This weekend we went to our first Kennel Club show of 2014, the RVA Indoor Small/Medium Show. It was busy with people and dogs but lovely and (relatively) quite due to the lack of large dogs. It's amazing how much of the noise id from excited collies! We took Shadow at grade 6, Doople at grade 5 and Zazu at grade 3.
Shadow waiting patiently
First up was Shadow in the graded 6-7 jumping. We were a little wide going into a slalom as the tunnel was quite a draw, but the rest of the round was lovely. She flew through the weaves and we had really tight turns. The fruits of our labour was a 3rd place. Next up was the combined 5-7 agility. We had good weaves and contacts, she was working away well which makes life so much easier. We finished clear, quite a way off but still a good round. After lunch we ran in the pairs with Miranda and Wizz. It was a fast course we were looking forward to. Miranda went first but unfortunately Wizz missed to the last two weaves. Shadow ran well, we nearly missed the first whilst waiting, and we got a bit confused at the end, but still good.
Shadow with her rosette, she doesn't look much different than before her run
Finally we had graded 6-7 agility. This was quite a fast and tricky course with lots traps everywhere. Shadow ran really nicely in this, again working away so that I could get where I needed to be. We had a greate dog walk contact and really tight turn over the next jump which took her well away from the traps. A long stretch of running and a bit of improvisation meant we finished in 2nd place, only 0.5s off 1st. It was a really good day with her.
Doople only had two runs and they were both at the same time. First she had graded 4-5 agility. We had a wide start as Doople wanted to go up the dog walk rather than listen, but we picked and she ran well after that, good weaves and turns. We ended up in 3rd place. Her net round was graded 4-5 jumping. She was driving forward well so I could layer a few jumps. She picked up the weaves after I crossed behind the jump which I'm really pleased with. We ended up that round in 4th place.
Zazu started the day with grade 3 agility. He was very distracted during the round for some reason. He enjoyed himself, but just forgot to listen sometimes! Next up was grade 1-3 agility. This was a simpler course, he stopped on his contact well and ran a bit. He decided to miss the A-frame and run off in a different direction, but you can't have everything now! Last up was grade 3 jumping. He drove forward quite well so I could leave him to do bits and he managed his weaves this time. We ended up clear but we were a bit slow.
All in all it was a successful day but also a lot of fun. Our next show will be outside over Easter, hopefully without the snow this year!
This weekend we were at the RVA pay-on-the-day show. We only took Zazu at grade 3 and Doople at grade 5. Shadow is still sore from injuring herself last week so we left her at home. It was a cold but clear day. The venue had improved yet again, so it felt much warmer indoors.
Doople was up first with +Susi Cooper in the grade 4-7 jumping. Doople was running quite nicely. Susi got in her way a couple of times though, not giving her space before the weaves and stepping in too much on the slalom. It wasn't awful though. Next up after a long wait was the grade 1-7 steeplechase. This was just a bit of fun as Doople isn't very fast in a straight line. They completed it well and both enjoyed it. Finally was the grade 4-7 agility. This was quite a tricky course but they both managed it well. Susi was practising Ketschker turns and it wasn't bad, Doople didn't fully understand though so more practice required. Doople did miss her dog-walk contact though!
Zazu ran in the grade 1-3 jumping first. As normal for his first run he was really excited. We had a good start up to the tunnel and a Ketschker turn into the weaves. He charged in barking at me but missed the final weave. A shame but happy that he was moving. I pulled him off a couple of jumps by turning too soon but he was listening and running well. Next was grade 1-3 agility. He had lost some of his forward drive but still stopped on his contacts. He started creeping down which is not great, but he still stopped. His second A-frame was much better. Finally we had grade 1-7 steeplechase. We managed it well and he was moving a bit at least.
It was a good day with lots to practice. Zazu is starting to enjoy it more and more each time. Hopefully by the summer he will be running much better.
We had our final show of 2013 at the RVA December pay-on-the-day show. It had been the first agility we had done for a couple of weeks so we were looking forward to it. Doople was running at grade 5, Shadow at grade 6 and Zazu in anysize (medium). We wanted to run Zazu over the lower height A-frame and dog walk as this is the first time he has done these at a show since we started clicker training his contacts.
Greg & Zazu right before their Steeplechase run
On that note we'll start with Zazu. We were keen to see if he would recognise the contacts at a show. He ran the dog walk but didn't stop at the end. I looked at the contact and he jumped straight back on, so he is recognising it, just not whilst running. The A-frame was the same. While I know it isn't a good idea to keep putting them back on the contact, I wanted him to see that it is the same at training. In the jumping he was working away from me nicely and we layered a couple of jumps well. He still hasn't quite got the drive that we'd like, as he's a few seconds off the pace, but that will come with confidence in the ring. The steeplechase was similar, he was working well, just needs a bit more drive.
