Thursday, July 22, 2010

Agility Update


It's been a while since I posted anything about our performance activities.  The weather has been SO inhospitable here - very hot & humid -  so we are very lucky to have air-conditioned places to train and compete.  The time practicing down our basement is paying off, as Brutus and I just had our best weekend of trialing ever!  



We ran in 5 events over two days (JWW, Std, and FAST for those of you who know what I'm talking about).  Two of those were Qualifying runs, including our very first Open Q.  That being said, all the runs were winners in my eyes, as Brutus did exactly what I asked him to!  The NQ runs were all SO close to being Q's, just little bobbles/handler errors that kept us from finishing all our Novice titles (a missed contact on the dogwalk in Std, a bad send in FAST, and over time in an open run because we had to restart the 12 weave poles).  


All of our mistakes were really handler-induced, but I'll take those problems to what we've been dealing with in the past!  NO ZOOMIES all weekend - hooray!!  I think we might finally be turning a corner, so now I can start handling Brutus normally instead of running in damage-control mode!


Here are videos of two of our runs, Open JWW and Novice Std.  For those that don't have the bandwidth to view them, the still shots were taken from those videos (that's why the quality isn't so hot).  I hope you can see progress from what we have showed you in the past, Brutus has come such a long way since our first trial at the end of last year (it's only been 8 months!).  I think I can speak for Brutus in saying we are having a blast competing!


Open Jumpers with Weaves (Q, 1st leg)




Novice Standard (Q, 2nd leg)






We can't wait to get back in the ring.  We have a few more AKC agility entries coming up (Aug, September), but for the next few weeks we turn our attention back to the comparative tranquility of the obedience ring.  We'll be giving Advanced Rally a try this weekend - our first time off-leash in that kind of venue.  ANYTHING could happen, from zoomies to Brutus laying down on me mid-test!  Please keep fingers and paws crossed that the "good" Brutus shows up with me this weekend!!

20 comments:

Two French Bulldogs said...

Brutus
you sure have been a busy boy. Agility, being a big brother, babysitting Carmen. Buddy you are doing such a terrific job. We wish you, the good/listening Brutus the best luck ever this weekend . Off leash!!! That's nutty!!! Just remember to listen to the hand that feeds you
Benny & Lily

dw said...

Way to go, Brutus!! You done good!

Cassie said...

A-MA-Zing!! Brutus you are a real star. No one could get BabyRD to do something that. The verticle stick thingies would scare her to death!! And that tunnel thing. Wowow!! (Your mama is a good little runner too.teehee)
Smooches,
Hootie & BabyRocketDog

Kapitein Haakje said...

super speeeeeeeeeeeeeed


Kissslobbers
El'bow & Hauwii

Maggie Mae and Max said...

WooHoo..Yay Brutus! Keep up the good work my fureind!

WOofs and Licks,
Maggie Mae

Unknown said...

Congrats on the nice agility runs!!! You guys look really good!!

Good luck in rally this weekend too. I'm sure Brutus will do just fine.

Anonymous said...

Brutus - you're SUCH a super star! All of us out here in Blogland are SOOOO proud of you and your momma! It looks like you're having so much fun.

wiggles & wags,
mayzie

Molly the Airedale said...

Nice job, Brutus! We love watching you do the seesaw. Mom would have a hard time getting us on that thing!

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch

Sam said...

Gosh, just watching your videos I'm sitting here thinking about my next trial and getting all jittery, wishing it would just COME already! Congratulations, both runs were gorgeous!

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

good luck to you both this weekend. We are very impressed with how well Brutus does - you can be very proud of both of your accomplishments.

Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

houndstooth said...

Brutus, you're the dog! Wow! That's totally impressive!

Bunny

Dexter said...

Go Brutus GO! Excellent running of the agilities. You are so fast and confident.

Slobbers,
Mango

P.S. Yuh, it is ALWAYS the handlers fault. You stick with that.

Roo said...

Cheers to the doggy steeple chase champ, Brutus!

Liftin my paws to you,
Roo

Bijou said...

Hi every buddy,

We hope the "good" Brutus shows up at the Rally. Good luck!

Kari in Alaska said...

Looks to me like agility is a work out for both of you!

Don't forget, we are changing our blog today. Please update your reader to follow dogisgodinreverse.com

Pat Wahler said...

Very impressive! Good luck this weekend!

Pat
www.critteralley.blogspot.com

Puglette said...

brutus, you look great on the agility course! you stretch out so long and sleekly, just beautiful! we have had a lot of family in from other states and other countries so agility has been postponed until things calm down. you know, the TDAA nationals are in our area this october. just sayin'...fire up earl!!
hugs,
puglette
:o)

George The Lad said...

Wow Brutus, your a star, just look at you go, well done you.
See Yea George xxx

Mary at Marby Bulldogs said...

Oh Brutus, that looks like lots of fun. Way to go!! Keep it up and enjoy! Good luck in Rally Advance...keep us posted!

Mary and the bullies

the booker man said...

wow, brutus, you are lookin' grrreat out there!! i hope you were a good boy this weekend at advanced rally! :)
*woof*
the booker man