ATCH Seeker!

ATCH Seeker and his awards

Me, ATCH Seeker and judge Darryl Warren

     Seeker finished his Australian Shepherd Club of America Agility Trial Championship on Saturday, May 5, 2012 at the Buckeye Australian Shepherd Club trials under judge Darryl Warren. It is Seeker's first agility championship. We needed 20 Elite Gambler points going in to the trial with 4 shots at getting them. Gamblers is the first class on Saturday and the gamble was tricky, but definitely doable. I wasn't honestly worried about placements or anything else, just the clean run and Q.

      In true Seeker style, he got the gamble and earned a 2nd place in round 1. In round 2, he had the weaves out of a tunnel, which tripped him up at the last ASCA trial because neither of us checked his speed and although he got the entrance, he was going too fast and got tangled up, causing him to pop out. This flashed through my mind and when he hit the tunnel, I reminded him to slow up and get the weaves. He did it perfectly, then took the last 2 jumps earning the last needed points for his ATCH! I could not be more proud of him.

Seeker enjoying a little ATCH cake!

     Gamblers has not been an easy class for him. And I couldn't figure that out for the longest time. I took a private lesson from the Queen of Distance Kathi Filar Scherf and discovered that Seeker's comfort distance was only about 8 feet away from me. THIS is not conducive to a successful gamble when the distances are 15 - 20 feet. So, Kathi gave me some great advice and exercises to work with him and as the weeks progressed through the winter, I saw him gain more confidence and be comfortable working away from me at greater and greater distances. He began getting difficult gambles/sends in AKC and USDAA and crept up on those last needed points for ASCA. I owe Kathi a huge debt of gratitude for helping me and Seeker, for without her insight, we would still be struggling. THANK YOU KATHI!!!

     Seeker got our very first bar (because although Piper earned his ATCH last year, they didn't give bars then) and I am sure it won't be our last. He needs only a few more Qs to earn his USDAA ADCH and 11 QQs for his AKC MACH. And then we will get back to concentrating on his first love, herding... Stay tuned!

2012 USDAA Mid-Atlantic Regional

Piper by Agility Gallery

Did I say how much I love competing in USDAA? LOVE IT!!! We travelled last weekend to the Regional held at In The Net in Palmyra, PA. It was hosted by 3 USDAA clubs and except for the computer software glitches, it was efficiently run. The footing was great for the dogs as was the MAD Agility supplied equipment. The vendors were awesome with Clean Run, EMB Monogramming and several others with unique items, including really cute sheep stuff! :) I bought a pen and some oven mitts. I couldn't resist!

I have never been to a USDAA Regional before. In 2010, I jumped straight in Nationals! Duh... but even though our teams didn't qualify, we had a blast there. Since getting back in to USDAA in the last 6 months, I really wanted to go to the Showcase and Regional. The boys had their qualifications for Triathlon as well. This is a special class that takes a dog's scores from Team/PVP Standard and Jumpers to determine whether or not you make it into the 3rd round. You also had to have a GP/PGP Q too, I believe to be in the Triathlon. The boys ran clean in Standard, but didn't make the time for a Q, but they both ran clean in jumpers and MADE the time for a Q! To my surprise and pleasure, both of them made it into the 3rd round of Triathlon. The course was sort of a Hybrid course with a teeter and weaves. Both boys ran clean, but not fast enough to make it in to the placements. Piper finished 11th in Performance and Seeker finished 16th in Championship. I am very proud of them both!

Piper was in PVP with Alyssia Greiner and her awesome BC girl Zippity. The team name? "Loose Cannons", which best describes them both at times. He was rock steady in Gamblers, Standard and Jumpers. We made it through to #5 in the Snooker closing and although I screwed him up in our relay run, Loose Cannons finished 12th out of 43 PVP Teams and Piper has his Q!

 He also had a "bye" into Performance Grand Prix. He had a terrifying fall from the dogwalk in round 1 on Saturday morning, but after being taken care of by some amazing folks, he was able to finish the weekend. He ran Round 2 cleanly and finished in 8th place and a "bye" into Nationals semi-finals. We aren't going that far west, but it is awesome that he has one anyway. It was also very cool that it was being live-streamed and people we know got to see us!

