It's been a while since I have written about our dog shows. Mainly because we haven't been to many since we had a new (human) addition to our family. This is the first Kennel Club show we have been to since summer 2014. We have been to a couple of unaffiliated shows, but I haven't had time to write about those.
Anyway, it showed that I haven't had much practice for a while as I was making rookie mistakes with both Zazu at grade 3 and Shadow at grade 7. This was also Shadow's first KC show at G7, we didn't exactly show off our skills!
Me and Rupert having a relaxing lunch
Zazu was up first with grade 3 jumping. This was a nice flowing course and Zazu really got into his stride. I got in his way which slowed him right down but he picked up again going through the weaves. Our first run of the day our our first victory, 1st place! That really was the high point of the day and it went downhill from there, this was my only clear round of the day! We both got a bit messy in the 3-7 agility, even if we did walk it without numbers. The course numbers went walk about over night so we had to wait a long time before the class could get underway. I did find it strange that everyone was walking the course with no numbers. I wasn't sure whether to follow someone or just wait! Zazu's last run of the day was grade 3 agility. Zazu ran really well getting all of his contacts and running out nicely. I lent over too much and we took the wrong jump, but you can't tell that from the video!
Shadow was really grumpy by the time it was her turn so I knew she was going to be a handful. She flew out of the starting blocks. I kept getting in the wrong place but she was making up for it. We missed a jump out of the tunnel and Shadow didn't want to slow down to turn. Our grade 6-7 jumping was a bad round on my part. It was a tricky start but again I got in the wrong place a couple of times and ended up nearly knocking over some jumps, whoops! Our final run was grade 6-7 agility. This was a really good run apart from the extra tunnel Shadow added onto the course. I didn't pay her enough attention so she deviated slightly.
Both dogs ran really considering the lack of training they have had. Zazu now needs only one more win to get into grade 4. Our next show isn't for a couple of weeks. You never know, I might put some training in between now and then!
This was our last show of the summer season, mainly as my wife +Susi Cooper is due to give birth very shortly. The weather was good, a little cold at times but it held out. We were running Zazu at grade 3, Doople and Shadow at grade 6, and Winnie in anysize.
Getting ready on the start line
Doople and Zazu were running in the Embroidery Shop Final, which is a grade 1-5 competition with qualifiers through out the year. It consists of two agility rounds, one preliminary round which sets the running order for the final run. Both dogs had a lot to live up to as Shadow won the trophy two years ago. No pressure then!
Doople ran both rounds really well. A little slow in the weaves but we've been having trouble with those in training lately. We finished the first round in 4th which meant that we ran towards the end in the final. We went clear but there were faster dogs, so we finished 6th overall.
Zazu seemed to enjoy his rounds. We had trouble with the weaves as usual and got eliminated in the first round. In the final his inexperience showed and we were eliminated when he kept running. He got all of his contacts and was running down them better.
Doople sussing out the competition
On to the rest of the show.
Zazu's other run on Saturday was very good. I pulled him off a jump but he managed 12 weaves fairly quickly and his contacts. He finished 3rd with 5 faults. On Sunday he acted very funny in the jumping, deciding to wander off over a jump rather than following me. We did manage to layer a jump, the weaves and the judge at the same time, intentionally! I basically sent him on and an a different way with a jump, the weaves and the judge between me and him. His final agility run was fairly steady but good. We finished in 3rd place.
Shadow had a good day on Saturday with some tricky courses. We came 5th in the combined 5-7 jumping only a few seconds off the leaders. In the graded 6-7 agility however we came 1st! It was a good run with really tight turns. I don't think we could have run either class better. This does mean that she is now finally grade 7, the top grade. It has taken a while. There's less to talk about on Sunday, I was awful. I just couldn't put everything together. We did go clear in the jumping run which was as simple as could be for a grade 4-6.
Winnie had an anysize run on Saturday and she actually ran very well. She was charging around and really enjoying herself. We went wrong but never mind. It's the first time in quite a while that we've seen her enjoy herself that much at a show.
