Thank you for all your support and good luck wishes! Yes, we ran at our FIRST agility trial!! I think Cinnamon did very well although we were disqualified in both of the two classes that we entered.
When we got up at 6am in the morning, it was not raining, but it started raining after a while. When we left home at 7.30am, the rain had stopped, and we headed for the Te Hihi Sport Reserve where the trial was being held, hoping that it wouldn't rain anymore.
We arrived at the site around 8am. As soon as we got out of the car, we were welcomed by familiar faces, our instructors from the Akarana Dog Training Club. They explained everything from how to apply for the entry to which ring our class was to run in, how to run the course, and where to wait and what to do when our turn came.
We entered two classes; Elementary B and Starters. There are two classes in the elementary level. Elementary A is for new dogs (may have experienced handler) and Elementary B is for new dogs and new handlers. In each class, there are three groups, Maxi, Midi, and Mini. All dogs can compete as maxi dogs. Dogs between 380mm and 460mm in height are midi dogs. And those not exceeding 380mm in height are minis (Cinnamon belongs to this category).
The competition started with Maxi in Elementary B, Midi came next, and Mini last. Today's Elementary course consisted of twelve jumps and two tunnels. It was not that bad at the beginning, but after the first turning Cinnamon refused a jump, and when I tried to guide her back in front of the jump, she jumped it from a wrong side, which got us disqualified. Despite our disqualification, several people who we didn't know came to me and said "You did very well, especially with a Beagle!!"
There was the Starters right after Elementary. Today's Starters course consisted of eleven jumps, three tunnels (two open ones and a closed one), a weave, and a tyre. When the pair before us finished, we entered the starting area and I gave Cinnamon all the treats I had in my pocket to get her attention as no food is permitted in the ring. When I was about to start, we were stopped by the judge. An edge of the closed end of a closed tunnel had torn and come loose, so it had to be fixed before we started. It was an unfortunate incident, as Cinnamon lost her concentration and started sniffing the ground. After a long wait, we were finally allowed to start. The first two jumps, the first tunnel, and the following two jumps were OK, but the weave was a disaster! She kept sniffing the ground, however hard I called her. In the end, I missed a poll without knowing and got disqualified again!!
It was a great experience no matter what the result was!! I learned a lot from this experience and I was also reminded how lucky we are, having so many supporters, including all of you - our blog friends and readers, our instructors, and my husband.
That is soooo brilliant!! Love watching the videos. Well done! It takes great courage to do agility with a beagle!
ReplyDeleteAlison
BRAVO!!! You did fantastic!! We're so proud of you! We got so excited watching the videos - wow! I don't care what they say about disqualification - we think you did a FANTASTIC run! Both times! :-) (although I have to say, I laughed at the bit where Cinnamon kept putting her nose down to sniff...ha! ha! that's the hound for you!!)
ReplyDeleteI also know what you mean about the delay at the start...I HATE it when that happens! It is so crucial to have the dog's attention and focus on you - and if you lose it from the beginning, then you're fighting an uphill battle...and it's so unfair when you prepare it so well and then something like that happens which totally spoils things! I had something similar happen when we were dancing and they kept messing up our music - started in the middle or kept stopping and by the time they fixed it, I had lost Honey's concentration...so annoying!
I agree - it doesn't matter what the result was - the important thing was that you took part and gave it your best shot and enjoyed yourself. Bet you can't wait for your next trial now?!
Well done again!!
Hsin-Yi (& Honey the Great Dane)
I agree that was really unfortunate about the delay, but I think you did fantastic! It's hard to compete with interesting scents and I think you held you own really well. Congratulations on your first trial!
ReplyDeleteenjoyed the video (:
ReplyDeleteoh that beagle nose...
great 1st trial!
Thanks for leaving a comment. I've never seen a tornado because I'm always too scared to go to the window or door to look. I hide lol. This is the closest I've ever been to one. It was terrifying. Normally by June we stop having so many, but it seems like the weather has been more severe this year. Glad I have a basement!
ReplyDeleteHi! It's so nice to meet you! You did a great job, really!
ReplyDeleteCan we add your blog to our blogroll?
Kisses
Rufus and Indie
hello cookie and cinnamon its dennis the vizsla dog hay i no this is off topic but yes of korse yoo can ad me to yore blog list i wood be delited!!! ok bye
ReplyDeleteHi, it was typical beginners track and it was nothing to do with dog being beagle. Sorry need to point that out. Beagles are not harder to motivate or work with than other breeds. Mom likes more the sniffing because some breeds keep biting their beginner handlers before they get their cooperation work.
ReplyDeleteThose tracks where great!
Pst... mommy (because she is coaching agility) told that you need to focus to show every obstacle because if you don´t show them we don't know are we going pass it or do we need to jump it. She also told that the nose thing did not happen because the waiting. She told that it is the insecurity of beginner dog to resolve the situation where she is not sure what to do. -> you get frustrated to sniffing -> dog thinks that it needs to calm down handler -> more sniffing -> etc.
Yes, your correct. Best way to deal with the insecurity is to compete and practise. It is for handler and the dog :)
ReplyDeleteYou guys did a great job! Just getting out there is so much more than many of us do! COngrats!
ReplyDeleteThat agility trial looked really hard! Gosh, I don't know if I will ever be ready. The most obstacles I have ever done in a row is four and I have never tried it outside with other doggies walking around. You did very well.
ReplyDeleteI got a little dizzy during those weave poles. I couldn't tell what you had been through and what you hadn't, but clearly there was something much more interesting on the ground.
You are doing a great job! Is there something in the water in NZ that makes doggies smarter?
I am going to add you to our list of pals too so that we don't miss any of your exciting adventures.
Kisses,
Dexter