Dazzle Agility Trial - RAT NADAC 2/14/09

EDIT: Hey there, I just wanted to say a quick thank you. Just so you know, you guys are all just way too nice. :) Your comments are always friendly and just...just...sweet! So "Thanks!" for everything! I really appreciate all the support you guys give!

Our runs from the RAT NADAC February trial (the "Sweetheart" trial).

As you may remember from the video I uploaded awhile ago, we have been working on collection cues. It may be slightly hard to see them at full speed - but try to see if you can identify the places where she really applied her new skills. The training not only gave her the skill, but also cleared up my handling. This made a HUGE difference in our runs. She didn't take a single off-course all weekend (and this was a three day trial - 17 runs in total if I remember right...)!

I was thrilled to death.

Part of that deathly thrillness may have also come from my continually improving running speed. Since the injury, running still isn't as natural as it used to be - but it is getting better all the time. This weekend I had no problem making front crosses that before would most definitely have been rears! Case in point: the last tunnelers run on the video. :) That is definitely a happy thing!

Now, although we Q'd on the games just fine (tunnelers, weavers and touch n go) - we didn't Q but twice on any of our other runs. All due to one (or occasionally two) knocked bars. She has gotten a lot better, but I'm still trying to figure out what exactly to do about that. Honestly though, while it is a little frustrating it doesn't concern me too much right now.

So to wrap up, this was - without a doubt - the best trial weekend we have ever had, even with the low Q rate. She far exceeded my every expectation! Way to go baby girl!

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• dazzle
• agility
• dog
• border
• collie
• katherine
• martucci
• rat
• elma
• washington
• nadac

[toomanydogz]

For jumping issues...have you tried working through Linda Mecklenergs Jumping book?? It's excellent at re-training dogs who jump improperly and tend to knock bars. My school uses it for all their foundation work. Great video, congrats on a good weekend!!

[KatsDogs]

We have gone through months and months of specific jump training (and continue to do it now). She has the skills and is actually a great jumper - but like some people's contacts, her trouble is applying those skills in a trial environment.

You know, it's the good ol' "but she does it great at home!" story =)

[brookie282]

WOW WOW WOW!!!!! I loved every second of this video! For some reason, the picture seems clearer, and I can see dazzle better...I don't know why though. Amazing speed! I love how she goes in between your legs when you two get ready to start.

What's YPS? Loved your tunnel runs too! I loved 'em all!!!

[KatsDogs]

What's funny about her start - I used to have to tell her to do that, but now she does it on her own. In classes if I am standing talking to our instructor, she will be trying to get between my legs to set up! Silly girly!

YPS is Yards Per Second. I can use the numbers to not only see how fast she is running, but also how efficiently she ran the course (so a wide turn would lower the YPS, even if her ground speed was the same)

[flipndogs]

Nice runs!!

From looking at the video, most of Dazzles dropped bars come from her taking off too soon. I watched the second chances in slow motion and the first bar drop was because she took off too soon (6.54 )... Easy enough for you to work on. You guys are a great team!

[KatsDogs]

Thanks!

The chances bar was really my fault. If I take off running right when I release her, she takes the first bar because she races off without really thinking. If I wait until she takes off before I start running, she jumps the first bar well (so far that's worked 100% of the time).

Here she was doing early take offs but in classes (of course...) when we really analyze her jumping she drops them for various reasons. Thankfully she is improving with all the jump training...slowly but surely!

[23Nellie1]

Beautiful runs!!!

[MarleyAndAsh]

very nice, well done :)

[Therapist1972]

This is adorable and inspiring and warrants more than 5 stars!!! :-)

[hellomotor111]

she is really fast and tallented youhave traind her really well! :)

[AnimalLoverLizzy]

This is wonderful! Dazzle has got to be one of the fastest dogs I have ever seen. Great!!

[hitthespot1]

Wow! You two are amazing. Dazzle is loving every second of her runs. You both make a great team. Thumbs up to you guys.