Abbiestar

The Adelaide ET is to be held on Saturday June 25.

It is hosted by the German Shepherd Club and will be held at their club grounds. I believe it will start at 8.00am.

M

Which ET do you think you will do?

We only have one a year down here in Tasmania - this year is scheduled for July 10 - held at Longford in northern Tasmania. It's an out and back course, mostly on roads. Some of the others sound nice - especially Sale, but it's expensive to bring the dogs across Bass Strait more than a couple of times a year - and we're already planning to come over for a DWD workshop in April.

In July we won't have to worry about it being too hot - but it could be sleeting and squally like it was when I did it before.

Maybe you could petition your dog club to hold a second one.

if there is enough interest, it may happen.

M

Yep - good point about not wrapping the lead round the hand - I NEVER do that - even just walking the dogs - and I warn my puppy class people against it.

For the bike, I have my hand loosely through the loop - so that one part of the handle loop is between my hand and the handlebar, but it's ready to drop if necessary.

I've done ET already with my agility girl - she's too old for it now - and my previous boy. I was going to wait till my new boy was 3 or 4, but he's taken to it like a duck to water, so it could be this year. In the meantime, the riding is good for his show ring gaiting, and general fitness, and the shorter rides are good to maintain my agility girl's fitness.

Which ET do you think you will do?

M

Great start RV -- don't think it will take Toby too long at all.

For leads, I use my standard Black Dog one for Rory - a slightly shorter one for Kirra when we're training, cos I prefer her to run on the inside - between the bike and Rory, as she's a bit smaller.

As far as one handed goes - I don't do that - just hold the lead handle in your hand and then hold the handlebar as normal.

RS, you want them to gait with the bike, and at a distance away from it, so I find I use 'steady' and 'settle' quite a bit if they start to gallop. They'll usually just settle in to a nice placement beside the bike, and you can just adjust your speed as they learn to gait nicely.

It's also really handy to have a verbal 'stop' or 'wait' in case you see a baby rabbit just off the track as I did the other night.

We had a nice ride Tuesday evening - nice cool breeze - Kirra did about 4 km with us, then Rory and I did another 4 km - mostly at about 11/12 kph. I'm just loving riding with Rory - he's a natural.

When holding the lead, it is important not to wrap it around your hand. If the dog really needs to stop, or bolt off in another direction, you will have no choice - you will be going with the dog! I like to hold the handle bar with the lead inbetween it and my hand.

Glad you had a nice ride. The dogs really enjoy it and settle down after a while and gait very nicely alongside you. Keep it up, you will be ready for the ET in no time.

M

Just a quick question - the rules state a 2m leash is needed but I have yet to find one, does anyone know where I can buy one? Or alterately can I use a 1.8m leash?

Don't worry answered my own question! Thats an old version of the rules! Would a 6' or 4' leash be fine then?

According to the rules as at the most recent update, there is no mention of a specific lead length. The rules state that "the leash must be long enough to be held in either hand so that the dog may adjust itself to the cyclist or runner."

I guess common sense applies and use a length that you are comfortable with and will not be cumbersome and interfering with the dog.

M

Here is the start of my training for ET - we had a behaviourist session last year about his bike fear but we have been having a clicker session at least once a day this week of positive counter-conditioning.

He went without prompting and touched the bike with his nose a little bit ago:

That's a great start. Maybe try walking him together with the bike so he gets used to it before having to run alongside you riding it.

M

Yay my Springer came today! Big thumbs up to Pets Providore- I only oredered it 2 days ago and it's already here!

Taking Wolf for his first run this afternoon Nice cool weather here for once- just hope it doesnt start raiing again like it was this morning!

Take it slow at first. it will be a bit of getting used to for both of you.

Good luck.

M

VIC:

11 June 2011 - Dalmatian Club (held in Keysborough in 2010. ?same for 2011)

25 June 2011 - GSD Club (Cherry Lake Reserve, Altona)

2 July 2011 - East Gippsland Dog Obedience Club (Lake Guthridge)

Are these Victorian ETs still happening?

