Jen5200 (03-31-2019), kimbersmom (03-18-2019), smartrock (03-18-2019), Snowshoe (03-19-2019)
Linus and I had our agility debut this weekend. After casually taking agility classes over the past 18 months, I found myself getting a bit more into it. I never really thought Linus would be competitive, and don't get me wrong, he's not going to be going to the NAC and competing against well-handled border collies, but he's a great dog and what he lacks in speed, he makes up for in focus and teamwork. It doesn't matter how fast your dog is; if he can't get the weaves, drops bars or gets sucked into tunnels, they aren't gonna be in the ribbons! Not that he is a slug. For our first trial, he ran Jumpers with Weaves (JWW) over 4 yards per second and Standard closer to 3 yards per second, but that has more to do with making him stick his contacts and his table at our first trial than anything else. We also had more errors in Standard, which takes time, and that's on me (my handling).
We QQ'ed on Friday with two 100/100 scores. Our first run, JWW, felt disconnected because I was so focused on remembering the course. I threw in a rear cross one jump early but Linus saved my butt. Our Standard run also felt disconnected and there were some mistakes for a score of 90/100. Blue ribbons in both classes though. Saturday was much better for me as I felt like I was connected with my dog. I made a rookie mistake in Standard and earned a 2nd but our JWW run was perfect and fast and we won on time. Another QQ day. Sunday I decided to do something different in my JWW run because it didn't count since it was the same judge as Friday and Saturday. I was NQed, but it was still fun! We won our Sunday Standard class for our title. That was a really nice run with just one fault when I did a rear cross over the broad jump. As it turns out, you have to specifically train a rear cross over the broad jump! That is definitely on our list of things to do.
I was really really happy with Linus. He was focused and consistent all weekend, despite very long days doing something new. He's my stressy guy -- our issue in Obedience trialing -- so I wasn't sure how he'd do and was prepared to pull him if needed, because three 10-hour days in that environment can be a lot, especially all the sitting around between runs. Every run, even the one yesterday as last dog in the ring, he gave me 110% with a waggy tail, bright eyes and a great attitude. He is such a fantastic team mate. He garnered a lot of attention from judges and competitors as such a wonderful, happy, good dog. And, he was scouted at the trial for a photo shoot for a national outdoorsy magazine. They were on the search for a yellow conformation bred Labrador who is athletic and in good shape, and photographed well. I don't have the details yet, and these things have a way of falling through, so just to be approached and scheduled for the shoot in early April, makes me very proud of my versatile boy.
Jen5200 (03-31-2019), kimbersmom (03-18-2019), smartrock (03-18-2019), Snowshoe (03-19-2019)
Jen5200 (03-31-2019)
Congratulations! And nice pictures, too!
Annette
Cookie (HIT HC Jamrah's Legally Blonde, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015
Sassy (HIT Jamrah's Blonde Ambition, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015
Chloe (HIT HC OTCH Windsong's Femme Fatale, UDX4, OM6, RE) 6/7/2009
And remembering:
Scully (HC Coventry's Truth Is Out There, UD, TD, RN) 4/14/1996 - 6/30/2011
Mulder (Coventry's I Want To Believe, UD, RN, WC) 5/26/1999 - 4/22/2015
And our foster Jolie (Windsong's Genuine Risk, CDX) 5/26/1999 - 3/16/2014
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Labradorks (03-18-2019)
Well done!
Labradorks (03-18-2019)
congrats! wow
Ivy
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Labradorks (03-18-2019)
And most importantly- looks like he’s having fun!
Stormageddon, Princess of Darkness, aka "Stormy"
Birthday 9-13-18, Gotcha Day 11-11-18
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Miss Kimber, CGC, 6/15/2005-1/27/2018 forever in our hearts
Labradorks (03-19-2019)
Congrats he looks awesome what a blast
Labradorks (03-19-2019)
Very well done, congratulations. Be sure to keep us up to date with that future photo date.
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Castilleja's Dubhgall Oban, the Black Stranger of The Little Bay
Oct. 15, 2007 - June 13, 2021
Oxtongue Rapids Park. Oct. 2019 Hidden Content
Labradorks (03-19-2019)
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