It was a good way to end our summer season with Shadow finally making it to grade 7. I'm not sure how many shows we'll be doing this winter but we'll hopefully keep doing some.
We went to our old club's show this weekend, the RDDTC Barking Mad show near Peterborough. We were helping out for quite a lot of it so it was a busy weekend. We had Doople running her first grade 6 show, Shadow running at grade 6 and Zazu at grade 3.
Greg and Zazu getting ready
The weekend started on Thursday as we went down early to help set up. It was nice and friendly so we always like helping out there. The weather over the weekend was typically British, hot sun followed by rain followed by hot sun and rain, and that was just Saturday!
On to the dogs.
Shadow ran most of her runs really well with a lot of drive. Unfortunately I wasn't quite up to her standard this weekend with no clear rounds on Friday or Saturday. I made silly mistakes like not waiting for her so she would take the wrong jump; getting in her way for weave entries so she couldn't see them early enough; too close to cross behind the A-frame. All annoying little things that show I'm a little out of practice. I got it together for Sunday but Shadow was a little tired by this point. We did get three clear rounds though.
We also entered the weave challenge, which was 8 sets of six weaves and 3 tunnels, no jumps or anything else, all to raise money for a dog cancer research charity. It was fun and Shadow was quite good, we missed one entry but got the rest. She was a little confused why we kept doing so many. It was a very amusing class to watch and everyone enjoyed it.
Zazu only had two runs each day as he still isn't quite there to concentrate for many more. He was running very nicely though. The main things we need to work on are weaves and contacts. He needs more confidence in the weaves and also with the equipment. He didn't miss his contacts but he can be a bit slow. His jumping was very good though, he has come a long way. We got some placings, we came 1st in 3-5 jumping, even with slow weaves. He flew round the rest of the course. We also got a 2nd another jumping run. We got 5 faults on the weaves as he missed the last two but ran the rest lovely, a little wide but I can work with that.
Doople only had one run a day as she doesn't like the heat. She ran all three lovely though. She knocked a pole on her first jumping run but ran well. We got a 2nd in the rain on Saturday, even with me falling over and nearly taking out the last jump! She also went clear on the Sunday in agility.
We had a fun weekend. We have lots to take away and work on. Weaves and contacts with Zazu, my timing and weaves entries with Shadow. Really pleased that Zazu got his first, hopefully of many, win at a Kennel Club show.
Only a few weeks late but never mind! We decided to have a quite weekend so we went to the Orchard Agility unaffiliated show as it is only 30 mins away. We really went to this show to give Zazu some more experience in a relaxed environment. We ran Zazu at grade 3, Shadow at grade 6, Doople at grade 5 and Winnie in anysize.
Spoiler: Zazu looking proud with his Saturday rosettes
Zazu wasn't too keen on parts of the agility ring as there were a lot of thistles on the ground. He was hoping around at times, which was funny to watch if ineffective. He had two agility rounds and a jumping round His contact on all of his rounds were really good. We still need a little more drive but he was running all the way down. The weaves were all a little slow but again we need more practice. He got distracted in the jumping round and ran off in the other direction but he was still enjoying him self. He was eliminated in the jumping, got a 2nd in the 1-3 agility and a 1st in the 1-5 agility. We were really pleased as this was his first win. It also means he qualified fr the Embroidery Shop medium 1-5 final in August. Shadow won this event in 2012, so he has a lot to live up to.
On the Sunday, his contacts were still good in the agility round and I decided to hold him a little longer on them. He decided to sit at the top of the A-frame once though, I guess the view was good! He was starting to tire a little, more mentally than physically. We still managed a clear round in the steeplechase and a 3rd place in the agility.
Shadow started the weekend in the steeplechase, and it took her a while to wake up. She just sort of wandered around the first ten jump, then realised what we were doing and sped up! She ran much better in the jumping class and finished 2nd, a few seconds off the winner. The agility was going well until the contact equipment when she just flew off everything.