16/04/11 WERRIBEE OBEDIENCE DOG CLUB

28/05/11 HUNGARIAN VIZSLA CLUB

05/06/11 MURRAY VALLEY OBEDIENCE DOG CLUB

btw Cherry Lake for me!

CC

I don't believe Werribbee is holding one.

HVCV is at KCC Park

Murray valley is on.

Unsure of exact dates.

Cherry lake is the venue used by the German Shepherd Club. It is a great course.

M

Lucky Toby is registered due to his (failed) agility career!

Can anyone answer this - I want to bike Toby in a non restrictive tracking harness, but I also want to try tracking ths year... can I usre the same harness or will that confuse him and should I buy a new harness for biking? :D

The rules allow you to use a harness, so it should be fine for both purposes. Do have a lead and collar as a back up plan just in case the judge does not allow that type of harness.

However, with tracking the dog should pull ahead to search for it's target. In an ET, constant pulling ahead will get you disqualified. The dog should work freely alongside you without pulling or lagging.

I would get a different harness so the dog learns the difference of what is expected, or get the dog used to lead and fixed collar.

M

ETA: Does anyone know when/where the ET is held in Brisbane??

Have some details for you about Ipswich ET. It will be held at 6.00am on July 31 at the Ipswich Dog Club

Contact Anne Clarkson 07 5426 8774.

M

Thanks heaps for info

No problem. I spoke to Anne today. Tell her I gave you her number.

M

Brought a springer yesterday to start training Wolf up (yes I know I can't use it in the test, just wanted to get him used to running next to the bike safely

Can't wait until it arrives Now to find a cheap bike computer that does distance and speed etc..

Where did you get the Springer from and let me know when you find the cheap comptuer thingy.

Cheaper isn't always better. You get what you pay for. I recommend a visit to your bike shop. Explain what you want and what you need it for. A good bike shop will give you what you need without upselling you to the Rolls Royce model!

I am a serious roadie (Carbon framed road bike rider), and I have a "Cat Eye Velo 8" computer. It cost $49.00 and does everything I need it to do. Speed, Distance, Calories burned, Time, Clock, Average speed, Speedometre.

M

Hey i didnt notice a age limit or minimum for dogs competing in the endurance test ? is there one ?? and it there any limitation in breed?

There is a minimum age (2) and a maximum age (8).

A link to the ANKC website with a PDF of the rules is here

TC001, hasten slowly with your young Lab and a bike - I'd not be doing any sort of distance for quite a while yet. His bones are still growing.

Second that advice. Strenuous exercise in a puppy can be quite harmful. Gentle excercise only up to 12 months. Introduction of extended exercise 12-18 months, 18 months + they can work all day.

If you give your puppy too much exercise you run the risk of strains, sprains, exhaustion, and in severe cases, dysplasia. Please take it easy.

That would be one reason for the 2 year minimum age level for the ET.

M

I guess now is not a good time to tell him about cyclists also shaving their legs to avoid injury when crashing!

M

Abbiestar Posted 3rd Jan 2011 - 10:20 PM

:D ;) :D

There are a lot of things OH will do, try etc but shaving his legs, I don't think will happen. I might tell him that they have to be waxed

Ouch!

M

Kyza

ETA: Does anyone know when/where the ET is held in Brisbane??

Have some details for you about Ipswich ET. It will be held at 6.00am on July 31 at the Ipswich Dog Club

Contact Anne Clarkson 07 54268774.

M

I am a cycling nut. cycling 20km at 10-15km/hr is very slow, don't really need cycling specific lycra. There are also mountain biking cycling shorts that look like normal shorts if you need to wear one. Many years ago when I started cycling, I cycle for 10mins got sored & went home. The next week I extended to 15mins etc. It took me about a months before I could cycle 20km.

I have 5 -6 mth Lab, he is just begining to walk well. Last week end I introduced him to the bike, I push when there's an uphill/downhill section and just pedal very slowly along the flats. He took to it very well...saves my knees.

A budding ET competitor then?

The ET should be a breeze for you both by the time your lab is 2.

M

Ummmmmmm did mention that I am now expecting him to wear a pair of bike shorts as well and we will be going shopping for them later in the week.

I guess now is not a good time to tell him about cyclists also shaving their legs to avoid injury when crashing!

