Public parks for agility practise

There was no club meet this Sunday as our trainer was at a show. So I arranged to meet up with black lab Loki & his mum for a spot of practise. Between us we’ve got several portable jumps, two weaves and a wee tunnel – and it’s always good to have someone tell you exactly where you’re going wrong – a poor signal, not getting a command in …

We set up in a park that’s halfway between both of us. That always gets attention! To be honest we’re used to it as our club sets up in all weathers on one of Edinburgh City Council’s sports grounds. It makes for excellent distraction-proofing. Several people came over to chat, or just to watch. Some people are in other agility clubs, others want to know about where they can learn, others have just seen it on the telly. Some folk let their dogs run right over, others are a bit more sensitive …

Jake and Loki started agility at about the same time, and each is a “first agility dog.” They’re at a similar standard, but they’re like chalk and cheese! Viz. our distance work exercises. Jake will sit in a wait while I walk 4 jumps away and then call him over all four jumps. Loki’s wait is less secure. (And I hasten to add that at a show Jake’s wait is altogether less impressive…) But Loki can be sent forward over four jumps with never a backward glance at where his mum’s standing – whereas Jake takes one jump then looks back to see where I am. It’s great to have someone else to wave a toy at the far end – or to keep one finger in the collar – when you’re practising those exercises.

And whereas Team Loki is very nifty and accurate with turns and pull-throughs, they are still getting to grips with a solid “left over” and “right over.” On the other hand, Jake’s left and right commands seem pretty solid, but dearie me, I am RUBBISH at pull-throughs. I’m in the wrong place – I don’t give a command – I’m facing the wrong way … back to practising with an imaginary dog when I think no-one’s looking.

Jake wears characteristic sulky-can-we-get-on-with-things-now face while modelling his latest agility tuggy. (You should see the failed action shots from today’s training – definitely need to bring along loved ones dedicated to camera duties).