Introducing MASTER Chudleigh

What a way to finish off the agility trialing year.  On his final jumpers run Chudleigh handily picked up the necessary 10th leg to earn his Master Jumpers Preferred title.  He also got his 3rd double Q and took a 2nd place in standard.

There were some of the hardest most diabolically trappy courses I have ever run with the tunnel smooshed as small as they possibly could and still be tunnels and of course the wrong end looking more important to the dog

.  He did not take a wrong tunnel all weekend.

Every NQing run was due to a single dropped bar, time was way under and no off courses.

I love those QQ pins you get now, much nicer than the rosettes they used to give.

I sure wasn't expecting it but Chudleigh earned double Q #2 today!  He did screw up his T2B run which was the first run of the day, but if we had to sacrifice a run that was the one to flush as it was just a games class. 

I am so proud of that big white dog.  He is just 6 1/2, the same age Zorro was when we lost him.  I am acutely aware of that and cherish every day that I have Chudleigh.

Here are links to the video of today's runs.  The standard run, which was the final run of the day, had a really tricky spot for Mr Tunnel Sucker.  Coming off the dog walk there is an enticing tunnel right in front of the dog with both ends begging to be entered.  The course called for a hard right turn to a chute.  What could a long time obedience trainer do to get her dog's full attention but firmly command "Heel".  Yup, Chudleigh's head whirled toward me and we locked eyes, ignoring that hollering tunnel. 

http://youtu.be/MhneMSY5UpI      

This jumpers run was HARD and a lot of teams failed to Q.  They tended to take the wrong jump coming out of the tunnel, providing they even took the correct end of the tunnel to begin with, or the dog would take the wrong next to the last jump.  Too many people failed to cross there and the dog would veer to the right and get the wrong jump. 

http://youtu.be/EA1BeDfcnwA 

This is the standard run.  Whew, I need to rest up as next weekend we do it again.

The BESTEST Agility Day EVER

I know, crappy grammar, but it was the most fitting description of today.  Chudleigh gave me the BEST Christmas present, his very first double qualifying run.

I was waiting until he got a double Q before I ever posted anything else on the blog, and I was beginning to think I might never get to post again.

Today was finally THE DAY!  Chudleigh's agility runs were amazing, he could do no wrong.  He got his very first DOUBLE Q which ended up being a TRIPLE Q because he also qualified in T2B.  First run of the day was T2B where he picked up leg#10 and 9 more points.  Next run was jumpers, and with 10 preferred dogs in his class he picked up a 3rd place for MXJP leg #8.  I was so nervous I was on the verge of throwing up when we went in the ring for our 3rd run of the day.  Same 10 dogs in his class and he not only qualified for MXP leg#5 he did it with a 4th place!  I had tears in my eyes when I left the ring. Have I mentioned how much I love this dog?   Oh, the tiny thing I am holding in the 2nd picture is his triple Q pin.  It is such a lovely keepsake.

Chudleigh had FUN

Chudleigh picked up 2 legs with placements Sunday.  He took 2nd in open jumpers for his 2nd leg.  Despite having the fastest time a slower clean run took the blue over a faster 95.

He took a 1st in novice FAST with a 68.  In fact after reviewing Lorie's on line cataloge I am amazed to report that Chudleigh's 68 was the highest score of the entire class!  Not only that, he leaped over the teeter in is joy to be out there, and I have the video of that run.  http://youtu.be/jh-K1tTJbr4   It wasn't until I saw the video did I realize tht the judge had to scuttle out of our way.

It was a fun course.  The tunnel we took first was 9 points, then the next 2 jumps taken in succession was another 10 points so that is why I started there.  Then I had to hustle across the ring to get to the A frame which was another high point obstacle and it put us in the best spot to do the send.

Next weekend we do Mensona then have a month off as all the trials are up by Sac and I don't do overnights nor do I get up before God does.

Rollo OA

I STILL can't believe it, little Rollo finished his open standard title Sunday with all 1st placements.  He was the only qualifier in his class of 4.  Zorro, bless his heart, never got ANY open legs.  Chudleigh took 15 months between getting his NA and OA, and Rollo did it in 5 months.  Considering how few trials there are in November and December, it would have been faster if the timing had been different.

Of course I got the video  http://youtu.be/ztohUteOPC0  The judge is Terry LeClair who is provisional,  He judged all the novice and open classes as well as FAST and T2B.  He had some innovative courses (polite talk for HARD) but I enjoyed the challenge.  I think the hardest part of the course was the progression from jump 2 to 3, most dogs incurred a refusal there.  Rollo was a very good boy and held his leadout so we were successful.

Rollo also had a great T2B run.  I was so pleased with his weave entry, and of course I got the video of that too.    http://youtu.be/64CeiQvtQuA   I started doing rear crosses as he tends to zip to the wrong side of me when I do a front cross and then we incur a refusal because he is in the wrong spot to safely jump.

Just for a bit of excitement Rollo was rolling on his back in a patch of clover up there Saturday.  It was a lovely sunny afternoon and Rollo was taking care of some itchy spots.  When Rollo scrambled to his feet with a self satisfied grunt we were stunned to see a big fat fuzzy bumblebee come staggering out of the Roll-oed clover!  Poor guy fell over a couple of times, then managed to get airborne and drunkenly flew away!  I wonder what he was goign to tell his bumblebee buddies?  I guess Rollo lived up to his mispronounced call name.

 

 

On February 10th, Inc, Ube and I were entered in an Odor test at the Marin Human Society. We were testing for birch and anise. First was the scent of birch. Ube was scheduled to go in first, so after an 2 hour wait, it was our turn. In 9.5 seconds we were done and passed the birch test. About 20 minutes later it was Inc's turn. We were in and out in 7.5 seconds, passing. We then waited about 1 hour for our anise test, again Ube first and then Inc, both passing and both under 10 seconds. I was grinning from ear to ear. Now we just have to find a trial to enter. Jennifer was also there with Kerry and Lea, they two also passed. It was a fun day for all!!!! Nosework is a fun sport!