Poodle DTC Agility Show

This weekend we were at the Poodle DTC Agility Show held at Ockley, Surrey.  It was a limited show for poodles only.  We have been once before and it's great fun seeing poodles of all sizes running around like lunatics!  We were running all four dogs with Winnie running at medium height.

Zazu waiting (not so) patiently for his turn

Zazu started the day off this time running at his full height, medium, with me.  He has been getting much more confident at training and that showed in the ring.  The first class was the 1-7 agility.  He worked away very nicely and was listening for the most part.  He was very interested in sniffing the weaves which is most unlike him.  All got all of his contacts as well.  We were pleased with run, if not disappointed with the weaves. Next was pairs, he was running with Winnie.  We were impressed at how well he focused considering +Susi Cooper and Winnie were both in the ring.  He picked up the dog walk next to the A-frame nicely.  He again was more interested in sniffing the weaves so we carried on.  Next was 1-7 jumping.  We decided to avoid the weaves completely this time.  He was running well until about halfway when he decided to run full pelt across the ring and out!  He came back and finished though.  He was getting a bit tired for his last run, 1-7 helterskelter.  This is the most he has had to do before so we were pleased he was still going.  He was running a bit slower but still listening.  We missed a jump when he got a bit distracted but it was still a better round than before.  We have a lot to do with Zazu, mainly ring experience to get him used to the environment and keep enjoying himself.

Winnie was running at medium height to help build her confidence more.  She started really well and was enjoying herself a lot.  She flew round the 1-7 agility course, turning nicely and driving forwards.  It's the first time we've seen that drive in her at a show.  Susi ran her in the pairs.  She missed the weaves but they were very tight entries.  She still focused well with me and Zazu in the ring.  Next was 1-7 jumping.  She was a little slower this time and took longer to get going.  The tunnels do a good job of winding her up and she was flying out.  This was Winnie's last run as we didn't want to push it and her not enjoy her runs.

Shadow started the agility well.  I was using the time for a bit of training and was trying to get her to weave with me being further away than usual.  she came into me the first time because I was too slow in telling her to weave.  She then drove off and round, the second time picked the weaves up much better although I was still too slow in telling her to weave.  The pairs left some room for improvement as she was not really listening much, she missed the weaves and ran in the completely wrong end of the tunnel.  Sorry Susi and Doople!  The 1-7 jumping was a better round, but she looked like she was running a bit steady and not stretching fully like she can do.  The times showed and we finished fourth.  The final run, 1-7 helterskelter, was much better and she was really pushing forwards the whole way round.  We were much closer this time and managed second place.

Susi tried a similar tactic with the weaves as me, seeing if she'd pick them up better.  Doople also missed them for the same reasons, too slow at telling her.  It was good practice though and it's more about us getting it right.  Doople was let down in the pairs by her mad silver partner, but she ran nicely and was driving round the short course.  I ran Doople in the 1-7 jumping to see if she would drive better.  We started well and she barking for the first part.  Her speed tailed off a bit towards end so she needs to get a bit fitter.  She ran nicely in the 1-7 helterskelter for Susi, turning well where needed and following the lines.

We both enjoyed our day.  It's great watching all the mad poodles, especially the standards as they are all just mad but enjoying themselves all the while!  We look forward to next year hopefully having better functioning dogs.

Shadow earned her dinner for the week 

Poodle Fun Day 2013

Last weekend was a slightly different weekend with the dogs.  Instead of agility we went to the Poodle Fun Day 2013.  This was just a fun day conceived by Sue Hunt, Lynne Land, Celia Bell and Patricia Wheeler (and I'm sure many others had a major input) to raise money for the Poodle Rescue UK.

Group photo

The day was designed just to be a bit of fun.  There we people from all over the place, mainly with poodles of all shapes and sizes.  There were probably over 50 poodles there, it was a bit mad!  We started the day with coffee and bacon and a bit of mingling.  There was an activities ring that had agility, egg and spoon race and temptation alley.

Susi and Doople in deep preparation mode

The agility was just a simple course (by agility standards) that people could have a go at.  There were people who had never done agility before just having a go running over jumps.  There was a competition for those who must compete, like me!  All our dogs had a go and all enjoyed.  Me and Doople won the class.  They were all a little excited as they'd been in a cage next to the ring for a while watching what was going on.

Zazu flying over agility jumps

There was an egg and spoon race which pitted two people and dogs against each other in a knockout competition.  One of the races was me with Shadow versus +Susi Cooper with Zazu, family rivalry!  Naturally I won.  Me and Shadow finished second beaten only in the final.

Greg and Shadow in the final of the egg and spoon race

This was followed by Temptation Alley, which involves running with your dog past four plates with some sausage on, round a post, and back again with the dog eating the sausages on the way back.  It was good fun to watch.  I especially liked Sue Hunt's black labrador who would run past a plate, then go back and eat the sausage, run past the next plate and go back to eat the sausage, etc.  Shadow caught the scent about half way up so I had to encourage her to the end, and then encourage her to eat as she was still following her nose.  Susi and Doople were really good, charging to the end and scoffing on the way back to win.

Winnie trying to find the sausage

There were also some fun showing classes, like best puppy, best dog, best bitch.  There were also some other games, like musical 'sits' where the dog has to sit when the music stops.  Last one to sit is out.  And don't forget the fancy dress competition!  It was a great day out that we all thoroughly enjoyed.  The dogs all had a good time and everyone went home home exhausted, not to mention raising a lot of money for charity.

Winner of the fancy dress competition

Here is a link to the photo album contain Around 1000 photos of the day:

Poodle Fun Day 2013 Photo Album