Wednesday, 23 November 2011
Tuesday, 22 November 2011
Mint's first agility competition
Hi! It's Cinnamon.
Mint has finally made his debut in an agility competition on Saturday at NorWest Dog Training Club Agility Ribbon Trial. This competition was also my first competition in the last two years.
As some of you may remember, Mint started agility training in April and in June I joined him in some agility classes. But we hadn't done any agility training since July until we started going to agility classes again two weeks ago.
Having Mint's first competition coming up, Mum had some concern. In the two classes we went to this month, we didn't have any chance to do the Chute (collapsing tunnel) and the Tyre (Hoop). What worried her even more was Mint's lack of concentration. In the class last week, Mint was more interested in playing with other dogs than running an agility course, and several times, when Mum let him off the leash at the start of a course, he took off toward other dogs and tried to invite them to play with him.
Mum's concern became reality in the competition on Saturday. Both of us entered two classes, Elementary B and Starters.
In the Elementary B class, Mint jumped over two hurdles and went through a tunnel, but then he took off. When Mum called him, he went back to her, but he again took off before doing anything. The same thing repeated a few times, and in the end Mum gave up! Actually it was partially Mum's fault. Her coursing was so bad that she blocked Mint's way, which caused Mint to lose his concentration.
In the Starters class, Mint again deviated from the course just before the entry to the weaves after doing one jump, and he started sniffing. Mum somehow managed to bring him back to the weaves and Mint went through the first two or three poles, but he again walked off. But, Mum didn't give up there! She again managed to bring Mint back to the weave, and this time he did brilliantly, if not fast. However, there was the Chute that Mum had worried about. As Mum had been anxious about, Mint couldn't get into it. Also, he couldn't jump through the Tyre, which had been another concern of Mum's, in his first try, although he successfully jumped through it in his second try.
Do you want to watch a video clip of his runs in his first agility competition? If you do really want to see it, here is a link to it. Also, despite these disastrous runs, our friend Pepper's human took some great photos of Mint. Thanks, Pepper's human!!
Oh, I almost forgot to report on my own runs. In the Elementary class I did very well despite Mum's clumsy handling and got a clear round! But, in the Starters class, I couldn't concentrate at all, because it was after a loooooong wait and there were some scary people filming with an intimidatingly big camera. All I could do was jumping over the first hurdle. Here is a link to a video of my clean run in the Elementary.
Whatever the results were, I think both of us did pretty well, considering our lack of practise. Now I look forward to the next competition, which might be next month!
Mint has finally made his debut in an agility competition on Saturday at NorWest Dog Training Club Agility Ribbon Trial. This competition was also my first competition in the last two years.
As some of you may remember, Mint started agility training in April and in June I joined him in some agility classes. But we hadn't done any agility training since July until we started going to agility classes again two weeks ago.
Having Mint's first competition coming up, Mum had some concern. In the two classes we went to this month, we didn't have any chance to do the Chute (collapsing tunnel) and the Tyre (Hoop). What worried her even more was Mint's lack of concentration. In the class last week, Mint was more interested in playing with other dogs than running an agility course, and several times, when Mum let him off the leash at the start of a course, he took off toward other dogs and tried to invite them to play with him.
Mum's concern became reality in the competition on Saturday. Both of us entered two classes, Elementary B and Starters.
In the Elementary B class, Mint jumped over two hurdles and went through a tunnel, but then he took off. When Mum called him, he went back to her, but he again took off before doing anything. The same thing repeated a few times, and in the end Mum gave up! Actually it was partially Mum's fault. Her coursing was so bad that she blocked Mint's way, which caused Mint to lose his concentration.
In the Starters class, Mint again deviated from the course just before the entry to the weaves after doing one jump, and he started sniffing. Mum somehow managed to bring him back to the weaves and Mint went through the first two or three poles, but he again walked off. But, Mum didn't give up there! She again managed to bring Mint back to the weave, and this time he did brilliantly, if not fast. However, there was the Chute that Mum had worried about. As Mum had been anxious about, Mint couldn't get into it. Also, he couldn't jump through the Tyre, which had been another concern of Mum's, in his first try, although he successfully jumped through it in his second try.
Do you want to watch a video clip of his runs in his first agility competition? If you do really want to see it, here is a link to it. Also, despite these disastrous runs, our friend Pepper's human took some great photos of Mint. Thanks, Pepper's human!!
Oh, I almost forgot to report on my own runs. In the Elementary class I did very well despite Mum's clumsy handling and got a clear round! But, in the Starters class, I couldn't concentrate at all, because it was after a loooooong wait and there were some scary people filming with an intimidatingly big camera. All I could do was jumping over the first hurdle. Here is a link to a video of my clean run in the Elementary.
Whatever the results were, I think both of us did pretty well, considering our lack of practise. Now I look forward to the next competition, which might be next month!
Thursday, 10 November 2011
Hooray Agility!
Hi! It's Cinnamon.
