Friday, February 22, 2008
Crufts Agility...
Not long now till we'll be seeing Crufts on the TV again!
Let's hope that the Agility trials will get better, and more, coverage this year... and less of the pretentious waffle!
Early March means Crufts again, and perhaps some other doggy programmes will be scheduled too after the Crufts show. Last year was quite good for new dog orientated programmes.
[I don't know if you saw the sheepdog trials which are scheduled over the Christmas period on UK TV... although they don't get the amount of coverage they got when they were first introduced many years ago, at least this last programme was a vast improvement on the ones which were shown for the previous 2 or 3 years!]
Let's hope that the Agility trials will get better, and more, coverage this year... and less of the pretentious waffle!
Early March means Crufts again, and perhaps some other doggy programmes will be scheduled too after the Crufts show. Last year was quite good for new dog orientated programmes.
[I don't know if you saw the sheepdog trials which are scheduled over the Christmas period on UK TV... although they don't get the amount of coverage they got when they were first introduced many years ago, at least this last programme was a vast improvement on the ones which were shown for the previous 2 or 3 years!]
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Doggy blogs, plus doggy blog clips
Dog Agility Training is just one of four 'doggy blogs' which I maintain.
Though you may be interested in just agility, or want to learn more about it, where to find clubs, or have arrived by mistake! ... all the blogs are, in reality, interrelated and can help you in your quest for knowledge.
All are about an interest you have in dogs, and are about the dogs themselves - and adding an extra interest for them in their lives.
First must come training at an early age - hence 'puppy training secrets'. Then remember, your pet must be well trained and obedient before taking on flyball or agility - hence 'secrets of dog training'.
After the initial training, which is best accomplished when your pet is interested, then you can go forward to other interests for both you and your pet... maybe agility or flyball, or you could take on obedience.
Both sports suit different dogs, see which your dog prefers... and remember if you go for agility... you will need to be quick too, and give good and consistent hand signals.
Two vital things to remember with this blog... if you want to learn basics, plus what is the main focus of this blog... THE OLDEST, & OLDER ARCHIVES ARE THE BEST PLACE TO START READING... also, you will find lots of useful info in the left-hand margin, including a link to 'Doggy Blog Clips' - which is crammed full of interesting articles.
Though you may be interested in just agility, or want to learn more about it, where to find clubs, or have arrived by mistake! ... all the blogs are, in reality, interrelated and can help you in your quest for knowledge.
All are about an interest you have in dogs, and are about the dogs themselves - and adding an extra interest for them in their lives.
First must come training at an early age - hence 'puppy training secrets'. Then remember, your pet must be well trained and obedient before taking on flyball or agility - hence 'secrets of dog training'.
After the initial training, which is best accomplished when your pet is interested, then you can go forward to other interests for both you and your pet... maybe agility or flyball, or you could take on obedience.
Both sports suit different dogs, see which your dog prefers... and remember if you go for agility... you will need to be quick too, and give good and consistent hand signals.
Two vital things to remember with this blog... if you want to learn basics, plus what is the main focus of this blog... THE OLDEST, & OLDER ARCHIVES ARE THE BEST PLACE TO START READING... also, you will find lots of useful info in the left-hand margin, including a link to 'Doggy Blog Clips' - which is crammed full of interesting articles.
Labels: agility, agility and flyball, doggy blog clips, obedience
Sunday, April 15, 2007
'The Daffodil Principle'
No, this hasn't really got anything to do with dogs [or Agility]... directly!
But it does bring back to mind when we first got our puppy, Shimba, in April one year a long time back.
We had a large enclosed back garden with clumps of daffodils - in the lawn mostly, although there were some in the beds and borders. As soon as he was let out into the garden he ran round at full speed biting the heads off all the daffodils... no chance of catching him, so we just had 'bald' stalks! [Just a good job he didn't try eating them.]
What this post is really about is 'The Daffodil Principle'... to find the blog post just Click Here. [The posting on the blog was dated Friday, April 13, 2007... and I know I feel extremely lucky to have read it!]
If you read below you will find the summary from the end of the post... but PLEASE don't miss the actual post, to read it is just such an uplifting experience.....
"There is no better time than right now to be happy. Happiness is a journey, not a destination. So work like you don't need money. Love like you've never been hurt, and, Dance like no one's watching.
Wishing you a beautiful, daffodil day!
Don't be afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin.
If you want to brighten someone's day, pass this on to someone special. I just did! "
This is the link... Click Here NOW. [Remember the posting on blog was dated Friday, April 13, 2007.]
But it does bring back to mind when we first got our puppy, Shimba, in April one year a long time back.
