Sunday at Addicted to Agility Trial

Stewie started off Sunday with a spectacular jumpers run with a 1st and a Q. During Regular, he broke his start line stay and took the tunnel instead of the dogwalk. I should have taken him off, but didn't. Touch and Go we did an off course.but he had good, fast contacts.
During Chances Stewie did the distance part easily, but I didn't call him in in time, and he went over the line. I entered Stewie in Weavers for the first time in a year, and he smoked it and got a Q and a 2nd place, coming in 8 seconds under time. We finished the day with a great Tunnelers run! Stewie and I both liked the new venue and my knees in particular loved the turf.

Weave hoops

Today we tried weave hoops for the 1st time ever. I wanted to see what Stewie would do when he saw them. I used the 4 hoops that I have and gave it a try. He did really well and seems to get it right away, which is great, since we are still having trouble with the hoop serpentine.

We also did 3 great weavepoles today. The 2nd time I went about 8 feet past the 12th pole and just called him through them, he has either not done them in the past or done them really hesitantly, but today he flew right through them, Yeah Stewie.

Elite Chance course Greenfield Ma

Here is the Elite Chances course from Saturday at Greenfield on Sat. May 2nd. Of course the most worrying spot is #8, 2 tunnels right next to each other. Unfortunately we messed up even before that! Stewie went from the #3 jump out to the wrong end of tunnel #5. I wasn't even thinking of that being a possibility and didn't call him off in time. We didn't get the correct tunnel at #8 either, but he did do the weaves like a champ. Lynn told me afterward that I was running laterally to him going toward #8, and didn't leave myself room to push out for the outside tunnel. Better luck next time!

Elite Weavers Success!

This is the Elite Weavers course Stewie did last Saturday at NAE's Greenfield trial May 2nd. Stewie did an excellent job weaving and got a Q and a 3rd place, earning his Elite Weaver's title!
His weaving is so improved from last year, and he was fast and happy.

Heading to our first NADAC trial this year

Stewie and I are headed to Northeast Agility Enthusiast's NADAC trial in Greenfield Ma this weekend with our best friends, Mary and Lexi! We can't wait to get out on the field and run, and try out Chances after our distance training this winter. We are also going to give it our best shot on getting a Elite Weavers Q to finish our that title.

We'll let you know how we did Sunday evening.

Weave Work Day 7

We didn't do any agility work on Sunday since it was raining and we had a full day of agility training on Saturday. We ran out and did a few fast weaves today between raindrops. We started with a curved tunnel at about an 8:00 position and sent him to the tunnel from about 20 feet away, so that he would approach the weaves at speed. He got the entry and went on to weave both sets of poles very well!
I varied the side he was working off of and used a jump also before the weaves. He did 90% success rate, we did 9 or 10 repetitions and he only missed one,and nailed it the next time.
Good job Stewie, Elite Weavers here we come in May at Northeast Agility's May 2-3 trial in Greenfield, MA.

Also, we had a great time and learned alot at the workshop Saturday, I will try to get that post out tomorrow.

Weave Work Day 4

Today I set up another set of 4 poles about 15 feet away. I sent him through the 1st set, and stopped to reward him as Susan Garrett recommends. Then I set him through both sets and then rewarded him. Then a put a jump about 12 feet away at about 9:00 and send him through both sets. He is weaving very well.
Then I started him in the opposite direction so the new 2nd set of poles was at the beginning and he ran by that set and went to the 2nd set. I just told him to try again and he got it right the second time.
We did about 8 repetitions tonight and I was very pleased. Stewie is weaving confidently and very fast, and driving to his pouch with a high value treat inside.
It was a good day 4.