Freckles Frolics

doganjo · Freckles Frolics

Freckles aged 7 and me aged 65 decided we'd have a go at Agility - very much inspired by Liz, Sherry and Oz. We signed up with Oatridge College for the sum of £50 for a 10 week session, and duly turned up at 6pm to find they had started at 5.45 without advising the College of the revised start time. Idea

Nevertheless, we peeled off our layers, having been told it would be cold, but it was roasting, especially as the hour wore on. Embarassed

The class consisted of an assortment of 14 dogs from 11 breeds and crosses, including 3 collies as would be expected Rolling Eyes

First we had to walk our dogs in a line over three low poles, starting off with the 'Heel' command, then 'Over' as we neared the jump. Since the little brat is used to jumping a 5 barred farm gate this was no problem to her(although it gave me a few moments of flashback to a broken collar bone Rolling Eyes

). Having done this run a few times we progressed to the tunnel - shrunk down to encourage the dogs through. The command here was 'Tunnel Through', although it wasn't clear why just 'through' wouldn't do - Liz, perhaps you can explain if there is another obstacle where the command through is used? Anyway, Frecks is an expert at dodging, so proceeded to make an idiot of me (OK, OK - not difficult, you don't have to say it Crying or Very sad

) by trying to go round the same side as me and made me trip on the support frame and go flying - almost went through the tunnel myself. I hissed her name and the ears went back but she thought discretion might be the better part of valour and toddled through on command. Just in case she thought a tour of the equestrian centre might be interesting I grabbed the makeshift lead I'd been given annd heeled her as she came out (I had taken a rope lead, not knowing any better)
Both of us were beginning to enjoy this new experience, so after a few runs through the now extended tunnel - with Frecks tearing through at a great rate of knots and me belting up the side to catch her - we were then told we would finish the evening with four jumps followed by the tunnel, then reverse the exercise, with the dog at the other side (command for this being 'Side' as opposed to 'Heel' ). Freckles and I came out of the Centre with smiling faces, rather winded but very pleased with our first night. Needless to say, all of this was still on the lead. Thank goodness it is not outside in a field like Liz has had to deal with, perhaps I'll have more control (and more puff) by the time Winter has passed and we go outside. The only problem now is I think Freckles is due in season so we may have to miss a few weeks. I suppose I could put her in nappies Wink

Either way, I can thoroughly recommend Agility and look forward to setting a circuit up in the back garden. I have been buying rubber doormats from Morrisons in preparation (£2 each), and have my grandchildren's play tunnel as well as some flower pots and garden canes. We're "Good to go"
Annie

Ghilliegumdrop

When we are doing agility we just say 'tunnel' for the rigid one and use 'through' for the soft tunnel. Doesn't really matter as long as you use that same word everytime.......in theory you could say 'sausages' or 'pig's ear'....that would be different anyway Exclamation

guy

Curious to know how you can run a tunnel with the dog on the lead. Laughing

Mugi

With Fred I dropped all commands to as simple as possible.

So jump = GO
Tunnel of any type = TUNNEL
Tyre = TYRE
Weave = WEAVE
Dog Walk = WALK
A-Frame = FRAME
Long Jump = LONG
Wall (a jump) = GO
Seasaw = SEASAW
LEFT
RIGHT
WAIT
STEADY (for slowing down if he was approaching a contact too fast)

When you are running full pelt after a fast dog it is definitely worth keeping all commands as breath preserving and simple as possible Wink

.

Sounds as though you had a great time Laughing

Ghilliegumdrop

I think you drop the lead as the dog goes through Guy....and, hopefully, pick it up the other end. Unless, of course, the dog is a lot faster than you are in which case someone else will pick it up Twisted Evil

Liz

doganjo

It's Sam Butchart who's the trainer, Liz. Very good! Frecks and I had a great time.

