View From 4 Inch

Celebrating Chris Duke and the Art of Westminster

2012-02-15T10:17:00.000-06:00

2012 Westminster Kennel Club Show Poster

Every year, the Westminster Kennel Club has the exceeding good judgment to commission original art for a poster commemorating the annual event. The project has the side effect of showcasing some wonderful examples of canine art that might not otherwise get such wide exposure to the general public.

This year's choice of Connecticut artist, Chris Duke, just took our breath away here at the View from 4 Inch. We dabble in dog artwork ourselves and truly appreciate examples that seem to bring across the true spirit of man's most faithful companion on the canvas.

Head study of Hickory.

Above is the artwork that, according to the artist website, won over the selection committee's nod for the creation of the 2012 Westminster Kennel Club poster. It's a masterfully rendered portrait of a 2011 Westminster Best in Show winner, Hickory. The lines of the Scottish Deerhound's noble profile bring to life the classic calm/alert expression and far away gaze so characteristic of the sighthound. Getting the coat "right" is one of the big challenges in painting dogs, and this one makes the look of wave and wire almost touchable.

Love in a brushstroke.

No breed snob here. Duke creates artful pet portraiture for dogs of any lineage. A gallery of portraits, full figure renderings and pet/owner paintings are on view here. Complex montage paintings, similar to the Westminster poster art and the Daisy Dew portrait above may be commissioned as well. Prices are available here.

In today's world, people who love and show dogs face many challenges in gaining the respect and honor the sport deserves. Outsiders too often focus on the goofy, indulgent side and miss the dedication, the hard work and the beauty.

Each February, the Westminster Kennel Club presents a high profile event that provides a fitting display for the nation's finest dogs, breeders, owners and handlers. The decision to present some of the canine art world's finest talent in the annual poster is an important part of that objective. Thanks to the Westminster Kennel Club for keeping the bar high.

One Second After

2012-02-13T10:18:00.001-06:00

Rabbit herds sheep!

2012-02-03T09:19:00.002-06:00

He has the crouch, he has the eye,

he works to avoid being rabbit pie!

This little bunny truly has the stuff. As he works his herd, even the Border Collie looks jealous. Or, are the sheep only moving because the Border Collie is watching? If a rabbit can do this, how about a Papillon? Hmmm...

Samurai earns first CPE Agility Title

2012-01-31T09:48:00.002-06:00

Two fun little runs.

Samurai earned his first CPE title with two nice, fast runsin Jumpers. He finished both 14-obstacle runs in 22 seconds, ranking as thefastest dog, all heights. Most importantly, he stayed with me and did not breakaway to “hunt zombies.” This was a big victory for the little guy. Sami tookhome his CL2-F title, formally known as CPE Level 2 Fun. The title representstwo Qs each in FullHouse and Jumpers.

I ran cautiously on this one. We have worked very hard on Sam's reactive issues in the past few months and it's very hard to just let go when the downside is a very slippery slope. I'm hoping that with confidence I can start to let him run more freely again. I'm not sure whether it's possible to bridge that divide successfully, but control seems to be the bigger priority at this point in helping us to have a career at all.

As it is, our time was still pretty good, so the lack of free running seems worth the trade off at this point, anyway. Most importantly, Samurai seems focused and is happily running with me, not tempted at all by distractions.

What you don't see here is a few seconds at the beginning of the video where he looks away at the start line to stare back at the people behind him. He then turns back to me, seemingly having made the tough decision to hang in with me rather than chase "offenders." He shakes it off, a stress reliever, and starts off running toward me. All things considered, that little moment was the biggest victory of all.

Sheep, Shepherds, Transhumance and Building Bonds

2012-01-14T10:01:00.012-06:00

A centuries old relationship and an inspiration for today.

When looking at dogs, there is nothing more beautiful or true than watching them do the job they were bred to do.

Here is a video, produced in France, that records the daily life of a shepherd and his dogs. The video is in French, but you don't have to know the language to understand the connection in the working relationship that exists between this man and his little dogs.

The bucolic setting reminds me of years ago when I shared my life with dogs and horses and a few miscellaneous animals on 104-acre farm.

This was long before I began formally training dogs, and I don't even remember training my little mixed troupe of dogs, led by an English Shepherd, to do the job they helped me with each day.

Every morning, I would call the horses up to be fed. Sometimes they came, sometimes they didn't. Either way, the dogs would go out, and as I was calling, they would sweep out behind the horses and push them in toward me and through the gate. Many times, all I would have to do is stand back and let everyone find their places.

I think it's a shame that there are so few opportunities in the urban United States these days to find places where dogs and people can wander freely together.

Many times, it's in just these situations that easy connections develop. It's like a friendship where you don't have to say what you're thinking. They just know.

If you've forgotten how this feels, or are just ready for inspiration, watch this little video. To begin with, the Pyrenean Shepherd mother and her pup are simply adorable. If their bewhiskered faces and devotion fail to melt you in the opening scenes, the hilarious "circus tricks" sequence will.

You will see shortly, that along with providing comic relief, the tricks have a purpose. As the video rolls on, you see the tricks transformed into valuable skills as herd moves from the pastures and on into town.

The high point is the appearance of a stop sign and a blind, busy intersection on the road ahead. What will happen? Will the group make it through?

No problem. The canny shepherd slams on the brakes, and right on cue, the entire group -- shepherd, Pyr Sheps, Great Pyrenees body guard, sheep and all -- come screeching to a halt at the corner.

No one even thinks about entering the traffic because the now suddenly hard-nosed little Pyr Sheps make sure everyone toes the line.

On signal, they all proceed into town like an orderly group of children on a school outing.

If you are as fascinated with the nature of this ancient sort of human/animal connection, I would suggest a YouTube search on the agrarian practice of transhumance. It's a tradition of seasonal movement of livestock with their people between summer and winter pastures.

It's a practice nearly as old as human civilization itself and is the root of many beliefs, language and work models that are still very much alive today.

Here come the cows!

This is a beautiful video that show how the sheep are all dressed up and fleece dyed rainbow colors for the big event. A gorgeous look at a lifestyle that's ages old.

Three young shepherds, mind-blowing alpine scenery, two Pyrenean Shepherds and about a gazillion sheep.

Footwork on Front Crosses

2012-01-02T08:34:00.003-06:00

Daisy Peel stays connected through the crosses.

One of the things we mortals often struggle with is keeping intention and connection going through crosses, especially front crosses. Here, Daisy Peel shows a nice example of how well it can work in this run with her young Border Collie, Juno.

Her footwork is light, and well placed. She stays on her toes and shows intention to the line with every step. In one place she even shows a burst of acceleration in sideways running. Quite a feat.

It's probably no secret that Daisy works very hard on her running style, and it shows here in this video. I suppose the flip side of the coin is that such crosses don't just "happen", but are the result of practice, timing, strategy and of course, strength and fitness.

How much depends on fitness really escaped me until I attended a seminar with Daisy last February. I've been working on it ever since.

Happy Pappy New Year from the View from 4 Inch

2011-12-31T23:58:00.004-06:00

Taylor contemplates his resolutions.

Where every year is the Year of the Butterfly.

Give your Papillon, agility dog or favorite furry pal a big hug for us!

Little Friends Pet Photography: Capturing the Spirit of Dogs

2011-12-31T11:19:00.009-06:00

Revealing the nature we know,

yet somehow never even suspected about dogs.

All of us have photos of our dogs. Some snapshots, some captured in the heat of competition. Some carefully posed, or at least as much as our dogs will allow us. Many I've taken of my own dogs have been featured in my posts.

But still...when it's all said and done, few really seem to capture that extra "something" we see, or at least believe that we see in our dogs in those sly little moments they give us every day.

Today, however, I found something really special: A photographer that seems to have developed the gift for capturing in images the coy, humorous and even fierce nature of our wolfling pets...seemingly as effortlessly as capturing fireflies in a jar.

The site is innocuously named, Little Friends Lifestyle Pet Photography by Seth Casteel. But the name barely begins to describe it.

Take a virtual stroll around the gallery. You'll find many of those moments that are so similar to the ones all of us glimpse in our dogs as we travel through our days. You know. That flash of a moment that seems to capture everything about who your dog really is, and what your relationship with him is all about.

Only, you never seem to be able to quite get it on film, much less truly share it. I really love the way this "seen/unseen" nature of dogs comes through in Casteel's work. Don't wait. Take a break from your day and steal away a moment to indulge.

Teaching an Aggressive Teeter Performance

2011-12-06T08:39:00.003-06:00

Starting with tugging at 2 on 2 off and building

to an aggressive release.

I have been fascinated in how Swedish trainer, Fanny Gott, builds drive from the earliest stages of training. One of her secrets is training a very engaged release. I will try to find the video where she teaches the very earliest stages of this, but at this time, I was thrilled to find this video that shows how she translates this skill to the teeter.

