BC's and Agility

[furtech]

Here's some happier dog stuff:



While I was up north, I was able to sit in on an agility seminar. Most of the dogs were border collies, but there was also a trundling Golden Retriever and some P-Corgis. One of the border collies was particularly impressive-- as was his owner, whose commands were -perfect-! Apparently, half of agility is the timing and body language of the handler and if that's off or jerky, the dog often fails.

Photon tubes loaded and ready to fire, Captain!

This dog was focused, even when it wasn't his turn.

A tricky jump: he came from a jump on the left, jumps this bar, then has to do a U-turn and jump another bar to his left. Timing is critical for a fast run, and the handler timed this perfectly! Note how he's already turning in mid-air; I love how his tail is counter-balancing his twist!

Wait 'till you see the corgi pics, Okojosan!

Comments

[okojosan.livejournal.com]

Yay corgis! I'd like to do some agility when I eventually get a corgi. I probably wouldn't want to compete, but I'd definitely like to try practicing it. I love watching agility trials on Animal Planet. :D

[saeto.livejournal.com]

I've always been impressed by border collies. Those are some great photos.

Looking forward to seeing the corgi shots as well. ^__^

[brerandalopex.livejournal.com]

[Brer] Yeah, in pretty much any agility competition including Border Collies and Shelties (for the smaller height class), those two breeds will be among the top contenders.

But, as you have noted, most of agility comes down to communication. It is easy (relatively) to teach the obstacles, but the real art and science comes into figuring out how to run the course and how to communicate that to the dog.

I've seen a lot of Border Collies being run by people who are so not ready for one. There is a lot of engine there, and if you can't control it...