Halloween for Springers

I did not want to let the month end without a post.  Just in time for Halloween, it’s time to look back 3 years to when I was a puppy.  Here is the Springer in the Graveyard video.

Enjoy.

Happy Halloween!

–Lancelot

McCook Agility Trial

At our agility class, our teacher Anne Riba suggested that we could break new ground by blogging live from an agility trial.  So, here we are.  It is Sunday morning in McCook, IL and we are at the McCook Athletic & Exposition Center (or MAX) where they offer free wireless access in an air conditioned indoor facility with artificial turf.  This is an all breed AKC Trail sponsored by the Great Lakes Belgian Tervuren Club and the Golden Retriever Club of Illinois.

We took a day off from C-Line on Friday so we could compete on all three days.  They will have to make the plastic name badge holders without us.

Our first run on Friday was in the Jumpers with Weaves Agility Class.  While I jumped and weaved, my first jump was on top of the jump instead of over it.  Let’s take a look.

In our second run of the day we were in Excellent A Standard Agility Class.  We had an excellent, blue ribbon run and my partner, Joe Hopper, and I took first place.

Here is the Standard Agility run:

In our second day we started off with a run in Excellent A Standard Class.  It was not a good day for the table as I did not want to go up there.  And once I was up I did not want to stay there.  Did I confuse the number, “Three” with the word  “Free?”  Perhaps, perhaps not.  I’m not saying.  Now it is time for Paul to start shopping for a table so we can practice at home.  (On the table you must stay for a count of five in either a sit or down as specified by the judge).

Here is the Standard Agility run.

Minutes later it was off to Jumpers with Weaves.  Going into the competition in Jumpers with Weaves I had two out of three legs of my Excellent A title.  I had a nice run and came in second place.  This allows me to move up into Excellent B.  Excellent B is the top class so now I will compete with the fastest border collies.  A quick review on agility classes: You start in Novice (A for first time dogs and handlers, B if you have won a title or if your person has).  From Novice you move to Open Class.  From Open Class it is onto Excellent A and finally to Excellent B.  In Excellent B there is no place to go, but you start acquiring points toward a Master Agility Champion title (or MACH).  My next run will be in Excellent B where a qualifying run earns points.  More on that when it happens.

From Jumpers I went on to FAST Class.  My run was clean (and fast) and I took first place.  Here is the run:

Sunday starts a new day and I started with Standard Class Excellent A.  I took an off course and once again suggested that Paul really needs to get a table on order.  Here is a look at my first run of the day:

My second run was in FAST class.  It was a surprise because we don’t usually run fast class until the end of the day.  I was the only dog to qualify so I got 1st place.  Since this was my third “Q” in FAST Class (and my third first place in open fast class), I received my title and now move in to Excellent.

Now I am officially an excellent dog in all events (and ways). Take a look at my run:

The final run was in Jumpers.  It was my first run in Excellent B.  It was great right up until the end when I missed the tunnel.  I can’t wait to try again next time!  Here is the final run:

Thanks for reading and watching.

–Lancelot

Happy 3rd Birthday to Lancelot!

Happy birthday to me.
Happy birthday to me.
Happy birthday dear Squirt.
Happy birthday to me!

Today I will chase the ball, jump over the jumps, eat the treats and have all the fun.

Resolute Sir Lancelot du Lac NA OAJ

Today my partner, Joe Hopper, and I entered our fourth agility competition and scored a remarkable two Double Q’s.  What is a Double Q?  It is when you have two qualifying runs on the same day.  We ran both Saturday and Sunday and Double Q’d on both days.

Did you notice those funny letters after my name?  They represent titles I have achieved in my agility runs.  NA means that I have successfully completed Novice Agility Standard.  OAJ means after completing my Novice Agility Jumpers with Weaves I went on to complete my Open Class Jumpers with Weaves.   Now I continue to compete in Open Class for Standard Agility and Excellent A Class for Jumpers with Weaves.

