Clean Run Magazine - December 2009 - 24

Trainer’s Forum By Brenna Fender In my area, the number of trials has increased from one a month to two or three every weekend, with a choice of venues. We used to not have winter trials so I could give my dog the season off, but now we have a fair number of indoor trials. Should I worry about trialing all year round? Should I give my dog a block of time off during the winter? Sassie Joiris I think there’s a lot to be said for taking a couple months’ break from trialing at some point during the year, both for you and your dogs. Start your break with a couple of completely agility-free weeks. Hiking and swimming, if the climate in your area permits, are great ways to spend your down time. But if the weather has you stuck indoors, trick training, hide and seek, and other silly games are also terrific. No matter what you end up doing, spending time doing completely different activities with your dogs can give you new insight into their character and working temperament. After a couple weeks off from agility, you and the dogs will be refreshed and eager to get back to it. Take a look at the previous trial season and consider any skills you’d like to improve, or maybe new challenges you’re tempted by but have been a little timid to try. Maybe you handle conservatively and would like to feel confident enough to take a more aggressive approach; maybe you’ve admired dogs that have a completely independent weave pole performance or fabulous running contacts and would love to teach your dogs the same. Sassie trains animal actors for television and film as well as teaching agility. Her Norfolk Terrier, Ch. MACH Stamp RN JE, OAC, NJC, TN-N, a.k.a. Stamp, is the first Ch/MACH in his breed. Her Whippet, Boing! NA, NAJ, is just starting to make her mark. Sassie teaches private students, classes, and the occasional seminar when she can get away from home. She can be reached at joiris@ix.netcom.com. Break time is the time to look into new ideas and develop a training plan to put those ideas into effect. With no imminent trials, you have the luxury of spending time on more than just maintenance and quick-fix training. It’s amazing how much you can accomplish in six or eight weeks of focused work without any pressure. Break time is also the ideal time to work on your own training. Consider improving your course analysis skills so when you walk a course you aren’t baffled by all the handling choices you have to make. Mental training to improve concentration, alleviate ring nerves, and help you handle more positively and aggressively are all best worked on when you’re not in the midst of actively trialing. Spend time watching videos of past championship events to study what the top handlers in the world are doing. Last but not least, you’ll be saving a good chunk of money by taking time off trialing: money that can be used for seminars, a new piece of agility equipment, or maybe just new toys and treats for your dogs and you. Sherry Kluever © www.mattallisonphotography.com Sherry, a full-time agility instructor, was a 2003 AKC World Team Member, a two-time ESPN Great Outdoor Games Gold Medalist, a three-time Grand Prix Finalist, an AKC Nationals Finalist, and a Steeplechase Finalist. Visit Sherry’s website: www.sherrykluever.net. I really believe that our dogs do need a break once in a while. I try to give my dogs a good break (usually about a month) once a year. I think they need the time off not only to recover physically from potential wear and tear, but also to recover mentally as well. Unfortunately, most dogs don’t really know any better and just keep going. It’s up to us to be the brains of the operation and take proper care of our dogs. Most dogs are so stoic, I often wonder how many minor injuries we never even notice. If you take a break once in a while, those injuries can have time to heal. I think it’s really important for dogs’ long-term health and wellbeing. I also find that I appreciate the trial time off as well. Sometimes it’s nice just to spend time with the dogs, away from agility. After a couple weeks off from agility, you and the dogs will be refreshed and eager to get back to it. Take a look at the previous trial season and consider any skills you’d like to improve, or maybe new challenges you’re tempted by but have been a little timid to try. 24 Clean Run | December 09

http://www.sherrykluever.net http://www.mattallisonphotography.com

Clean Run Magazine - December 2009

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - December 2009