Agility Pups

I've mentioned a number of times that Astro and I are doing a lot of agility training.  I finally got some video of us practicing.  These are not our best runs, he was a bit slow.  It was a warm afternoon.  Upper 70's and low 80's is warm for us, especially with direct sun.  Astro's energy is zapped with even a little heat and direct sun so, he wasn't moving very fast.  But, I thought he did a nice job of staying with me and he kept his tail wagging.  I hesitated to post the videos.  You know how when you see yourself on video you find all the little things you don't like about yourself and focus on what a doofus you look like? Well, that's how I felt.  But, I figured everyone starts somewhere and hopefully someday I'll be able to compare back to these videos and see improvement.  Astro is great of course.

Warning - It was a windy day and this made a lot of loud annoying noise on the video in some places.  You might want to turn the volume down.  If anyone knows how to turn the sound off in iMovie or Youtube let me know.

The first video is a standard run.  It was supposed to have a couple tunnels out behind the tire and before the dog walk, but I didn't put them out.  We were the only ones at practice this day because most people were at a trial.  Astro's focus was really nice because we were the only ones there.  Distractions are our hardest thing and at the top of the list for improving.

Our club was really happy to be able to get this field to use as we don't have a permanent home.  It's a horse arena that wasn't being used on some people's property.  This winter they were offering to let people use it, so the club asked if they'd consider dogs instead of horses.  The only bummer is that when it's windy it's like a sand blast. And, we always leave covered in dirt.  The things you'll put up with to practice some agility.  :-)

The next video is a jumpers run.  He was even more tired, and me too, because he had done a few standard runs and some jumpers before this run.  But, I still think he did a good job.

So, there we are.  I'm hoping with continued distraction practice and improvement in my handling that one day we'll be able to enter a trial.  Our distraction problems are that he often still wants to go and visit other people and dogs.  And, in new locations or with new dogs and people around he can get pretty goofy until he settles and gets used to the situation.  Usually after one bout of this he settles and does a great job.  If anyone has suggestions for improving that I'd love to hear them.

I'm really happy and proud of how well he does.  His energy was low in these videos, so I'd like to get some better ones.  He does a great job and can really fly through the weaves.  :-)