canine fun sports

Hi Guys, I am sure Vickie meant to write that she was there froam 7 am and did not sit down until 10pm - at least that is when I saw her arrive! The shoes you normally use for a grass ring are good. The surface was good to run on. More details in this post I also posted to the Yahoo list, Agility Australia. If you read my post there you can stop reading now! <<Here are my comments from a few different perspectives - participant, spectator, judge and peripherally involved in the organisation of the event. This email is a bit long, so you may want to grab a coffee. First of all, I would like to say thank you to everyone that was involved in making this a fantastic night. I know that most people do not realise how much work goes on behind the scenes to make any trial happen, let alone a trial of this magnitude. And this will look like nothing when compared to the work that has already gone into, and will go in to the big event in June. Our agility committee do a fantastic job, and it is worth noting that the committee, at the moment, is undermanned. There are two vacant positions on the committee so we must applaud the effort they are putting in. Thank you to Keith, Eddy, Ashley, Margaret and Vickie. They all looked pretty exhausted by the end of last night. Thank you to everyone who chipped in with the stewarding. They were a bit shorthanded occasionally, but volunteers were found when needed. Carol Daniel, in particular, did a sterling job "at the top of the stairs" of the jumping ring. The night finished a little late. But we got through something like a thousand runs through two rings in the trial. Personally, I apologise for letting my ring run a little late in the morning. Unfortunately I do not wear a watch, and had not realised that I had let things slip a little. Next time we have that sort of tight schedule, I will not allow such lengthy course walkings, and we will work a little harder at not wasting time between runs. We will be running 5 rings at the Nationals, so we should not have quite as many runs to get through each ring each day. Also, with some forward planning, we should be able to get our entrances and exits from the ring with a little less down time. Honestly, when you are putting 500 runs through a ring in one day, if you can save 15 seconds per run by having your dog ready to go as soon as the judge is ready, then everyone can go home 2 hours earlier. When the workers have to get there at 6:30am, then getting home to bed two hours earlier that night would be every much appreciated. So everyone, please, next time: be lined up at the first jump with your dog ready to start as soon as possible. The atmosphere of the "stadium" is spectacular. I think nearly all the handlers were feeling a little bit of extra excitement because of the atmosphere of the place. I am sure there were some exceptions, but all the dogs were coping with it very well. I think there were a lot of dogs that were also feeling the excitement and there were some really quick runs - quicker than these dogs normally run. I think the dogs coped well with the surface. It seemed that there were some areas that were a little drier underneath, and sometimes the footing dug up underfoot a little. But over the day this packed down well. I think the differences between the two rings (the whole area had the same preparation) was that the agility ring had the strategic pairs classes run in it in the morning and that packed it down a little to start. In the jumping ring, some areas had a little extra water added, and to me, these actually made some spots a little sticky. Regardless, I do not think any of the dogs had any problems running on the surface either at the start of the day when it was a little looser, or by the evening when it was more firmly packed. As a judge who had to run a lot of contacts in the start of the day, then do quite a few runs on it until evening, I was surprised that I did not pull up feeling sore. It is not straight sand, but is a composite that includes some rubber in it, so I suspect this has made the difference. I wondered how the dog's pads would be affected, but I checked my dogs that did several runs and they look perfectly fine. I had a stint of judging so I was able to watch lots of dogs doing the new see-saw and chute tunnel although not the lower table (for some). The only issue I saw was one dog that baulked at the chute tunnel. I am sure that dog will be fine once he he gets a little practice with it. There were absolutely no problems that I saw with the see-saw and there were no fly-offs. I think the changes to the see-saw will go a long way toward reducing confusion with the dog walk, the changes will improve safety in fly-off situations, and if I accidentally run into a see saw, I would prefer to get barked shins than to receive a concussion. So, I think it is a winner. Also, when there are significant weight differences in the participants of a class, the difference in time that it takes for the see-saw to drop will be less significant to the end result. I did find barking dogs in the indoor arena a nuisance on occasions, and felt particularly irritated when I saw handlers sitting beside their barking dogs without doing anything about it, and dogs that were left tied up alone, in a particularly open and echo-y area to bark their heads off. These dogs were being stressed, and I feel owners would do better to have their dogs crated where the dog feels more secure, or ask a fellow competitor to stay with their dogs. To answer Sue Winn's question about the off-leash are - yes it will be a different area at the National trial. The stable area, which is fully fenced and quite large, will be the off-leash area. The stables themselves will be closed off, but there is a large grassed perimeter, which just lends itself for a perimeter walk to give adequate exercise and a chance for the dogs to go to the toilet. The stadium type of set up makes it ideal for the spectators. Agility has always been a good sport spectacle, but in this set-up it made it even more entertaining. The SIEC staff that were on duty seemed to spend a lot of the night watching the dogs too! It was great to sit back and watch it all, when you were not a part of it in the ring. In summary - it was a great trial yesterday at a great venue that will be fantastic for the Nationals. I know the committee came away with a lot of knowledge about what worked well and ways to improve lots of things. I am now eagerly anticipating the big event in June.>> Cheers,

