Clean Run - November 2016 - 28

to know that I love them and that we
are having fun."
She also benefits from having experienced a broad range of breeds. Lucky,
a Coton de Tulear, was the first in the
world to earn agility and obedience titles. "Every breed has its own particular
traits. Cavs want to please. For Boxers,
it better be fun. Herding dogs are totally
different from working dogs. You have
to get a feel for the dog's personality in
the process of coming together and becoming a team."

Artist as Martial Artist
Art is still part of Ileana's life. She illustrates children's books-many about
dogs and other animals-and takes
commissions for portraits. She typically teaches and works her dogs in the
morning and evening, getting to her
artwork after she has done the mowing
and cleaned the house.
While learning how to teach has definitely helped her in her training business, martial arts have helped her a lot
with agility. "I earned a third degree
black belt in tae kwon do. The timing
in sparring and making quick decisions

has been invaluable. A lot of my students don't see things coming and can't
switch plans quickly. Tae kwon do keeps
you in shape, thinking on your feet, and
being quick on your feet." While she
went so far as to compete in tournaments, she had to give up the practice
because it is so demanding. She still
practices the kicks in the pool.

Warming Up and
Staying in Shape
Ileana keeps herself in condition by continuing all of the exercises prescribed
after her hip surgery. She also rides a stationary bike, runs sprints, and continues
her tae kwon do kicks in the pool. She
sometimes walks her property with Nordic walking sticks, which work the upper
and lower body. "Even when I do artwork, I work for an hour, then go out and
move. I could never work in an office!"
She conditions the dogs a couple of days
a week either with jump grids, working
on the BOSU or peanut, and swimming
a couple of times a week. "Once a week
they have spa day where they go to the
vet's office to swim against the current
and get a massage."

Her warm-up routine with the dogs is
simple. She walks them, lets them jump
up and down on her, does a few "not
very deep" stretches, plays with them,
hugs them and kisses them, and goes to
the start line.
For herself, warm-up involves a lot of
mind work. "I do what I did before a tae
kwon do tournament. I can meditate
really quickly, then visualize how I am
running the course with a dog, and what
I will do if this happens or that happens."
Adrenaline is her friend in agility, but she
really has to tone it down for obedience.

The Future
Ileana wants a Boxer puppy and a new
Cav puppy, and to keep having as much
fun as she can. Continuing competition
and staying healthy are also goals for
her future. "I have been lucky enough
to be first in a lot of things. Now I want
to enjoy my dogs and to keep learning
new things. Even a bad day at an agility
trial is better than being home cleaning
house or mowing!" Oh, and she would
also like to illustrate comic books! D

Sally Silverman is a freelance writer whose life has gone to the dogs. She and her husband share their hearts and their home with three Australian Shepherds. An avid
agility competitor, Sally is working on MACH3 with Bounce, who also has a PDCH, as well as many canine freestyle and herding titles. Java is now in AKC and USDAA
Masters and earned her PDP freestyle title. Sally is an active member of Y2K9s Dog Sports Club outside of Philadelphia, where she trains and teaches a variety of classes.

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run - November 2016