A Full Helping of Nationals with a Side of Awesome

Posted on April 6, 2012 by DuncanDes

Duncan and I returned from AKC Agility Nationals in Reno early this week. After working all last year to earn our points to go, I wondered if would be worth it. In a word – absolutely. It was most definitely worth the time, the effort and the trip.

We arrived on Thursday to find three identical courses set on the floor of the rodeo arena. (With a fourth course set in an adjacent arena in another building). At that moment, gazing across the immense space, I realized what a huge deal this was, and was simply happy to be there, having earned the opportunity to run here with Duncan.

Thanks to Donna for taking this picture when I didn't!

There was a lot to learn the first day…mainly how to get to the gate on time! With about 170 dogs in our 12″ jump height, we had three walk throughs, with a big crowd in each 8 minute walking group. That meant that I rarely saw the lines of obstacles, simply because there was always someone in front of me, walking their course. More than once when actually running, I saw a line of jumps only to wonder if that was the correct direction…because that was the first time I’d seen it clearly! I was impressed with that many people on the course at once, most were very polite, with no major crashes. With one small exception…you know who you are Sheltie-lady. I felt no sadness watching your pup go flying to an off-course jump, while Duncan nailed it. Listening to an Ipod while walking the course may maintain your zen-like sense of concentration, but it really sucks for the twelve other people trying to walk right behind you…

Meanwhile, Duncan was handling the crowds and the arena with finesse. I was most impressed with his ability to walk through the dozens of dogs and across the massive arena while squeaking with joy. He took it all in, shrugged and his look asked me plainly “it’s just another trial…mama, why are you so excited??”

But back to the main event – running! Friday was Time 2 Beat, basically a practice run. Duncan ran beautifully, nice, solid and fast, with no issues. Good thing he had his brain together because I used up all of my energy trying to figure out how to get in the ring. We were given tags with UPC codes to attach to our leashes. As the dog before us crossed the start line, they would scan your tag. Fantastic for knowing which dog was running, terrible for handler focus! But the cool part was that on my way back to the crating area, I could scan our tag and find out our time and score…immediately.

They also had the run order updating in the crating area, which was a 5-8 minute walk from the rings, and in a separate building. This was so helpful in knowing when to leave for the rings without having too much time waiting in a crowd ring-side.

Early Saturday, Duncan and I got to meet the other 11 Canine Partners running in the NAC. They brought us together for a group photo, and I met several amazing teams who we cheered on through the finals. That day, we ran JWW and Standard (sans table). Dunc had a lovely JWW, and his Standard was again fast and happy. I would throw my support into a campaign to eradicate the boring table from the Standard courses…Dunc loved it! After two combined runs, Duncan was sitting somewhere around 70th place Saturday night.

Sunday we ran hybrid. I will admit to doing a crash course in what hybrid was the night before. Basically, take the table and dogwalk from a Standard course, and there you go…hybrid. And finally…we got the Nationals course that I’d been training for. Our three previous courses were great, but not the technical monsters I’d expected to find at the NAC trial. All three early courses flowed fairly well. Sunday morning’s hybrid changed that. At first glance of the course map, I counted three front crosses in the first five obstacles. A huge smile came across my face. Now THIS is nationals!! While Duncan may not have the most speed on course, he is consistent. When the courses go all twisty, he really shines.

And shine he did. His speed was steady off the line and built through the run. He ran beautifully for me all weekend, and that last run just was the icing on the Dunkie cake. After we crossed the line, I spent a moment on the arena floor with my boy, taking it all in. We ran 4/4 runs clean. He ran happy in the most chaotic environment he’d ever been in. And not only had he earned his way to Nationals, he’d run an amazing four runs there.

When the final standings came in, Duncan finished his three cumulative runs in 36th place, out of 171 dogs. I am so very proud of how brave, how happy and how amazing this little boy of mine can be.

Even better? How great everyone from Idaho and Utah did! Our fantastic traveling partner, Muligan also went 4/4, earning 30th place in the 12″ overall. And our friends in 12″ P and 20″ really rocked, too.