Liz

I've seen Sam at a few shows and I imagine he would be a pretty good trainer Very Happy

doganjo

Well we went back! Frecks is coming into season but they said it was OK to take her this week then miss the next two - scunner and d$££%$^%^%. I'll lose two weeks money as it's paid up front! Dratted bitches!!!! Twisted Evil

Anyway, tonight we were on the A frame and catwalk with a few jumps for good measure. No problems here as she walks along the wee dyke in my garden anyway. We practiced a few times on them then did a couple of rounde of catwalk, then four jumps, then the A frame, then reverse it all. The main problem I have is getting Freckles to walk/run on my right side. She doesn't understand the command 'side' yet I don't think.
There was a wee bit of a fracas between a couple of collies and Frecks thought it might be fun to join in from the other end of the centre - bark bark she went, I told her 'No' in no uncertain manner and she just laughed at me! Typical Brittany, if there's a storm brewing they want to get in and sort it out. I'm enjoying this, Mum, she said! Wink

One of the collies took a dislike to the A frame and jumped off the top landing on the shoulders of the trainer, Sam. Sam coined what I think is a classic phrase tonight. (you have to try to imagine a sort of Glasgow acccent here) "Agility is supposed to be relaxing for the dug, and for youse." You should all get that bit OK, but wait for the punch line - "If yees dae it wrang naebdys gauntae die"
Loosely translated as 'This is meant to be fun for you and your four legged friend, so don't worry if you make a mistake, it isn't the end of the world'

Once again, me and my pardner came away puffed but happy. We'll just have to play with the grandchildren's play tunnel, my traffic cones, and flower pots and canes for the next two weeks - weather premitting, of course! My burn is at the top of its banks tonight and Allez retrieved a pigeon from the opposite bank this afternoon after swimming downstream because he couldn't get up the steep opposite bank. Good training for him too. The pigeon had stunned itself by banging into the kitchen door, and it's head was quite badly damaged, so when Freckles realised it was there and picked it up, the poor thing gave up the ghost in her mouth. The look on her face as she put it in my hand was priceless Laughing

It almost said 'it wasn't me, Mum, honest Rolling Eyes

'
Trouble is said pigeon got sodden when Al brought it back over the burn, so I had to dump it in the bin. Must try to get the girls to chase another one into the window tomorrow - plenty of them around here. Donald says he's buying me an air rifle for my birthday. Now THAT should be fun! Annie with a gun Wink

Annie

Ghilliegumdrop

Why didn't you dry it off with your hairdryer Annie....then you could have had it on toast after the dogs had finished with it Twisted Evil

eddieh

Glad to hear you're enjoying yourselves. Tegen's going back for her first session for four or five weeks tomorrow. The woman who takes our lessons doesn't count missed classes so you get the full 8 sessions even if you can't go one or more nights. It does cost £60 but we always get 15 - 30 mins extra somehow and there are only ever three or four of us. Wasn't it Liz who commented that people at agility only comment on the positives. That sort of attitude means that you get a chance to put things right without treating the odd Rolling Eyes

hiccup as a complete disaster. Helps to keep things in perspective when people make comments like your trainer did Smile

.

doganjo

doganjo

Well we went back after the two weeks season quarantine and two weeks College holidays. It wasn't pleasant having to leave our cosy billet in the dark, but being a true Aberdonian I wasn't going to give up after paying the money up front. So off we troddled. Freckles was so excited she barked when the others were doing their turn. But we aren't allowed to reprimand, no negativity allowed, so I got a row for saying No to her. I have to distract her instead.
Anyway, they had progressed to the A frame at full height in the two weeks we were 'indisposed', and the jumps were higher, and the walk way was at full height too. In addition we were now on to the tunnel that is flat at one end so the dogs can't see where they are going.
To start with, Freckles didn't seem to realise what she was there for - she remembered the A frame but the wee soul struggled a bit to scrabble to the top, and as for the jumps she just turned to look at me instead of watching where she was going so invariably had to do a standing jump instead of having a run in. Wink

She almost fell off the walkway she took it so fast. Laughing

However, when we had done a few practise runs she bagan to get the hang of it. We did a jump, then teh A frame, then the tunnel to change sides, then over the walkway and lastly two more jumps. At the end of all that Freckles had the biggest silliest grin on her face, and I was a little out of puff myself. The only problem I have is the same one I hda when i took her to the per obedience classes. The Trainer's treats are far more interesting than mine - even though they were only the new Pedigree training treats and mine were hard baked liver. How I overcome that one don't know - she is just desperate to get over to Sam as soon as our round is finished.
Anyway, that was it for this week - there is an Agility Show there on 7th December so I'll go and watch I think.
Annie

Liz

johnhod

doganjo

Ok, clever clogs - do you know something me and Liz don't? What else is it than the treats? Laughing

johnhod

The trainer Question

Maybe they just enjoy the interaction they get with them.