In this video, she demonstrates a back chained training progression that starts with a 2 on 2 off at the end of the teeter and releases to a reward, in this case, tugging.

The dog is backed up further on the board, until the dog is running (charging!) the length of the board to the end of the board for the release/reward.

The basic skill progression for this could also be taught on a contact board before progressing to the teeter itself. She also teaches this skill by working on stairs.

Here is Fanny's article on the subject, posted to her blog.

In the article, she asks us to note that her dog Epic's performance in this video is not entirely correct in that he is primarily releasing upwards into the toy, rather than head down and centered into the 2o2o, which is the preferred form.

Also, notice that all rewards are given straight on to the teeter, as opposed to from the side. Rewarding from the side will train the dog to curve to the side at the end, inhibiting independent obstacle performance and potentially setting up for side dismounts or an ineffective release.

The overall result of this training results in a dog whose primary goal in teeter performance is to get to the reward/release. This differs fundamentally from training that focuses on teaching the dog to "tip" the teeter by focusing on the pivot point. This hoped for result is an explosively fast teeter performance that is focused on a powerful release into the next task ahead.

Thank you, Fanny, for posting this valuable training demonstration!

Using a Contact Training Board for Strength Training

2011-12-03T07:59:00.005-06:00

This simple set up builds strength while teaching skills.

Exercises that build core strength and stability while teaching fundamental performance "values" such as impulse control, focus and a strong release are all the rage right now. This video by Sweden's Fanny Gott is a prime example.

In this new video snippet, Fanny demonstrates a technique for teaching a dynamic stand, then transfers the technique to a contact training board.

I was sort of fascinated by how many fundamental skills and abilities are covered by this simple approach. Can you count them?

Here are a few for starters: Core strength, dynamic stand, independent leg/foot awareness, balance, impulse control, release to reward, balance on contact, foundation independent contact performance (teaching dog to drive to stay on board), release from contact.

Looks like a great idea for winter time training!

The Holy Grail of Combining Crosses

2011-12-02T20:00:00.008-06:00

Video: The why's, why nots

and the what-can-happen

of combining front crosses.

Today, the clouds lifted and the sun has broken through the clouds on the issue of combining front crosses in dog agility.

At the time I first started exploring the topic of blended front crosses, Linda Mecklenburg posted that she would be putting together some videos that would demonstrate how this handling looks. I've referenced the initial video she produced here.

It gets better, kids: In support of the article she prepared on Combining Front Crosses for the December 2011 issue of Clean Run, she has now outlined the most comprehensive definition yet of the species, genus and phylum of the strategy of front crosses.

To support the concepts presented in the article, Clean Run has posted a series of 10 videos

in which Linda demonstrates front, blended and double front crosses, along with examples of miscued and inappropriate applications.

The visuals are shown at actual speed and then in slow motion. Linda's handling is crystal clear and the set ups are simple enough to inspire use for personal practice.

My own plan is to save a link to this page on my iPhone and to set this up for my next practice session. It will be great to have these videos on hand, both as a model and as a troubleshooting tool to help me learn the most effective use of these techniques.

Thanks to Linda and Clean Run Magazine for presenting this very professional presentation of this emerging skill set.

Crouching Shaunie, Flying Samurai

2011-11-28T18:57:00.003-06:00

The 101st way to have fun in a hotel room.

Happy Thanksgiving from View from 4 Inch!

2011-11-24T12:58:00.005-06:00

Samurai is thankful

On this day of plenty, we send a special greeting to all the canine family members who are always there for us, in good times and bad.

Always caring. Always hopeful. Always faithful.

If all the people of the world shared the better qualities of dogs, the world would be a much warmer place. In the spirit of the season, we hope you'll join us today in taking time out from turkey to give a big hug to the bright-eyed tail wagger that is no doubt stationed beneath your dinner table.

We extend a special thanks to the readers of View from 4 Inch. May peace, love and prosperity be yours in this season and beyond.

Angel Without Wings

2011-10-20T21:23:00.001-05:00

Mike Across America @ Uncle Buck's Fisbowl

2011-10-16T12:18:00.000-05:00

King of Squid

2011-10-16T12:14:00.000-05:00

Lunch at Uncle Buck's Fishbowl

2011-10-16T12:13:00.000-05:00

2011 AKC USA Medium Team Jumping at Worlds

2011-10-10T22:49:00.007-05:00

Blazing fast teams show sharp handling.

Agilityvision didn't video the Worlds this year, which left spectators at home wondering whether to go with the French coverage or wait for what scraps should appear on YouTube.

Guess which one I did. Hmmmm....

Thankfully, the AKC onsite team did post this nice sequence of video capturing the US Medium Team in a Jumpers round this Saturday.

Karen is a fantastic teacher, and watching her handling here, it is great to see in the heat of world competition, the very skills she demonstrated for us this past summer at Ann Braue's summer camp. The footwork, the push back turns and so many other refinements to handling that are not commonly taught here in the US are all on display here.

Ashley has a blistering fast run in this video with with his great little Pyr Shep, Luka, and his long strides make short work of the course. I've gotten to meet him in person and he truly a nice guy. He kindly allowed me to photograph them just after they emerged as 2011 victors of the 16" class at Nats and later called me over for a big, bear hug when we ran into him in the lobby of the Natural Bridge Inn on the evening of the finals. It was a privilege as the new little 4" champions to be recognized so warmly by one of the legends of the sport. I will keep that little moment with me forever.

Quiz: Name that Agility Foundation Skill!

2011-09-30T22:49:00.004-05:00

Can you identify the skills Dave Munnings is using

to train Strider?

Collection. Extension. Call to side. All valuable foundation skills and all shown in this video as British handler and FCI WC medalist, Dave Munnings, trains BC-in-search-of-home, Strider.

What a lucky dog to have a handler who can make learning seem so fun. The lessons are all there, but it's clear Strider thinks it's all a game.

Hope this big, blue Border Collie finds a great performance home!

Video: Turns off of Running Contacts, by Dawn Weaver

2011-09-29T21:14:00.005-05:00

Right, left, go on, plus close angle turns.

After training the first stages of running contact, a need soon arises to find away to train accurate turns after the contact.

Many courses today are being designed as not "friendly" to running contacts, or to phrase this more positively, to test the thoroughness of the training.

The biggest challenge I've confronted lately is close angle turns after the dogwalk. These are almost devilish for a young dog as they demand a very steep transition from extension across the contact to engagement of the hindquarters and collection for the turn.

The other part of the equation is being able to cue the dog to stay in extension when the course proceeds straight ahead of the contact.

I know these are items I've only begun to address with Samurai, so I was very excited to see that British trainer, Dawn Weaver, has very nicely outlined the basic skill set that needs to be addressed for training turns of contacts and a view into how she trains them.

Thanks Dawn for this video which is yet another example of how information sharing regarding dog agility training is becoming ever more enriched by social media and video on the web.

It's almost a miracle to be able to view the style and methods of trainers in distant places from nearly anywhere on the globe. Thanks to all who are contributing to this ongoing conversation.

Out of Kindness

2011-09-25T20:45:00.005-05:00

Bandit in repose

You weren't your mama's only boy
But her favorite one it seems
She began to cry when you said goodbye
And sank into your dreams

Pancho was a bandit boy
His horse was fast as polished steel
Wore his gun outside his pants
For all the honest world to feel
Pancho met his match you know
On the deserts down in Mexico
Nobody heard his dying words
That's the way it goes

All the federales say
They could have had him any day
They only let him slip away
Out of kindness I suppose.

From the song, "Pancho and Lefty" by Townes Van Zandt

Linda Mecklenburg Demonstrates Blended Front Cross

2011-09-15T22:00:00.003-05:00

A very classic presentation.

When I first posted a question about blended front crosses on the Clean Run list, Linda Mecklenburg posted a response that she would be posting a video clip that would demonstrate the technique.

Unfortunately, I somehow missed the video, until just the other day. I think this answers my original question and an provides a very clear and straightforward presentation of both the initial front cross and the following "backy uppy" performed with the same inside arm that the handler is on after the first front cross.

Thanks Linda for posting this and for your continuing efforts to share your lifetime of knowledge with the agility community.

Yay! Blind Crosses About to Emerge from the Shadows

2011-09-14T22:59:00.006-05:00

Daisy Peel prepares to give an under-appreciated handling option its due.

It's time I came clean. I admit it. I've always enjoyed doing blind crosses. Sure, I often covered doing one as an "oops" when I couldn't quite make it to a front cross, but truth be told, I've always secretly enjoyed that little thrill of zipping out across the line, giving up sight of my dog -- just for a heartbeat -- but savoring that trust that he made the connection, understood the intention, and came in right on target for the change of side.