Sunday started much better as she won the steeplechase this time. The class ended with a full poodle podium! She also did really well in the jumping class where she finished 2nd. The agility run is probably best forgotten, she missed all her contacts again and also wandered off half way through to find Susi. Still it was a fun weekend with her.
Doople has started losing a lot of her drive at shows, particularly when it's warm. It's still there sometimes, particularly when Susi runs her, but I had the privilege for most of the weekend. She started really well in the jumping class and finished 3rd with Shadow only a few seconds faster. We got faults on the dog walk in the first agility class and eliminated in the second. She wasn't running as well for these as they were later in the day.
She was lagging a bit in the jumping on Sunday, we missed a jump and got eliminated. +Susi Cooper ran her in the first agility run and she went much better. She's more used to running with Susi. They went round really well and finished in 3rd place.
Winnie was entered in the anysize jumping at small height (350mm), one on each day. On Saturday she ran quite well and looked like she enjoyed it. She always enjoys herself when she comes out round the rings at least. Sunday was a bit different as it took a bit of effort to get her out of the caravan! She started slowly but picked when she got to the tunnels.
The weekend was mainly about training Zazu and we accomplished quite a lot. Zazu got his first win and qualified for a final in August. It was a good, relaxing weekend, even with all the thistles!
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!
Continuing our winter training we were back at Pachesham again this weekend. he weather ended up being a bit miserable, not great when the show was outdoors! We took Zazu and Shadow this time. It is the first agility Shadow has done in a month so it could be fun!
Zazu doing tricks instead of getting ready
Zazu was up first in the jumping round. There were some tight pull throughs where I was on top of him. I got in his way a bit and he slowed down but carried on. He was running well though, albeit with wide turns, mainly due to my being slow. We ended up in 7th place. Next up was agility 1. He decided to stop on the top of the A-frame, but came down and stopped nicely. It was a little bit messy as he was unsure what I was asking, but he still managed everything, including 12 weaves. we were pleased enough with him, and he finished in 4th place. His next round was the steeplechase. By this point Zazu had pretty much given up. He wasn't really paying attention or running. He was clear, but we decided not to run him in the final agility run.
Shadow also started with the jumping round. She was running well and enjoying it. She listened well and I got into better positions with her than I did with Zazu. We ended up 2nd which was a great start. Next up was agility 1. There was no dog walk, which is one less contact for Shadow to ping! Her A-frame contact was good. She was a little slow on some turn, managed 12 weaves well and had a good see-saw. We finished that round in 4th. Next was the steeplechase run. This was a fast course and Shadow was lagging a bit. I think she's a little unfit as she was looking tired. She still ran and finished in 4th again. Finally was agility 2. I decided to try something different to see if it would work, but Shadow didn't run away quite well enough. Second time she did and I managed to get into a good place for a nice tight turn round into the see-saw. She was very good though.
It was a fun day, Shadow was lagging a bit and Zazu just generally seemed fatigued. We're going to give Zazu a week or two off from agility completely so that he can enjoy it again.
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.
No show this weekend, but instead we attended a training day with Lee Windeatt. We got a lot more out of the day than we would do at a show. Lee has a lot of good tips and was very good at explaining everything to the group. We took Zazu to the 1-3 session and Shadow to the 4-7 session.
Shadow waiting to train
Unfortunately for Zazu, the weather in the morning was miserable. At times I had to drag him out from the shelter so that he could run. I wasn't too fussed about this as the day was more about learning new training techniques than perfecting our runs. We can see that the main thing we need to work on is dog independence from the handler. This applies to all areas of the course, jumps, weaves, contact equipment. It's about the dog being able to do whatever you ask regardless of where you and and how you're moving. It's quite easy to train, but takes a long time to build up and keep the dog confident. Another good training technique was how to encourage the dog to look at the poles to jump rather than looking at the wings. Try setting up three jumps in a row, but instead of putting the poles on the jump cups, put them on cones at a random distance between the jump wings and you'll see what I mean.
