06 April 2009

ACD Agility Weekend

Angela Cocker and Brenda Tenten put their combined efforts together to provide an outstanding weekend with Alan Clements (an Agility Trainer) in Oswestry, Wales.

Many of the dogs had never even seen agility before, but left already completing turns, tunnels, Dog Walks, and mini agility courses.  Pictures are below.

Angela Cocker writes:

Whilst manning the Discover Dogs stand at Crufts in March, Brenda Tenten and I discussed agility and ACD's, and what a good idea it would be to get more people training and competing - after all, ACD's are an athletic, versatile breed, and most love to 'work'.  Brenda went home, made some enquiries, and within a week had found someone who was willing to run a weekend training session for ACD's.

The location was Alan Clements property is Oswestry, Wales, which provided training and camping facilities.  I fully intended to camp, but chickened out at the last minute when, as usual, rain was forecast for the weekend.  Luckily Alan had details of a B&B at the Oswestry Equestrian Centre, and our charming hostess didn't blink an eyelid as the 'pack' that accompanied the 5 of staying there.  It was also nice to be able to walk the 8 dogs together on the sunny evening we arrived - yes, apart fro the last hour on Sunday, the weather was great.  Just as well, as there were several caravaners, and Jennifer Taylor was in a tent!

Alan and Nicki, his wife, had us all for cheese and wine on Friday, the cheese made locally by a friend of theirs.  It gave us a chance to meet one another, organise ourselves for the next day, and it was a really nice way to start the weekend.

We were divided into 2 groups, beginners, wit little or no experience, and more experienced dogs, which split the numbers down the middle.  The beginners had an hour, first and last thing, the idea being not to 'overdo it' and place too much stress or pressure on young dogs (never mind their handlers!)  The experienced dogs had the rest of the day.  Alan varied the exercises carried out by each dog according to their ability, and made sure that each dog had a positive and encouraging experience.  As I had to go over the jumps with my little girl, I was glad he allowed her the lowest height!  Thankfully, there is no pictorial evidence of that indignity.

Once again on the Saturday evening, Alan and Nicki hosted a BBQ for us all.  In addition to the 9 handlers, running 11 dogs, a couple of people had friends or spouses present.  Gill Hughes was back and forth like a yo-yo between Alan's home and hers, about an hour away, dropping off dogs and picking up husband, and vise-versa.  Anyway, both the food and company were excellent.

Sunday followed the same pattern as the day before, but by the afternoon the dogs were doing so well, particularly the beginners, that Alan was at a loss as to what to do with us.  He did say that our ACD's learned a lot more quickly than average dogs, though I'm not too sure if he was particularly taken with the breed.  Every time he tired to assist a dog on the obstacle, the ACD reserve with strangers reared it's head, and the dog invariably headed off int eh opposite direction - can I assure Alan that we know he's not a mass murderer, despite our dogs actions!  Kimberley Jebson had a 10 week old pup in her arms when Brenda mentioned giving him something to remember us by. The look of relief on his face was indescribable when he was presented with a stuffed ACD!

I really enjoyed myself, all the feedback on the weekend has been positive and I believe there is another agility training session planned for the spring.  I strongly recommend anyone at all interested to come along.

Note:  This was so successful that we are doing it again, around June it looks like.  Angela is the one to contact about this.

A Group of Well Socialized Cattle Dogs - All Playing Ball Together

Dillon Taking a Jump - Just Look at that Air between that Jump WOW

Janie Jumping - Remember always have your camera on FAST speed to photograph these Cattledogs in Action

True Relaxing - Her favorite Past Time

Janie - "When are we done jumping?  I want a tunnel!"

"What Next Mom?"