Watching the challenger and finals rounds was amazing…I witnessed some beautiful handling, and fantastic teams. Des and I have our work cut out, but I’m definitely inspired!

Overall, the experience for me was all about the people and dog friends. My Team Little Dog partner and I had a great trip, and a great trial. I cheered for our Idaho/Utah friends, because no matter the standings, simply running there was an achievement. Once again, I’m simply proud to be part of this crazy dog person world…these are my people, and we are honored to be a part of it.

Duncan and I got to run together…in a National trial. That’s all. And that’s amazing!

The DesMan At Work

Posted on March 22, 2012 by DuncanDes

Des and I began Sylvia Trkman’s Agility Foundation course last month. It’s been a good experience so far, albeit at a pace I’d describe as slightly faster than frenetic. Part of my lack of posting lately is because I come home from my job and then go to work. Des and I will go through a skill, then I’ll edit video and catch up on course reading. Somewhere in there, Dunc and I try to stir up a little dust in the field, and then I spend some time reminding the rest of my family what I look like! Thank goodness my husband understands time-consuming hobbies. (By the way, Sweetie, I think the mail guy kicked another 70 lb block of lead out in our driveway…)

Until recently, Des had never done more than three obstacles in a row. I’ve spent most of our time working mainly on foundation and focus, just with me. I haven’t shared a lot of Des video to date mainly because I wanted to allow him the time to find his feet, to help him decide if chasing around a field of obstacles was his idea of fun. This short sequence was part of our current lesson. I think my boy may have found his feet!

Snow, Sunshine and Dog Toys…it Must Be Spring!

Posted on March 22, 2012 by DuncanDes

It’s spring in Idaho. Just two days ago, the wind blew snow sideways most of the day. It didn’t stick to the ground, or the trees, or the roads…just the side of my face while I was walking Des. He didn’t mind until the wind filled his ears with icy, white flakes. (Hey, when you have ears that look like satellite dishes…) And now, two days later…

It’s the other kind of spring!

Just a boy, some newly green grass and a fuzzy-tailed squeaky ball. After grabbing the toy, lighting up the afterburners and taking a dozen hot laps around the yard, he flopped down to enjoy his prize.

Duncan, in the meantime, did his best superhero pose. Part-time agility star, full-time protector of the yard, defender of our flock of quail from prowling cats, and our UPS guy alarm system. Little dog, big heart. As it turns out, perhaps quite literally.

Later, Des got to play with a friend. They compared baby brother notes and found they have a lot in common. I fear we may endure some back seat hijinks later this summer if they get to ride next to each other. Watch out varsity, the JV squad is pretty cute, too!

What a lovely afternoon…the Merlies and I are awfully happy to share the day with our Boston friends! Next stop…Reno!!!

Snow Day with the Snow Monsters

Posted on March 11, 2012 by DuncanDes

For those of you who have little brothers, ’nuff said. For those that don’t, never fear, about a nanosecond after I took this shot, Des turned on the afterburners and opened up a sizable lead on the bitey one.

We’ve been quiet this week. To keep our summary short, Duncan and I had far too many visits to the vet, apparently to test how high my blood pressure can go. Let’s just say we’re thankful for dog doctors who love their work, and are more than willing to take enough time to get to the bottom of a problem. We begin this week feeling optimistic, and looking forward to getting seriously ripped on our therapy bosu ball. (To provide clarification; Duncan will be the one getting ripped, I will provide moral support and motivation in the form of cookies).

It’s been a dry winter here, so after a recent snow, the pups threatened to mutiny if they didn’t get to go and romp in it. Des tried to play keep-away with everyone, but he’s far faster than the other pups now…so he spent a lot of time looping around re-engaging the game of chase. With all the training we do, sometimes it’s just fun to watch them be goofy together. I hope you enjoy their antics as much as I did!

Lucy, our Frog Dog, hit the snow to show the boys how it’s done. Allez, allez, ALLEZ!! Go go GO! Tres magnifique, ma petite choux.

And then Des hit a Bulldog Speed Bump.

