Dog Agility With Archie The Clumberdoodle – Pupdate 5th May 2018
After weeks and weeks of rain and more rain, we got the green light to say that the field had now dried out and the first dog agility of the season would be today. I decided to take Archie to do agility as he loves to jump over things, climb walls etc and I thought he would love to have a go at this. Dogs cannot start to do this until they are 12 months old, so as he turned 13 months on the 2nd May, he was able to take part.
So it was out to California Cross (near Ivybridge) and join the South Hams Dog Agility Group There are two agility groups local to me, but I chose this one as it was advertised as a relaxed and fun experience rather than competition level. There are also 2 levels a beginners class, and a more advanced class.
We arrived and there were quite a few dogs there running around off the lead and playing with each other whilst the course was being set up. Archie was spoilt for choice as to which dog to play with first, but I think he got around to playing with all of them. It was time then for the class to begin.
A few of the dogs who had done it before were sent out on the course to show the beginners (like Archie) how to do it. He sat intently and watched them and then it was our turn.
Dog Agility With Archie The Clumberdoodle
The male instructor (Kevin) explained what to do and he walked around by the side of Archie to help. Well Archie took an an instant dislike to him and definitely did not like him walking next to him, although he did the first couple of jumps with no problem.
Then we came to the high sea saw and with the instructor next to him trying to coax him on the end with a bit of liver paste, Archie was having none of it, Kevin was far too close for comfort , but eventually with patience Archie did tentatively walk up and then very carefully with help lowering the sea saw walk off the end.
It was then over another jump which was no problem and then the big and high dog walk, which is up a steep ramp over a horizontal plank and then down the other side. Now this did cause a problem and with all the coaxing that we tried to do, Archie would not even attempt this (again I think Kevin might have been the problem!!). Then the rest of the course consisted of more jumps, weaving poles, hoop jumping, going through a tunnel which Archie had no problem with, although all the time he was wary of Pete!!!
We sat and watched the other dogs attempt the course and then it was our turn again. Kevin decided that it might be better if a female went around with us, and although Archie was a little bit wary of her walking close to him, he seemed more relaxed, so much so that he even went up the big dog walk. I had to hang on to him for dear life as it was quite high once he was on the horizontal plank.
We had 2 more goes at the course and each time, Archie improved, so much so that on our final run I even took him off the lead for the last part of the course, and he completed it with no problem at all (unfortunately I have no piccies to show his almost immediate improvement – so perhaps I will ask someone to take some for me next week). I am sure that he enjoyed it, and so did I, although it was like doing a workout at a gym, as running around (which I do not do) was extremely exhausting, particularly as it was a very warm day. We are both looking forward to next week.
Pupdate 19th May 2018 – Archie’s 2nd go at Doggy Agility
It was a beautiful day, so agility classes were on today, but with it also being the Royal Wedding of Harry and Meghan, so I had a dilemma whether to go or stay at home and watch the wedding. However with the class being from 10am – 11am it gave me time to drive back in time to see Meghan arriving at the Church. I am sure that Archie would have been disappointed not to go, as he clearly loves it.
He did really well and there was a lot improvement from the first week. I was very tempted to let him off the lead to have a go all the way around the course, but chickened out and just let him off over part of it, which he did with ease. I am not very good at geography so I have to make sure we go around the course the right way, as it is a different course each week.
To have to contend with keeping hold of the lead whilst he is jumping, making sure I don’t strangle him, also going through the tunnel and making sure I catch him when he comes out the other end is also tricky so it would be so much easier if he could start to do the whole course off the lead. It is also much more energetic if you are holding onto the lead, as you do a shortened version if the dog is running free, and I am still only at walking pace. What it will be like when I actually have to run I am not sure!!! I am sure he could do it, but as this is takes place in a farmers field there are distractions, mainly tasty sheep’s droppings which Archie is rather partial to, so it is quite difficult to keep him going when he comes across a dollop!!!
I am also a bit worried when he goes up the dog walk, as it is quite high on the horizontal bit and I am afraid that he will jump off, as he does like to climb and jump off walls etc. Although I haven’t seen any others fall or jump off yet, but then there is always a first time which of course would be Archie.
Steve came with me this week, so he was in charge of the camera and took a video. of Archie’s attempt. I have decided not to add any more still photos except for this one which I couldn’t resist which shows him in in full flight and clearly enjoying himself. Does it remind you of any cartoon flying elephant?????
Dog Agility With Archie The Clumberdoodle
Pupdate 11th May 2019
As you can see by the photos and videos below, Archie is progressing well with the agility, it is just me who needs to run a bit faster. Adrian (my Son) came this week, and he can run faster than me so basically showed me how it should be done (but then again he is a lot younger than me!!), although he had the same problem as I did as Archie did not like the soft tunnel and refused to go through it. Eventually on the 3rd attempt he did succeed.
My attempt
Adrian demonstrating how it should be done
Pupdate 8th June 2019
Archie is still loving agility and is progressing really well. Here are the latest photos.
The first class is for beginners where the jumps are a little lower, but the second class the jumps are raised and he does have a go and he does love the bigger jumps , but he is a bit tired at this stage so only let him have one go at this course. Once he has mastered the first course with the lower jumps then we will progress to the second class.
Pupdate 22nd June 2019 – Archie’s first attempt at flyball.
A very warm and hot day but the classes were a bit delayed this morning, as we had to help move the sheep from the field we use to another field. This is usually done by Kevin (the instructor) but for some reason the sheep were not being co-operative so he required some back up. I think the sheep were actually showing the dogs how to do agility as they were very athletic jumping over the ferns and obstacle that got in their way!!! Once they were all eventually moved we could set up the course and begin.
Just a few photos of Archie attempting the course
I decided to let Archie have his first attempt at flyball which takes place after the two agility classes. He wasn’t quite sure what it was all about and one of the ladies sat and explained the rules to him, but not sue if he took it all in!!!
He didn’t quite get the hang of it on the first couple of runs, but slowly improved, it was just the putting his paw to release the tennis ball that he could not get the hang of, so I had to pull the lever down and catch the ball to throw to him. However with a little more practice he might eventually manage it.
Dog Agility With Archie The Clumberdoodle
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