Comments | matildasmom: USDAA Trial: Good Runs for Us and Daisy Peel to Watch, Too

matildasmom

USDAA Trial: Good Runs for Us and Daisy Peel to Watch, Too

Feb 27, 2012 21:04

This weekend Matilda and I went to one day of a two day West Valley Dogsports USDAA trial at the Pomona Fairplex. (Saturday we went to the Upland Library and listened to 18 kids read to us.) This was only our second USDAA trial. I went to one about a year ago. There aren't too many nearby. Also I have felt a little intimidated.

Anyway, the day ( Read more... )

Comments 6

nosemovie February 28 2012, 16:01:41 UTC

Heyyyyy, glad the mat (towel) thing is working. It's giving you two very specific things...

1. a focus and bonding with your dog that you can rely on
2. routine!!! And one that you can take with you anywhere you go.

sure, someday you might ditch it because things have just turned out golden... but maybe you'll just end up loving it and having it be something the two of you share for your whole time together.

Nice venue... next time, ask someone to tape you! The worst that can happen is they say no... and look at you funny. ;p

matildasmom February 29 2012, 06:19:51 UTC

Thank you again for the mat suggestion. We'll stick with it. You're right. I just need to be brave and ask someone to video.

cedarfield February 28 2012, 21:24:12 UTC

Glad you had such a good experience, all that training is really paying off! I would never dare to run Zodi in a place like that--I'm afraid she'd go visit that other dog in the next ring who looks like he's having so much fun :-)

I'm a big fan of pre-run routines that keep us both relaxed and focused. One of the things I do in my warm up is to use the warm up jump to practice the kinds of handling moves I'm planning on using during that run (landing side front cross, very angled rear cross, etc) Not only does it remind me what I'm planning, it also gives me confidence that my dog and I are on the same page when we head into the ring.

Love watching Daisy run her dogs. Can't wait to work with her this weekend!

matildasmom February 29 2012, 06:36:52 UTC

Yes, the warm up jump is great for working on handling moves and to get in sync with Matilda in a new place. I always work start line stays, too. We sometimes have trouble with those. So I put her on a stay and throw toys.

Have fun working with Daisy this weekend!

dinahprincedaly March 8 2012, 15:58:18 UTC

http://agilitynerd.com/blog/agility/handling/ProativeHandling.html

have you been reading these?

matildasmom March 9 2012, 03:47:31 UTC

No. I just read this one now. Definitely good advice for me.