Martin Tait Training Session

Just back from a great afternoon of training with Martin Tait from Dervish Agility. I organised a group of 6 of us for a special Christmas-season session at the paddock, to combat the lack of agility we've had to endure for 2 weeks :-) Was brilliant and I think we all took something away from it, even those of us who've trained with Martin before. Certainly I benefited from being in a group session with him instructing - it was useful to see the things he's been telling me come alive by watching the other handlers handle their dogs.

Ella was a bit poorly this morning, but soon perked up as we drove up the driveway to the paddock. Then she almost went into raptures when Martin arrived - bliss! :-) Her idea of a good Christmas present! Although noiser than I'd like her, she worked well and was her usual biddable self. Just want to have the baby now and have my body back so that I can move and work her properly! She's such a good girl to work so well even with such a handicap as me - I'm very privileged. I think that's what some of the barking was trying to tell me earlier actually :-)

Happy Thought

Whilst updating the Severnside website (http://www.severnsidedac.co.uk/) I edited and uploaded some photographs that a friend had taken at a recent league match. Naturally my favourite was the one I found of my own little girl; Ella waiting at the start-line for her release command. Cool, poised, ready for action just as she always is - I'm not sure why it so moved me, but it did.

Then it struck me as I moved away from the computer to go and find some dinner - both she & Kai jumped up ready to go, eager to be with me, hopeful that they might get asked to do something. We agility competitors are lucky in many ways, but the thing that strikes me the most is how it makes an potentially ordinary relationship with a dog into something quite extraordinary. Not only are they my talented and willing agility dogs, but they are also (and far more importantly) the dogs I am privileged to share my life with. Our agility isn't the be all and end all (as Kai proves each moment), but through training for it we have grown to know each other in ways we simply wouldn't have if they were merely pet dogs. For that I shall be forever grateful, despite the aching pain I know lies ahead when we shall have to be parted. These happy days make that sadness all worthwhile. Better to have loved and lost as they say, than never to have loved at all.

Consistently clear

To my great delight, Ella & I achieved 3 clear rounds in last Sunday's Wessex league match. I went out with no expectations about what might happen, and instead relaxed and enjoyed running my dog. Just goes to show what's possible doesn't it?! How many times have I given that advice out to people I train? I should really learn to listen to myself and put it into practice!

The upshot of the weekend is that even with these clears under our belt, I know we need to really work on our weave entries. I had to help her get them, and that's not what I want to do. Plus a little 'Wait' & 'Contact' proofing is also on the agenda. At a training session last night I found she would release herself if I threw her toy for her as she was coming down the contact equipment. Although one correction was enough and she didn't do it a second time, just goes to show even the best dogs make mistakes occasionally.

Anyway, last Daybreak classes before Christmas in the morning so off to bed so that I'll be bright eyed and bushy tailed to teach. Well as much as a 6 month pregnant instructor can be anyway :-)