We had a large enclosed back garden with clumps of daffodils - in the lawn mostly, although there were some in the beds and borders. As soon as he was let out into the garden he ran round at full speed biting the heads off all the daffodils... no chance of catching him, so we just had 'bald' stalks! [Just a good job he didn't try eating them.]
What this post is really about is 'The Daffodil Principle'... to find the blog post just Click Here. [The posting on the blog was dated Friday, April 13, 2007... and I know I feel extremely lucky to have read it!]
If you read below you will find the summary from the end of the post... but PLEASE don't miss the actual post, to read it is just such an uplifting experience.....
"There is no better time than right now to be happy. Happiness is a journey, not a destination. So work like you don't need money. Love like you've never been hurt, and, Dance like no one's watching.
Wishing you a beautiful, daffodil day!
Don't be afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin.
If you want to brighten someone's day, pass this on to someone special. I just did! "
This is the link... Click Here NOW. [Remember the posting on blog was dated Friday, April 13, 2007.]
Labels: agility, daffodils, dogs trust, Friday 13th, lucky 13, puppy, the daffodil principle
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
The UnderDog Show... this weeks update
The following blog post about the Underdog Show has been added to all my 'doggy blogs' today... there is so much interest in rescue, and this show has been all good news for dogs in need of re-homing... so the details of the show are very heartening for dog lovers.
Although the dogs, some of which were hardly more than puppies, have, after only three weeks of training, become remarkably proficient and good - they have also demonstrated that it is easy to teach a willing animal Agility and Obedience... if you are a proficient trainer.
"Last nights show saw the number of dogs and celebrity handlers whittled down to four to compete in next weeks semi-final... and again the voting of the public to save Casper did not agree at all with the opinion of the judges.
But, part of the reason behind the show is to get the public to vote in order to donate some of the call cost to a charity... though in my opinion, and that of many other viewers, the belief is, that at least some of that charity donation should be to the Dogs Trust... or another animal welfare charity... so Clive Anderson and Alfred were eliminated.
And, happily, Alfred had already become firmly installed as part of Clive's family... so Alfred's tale [or tail!] had a 'happy ending'.
As of today you will find details of all the dogs who are, or have been, on the Underdog Show at the following web page... please just copy and paste the address into your browser... http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/press_office/underdogs/bbc2show/ ...
I don't know how long that web address will stay online, so I thought if you had full access to the entire address, should it be removed, you can try just part of the address and navigate to the information you require from the first part of the address!
There is a full profile of the dogs, or as full as they can get it... and details of their new lives... a rewarding read.
The show itself last night gave the dogs and handlers two different challenges... one an Agility, plus obedience and tricks type challenge, the other to put on a type of show or play, which involved the dogs in doing whatever tricks and behaviours which could be incorporated into the play, one even showed what flyball dogs have to do by opening a box.
Casper and Huey came well at the bottom in both disciplines... and Clive and Albert were joint second, but as mentioned above, it was Casper who went through.
The results show had a demonstration of freestyle, dancing to music - which is what the finalists will be expected to do - the dog was called Tapper and was handled by Gina Pink who really made my day by choosing "Ain't that a kick in the head" sung by Dean Martin to do the routine to!
Also featured this week were several Dogs Trust dogs who need a rescue home... they were promoted by the celebrity handlers.
So many sad stories in need of a happy ending!"
Although the dogs, some of which were hardly more than puppies, have, after only three weeks of training, become remarkably proficient and good - they have also demonstrated that it is easy to teach a willing animal Agility and Obedience... if you are a proficient trainer.
"Last nights show saw the number of dogs and celebrity handlers whittled down to four to compete in next weeks semi-final... and again the voting of the public to save Casper did not agree at all with the opinion of the judges.
But, part of the reason behind the show is to get the public to vote in order to donate some of the call cost to a charity... though in my opinion, and that of many other viewers, the belief is, that at least some of that charity donation should be to the Dogs Trust... or another animal welfare charity... so Clive Anderson and Alfred were eliminated.
And, happily, Alfred had already become firmly installed as part of Clive's family... so Alfred's tale [or tail!] had a 'happy ending'.
As of today you will find details of all the dogs who are, or have been, on the Underdog Show at the following web page... please just copy and paste the address into your browser... http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/press_office/underdogs/bbc2show/ ...
I don't know how long that web address will stay online, so I thought if you had full access to the entire address, should it be removed, you can try just part of the address and navigate to the information you require from the first part of the address!
There is a full profile of the dogs, or as full as they can get it... and details of their new lives... a rewarding read.
The show itself last night gave the dogs and handlers two different challenges... one an Agility, plus obedience and tricks type challenge, the other to put on a type of show or play, which involved the dogs in doing whatever tricks and behaviours which could be incorporated into the play, one even showed what flyball dogs have to do by opening a box.