Ghilliegumdrop

doganjo

Well if she looks at Sam that way again she will have interaction with my toe
Rolling Eyes

guy

respect

doganjo

I was only joking Wink

My little Freckles can do no wrong. Wink

She charms the socks off everyone she meets - just like Allez! It's in the genes.

Mind you Belle does too, Hmmm ........ so does Ghillie, and Merlin, and Moss, and Topaz and ....................................... Maybe I should re-phrase that Rolling Eyes

All these damned Bretons charm the socks off everyone Laughing

It is DEFINITELY in the genes love5

doganjo

Back to our Frolics.
Last night was 'off lead for the first time' night. Rolling Eyes

SCARY

Actually she was better off lead than on, AND I didn't get tripped up. We started with two jumps and the normal tunnel, not the squidged flat one - did that a couple of times on lead , then the leads were off - one at a time. One young GSP bitch decided freedom was there for the taking and did about 5 circuits of the riding school before being 'guided' back to her very embarrassed owner. Oh dear, I thought, Freckles will do the same. Rolling Eyes

But no, she was only interested in the treats Sam had in his pocket and we BOTH had to run round with her. Wink

Eventually she got the message that I was her handler and started to follow the hard baked kidney I was offering.
Then we had to do the tunnel which Freckles sat and looked expectantly into instead of running straight through, as I had been throwing treats along our short home one. After a few practice runs over a few jumps set at different angles and the tunnel, we were given a tyre to tackle - I vaguely remember someone coining the phrase some years back - the only way to 'tire' a Brittany. Not true! It just encourages them to look for for more.
Anyway, the others had done a little on the weaving poles when we were 'indisposed' Embarassed

so I was glad Liz had given me her spare set last weekend. Freckles took to it like a duck to water - off the lead? no problem; run away from Mum? no way - she's got goodies in her pocket. At last, we managed to do four complete runs off lead watching the bit of kidney with only one or two missed jumps.
Sam is well known in doggie circles for his catch phrases and he came out with another couple last night. As we were trying to remember which jumps to go over then the tunnel, then the tyre, then more jumps, totally and utterly confusing for a number of us age challenged members of the group, he stopped us and said - Yer dogs ken the wye, they learnt in the first ten minutes what they hud tae dae, you'se tek a fortnight. If yes mak any mair mistakes it'll be a kick in the backside.' I'd better practice some more this week. Rolling Eyes

eddieh

doganjo

When there are ten people all trying to get to the back of the queue it can be quite amusing! Wink

eddieh

We've found that, when it comes to claiming your place at the back, the younger ones lack resolve and are easily bullied Twisted Evil

doganjo

Agility night again - Freckles seems to know as soon as I get my warmest fleece and neoprene lined boots on - equestrian centres are flippin cold draughty places!

We arrived early for once as I decided to take eat my tea on the hoof as they say - a couple of cheese filled Glasgow rolls and a bottle of diet Irn Brew - loverly grub Wink

. A 5.45 start is awkward as I have a 45 minute drive to get there.
As soon as we arrived, Sam greeted us with 'Hullo, wee Frecckles, how ur ye the nite' - not a word to me Rolling Eyes

He knows all the dogs names - none of ours!