You'd be quite correct in guessing they didn't always work out. But more often than not, they did. However, not so long ago, it wouldn't be so uncommon that someone would almost predictably meet me ringside after a blind crossed run to point out my "mistake".

But lately, things have changed and those of us who have long been giving in to the temptation of going blind have seen the technique begin to move back out into the light, and possibly into favor.

This trend is most famously heralded by a very new, and nicely produced teaser video put out by Daisy Peel. Part of an exciting launch of a new training brand, she's hinting that she's about to take the whole issue of blind crosses -- theory, application and training -- by the horns and hopefully into a video...or maybe a series of online classes?

I guess we'll find out soon enough. I, for one will keep my eyes "Peeled".

Can we PLEEASE go for our walk now

2011-09-06T12:02:00.001-05:00

Happy Labor Day from View from 4 Inch

2011-09-05T09:29:00.000-05:00

Sleepers

2011-09-01T22:50:00.001-05:00

At a certain point in the evening, even the Papillons settle in to wait for the moment when we all will go to bed.

Reactive dog training notes - week 1

2011-08-30T18:48:00.001-05:00

Reactive dog class - week 1

Think about energy

Do watch me at least 10 times
- have 3 seconds to respond

Cup hands under chin and gently rub back along chin, one side and the other

Circles on sides, very slowly

Lavender oil

Visitors - do not let visitors look directly in the eyes

Hand touch - use to divert attention away from something that's bothering them

Peanut butter on lid- have Sam touch lid., also smear some on hand and do touches
Bring lid on walks and when dog comes toward, direct attention to lid

Exercise is important, especially for high energy dogs

Emergency U turn - Don't want dog ever to face another dog. Put yourself between other dog.

Homework:

If positives or negatives try to find out what triggered it.
Dog should turn it's head to watch wherever you are in house
Take treats on walk and practice avoidance. Last recourse is to shield dog on side of trail.

Sent from my iPhone

First legs in Open JWW and Open Standard

2011-08-28T20:51:00.001-05:00

Taking a well deserved rest.

Samurai looks a little worn out right now, but it's well deserved.

He had his first outing in Open agility this weekend and we're very proud of how he did.

His runs weren't clean, but he held his focus through all of his runs and even made his weave poles the first time through twice.

He got one Q in Jumpers and one in Standard. Most of all, I'm so pleased that he was able to maintain his composure the whole weekend.

We've been working very hard on reactive dog training and the work is starting to pay off.

If you are out there with a dog that you think might not make it in agility, don't give up hope. Believe in yourself and your dog. Be honest about where you need help and work hard to find the right answers.

Look for help to people who are creative thinkers, who have the ability to see through to the real issues and can help you break down what you need to do into a granular training process.

Once you have a plan, remember that working toward improvement doesn't simply mean working harder. For many dogs, especially those with "issues", it's often is better to work smarter.

As for Sam and I, we're not out of the woods, but maybe at least, we finding a start.

An Example of Great Agility Footwork

2011-08-24T22:04:00.006-05:00

Sideways running and fluid, continuous motion make this run a winner.

Adrien and Panic of cycleofmenace make a return to View from 4 Inch for the second time in a week. This time it's this very fluid, connected run. It's has some fantastic examples of sideways running, which helps prevent stalls in the action and helps keep this wonderful, young handler ahead of her dog.

As an added plus, there's a blended front cross, jump to weaves, near the start of this video. Nice to see an example of this move on something besides jumps.

You can see this team ace another beautiful BFC on my earlier post here.

Green Beans with Toasted Garlic

2011-08-22T20:30:00.005-05:00

It's really MUCH more delicious than it sounds.

Eating healthier is part of the quest of running better to run better with our dogs.

Once in a (very) great while, I like to capture for the record one of the dishes I've tried that's both heathy and tastes really good.

This is a recipe I found in the July issue of Cooking Light Magazine -- in general, a highly recommended source if you like to cook from a fresh, interesting perspective.

This particular recipe features height-of-summer, fresh-picked green beans shot through with skillet-toasted garlic. Before you make the "eeww" face, consider that toasting brings out the sweetness of garlic and tones down the tang.

The result will really surprise you. Suggest you stick with very fresh, raw garlic, not the kind in a jar. The slices hold up to toasting better and fresher is just, well, sweeter!

Without further adieu, here is the recipe for your end of summer dining pleasure.

Green Beans with Toasted Garlic

1 pound green beans

2 teaspoons butter

1 teaspoon olive oil

4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1. Bring large saucepan of water to a boil. Add beans, cook 5 minutes. Rinse with cold water. Drain.

2 Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter and oil; swirl until butter melts. Add garlic; saute' 30 seconds. Remove garlic; set aside. Add beans; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook 2 minutes, tossing frequently. Top with garlic. Yield: 4 servings. (serving size about 1 cup)

Calories: 67, Fat 3.2 g, Protein 2.3 g, Carb 9.2 g, Fiber, 4 g, Chol 5 mg, Iron 1.3 mg, Sodium 169 mg, Calc 49 mg.

Blended Front Cross Practice Suggestion

2011-08-21T22:07:00.005-05:00

Above is a great example of what a blended cross looks like thanks to Adrien and Panic @ YouTube cycleofmenace.

Tonight went back to the drawing board feeling a little bit more educated (but only a little), on the subject of blended front crosses.

Discovered Mary Ellen Barry left another Easter egg in this month's (August 2011) Clean Run. Exercises 7,8,9 & 19 contain suggestions for blended front crosses. No real explanation is provided, but it seems understandable enough once you've already gotten the basic idea.

Samurai seems to be catching the idea of some of these newer techniques pretty well recently, and is picking up some speed and confidence with them. One thing I noticed is that once you start on this route, it really emphasizes the need to keep moving throughout the exercise. It also ups the amount of responsibility for keeping motions tight, fast and accurate.

If you let up and start relaxing too much, it all falls apart very quickly. Need to stay "in the game" every step of the way or it just will not work.

As a mental refresher, I posted this neat clip from competitors Adrian and Panic of YouTube channel cycleofmenace above. This is a very clean example and shot from an angle where you can see the parts of the maneuver very well.

Thanks, Adrian, for posting this! Happy experimenting to everyone else out there who is trying out these new handling options!

Shaun Remembers Being Young

2011-08-19T16:05:00.000-05:00

Time was when Shaun spent his beach days waiting for a stick to be thrown into the breaking waves, barking insistently until at the target of his quest floated within reach.

Greedily, he'd snatch it out and parade with his prize down the shoreline.

These days, he can't hear the waves crash and the sticks lay idly on the shore.

Even so, the memory of it all still can make him smile.

Blended Front Cross Example - Video

2011-08-18T21:48:00.000-05:00

Two examples of the blended front cross contributed by Wendy and Cheetah.

A few weeks ago, I came across the mention of the blended front cross technique mentioned in the June Backyard Dogs article of Clean Run.

I posted on this blog examples that I thought might be blended FCs, but turned out not to be. The move Daisy Peel is seen doing at the end of the video on this page, turns out to be a Ketschker.

Thankfully, reader Wendy of the Team Cheetah blog was nice enough to help clear things up with a video of her performing two blended front crosses at a trial. She originally posted links to the video in a comment, but based on the interest generated by this post, I thought it might be helpful to give the clip a little more visibility for people who are looking for a visual example.

The thing that's really nice about this clip is that Wendy shows the technique at both actual speed and a slowed down version so that the viewer can really follow the sequence of events.

She has also annotated the video with some notes to supply additional clarification. Thanks Wendy, for taking the time to put this together. If you are reading this, please thank Wendy by clicking over to take a look a her blog, where it appears Cheetah has earned her MACH2.

Big congratulations, Cheetah!

As for Samurai and I, I think we're beginning to get the hang of some of this stuff, at least in practice. Sam pulled off a very nice Ketschker off a startline last weekend, and I was thrilled. It's just the most fun thing in the world to see something you've come to grasp in theory actually come to life on a course. Brings back all the reasons we all started in this sport to begin with.

I would love to see some other great videos of some of the "newer" handling maneuvers that are coming out lately. If you have a post or a video about your efforts or successes in training these, please leave me a comment!

Thanks!

Dana Pike Contacts and Weaves Seminars + Private Lessons @ TCKC, Oct. 29-30, 2011

2011-08-13T17:35:00.000-05:00

Prevent lost Qs. Build your foundation for success!

Download forms here.

Filling fast!! Do you lose Qs due to blown contacts and pokey weaves? Do you suffer from pop outs, bad entries and "sightseeing"? Do you wish you could save course time and entry fees by losing fewer Qs to obstacle faults and slow performance?

Or, do you hope to get your new dog on the right track and "train right the first time"?

Then, you won't want to miss the half-dayContacts and Weaves seminars that Dana Pike will be hosting at Town & Country Kennel Club in Bloomington, Illinois, Oct. 29-30.

