Maddie...does agility (???) !!!

**TRY WATCHING THIS VIDEO IN HIGH QUALITY!!!**

Her first time in the ring after 2 years off to 'be a dog', 'grow a brain', and 'mature a little'. She is now 5.5 years old, and apparently the time off agreed with her!

She is the whole reason I started in agility. When she was about 1 1/2 years old I saw some JRTs doing agility on Animal Planet and thought "oh, hell, Maddie could do that!!!", so the next week I was enrolled in classes!!

It took me several months and many bad days at class (& in the ring) later to realize that what we were doing was not working for us. I decided we needed a change, so I started taking lessons with Elizabeth Evans at "Best Friends Fun Farm". She allowed me to explore all sorts of training options for Maddie. Pretty soon Maddie was paying attention (for the most part) in class, and had moments of absolute brilliance!

The ring was a different thing entirely. She'd just run around like a crazy dog and randomly take obstacles (or just zoom in circles...depended on her mood!!). Then she'd come to me and sit like a little lady like "WOW, that was fun, Ma, let's do it again!!". *sigh*

(In the first clip of her NADAC tunnelers run, the judge allowed me to take an E and carry my leash into the ring, hoping that it might settle her down a bit...it didn't!!!)

I gave her time off from December 2005 to April 2008. During this time all she did was just be a dog. She was still my shadow and still got to accompany us to the park and the training field, only all she did then was hunt/chase vermin!!

After over 2 years off, I took her to 1 agility class (a puppy class) the first week in April 2008. She astonished me with her attention span and how well she remembered the obstacles. I took her to an Open level class the following week and she did even better there. Showing of her beautiful running AF, and holding it together and not running off to sniff even though there were really cool creatures JUST beyond her reach!!

I took her to the trial on 13 April 2008, fully expecting the same performance I'd gotten in years past. She surprised the hell outta me, and everyone else, though, and actually Q'd. It was her first Q EVER. It was very emotional -- you'd think we'd just gotten an ADCH, or won Nationals or something...!!!

Words cannot express how happy it made me to see Maddie enjoying herself in the ring, running WITH me, and trying her hardest to control her hunting instincts. She's an amazing little creature, and maybe one day she'll even get an agility title!!! :)

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Jack
• Russell
• dog
• agility
• USDAA
• JRT
• Maddie

[TheDonikaAnn]

We just saved a Beagle/coonhound from an animal shelter. Oh My what energy this dog has (5 months old). How can we get him to the point that he will not let his nose take over (if possible). He is a smart and loving dog and I feel that it is a possibility. Our "Petey" is super fast also. He has made his own obstacle course around our coffee table, dining room table, and kitchen table, then through the hallway, under our bed and then back to start #1(heehee)

[EmilySnider]

@TheDonikaAnn

It's going to take a lot of work to get him to focus on you and ignore his instincts. I'd look into Susan Garrett's books "Shaping Success" and look into getting in touch with a clicker trainer in your area. Where are you located?

[sammiimichellii]

seriously that has brought a tear to my eye, very much reminds me of me and my dog Jock who has only after 2 years decided that agility is the game and sniffing and running off isn't...

You guys have a bright future together!

Cjeck out my vids!

[EmilySnider]

Thanks for watching, and I'm glad you enjoyed it. It still brings a tear to my eye when I watch it, too. & to think...she's in Masters Jumpers now!! Crazy!! :)

[heybeeg]

I've never seen "zooming" before and I laughed so hard at the beginning I thought I was going to wake the house!! The tears are still rolling down my cheeks!! I love your little ball of furry energy!!!

I'm glad Maddie has really blossomed - it looks like she's having a real blast now! Good luck to you both on your next trial!!

[EmilySnider]

I still laugh every time I watch it and remember the sheer frustration I used to feel in those moments. Now they just bring joy to my heart!!

This little clown of a dog adds so much to my life. I just adore her. !!! I'm SO glad she's decided to love agility. I loved her even when she didn't, though -- I mean, how could you not?!?! :)

[trainernan1]

Point is you never gave up on her.... Great Job!

[PheobieandHarpo]

Great video nice run after she got over her nerves.

[Ardie920]

Wow. Chloe's first actual 4-H trial run on-lead was like that. She flew through the tunnel and whoosh she started running laps around me like 'Look at me Mom I'm super fast!' I didn't get it on tape though because the battery died.

[Orcaberbrandy]

Just wonderful.Well done to you both keep up the good work

[Louiesly]

wow that is awesome and your doggie is

so so so cute XD

you guys are amazing =D