Dasher's 2nd agility trial

    • Gold Top Dog

    Dasher's 2nd agility trial

    Well Dasher and I entered in our kennel club's agility trial this past weekend.  It was Dasher's second trial, our first one was in the fall of 2005.  We just entered in the jumpers class as he is just turned 1 1/2 years old and I didn't feel the need to rush anything.  Well he was great!! [:D] The first day our course was perfect, but he got a little too flat over one jump and knocked a rail [:(].  The second day the course was a little tougher, with a few traps in it, we were doing great until I screwed up. [8D] Poor Dasher has a handler who needs serious help ! I made a bad choice in handling one sequence which caused him to go off course.  My SO was nice enough to catch it on video,[8|] so now I can see how bad I really am!! [:)] So no Q's but I was thrilled, Dasher was fast and listened well, I couldn't ask for more!!

    Yesterday after the show a bunch of us took the dogs swimming, Dasher had a blast! Here are a few videos of the day, the last one catches most of my run on Sunday...(again, please excuse my poor handling skills, I am clearly the one member of our team who needs the most work!!) [:D]

    [linkhttp://www.dropshots.com/day.php?userid=73564&cdate=20060604]http://www.dropshots.com/day.php?userid=73564&cdate=20060604[/link]


    • Gold Top Dog
    Yeah Dasher! He looked great!!![sm=clapping hands smiley.gif][sm=clapping hands smiley.gif]
    • Bronze
    Could you tell me more about starting out in agility?  What did you need to do in your first trial? 
    • Gold Top Dog
    Could you tell me more about starting out in agility? What did you need to do in your first trial?


    Well, I have been doing agility for about 9 years or so.  Dasher is my 2nd agility dog.  The best advice I can give you on starting agility is to look into taking some classes.  If you don't know of any agility clubs in your area, search around for dog clubs that offer obedience classes as they may offer agility or know where to take classes.  You and your dog should know basic obedience before starting agility.  By this I mean your dog should be somewhat well mannered, know "sit" and "stay" and be able to work off leash and have a reliable recall.  Most likely in beginning agility classes you may work on-leash for a bit but if your dog works off leash all the better.  After you find a class and start training you will be able to see if you and your dog like it.   

    As far as participating in shows, there are several different organizations that put on agility trials.  A few of the larger organizations are, United States Dog Agility Assoc. (USDAA), American Kennel Club (AKC) and North American Dog Agility Counsel (NADAC).  They all have websites that explain their rules and regulations that are required to participate in their shows.  There are other organizations as well, such as CPE and others that escape me at the moment.  For me personally, before I show my dogs, I want to make sure they have a complete understanding of all the obstacles, they have a excellent "sit,stay", and they have a very reliable recall (as in a show situation there are many distractions). 
      Hope that helps! Good Luck! [:)]
    • Gold Top Dog
    Yea Dasher!!!  [:D]