A first on both days

Northern Agility Week

So Saturday we were back at the Northern Agility Week, the weather was much better, but Rusty still didn’t seem to have much drive. The courses were lovely, and we ended up with a 2nd, 3rd, 6th and a 1st in Jumping. So we need two agility wins to move up to Grade 7. I am now getting worried about his lack of drive, so it’s something I am going to need to work on, small sequences lots of play and lots of treats. Rusty has also been knocking poles lately, which is out of character so I am going to have him checked by the chiropractor, his next show isn’t until around the 23rd September so we have plenty of time to have some fun. It might just be me being paranoid, but he has grown up with me and taught me everything, I feel it only right that I look into everything when it comes to him.

 Dryburgh Abbey Fun Agility Show

What a brilliant show, and a real credit to those who run it. It really was great for beginners and anybody who had never competed before. I decided to give Lucy the benefit of the doubt and take her into medium jumping 1-4. It was a lovely course, although, however spectacular the venue, there were sheep roaming free around the fields. Lucy’s recall has come on a great deal, but it was still in the back of my mind that there were livestock ready to be chased if she decided to. I took her in, and her focus was great until jump number 4, she decided she would go and sniff around the fence line, so I called her back, and she toddled herself back, after that I made up my own course and finished with her focused and happy. I called it a day at that as I think it’s unfair to put her into situations like that, that I’m not comfortable with, and it’s not fair on her having the temptation right in front of her, especially since it was her first time in a ring. Overall a good day, Rusty came away with a 4th in the agility 5-7, and seemed to be a bit more up for it. I am still pleased with Lucy, she is showing so much more than I ever thought she would, it will be her 8th month with us in October, and I am looking forward to the challenge ahead of me. The atmosphere was friendly, and Thirlestane Castle in Lauder is beautiful, I very much look forward to the next one.