Zazu's training was more learning how to train the dog better, Shadow's was how to train the handler better. We spent a lot of time talking about the dog's lead leg on bends and over jumps, and how to encourage the dog to be on the correct leg before it needs to turn. Being on the wrong leg over a jump will cause a wider or slower turn as the dog corrects itself. Generally speaking, crossing in front of the dog will encourage a change of lead leg as the dog comes past. The other thing we learnt about was cueing the dog to turn, again generally require you to be ahead of your. The dog ideally needs to know a couple of metres before take-off where it is going so that it can jump longer or shorter as required. If you can't get ahead of your dog for the turns, then you need to look at the 1-3 session for how to encourage the dog to work away better!
We both thoroughly enjoyed the sessions and have a lot to go away and work on with all our dogs. If anyone gets the opportunity to attend a Lee Windeatt training day or session, I would definitely recommend it.
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.
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:
We were at our previous club's, Barking Mad, summer show this weekend. We said we would help out so we ended up being very busy all weekend. The show went very smoothly and swiftly so it was definitely worth it. We had Zazu running in his first proper classes at grade 3, Doople at grade 4 for the last time (at grade 4), Shadow at grade 6 and Winnie doing anysize.
Shadow was up first in grade 6-7 jumping. Shadow got off to a flying start, she was really motoring. I pulled her between two jumps nicely and round the jump. She flew into the weaves but missed the last pole. The pull through slalom was a bit much for her as she was still excited. I should have run the other way, pushing her away through the gaps. Next up was graded 6-7 agility. We started with a large box which we negotiated well. The weave entry was tricky but we managed, albeit slowly picking up pace as she went. A lovely running contact at the end which she was doing well all weekend. We ended up 1st! This was our third win at grade 6 so we only need one more to go up to grade 7. Next was graded 1-7 agility. This was a little simpler than before but a similar course. Shadow started a bit slow but was flying out of the first tunnel and up the dog walk, another lovely running contact. She was listening well and I was really pleased with the round. We finished 2nd, 0.019s behind first place! Ouch! Finally we had combined grade 5-7 jumping. Shadow was getting a little tired but was still running well. Until the weaves. She got a smell of something at the start and lost concentration the whole way through, basically walking. She missed the last couple of weaves but ran OK afterwards.
Sunday was a very busy day as we were helping on a ring for most of the day. We started off running in the Jewlnick Agility Pairs with +Susi Cooper and Doople. Both dogs ran really well over the agility course and we ended up 5th, which is great considering that all heights are classified together. Sorry to Ruth and Alan as they finished 6th, but placings only went to 5th! Shadow's first individual run was graded 1-7 jumping. She started a little slowly but picked up. She was running away from me really well and I could get into different positions than a lot of people, which I think gained me a lot of time. We then lost it all with a wide turn but nevermind! We finished out of the placings but only 0.7s behind the winner. Next was graded 6-7 jumping. Shadow started quite slowly but it was because Susi was standing at the side of the ring filming. Shadow was looking at her as we ran past, then we came back past again with Shadow still looking. She was still running away nicely so we had some good bits. Next was combined grade 5-7 agility. She was a bit slow through the weaves and almost went in the wrong side of the tunnel, but carried on. I messed up after the A-frame and got on the wrong side of her but still worked her from behind and it wasn't that slow in the end. Another good runing contact and a clear round, but no placing. Shadow finished up with graded 6-7 agility. This was a very fast course so we weren't too hopeful, but still ran it well. We had a dog-walk jump to finish, which is something that we miss every time! I worked the contact extra hard to make sure we got , which she did. I worked it a little too well though and she stopped at the bottom looking at me rather than running! We did finish 2nd though so it rounded off a really strong weekend for us.