Two half-day seminars will be on Saturday. The morning seminar will focus on contacts, and the afternoon seminar will focus on weaves.

Dana will evaluate the performance and goals of each working team, and will demonstrate some new and proven techniques to build a stronger foundation, improve reliability and build speed.

Once again, we will be hosting a Halloween costume contest during lunchtime at the seminar, so be sure to bring your dog's cutest disguise!

On Sunday, Dana is offering Private Lessons. We've kept the cost very reasonable for today's tighter budgets. Private lessons are nearly filled, so if you are interested in those, get your registration form in today. If you are not a TCKC club member, please email me ahead of time to check if there are openings if you are interested in a private lesson.

Taylor weaving: Solid, consistent weaves helped him maintain a very high Q rate throughout his career.

Fees for private lessons will be paid directly to Dana on the day of your lesson. Payment for the seminars must accompany your registration form to reserve your spot. Registrations close Oct. 9.

There are separate forms for the seminar and private lessons. Download them at www.tckc.org. Click on the blue buttons.

A pasta lunch from Avanti's will be served at the seminar. If you are interested, please check the box provided and include your lunch fee with your seminar check.

Bloomington is located in the middle of Illinois in easy driving distance from St. Louis, Chicago, Indianapolis and Quad Cities. The seminar will be held in a new, fully matted climate-controlled building. Equipment is well maintained and there is plenty of parking and grassy areas.

One other request. I would greatly appreciate it if you could forward news of this seminar to your training clubs and agility friends. Thanks much, and hope to see you at the seminar!

Seminar with Ketschker turn

2011-08-07T07:55:00.000-05:00

Lots of examples to think about.

Basically, a Ketschker turn is defined as front cross followed by a blind. It is a stationery turn, so no motion is indicated at the point of the turn.

Here is some video taken at a European seminars of various teams and assorted breeds of dog executing the turn on a course that appears to have been designed to include lots of opportunities for Ketschkers.

What do you think? Is this something we should be teaching more of in the U.S? Are you seeing more opportunities for European style turns showing up in your local trials?

If you have video of yourself or others teaching these turns, I would love to see them. Email me or post the link in the comments section below. Thanks!

Dawn Weaver and Dancer - Off to a Great Start!

2011-08-05T23:17:00.000-05:00

A great example of keeping the fun in training.

Watching talented people work with their dogs is a wonderful way of gaining a vision of what great training really looks like. Here we see a video posted by Great Britain's Dawn Weaver of her new Papillon, Dancer, on her first outing with jumps and weaves.

From this little clip, you get a glimpse of some of the foundation steps that must have set the stage for this moment to fall into place -- seemingly so easily.

You see the target, and you see that Dawn has already built an amazing relationship with this little Pap. She has already taught her important lessons on attention,how to seek rewards, motion cues and how to both focus on her handler and work independently.

Most of all, you can see how much fun both Dawn and her puppy are having in this little episode. The little girl is learning lots, but she is obviously gleeful as she bounds toward each new lesson.

I'm sure little Dancer thinks all of this is just a very fun game. She doesn't seem troubled by worries of failure or about making mistakes. What a great way to build a winning attitude and the confidence to take great goals in stride.

It's a lesson for all of us to keep fun in the forefront and happy surprises at every turn.

Looking South

2011-08-01T16:30:00.000-05:00

Greeting the Day

2011-07-30T15:55:00.000-05:00

Mid-Morning

2011-07-30T08:59:00.000-05:00

Sam listens to cicadas outside the open window as he contemplates his day.

First Morning

2011-07-30T08:55:00.000-05:00

Waking up at the cottage where we have come to celebrate a birthday. Samurai hears car wheels rumbling down the gravel road.

Celebrating Taylor's PACH and PACH2

2011-07-28T22:54:00.000-05:00

Thanks to the American Kennel Club for recognizing its Preferred Agility Champions. Thanks to Taylor for being the best little dog in the world.

Samurai Earns NA NAJ

2011-07-24T22:44:00.000-05:00

Samurai brings home his first AKC titles.

Samurai attended a very nice Novice/Open Agility trial this weekend. He brought along plenty of surprises, as well as his first AKC titles. Samurai’s Saturday Standard was flawed, but a Q, and I messed up our Saturday’s Jumpers by trying to put a front cross where a rear cross should have been.

Sami’s wrapped a very nice Sunday Standard Q in a quick, 39 seconds. We squeaked by in Jumpers with some balky weaves and a run by on the jump after. The “scream of the Samurai” he let loose during this episode sent the whole house up in laughter so loud it was heard outside in the RV where scoring was being done. Regardless of his antics, he is now Wingssong The Seventh Samurai NA NAJ TG1 TBAD.

The Art of Running Sideways

2011-07-19T22:45:00.000-05:00

Karen Holik performs the threadle at :30.

At summer camp, one of my favorite lessons was threadles. Which came as a surprise to me, because ordinarily, threadles are not one of my favorite agility maneuvers. Serpentines, yes. Threadles, no.

It just always seemed so "against the flow" and so apt to be met with a "wouldn't this be better as a serp?" face from Taylor, and an "I hate broccoli" face from Samurai.

Even at camp, I stumbled and bumbled through my whole first session of them with Karen Holik. But thank goodness, she got to the root of the problem, and scheduled an evening of movement training (or in my case, remedial movement) the next evening.

We learned to run a little better, and more importantly learned to run sideways. Turns out it's an essential skill in performing an efficient threadle.

You can see Karen herself performing the movement in the video above. Occurs at the :30 mark.

From this demonstration, I would guess that she has actually polished the mechanics of this move since when this video was taken at a World Team Tryouts event in 2009.

When performed as directed, her method gives a very clear indication of the handler's intention a stride or maybe two before the dog even commits to the first jump of the threadle. It also literally sidesteps the need to do any counter-motioning with the arms, which could tend to be ineffective, unclear and unnecessarily costly to speed and confidence.

I've been practicing these with Samurai since camp, and after the first few bumbling attempts, we seem to be getting it into our repertoire.

I guess the best thing that it shows is that the difference between considering something "fun" in agility and having something you dislike about it is often about having a clear way of doing it.

Once that's been settled, it's clear sailing (or at least that one part). And that's where the fun begins.

You can learn more about Karen and her superstar Sheltie, Sizzle, at oncourseagility.com.

What We Did on Our Summer Vacation

2011-07-18T22:41:00.001-05:00

Happy Campers

For our summer vacation, Mike and the dogs and I headed up to Anne Braue's summer camp, where we indulged in three days of intensive focus on various aspects of agility training and handling. My "date" for the event was Samurai, however, Anne graciously invited Taylor to work in her facility during the off hours. Taylor was having some back trouble at the time, so we didn't get to work, but I certainly appreciate the sense of honor that Anne extended to little PNAC Taylor.

I have to say, Anne's facility is probably the nicest I've ever seen. Being in marketing, I appreciate the her sense of "branding" that she has instilled throughout her facility, and her organization. Excellent does show through at every touchpoint.

Anne has one indoor ring and two outdoor rings. All of them, including the equipment, were in pristine condition, and we were lucky enough to run on Anne's newly installed carpeting in her indoor arena. Sam ran really nicely on the carpet and immediately picked up on how to use his claws to get a tight grip on it.

The instruction was excellent across the board, with Anne, Karen Holik and Jennifer Crank leading the sessions. We also got a preview of Karen's fiance's upcoming running and movement for agility training, which will be featured in a soon-to-be-released video.

If you know Karen, bug her about it, because this kind of training could be very valuable to a lot of us "weekend warriors" who could benefit by learning to move more naturally and efficiently with our dogs.

We sampled some of the instruction at a night event, where we all got to try out the moves, and even have ourselves timed to see if by running more efficiently, we could run faster (almost everyone did). We had a lot of fun trying out the moves in what was almost a party atmosphere. The only thing lacking was music!

Some other important takeaways from the event were:

Learning to threadle. Yes we can do this with certainty now, about as easily as we can serpentine. Thanks Karen!
Learned the forward motion front cross. Great for working with the more difficult threadle situations.
Got a new understanding of rear crosses on the flat, and on jumps. Thanks Jen!
Got a new view of working with, and managing reactive dogs. Thanks Anne!
Learning some great ideas in course strategy. Thanks Anne!
Learned how to do push back turns. With our new footwork, Sam aces these now. Thanks Karen!

In general, I can see my handling with Samurai has tightened up a bit from what we learned. We have also improved Sam's ability to come to the appropriate side and to read my intention's sooner.

Thanks to my Champaign club member friends, Mary, Lisa, Dina and Charlotte, who were with us at camp and who started us on this journey.

Thanks to Anne and her wonderful crew for hosting this event. With any luck, we hope to see you next year!

