tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7438272938839918405.comments2014-06-06T06:23:51.031-07:00Agility EngineerUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7438272938839918405.post-28540457873522924452014-06-06T06:23:51.031-07:002014-06-06T06:23:51.031-07:00Good for you! There is always something to celebra...Good for you! There is always something to celebrate in every run!Nancy and Stewie JRThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06112029594862893265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7438272938839918405.post-4652732845364563642014-06-04T09:58:54.071-07:002014-06-04T09:58:54.071-07:00My best advice is to do what's best for your d...My best advice is to do what's best for your dog and NEVER let anyone get you down. <br /><br />I had multiple people tell me that I would "Never" accomplish things with Scout... from being told she should never be off leash, to never getting SuperQs, being the smallest dog in a class of big dogs. AgilityEngineerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02875878044961232314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7438272938839918405.post-86761323101593048612014-06-04T09:22:13.277-07:002014-06-04T09:22:13.277-07:00Go PDCH Boo! I agree - having a sometimes fearful...Go PDCH Boo! I agree - having a sometimes fearful dog (Murray, the little mutt you've met 'round these parts) - I can't measure success by the same yardstick as the fastest papillon with the most experienced competitor. But a set of bouncy weaves, an enthusiastic teeter, or a table down (yes a table down!) - and it's party central! Thanks for a great blog post and for bragging about the Boo!Newbie and the Murrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03955183337332810260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7438272938839918405.post-68379592719024557922014-05-07T17:28:32.019-07:002014-05-07T17:28:32.019-07:00And TDAA was fun while it lasted here. I guess th...And TDAA was fun while it lasted here. I guess there weren't enough of us playing? Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17863446408320265707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7438272938839918405.post-30649702018124377182014-05-07T17:27:52.061-07:002014-05-07T17:27:52.061-07:00I know an Aussie whose owner specifically baits he...I know an Aussie whose owner specifically baits her on small dogs. Hopefully she will retire soon. Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17863446408320265707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7438272938839918405.post-66562423025482799842014-03-06T08:27:41.224-08:002014-03-06T08:27:41.224-08:00very funny take on starting a puppy :Dvery funny take on starting a puppy :Dandreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08911146116540091798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7438272938839918405.post-48465979892368060492014-03-05T05:41:17.341-08:002014-03-05T05:41:17.341-08:00Posted as part of Dog Agility Blogger Event on Sta...Posted as part of Dog Agility Blogger Event on Starting Your Puppy. See the other blogs here: http://dogagilityblogevents.wordpress.com/starting-your-puppy/Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01362351508663081249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7438272938839918405.post-71841081842300806052013-09-11T10:10:58.164-07:002013-09-11T10:10:58.164-07:00In July, I retired my 8 year old Belgian Sheepdog....In July, I retired my 8 year old Belgian Sheepdog. He'd been having problems with weave poles and during a routine chiropractic adjustment our vet looked at me and said, "It's time."<br /><br />My dog was still blazing fast, in the 5 yps range. But I could see the weaves were hurting him and knew our vet was right. We were at a trial, and I took one last run, skipping the weave poles. I begged everyone to clap since my dog lives for applause. We had a gorgeous run with flawless teamwork. I skipped the weaves, finshed the course, and wept as I put the leash on. So glad my dog had a lot of life ahead, grateful that we had one last glorious run together.<br /><br />He's having a happy retirement and no, no one wants to be "that guy!"<br /><br />I am so glad you retired your great dog with class! Thank you for outing one elephant on the agility sidelines :-)Kaypeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16826402353784912518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7438272938839918405.post-23191883771815242102013-09-06T05:55:13.294-07:002013-09-06T05:55:13.294-07:00Great Blog.
I am currently a few months or less ...Great Blog. <br /><br />I am currently a few months or less from retiring my 11.5 year old bc. Over the years I have seen a number of dogs, who were very competitive when young, kept going well into their older years. In the end these dogs were struggling to get around the course and knocking down and refusing jumps. It was sad to watch these formally good dogs keep trying to give their all to handlers who were blind to their struggles. My last memories of these dogs is watching their pain and heavy gasps as they landed over jumps. I do not want my dog to be remembered like this. I want her to be remembered as a dog who loved agility and at her last run finished wanting more of it.<br /><br /> <br />The Tri-Feralshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12382766605328201527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7438272938839918405.post-53994112253282457042013-09-05T13:06:01.154-07:002013-09-05T13:06:01.154-07:00@AgilityEngineer Came back to re-read, I liked you...@AgilityEngineer Came back to re-read, I liked your article so much. Yes, you have permission to quote me if it helps the cause. @Merinda 's comment is pretty on-target as well ViewFr4Inchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09590083513718152157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7438272938839918405.post-16592912267170684672013-09-04T17:29:45.640-07:002013-09-04T17:29:45.640-07:00Love the brutal (or not so brutal) honesty in this...Love the brutal (or not so brutal) honesty in this post. You went were I was afraid to go ;) Thanks for putting this message out there!Muttsandaklutzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05551047401085562752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7438272938839918405.post-22247919745363015772013-09-04T13:04:39.830-07:002013-09-04T13:04:39.830-07:00Great post. It really is so dreadful watching &quo...Great post. It really is so dreadful watching "that guy" (or lady) trying to get a dog that isn't into it (or capable) around a course. :( They might be blind to the dog's condition and even using "happy voice," but it doesn't make it any less upsetting than watching someone be negative and mean to the dog.minnowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02684517947260435774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7438272938839918405.post-57965208418427234742013-09-04T07:47:09.924-07:002013-09-04T07:47:09.924-07:00@ViewFr4Inch - Beautifully written. I am thinking...