Summer in the south is coming!

It is getting to be that time of the year when it starts getting hot. As the grass starts going dormant from the heat, Clovers tongue is hanging out more and more. I have been running her more at dusk when it is cool. There was a USDAA trial locally this past memorial day weekend, but we didn't attend and I was very happy with that decision because it was pushing 90 degrees out. When you are waiting around all day for your run, it can be a long day.

Clover and I didn't have private lessons on Monday because of Memorial day, but yesterday we had competing agility class. In class we worked on Flips and 270 degree turns. Clover and I have learned both those moves before, but it sure was a good review. We also ran a pairs course. Clover did very well on the course. I chose to do the side with weaves and Clover nailed them both times we ran! It was only 6 poles and in the grass ring, but I was very happy with her performance.

After class we went down to the sand ring and ran for about 10 minutes, focusing on the set of 12 weave poles in the sand ring. She did very well. We took them about 10 times and about 4 times, she skipped the 3rd pole, but when I restarted her, she did them perfectly. I was very happy with this because it was hot and she was getting a little tired. Weaves are the first to go when she is tired.

Our next trial is an AKC trial at Bon Clyde, in Sanford on June 10 th and 11th. I entered that one because it is an indoor trial and it will be easier to manage the heat.

Just a reminder that tomorrow night, my wife will be showing her film of Clover at the Duke center for documentary studies... Your invited if you can make it.... Details are posted on the May 5th post...

Not in sand...

Last night in competition class we worked on short tight 6-8 obstacle courses that contained everything from flips, 270 turns, and reverses, pinwheels and more. There were 3 embedded course with 2 tunnels and 6 jumps. It was fun and challenging. It was difficult for those dogs that automatically like to take the obstacle in front of them.

After we were done with the mini courses, we worked on weaves. This class was held in the sand ring and clover did very well on the 12 weave poles in the grass ring. She did them 6 times flawlessly. I then mentioned that I wish she could do them that well in the sand ring... So we went to the sand ring and I had to start her about 10 times before she did them correctly. So Clover obviously doesn't like the sand ring. I think I will rent the sand ring this week end so we can practice on weaves.

Stride Regulator

During private lessons on Monday we worked with a stride regulator before the weave poles. We put a single broad jump board about 4 poles in front of the weave poles in home that it will cause Clover to check her stride just enough to enter the weave poles. We will see how this works after a little time.

Clover also likes to take obstacles on her own. In order to help stop this we did recalls in the agility ring without taking any obstacles.

We also ran a novice course, and Clover did very well, except for the weave poles of course.

Another change that I will be making is not feeding Clover for a couple of hours before running. Currently I get home from work at 5 and go to private lessons about 6:30. I am going to start feeding her an hour or so after running, just to see if that gives her a little more stamina.

Back to COW

Since I missed Course of the Week last week, it seems like a long time since we have been there. I volunteer to help set it up ever other week, and this was my week. I set up a standard embedded USDAA course. There was also a Youngsville Agility Club meeting. They are having a trial on June 10 and 11th in Sanford and preparations need to be made. That will be clovers next trial.

Clover and I ran the course about 3 times. Once again she didn't want to do the weaves in the sand ring. It may be because we didn't practice them until she was really tired though. I think I may rent the sand ring this weekend and just practice weaves. Since the sand gives, I think she is much more unsure of herself on the weaves.

We spent most of our time in the grass ring. This is an adhock ring where you can basically set up obstacles as you like and practice. She did the weaves fine in the grass ring.

During a run in the grass ring, I noticed Clover was blowing her discrimination between the A-frame and the tunnel, so we spent quite a bit of time working on that.

I also really worked on reinforcing her 2 on 2 off contacts. They look fine when you watch, but she is rushing my release command. So I am continually going back and reviewing that with her. When I am at Teamworks Dog Training, I try to work on contacts, since I really don't have any contacts or 12 weave poles at home.

I believe all the jump practicing that I have been doing at home has been helping. Her timing seems to be much improved, especially on the single jumps. The spreads still need some work.

Overall, I think it was a good training session, a beautiful night and Clover got a good workout.

Competition agility class has started!

Competition agility class started at Teamworks Dog Training last night. This, I believe, is the 3 rd time that we will have taken it. Linda Monico is teaching again and Blair Boyette is the assistant. Unlike the previous competition class, there are other students, so it won't be like private lessons. There are actually 4 other students in the class.