Tintype Impression

2011-07-14T22:18:00.000-05:00

Light dims, and a dog seems

less like a creature,
and more like the impression of a soul.

Doodle of the Day

2011-07-13T22:11:00.000-05:00

Red Samurai

Taylor earns PACH and PACH 2 Titles!

2011-07-11T23:17:00.000-05:00

PNAC PACH2 U-CD 9(HIT)Wingssong Sweet Baby James CD RE AX AXJ MXP5 MJP7 PAX2 OFP RL2-AOM

With the introduction of the new AKC Preferred Agility Champion (PACH) title July 1, I have learned that Taylor has earned a double championship of PACH and PACH2.

The PACH title is awarded to dogs jumping in the Preferred class who have earned 20 double qualifying rounds out of Excellent B Jumpers and Standard, plus 750 points. PACH2 represents 40 QQs and 1,500 points.

According to the American Kennel Club, the PACH was “created as a way to recognize the superior performance, speed and consistency of AKC’s Preferred agility competitors.” The title is being given retroactively to dogs who have earned the qualifying criteria.

Up until the titles were announced, I wasn’t sure if Taylor had earned PACH or PACH2, since I had only been counting double Q’s for the PAX. To date, he has 50 QQs to his record, but I wasn't sure where he stood with points.

Luckily, Taylor came through once again, bringing in the two agility championships, just as he heads into retirement. The two PACHs round out a banner year for Taylor, who earned the 2011 AKC 4” Preferred National Agility Championship in Lexington, VA, this spring. Only 11 national agility championships are awarded by the AKC each year.

Thank you, Taylor for bringing so much joy into my life. My “Precision Clockwork Mouse” has opened the door to people and experiences that I never would have had without him. Whatever else comes, I will cherish him always.

Get YOUR Behind Behind Trial Volunteer Action Day!

2011-06-30T06:40:00.000-05:00

Get your bee-hind out of this chair.

Chair available from Amazon.com.

Get it into this one.

Chair available from Office Depot.

In support of the Trial Volunteer Blog Action Day sponsored by the Agility Nerd, the View From 4 Inch would like to encourage all agility participants to re-evaluate their level of volunteer support at the agility trials they attend.

Lord knows it's not always easy or convenient, but I would like to suggest everyone in the community take on at least one job at every trial they attend. Doesn't have to mean all day or even for hours.

Maybe it's just helping to empty trash, move some equipment or add an extra set of hands to help a harried trial committee member.

On the flip side, I would like to encourage host clubs to adopt some of the suggestions extended by Steve Schwarz on his AgilityNerd Blog:

"I think the most important things a club can do are: stay flexible, create many short tasks, and thank your workers. Ideally if someone has 5 minutes free and feels like helping you could take advantage of their help.

"For flexibility allowing day of show sign up for tasks is really a necessity. It allows people jump in when they have time and allows them to change their assignments in case the judging schedule has changed or one ring runs faster/slower than planned."

From my viewpoint, the biggest worry I have when volunteering is that I will be stuck in the ring when it's time for my walk through or run.

Since I run in 4-Inch, I am usually the very first dog in the ring or the very last.

If I'm first, there's no leeway in getting to the ring. There's a walk through, then "boom" you better be in the ring. And believe me, there are still situations where the ring crew evidently hasn't gotten the news about the 5-minute warning and they jump the gun to rush the 4-inchers to the ring immediately after they're done walking.

If we're not first, there can be significant time variances in how the rings are running by the time they get to the last dogs, and that might affect a subsequent volunteer job I've signed up for.

I do like the suggestion of flexible sign ups so that if we get out early I can grab a slot, or not have the worry of being stuck in another ring, or if we're running late, I won't worry about missing my volunteer slot.

Also, I do know of club(s) out there that do not provide volunteer appreciation. At minimum this should be lunch, water and snacks.

And as the article in AgilityNerd and Steve suggests, there are organizations who are coming up with lots of creative and motivating ways of engaging volunteers. Free runs and catered lunches get my vote.

Also, I think offering jobs with narrower time commitments and "small chunk" jobs would help with flexibility. Having the availability of smaller time commitments helps address the often unstated concern that raising a hand will commit a person to a half-day or more of being anchored to a volunteer task, while risking time and attention to preparation for their runs.

Thanks to all who take the Trial Volunteer Blog Action Day Challenge to get out of your chair on the sidelines and into one at the ring!

Thanks Steve, and I for one intend to take the challenge at the trials I enter. Take one...until all the jobs are done!

June Timed Practice - Samurai

2011-06-27T01:32:00.000-05:00

Trying out our JWW skills.

Samurai and I tried our wings on a timed Jumpers with Weaves exercise this week. I wasn't sure we'd make it on the walk through, but Sami made it work. I was especially proud that he made his weave entry every time and read my far less than perfect rear cross. Those have been a challenge for us since I always did front crosses with Taylor.

The blind cross at :17 was planned to be a front cross. Oops! Sam seemed to read it just fine, though, and it didn't interfere with his weave entry.

Samurai pulled this course off in 29 seconds, which while not super speedy, was pretty respectable. I think he will move out even better as we both gain confidence.

Update on Blended Front Cross Discussion

2011-06-25T20:42:00.000-05:00

NOTE: A clarification on this topic with video has been posted here.

See Daisy's dramatic Ketschker turn in the closing sequence of this video, not a blended front cross.

I'm learning a lot more about the execution of the blended front cross than when I made the first post a couple of days ago. Found out some more about what it IS, and more importantly, what it isn't. I'm still more than a little confused, though.

If anyone out there has any footage of a blended cross that they would like to share, feel free to email me or send me a comment.

Linda Mecklenburg has also passed along that she is considering making a video demonstrating the move, and here's hoping she does! This is one of those techniques where a picture would be worth a thousand words.

Experiments with Blended Front Crosses

2011-06-22T23:42:00.000-05:00

Samurai and I had a chance to try out some of the "new" blended front cross strategies yesterday. I say, "new" because it seems to be a trend recently, even though I'm fairly sure it's not really entirely new.

The movement feels familiar, and I'm sure I, like others, have probably lapsed into it on our own when editing down a choppy, too "crossy" sequence. Sam even picked it up as if the moves involved were familiar.

We did some experiments with this technique that were hidden in the handling suggestions contained in the Backyard Dogs feature in this month's (June 2011) Clean Run. The suggested handling starts with diagram #4.

I was having a really hard time "getting it" from the description and the diagrams। But I finally forced myself to start moving along with the instructions as best I could, and it came together pretty quickly. Basically, once you fail to complete the first cross and stay in the backing up position, it really only leaves one way to logically finish the maneuver.

With the blended cross, instead of turning toward the dog, as you would to initiate a front cross, you continue to face the dog as you move toward and across the face of the jump.

Basically, a blended cross becomes an option when the course flow suggests that two front crosses be taken back-to-back -- as in one FC at the approach to a jump and another on the landing side.

The advantage to this is that it can work to smooth handling, and accordingly, the line.

What are the disadvantages?

Well, like any front cross, the success depends on the handler's ability to be ahead of the dog and in the right position to successfully complete the maneuver.

If the handler's mobility is limited, or the dog is much faster, the handler may intersect with the dog too far forward of the jump and cause a stall, a big loopy turn or an off course।
For situations where the handler is slower, it almost requires the opportunity to gain some distance on your dog, prior to set up for the maneuver to guarantee you can get into position.

If the handler is able to move fluidly into position, it is, indeed a "cool move" and turns the dog quickly. There seems to be less lag time than in stacking two front crosses and the slingshot momentum seems to "launch" the dog off faster than a cross.

Where would it not be a great choice?

When the dog is moving slowly or lacks motivation. There is a lot of cued collection in the nature of this turn (which makes it great for a fast, wide turning dog). This might drain the momentum of the less drivey dog.

Also, if the handler is much faster than the dog, as I am with Taylor, the rather static nature of the turn might expand your wait times as you are relatively suspended as you wait for the dog to come into position. The tight turn might also bleed off valuable speed from dogs who are laterally inflexible or who otherwise tend to decelerate or resist tight turns.

With Taylor, two front crosses provide more forward movement and drive.

It seemed to work best for me with Samurai (who is a lot faster than I am) in the tighter, more technical set ups (Diagrams #5 and 6) as opposed to the more straight line approach (Diagram #4).

Another caution is that the backward motion over the jump can raise the risk of an off course if the handler does not have good control and consistency of arm movement and cueing.

If the handler's movements are loose and not generally clear, it would be unfair to blame the dog if it took an off course on a jump behind the handler, thinking it was a set up for a blended cross.

For this reason, I would put this move in the "Advanced Handling" category, and best for handlers how already have a stable system of cuing, but who want an additional option for deleting unnecessary back-to-back crosses, and smoothing the line for added clarity and speed.