Seeker by Agility Gallery

He also picked up a PIII Jumpers leg towards his PDCH with a 4th place. And we ended up not staying to run Masters/PIII Snooker on Saturday because they were holding rings while GP finished. We were all tired, happy, but very tired.

Seeker was also steady for his team, "The Evolution Of Seeking Magic" which consisted of Julia Ecklar and her wonderful, young BC Darwin and Diane Aramian and her sweet BC Magic. Although we finished in last place out of 63 teams, it was a good way to get mileage on the dogs. Seeker and Magic have their needed DAM Qs, so it was just fun for us. Seeker ran clean in 3 of 4 of his runs, with a Q in Team Jumpers. His only silliness was in Team Snooker where he earned 4 whole points and almost took me out on the way to a red jump. Naughty boy... :)

And not to forget the girls, Ceilidh and Gemmie... They were angels all weekend for their Daddy as they hung out in the van as there wasn't enough crating space inside. They got to play ball and go for walks and had their Daddy's attention exclusively. Gem got to come in and socialize a few times and watch the rings, which she does calmly. This is exactly what I wanted when I decided to enroll her in an obedience class with agility class running next to it at the same time. They were all well-behaved in the motel and it was just a great weekend. 

I would do it again... tomorrow if I could. I am so happy to be back running USDAA... and I can't wait until our next trialing adventure!

What I've learned...so far...

Piper is a great teacher of many things... Our pursuits in agility began over 7 years ago. I had no idea how to train him. I had 2 BCs in agility prior to him who only obtained Novice level abilities and titles. I was hopeless as an agility trainer with Piper. But luckily, I found some people that helped me out, but didn't teach me a "system" of handling. Piper had the skills, but I had no idea what to do with them. I came from an obedience and freestyle background and agility handling really doesn't work like either of those activities.

When I was finally able to get into a handling class (Donna Rohaus/Agility CAPabilities), Piper was older and had been competing for a couple of years. He wasn't taught the APHS and to this day, although I try to use those principles, I mostly fly by the seat of my britches when he and I run together. He has gotten better at understanding specific cues, and I have gotten so much better at giving him information in a timely fashion. I find myself using a mix of handling, that we have worked out together. I often use Stuart Mah when I need to change his focus. But I primarily use Linda Mecklenberg's APHS, with our modifications. I have had to learn to adapt on courses and Piper requires that I absolutely work the WHOLE course. He isn't comfortable taking charge like Seeker, who was trained on APHS from the beginning. Seeker is much more forgiving of my mistakes. Piper takes my movement, cues and eye contact as Gospel and if I am too slow or off, things fall apart. I have learned from Stuart to just continue when a mistake is made during a run and to not go back and "fix it". With Piper, he can de-motivate easily if I put too much pressure on him. Most of all the mistakes are mine. So why should I make HIM fix it? He is just as happy running with me, Q or no Q.

Running two very different dogs has taught me many things... but mostly how to adapt and overcome. The boys have expanded my understanding and enjoyment of the sport they both so love. But there is always more to learn and I am a willing student.

Progress...

Seeker by Megan Quigley

Seeker and Gem have been going to herding lessons for the last few weeks that I have been off from agility trials. Some days, it takes a Herculean effort for me to make the long drive to Bedford. It is close to 2 hours one way to go to our lessons. Some people say I am dedicated. Maybe that is so, but really for me, it is the privilege of training a Border Collie to do what God intends for it to do with its instinct and drive. I know the potential and I know my goals for both of them. Seeker is blossoming and he has finally earned the right to be taken off the long line he had been dragging for so long. He has proven that he is mature and confident enough to make the correct decisions. He has learned his flanking commands, for the most part, and has started learning to drive. This is a challenge for him, but one I think he will be able to accomplish. 

    He will be moving out in to the big field this week which gives him more room to work and to make mistakes. My job is to keep that from happening. It took me long enough to figure out that as long as I stay quiet, confident and cool, he responds appropriately. If I get stupid, a sheepwreck will ensue forthwith. Duh... I have learned to not only watch him, but keep the stock in my vision as well. Not always easy, but very important. Stock sense is something that you have to learn so that in any given situation, the handler can watch the stock and gauge their reaction to pressure from the field, other sheep, the dog, the handler... it goes on and on.  