M

Can anyone tell me as I get fitter will I be able to walk quicker thus further in an hour. Bike is still in the practising stage daughter has told me that there is no occasion whatsoever that I can wear bikeshorts, that they are a complete fashion no, no. :D :D

I haven't mentioned the naked factor I think 23 year old daughter was already muttering, my mother is mad, my mother is mad, she should be in the funny farm ;) ;)

Yes, you will be able to walk quicker and further, and probably not collapse in a heap when you finish.

With regular excercise it is amazing how quickly your body can learn to cope. As you increase the regularity of your training it will become easier.

I live at the top of a big hill and being on holidays from work since Christmas have cycled (in lycra!!) most mornings about 45 - 50 kilometres. It is amazing how easy that final hill to home has become.

M

IM DOING IT WITH JONES THIS YEAR AND MEGS NEXT, BUT I AM FROM THE QUEENSLAND CONTINGENT :-)

I believe the QLD Et's are held in Mackay, Kingaroy and Ipswich. Not sure if any of these are close to you.

M

ETA: No underwear?! ummmmm, don't think I could get used to this one And now I'll be looking at everyone wondering if they're wearing underwear or not :D

If you see cyclists on the road in lycra, trust me, they are not wearing undies!

M

Well considering I have never ridden a bike in my life, didn't even have one as a kid, I would have to jog this.

Which would be a huge training effort to get to from my current state of serious unfitness but it would give me something to aim for which is a positive. (and I could avoid the whole lycra thing, which would be a blessing!)

If I didn't get fit enough, can different people take the dog for the run vs the willingness test? I have a couple of young relatives who are triathletes and who could run or bike it easily, but the dogs might not do the obedience bit for them.

Yes. You can change handlers. You can do the before and after willingness tests and your triathletes could run/cycle the dog in shifts or one do the whole course.

You could rent the other out as a handler to someone else too ))))

M

OH has just seen me in the bike shorts, he has muttered words about embarassment, humiliation and a possible divorce from a woman that would go out in public wearing bike shorts.

Ummmmmmm did mention that I am now expecting him to wear a pair of bike shorts as well and we will be going shopping for them later in the week. I think the comment was definately looking into divorcee :D

Michael I brought lycra bike shorts from Rebel am I still expected to be naked under these???? (where is the blushing smilie when you have to ask a man you have never met this question).

LOL!!!

And yes, you do if they are padded.

M

Which dog are you doing it with, Miss B?

Kyza

ETA: Does anyone know when/where the ET is held in Brisbane??

I believe it is held in Ipswich in August.

M

Just come back from buying the padded shorts!!!!!!!!

In padded shorts I make an elephant look slim But the indignity of not wearing underwear :D I think I might have to work up to.

Now trying to work out when I can sneak out of the house wearing the new padded shorts, this is a picture that should not be seen in public!!

PS OH has muttered they sell mountain bikes in Aldi for $50 don't they, so I am wondering if a really cheap Aldi mountain bike would do the job, because honestly I don't think I would ride it again for another 5 years until the next dog needs to do an ET.

I think the Aldi bike should be fine. If it only to be used for the ET and training for the ET, it should serve you well. At $50.00 it is probably cheaper than a service on your old bike.

M

So a tight pair of bike pants make you hurt less afterwards?

Not just any lycra tights... You need to look for proper bike pants that have a padded saddle area in them. The padded part reaaaaaally helps your butt! :p

And now for the scary bit. These padded shorts are designed to wear without underwear!!!

It's true. The padded chamois is designed to wick moisture and sweat away from your body to prevent chafing.

Undies would not allow this to happen as the fabric will trap the moisture.

It takes a while to get used to this, but it is definitely better.

M

I've been thinking of doing this with my sibe- but I've never biked with him and not sure I trust him yet... Any idea if I'd be allowed to use my dog scooter with him and do it with him in his sledding harness? Then it would be alot easier for me lol. I could make him "pull slightly" Instead of drag me the whole way like is expected of him for sledding..

Unfortunately the dog must work beside you and not pull. If the dog is pulling all the way, you could be disqualified.

Start training him to "hel" beside you on the bike. It really does not take long to condition the dog.

M