Nae luck the collies

2nd show of the season was the one-day Scottish Border Collie Club show in Lanark. We were focussed and more in practice than we had been in Dundee – and Jake even got his contacts. We placed 2nd in Grade 1 agility, 5 seconds behind the amazing dog that won (and which won just about every other class it could else that day.) We also placed 4th in the Grade 1 jumping class.

As soon as I opened the envelope containing our running orders I had a good feeling about this show. It’s not often that we get to run the no-chance combined 1-3 class first (and so burn off Jake’s loopy lap of honour at the start), then the jumping (a gallop and no contacts) and finally the agility when Jake is most likely to focus on me.

I love how the rosettes for the Scottish Border Collie Club show are black & white. And our black & tan mutt got two of ‘em. Sorry collies.

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Ears O’ Clock – five to three

Ears at five to three

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Walking in a pinker wonderland

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A visit to Craigmillar Castle

Craigmillar Castle

A dreich spring Sunday is always livened up by a trip to a local castle. Not Edinburgh Castle – hoi polloi dogs aren’t allowed (assistance dogs can visit, of course). The other castle in Edinburgh is Craigmillar, run by Historic Scotland, where dogs are allowed in, on lead & under control.

Jake poses by a spiral stone stair

Jake loves visiting castles. He’s fascinated by the smells in corners (birds! beasties!), he loves to race up and down spiral staircases, and he particularly likes being on high and looking out of narrow windows and over turrets. Craigmillar was particularly strong on all of the above.

Jake on the battlements

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Reflection

picture of Jake on Alnmouth beach with reflection

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Dun-contactin’

walking a course in Dundee

Dundee was the first show of the 2010 season for us. We went through for just the Saturday, on a glorious spring day in Camperdown Park. We didn’t even manage a clear run but I was just so relieved to be back at agility after all those weeks dealing with grim inevitable family stuff.

Jake was even more enthusiastic than I was – and so fast! – but a little unfocussed. Probably down to a lack of practice and me not being as quick as I need to be giving voice and body signals. On the plus side, Jake’s weaves, our bête noir at this point last year, were rock solid. On the down side, his contacts were terrible – he jumped on and off the A-frame, used the seesaw as a launch pad, and hopped off the side of the dog walk in his excitement. How could I be cross? He was so enthusiastic. (I might have had a little fun too).

And of course there was the traditional Scottish feast for athletes.

Jake stakes out the burger van

Since then we’ve really been working on his contacts on training nights. Back to basics! The dog walk & seesaw are now much improved, but the A-frame is a work in progress.

So our aims for the 2010 agility season (our third!) are

• to keep having fun
• to improve consistency on contacts
• to keep Jake sweet and below threshold round ringside
• to get the points we need for Jake’s bronze agility warrant
• to maybe even win out of grade one day …

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Breaking news: LAB-LURCH coalition

canine overlords

We agree on agility, eating bread left for ducks, chasing squirrels and barking unhelpfully at German Shepherds.

We are your canine overlords.

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