I would not recommend it for new handlers who have not yet gotten past the "flippity floppity" arm stage that so many handlers of a certain age go through.

Since the blended cross handling strategy is a popular idea right now, it's certain that trendsetter judges will be working it into course designs at upcoming trials. For some, this will be deciding factor on whether to add this tool to their handling tool kit.

Patron Saint of Gardening

2011-06-19T14:57:00.001-05:00

A statue of St. Fiacre, the patron saint of gardening, sits behind Taylor as he enjoys the flowers.

Counting strides on running dog walk

2011-06-17T22:29:00.000-05:00

It all counts, not just the contact.

I've attempted to train Samurai with a running contact, picking up tips from Dana Pike and Daisy Peel in my very limited, but very pivotal (at least to me and Sam) contacts with them.

It's really a very complex subject to really do more than touch on, since this part of agility training seems to be one of those things that the more you think you know, the more you don't know: Particularly as your dog begins to develop a true, galloping contact.

Now, I can't say we have truly or consistently reached this prized pinnacle of contact training achievement, but I have been in the range, and know it is within some realm of possibility with Samurai.

But, like some sort of mythic prize, just as soon as you seem to be within reach of the jackpot, the game suddenly changes.

In our case, I noticed a couple of instances in the spring where Samurai hit the dogwalk at a particularly high rate of speed at trials. I could see him simultaneously accelerating, lengthening and extending -- starting in the approach to the dogwalk. In the two "mystery" cases I'm am attempting to describe here, he caught air over the first apex and then continued to accelerate and extend, lowering his body as he came over the second apex and into the contact.

Being a toy dog and only 4 pounds, by the time he was into the contact zone, it was hard to see daylight between him and the contact, and with the speed, he was basically a white blur.

In the video I have of this, I cannot see for sure what is happening in the contact because of the blurring and the closeness he is traveling to the contact surface. I do remember in both instances hearing the foot pattern that I usually associate with him hitting the contact.

However, in both instances, I see in the video the judges staring, then reconsidering and shaking their heads as if befuddled by what they just saw. Then they call a fault.

I thought about these situations for a long time and considered even slowing Samurai down or even pausing him after the contact...something to make the performance easier for the judge to "see".

However in the process of training this, I also have found (at least in Samurai's case), that once the running pattern is set into motion -- and if it is a true galloping situation (i.e. not a collected canter or trot) -- that trying to manipulate what happens at the end of the contact is pointless.

Kind of like trying to unwhip cream or stop a plane that is already in flight. Basically once initiated, once the approach/acceleration is committed to, it's kind of a done deal. Set in stone. Whatever.

So I've been studying the approach and the striding to see what I can tell about what types of striding will tend to be successful and which ones will be destined for a fault. Because, really, if it's a true running contact, you want it to be something, ideally, that the dog will fall naturally into, without a lot of fussing and attempts at manipulation.

Long story short, I found this video that Sylvia Trkman made to share with her distance students. People who presumably, from the subject matter, were having some of the same questions I'm having.

True to running contact form, the video both answers questions while raising more. It breaks down via slow motion footage, the striding count and captures what I have seen with Samurai...that tendency to take air over the first apex and extend low, long and accelerating into the contact zone.

It raises some: the separation of the rear legs, was that trained or a natural adaptation? What is the significance, if any, of the variation in the number of strides?

Because Samurai is a toy breed dog, only 9.75" tall, how do the observations translate to the shorter striding pattern? By theory it would "seem" to make the contact a "bigger" target for the smaller dog, and yet, the speed and extension of the true running situation leave plenty of room for questions.

At any rate, I've found watching these sorts of things helps train my eyes for what I need to watch for and reward. Thanks to Sylvia from Samurai and I for sharing her experience with the rest of us exploring this method of training.

Pick Me Up

2011-06-16T22:22:00.001-05:00

No, really. Pick me UP!

Napoleon's Papillons (Video)

2011-06-13T00:03:00.000-05:00

Courageous under fire, though not, unfortunately, the best shots.

Sacre' bleu! Papillons as artillerymen? Who could have dreamed up such a thing? Certainly not Napoleon. Or did he?

In this History Channel style "documentary", small French spaniels are pressed into service at a pivotal battle against the Russian army.

Though the Papillons are plucky, they also manage to wipe out a portion of the rear infantry due to a tragic inability to properly aim cannons.

Reminds me to polish up on our straight tunnel work. Or "Papillon cannons" as they are sometimes called? In this regard, at least, it seems the Papillon's aim can be improved!

Ultimate Dog Agility Video - WAO

2011-06-11T23:45:00.000-05:00

Showing the world what America can do.

I've been watching this video for the past few weeks, mostly because it gives such a great visual summary of some of America's best handling of the APHS variety, as demonstrated by four of America's most renowned handers: Mary Ellen Barry, Linda Mecklenburg, Karen Holik and Jen Crank.

The video is a compilation shot at the 2011 World Agility Open Championships in Clevedon, UK last month. I am especially excited because Samurai and I will be training with two of these ladies in just a few weeks.

I am just thrilled with the way the sport of agility has been developing in the past few years. The courses are becoming more thoughtfully strategic and the handling more refined and powerful.

I will be very intrigued to see what I can do along these lines with Sami.

Wild, Wild Weaves

2011-06-08T23:18:00.000-05:00

Lee Windeatt puts weaves to the test.

If there ever was a Chuck Norris of weaving, this would be it. Lee Windeatt makes everyday weaving look like last night's leftovers as he pits them against closely placed obstacles, toys and even himself running counter to the direction, standing in the weaves, lying next to weaves...even jumping over them!

There are lots of ideas for weave pole proofing here, even if you aren't up to the entire rodeo of tricks presented. It just goes to show that there's a lot more to weaving than getting a dog through poles.

Thanks, Lee, for sharing this wonderful example of training.

Morning in Michigan: On the Other Side of the Bluff is Lake Michigan

2011-06-03T06:11:00.001-05:00

Shaun on the Deck

2011-06-02T17:02:00.000-05:00

The Beach This Weekend

2011-06-02T17:00:00.001-05:00

PNAC Celebration

2011-05-27T13:21:00.000-05:00

The littlest national agility champion.

We had a little celebration for Taylor winning the Preferred National Agility Championship last night at our local dog club.

Taylor looks proud of himself, don't you think?

Sent from my iPhone

Cake Time

2011-05-27T13:17:00.000-05:00

Deliciously decorated.

I had this cake made at Walmart for Taylor's PNAC celebration at our local club. The designer did a great job, I think. Thank you!

Sent from my iPhone

Taylor earns mention in Dog Sport Magazine

2011-05-24T07:05:00.000-05:00

A view from the rail.

The May 24, 2011, issue of Dog Sport Magazine featured a really nice overview of the experience of competing in the Finals competition of the 2011 AKC National Agility Championship. The article features a profile on a Chicagoland 12" Poodle, Remy, experiencing his first trip to Nationals and a 6th place finish in the Finals. Quite a story!

The article concludes with a listing of the 2011 National and Preferred Finalists. Taylor and I received a mention there. We were not present for the photo, but appreciate being included in the recap of this year's event.

Little Sam on Campus and Friend

2011-05-16T21:00:00.000-05:00

TAYLOR EARNS 8TH QQ TOWARD PAX3

2011-05-15T14:19:00.000-05:00

The little champ earned the 1^st and 2^nd legs toward his Masters Jumpers Preferred 8 (MJP8) title, as well as the 8^th QQ toward PAX3. Taylor also earned the fourth leg toward MXP6 at this trial. At this point, it’s all just for fun, as he has accomplished his career goals. He’s a good little dog and I’m grateful for all the joy he continues to bring me.

Taylor National Agility Win to be Featured in Pap Talk

2011-05-14T00:49:00.001-05:00

National quarterly publication of the Papillon Club of America (PCA)

Just wanted to thank the editor of Pap Talk for featuring a mention of Taylor's 4" Preferred National Championship win in the upcoming June issue.

I have admired the standards set by our national breed organization, and I am honored that they considered Taylor and I for this publication.

@CleanRun, 5/13/11 1:33 AM

2011-05-13T07:23:00.000-05:00

Clean Run (@CleanRun)
5/13/11 1:33 AM
This morning's courses are posted on the WAO website in both Course Designer and PDF format. If you don't have... fb.me/JzvXdzAZ

Sent from my iPhone

Roadie Mike With the Taylor at 2012 AKC National Agility Championships

2011-05-12T21:51:00.000-05:00

Hey, buddy! Want some STEAK? Want some? Hmmm?

2011-05-11T19:23:00.000-05:00

Poor dog falls for it every time.

This video went viral this weekend after being featured on =3 and rightfully so. It's hilarious, and so typical. I mean, admit it, who hasn't teased their dog with tasty treats just to enjoy the hilariously desperate reaction.

