3rd Agility Class Recap

I'm pooped. I swear it was cold outside, but the minute we got to class the sun came out & it was 80. I was seating buckets - and as you know, I really dont care to sweat. I even had a baseball cap on to keep the sun out of my eyes.

Mocca was so thrilled to be going, she "roo-roooo'd" about every 3 minutes on the way to class. It is about a 15 minute drive.

There were only 5 dogs tonight (usually 6), and my group was with only us & another dog. It is a miniature australian shep with markings quite like Mocca. A funny group with Mocca & a mini version of her w/o a tail! His name was Koa. We had quite a lot of fun! First we warmed up on a few jumps to get into the swing of things. Then we went over to the tunnel & did a few turns in that. We hit the tire jump, and then the table & it was time for a new item.

We learned "climb" up a very tall (taller than me at the peak) A-Frame. Mocca dashed right up w/o a thought whatsoever & hit her target w/no problem. A "Target" is a top to a plastic butter dish that a treat sits on. It is to train the dogs to slow down & stop at certain points by saying "target". On the things like A-Frames there are yellow portions on the start & finish that the dog must be sure the make contact with. Target is a way to help train them to do that. Mocca has noooo problem with that. We ran that several times w/o any trouble, and were even able to run it off lead.

Next we did a great big long raised plank. It is about 24 feet? long & raised up above the ground to about my shoulder. 12 of the feet are straight across & the other parts are up & down. Again Mocca had no trouble. In a matter of minutes she was running across & hitting that target perfectly. Lots of dogs had problems with this one as it is scary to some dogs, especially younger ones (Mocca is the old lady of this class at 6. Most of the other dogs are 2 yrs or not even).

We mastered the plank & then went on to do some sequences. We did a couple jump, jump, tunnel, tires. ANd then a sequence of jump, chute, weave, jump! We also learned how to do lead outs. THis is where the dog sits & stays at the beginning of the sequence & the person goes about after the first item & leads the dog out over it. Supposed to cut back on the effort on my part. I dont know - We were both panting & pooped afterwards!!!

Looking forward to Flyball class on tuesday now.