Sybil's adventures in agility
Then one day, last Friday to be exact, I happened to look at the calendar and noticed the training club where she does obedience and rally had their monthly agility run-thru that night. PERFECT!! So we headed up there and signed up and awaited our turn. The "judge" is a fellow agility competitor and also in Sybil's obedience class. Even though she sees me every week, she knew this was momentous for me. "You're back" she said. And hugged me. I wondered. Sybil was magnificent. I floated all the way home (hard to do when you're driving). I wrote our poor agility instructor a lengthy and glowing report (oddly enough, she seemed surprised  )
This week another club close to me had their monthly agility run-thru. I couldn't get out of work on time, but I was determined to go. I brought Belle along for good luck and, emboldened by last week's success, ran in at the last minute and made sign-up time with minutes to spare. No time to walk the course, ah, well. I ran back to the car to get Sybil just to discover that her great-aunt had been instructing her in the fine art of opening zippers. There was exactly one crumb of cheese left in my training bag that they hadn't yet consumed (and Belle looked hurt when I grabbed it) I grabbed Sybil, pottied her and ran back towards the course. She'll certainly work without food, but it makes it harder to reinforce the things you really like. I debated taking up a treat collection from my fellow run-thru participants. Sort of passing the hat. Just then a voice from the corner said my name. Some one I knew! A very kind person who had sometimes substitute taught some of Mad Dog's classes. I explained my plight and he kindly offered me a half a stick of mozarella. FABULOUS! We were back in business. As they started to set the bars up to 20" - Sybil was the only dog in that jump height so I knew we'd be right up - I quick tied Sybil to the fence and walked the course once. I don't necessarily have to run a course. I will often pick and choose what we need to work on. But it's nice to have SOME kind of plan and the lay of the land so to speak (always awkward when you send your dog to the wrong end of the teeter, for instance  ) Since it was getting darker by the minute - I could barely see the weavepoles out yonder - I walked quickly and went back to grab the dog.
The good news is her stay was wonderful. Additionally the good news is that although there were dogs and, more importantly, people (she's been known to enjoy running up to people to greet them rather enthusiastically shall we say), she ignored all that. We took the first two obstacles. I turned one way for the third, she went the other to go jump on the table. OK, my handling still needs work. Maybe I miscued her. Just because I was 40 feet away from the table and heading in the OPPOSITE direction does not mean I didn't somehow tell her ignore me completely and go run that way. It's possible. She did a beautiful automatic down on the table. From there it was jump-tunnel. I thought I was telling her to go to the tunnel, but obviously my handling was yet again unclear and what I was actually saying was: run the OPPOSITE direction and go climb the A-frame. My bad. I retrieved her and we went on to the tunnel, jump and then it was oh-my! Suddenly we were back on the table. How did that happen 
To avoid ending up in an infinite table-loop, I explained to her that it would be to her advantage to go in the actual direction I was going because now after the jump we were heading to the A-frame and, as we already know, she has great fondness for the A-frame. She concurred that she could see the wisdom in this, so she did and then I sent her to a tunnel and from there we were still in sync when I sent her to the dogwalk which she also remembers fondly from class. She did a beautiful dog walk contact and then it was supposed to be jump-turn - jump- teeter, but somehow that got lost in the translation because when I turned for the second jump, obviously my body was clearly telling her to run straight on and grab the table. I complimented her once again on her exemplary automatic down and explained that I would really appreciate it if she took that turn with me and it would be worth her while because we were heading to her other favorite T- obstacle: the teeter. (and this, people, is why you have five seconds on the pause table - to pause the dog and explain the advantages of actually going in the SAME direction as the handler). Having negotiated this, we took the jump and I didn't even have to signal the turn to the teeter. By the time I thought to do so she was already showing me her excellent teeter contact. From there we were supposed to do the weaves but the dogwalk evidently beckoned so we had another oportunity to ooo and aaaah over her wonderful dogwalk contact (it really is pretty) before I decided to send her to a tunnel and call it a night. Unfortunately through some miscommunication on the handler's part I somehow sent her to the wrong tunnel opening which was awkward for both of us as my knees happened to be in the path of that opening. I thanked the organizers for their lovely hospitality even as they were giggling (loudly!) that there was 30 seconds left on my three minutes. I indicated that I would be happy to donate the 30 seconds to a dog who had a handler somewhat more up to date in the fine art of actually handling than I and then went back to my long lost friend who complimented me on my dog's lovely enthusiasm and pretty contacts and convincing table and was tactful enough not to mention that she could have done all of that without the hander. Then we talked about his new sheltie. (Whom he wasn't running, as it happens, which is why he had cheese to spare and share, I suppose) He mentioned he was entered in a local trial the next day and needed to have his sheltie measured and he mentioned that my instructor (who can measure dogs) would probably be there and I blurted out: "don't tell her about this. I'll tell her myself on Thursday. I'm sure I'll come up with a plausible explanation by then". And then I sunk to an all time low even by my standards: I tried to bribe a priest! (which is what he does when he isn't doing agility) I always knew Sybil would take me to new lows, I just figured it would be your run of the mill fall on your behind, embarrass yourself royally lows. Not trying to bribe a man of the cloth 
Sheepdog puppies aren't born with little topknots, are they? Those really WERE horns. Oh, my. 