Doople's first run of the weekend was graded 3-5 jumping. She backed jumped the third jump and then was running quite steadily. There were some long straight lines but she could have run faster. It was a warm day and as we already know, Doople doesn't like the heat. Next up I ran her in the combined grade 1-4 jumping. She was again quite steady and not driving like she does at training. She missed the weaves like she often does in the heat. She thinks that the weaves involve too much thinking so can't really be bothered. Finally she had graded 3-5 agility. She ran better here but again messed up the weaves.
Her first run on Sunday was in the pairs agility with Shadow where they ended up in 5th place. Next up was the graded 3-5 agility. She ran this one very nicely, still a little slow but with nice tight turns. She ended with a clear round. I ran ran her next in the graded 3-5 jumping. She ran at a good pace, not quickly but steady. She had good tight turns and managed the weaves again. We ended up with a clear round. Doople finished the weekend with combined grade 1-4 agility. This was a very long fast course, not really Doople's cup of tea. she did manage it all the way round until the dog walk jump to finish Susi didn't work the contact and Doople jumped it! Ah well, still a steady round.
Winnie was running at anysize this weekend to help build her confidence. She was running over small jumps. Saturday's run started slowly but she still did everything. After a couple of tunnels she picked up the pace and finished down the final straight nicely. On Sunday again she started her run a bit steadily picking up in the middle. She wasn't keen when I asked her to turn but when quickly down the final stretch again. We'll be keeping her at anysize for a while until she's really going for it all the way around. As long as she's enjoying it then we're happy.
Zazu was running in his first proper height (medium) classes this weekend. He was only in one jumping class each day just to see how he gets on. On Saturday, he started down the open stretch nicely and into the two tunnels. We did a couple more jumps then he saw the tunnels again and was off! After a couple of attempts I got him back over the jumps and we finished well. He's starting to flatten out when jumping, especially when running straight and chasing me. On Sunday, the course was a little trickier with 12 weaves. He got a little distracted by the scorers tent but didn't run off. He picked the weaves up second time, managed half and the second half. He ran out well after the tunnel but didn't quite make it back in for the jump, but still really pleased with how he ran.
We have a few weeks off now with a wedding and other things. One more show at Letchworth and then off the Hungary for the International Mixedbreed Championship Agility.
On to the second part of our mad weekend, 250 miles from our Saturday show we were in Scunthorpe for the Dog Vegas show. The reason for the long distance is that both +Susi Cooper with Doople and myself with Shadow qualified for the Chase the Ace team finals, albeit with different teams. Doople was running at grade 4 and Shadow at grade 6.
Meerkat outside the B&B we were staying in
The weather was even more unpredictable than on Saturday, perhaps due to being (much) further north. It was fairly warm but with the odd thunderstorm! We travelled up on the Sunday evening as I didn't fancy the prospect of leaving at 4:00 AM. It was a nice little B&B just outside Scunthorpe complete with pigs, ferrets and meerkats!
The show was much quieter than the previous show with only 4 rings, one of which was dedicated to the finals. There were a lot of finals being held for various competitions from teams, to grade 3-5 agility, to Anything-but-Collie (ABC) jumping. The finals were held in very good spirits with people sitting around the rings watching. This is a good experience for the more novice handlers as it can be quite daunting for both dog and handler with all the people watching. They were good finals to watch with very good courses set by Alan Bray.
On Monday, Shadow was first up with graded 5-7 jumping. Shadow started very well indeed but didn't run out enough on a long run and so came in missing the jump. I tried again a she went out when I told her to. She was very excited afterwards though. Next up was the graded 5-7 agility. This had a very interesting start that caught a lot of people out. It was tyre then dog walk with a tunnel wrapped around the entrance. I tried to walk to the other side of the tunnel and call Shadow up the dog walk so that she wouldn't look at the tunnel. It failed. I tried again but stayed closer her and she went up fine. Apart from the weaves the rest of the round was lovely. I was steering her from behind down a long run with tight turns so still very pleased. Her last individual run was the graded 5-7 jumping. She seemed a little steadier but still ran well. She wasn't driving off the turns as well as she does so we lost some time. We finished clear but unplaced.