     This is a big step in helping Seeker in lengthening his outruns and learning how to handle the pressures in the big field, where there are many as opposed to the training ring. I am confident that we will handle it together. He is very responsive and biddable and has stopped the nonsense of trying to beat me to his stock. He knows that if he is correct and quiet, he gets them. If not, he must become so to have contact with them. He's a smart cookie... He gets it.


     Gem has made progress as well. She is a serious little thinker and trying to let her just have a go isn't always successful. She tries very hard, sometimes too hard in fact. For her last 2 lessons, we worked her with Jack's dog Gwenn. That seemed to give Gem confidence and loosen her up a bit. The first week we used Gwenn a great deal. This past week, Gwenn's only job was to pull the sheep away from the fence for Gem. This worked out very well. I can see Gem getting more confidence with each exposure. She isn't afraid to get between the sheep and the fence, even at her diminutive size. 


     I have high hopes for them both... I am hoping to have Seeker ready to get some experience at a few AKC herding trials this summer in preparation for having him ready by Fall to run Novice/Novice. For Gem, as a start, to get her Pre-Trial tested (PT) title this summer and get her ready for next year to run in Border Collie trials. The journey continues...

Gem starts obedience class...

     Due to my crappy work schedule and the fact that most classes are in the evening when I am working, Gem is finally (at 1 year of age) in an obedience class. It also helps that I don't have the boys in classes now and have the time to work Gem on the night they normally would have had class. Gem needs this... I need this... I am building a working relationship with her. She is finally seeing the value of working with me.
     A few days before her 1st birthday, I had her spayed. And now... she is finally interested in food. Not all food, but her interest is growing. Toys are not always appropriate, although I do use a tug with her even in obedience class. First and foremost, she has to learn obedience to do agility... My dog, my rule... While she is learning to "watch me", do stays and heel nicely on a lead, I am still working foundation exercises in agility with her. She is a natural in obedience I am finding. After her initial culture shock of being in a class with 9 other dogs, she is adjusting nicely. Week 1 was enough for me to not go back...Her arousal level and barking at the other dogs gave me a major headache. This week, although she still had some moments of barking, she was vastly improved. These are things we work at home, but putting her in a class is exactly what she needed.
     This week she gave me some short bursts of heads up heeling with attention, did her stays and likes to play the "Leave it" game with a treat on the top of her foot. She adores her instructor Linda and I may have to use the "Leave it" with her so Gem doesn't bounce on her. Gem is a social butterfly with people. She likes most dogs, but draws the line with naughty puppies and dogs that lack social skills...(ie staring) Although she likes pouncing and wrestling with Seeker, she doesn't want that from outside dogs. She currently thinks puppies are yucky... :-)

     I am not used to working with the girls... I love the boys and have always had great working relationships with them. My relationship with Gem is a work in progress and one that I am happily figuring out. She is independent, but wants to be right. She doesn't like lots of repetition so it challenges me to find fun ways to repeat exercises without losing her attention. All in all, she is making me a better trainer and handler. I am hoping that we will continue to enjoy doing obedience although that is truly up to me. I also think there may be a dancer in there somewhere. And of course, agility and herding as well. According to the Chinese, she is a Fire, like Piper. If she can accomplish half of what he has, it will be well worth the journey put before us. However, if she never earns a title, that's okay with me too. Gem is more like Piper than he cares to know... could be why she irritates him so much.
     The horizon rises before us... and I anxiously await each new day...

Piper and growing older...