We have started doing agility again at last!! We didn't do agility at all during winter, because our humans thought that jumping a lot in cold weather wouldn't be good for our body. And, anyway we couldn't attend our weekly agility class because the agility class and our dance training were taking place at the same time on the same day, on Thursday nights. But, now that our big dancing competition has finished with unbelievably good results, we are finally back in our weekly agility training!
We went to agility training last week for the first time after our winter break, but at that time my humans let us run the course only once each because it started raining. Although they say that training in rain is not good for us, I think that Mum just didn't want to get wet herself! Actually we didn't mind the rain at all, and we both rather wanted to stay a little bit more to run the course another couple of times.
This week we were able to practise more in the class. To start with, Mint did the A frame for the first time. At first, he was a bit scared of the steep surface and jumped off right after putting one step or two on it. But, in his third try, he managed to climb to the top and come down on the other side.
Next, we practised a tricky arrangement of a tunnel and a jump - We had to go through a tunnel, do a jump, and go through the same tunnel from the other side. Mum looked really happy, as we both did it very well.
Then, we ran the course in turn. Because there were some micro doggies, the jumps were set to the micro's height. I went first and I did really well! I even did the weaves without missing the entry or any other poles. On the contrary, Mint was very naughty and he missed the entry to the weaves and went sniffing the grass instead. And, just before finishing the weaves, he again wandered off and even rolled in something smelly, so Mum had to hold his collar and pull him back to the weave! I know that Mum always tells other humans how naughty I am in the agility class, but I hope I convinced her that I am a diligent dog, unlike Mint!!
Look at this. This is my run yesterday.
And look! This is Mint's dreadful run!
I had so much fun in the class. I can't wait to go to the next class next week!!
We have started doing agility again at last!! We didn't do agility at all during winter, because our humans thought that jumping a lot in cold weather wouldn't be good for our body. And, anyway we couldn't attend our weekly agility class because the agility class and our dance training were taking place at the same time on the same day, on Thursday nights. But, now that our big dancing competition has finished with unbelievably good results, we are finally back in our weekly agility training!
We went to agility training last week for the first time after our winter break, but at that time my humans let us run the course only once each because it started raining. Although they say that training in rain is not good for us, I think that Mum just didn't want to get wet herself! Actually we didn't mind the rain at all, and we both rather wanted to stay a little bit more to run the course another couple of times.
This week we were able to practise more in the class. To start with, Mint did the A frame for the first time. At first, he was a bit scared of the steep surface and jumped off right after putting one step or two on it. But, in his third try, he managed to climb to the top and come down on the other side.
Next, we practised a tricky arrangement of a tunnel and a jump - We had to go through a tunnel, do a jump, and go through the same tunnel from the other side. Mum looked really happy, as we both did it very well.
Then, we ran the course in turn. Because there were some micro doggies, the jumps were set to the micro's height. I went first and I did really well! I even did the weaves without missing the entry or any other poles. On the contrary, Mint was very naughty and he missed the entry to the weaves and went sniffing the grass instead. And, just before finishing the weaves, he again wandered off and even rolled in something smelly, so Mum had to hold his collar and pull him back to the weave! I know that Mum always tells other humans how naughty I am in the agility class, but I hope I convinced her that I am a diligent dog, unlike Mint!!
Look at this. This is my run yesterday.
And look! This is Mint's dreadful run!
I had so much fun in the class. I can't wait to go to the next class next week!!
Saturday, 5 November 2011
Thursday, 3 November 2011
Our trip to Wellington
Hi! It's Cinnamon.
Firstly, thank you very much for your lovely comments on my previous posts about a recent Paws N Music competition (this and this). I still can't believe that I won in the competition. But, reading your comments, I really felt that I had won indeed :-)
Well, today I am going to tell you about our trip to Porirua, Wellington, where the competition was held. Or more precisely, I will tell you about places where we stayed on the trip.
Actually a year ago we didn't think that we were going to make the trip, as Wellington is far, far away from Takanini, Auckland, where we live, which means that it doesn't only take a long time to get there but also cost a lot. A year ago my humans thought who would spend so much money and time just for a dog dancing competition. Especially for my humans, who are freelancers, being away from home means no income for the period. However, after contemplating about it over and over, they decided to give it a go, because it was the only competition we were able to enter in the year after the last competition I entered a year ago.
The first thing we had to do was to find accommodation that allows dogs in the unit. Some of so-called dog friendly motels don't allow dogs in the unit. You may think that such motels shouldn't advertise themselves as "dog friendly," but as long as they allow dogs in their property no matter where they have to stay, such as in the car, they seems to be considered "dog friendly". So, my humans had to send email to every "dog friendly" accommodation that they have found in online accommodation directories, to ask if they allowed dogs in the unit. Because we made bookings well in advance, it was not as difficult to find places where we were able to stay inside as we thought it would. We booked three motels, one for the first night in Taumarunui, a small town near National Park halfway from Auckland to Wellington, one for the second and third nights in Wellington, and another for the last night of our trip in Taupo, a resort town by New Zealand's largest lake called the Lake Taupo.