Ok, guys, you don't have to answer that.

Photo: "May I Help You?"

2011-05-10T10:12:00.000-05:00

Samurai is getting to be such a good boy. He's maturing and starting to settle with still more than a touch of mischief.

While not maybe not an ideal "pet", he is probably, most importantly, a cherished member of our family. We love him for who he is. Silky-gorgeous,
entertaining and our most affectionate dog.

Taylor and I Listed on the AKC Agility Nationals Champions Page!

2011-05-09T21:57:00.000-05:00

A national champion for all time.

Taylor and I have been listed on the AKC National Agility Championships page of Champions. You can view it here. It includes the names of all of all national and preferred national agility champions who have earned their titles since the AKC National Agility Champions began in 1996.

Stuart Mah teaching a student on Segueway at Open Agility Seminar

2011-05-07T10:57:00.000-05:00

Video: Solar & Jester - Gran Agility de las Americas Y Caribe

2011-05-06T23:01:00.000-05:00

Daisy Peel shows off her intense running style

for another World win.

This has got to be some of the most exciting footage of agility competition posted for awhile. Most amazingly, this competition was held at high altitude in Bogata, Columbia. Just amazing that Daisy and her dogs could pull this high octane performance, literally out of thin air.

All the rest of us mere mortals can do is marvel.

Taylor Earns Masters Jumpers Preferred 7 (MXP7)

2011-05-01T22:01:00.001-05:00

Representing 70 clean rounds in Excellent B Jumpers Preferred

Photo: Stewart Event Images

TAYLOR EARNS MJP7 AND 1QQ – Taylor always has a great time at our home club trial, and this year was no exception. He earned the 9^th and 10^th legs toward his Masters Jumpers Preferred 7 (MJP7) and also the 7^th QQ toward PAX3.
We are not officially working toward PAX3, as Taylor was just diagnosed with a progressive hereditary blindness (PRA) just prior to Nationals. He is still doing well at present and we will continue to have fun in his favorite sport for as long as his condition allows.

This little dog is a treasure to me, and every outing in the ring with him is, and always has been, a gift that I am thankful for. Taylor also earned the third leg toward MXP6 at this trial.
He is now Preferred National Agility Champion (PNAC) U-CD (HIT) Wingssong Sweet Baby James CD RE AX AXJ MXP5 MJP7 PAX2 OFP RL2-AOM CGC, 2^nd Place Finalist 2010 AKC Preferred National Agility Championship.

A First Place at AKC 2011 National Agility Championships

2011-04-29T07:29:00.000-05:00

Just came across this photo on my iPhone and thought I would share it. It was taken just after the hybrid round at Nationals. Ran into Tom Slattery, one of our favorite judges, and he generously offered to pose with us to commemorate Taylor's first place win in the NAC Standard round. This win
was a huge honor and a big surprise for us and I thank Tom for helping us capture the moment.

Taylor got third in the other two NAC rounds and finished with the #1 cumulative score. In all honestly, I am almost more proud of this achievement than the actual win. It shows how well this tiny champ performed at every stage of the event. He is my heart and my own star. Love you Taylor! Thanks Tom and see you in 2012!

Rediscovering Pangaea

2011-04-27T23:39:00.000-05:00

Honor your new title in artisan jewelry

Social media is a wonderful thing. Or can be sometimes. It has at least put me back in touch with the maker of some jewelry I once saw at a dog agility trial in Glen Carbon, Illinois. One of our favorite places to trial, by the way!

Anyway, this lady (who also runs Pugs) hand cuts and stamps silver jewelry and will customize it with your dog's name and title. You can personalize your piece further with beads, stones and other nice touches.

Browse the online Etsy store to your heart's content here.

I missed the chance to order last time we crossed paths, but now that I have the address, I plan to order a piece to celebrate Taylor's PAX2. Taylor and I both love sparklies!

Dana Pike Shows off Her Blind Wrap (Ketschker)

2011-04-26T21:50:00.000-05:00

So as I have been trying to figure this whole thing out, guess who should pop up on my YouTube while I'm aimlessly browsing agility videos? That's right. Dana Pike pulling off a perfectly executed blind wrap, actually what would be defined as a Ketschker turn, jumps to weaves. Darn her and her blue Pony! She does this in a knee brace, too, for heaven's sake! Watch for it in this video, after the chute. Tres chic!

And not to be outdone by her own self, Dana pulls a couple more blind tricks from her sleeve in the following clip. It takes a lot of trust between handler in dog to pull off this type of handing, not to mention great timing and very accurate placement of cues. Amazing job Dana!

New! Help your dog master weaves and contacts at the Dana Pike Contacts and Weaves half day seminars, Oct. 29, 2011 at Town and Country Kennel Club in Bloomington, Illinois. Private lessons on Oct. 30. Get the details here. Download registrations forms at www.tckc.org.

Also big congrats on winning 2nd Place with Tangle in the 8" Finals of the 2011 AKC National Agility Championship. Your handling made all the difference and left not a spare inch of yardage behind!

Thanks Labtopia for the sharing Trevor's story

2011-04-25T20:02:00.001-05:00

Trevor is a beautiful Golden with PRA.

Today I was happy to receive a comment on my blog from another owner of a performance dog who has been diagnosed with Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). Her dog, Trevor, is a highly accomplished dog, who also is now fighting the characteristic slow decline to blindness.

I decided to share what Labtopia sent me because her website has a very insightful description of Trevor's diagnosis and subsequent experience with the disease.

Also, she includes some interesting information regarding dietary supplementation to help preserve remaining sight and also the fact that PRA is similar in some ways to the disease retinitis pigmentosa in humans.

Here are her notes on supplementation and care.

She also recommends a supplement called OccuGLO, which she say has some promising research data behind it.

Here are some of her compiled notes on PRA research.

Taylor's diagnosis is very new, so I find this information extremely interesting and helpful. Thanks to you and to all the people out there who take the great amount of time needed to post information on medical support topics, both human and animal, at no cost benefit to themselves, just so that it might help others in their search for answers on chronic and incurable disease.

Just when you start wondering about all negative things in this world, a person appears who has taken of their own very busy life to do something positive and hopeful for people they may never meet.

To Labtopia, thanks for reaching out. I hope your efforts and Trevor's spirit give him a long time longer in enjoying his time with you and all the shades and colors of life.

2011 AKC Preferred National Agility Champion Taylor - A Thank You

2011-04-22T00:22:00.000-05:00

The new AKC National 4-Inch Champion

takes flight.

Taylor is a dog with the heart of a lion, the brains of canine mathematician and the clinical focus of a CFO. I count on him to draw the lines and work the angles. He has never let me down.

Though life gave him a fragile body, he refused to give anything but his best. He has always given 300% more than I ever could have expected.

When I first saw him, he was a 1-year-old conformation dog. My first glimpse of him was as we drove up the breeder's country driveway. There was X pen sitting next to an RV where the Papillons were exercising after they had just returned from a show.

The other Papillons were leaping and playing, all except one: Taylor. He was the smallest of the bunch, remarkable for his tiny size, and a beautiful face painted over with with contradictory, serious stare.

He seemed to be impatiently waiting for someone to drive up that driveway, and that someone ended up being me. Taylor made sure of that.

As we drove away with him safely crated in back, I turned around to see not as I expected, a scared young puppy on its first trip away from home, but a confident young dog, chest out, head held high, wind in his hair. He looked to me like a young man confident that he has left the farm behind and was off to meet a destiny he was sure was calling his name.

I kid you not, he has been on that path ever since. Didn't matter his knees were weak. Didn't matter his eye sight wasn't great. Didn't matter he could never really jump.

He was in the game, always. Never took the eye off the ball. And in the ring, always put in that extra 10 percent that I didn't even know he had. Always, that laser-like intelligence that seemed almost to the point of mechanical in its uncanny infallibility. Like his great-great-great grandfather before him, he was the Precision Clockwork Mouse.

I could have got a bigger dog. I could have got a sounder dog. But I could have never, ever have gotten a better one. He has made a mark upon my life far greater than his 5-pound size.

Thank you, Taylor. You are my rock, my inspiration and the best little dog in the world.

Working on the Ketchshker

2011-04-20T23:31:00.000-05:00

We saw some of these turns on display at the 2011 AKC National Agility Championships this year, particularly in the ISC rounds. I was intrigued and wanted to see how difficult it might be to train. I've looked into it a bit and tonight did a few lead ins to it with Samurai. We haven't gotten quite to it yet, but started by working with some blind wraps this evening. Samurai picked this up turning to the right immediately. Turning to the left was more of a challenge, and he kept turning right at first.

We got that straightened out and once we caught onto it, he loved it! There's something about facing away from the dog rather than into them, as in a front cross, that speeds them up, or at least that was my initial experience.