I ran on the surface at Horseworld for the last Hawkesbury trial. It was packed firmly underneath but had a softer layer on top (even though a hard surface had been requested!). I ran pretty well on that in the cross trainers I normally use in agility. I reserve my cleated shoes for wet weather. If the shoes are too grippy, my knees suffer. I will probably try both at this trial. It will also be interesting to see how tired my legs get judging in the morning becasue I will have a fair bit of running to do, judging the contacts. The surface that has been requested is as hard packed as possible, but this is also one of the things being assessed at this trial, in preparation for the Nationals. Cheers,

Hi Guys, We are having a fundrasier this weekend out at the Sydney Olympic Equestrian Centre, as a lead up to the Nationals, to see how the location works for such an event. My question is for those who may have run up at the ADAA Grand Prix events held at the Equestrian Complex at Tamworth. What footwear seems to be most suitable for the humans? Cheers

In agility, the dog that is used to only recieving rewards directly from the handler will tend to spin back and check in with the handler when it is not appropriate, and it can also limit their speed because they do not want to drive ahead away from the handler. I am certainly not saying you should not do your focus work, but in agility, do not neglect your focus ahead work. Getting the balance is the trick. We see A LOT of the two opposite problems in agility. The dogs that have little or any focus on anything and do their own thing, but we just as often see dogs checking in too frequently, causing dropped bars, refusals, and a slow performance. Cheers,

I agree with all that is said, but advise to be wary about creating a dog whose only focus is on you. It is important with any agility trainined dog to be able to signal focus on the handler (and these behaviours should be rewarded by rewarded close to you and out of your hand) but it is equally important to teach you dog to drive ahead and away from you, focusing ahead (usually at obstacles or a target of some sort) and these behaviours should be rewarded by throwing a toy, or food out ahead of you to an area where you want the behaviour to continue. You do not want a dog whose speed is limited by your speed. My puppy foundation include a reliable stay with genuine verbal-only release, working on games that switch the dog from handler focus to drive (I tend to use my own variation of the two-food-throw game) as well as lots of hand and movement following games, a two on two off on a small tippy board, tight turns around an upright at a low jump height (very low for young pups) working the turn from all angles including a posting turn (no side change) and front cross and a change behind. I also teach sending to, calling to tunnels and direction changes from tunnel exits including a call to side with turns in both directions. I do a lot with my pups, but in VERY short bursts and it is always a game for them. I am not big on tugging (must be my gundog background) but do a lot of work with retrieving and games with my dog while they hold their toy in their mouth. This give me a fun positive way to interact with my dog directly, or away from me by throwing their toy.

Hi Guys, I know all the cabins and camping spots at the venue have been booked. Apparently DogsNSW grounds will not be availalbe for camping but people are now being referred to The Hubertus Country Club who have 30 powered camping sites, although apparently limited showering facilities. There is not much about the comping on their website, but you can check out their facilities here: http://www.hubertuscountryclub.com/ It is quite close (15 minutes drive) from the SIEC site. I believe there is also more information on the Nationals website for other sorts of accomodation.

I don't check in here very often, so please excuse me if this opinion is a bit dated. I am sure the old open class certificates would be accepted in NSW. The girls in the office are likely to need a note explaining the discrepency on the card, and it might end up being referred to the agility committee, but I am sure that in the end it would be OK'ed. You ae certainly right about how handling techniques have developed onver the last few years.

Well, I happen to regard photography as rather individual artwork and think those changes are a bit like altering some-one's painting, or drawing. I would suggest changes, but NEVER touch someone else's work. Just how I feel.

Me, either, rugerfly. I certainly don't mind the constructive criticism i have recieved, eg about increasing contrast. In fact I find it helpful. But somehow, redoing some-ones's work, without any instruction how - is just criticism, or perhpas showing off, without any help to the person it is directed at. I felt insulted. I fell fairly sure I will never post photos again.