@ViewFr4Inch - Beautifully written. I am thinking about updating and quoting you!<br /><br />@Merinda - Agreed! I call it "eye rape" when an handler drags around a dog that doesn't want to do it anymore or has a physical issue that makes watching unbearable.AgilityEngineerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02875878044961232314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7438272938839918405.post-17204356946802950792013-09-04T07:35:29.266-07:002013-09-04T07:35:29.266-07:00Thank you - this is perfect! I hate seeing those p...Thank you - this is perfect! I hate seeing those poor dogs being drug around the ring for the sake of the human's hunger for titles.<br />People need to realize that there is more honor in retiring a good dog, than earning MACH 235 on a crippled shell of a once formerly grand dog...Merindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06084422735540499496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7438272938839918405.post-2856837155816449902013-09-04T07:19:37.861-07:002013-09-04T07:19:37.861-07:00Good for you! I also am on the "retire early,...Good for you! I also am on the "retire early, regret less" band wagon. My Taylor is "only" 11 but retired 2 years ago when I realized his back was hurting him and he had been diagnosed with PRA. <br /><br />Yes, he can still see. Yes, he would still LOVE to be out there competing in agility. He could have earned at least a couple more championships by now. But I'm the adult and the species with the gift of reason. <br /><br />Our dogs often do more than they should because they know it pleases us. We should honor this trait but also have the integrity to protect them from their own desire to please. ViewFr4Inchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09590083513718152157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7438272938839918405.post-12386733880670329582012-06-07T12:01:16.528-07:002012-06-07T12:01:16.528-07:00Thank you for writing this. I have been training i...Thank you for writing this. I have been training in agility for two and a half years but have yet to enter a trial because I fear this very thing. I am sure most people are very welcoming to green handlers and I shouldn't be bothered by what others think but it does aid in holding me back. It's really too bad some people have to ruin a very fun experience for others because they can't get over themselves.Kristinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942859130560139570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7438272938839918405.post-46908663412266568612012-06-06T23:27:49.704-07:002012-06-06T23:27:49.704-07:00I have BCs, and I teach agility, and give seminars...I have BCs, and I teach agility, and give seminars, but I have BCs now because my Jack Russell, the one who started this all...is alive and kickin', and wants to be my only small dog, tyvm :-) I am currently training my little sister's little bully dog (~16"?) and can't wait to tear up P12" with her!!<br /><br />I do have classes for small vs. big dogs but only because I find the people different, not the dogs. I separated the classes by people...then realized it was also by dog size. Funny coincidence!<br /><br />(Fun fact -- my little 13.75" JRT started me on this agility journey, the one that ultimately led me to leave the world of Civil Engineering and teach people/dogs how to play agility instead)EmilyHurthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16635681910027555696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7438272938839918405.post-593711064161855992012-06-06T12:20:13.950-07:002012-06-06T12:20:13.950-07:00Thank you! Well put.Thank you! Well put.KThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18433829589009666450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7438272938839918405.post-47527517497869474712012-06-06T12:13:38.866-07:002012-06-06T12:13:38.866-07:00Great post!Great post!Kathy Mocharnukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03029142726866533193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7438272938839918405.post-8331723868782473852012-02-17T14:45:49.574-08:002012-02-17T14:45:49.574-08:00I'd die ...and I never ever feel that way!I'd die ...and I never ever feel that way!andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08911146116540091798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7438272938839918405.post-22216078224109457032011-12-21T06:36:26.821-08:002011-12-21T06:36:26.821-08:00(Because - as you say - engineers have to analyze ...(Because - as you say - engineers have to analyze *everything* ^_^)JLGauntthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16596444973742414232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7438272938839918405.post-41820564048522043652011-12-21T06:35:48.844-08:002011-12-21T06:35:48.844-08:0019% Q rate in Championship (5 out of 26 dogs) and ...19% Q rate in Championship (5 out of 26 dogs) and 52% Q rate in Performance (9 out of 17)JLGauntthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16596444973742414232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7438272938839918405.post-72167440287582673642011-11-21T05:14:59.682-08:002011-11-21T05:14:59.682-08:00That *is* a pretty good one. I'll have to try ...That *is* a pretty good one. I'll have to try it out... or subject my students to it :^)Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01362351508663081249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7438272938839918405.post-25931992062556624982011-09-25T09:23:22.931-07:002011-09-25T09:23:22.931-07:00They are not in USDAA. Take a look at TDAA, a venu...They are not in USDAA. Take a look at TDAA, a venue specifically for smaller dogs, the biggest class is for 8" jumping dogs although they allow dogs up to 17" tall. I have small dogs (Havanese). I am constantly vigilant at all trials for the safety of my dogs. I believe that is my responsibility. If I was at a venue where someone actually directed their dog at mine, I would be filing a complaint so fast their head would spin. That is unsportsmanship conduct in any venue.Sue Burnshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04835340142941272032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7438272938839918405.post-63035016625670299032011-09-23T05:56:47.991-07:002011-09-23T05:56:47.991-07:00That's interesting! It just seems like most p...That's interesting! It just seems like most people are choosing to "conform" and getting medium and large sized dogs.AgilityEngineerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02875878044961232314noreply@blogger.com