Even Angus, AKA the Big Red Truck (named for obvious reasons) joined the fun. For a ten and a half year old Boxer, he’s still got some go. You can see Des wisely pace him and not attempt to pass. Sometimes the Big Red Truck gets overly excited and loses a wheel.

Des: “Play with me! PLAAAAY with me!!”

Either that, or he’s practicing levitation. In that case…Wingardium Leviosa!

At the end of the day, everybody crashed with their respective blankies, having had a blast outside. Angus, our old boy, fell asleep with a big Boxer grin on his face. And I got an hour of solace with two merlies passed out in my lap. A pretty good end to a pretty fine day.

All four. In one picture. I'm so lucky I should buy a lottery ticket!

February and We’re Off to the Races!

Posted on February 27, 2012 by DuncanDes

Duncan and I would like to share a few of our favorite runs from the February Lizard Butte KC AKC agility trial from about a week ago. I’d meant to post these earlier, but the Plague of 2012 (AKA a common cold) took me down for several days. On a positive note, I caught up on my backlog of National Geographics. Nothing like a mega-dose of geo-nerdy goodness to pass a semi-concious afternoon!

Our judge for the weekend, Debby Wheeler, will also be a judge at Nationals in Reno. She threw a few ‘national level’ challenges into each course. Friday’s Standard course had a fun little twist at the end with a back-side finish jump. Many, many dogs had successful runs and thundered around the last bend to the finish, only to fall victim to that last jump by taking it in the wrong direction.

Here is our run on that course…Dunc fired up as soon as his feet left the table. I knew I needed to buckle my seat belt and tighten my shoelaces for the dogwalk-to-finish section, and Dunc didn’t disappoint. I ran this section flat-out to encourage him to go, and GO he did!

Friday’s JWW course had a nice flow to it. Dunc ran it smoothly, at a nice speed, and I believe we got a first. What I like most is I managed to stay out of his way and not do any crosses to cause him to hesitate. He did puzzle a bit over my blind cross at the beginning, but like a seasoned competitor, chalked it up to handler randomness and kept going.

Our running contacts still have some way to go, but there was definite progress at this trial. Dunc is driving harder than he did just a few months ago, and as a result is learning to adjust his striding. Retraining contacts has definitely been an exercise in patience (and quite possibly sheer stubbornness) but has definitely been one heck of an interesting ride.

Little Merlies By Any Other Name…

Posted on February 24, 2012 by DuncanDes

The other day, I received an email from the AKC Canine Partner program manager. She saw that Duncan and I had qualified for the National Agility Championships, and was collecting bios on the teams who are going. How very cool, I thought, always ready to brag on my boy, I sat down to describe our agility journey. And I got stuck.

Super D!

You see, Duncan is registered in the AKC Canine Partners program. Since he’s a Mini Aussie, he was unable to play in AKC agility until 2010 when they opened performance events up to all dogs, in addition to breeds already recognized by the AKC.

Here’s the twist; about a year into our AKC journey, his breed parent club decided to become and was accepted as a new AKC recognized breed. Without going into a lot of extra political discussion, that breed needed a new name. So, the club voted, and Miniature American Shepherd was agreed upon. Okaay…

Being a believer in karma and good ju-ju and not wanting to mess up a nice run of good trials, I decided to keep Dunc in the Canine Partner program as we were already building MACH points and Double Q’s by this time. I didn’t want to take the smallest chance of losing our hard-earned points. And so, we qualified for Nationals. Whoo hoo!

But when I tried to describe him on our bio, what do I call him ? A Mini Aussie? Certainly he is, but that’s not an AKC breed, and I want to be respectful at an AKC event. Mini American? Technically, he could be, but I haven’t submitted the paperwork to change his registry, and I’m a technically correct kind of gal. All American or Mixed Breed? (as we are called on our handler stickers) That’s fine and dandy, but since he’s not (see above technical nerd reference) it sticks with me a little, just like being described as from Iowa, instead of Idaho. I find the whole situation pretty darned funny, since Duncan is still Duncan, and most people still refer to him as a Mini Aussie. Will I ever move Dunc to the Mini American registry? I may, or I may just let it be. As long as I get to play agility with my boys, I’m happy. And we will continue to confuse the gate stewards who are looking for that “All American” in the run order. FYI: in a 12″ class of almost 200 dogs at Nationals, he’ll be the only one.