I laughed all the way home. That's not so easy to do when you're driving either. Kristine  |
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| thank - you!! I just spent two hours combing (yes I resorted to the comb) Out some mats that i just know Marley had bribed someone into felting into the oddest parts of her body - a solid square just above her shoulder blades - I have no idea why, on the very top of her head (how?) and of course on her feet which I cannot touch without her flinching. ALl of this of course while we listened to the fascinating presidential debate.
then I had to take her out to pee. she was so excited to have understood what I wanted that she decided to jump the little water garden in the backyard - the long way. she hates swimming and even more hates falling into muddy dank water in the dark. she is now in the kitchen growling at her own stupidity 
so thank you - I needed a little sidesplitting laugh. |
| Kristine you should write a book you have made me laugh so much that my side is aching, as far as trying to bribe a priest you should know if that doesn't work you resort to BLACKMAIL. And to answer your question they are not born with topknots and that is horns on top of their heads. |
| Kristine, what a great description of your "handling skills". It would be nice to get Sybil's version of how the course was supposed to go especially if she didn't have to carry her teammate.
It really is a shame that we aren't able to train together so we can commiserate about our agility trials and tribulations.
Maybe I shouldn't have been offended by the following comment made to me after our first run at an agility trial today: "He really looks good out there, especially for a sheepdog"
(I am sure she meant that as a compliment to our breed) After the second run he was validating that rude woman's opinion. |
SheepieMommy wrote: "He really looks good out there, especially for a sheepdog"
(I am sure she meant that as a compliment to our breed) After the second run he was validating that rude woman's opinion. Psht. No. It's not a compliment. But don't worry about that. Just keep on working on proving her wrong.
There are many Border Collie (for instance) insults available, but we won't sink to that level, now will we?
Kristine |
Mad Dog wrote: There are many Border Collie (for instance) insults available, but we won't sink to that level, now will we? Kristine Oh Please Please Please    |
| Of course that lady was insulting our breed - that was my being sarcastic.
Seriously, I cannot tell you how many times since I have gotten Harry that I have received "backhanded" compliments from other breed owners about "how great he is given that he is a sheepdog". And in many venues - therapy, vet's office, trainers, etc. What amazes me is that it is an unsolicited opinion I am getting. And to me it is no different than saying to someone: "That is a great haircut, for a mullet!" Breed choices are a vastly personal preference and for people to make comments like that is comparable to making comments about other personal choices such as attire or hair. Something most people would not do. |
kerry wrote: Mad Dog wrote: There are many Border Collie (for instance) insults available, but we won't sink to that level, now will we? Kristine Oh Please Please Please No, really. We don't need to go there. A well-bred, well-trained border collie tops my list as one of the most magnificent creatures on the planet. I may have some issues in regards to some of the people who get them and their motivation for doing so, but, again, we don't need to go there.
One of the reasons this breed maintains such widespread functionality is an unwillingness on the part of a significant number of breeders to sacrifice purpose for some artificial exceedingly narrow type. Mind you, that has its drawbacks as well. You'll see many a BC who has tremendous heart without the body to back it up, and that is sad its own way. But it is a breed where you can still find breeders who breed for a careful balance of function, structure and even on occasion health and temperament. Before we all rush out to get one (yeah, right) keep in mind that most of us can't own a dog who so desperately demands a job without at least one party - dog or owner -ending up with mental issues. It's usually the dog who loses. Kerry - I'm sure you've already seen your share of unhinged BCs. Some of them with jobs. That's what (sometimes) happens when you focus on drive to exclusion of almost everything else. Balance. Breeding dogs, whatever their purpose, is still a balancing act. Kristine |
SheepieMommy wrote: Breed choices are a vastly personal preference and for people to make comments like that is comparable to making comments about other personal choices such as attire or hair. Something most people would not do.
