This is my new blog to continue my journey with my Dales Ponies. It will also be the story of my building a new life for myself, alone now, except for my friends, horses and dogs, since my partner died in March 2009. We had lived and worked together, mostly twenty four hours a day, for nearly 28 years and I have never lived alone before. It is a tribute to my wonderful friends that I am still here, still sane(ish) and ready to re-invent myself. I love them all more than words can ever say and can never thank them enough for all they have done and are still doing. It is also a tribute to Alexandra Kurland and 'The Click That Teaches' that I know how to save myself now. To new beginnings.......

Sunday 8 November 2009

Dog Agility Day.

We had a trial run of the dog agility training this afternoon and it was fantastic fun and a great success. We had ten people plus our trainer who was just brilliant. She got us to introduce all the dogs to clicker training and even provided the clickers and the treats. She explained everything really well and had all the dogs doing a short course off the lead by the end of the session, even though only two of them had ever done anything like it before.

They were a very mixed bunch, as you will see from the photos. The Golden Retriever is mine but was borrowed by a friend who she doesn't know at all. Unfortunately there are no photos of me doing pairs with my two terriers as I was the camera woman. I didn't want to leave one of them out so trained the pair of them together and they showed real potential, especially my rather plump Jack Russell, Flora, who is food mad!!!!

Everyone had such a great time, dogs and trainer included. Our trainer, Kimberly, couldn't believe how good they all were and made us all feel very successful. Everyone is now eagerly awaiting the next session and we already have another four people who would like to join in next time!!!! That's all by word of mouth and all the agility clubs around here are full so I think that this one could really fly. It was also really lovely to do something that involved my own dogs for a change.

Here are the photos. The weather was very kind to us















5 comments:

  1. I think agility training is great for both dog and handler. My good friends do it with their Corgis.

    Great way to spend some quality time sharing a good day's work with your dogs.

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  2. How fun!! My daughter is getting into agility and we've got a few things set up for her to work with. But our yard is so small, it's hard for her to run her dog. You gave me a great idea to set up in another location! We'll try it this week. Thanks!!!

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  3. Agility is fun! My friend does it with her dalmatien, she is having a blast. If I ever get a dog, it is something I woudl lovge to do.

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  4. Oh boy, what fun that looks, wish you were closer,would be joining like ashot, with my wild child.
    She is already soaring over all the cc jumps in the woods behind our house.
    I had a very interesting phone call with a woman who does a lot of remedial work with her horses for prisoners and delinquent youngsters,I immediatly pricked up my ears and thought of you, Iwill write at length when I find out a bit more.
    Keep on with all the forward momentum,you are doing brilliantly.

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  5. Thank you very much everyone.

    Janette, I can completely understand why delinquent youngsters would make you think of me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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