We were to start using the see saw this week and Sam had asked us to do some homework in preparation for this discipline - practising on the house steps! Sit on the top step and call the dog up. When it's front paws reach the step down from you, say wait, or steady, and pull and release the lead gently so they are rocking on front and back legs. Must have worked because Freckles did it fine the first time over - but I didn't Rolling Eyes

Apparently I was leaning forward and over her as she reached the apex of the see saw in an attempt to stop her jumping/falling off. As always, Sam had yet another catch phrase in readiness for the situation "Staun up straight, wummin. Yer scarin me, nivver mine the dug"

We had the flat tunnel to contend with again this week, and Freckles isn't keen on this but she wasn't alone. Because the dog can't see light at the other end it doesn't know it is open. But Sam holding the lead and sending her in, with me opening the other end seemed to work OK. With most of the dogs (but not some of the owners) having mastered these after a few 'go's ', Sam decided to put us through our paces with a complete round - off lead! Another gem from Sam "Yeez aw ken yurr dugs, yez ken if they'r gaun tae run away. And it disnae metter sae lang as they cum back"

A single jump, then the A frame, two more jumps, change sides (SIDE SIDE SIDE yells Sam), through the flat tunnel, another jump, the see saw, two more jumps and finish with a full stop against the walls of the school.

"Over, Walk on, over, over, side, side, tunnel through, over, see saw, steady, over, over WHOAH!!!"

Some of the dogs are really fast - their owners just can't keep up with them. One collie barks all the way round, another lady loses track of where she is supposed to be going every time, Sam has to guide her round the course. I was watching youtube yesterday and saw one woman stand in the middle of the ring and send her dog round all of the obstacles purely on voice and hand signals - wonderful stuff - oh wait a minute - I'm doing this to help lose weight - maybe that isn't such a good idea. Ok Freckles just stay at that pace - I can just about keep up with you. Wink

Dave A

doganjo

Sorry, folks. Forgot to put on last week's post - tonight is the last one till after New Year.

Anyway, last week we were doing jumps and angles mostly - jumps were set out so we had to change direction each time and where to go next. 'The dugs will remember first time round so yez'd better let them dae it right' says Sam. Freckles did her usual trick of pulling me over to see Sam as soon as we arrived - for the sole purpose of checking what treats he had - 'Uv nane fur ye this week, wee Frecks' said Sam, laughing at her eager little face. The disappointment was total!
However, she decided the P Chum ones I had were better than nothing and off we went. (She doesn't know yet but she has liver being cooked for the next session) She is still watching me on the way round rather than watching the jumps and I think if she were off lead she'd be better but for some reason only the two collies that are going into competition were allowed off lead. And to be honest I don't think they are as good as a super little Staffy bitch called Lexy who just powers round the course. She is insecure and can snap so we have to keep a short distance between us - we always seem to be beside her. Freckles gets too close to the jumps before going over and on the lead she nearly pulls me over with her. First course was 8 jumps set at about 45% to each other in a sort of zigzag, four going away from the group then turn and come back over the other four, all with the dogs on the left. She did them fine - not displaced at all but they aren't very high as yet. Then we incorporated the tyre on the way back - no problems there either. Sam then changed the lay out and we had one set of weave poles to take in. Freckles likes these as we have a set at home (thanks to Jan and Liz - and Royal Canin) so we can practice. So it was four jumps out including the tyre, then weave, then three back with a turn in the middle to change sides. Last of all Sam set out a more difficult course of tyre, angle, two jumps, weave, two more jumps angled, another weave, two final jumps at an angle. Some handlers got a bit confused in the middle, trying to remember the direction, the side the dog should be at etc, but Freckles managed it all fine and off we trotted to the car, for a quick snack tea, and then off to Choir for Mummy.
Annie

doganjo

Tuesday was the last session before Christmas and after New Year we go onto the next level. I hadn't realised that agility training was so structured. Far more so than any other dog discipline to my knowledge - seems so anyway. Here's the KC structure. http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/download/2127/aggradingstructure07.pdf

A shock was in store for Freckles and me when we arrived. The whole arena was set out - every piece of equipment that we had tried so far was out there, set out in a proper agility course. As the others filtered in you could see the look on their faces - and the dogs' reactions. Dale the sooky Border Collie had a fright on the seesaw a couple of weeks ago so he hid behind his owner; Red, Twiggy and Cal, the other Collies, started a sing song as usual; the two staffies, Roxy and Charlie, were leaping about on the end of their leads itching to get going at the high rate they take the jumps; Boska the GSD sauntered in in her usual aloof fashion; and Freckles pulled me into the middle to speak to her favourite person, Sam Rolling Eyes