On Friday I took a first place blue ribbon at the Lyons Township Dog Training Agility Meet in Villa Park, Illinois in my first run of the day in Jumpers with Weaves.  Since that completed my third qualifying run in JWW, I received my title and was able to move up to Excellent A class.  Here is the JWW run:

Later that day I took second place (and a very colorful red ribbon) in Standard Class.  Joe got a bit confused as I went in the Weave Poles and started thinking he was back on the JWW course from earlier in the day.  I was able to point the way and we still came in second.  I was a good sport about it (as required by the AKC Code of Sportsmanship) and we had fun.  Here is the Standard run:

Today we were back for two more competitions.  It was my first time in Excellent Jumpers, but I was ready for it and took first place.  Here is the Excellent JWW run:

Then is was off to Standard Class where I am still in Open.  It was a clean run and I took first place here as well. Here is the Standard run:

Then home we went where I celebrated with my new squeaky ball prize while the boys celebrated with Ramp Pizza and my 12 blue (and one red) ribbons.

McCormick Dog Show – Agility for Lancelot

You have probably noticed that I have not had a post since winning my five blue ribbons in agility in January.  Now I am pleased to announce that at the McCormick IKC dog show in February I won another four blue ribbons in the agility competition, plus I had a qualifying run (a run where I did everything correctly, but where I did not place in the top three).

It was three days of fun at the huge McCormick Convention Center in downtown Chicago.  Six thousand dogs and lots of people to primp them, play with them and admire them.  The McCormick dog show is a “benched” show which means the dogs are there all day with their people and available to answer questions (the people mostly answer, but several of the dogs had plenty to say).

The people near us had a sign asking that their dogs not be petted without permission.  The dogs clearly did not make the sign.  If they did, the sign would have said, “PET ME!”  Note that the signs were nicely laminated with C-Line Cleer Adheer laminating film.

Over the three days I had nine agility runs – three in Standard Class, three runs in Jumpers with Weaves and three runs in FAST Class.  I have videos of my best seven.  Regarding the other two, let’s just say I hate yappy dogs. Their people should give them more treats.  You can’t bark while you are eating a treat.

Friday’s Agility Runs

My first run was in the Novice Class.  As a review, you start in Novice.  Once you have successfully completed three qualifying runs under two different judges you get your Novice title and you can move to Open.  From Open, once you have successfully completed three qualifying runs under two different judges you get your Open title and you can move to Excellent.  I’ll talk more about Excellent Class when I get there!

The run above was really picture perfect and allowed me to earn my Novice title in Standard Class agility.

Thanksgiving Memories

Another wonderful Thanksgiving… And so much to be thankful for.  My old friend Johann, who I have not seen in ages, came over for Thanksgiving dinner.  At first I was jumping with joy as I was so glad to see him.  As this was a bit much for everyone, I came up with a new strategy:  Try training him to do tricks.  I started with a few easy ones like sit and down.  I then moved into more complicated ones like “popcorn” where I get him to throw a treat and I catch it.  I finished the evening with a few of my favorites including “Strike a pose”, “Leave it and Take it” and “Crazy Eights.”

Here is a look at Johann practicing with me.

As Thanksgiving drew to a close I put my recipes back in their sheet protectors and put my photos into photo holders to savor my memories until next year.

Canine Good Citizenship Certificate

Last night I passed my canine good citizenship test and sent in for my certificate.  When it arrives I will attach the certificate to my office wall using my magnetic cubicle keeper.  Everyone will be so impressed.

At the same time I passed the CGC test I also passed my test for Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy.  I guess I am certifiably friendly.  Rainbow is a volunteer organization committed to using the capabilities and magic of dogs in therapeutic environments, especially with children.

Friedr. Dick 10 inch Chef Knife

You may ask why I jump so well.  The answer is simple:  cheese and tennis balls are great motivators.  That is where a 10″ Friedr. Dick chef knife comes in handy.  Before practice we use our chef’s knife to make perfect, bite sized cheese cubes.  We then put them in a reclosable small parts bag and off we go.  Or I guess it is over we go!

Get Organized for Election Day

It is election day today.  I did lots of research in preparation so that I would be organized when it was time to vote.  After a two hour wait in line, I opened my file, checked my notes and voted NO! for dog catcher.

Organizing Agility Photos

This week while I was practicing my rear crosses in agility practice, I thought about how the best way to keep my photos organized was to use 4 x 6 Photo Holders in my scrapbook.  Here I am in practice.  Those turns sure are tight.