The weather was glorious for the last week of September, in fact it was too hot. I can't believe how well the dogs in our Foundation classes have come on, considering they haven't done agility before and this is only their third week. We did a couple of little sequences, practised the ends of the contacts and running through the channel weaves, and then for the last ten minutes we put a well spaced out tunnel and jump sequence to encourage the dogs (and handlers) to run and work away.
Well, our handlers and dogs tried so hard and we were proud of them. Encouraged by chasing to a toy at the finish, they were readily speeding up as they were going through a tunnel and over jumps to the finish. The gun dog Boo who has never worked for toys is happily working away to her pink fluffy treat-filled pencil case and shows so much potential! And George, the little cockapoo, who initially seemed quite shy, now picks up speed when he sees the tunnel and his dad waiting with a toy on the finish line! The collie Monty, who also has so much potential, worked much harder at concentrating on his owner this week and tired himself out, and our other cockapoo Tia, handled by an experienced handler, really has some speed and coordination there. To see these dogs running alongside their handlers, jumping small jumps and charging through tunnels , when only 3 weeks ago, they hadn't seen any agility equipment was amazing.
Our second group. What can we say! Again, what an improvement in such a short time. Morse and Merlin, the two collies, are both showing some real talent and driving on now, Morse straightening himself up and finding the channel weave entry. Harry, who competes at grade 5 also found some difficult weave entries and Bertie our cheeky Scottie, is showing us what speed he has, especially to his treat pot! Brooke the loveable retriever really has some potential and speed too, especially if given a big game of tug.
We did a big blast of a course with this group too, which showed they nearly all have a good wait and can run with their dogs. We also practised rear crosses, which all the dogs picked up easily and now need to work on more long distance handling and turn commands, especially with the smaller dogs who are way in front of their handlers.
What we loved with both groups was how well they all worked together as a group, encouraging and cheering each other on and how much energy they all put into trying to get things right. It is lovely to see. Can't wait for next week!
Well, our handlers and dogs tried so hard and we were proud of them. Encouraged by chasing to a toy at the finish, they were readily speeding up as they were going through a tunnel and over jumps to the finish. The gun dog Boo who has never worked for toys is happily working away to her pink fluffy treat-filled pencil case and shows so much potential! And George, the little cockapoo, who initially seemed quite shy, now picks up speed when he sees the tunnel and his dad waiting with a toy on the finish line! The collie Monty, who also has so much potential, worked much harder at concentrating on his owner this week and tired himself out, and our other cockapoo Tia, handled by an experienced handler, really has some speed and coordination there. To see these dogs running alongside their handlers, jumping small jumps and charging through tunnels , when only 3 weeks ago, they hadn't seen any agility equipment was amazing.
Our second group. What can we say! Again, what an improvement in such a short time. Morse and Merlin, the two collies, are both showing some real talent and driving on now, Morse straightening himself up and finding the channel weave entry. Harry, who competes at grade 5 also found some difficult weave entries and Bertie our cheeky Scottie, is showing us what speed he has, especially to his treat pot! Brooke the loveable retriever really has some potential and speed too, especially if given a big game of tug.
We did a big blast of a course with this group too, which showed they nearly all have a good wait and can run with their dogs. We also practised rear crosses, which all the dogs picked up easily and now need to work on more long distance handling and turn commands, especially with the smaller dogs who are way in front of their handlers.
What we loved with both groups was how well they all worked together as a group, encouraging and cheering each other on and how much energy they all put into trying to get things right. It is lovely to see. Can't wait for next week!