RubyStar

Who here does agility? Where do you train? I'd love to get into it with Millie this year but don't know where to start!! Might join ACWA, but would love some advice from other Perth agility folk! What can I train at home for some good solid foundations?

I've been wanting to get into agility properly for a couple of years now (did it with Ruby a few years ago but just for fun for a few months), but I keep putting it off and off and off due to lack of time and wanting to get further in obedience trialling first. But the bug keeps biting me so I am thinking I had better FIND the time this year to pursue it. First of all, yes I know Labs aren't the best candidates for competitive agility, but I want to do it for fun with the aim to trial for fun (not saying there aren't some great agility Labs out there, cos I know there are!) I want to train and eventually trial with Millie as I believe she has more potential for it than Ruby. She was born with springs in her feet and has some speed on her!! So what I'd love to know is, besides joining a club, what are some basic exercises I can start teaching at home for some good solid foundations? I don't want to rush things, I want to teach her correctly from the start. Can anyone recommend any good agility DVD's that are a starting point for someone starting out, too? Any pointers/advice for an agility newbie?? Lastly, are there any Perth people starting agility for the first time too this year? Which club are you joining? I'm thinking of joining ACWA, but open to club suggestions Thanks!!

Its about as close as I am ever going to get to being a judge So how come you won't be a judge? Just too busy with your own mob? I could see you as a judge - but please oh please, don't wear the Toller coloured pants My dog has enough distraction problems as it is with you around

Didn't really know about it When was it? Actually it does ring a bell, but I guess I've just been too preoccupied to remember I really need to get back into training.... talk about a lazy training start to the year

Awesome, Tiggy! I'll be there when details are announced

It's not proposed to remove the jumping in Open, as I understood it, they are proposing introducing and additional Open class. On Page 38:

It's on the homepage in the first "box". But here is the direct link http://www.dogswest.com/Pdfs/ANKC_Rule_Rev..._March_2010.zip

Wowsers is that on your property?! Where are you situated? That is awesome, would so love to live there! My girls would have a ball, especially Ruby. The most fun they get in the backyard is when I put the sprinkler on. Ruby was a drowned rat this arvo playing in the sprinkler

I must have overlooked the part where it suggested off lead parts for CCD. I did read though about them suggesting the removing of the off lead lead up in the recall, as it should only be a test of the dog recalling. I'm still struggling for my first novice pass here (damn you SFE!!), but I'm all for making it more of a challenge I guess that is why I liked the idea of the sit in the COP for Novice. CCD passes are handed out left, right and centre when a lot of dogs don't really work at a level deserving of it, mine included. Our CCD title was nothing to get excited about, I don't even think we deserved it as our work was atrocious! I'm all for making the CCD pass score a higher percentage as it gets you better prepared for Novice And no, I'm not just saying this cos Ruby is out of CCD, I still have Millie to debut!

Well does anyone here have a nice big pool for us all to come over and practice in? I have no idea about a venue, but would love to find one! Found this page when I was looking at Lab stuff, thought you might be interested for your Chessie! http://store.nexternal.com/shared/StoreFro...et=products.asp

Wow you can apply to up to 6 dogs?? Lucky you guys Your application fee is cheaper than Swan's by half! I need to look into moving, and I only moved into my new house on the weekend

I'd be very interested in dock diving!! But doubt it will ever start here in Oz, let alone Perth Congrats! Wish I could put myself on a puppy waiting list!

I only had a quick read last week, but from what I read, I like the addition of change of position in CCD and raising the passing score. I also like the addition of a sit in COP for Novice and the extra mandatory exercise, and I like the alternative Open round for those with dogs who can't jump

Don't worry about the thread hijack guys, I'm learning here Well my trees went bye byes today. Backyard looks bare Stumps get ground down later in the week. I honestly can't believe my big beautiful (toxic) tree is gone It gave character and a peacefulness to my yard, now it looks hot and stark, and not to mention BORING. I'm very sad it's gone but know it is for the best, there is no way I would have left it with dogs. As for blocking my yard off, well it's half done now with garden stakes and some sort of wire from the garden section that came in rolls. Doing half the grass and leaving half for the dogs

Looks like the product of an accidental pregnancy we had with our dogs as kids (yes, parents know better now!) - maltese x yorky (or silky). They had 4 pups and the face of this dog looks very similar to theirs, except the pups turned out light brown. Not that that part matters, being a cross and all, I'm surprised all 4 pups turned out identical ;) The "pups" are now 15 years old, and all 4 stayed in the family

Looks nice! But no help to me without a name The leaves look similar to another tree I have in the yard, but it's probably nothing like it ;) Not sure I will bother planting another tree in it's place. Just gonna put some more grass down and hope for the best. I've got a couple of trees between the grass and the patio area, so they will do ;) Plus side of removing the tree, at least I have more training area now! The tree would have gotten in the way of doing some backyard heeling and jump work

Oooh nope, off to check ;)

Are you showing your ES? I might come down on Sunday night (dogless), so might hunt down some DOLers for company Can anyone please tell me where I can find out what groups are being shown what nights? Is it online anywhere or do I have to go and hunt down my copy of the Canine News? I'm too lazy to get up off the chair ;)

Awesome! Which class and what breed? Now I wanna know what this thread was about - love a good read, shame I missed it ;)

I'll be there on the Saturday night for obedience. Though I think agility is Sunday and Monday nights, so you'll have to change your plans if you want to see agility!

I can cook very basic meals, but I'm ok with desserts for 3 meals a day

And I hope you know how to cook regular meals. If you're coming to stay, one of us has to know otherwise we'll be eating desserts non-stop

Toxic PLANT, not plants The palm is just for safety's sake, and cos I sick of the mess it makes! My yard is going to look bare I'm bummed the tree has to go, it was going to provide the girls some nice shade while I'm at work and not maky my yard look so stark. Sigh, the things we do for our furbabies!!

For those following the "dramas", the toxic tree and the cocus palm are being cut down on Sat morning I don't muck around So they'll be gone in time for the dogs to occupy their new garden As for the original question, I'm attempting to block off just half the grass area. That way I can give half a chance to grow back, and giving the dogs the other half to be dogs on. Will this work, well, probably not, but I will be content in the knowledge that I'm trying!

Where is that held? I'm tempted to be a smartass and say Midland? I know it's some oval down Midland way, they hold their club trials there (I've only trialled there once so can't remember the name or exact location sorry!)