Abbiestar

There is no rule stating that you can't enter more than once. Obviously, you can only claim the title, pass card etc just the once. If you wanted to run again, check with the club hosting the event. It is at their discretion. M

Thanks Abbbiestar. There's no way I would enter a trial without doing the necessary training. Just wondered if 8 weeks was long enough. We did just over 3 ks again today and then he came home and played with another dog so obviously wasn't tired. I thought I'd try 4ks tomorrow or is that bumping it up too quick? I also thought I'd aim for two consecutive days biking, then miss a day, etc. Fortunately we don't have to worry about the obedience part. He's already gained a CCD pass at his first trial a couple of weeks ago. Congratulations on the CCD pass. The bike training you are doing is fine. Just make sure you do include rest days. M

Hi dotdashdot, Best thing to do would be to contact DogsNSW to confirm the date and venue of the ET in Grafton. They can give you contact details for the club running the event. Make contact with the club directly and they will provide you with all the entry details. Good Luck! M

Hi PP, sounds like you have a fit and agile dog who could easily cope with the demands of an ET. The training is important. You can't just enter, front up on the day and expect to be successful. There is much more to it. From what you have said, I believe that your dog is fit enough, and is used to working next to you on a bike. Good advice to practice with others, one fore and one aft. You should be able to do 6ks without the dog becoming stressed. After training for this distance. Stop and check your dog's pads for any sign of wear. If the dog has injured a pad, or if it is red, raw or bleeding, stop immediately. KCC is a good place to practice. Just make sure you cover three different surfaces, paved, gravel and grass. Make sure your dog also has a basic level of control at obedience. It would be a terrible shame to complete the 20ks and have the dog fail the final willingness test. Good luck! and please ask any and all questions. M

Hi Betsy, the 20 k course at Cherry Lake is completely flat except for two very small hills. It is predominantly on paved surfaces and covers the car park area, the paved road around the football and soccer fields, the paved path along the side of the lake closest to the playing fields, the gravel paths after the last car parking area and the lawn section in front of the club rooms. This is a 3k course which is lapped. A small deviation on that track is used to make up the required 20 kilometres. Keep the training up and you will be fine. M

Delighted to announce I have been invited to judge the Endurance Test for the German Shepherd Dog Club of Victoria on June 21 at Cherry Lake. M

A friend was going to be running one of my dogs it was up on the site date to be confirmed and then that was removed so she rang them up and they have told her ACT not running this year Shame. They run a great ET at the show grounds. M

Hi HappyCamper, Go to this link for a full explanation of the endurance test. http://oz.dogs.net.au/abbiestar/endurance-test.asp Non papered dogs cannot take part. They must be registered with Dogs Victoria or interstate equivalent. Dogs can still be registered with Dogs Vic even if they are not purebred. M

I hadn't seen a date listed, but was unaware tin would not take place. Has this been confirmed? M

Waiting on the QLD dates too :) Only QLD dates I can find so far are: Townsville Sat. 21/6 Mackay Sun 22/6 Details in Dogs QLD gazette. M

You are welcome! M

Hi denali, welcome to the ET thread. Not too many people run the ET. You must be supremely fit to do it. Most cycle it, and with some easy and regular training you will pass with flying colours. Get your dog used to the bike by initially walking the dog and bike together. The bike between you and the dog. Once the dog is used to the presence of the bike, then try and ride it. Very short rides and first and slow. From that point, then build up to approximately 10-12 kph. That is the speed you will travel at during the actual ET. Use this thread to ask more advice or send me a private message or email. Happy to help. M

Hi AS and all 2014 ET competitors Just would like to add to the above list with advising that the RCV (Rottweiler Club of Vic) is holding their Open Endurance Test on 28th June 2014 at KCC Park. For schedule see http://www.vicdog.com/Rottweilerjun14et.pdf Always such a helpful thread AS :) My young girl will be ready for her ET in 2015, can't wait, bring it on!! :D This is GREAT news! Glad to see another club getting into the ET's! Let me know if you need any help or advice. M

Hi, The collar you use must be a fixed collar. No Chains. No Martingales. I would recommend that you train your dog up to working on a collar rather than on a harness. When you think about it, a harness is designed to go around the strongest part of the dog's body. If the dog takes off or stops suddenly, like it or not, you are going with it! :) M

Would you mind sharing (a link?) as to what bike the shop recommended as suitable for an ET? :) Sure, http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-au/bikes/model/rove.3/14944/66432/ this is my bike, the guy asked what I was planning on doing and recommended it based on that. I just said I was doing on and off road, like on grass (not mountain biking!). I am really happy with the choice, the guys at the bike store actually let me take it home before paying it off :) (well they know where I work and we've worked next door for 3 years so he knows me I suppose!) it's been raining though, so haven't had a proper ride yet! Thank you :) An excellent choice of bike. You have done well. As good as they are, I must stress an road bike is totally unsuitable for an ET. Mountain bikes or hybrids are the best choice. And you don't need a lot of money spent on one. Another must is a pair of padded Lycra shorts! Enjoy the training! M

Good luck! A good bike shop will give you great advice and get you started for your cycling. This forum will give you great advice to prepare you for your ET. M

The GSDCV runs their test at Cherry Lake in Altona. This is a great course for the newbie. It is all level and most of the course is on a paved surface. Dalmatian Club also runs an excellent ET at Springers leisure Centre. Whichever you choose, there are plenty of people on hand to encourage and assist you, from the judge, club officials and other competitors. M

Usually in Ipswich, and one near Mackay. I will post dates as soon as i find them. m

Don't be worried about the willingness test. It is NOT an obedience test. When judging, I look for the dog's "willingness" to work for you. The dog does not have to perform perfectly. It just needs to be willing to follow your instruction. You can physically assist the dog to complete the exercise and you can give double commands. Any questions, please ask. I have competed in 9 of these tests and judged in Vic and the ACT since 2003. Happy to help. M

Dates i have found for 2014 Endurance Tests are as follows: Victoria 31 May - HVCV 7 June- DCOV 21 June - GSDCV 5 July - EGODC NSW 13 July - Grafton 10 August - DogsNSW ACT June. Date TBA SA 21 June - GSDCSA Time to dust off the bike and get out the lycra! M

You are right! It only takes one twit to wreck it for you. If you want to do an ET in 2014, I think you still can by exposing your dog to as many bikes as possible so that he overcomes his fear. Try walking him with your bike alongside, bike between you and the dog. He should get used to this very quickly. Then start riding it with him. Very slowly and short distances at first. Not sure which ET you would like to do, but when you decide that, familiarise yourself with the course that that club uses. The more familiarity, the better for the dog. Good luck! M

Glad you passed! Bad news about the bike! M

Excellent News! congratulations. M

Very sorry to hear you could not complete the ET. Wishing you best of luck next time. M

Hi Philippa, well done on titling your two! Glad to hear the ET went ahead. Hope it was a great day. M