'Hullo wee Freckles, where's ma bestest wee Britbag then hun' Scrabble scrabble scrabble she went, to get closer, and wrapped herself round his face as she jumped up to meet his coming down to speak to her. Such loyalty, these Brits have, don't they? Rolling Eyes

'Yes are gawn tae have fun the night, folks, We'll huv a wee try on the seesaw then ye'll dae it aw. Jist like fur real'

So one by one we lined up for the off. 'Naw, your the lead dog the night, Freckles, dinnae hide, Annie' Embarassed

Oh dear, can't get out of this I reckoned. So off we set - over a couple of jumps to warm up a bit, then walking up on to the seesaw. She crouched down and I reacted to protect her 'Staun up straight, yer scarin' her again'
Sam turns to the whole class and explains that leaning over the dog was causing her to be more frightened - she was picking up my vibes. So we tried again and this time she went up the ramp, stopped on the top, leaned forward till the other end hit the foam pad on the ground and walked off - to a wee cheer from the others Laughing

@Right, yes huv aw seen how tae dae it so come on'
One or two were wary but in the main standing up straight beside the dogs as they reached the fulcrum seemed to do the trick. Nest we had to tackle the A-frame and the cat walk which we hadn't done for a couple of weeks, and also the blind tunnel. The weaving poles are easy. I glanced at my watch and found we only had 15 minutes left, Sam did the same and announced we would now do a complete agility round off lead. 'Freckles. tek yer Mammy round, Hun'
So off we went - two jumps, A-frame, tunnel, jump, catwalk, two jumps, seesaw, jump, poles, jump, catwalk, jump. So it was - Over, Over, Walk on, wait, wait, tunnel through, Over, walk on, wait, wait, over, over, seesaw, steady, good girl, over, WEAVE!, over, walk on, steady, STEADY, OVER - Good Girl - PHEW!!! Surprised

That was FUN!!!!! Roll on New Year, we're raring to go!

doganjo

And we're back again!!!! But no Sam this time. We have yet to find out our new trainer's name. He's nice but doesn't have the dewdrops of wisdom that Sam shared with us. Not yet anyway..............

We could choose off or on lead so I decided we had to go forward in 2009 and chose off lead. As far as possible Frecks will not be back on lead.
Anyway, we were just jumping. JUST jumping? Handlers in the middle of four jumps with the dogs being pointed to which ones to go over next, and figures of eight, T's, L's and all sorts. One lady just couldn't get the hang of it and just smiled sweetly saying "I'm ever so sorry, where do I go next?"

Freckles was really very good - she went where I told her every time - but sometimes she was jumping from a standing start if I'd forgotten which jump was next then suddenly remembered and called her over. 'It's no say easy, is it' said the anonymous one with a grin. Not half, said I!

Roxy and Charlie, the two Staffies, just adore jumping and both seem to just fly round, to and fro, up and down. Fortunately the little rescue Beardie has learned over the festive period not to run around barking all the while. The big GSD bitch just floats around the ring. There was one Staffy cross bitch that has a problem with other bitches and had minor 'go' at a couple of others as they went by. Just as well she didn't try it with Freckles as I think she would have stood up for herself. Rolling Eyes

It's owner had a good tight hold though so all was well, and it's good for a dog like that to have exposure and be controlled as well as having something to channel its energies into like Agility. Smile

All too soon the hour was up, but having set up the poles and tunnel in the front garden as well as one of Katie's big toys and the shed roof covering the pump, we now have our own agility course to practice on every morning before our walk.

doganjo

Agility takes second place when a walk to the Dam is on offer! Freckles becomes a blur

Click to see full size image Wink

This is the deepest side of the loch - a drop over the retaining wall of some 15 feet and the water at this point is about 40 feet deep. didn't want the girls going onto the ice here so they went back on the lead. The Ochil Hills are in the background.

Click to see full size image