It makes sense though when you think of turning into the dog as being a deceleration cue. Something to mull over and consider anyway. As with all "new" techniques, this one carries its share of risk and it demands a lot of clarity in cuing to the appropriate side.

I love the gracefulness of it and lack of herky-jerky-in-a-circle that you so often see handling transitions off of wraps and 180's. Gracefulness in agility is something I strive for, even though I am not very graceful as an individual. I do love movement that flows, and I believe my dogs appreciate that, too.

I hope to continue to work with this a bit just to learn and to see how it fits with our "handling kit."

Take a moment to view the video above to appreciate the beauty of the move in a competition context.

Samurai Soothsayer Predicts the Site of the 2012 AKC National Agility Championship

2011-04-19T22:43:00.000-05:00

It will be Reno.

He thinks this because he heard it at Nationals and because he saw it on this calendar

Here...http://www.visitrenotahoe.com/meetings-conventions/facilities/reno-livestock-events-center/calendar

It's the calendar page for the Reno Livestock Events Center in Reno, NV. Dates are Friday, March 31 to Sunday, April 1.

Livestock center floor plan:

http://www.visitrenotahoe.com/meetings-conventions/facilities/reno-livestock-events-center/floor-plans

Taylor is qualified to go, but with his recent diagnosis of PRA, we are doubtful. We will continue to have his eyes checked periodically and hopefully in a few months we will have enough data to plot the speed of his decline. What a sad thing to happen to such a wonderful little dog.

Whatever happens, we hope all of you that do go will have a great time. Maybe one of you will win. Take care and appreciate your good dogs. The time we have to live and run with them is way too short.

Response to Nancy Gyes inquiry on Early TakeOff Syndrome

2011-04-18T20:30:00.000-05:00

The conclusion of an early takeoff over Jump 11 (A frame to weaves)

during the Finals of the 2011 National AKC Agility Championship.

Nancy Gyes recently posted a note on her blog about Early Takeoff Syndrome and I posted a summary of my experience with Taylor's vision.

Her blog is located here:

http://nancygyes.wordpress.com/early-takeoff/

Thanks Nancy, for helping to share information on this topic and encouraging performance community participation into research on canine genetic disease.

My response:

My Papillon, Taylor, exhibits this syndrome and those of you at Nationals saw it on display when he won the 4′ Preferred National Championship last week. He has always had trouble judging his jumps and stutter steps, most noticeably when he is tired.

I wrote it about it on my blog, View from 4 Inch last year:
http://viewfr4inch.blogspot.com/2010/04/my-4-take-on-early-takeoff-syndrome-ets.html

His did have knee surgery several years ago, which is the main reason why I dropped him to Preferred, but he also seemed to be, for a lack of a better term, “near sighted”. I could see this in obedience and just a number of things where his ability to sight things seemed to be affected.

It wasn’t until I brought him in this past spring for a back injury that a brief in-office test showed some slightly irregular ocular reflexes. I made an appointment with a veterinary ophthamologist, and one week before Nationals, Taylor was diagnosed with PRA at 8 years old.

PRA is late onset in Papillons, commonly appearing between the ages of 6 and 8 years old.

Based on the fact that I could detect comparative deficiencies in his vision…for years before the actual diagnosis of an eye disease, it may be that defects in vision to small to detect may be enough to affect performance of training behaviors.

Basically, difficulty in performing visually-related tasks may be one of the first noticeable symptoms of an eye disease, and might even be in evidence for a long, long time before a disease can be medically diagnosed.

Perhaps, based on Taylor’s case, could there theoretically be eye problems to faint to be authoritatively diagnosed, but be enough to throw off things like depth perception, distance vision or possibly eye reflexes.

I would compare it to the fact that many people who are nearsighted can have their vision corrected by glasses, as opposed to people who have dramatic vision loss and blindness. At this point it could very well be that veterinary medicine is able to diagnose “blindness” but not mild deficiencies in vision.

It is likely that dogs could be as likely as humans to have slight visual deficiencies, but because most dogs are not subjected to measurable “tests” of their vision, these deficiencies are never detected.

It is only because high level performance of agility demands good vision to support judgement of approaches, etc., that these slight deficiencies are now being detected in practice.

Of note, our opthamologist noted that eye disease detected at early stage as Taylor was usually comes in the case when a person has a working relationship with the dog, not only in agility, but in activities like hunting.

2011 AKC National Agility Championship - Our Winning Moment

2011-04-16T23:00:00.000-05:00

Posing with AKC officials after the championship run.

Taylor gets to fly.

The photos came in from Stewart Event Images today, and they were great. Thanks Kristin and Ian Stewart for capturing our special moment. I look at the photos and it seems like it happened only yesterday.

The AKC was very kind in how they celebrated their new National Championships. Running in 4", we don't often get the recognition for how hard and well our little dogs work, and it was nice to see that our accomplishment was given the same enthusiastic reception as our larger counterparts.

We're on the AKC Newsletter!

2011-04-15T21:44:00.000-05:00

I opened my mail today to find a surprise. Taylor and I, along with the other 2011 National Agility Championship winners were featured as the lead in to the "Your AKC" Newsletter that was sent out today. Really a nice way to recognize this years National Champions! All I can say is, "once in a lifetime!"

You can view the newsletter here:

http://links.mkt2242.com/servlet/MailView?ms=MzQxOTMyMQS2&r=NjE3NjY4MTUwNgS2&j=MTA3NjA4MzgxS0&mt=1&rt=0

@AKCResults, 4/12/11 3:57 PM

2011-04-13T07:38:00.001-05:00

AKC Results (@AKCResults)
4/12/11 3:57 PM
2010 AKC WTT Results post.ly/1tAOU

Sent from my iPhone

Alert: "Nationals Lung" aka Walking Pneumonia

2011-04-08T21:30:00.001-05:00

This is being circulated among the terrier folk, so thought I would pass it on just in case. Stay well!

If anyone who went to the AKC nationals in Lexington VA came home sick, you need to contact the Virginia Department of Health ASAP. Specifically you must ontact the local epidemiologist Mr. Jonathan Falk at 540-280-1984. Anyone who is sick or knows someone who got sick after the Nationals should contact him and file a report immediately! People are being diagnosed with M. pneumoniae", or "microplasma"which is basically walking pneumonia. Also, if you are reading this and are already sick, it is not just a flu. Get to your Dr. ASAP for antibiotics.
Jay is on the judges list and told me that they are calling it the "Nationals Plague." If anyone has been on FB you already know that quite a few from our area are sick. Jay came home sick and now I have it. Be careful, it is very contageous!

We're on the 2011 AKC National Agility Championship page

2011-04-07T19:28:00.000-05:00

The photos are up, and yep, there we are. Too bad I don't photograph as well as Taylor! Can't believe I was lucky enough to have such a wonderful dog. I knew he had a special destiny from the first moment I saw him. All I had to do was hang on for the ride.

http://www.akc.org/events/agility/national_agility_championship/

Thanks, AKC, for hosting this event. For us, it was the experience of a lifetime.

Out the Window in Virginia

2011-04-06T00:08:00.000-05:00

Front Porch at Natural Bridge Inn

2011-04-06T00:04:00.001-05:00

Fox Door Knocker at Red Fox Tavern

2011-04-05T23:58:00.000-05:00

Like this iron "fox on the run"!

The Red Fox Tavern at Natural Bridge Inn

2011-04-05T23:53:00.000-05:00

Our own "red fox", Samurai, would have loved to hang out there.

Haunted House

2011-04-05T23:20:00.000-05:00

Scary Monsters at Escape the Monster Museum

2011-04-05T23:17:00.000-05:00

Entrance to Monster Museum at Natural Bridge Park

2011-04-05T23:15:00.001-05:00

Waterfall at Natural Bridge Park

2011-04-05T23:12:00.000-05:00

Mid-Day at Natural Bridge Park

2011-04-05T23:09:00.000-05:00

Mid Day at Natural Bridge Park

2011-04-05T23:07:00.000-05:00

Taylor enjoying his first day as a Preferred National Agility Champion

2011-04-05T23:03:00.000-05:00

Smiling as usual on the river rocks at Natural Bridge Park, VA. Taylor loves living his life to the fullest.

Shaun the Explorer

2011-04-05T22:49:00.001-05:00

Shaun contemplating the meaning of life on the banks of the river at Natural Bridge Park.

Dogs on Rocks

2011-04-05T22:41:00.000-05:00

Just after Sami's first attempt at "fishing". He looked down from his rock to see tiny fishes swimming in the current. Impulsively, he dove in.

I don't think he anticipated that this would mean getting wet. I'll never forget the look on his face as he stood on the pool, fish scattering, with a look that said, "What just happened?"

You can see the wet breeches on him in the right hand corner.