You're right but it's much more than that. Typically the person doesn't intend such comments as a slight. We're a victim of the fact that people rarely see an OES doing anything what-so-ever that resembles functional or wellbehaved. The breed does not exactly attract a broad base of training oriented people. They mostly appeal to people based on looks - i.e. they're sought out for the ornamental value and sense of fun. I've had OES OWNERS tell me their dog couldn't be trained. I think what they really meant is their dog SHOULDN'T be trained. Why, I still don't know. If the public sees them at all it is often in some training class as some owner desperately tries to get a handle on the poorly behaved ones. At a vet's office lunging at the other dogs. Or on TV, in some group ring, looking for all the world like they an oversized Bichon who couldn't distinguish a sheep from a tree, but rather would probably run full tilt into into both with equal ease. The show groom, however pretty, does not exactly depict even a pretense of function or intelligence. Bottomline: expectations for the breed = zero. Any OES that exhibits any modicum of trainability is considered the exception to the rule, even though the "rule", the public's perception, is shaped more by the breed's absense in the performance ring rather than a lack of ability on the part of most of the few dogs who make it there. Take Sybil's example. She did nothing people haven't seen countless young labs do. Or an overzealous green border collie. Do they remember the 20th or 400th lab youngster or 1000th BC they saw who got the zoomies? Nope, labs are, pardon me, common, and in performance, so are BCs. The exhuberance is considered to be lack of training or maybe that particular dog, but there are enough stellar dogs out there in performance in those breeds that not all dogs of these breeds are going to be judged by the fact that some two year old was celebrating the full moon or whatever bee he or she got up her bonnet. Let's face it, there's safety in numbers You cannot hide with an OES.
Conclusion: we need more OES in performance so (a) people will stop thinking it's a miracle if an OES knows its own name and (b) to show that our breed is like any other breed on earth: individuals will vary and that's to be expected it, not gawked at, for better and worse.
Frankly we have no one but ourselves to blame. Kristine |
| I met an absolutely incredible Border COllie the other day. he reminded me of the BC we all knew as kids (those of us old enough to also remember paying less than a dollar a gallon for gas ).
He was a little taller than the BC we see usually - or maybe it was becasue he stood up and didn't crouch every minute. He would sit quietly and play etc. unfortunately he was a little anxious and starteled by loud sounds - but the owner was a very dog savy Canadian who was working with him on that and they were making great strides. You know my issues with most BCs (or any dog that is bought because it is a means ot an end). Of course I guess people could say the same about our breeeding for excessive coat and overlooking athleticism and temperment. But I really could have used a good joke this weekend |
kerry wrote: You know my issues with most BCs (or any dog that is bought because it is a means ot an end). Of course I guess people could say the same about our breeeding for excessive coat and overlooking athleticism and temperment. But I really could have used a good joke this weekend
I know. And BCS are an easy target because it gets really tiresome and obnoxious when their people start believing their own propaganda
The more you see the breed, though, the more you'll learn to appreciate many of the dogs for themselves and separate that from a certain number of owners who give out the "my breed is god' aura
Kristine |
Mad Dog wrote: Bottomline: expectations for the breed = zero. Any OES that exhibits any modicum of trainability is considered the exception to the rule, even though the "rule", the public's perception, is shaped more by the breed's absense in the performance ring rather than a lack of ability on the part of most of the few dogs who make it there.
Kristine As you know - the vet I ended up taking Morgan ito last week was not my normal vet. Not only did he practically offer to cannonize me for doing something with my dogs (herding came up because one of the deceased sheep issue), he even wrote a note to my regular vet about how well balanced Morgan is. He even told me he didn't normally like OES - they were difficult - but I have to wonder how many he sees? I never run into any. I always say I have no intention of getting my guys into the performance ring but that they do agility and herding for their own sanity (and mine I can't imagine living with the two of them if they were bored ). Maybe I need to rethink that. |
Mad Dog wrote: Let's face it, there's safety in numbers
You cannot hide with an OES.
You are so right. And to be honest I would't want to hide with him anyway. As proof of your point: People all stood up to watch the Newfoundland, Great Dane and Chihuahua do their runs at the agility trial. But the other dogs did not get that much attention - too commonplace. And you wonder why I call you the wise guru. |
SheepieMommy wrote: Mad Dog wrote: Let's face it, there's safety in numbers You cannot hide with an OES. You are so right. And to be honest I would't want to hide with him anyway. As proof of your point: People all stood up to watch the Newfoundland, Great Dane and Chihuahua do their runs at the agility trial. But the other dogs did not get that much attention - too commonplace. And you wonder why I call you the wise guru. Please don't let my husband know about the Newfie running agility. He keeps asking me when I am going to start Beowulf in agility. I really need to quit my job and stay home and play witht he dogs all day |
Mad Dog wrote: Conclusion: we need more OES in performance so (a) people will stop thinking it's a miracle if an OES knows its own name
I was quite pleased when Jake appeared to know his own name some of the time. Mulligan definitely knows his own name most of the time. Somehow they both seemed to forget their name when convenient, Jake more so than Mulligan. Mulligan never remembers his name when it is said in panic, as in: "MULLIGAN! DO NOT ROLL IN THAT! MULLIGAN!!! MULLIGAN? Oh, Mulligan...." |
kerry wrote: Please don't let my husband know about the Newfie running agility. He keeps asking me when I am going to start Beowulf in agility. I really need to quit my job and stay home and play witht he dogs all day
I have always love Newfies. Honestly he was a little too laid back about the whole course, which I found very endearing. He was probably wondering where the body of water was on the course so he could do some swimming. |
| I love the "you can't hide with an OES".
I am really a glutton - having both a performance OES and a performance BASSET!!! |
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