshot. For her, she needs to be able to spin and bark and get excited before we start. Once she was revved, I took off from that angle, and she didn't go around the first jump. In fact, she rocked on the whole course. She was flying. Still just a hair wide, as I was using all forward cues, but wow, I was impressed. What a fantastic job for a dog like her. She won the class, running the course in 18.82 seconds, which worked out to 5.2yps. She was the second fastest dog out of all dogs in all heights, right behind Ember.
Standard was next up. It really was a nice course for Athena... very fast. I definitely have my dog back after she shut down at the cluster. We had one wide turn at the serpentine as she tried to such to the aframe, which was the next thing over the first serpentine jump, but otherwise, she was fast, and very responsive, turning tight in other places, and her weave poles were the best I've seen at a trial in a while. She ran the course in 27.59yps, which worked out to 5yps, and it seems to be a trend for the day, she was the fastest dog out of all dogs in all heights
Athena got lots of cheers and congratulations from people outside the ring, as it was a really pretty run with some nice distance and was very quick.Kai was next up in standard. The course was changed for hers, and it was quite a bit trickier than the one Athena ran. She actually did really nicely, with me doing a lot of distance work, and a very nice forward send into no motion off the aframe to keep her out of the tunnel. However, there was a dogwalk tunnel discrimination which I knew would be trouble for her. At the jump before it, I called her name, and decelerated down to no motion. She took the jump, and I called Kai come twice more. She never checked in. She continued on to the tunnel, which was not what she was supposed to take, so I told the judge thank you, and ended the fun. If she had at least checked in, I wouldn't be upset, but when I am giving that much deceleration, and that many name calls to get her attention, it means to check in with me, not go on and choose to do whatever she feels like. I could've taken her back around and asked for the dogwalk, and probably still come away winning the class, but what would it be worth? It's not a venue where I'm worried about titling. For her at least, it did more in ending the run. None of my others could stand up to being taken off course, but at that particular point, that was what needed to happen.
The last course of the day was tunnelers. I didn't end up getting to walk it, as I was expecting it to be a different course for novice, but as it turned out, all three levels were the same course, and all walked together. It was a super fast course... A straight line of three tunnels (puppy rockets) spread out all across the ring to three tunnels in a curve, and then an O type shape, back to a curved tunnel, and then another three tunnels going straight out. Aurora did nicely on it. She Q'd and won her class easily. Ember.... It was a bit messy. Take a dog with that type of ground speed and give her the opportunity to run that fast through all of those straight tunnels, and pair it with her not understanding what to do when she gets that far ahead of me yet with her being so green a dog, and it causes trouble. She did a LOT of spinning, and missed a few tunnel entries that I had to call back to because she had just gotten too crazy, and lost herself being so far ahead. It was still a win, but it wasn't very pretty :x I can't be upset with the baby dog though. That was just too much acceleration opportunity for such a greenie.
All in all, it was a good weekend for the young dogs. It's not a venue I'm ever going to do seriously, but I wouldn't have a problem debuting another young dog there if there were another trial by this club 20 minutes from my house. It's not a bad venue... The people were friendly, and courses were good for young dogs. It's just I can only afford to be competitive in one venue, and that venue for me is AKC.