And maybe Dunc will stay in the Partners program to keep Des company. Again, without getting into the breed politics too much, at the request of his breeder, Des will remain a Mini Aussie by registry, and will not be considered a Mini American.

In my mind and my heart, my boys are Mini Aussies, mostly because that’s how I identified with them first. And keeping in mind how I feel about my boys, perhaps that’s how I’ll write Duncan’s bio. He is my four-year old heart-dog, my first agility partner and teammate. Yes, I know I’m cheesy. I’m good with it.

This is bor-ing! Lets PLAY!!

But if AKC is looking for suggestions, I have one: please consider replacing the words “All American” or “Mixed Breed” on your entry forms, gate sheets and handler arm bands with your own officially designated name for the program: Canine Partner. And let us run with our partners, pure and simple, for the joy of it.

Are we done yet? Can we got play NOW?

That's more like it!

And lastly, Dunc had a lovely trial last weekend, earning another QQ. Des came with us, and was beautifully behaved crated next to his big (or should I say – older) brother.

Cleared for Takeoff

Posted on February 11, 2012 by DuncanDes

Desmond’s adolescent ears are a constant entertainment, and I adore them! Each day they’re a little different, but more often than not, they standing at attention with the ends flopped over like this. All he needs for takeoff is a magic feather.

I don't know what they're going to do, either!

Every once in a while, he strikes a pose with that long neck and standy-uppy ears that reminds me of an alpaca. Then he hunkers down into a pouncing stance that reminds me alarmingly of a velociraptor. Remember those from that dinosaur movie? For years, I got the willies walking through fields of tall grass, waiting to be ambushed by one of those Jurassic suckers. Thank goodness my VelociDes only pounces on his toys, then turns back into a happy little puppy.

An Aussie or alpaca...?

Ears aside, and despite standing slightly uphill of Duncan in this picture, it’s clear that Des has shot past his brother in height. Duncan is starting to take advantage of this, as evidenced by him running under the couch today with Des in hot pursuit. Dunc disappeared with his ball. Des bounced off the couch. Bummer!

Des continues to prove his legs are made of springs. This is his normal fetching technique. Instead of sitting still and waiting for the ball to come down to earth, Des launches himself into orbit to meet the toy. His challenge is learning how to launch into the same orbit as the toy…

Duncan, who holds a PhD in fetching, finds this behavior horribly inefficient, but entertaining whenever his brother ends up off piste.

Dude, you're landing in the landscaping!

But mostly, the boys and I are enjoying the winter sunshine as often as possible. Soon enough things will get busy as the gophers and weeds once again get rowdy, and our trialling season gets underway. The long, cold nights watching old movies and Top Gear reruns with both merlies curled up on my lap will give way to evenings pulling weeds, moving irrigation hose and working 2x2s. It’s a reminder to slow down, enjoy the moment, and hit ‘play’ on the remote again.

“Sempai, why are we lying down on this wood thing?”

“Because it is so, young one, because it is so. Mama gives us cookies for the oddest things, so just roll with it.”

Look, we're touching. Reward us!

The Power of Positive

Posted on February 2, 2012 by DuncanDes

Photo by Jan Skurzynski

Having a dog like Duncan as a first agility dog has been a blessing in disguise. He’s not a boy who runs for the love of the game; he runs for the love of me. It’s been my biggest challenge to learn how to make that rewarding for him. He’s a shy guy who worries, so our agility journey has included finding ways to help him find his confidence. When he’s got his brave on, he just flies. We’re still learning, but we’ve picked up a few good ideas along the way.

I’ve learned to maintain a positive attitude; while training, while walking the course and while we’re waiting for our run…if Dunc knows I’m concerned, he starts to wring his paws, and that leads to a tentative performance. As a result, he’s made me more efficient and much more positive handler. If I’m annoyed after a day at work, I need to either check my attitude when I get out the clicker, or admit defeat for the night and trade training for snuggles on the couch.