Shadow was ready and raring to go as usual. The first class was graded(ish) 4-7 jumping. I say graded-ish as the class is split into 4-5 and 6-7. We were a little wide on a few turns but I got into the rhythm and we got better. I tried to layer a jump into the tunnel but think I got too close on the previous turn so was running away slightly. Shadow slowed as a result but still went into the tunnel. She flew through the weaves too which I'm pleased with. We finished just outside the placings by 0.1s! It was interesting watching some of the mistakes over the long jump with dogs going straight in the tunnel, especially large dogs. Most people were too close for the turn so the dog started turning towards them after the pull-through, lining them up with the tunnel rather than the jump, which was offset. It looked simple but a lot made mistakes there. The other common mistake was not standing still on the turn or turning their back on the dog, so the dog would take the wrong jump. I was struggling to see the benefit of doing a blind turn on a pull through there, everyone that tried it failed because they weren't watching their dog. That isn't to say that blind turns and the new 'in-thing' from Europe, Ketschker turn, are bad but most people use them in the wrong place. And this turn is the wrong place.
Anyway, enough of me rambling on. Shadow's other run was in graded-ish 4-7 agility. We made the mistake of going first. We were having a good round but the numbered cone was still in front of the weaves! We got another go and this time we were tighter. It was a good round, the contacts were good in both rounds. We were leading for most of the class but finished in 4th.
Doople was running in the same classes as Shadow but in the other classification. In the graded-ish 4-7 jumping +Susi Cooper and Doople were going well, good tight turns and running well. Susi tried to layer the jump into the tunnel but got a bit too far ahead so Doople jumped instead. It was a good tight jump, just not what we wanted! I ran Doople in the graded-ish 4-7 agility. She was still running forward well, we weren't sure what she would be like at the end of the day. She was running out and listening well. We messed up the weaves as I got too far ahead for the entry. We ended up in 6th place though.
It was a fun show and we got a lot from it. We know we need to work on Zazu's drive. He has the basics of working away and listening, we just need to do it faster now!
This weekend we went to the RVA indoor pay-on-the-day show. It's a nice friendly show that we have been going to for a few years. The venue is improved each year as it is being built. This year we had windows in the spectators area! This made it much (a relative term) warmer than it has been. We were running Shadow at grade 6, Doople at grade 5 and Zazu at grade 3.
Shadow started the day off with graded 4-7 jumping. It was a bit tricky but flowed nicely. We got off to a bad start as she broke her wait. Although we didn't go wrong it put me on the back foot for the first few jumps. We got back on track and she had lovely weaves, which is something we've been working on a lot recently. We finished 7th in grade 6-7, it was a good fun run. Her last run was graded 4-7 agility. She waited properly this time and was charging round, picking up her weaves and also getting all contacts. We were eliminated when Shadow didn't pull through a gap but carried on going. I should have steadied her up before the jump so she didn't jump so long.
Doople was running in the same classes as Shadow. +Susi Cooper ran her in the graded 4-7 jumping. It was a good smooth round with Doople going quite well. Susi got into the wrong position at one point but managed to keep it going. They eventually finished 2nd in grade 4-5. A good result. I ran her in the graded 4-7 agility. It was hard work as Doople was slowing a bit. She still ran on but needed driving all the way. She knocked a pole when I tried to turn her tightly. It shows how she can find it hard work sometimes. She'll probably run less in the future to try and keep it fun.
Zazu was running a couple of proper classes to see what he was like. We avoided agility as we still want to work on his contacts at home. His first class was graded 1-3 jumping. This was a fast flowing course and one that he ran very well. He made it easy for me as I could just stroll into position with charging off the way I point. We didn't manage the 12 weaves but we haven't got that far at home yet, so no surprise. He also ran in the graded 1-7 steeplechase. He was a little tired by this point but still ran well. He got a little distracted on the way round but still focused when I called him and we finished with a clear round. We were both pleased with him today. He still needs to mature mentally to be able to focus for longer, but that will come.
We had a fun day and kept it relaxed by only running in a few classes. We still have more work to do with Zazu but he is coming along nicely.
After 6 weeks off from agility we finally went to a show this weekend. Storm, Winnie and Zazu had kennel cough so unfortunately we couldn't go to any shows or training. We only started training again last week so it was always going to be a 'fun' show! Doople was running at grade 3, Storm at grade 3 and Shadow at grade 6.
