This year we have done more agility shows than obedience shows! That is a first for me! As Laura is now competing in agility with Sax, we have fun going to shows together! We even went to a week long agility show (Dogs in Need) and did such mad things as competing dressed up in fancy dress (Bucks ducks).

In some ways Ellie’s agility has improved beyond all my expectations. She is attentive and has good directional commands. She has pretty good contacts and a reasonably reliable wait on the start line. However, our main problem continues to be that Ellie jumps so low and long that she often drops poles and doesn't judge the next jump, so doesn't give herself enough room to take off. Our rounds can be magical or a complete "demolition derby". It is a bit of standing joke that we have to apologise to the "pole pickers" before we go in.

Nevertheless we have achieved one clear round which secured us a 5th place at Milton Keynes Agility Show. If only Ellie cared about hitting the poles, we could make some progress, but, in Ellie's mind, speed is the number one priority - jumps are just something to be scrambled over before moving on to the next thing... I know she is loads better than a year ago - it is just a bit frustrating. However, we have made enough progress to be awarded the ACTS trophy for the most improved agility dog/handler!!!

As for our obedience... Ellie has become a bit moody about the work. She can be over sensitive and had decided that she is frightened by certain noises and won't work, sometimes running away to hide. She is usually OK outside, but even then, it doesn't take much to put her off. I just don't know what is going through her mind. However, it seems to be a hereditary trait as Mel's Mikki has also developed these sensitivities. In the end, I only did a couple of shows and managed to do a messy scent on two occasions, but gaining a 5th place at the third show. If I did some more work on this we could get some places under our belt. I also need to do more work on our sendaway... Lots to keep us busy!

This page was updated on 28th December 2007