On Friday, two days before the competition, we set out for the trip. Taumarunui, where we stayed on the first day of the trip, is a small town surrounded by mountains. Although dogs are banned in the town centre, there are many off-leash dog parks (See here for local dog exercise areas). One that a manager at the motel recommended was Cherry Cove, where dogs can enjoy walking and running along a river. We wanted to walk on the river bank, but Mum didn't let us, because she was not sure how we would react to other dogs running off leash there. Mum always worry about my reactivity too much!!
Another dog exercise area recommended by the same motel manager was a very little reserve at the end of Byars Avenue. It is very small, but you can enjoy a wonderful view of the whole township and surrounding mountains. One thing I found very strange about the reserve, though, is that there was a sign, something like "This is Electric fence," on the fence between the reserve and an adjacent paddock. Actually I had to ask Mum what the sign was for, as I can't read. I don't think there are many dogs who can read. An electric fence on the border of a very small dog exercise area. It's very dangerous, isn't it? Some dogs might touch the fence without knowing the fence is electric!
The next day we arrived in Porirua. Our motel in Porirua was very conveniently located for dogs and their owners. There were sport grounds nearby and you can even enjoy walking along an inlet with a marina.
After staying in Porirua for two nights (Our competition was on the second night, which coincided with the Rugby World Cup final!!), we headed for Taupo. In Taupo we stayed in a motel by the Lake Taupo, so we had pleasant walks at the beach.
But, look at this!
Mint was such a coward that he cringed every time gentle waves came in. Because he was so frightened of the waves, I couldn't enjoy sniffing interesting smells that I found at the water edge! Mint, you are a boy. You must become braver!
Well, that's the end of our trip. We had a great time visiting new places and sniffing new smells!
Firstly, thank you very much for your lovely comments on my previous posts about a recent Paws N Music competition (this and this). I still can't believe that I won in the competition. But, reading your comments, I really felt that I had won indeed :-)
Well, today I am going to tell you about our trip to Porirua, Wellington, where the competition was held. Or more precisely, I will tell you about places where we stayed on the trip.
Actually a year ago we didn't think that we were going to make the trip, as Wellington is far, far away from Takanini, Auckland, where we live, which means that it doesn't only take a long time to get there but also cost a lot. A year ago my humans thought who would spend so much money and time just for a dog dancing competition. Especially for my humans, who are freelancers, being away from home means no income for the period. However, after contemplating about it over and over, they decided to give it a go, because it was the only competition we were able to enter in the year after the last competition I entered a year ago.
The first thing we had to do was to find accommodation that allows dogs in the unit. Some of so-called dog friendly motels don't allow dogs in the unit. You may think that such motels shouldn't advertise themselves as "dog friendly," but as long as they allow dogs in their property no matter where they have to stay, such as in the car, they seems to be considered "dog friendly". So, my humans had to send email to every "dog friendly" accommodation that they have found in online accommodation directories, to ask if they allowed dogs in the unit. Because we made bookings well in advance, it was not as difficult to find places where we were able to stay inside as we thought it would. We booked three motels, one for the first night in Taumarunui, a small town near National Park halfway from Auckland to Wellington, one for the second and third nights in Wellington, and another for the last night of our trip in Taupo, a resort town by New Zealand's largest lake called the Lake Taupo.
On Friday, two days before the competition, we set out for the trip. Taumarunui, where we stayed on the first day of the trip, is a small town surrounded by mountains. Although dogs are banned in the town centre, there are many off-leash dog parks (See here for local dog exercise areas). One that a manager at the motel recommended was Cherry Cove, where dogs can enjoy walking and running along a river. We wanted to walk on the river bank, but Mum didn't let us, because she was not sure how we would react to other dogs running off leash there. Mum always worry about my reactivity too much!!
Another dog exercise area recommended by the same motel manager was a very little reserve at the end of Byars Avenue. It is very small, but you can enjoy a wonderful view of the whole township and surrounding mountains. One thing I found very strange about the reserve, though, is that there was a sign, something like "This is Electric fence," on the fence between the reserve and an adjacent paddock. Actually I had to ask Mum what the sign was for, as I can't read. I don't think there are many dogs who can read. An electric fence on the border of a very small dog exercise area. It's very dangerous, isn't it? Some dogs might touch the fence without knowing the fence is electric!
The next day we arrived in Porirua. Our motel in Porirua was very conveniently located for dogs and their owners. There were sport grounds nearby and you can even enjoy walking along an inlet with a marina.
After staying in Porirua for two nights (Our competition was on the second night, which coincided with the Rugby World Cup final!!), we headed for Taupo. In Taupo we stayed in a motel by the Lake Taupo, so we had pleasant walks at the beach.
But, look at this!
Mint was such a coward that he cringed every time gentle waves came in. Because he was so frightened of the waves, I couldn't enjoy sniffing interesting smells that I found at the water edge! Mint, you are a boy. You must become braver!
Well, that's the end of our trip. We had a great time visiting new places and sniffing new smells!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)