We went to the RVA DTS Indoor show held at Houghton Hall Equestrian and Alpaca Centre, near Huntingdon. We have been there a few times and hadn't seen any alpacas. So I was pleased when we turned up and saw herds of alpacas in the fields, it's the little things that count! The weather held out in the morning but the heavens opened in the afternoon and it poured with rain. Fortunately, the show was indoors so we didn't get too wet, only running to and from the van with the dogs.
Susi and Shadow waiting inside out of the rain for the next class.
The order of the classes at the show was a bit strange as all the grade 1-2's were first, then grade 3's etc. This meant that Doople had 3 runs, then Storm had her 3 runs followed by Shadow's 3 runs. Usually they are all mixed together so that the runs for each dog are spread throughout the day. This didn't cause any problems, but Shadow wasn't very pleased about being left in the van all day when the others kept going out to have their go. She very much believes that she should be first!
Doople was the first up with grade 3 agility. She ran well and was really pushing forwards. Unfortunately, she missed a dog walk contact ... again! I hope this isn't becoming a habit but she has done this a few times now. Her time was very respectable though and would have put her in 4th place. Her next class was grade 3 jumping. Again, this was a good round with Doople running forward well. +Susi Cooper made a mistake at the start with the slalom so they were eliminated. Second time through was much better so we just need to practise those more. Doople finished with grade 1-3 steeplechase, which is fast flowing course without any weaves or contact equipment. They tend to favour very fast dogs so we don't tend to do too well. Doople ran round as fast as she could and ended up 8th, which is really pleasing.
Susi and Doople
Storm was up next. We weren't expecting too much from Strom as we haven't trained for a while. She gets a bit excited and tends to just run! We started with the grade 3 agility and she was actually very well controlled. We had a good see-saw and dog walk, the A-frame wasn't as good but it'll do for now. She did mess up the weaves a couple of times but this was mainly due to excitement. Needless to say we were eliminated. The grade 1-3 steeplechase was next. We started with 5 offset jumps which is trickier than it sounds. I could stay ahead of Storm the whole way around with too much running and Storm responded really well. We ended up 7th out of 181, so not too bad. We had about a 20 minute break then went into the grade 3 jumping. This was one of those rounds that is best to forget! There some good points, like getting the weaves first time, but generally she was just not listening too well! I need to remember to put her away in between runs to let her calm down and rest, even if it's only for 20 minutes.
Greg and Storm
Last but not least is Shadow. She was not impressed at being left in the van all day so I wasn't expecting much from her first round. And I was right! First up was grade 6-7 jumping with a nice controlled pull-trough slalom to start. We did manage 3 jumps before being eliminated so better than previous shows! Next up we had the grade 4-7 steeplechase, so she could have a blast and just run flat out. We ended coming 8th which is quite respectable. We finished with grade 6-7 agility. This was tricky but fun. We were doing well, missed a dog-walk contact, didn't get faulted on it, promptly got eliminated on the next jump, doh! I tried to turn her the wrong way and she ended up back jumping. It wasn't the way I walked it so I'm not sure why I did it that way.
Greg and Shadow
Not a bad first show back after 6 weeks. We only managed clear rounds in the steeplechase but each dog did get a placing. Our next show is at Bretford over Easter for 4 days. I'm not sure it's a good idea with the weather we have been having recently but we've just bought a new caravan and it has heating! So all will be fine ... as long as it doesn't snow.
The snow has suddenly melted and left us with floods and puddles everywhere. Throw in some rain and it's ideal weather to go to an agility show! We were back at the RVA unaffiliated indoor show at Houghton Hall EC, Huntingdon. I was running Shadow (small G6), Storm (large G3) and Winnie (medium anysize), whilst +Susi Cooper was running Doople (small G3) and for the first time Zazu (micro anysize).
Winnie was our first individual run of the day in anysize agility. She had a good time running over jumps, contacts and tunnels. Towards the end she got a little distracted which is down to lack of mental stamina. When she gets tired she looks for excuses not to run usually by shaking or wandering. Once back on track she finished nicely. The jumping afterwards was again a little distracted but she managed to focus all the way round for a clear round, but no placings for Winnie this time out.
Storm had all of her runs fairly close together in the middle of the day. We started with grade 1-3 jumping. This was a tricky course for 1-3, but it gave us some good challenges to over come, including a six jump kinked slalom. We almost managed the whole thing but I turned and stepped too soon and Storm followed. It was a shame because the rest of the round was really nice. I was especially pleased with the weaves as the entry was very offset from the jump (the video doesn't do the difficulty justice). In the grade 1-3 agility Strom leapt the contacts. It is becoming a habit that we need to try to break. The grade 1-7 steeplechase was Storm's last run and it was good to end on a blast. Storm was running very well but coming out of the tunnel towards the end was too tempted by the jump in front of her to follow me. I should have been closer to the exit of the tunnel and stationary to turn her better.