Doople started with graded 1-4 agility. It was quite a nice course, but perhaps a bit much for the grade 1-2 handlers. Doople was a little steady but listened and ran clear, eventually winning the class! That means Doople is now up to grade 5 which is brilliant, we weren't really expecting it. Next up was graded 1-4 jumping. This was a fairly straightforward course but still had some traps. Doople was her steady self but still listening and running. They had a nice clear round finishing in 2nd place. Finally was another graded 1-4 jumping. This had some straight lines, circles and slaloms. A nice fast flowing course, but not really Doople's course, to much running! She still ran well and got round clear.
Finally, at the end a long day was the teams final. This is a relay race over a simple steeplechase course but run in two parts. Dogs 1 and 3 run the first course, dogs 2 and 4 run the second course, which is the first course in reverse. The results for all heights are combined together. It's simpler than I make it sound! First up for the small teams was me and Shadow running with some of the Poodle Training Club, Julliet, Mo and Heather. We all had lovely rounds and they were all really going for it. Unfortunately there was a dropped baton at the change so we incurred some fault which was a real shame. We were still the fastest of the small teams in the end, 110s, but the faults meant that we finished 7th overall. Susi was running with friends from Northamptonshire where we used to train, Wendy Donna and Sharon. They all ran very well too and put in a good solid clear round, 113s. This meant that they finished up 3rd overall, which is great. The winners were a team of collies in 94s, 2nd place was a team of medium height dogs in 96s.
Greg with the Poodle Team
Susi with the Northants Team
It was a good fun day out, catching up with people that we haven't seen in quite a while. IT was a good result for Susi in the teams and especially for winning up to grade 5.
This was the start of a busy weekend for us. We were at the Agility Club show near Crawley, West Sussex. We were mainly there to run in the Crufts team, so we only took Doople running at grade 4 and Shadow at grade 6. This was a Championship show so it was very busy and we were expecting some good courses and competition.
View of the scores of people around at the show
It was an interesting day with the weather, starting off really hot as it has been recently. Fortunately we had half of our runs early on. Then later on, the winds picked up causing a sand storm in the car park, followed by rain for 20 mins. It all dried out and warmed up after that bizarre!
First up was Shadow in graded 4-7 jumping. We put in a good round. Still steady in the weaves but running the rest of it nicely. She was working forward well which gave me time to get ahead of her. We weren't placed but only 3 seconds off the pace. Her next and last individual run was the combined grade 6-7 agility Crufts qualifier. This was a tricky course with lots of interesting bits: running between jumps, me not running into the dog walk! She picked up the tricky weave entry which was pleasing. We did have one massively wide turn, I was driving her forward for too long and didn't steady for the turn. We had a good run but again no placing.
Doople and +Susi Cooper started in the same jumping class as Shadow, graded 4-7 jumping. They ran well with Doople charging down the first stretch. She was wide into the weaves as she was distracted by ... something. She ran well afterwards with some good cross behinds. Clear but no placing. NExt for her was grade 3-5 agility. Unfortunately for Doople, this was in the middle of the downpour! Doople is keen on rain so we were pleased with how she ended up running. She was still pushing forwards with some good turns. She missed the weave entry which can be a bit of a bain with Doople at shows.
We also ran in the Crufts team qualifier with the Poodle Training Club. We ran with Sue and Heather Reaves. We were only there for fun really and fun it was. We got eliminated, a few times, but never mind. The dogs all ran well so we were all happy. Shadow missed the last weave but that was because I was starting to push her the other way. Susi and Doople managed a clear round.
It was a fun and busy day but always good to see the top dogs and handlers. Now from Sussex to Scunthorpe for the Dog Vegas Chase the Ace team finals on Monday, nothing like a bit of travelling!
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