We took a standard AKC run and broke it down into 2 parts. We discussed how we would attack the course and then we ran the first half. After we did the same with the second half, we combined it all into an entire run.

It has actually been a little while since I have have worked Clover at Teamworks. Michele was sick on Monday, so we didn't have private lessons and last week for Course of the week, we went a little early so we could get some footage for the short film of clover we are doing and I didn't stay around for COW and didn't get much of a workout. Since it has been so long since I really ran her, I saw a little of her old traits coming out. Especially the weave poles.

We have been running quite a bit at home, but It has been to improve her jump timing and build her endurance.

Clover ran the course very well in class except for the weave poles. When other people were running we practice weaves in a side ring and where she did them fine. I think she just doesn't want to do them in the sand ring, which is where we had class.

In class Clover seemed to have energy and endurance. I think most of Clover's endurance problem is heat based. I don't think she tolerates heat well. Prior to running, she does not like to drink because she is so excited, so once she gets a short workout and drinks and sits for a little, she regains her energy. I will have to experiment to see what works the best.

Overall I think it will be a good class and I look forward to it.

At home practice.

Since I am trying to get Clover's conditioning up, I have been working more on agility with her at home. Currently I have 4 single jumps, a triple, a set of 6 and 12 weave poles and a painted board that I use as a contact. I can set up pretty good little courses that I can run clover in. She does very well at home and I hope that the more I practice at home, the more those traits will transfer to trials. My next entered trial is June 10 th.

Am I actually tiring Clover out...

Monday during private lessons, we determined that we need to do come conditioning and endurance training with Clover. She seems to be getting tired out after 2 to 3 quick runs. Most of the training that I have been doing has been playing fetch with a ball. a few minutes everyday.

Michele recommended shifting to more endurance conditioning, doing running and long hikes with Clover, rather than sprinting. She also mentioned getting a back pack for Clover and adding weight for her.

I started spending more time at home working on quick jumpers courses etc. Working longer to get her continuing up. We noticed that after clover gets tired, she starts getting lazy, popping out of weaves, and going around jumps.

Clover...The Film Star...

Clover’s Run


for the Certificate in Documentary Studies



Thursday, June 1, 2006
7:00 PM

Center for Documentary Studies
Duke University
Durham, NC

Reception Following

Dog agility is one of the fastest growing sports for animals in the U.S. Clover’s Run explores the world of dog agility competition in central North Carolina with a young Belgian Tervuren dog, Clover, and her owner/handler.

Join these two as they share challenges when they begin to participate in this sport, where Clover must accurately run through timed obstacle courses under Charles’ guidance and direction. Agility provides exercise and fun for this pair and helps to strengthen the bond between them.
E greer is returning to her former world as a filmmaker, this time on her own terms: to make films that reflect her diverse interests. In her previous life, she was an award-winning producer for the University of Wisconsin-Extension and Wisconsin Public Television and Radio. In her day job, She is President of Learning, ETC., Inc., which provides educational, training and communications consultation and services to organizations.

Greer is an avid traveler, gardener, hiker and cyclist


Produced by Learning, ETC., Inc.

Running Time: 9:00

Visit Charles’ Agility Blog for updates on Clover’s progress:
http://tervdogagility.blogspot.com/


For directions to the Center for Documentary Studies: http://cds.aas.duke.edu/about/here.html

COW and new jump

I enjoyed course of the week this week. I helped set up the course this week and realized after I set it up, that we had the same course a couple of months ago. It was a USDAA style jumpers course. I threw a set a weaves in it so we could practice it. Clover didn't do to well on the weaves, but it had a very difficult entrance. We also worked on timing on the broad jump.

Michele had an extra triple jump that I purchased and set up at home. I am going to start working at home more with Clover. Short sessions I think will be helpful, along with COW and classes. I currently have 4 single jumps a triple and weaves so I can set up a nice little course.

Adrenaline Training lessons

We have taken it easy in the last week. We didn't have class on Tuesday because we are between sessions now and we didn't go to COW on Wednesday because it was raining. We did have private lessons last night and we continued to work on adrenaline training and practiced jumping spreads.

We just worked at getting her hyped up and than ran a course. We must have done our job because she rushed a contact. She hit it, but didn't do the 2 on and 2 off which I require. She also rushed a start line stay. One thing she rarely ever does. She did pretty well in weave poles. She was very fast and ran the course very well.

I will have to work more at home with clover since competition class does not start until May 16th...