Helping out at agility class
0 Comments Published by Gussie on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 11/11/2008 11:02:00 PM.
I got a text this Sunday asking if I could help at the beginners agility class that afternoon. Well, this week it was no big deal to stay on after the more advanced class, plus the weather was looking cold but fine.
We had a good practice course to run. But for an initial fluffed weave entry, we got round it, me initially following the green path for jumps 13-15. We then broke down the various elements of the course, and I tried following the purple line. Much less scope for blunders doing it that way for us - I need to practice that manoeuvre this week before the Glennifer show on Saturday. We ran the course a couple of times at the end of the class - clear both times.
It's been a few months since I helped out with the beginner's class - I first helped out in August. (Since then we've been coached by another, more experienced handler - I and a couple of others step into the breach with the beginners when Gary can't make it).
I remember how I felt when I first helped out. Snoutbeagle described brilliantly her experience of helping at her agility club. I completely related to what she wrote about feeling anxious at first. "You'll be OK," said our trainer. "You've got rosettes."
Now I've got used to all the faces looking at me expectantly, I find I'm a bit more in the groove - walking round the field suggesting what we'll practice, then watching the teams and making positive suggestions. On Sunday I helped a pair of newly rescued border collies, a slightly fearty golden retriever and an enthusiastic German shepherd. We worked on A-frame contacts, then some jumping, then the soft tunnel, then some more jumping - and we put it altogether into a simple sequence at the end. It's really great to seeing the dogs and handlers getting more confident, and every dog and handler has different things that need attention, all down to their personality and level of training. "It's so much to remember," said one handler. I nearly burst out laughing. Because I still feel like that!
We had a good practice course to run. But for an initial fluffed weave entry, we got round it, me initially following the green path for jumps 13-15. We then broke down the various elements of the course, and I tried following the purple line. Much less scope for blunders doing it that way for us - I need to practice that manoeuvre this week before the Glennifer show on Saturday. We ran the course a couple of times at the end of the class - clear both times.
It's been a few months since I helped out with the beginner's class - I first helped out in August. (Since then we've been coached by another, more experienced handler - I and a couple of others step into the breach with the beginners when Gary can't make it).
I remember how I felt when I first helped out. Snoutbeagle described brilliantly her experience of helping at her agility club. I completely related to what she wrote about feeling anxious at first. "You'll be OK," said our trainer. "You've got rosettes."
Now I've got used to all the faces looking at me expectantly, I find I'm a bit more in the groove - walking round the field suggesting what we'll practice, then watching the teams and making positive suggestions. On Sunday I helped a pair of newly rescued border collies, a slightly fearty golden retriever and an enthusiastic German shepherd. We worked on A-frame contacts, then some jumping, then the soft tunnel, then some more jumping - and we put it altogether into a simple sequence at the end. It's really great to seeing the dogs and handlers getting more confident, and every dog and handler has different things that need attention, all down to their personality and level of training. "It's so much to remember," said one handler. I nearly burst out laughing. Because I still feel like that!
Labels: Agility
0 Responses to “Helping out at agility class”
Post a CommentLinks to this post
Create a Link