I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve walked a course and heard other handlers say that they know their dog won’t make it through a sequence, or take the correct end of a tunnel. And you know what? Most of the time, they’re right. Worries can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. I don’t proclaim to be innocent of negative self-criticism… I do have to tell my inner voice to shut the hell up sometimes. I can get very competitive, where doing well is my main priority. But that’s not the way I do well in agility… not by my own choice…but because Dunc requires it.

Why? With Dunc, I saw the chance to compete in sport again, and do well. But shortly after beginning to trial, it became apparent that only one of us was having fun. Dunc was shutting down completely on course, and I grew ever more frustrated because the same dog who ran joyfully fast in practice showed me every avoidance behavior ever invented at trials. My sweet boy was unhappy, and I needed to either find a better way for him, or something else where we were both having fun. The agility bug bit me, but I wasn’t fair to continue to ask him to do something that upset him.

In searching for a better way, I was shown how to train by shaping, using only positive reinforcement that allowed Dunc to figure out how to learn on his own terms. The change was immediate. He fires up every time I get out the clicker, and is so responsive to encouragement, that I began the long process of eradicating as much negativity from our training and my head as possible. I could train in a positive manner, but until I also committed to thinking positively, Dunc knew my heart and mind weren’t completely on board. In short, I decided to believe in us as a team…if I couldn’t believe that Dunc was capable of doing well, who else would?

I don’t ever approach a course thinking anything less than “we’ve got this”. Because if I step to the line thinking we’re beaten then we are.

I’ve often heard “when you have a fast/slow/bar knocking/distractible dog you can’t do that cross/sequence/contact or make time’. To which I think ‘don’t limit yourself’. We all have unique challenges. Dunc’s challenges are no tougher or easier than any other team’s…he’s just Duncan and I accept him as he is. It’s how we figure out a way to overcome and work through these challenges that makes the journey worthwhile.

I know our limitations and we play to our strengths. If you know you can handle a sequence in a different way, then go for it! It’s amazing how far a little positive thinking (and boatloads of practice) will get you. If a popular method of handling isn’t working for you, find another way. It may take a lot more time and effort, others may criticize your choices…but if you know it’s the right for you, stand up for your teammate and do it.

And when something doesn’t go as planned and we don’t do well on a run? I hear the words of a very wise friend in my head. “Finish happy”. This game isn’t about my ego, or our Q rate. If I want a sport that I can walk to the line in a bad mood and assign blame after a crappy run, I’d better find one without a living, breathing, feeling partner. This game is about the bond between handler and dog…and it goes far beyond what I ever thought was possible.

If these thoughts make me Sally Sunshine, that’s okay with me. There are enough negative things in this world already; I don’t need to make up more. So each time I get my dogs out to run, I try to remember the important things. Run Fast. Take up the Challenge. But above all…

Finish Happy.

The Flying Aussie and a Great Cause

Posted on January 25, 2012 by DuncanDes

Pretty, but don’t touch!

This past weekend, Duncan and I traded the sleeting skies of Idaho for the sunny ones of Arizona to run at a trial and visit a dear friend. The timing was perfect. You see, just like my Boxer, I’m convinced that when it rains, I’ll melt (although I don’t claim to be made of sugar like he does). So after one of the driest winters on record, the day we left, the skies had opened and we got out of town. The difference this time, is that we flew to this trial, a first for both of us.

It’s a good thing that airport security doesn’t screen for high pulse rates, because I was so nervous to get everything right, that I was amazed I didn’t keel over right there in line after throwing my shoes in the plastic bin. Many, many thanks to the website Dog Jaunt for all the fantastic information on flying with a small dog, and my husband for getting me through check in. I knew my carrier (a large SturdiBag) would fit perfectly on a Southwest 737, and indeed, it did. Dunc was a fantastic little traveler, and fit in his little bag just fine thanks to his ability to bend like a wet noodle.

Dunc under the airplane seat.