Casper and Huey came well at the bottom in both disciplines... and Clive and Albert were joint second, but as mentioned above, it was Casper who went through.
The results show had a demonstration of freestyle, dancing to music - which is what the finalists will be expected to do - the dog was called Tapper and was handled by Gina Pink who really made my day by choosing "Ain't that a kick in the head" sung by Dean Martin to do the routine to!
Also featured this week were several Dogs Trust dogs who need a rescue home... they were promoted by the celebrity handlers.
So many sad stories in need of a happy ending!"
Labels: agility, animal rescue, Casper and Huey, Clive and Albert, Dean Martin, dogs trust, Gina Pink, Underdog Show
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Victoria Stilwell... 'It's Me or The Dog'
Whilst Crufts is still fresh in the memory of most dog lovers... on TV in the UK we are being treated to another really informative show by Victoria Stilwell of 'It's Me or the Dog' fame. This time some extremely unlikely pooches were being trained for Crufts.
The problems featured in the show were:- a hyperactive dog. A dog who refused to have anyone anywhere near its mouth... a problem for showing! The third dog had no official pedigree so was unable to attend the breed part of the show, but was 'renowned' for its addiction to food! Boredom can be a problem for some dogs. So the idea was for it to do dancing to music... and it performed brilliantly. Maybe future programs will feature Agility or Flyball!
All three dogs showed remarkable progress and the owners were extremely happy with the difference in their dogs.
A small note... if your dog is hyperactive... first look at the food they are fed! [I'm sure that is the problem with most kids too... the food they eat and the junk they drink... but we won't get into that subject!]
The dancing/heelwork to music has been the real eye-opener at Crufts this time with the popularity vastly increasing... and when you can see what can be achieved in such a short amount of time, I'm sure it can only get bigger, and bigger. You basically need a dog which is food motivated... aren't they all? Well there are a few exceptions, but with professional tuition there must be a way round this problem.
For more information on heelwork to music visit your National Kennel Club website... the UK site has an extremely interesting and informative article on 'heelwork to music' and there are also many useful links. It also stresses that if you want to progress in the 'sport' you should consider doing 'Obedience' FIRST. [Somewhere within our blogs you WILL find National Kennel Club addresses!]
[Remember to check out Victoria Stilwells book below to sort out ANY obedience problems you may have.] Another web address you may find interesting is Victoria ... here you will find an actual transcript of a webchat with Victoria Stilwell... amongst the interesting topics covered were... dogs jumping up, socialization, destructive behaviour, and recalling your dog.
If you are looking for informational videos and Mary Ray, try the following web address...Agility Net.
Now for a link to the brilliant book by Victoria Stilwell... armed with this book, you, too, could be performing miracles of training...
The problems featured in the show were:- a hyperactive dog. A dog who refused to have anyone anywhere near its mouth... a problem for showing! The third dog had no official pedigree so was unable to attend the breed part of the show, but was 'renowned' for its addiction to food! Boredom can be a problem for some dogs. So the idea was for it to do dancing to music... and it performed brilliantly. Maybe future programs will feature Agility or Flyball!
All three dogs showed remarkable progress and the owners were extremely happy with the difference in their dogs.
A small note... if your dog is hyperactive... first look at the food they are fed! [I'm sure that is the problem with most kids too... the food they eat and the junk they drink... but we won't get into that subject!]
The dancing/heelwork to music has been the real eye-opener at Crufts this time with the popularity vastly increasing... and when you can see what can be achieved in such a short amount of time, I'm sure it can only get bigger, and bigger. You basically need a dog which is food motivated... aren't they all? Well there are a few exceptions, but with professional tuition there must be a way round this problem.
For more information on heelwork to music visit your National Kennel Club website... the UK site has an extremely interesting and informative article on 'heelwork to music' and there are also many useful links. It also stresses that if you want to progress in the 'sport' you should consider doing 'Obedience' FIRST. [Somewhere within our blogs you WILL find National Kennel Club addresses!]
[Remember to check out Victoria Stilwells book below to sort out ANY obedience problems you may have.] Another web address you may find interesting is Victoria ... here you will find an actual transcript of a webchat with Victoria Stilwell... amongst the interesting topics covered were... dogs jumping up, socialization, destructive behaviour, and recalling your dog.
If you are looking for informational videos and Mary Ray, try the following web address...Agility Net.
Now for a link to the brilliant book by Victoria Stilwell... armed with this book, you, too, could be performing miracles of training...
Labels: agility, Crufts, dancing to music, flyball, heelwork to music, It's me or the dog, kennel club, obedience, Victoria Stilwell
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