February and Video Runs

So a few .... mind you just a few?... folks have told me that they want to follow the Blog and that I should write more fequently even if just a brief point or tip or two. So.....

It has been a fast two months. It's just February and we've hosted three Run As On Agility Trials already this year!. All have been a blast. So much fun watching all the dogs and handlers trying... trying ... trying to Run As One!

More on the trials later.

Tip: Video Runs... Short Story!

Quick lesson to be learned... Have your head around the preparation of who and what you want videoed. Also, for Contact Classes "Instruct Videographer to Stand By The Judge!" Our first Regular Saturday morning was a debacle. You know how you rush to get your dog 'cause you're first up. Then.... I saw the 'filmer' out of position...they could not see 'both' downside contacts...unbeknownst to me the video phone froze. (yes it was an Iphone, but I think it was a memory issue). 

 

Now I'm on the line.. Judge says: "Good Luck", a bit frustrated, feeling pressure to get going and losing focus on the task at hand... I think 'heck with it just go for it anyway'. "OK" through obstacle #1 Wyatt goes, then onward starting up #2 Dogwalk... Just then, the scribe (seemingly harmless right?) yelled to the judge that she could not see him. For a split second I was not sure what she was yelling.... at the time...was there a loose dog? an emergency?? Hot coffee spilled???  Something pretty important??? I looked back over at the scribe... quickly comprehending what she said ..another second or two goes by as I give her a look and say her name to question essentially.. "Why are you Yelling while we're running???"

 

Meanwhile Wyatt had gone on doing his job and was waiting for me at the end of the dogwalk. Wyatt hears me say something  (to the scribe) and as I turn back he decides "Maybe dad said go? Which way? 50/50 chance"  and with that... Game Over! :)
 

Needless to say we improvised that run:) ... And had a better plan from that run on. Sooooo, save yourself that lost run and have a better first plan than I did. 

 

The upside was I decided that if that was the worst thing to happen to us all weekend ( which it was) then we would be ok :) ...And We Were! No harm done. Wyatt ended up having some Amazing Bonus attempts later that trial. A few are below.
 

So... have a Good Plan... to Run As One!
 

Hope this makes you smile.

 

 

 

 

 

Looking Briefly Back at January

    Three trials in Calera this past month. Alex led the house again with 18 Q's.  OK, I know ... Q count. Well they were awesome. Tank and I are still working to get our timing back after his time off from agility. Notice I say our timing when it is really my timing that need work. His is Exceptional. He is getting his muscle mass back too. His speed is crazy fast. It's like he is trying to make up for lost time when he could have been running.        Haven't had too many Bonus Lines for Wyatt and I to work from but we keep "practicing" at every trial.  Rookie earned another Title and my baby boy Zack earned his first Open Level Title. I really need to start practicing more with him. Don't we all???  He really loves this stuff!
     Folks are starting to ask about Seminars again! Stay tuned and... Run As One Texas!

NADAC Championships 2011 Tank Wyatt & Alex

   A little less drive time this year as the NADAC Championships were at the Springfield, Illinois State Fair Grounds. We packed up our Herd of Six for the round trip to Dog Agility week. Pre-Trial events included non-jumping events Tunnelers, Touch 'N Go, Weavers, Hoopers and some EGC runs.  AND... even our 'Man Child' dog Rookie ran in all the pre-trial runs and was a crowd favorite. What a great facility! The setting was regal... well as dog events go :)... , the atmosphere was both energized and relaxed and the turf was terrific for the dogs.
    We watched many runs over the week. There were so many great dog/handler teams and a lot of amazing performances. Sharon Nelson, Chris Nelson, Beck Woodruff and all the crew of volunteers nailed their tasks and made everyone feel welcomed. Special Cudos to the most delightful Tim & Becky Spring! Tim oversaw all volunteers and was flawless.
   We ran of our partners this year. Tank ,Wyatt & Alex all finished in the top 10 with a number of high placements. Wyatt placed 6th in SuperStakes, while Tank finished 5th overall.  Cathy & Alex made it to the Finals this year finishing 5th!  They were Awesome too! 
  So, now back home settled back in our own beds with plenty of things to work on for the coming year. As for me, off to North Carolina tomorrow!

Check out some of our Championship runs here:
Wyatt Superstakes
Cathy & Alex