The trial was fantastic. Duncan, amazing Duncan most definitely got his brave on. In a completely new place on weird footing (some sort of tentacle-like dormant grass) after being stuffed in a bag and going up and down until his ears popped, he came out swinging, and ran two of his fastest runs, ever. He also earned his very first QQQ. Rock on little man!

This is quite possibly the coolest chute ever invented. Not only is it covered in flames that Duncan’s Wildfire blazed through, but it’s wonderfully, perfectly, terrifically, and shockingly SHORT! The new shorter chute length is a winner in Dunc’s book.

Here’s Dunc’s run on the Saturday Standard course…another diabolical creation courtesy of judge Dan Butcher. Love these technically challenging courses, and after three trials this year under this judge, we’re drifting dangerously close to being DB groupies.

This trial was part of a large group of dog sporting events held at the Paws for a Cure event, a fundraiser for the Canine Cancer foundation. This foundation is near and dear to my heart, since we lost our first beloved boy Boxer, Sinjin to cancer, and Angus is a survivor. My trialling partner in crime runs a Boston who is also a survivor, so we made sure to visit the Foundation booth, where I made a memorial heart for Sinjin.

Sinjin, my old soul and beloved friend.

On Sunday, they stopped the trial, and smack in the middle of the rings, the Foundation held a ceremony to celebrate those buddies we’ve lost to this disease. They read the Rainbow Bridge poem, and one of the foundation’s founders asked me to place Sinjin’s heart on the wall first, quickly followed by dozens of other hearts. It was an amazing moment, standing there, tears streaming down my face, in a crowd of people doing the same. Not one person there was ashamed of crying visibly for friends we had lost, and I had one of those beautifully clear life moments. These are my people, and I’m so proud and thankful to have been among them on this special day.

The Canine Cancer Foundation Memorial Wall

Sweet Sinjin. You are missed.

Of course, trialling is also about being with friends, new and old, fuzzy and non-fuzzy. Dunc was thrilled to have a weekend away from Baby Brother Des, and reveled in the company of one of his favorite people friends and dog friend. Sweet Mully even ran with me on the FAST course, and thankfully, we upheld her amazing QQQ streak. (Whew!)

We are cute. Feed us. Now.

All in all, the weekend was a blast. Lovely weather, fantastic company (thanks, G!!) and running with the best and sweetest teammate a girl could ask for. A Ferrari dealer on the way to the trial grounds was just a bonus…after all, I do love a parking lot filled with sexy Italians.

Parting thought…maybe this kid really knows how to have a blast...

The 2012 Adventures Begin

Posted on January 17, 2012 by DuncanDes

Des 5 months, Dunc 4 years

Baby Desmond is now five months old. He now tips the scales at 14.4 pounds, a gain of about three pounds over the last month. As in previous months, most of that gain has been in legs. One of these days I hope his legs will slow down, or I’m going to have a baby merle giraffe on my hands. He does put those wheels to good use while doing hot laps around the yard.

Wheeeee!

He is most definitely a handsome little dude, a whirlwind of flying ears, waving paws, and endless wiggles. We’re currently working on things that he finds extraordinarily boring, yet gamely humors me; sit stays, sitting by an open door before being released to imitate a Dakar rally car in the yard, and only jumping shoulder-high by invitation. (This last one is just too tough, I often find yodeling Des bouncing alongside while I’m filling the dinner dishes. This wouldn’t be odd, except that I’m standing upright, and he’s clearing the height of the countertops).

Duncan, on the other hand, is about to begin a new year of trialling, and it’s looking to be momentous. We have a few trials to warm up for Nationals in March, which will be a fantastic experience. We’re working on improving his running contacts, and my challenge is learning to get him around the course in a way that keeps him off his brakes and driving forward.

Duncan, I am thankful to you for your sunny grin, and for helping me find a better and more positive way to get there with you. Let’s rock the house this year!

My view while freestyle heeling with Dunc. A big grin!

Lets get this show on the road! The drive to our first trial of the year is easy, however the commute is waaaay different! Stay tuned…

Leavin' on a jet plane...

DuncanDes

Adventures of the Merlie Boys

Tag Archives: dog agility