Not sure if I like the pink nose, eyebrows and ears.

Generally I don't do anything with my photos, except sharpen them a bit when printing. This year's birthday present might be photoshop, but I son't know when I will ahve the time to play around with it much. Thanks for the comments, everyone.

That's not because she is Mort's grandmother, is it?? I suspect that is a biased opinion, similar to my own. It helps when you are taking these sort of shots if the dogs will do a good sit-stay and are watching what the others are up to. You get that look of intensity in their eyes. Thanks for the comments, guys.

I was out taking some shots this afternoon, and was so pleased with my efforts that I had to share. Fenrik Murphy's Outlaw Fenrik Fremantle Doctor Brenilly Winona Ryder Fenrik Liquorice Alsport

Thanks for that, but I would have preferred Doc to be his usual big jumping self, rather than his belief that there were crocodiles in the pool this time - he had to stop and check every time, and we did not really get the opportunity to overcome his condidence crisis. It wasn't the crowd - he works well in a crowd, but something had him thinking. He usually jumps almost as long as Polo. They actully paid a fortune to bring that flooring in from the USA, supposedly the best stuff available. But the dogs in Australia (except a few in SA) have never run on indoor material, so that may have been a factor. That flooring is now being sent to the UK to be used in the World Dog Games (UK).

Good luck to everyone dock diving at the world dog games this weekend. To anyone who is going to watch, don't forget to cheer loudly for us - it excites the dogs, and hopefully, gives us a bigger jump. That's the theory, anyway. Le (and Doc)

Not likely to cause a domestic because Kieth is unlikely to read this, but your opinion is noted - I think Doc gathers more speed if you run with him. But I gather Doc had a lot of fun because Keith used his aqua soccer ball. By the way, your discription of the dog sounds like Joey. Le - now all I have to do is figure out how to put in a fancy signature . . . when I find the time.

Was that Joey? Keith took Doc in yesterday (I was at agility, of course) and Keith did not give me much feed back on how the others went. I am also very pleased to see Polo, our fellow GSP on the team. Go the gundogs. By the way, having just joined this forum, I have just read the previous posts about dock diving. There is a POSSIBILITY that we may become involved in dock diving more seriously, and we may set up some sort of pool, or some sort of "dock" on our dam out here at Castlereagh (half way between Penrith and Richmond.) But I doubt if it will be a full competition standard dock, especially since it is most probable that the dock we are using at the world dog games will be set up at Pitt Town, which is fairly close to Windsor, which is not that far from Richmond. We are just biding our time at this stage, looking to see people's enthusiasm after the world dog games. I really enjoy the dock diving, but we are primarily agility trainers, and I look at Dock Diving as being a retirement sport for our dogs, rather than our primary sporting interest. Le

I have just spent big on the new camera body, so it will be a while before I upgrade the lens. But agility is my main interest (this is an understatement!) Lara and I often exchange photos - I'm not too bad at the agility photography - just when I get out of that element I do not have the practice. Le PS I look forward to everyone coming up and saying hi at the world dog games. Final selection trial is tomorrow, so we will see how we go. Doc loves the sport, so we really hope se make the team.

Can't disagree with the comments about the lighting. As I said, I am very much self taught beginner - but if I understand the above, my lense will only get to a f4, although I was able to set the ISO at 3200. Still, I did not seem to have enough light to get a decent shot. Ho hum. I save as jpeg, but really don't know how to use raw images. I think it is about time I did a course at tech. Le

Hi Ruth, I thought we might switch this topic a bit and actually ask about the photos you have taken (being a very amateur specialist photographer, myself.) Read that as a photographer who takes only action shots (agility) in good light. How did you you get such great shots in such poor lighting. What settings did you use, and / or were they photo-shopped? Of course - only if this does not give up any trade secrets. Le

This is a bit of a late addition to this topic. It is my first foray into the Dogz On Line forums. I had to wait for registration to go through, then, of course, I had to go to work, etc etc. I am delighted to say the beautiful (my opinion) German Shorthaired Pointer is my boy Doc aka Fenrik Fremantle Doctor ADM ADO JDM JDO SDX GDX SPDX, and he does have a profile on dogz on line. There were quite a few people who asked our Dock Diving. I thought it would be useful to let people know there is a little bit about dock diving on my own webstie http://www.caninefunsports.com.au and you will also find links to the american site, and a link to a utube video of our guys at practice. I must admit that the video is one of Doc's poorer jumps - I was a bit crooked with my ball throw! I am really looking forward to being part of the World Dog Games. Le