Performance Newsletter

June, 2005
By Jane Eno

After years of competing in Obedience, I took a chance and tried my Jessie in agility this month. Going to the agility trial and being a Novice A person again was lots of fun, even if I felt lost when I first arrived. Everything is different in agility – the way you check in, the way you get your armband (it’s not even an armband, rather a sticker), and so on. I was lucky in that I found some friends quickly and could ask them what to do.

First I had to locate the barn where they were handing out the number stickers and measuring the dogs. Once I found my number (it was self-serve), I got in line for measuring. Jessie turned out to be a little over 19 inches tall, and I always thought he was 21 inches. I might be lowering my jumps in obedience to match agility now he is getting grey in the beard and I know he’s well under 20 inches. Once I had my number, I put Jessie in his crate under a nice shady tree and got my course map.

In agility, first thing you do is walk the course. It’s actually a lot of fun, because everyone is walking the course and comparing ideas on how to run it. We all debated the merits of different approaches, then laughed and admitted we’d probably end up making it up as we went depending on what the dog did. Then the judge blows a whistle and everyone goes over for a judge’s briefing (also something not done in obedience). This was great because she brought up the "four paw rule" on the contact obstacles (like the A-Frame and Dog Walk), something I didn’t know about. Once your dog has put four paws on these, they can’t get off and try again. One paw, they could try again, two paws are still ok, but four paws meant you had to skip that one if the dog came off without finishing it.

After that you check in at the gate and wait until your turn. Things go much quicker in agility than obedience. In Open or Utility obedience, if I have six or seven dogs ahead of me, I know I have about forty-five minutes to an hour before I’ll go in the ring. In agility, you better have your dog warmed up and be waiting in line with that many dogs! Glad I didn’t miss my turn!

Another difference was that they don’t actually have any kind of awards ceremony. In Obedience, the judge explains the scoring and how to qualify, thanks the stewards and comments on the level of performance. Some judges even will comment on problems or issues they’ve seen in the class over-all and how performances might be improved. They announce new titles earned and legs earned by the competitors, then announce the placements with scores. It is a learning experience for the spectators, and a time to acknowledge the hard work of the ring stewards, judge and competitors. In agility, you just go find your score and pick up your ribbon. I’ve been told it’s a matter of time – there are just too many classes and divisions in agility, which makes sense. But just remember, if you compete in agility to go pick up your ribbons at the end of day! You’ve definitely earned them!

Jessie was a very good dog and ran his courses nicely. While we didn’t qualify in Standard Agility, we did get two Jumpers With Weaves legs. But mostly we just had fun and enjoyed a really nice weekend watching dogs run over courses. There were lots of terriers there running in all the levels, and everyone seemed to be having a good time. Next month when I go to another trial, I’ll feel like an old hand at it. Or at least I’ll have a slightly better idea what I’m doing! It’s great we own a breed that is both versatile and competitive at so many sports.

Lots & Lots of Brags for June!

Denise Aitchison and Runkerry's Saucy Brighid CGC, MX, MXJ
Brighid and I decided to spend her (almost) birthday in style this past weekend. On Saturday she Q'd her way to her MXJ and on Sunday we double Q'd!!! Only one more day of trialing 'til vacation and a summer break from competition.

Diane and the Kerries at O'Mara
Here in California there is another pair quietly working their way through rally Novice B. Jourdy and Kailey ( Ch. Kailey's Irish Queen UD NA, NAP) qualified this last weekend in Rally for a second leg. Kailey had an ACL repair a year ago so going back to agility really isn't an option. Kailey will be 13 in September. Last year she finished her NAP. This year she's working on her rally titles to keep in focused and having fun.

Susan Coliton
Brag from this part of the country... Fuzz, "Halley, Blue Fuzzbutt, CGC, CD, RN" can now add RA. She finished her Rally Advanced B title in three straight at the Butte Co. Kennel Club in Gridley, Ca. this weekend. Jamie, "Eidenbock's Jamison Lee, CGC, CD, RN" earn his first two legs towards his RA title also. All in all a very good weekend.

Patty Sontag
Showing at the Topsfield Fairgrounds in Topsfield, MA. Friday through Sunday, June 17 - 19
We qualified all three days in Rally Novice B, and so Duffy can now be officially known as Wildside's Quiet Man, CD RN. The first two days were hosted by the North Shore Kennel Club, and the last day was hosted by the Concord Dog Training Club.

In addition, we also qualified for our first leg towards our CDX, ANDreceived a 4th place ribbon, showing under Ed Whitney! This show was also hosted by the Concord Dog Training Club.

Carol Pizzino
After about 5 hours of training, our retired conformation dog, Ch. Fralin's Public Defender went to 3 shows and earned is first obedience title and a week prior to that is CGC, he is now Ch. Fralin's Public Defender, RN, CGC and is starting to work on his Advanced title. He is my "very special" boy, and I am very proud of him.

Sharon & her best Kerry boy, Rocket
Yea! Rocket went out with me this afternoon and earned the last leg of his Novice Agility Preferred title (Q3). Especially sweet since I had not planned on running him (my back has recently been an issue). I just came over to the Puyallup shows to watch Janet & Gabby and brought Rocket along to visit with his friend. After viewing a course map, I could see there were not so many twists and turns so decided to give it a whirl. I didn’t even have my running shoes nor did I have good treats for Rocket. We must make a good pair, because off we went to fun, frolic, and a nice performance. Rocket is now Keristar’s To the Moon NAP, NAJ.

Janet & MACH Gabby, Seattle, WA
Wow, after entering my first Novice A obedience trial I have total respect for how challenging competitive obedience is! This was our first obedience trial and I was surprised how completely nervous I was.

Despite my nail biting, Gabby did fine - some barking which lost us a few points and a bit of lagging, but all in all enough to qualify and get fourth place out of 16. The following day trying for leg number two Ms. Gabby lay down 10 seconds into the sit stay - I'm pretty sure she was giving me stink eye from across the room as she did it!

Jane Eno & Primrose Jessie James UD
Jessie got three more UDX legs this month. He also placed 4th in Utility twice and 3rd in Open once. He picked up four High Scoring Terrier prizes along the way. Then we tried our luck in agility and got two Novice Jumper With Weaves legs, placing first and second in the 20 inch division.

Karen Sofield
Karen Smith is not on the Internet, so it falls to me to make the following BIG BRAG for her! Claddagh's Murphy Brown qualified for her CD on Sunday, June 26, 2005 at the Staten Island Obedience Trials. Of special note is the fact that Murphy was born on 2/3/95! She is 10 years old and finished in 3 shows! Her score yesterday was 192! I'm hoping to drag Karen & Murphy along with me to the Obedience trails at Montgomery this fall!

Virginia Barishek, Philadelphia, PA
I don't really have any brags per se---we're taking a break because it's been tropically hot and humid. My only news is that both Andy and Finn qualified to enter, and are now officially entered, in the Rally competition at the All-Star Performance Dog Association's Championships. This will be held in August in York, PA. Andy is entered in the Advanced/Excellent class, and Finn is entered in Novice. I'm looking forward to it!

Barb J Thompson, Bangor Kerries
My 13 year old daughter Sarah Tooley just attained her first Agility title. Her dog Keeley is now known as Ch. Bangor's Kinetic Energy CD AGN (All titles have been put there by Sarah!)

Last Updated: 07/01/2005, 8:17 am