• 29Jul

  Dog Height Card

  Dog Agility Competing No Comments

  My dog’s temporary height card is signed and I’ve sent it in to USDAA to get my permanent copy. I’ve entered a trial and I don’t know if my new card will be returned in time. What should I do?

  A USDAA representative says that competitors who need proof of their dogs’ height during the processing of their permanent card should contact the office and request a letter to show trial secretaries. The height verification letter can be mailed out immediately and used the same way as a permanent card. Permanent cards are batch-processed by an outside agency, and it can take three to six weeks before a card arrives in the mail.

  USDAA subscribers may print the dog information page from their account and use that as well. Both the letter and printout contain all the information the secretary needs for check in. A competitor who does not have a letter, printout, or card may still compete at a USDAA trial. The dog in question simply needs to be measured at the event to verify his height.

  (C) 2009 Clean Run

  

  Tags: agility competing

• 28Jul

  Underwater Agility

  Interesting and Funny 3 Comments

  Please don’t try this one at home! When I saw it though, I just said ‘wow’.

  

  Tags: videos

• 26Jul

  A Sad Class

  Dog Agility Training No Comments

  It was a sad class for me this week. Quick is sick as a dog, so no agility for him! (Don’t worry, the vet said he should be fine, he probably just ate something that made him sick. Me, I’m still worried… but that’s me!) It was so hard to go to class to watch without my baby boy with me! He looked so sad as we pulled out of the driveway.

  I was the gopher for setting up the class, which was fun and a change! I helped set up the course, watch other people with their dogs, and generally absorb as much information as possible. On a side note, I’m officially in love with jumps that have the height clearly engraved on the cup (like our competition adjustable jumps). Without it, setting the jumps is a real nightmare.

  Our trainer ran her dogs for us so we could see how contacts and handling work, up close and personal. Oh, wow. I can’t imagine!!! Quick’s going to be that good one day? It seems impossible my big boy will ever be as good, but I know it is possible.

  Agility classes without your dog are both good and bad. They’re good because you can pay close attention and plan how you’re going to use your makeup class your instructor was generous enough to give you. They’re bad because when you look down, excited to share what you just figured out the instructors’ instructions, your best friend isn’t with you, waiting for you to share your enlightenment.  There’s no answering tug on the end of the leash, no cold nose on your leg, no after-practice snuggles.

  It’s honestly a little heartbreaking. I’m looking forward to Quick being healthy enough to practice with me. I even got him extra-special treats to make up for being ill!

  

  Tags: agility beginners, agility training, dog safety & health

• 23Jul

  Great Practice Run

  Dog Agility Training No Comments

  This looks like a fun course, too! I’m really impressed with the dogs’ obstacle recognition! Look how happy she is, her tail is up and waving. It’s amazing what you can do with two sets of weaves, a jump, and a contact!

  

  Tags: agility training, videos

• 21Jul

  Overwhelming Obstacles

  Inspirational No Comments

  Many obstacles in life look overwhelming. Many of them are overwhelming if looked at as a whole, and so often we just back away from them because, well… it’s too big! It’s too hard! There’s no way we can do it!

  Our dogs see some obstacles this way as well. Too big an A-frame, the tunnel is too long, the pause table is too high and I have to sit too still and I just can’t do that.

  Take the obstacle apart, for you, and your dog. Make it smaller, change the angle, or break up the steps. For you- don’t try to clean the garage all in one day if it’s piled high in rubbish. Break it down into sections and take one a day. For your dog, start it low, start it slow, and build towards the finish. It’s easier to start slowly than to go too quickly and end with a behavior you didn’t want.

  Nothing’s too big, too long, or too hard if you’re willing to take it easy and keep at it! Your dog will go with you, and between the two of you…

  There’s not a whole lot you can’t accomplish.

  

  Tags: dog training, Inspirational

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