Piper by Cindy Noland

It both amazes and scares me that Piper will be 9 in April. Yes, he has slowed down a bit and yes, like me, he has his aches and pains. But "His Nibs", as we fondly call him, still thoroughly enjoys the game of agility.  I love the options we have available to us as he ages. After finishing his USDAA ADCH and the USDAA Nationals in 2010, I dropped him to Performance and 22". At the same time, I dropped him to his normal jump height in AKC which is 20" after running him his whole career at 24". He loves the lower jump heights and can still rock a course with speed. He no longer has to worry about jumping 24" or 26". He has adjusted very well to the lower heights and I know it is so much better for his body. And as he continues to age, we have even lower options in different venues, so as long as he is healthy and wants to play the game, we can.
     He gets chiropractic, massage and now acupuncture as a regimen for his health and well-being. I should take as good care of myself. He feels good, he is fit and conditioned and he has me watching over him, making sure he stays that way. This past weekend, he slipped and crashed a jump in JWW. The bar got caught between his front legs and must have given him quite a stinger. He took the last jump, celebrated, then lifted his right front leg and whimpered. Piper is very stoic... so for him to limp and cry, it had to hurt. I picked him up, sans leash, and carried him back to our crating area. Everyone was so concerned for his welfare... I love my agility friends! His shoulder and leg were immediately iced and his Back On Track jacket put on him. After Seeker's run, I took Piper out and walked him around a bit. He wasn't limping, but his shoulder was warm. I let him jump 12" and he stutter-stepped before jumping. He was sore, that was for sure.
     I love that I have many tools at my disposal to help out my canine athletes. The Back On Track jacket was the best investment. Piper received more ice, massage and a Chinese herb blend called Body Sore. He slept in his BOT jacket as well. In the morning, he dashed down the stairs as if his crash the day before was a distant memory. I was relieved to say the least. Once at the trial, I warmed him up, jumping him at his regular 20" and he was fine. Before his Standard run, I asked my friends to watch him carefully for signs of lameness. I knew that when he hit the 3rd obstacle ( the A-frame ), that would be the place he might show a problem. He hits the A-frame with force, too much for my liking, but I have never been able to re-train him to do the obstacle any other way. He got the first half of his 14th QQ with a 3rd place and no signs of soreness. Later that day, he got the second half of his QQ with a Q in JWW... He also ran Time 2 Beat for the first time, and although he dropped a bar with an ill-timed rear cross on my part, he ran with enthusiasm, fun and without any problems.
     I am his guardian. I know him better than anyone. And it is up to me to make sure he stays as happy and healthy as I can possibly keep him for as long as I can. I want him to be able to play his favorite game for many more years to come. I fully expect to be running him in agility when he is 12 or 13, or for as long as he wants to and physically can. It is truly a joy to be his partner and we are growing old together... I kinda like it that way.
   

Training Gem in agility...

Gem is an intense little girl. This picture was taken when she was about 4 months old. She is no less intense now at 11 months of age... I started some early agility training with her some months ago, but due to my injury, that was all put on hold. I am now back to doing foundation work with her.

I did a training session with her last week which involved wrapping around jump uprights in both directions and driving through tunnels. She has very little food drive and toys wind her up. Toys can also put her in herding mode as in the photo. She is stalking a tennis ball. So, I am trying to find a balance of what I can use for a reward with her. She does like to tug and I keep the duration short with her. Presently her attention is that of a gnat, but she still has maturing to do. I said today that Gemmie's focus needs focus!

I started her in herding to help with her maturity and focus. She has intense focus on stock which I hope will transfer over to other activities as she gets more confidence and ages. And now that we aren't going to the Border Collie National, I no longer feel any pressure to have her "ready" to be in an agility ring by a certain time. She will be a year old on February 28 and I am guessing that she won't see an agility ring until the Spring  of 2013, after she turns two.

She is fast... wicked fast and different from the boys. Piper was fast when he was younger, but not nearly as fast as this little rocket. I want to take advantage of that speed, so I am planning on teaching her running contacts. People say I am crazy, but I think we will be awesome. Because I no longer have a deadline, I am taking my time in training her and trying to not make the same mistakes I have made with the boys. I am sure, however, that I will make different ones given her speed and intensity. But anything worth doing, is worth doing right.

Gem is currently just about 18" tall. She is going to get measured... a lot... until she is over the age limit for each venue we will compete in. But because she is over the height to jump 16" in USDAA and will have to jump 22" Championship, I will run her at 20" in AKC even if she is supposed to jump 16" there. Right now, that seems like a tall order for my little sprite. But I have seen her jump... and jump she surely can! Now, let's see if I can harness the enthusiasm, get some more focus and keep working towards my agility goals for her. And the journey continues...