We decided to run Zazu in the anysize jumping over micro heights. This was Zazu's first ever run at a competition so we weren't sure what to expect. He ran very well. At training he still bunny hops jumps (see the last post on his training class) but at the show he ran forward a bit better. He picked up the tunnels well and generally paid a lot of attention. At this stage it was about as good as we could have hoped for.
Shadow had a good days running but only ended up with a clear in the team event, more on that later. Shadow ran in the pairs with Doople and wasn't great. The grade 6-7 jumping was a good course where Shadow ran really well. Unfortunately I wasn't as sharp. I didn't turn my shoulders or feet back during a pull through slalom so Shadow ran it as a normal slalom. This is highlighted in the video. The grade 6-7 agility was good, a little distracted going into the weaves but I could have straightened her more after the turn. We had trouble going into the wrong end of the tunnel, although as I had the sun in my eyes I couldn't see what we were actually doing. I know, excuses excuses!
In contrast to the others, Doople had a very good and successful day. Doople ran clear in both the pairs and teams. In the grade 1-3 jumping Doople ran very well. She was really going for it. The same goes for the grade 1-3 agility too. The fruits of +Susi Cooper and Doople's labour was a 3rd in the agility and 2nd in the jumping, which is brilliant.
We also ran in pairs and team events. Doople and Shadow ran in the pairs. Doople went first and ran the jumping course with Shadow second round the agility course. Doople ran a nice clear round but Shadow got a little distracted with Susi and Doople running back towards her. I went to run at the start and Shdaw ran the opposite direction straight towards Susi. I got her back and we ran, but we now know that Shadow runs best before Susi and Doople.
In the team event we had me and Shadow, Susi and Doople, Wendy and Mist and another (I've forgotten her name unfortunately!). Although we were quite steady we all went clear, which is an achievement in it self with four dogs running. As it turned out, we won!
That leaves Doople with a 3rd, 2nd and 1st at the show! We can't ask for much more than that. Shadow had a first in the team and the rest of the runs were left wanting.
The RVA show is an unaffiliated indoor show help at Houghton Hall EC, Huntingdon. It is quite a small show but is often fairly busy. The down side to a small show when running four dogs of different heights and grades it gets very busy! Constantly having to walk a course or run a dog. I was running Shadow (small G6), Storm (large G3) and Winnie (anysize), while +Susi Cooper was running Doople (small G3).
The first run of the day was pairs with Doople and Shadow. Now bare in mind that we haven't trained for a few weeks as our club has shut down over Christmas. Doople ran her best run of the day in the pairs but unfortunately Shadow didn't. Shadow was a little bit excited and barked at me most of the way round the course flying contacts on the way. Ah well, scratch that one.
Doople decided after the pairs that she'd had enough of weaves so didn't get any clear rounds after that. She was running forwards nicely and giving it her all. Although she did also manage to miss a dog walk contact. A rarity for Doople as she is normally steady on the dog walk. Note to +Susi Cooper: work the dog walk contacts in the ring! Here is a video of Doople in the grade 1-3 jumping. She didn't get a placing as she missed the weaves.
After the pairs Shadow decided to listen a bit more. We got three clear rounds after that all in the placings (granted the number of dogs in the placings is quite generous). We came 4th in the 4-7 jumping, 5th in the 4-7 agility and 8th in the steeplechase. Shadow isn't the fastest dog in a straight line but as she is nice and tight she makes up for it on the turns. So I am pleased with these results overall. Her is Shadow finishing fourth in the grade 4-7 jumping.
Winnie was running over medium jumps in the anysize classes. She ran well and actually listened for a full course! This is only the second show she has been to in 6 months due to her injury so I'm really pleased with how she was. Here is a video of her finishing 6th in the anysize jumping.
And last but not least, Storm. To be honest, I wasn't expecting a many nice rounds with Storm. I have not been running her for long and have not trained with her since November due to her being in season then the club shutting down for Christmas. We ran anyway and in Strom's first class, 1-3 jumping we came first! How about that! I was really pleased with her round when we finished as I managed to tell her what to do the whole way round and she listened! The agility round that followed could have been better, as in Storm could have hit at least one contact, would have been nice. The steeplechase that followed was also a good round and we finished 12th not too far from the winners. Here is Storm with her grade 1-3 jumping win.
All in all a good show. The venue is lovely as it has the equestrian centre has recently been refurbished. We enjoyed the show and will be back there at the end of January.
Now we start preparing for the Barking Mad show next week. This is our club's show so we always find ourselves being extra busy. No pressure!
