High in Trial Agility Rott!!

[Elijah's Mom]

Here I am with another brag about Elijah.....I can't help it....I am just so proud of him!:) We entered UKC agility trials this past weekend just for fun....ran four AGIII and four AGII. Well, we didn't qualify in any of the AGIII trials..a little Elijah's fault and a little mine....but that was ok because we had fun runnin'!!!! Well, Saturday afternoon we ran AGII twice and Elijah earned a blue ribbon both times!:) We didn't expect this because there were around a dozen dogs...we are talking Border Collie, Aust, Shep., Labs, Retrievers.....you just don't expect a Rottie to beat them! On Sunday Elijah not only had clean runs again in AGII, blue ribbons in both......one run had a suggested course time of 78 seconds and we did it in 47:64!:) Now here is the really amazing part......Elijah had High in Trial!:D We have never gotten that before and sure never expected to!:D

I''ll shut up now but just had to share this with people who love Rotties as much as I do!:D

[AngelBunny]

Elijah's Mom:

You guys are *amazing*! Just so great!! It's in the back of my mind to pursue agility w/ Mox--she's nimble, quick, and I think she'd thrive on the speed of it.

[DNeff]

That is just fantastic!!! You should be very proud of your special boy. High in trial is an incredible accomplishment, especially in agility. Keep up the great work.
It's so great to see rotties out there showing those border collies how it's done!! :p

Dawn
U-CD Cammcastle's Mystic Riven CDX OAC OGC NA NAJ NJC TT CGC
http://members.aol.com/dplantier
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[LORHEL]

Nancy, and Elijah, way to show those sporting and hound dogs, how to rock and roll.. You guys are doing so great.

Congrats on all the hard work, and give Elijah a big hug and kiss from Makita and I. :)

[KatMc]

Way to Go! Congratulations to both of you.

thanks for sharing with us!

Kathy

[CajunsMom]

Fantastic!!!

Are we going to be seeing you at the Canine2 Iron Dog?

[spoteet]

That is wonderful:p :D

[Elijah's Mom]

Thanks everyone!:) There are afew Rotties out there competing that are doing really well. There is a lady from chicago with a Rottie named Smooth that runs beautiful and pulls in lots of perfect scores:) ....Rotties can do it:) ...yes they can!

Cajun's Mom...the Iron Dog competition was such a kick (and major challenge) last April!:D I would be real tempted but I believe that is the weekend we are entering AKC agility in Champaign, Il. We have to do the trials before it gets too hot for the little Rottie.:)

Elijah has been down with tummy trouble this week...on meds...hopefully he will be in good shape for the big trials at McCormack place this weekend...getting lots of rest and TLC.:)

Elijah sends Makita a big macho Rottie hug:D

Try agility, AngelBunny, I'll bet you get hooked on it too!:D

Lori, I may be begging you to post a pic soon...have to get them developed but we took afew of Elijah with the ribbons on his collar..we'll see if they turn out.:D

[AngelBunny]

Elijah's Mom:

When I started working Mox in obedience, I simultaneously signed us up for a pre-agility course. Mox had fun, but I didn't pursue agility because there're only so many hours in the day. It has been a thought of mine to pick it up again, tho, because Mox is a monkey and watching her, I thought she was having fun.

One reason I haven't done anything more with agility is that the agility instructors used clickers. I never used a clicker before and found I had a hard time getting everything coordinated. Do you use a clicker with Elijah??

[k&s]

Elijah's Mom -

Congratulations! nice work! Way to go Elijah!

Angelbunny - Instead of a clicker you could use a word like 'nice!' to mark the correct behavior and signal that a treat is forthcoming. That way you don't have to manage clicker, treat, leash, etc. and your dog isn't going to be responding to other people's clickers. Keep in mind I don't do agility (yet?), but I do use the word 'nice!' in the same way others might use a clicker for obedience training.

[AngelBunny]

k&s:

"Nice!"--what a great suggestion. That'd work alot better for me. Mox is used to verbal commands. Plus, a voice cue eliminates that pesky clicker--I'm right handed and the thumb on that hand was damaged in an accident when I was a teen-ager.

Thanks for the tip!

[k&s]

Just be careful to use the 'clicker word' only when a treat is forthcoming, otherwise it looses its special meaning. (I use 'goooood' to praise in general, not necessarily followed by a treat). Sometimes I say 'nice!' by accident and then feel badly for not having a treat to give.

[Elijah's Mom]

AngelBunny, I've never used a clicker with Elijah's training. When we first started agility training I gave Elijah a little treat and an excited "Good Boy!!!!!!!" every time he did an obstacle. Later on, when our instructor started putting courses together for us to run, Elijah received a treat and praise at the end of the course...this worked really well for us.

Now that we are doing competition Elijah looks up to me at the end of the course with enthusiasm waiting to be praised...I always clap and say "Good Boy!!!!" as I am putting his leash back on. Elijah knows he'll get treats after we leave the ring...lots of praise and treats have made this little Rottie a very happy worker!:)

We were scheduled for three days of agility at McCormack Place last weekend but had to skip the last day because I was too sick with Bronchitis, sinus infection and flu. :( But....here comes the brag....Elijah earned 2nd Place in Open Standard agility last Friday and took 3rd Place in Excellent A Jumps and Weaves on Saturday!:D

[AngelBunny]

Elijah's Mom:

Wow! You guys are something!!

k&s:

Thanks for the reminder.

[mickeymichellie]

Congrats! Who says rotties can't do agility? You have more than your share of rights to brag - those are acheivements to be proud of.