Clean Run Magazine - September 2009 - 74

she loved my tugging with her while we moved in a circle. After teaching weave entrances with two poles, we were introduced to channel weaves. I immediately bought some PVC pipe and created my own set. We trained weaves on a daily basis outside of class. I’ll never forget the first time I saw her actually weave a full set of poles! Speed was no problem since I encouraged it from the get-go, and slow was never rewarded. We used the two-on/two-off method to train Hope’s contacts. That method in itself created speed because she knew what was expected. Still, the teeter was our greatest challenge. I had to proof her to both the teeter’s sound and movement, and it took over a year of shaping to make her comfortable on the obstacle. Some of her classmates were already competing, and she still didn’t have her teeter down. Many times it seemed as if we had exhausted every effort with little progress, but we never gave up. I finally purchased an adjustable teeter and started from scratch. Many people ask how to know when the team is ready to compete; it depends on what your goals are. If you start competing before you are ready, you are rehearsing mistakes at the trial, which are very difficult to correct. For us, it was when I thought we could go in there and win! With the obedience and obstacle foundation in place, I found one critical element missing in our team, me. All the focus had been on training Hope. I needed to choose a handling system. We spent a great deal of time attending (but not always participating in) seminars. every seminar stressed how important it is to consistently communicate with your dog. There is only one way to achieve this goal: find a system that works for you and stick with it. You may, however, find yourself changing or altering a system before you find the one that is right for you. You must decide the system you choose is one you will dedicate yourself to learning and applying. Any system is initially learned on the flat; and the more steps you skip, the weaker your communication will be. even a handling system needs to be shaped. In our second year of competition, it became clear that I have a lot of catching up to do to keep up with Hope’s level of understanding of the sport and to be a more effective communicator. We have time, and of course, there is always Hope. Have fun with your companion. Dogs that truly enjoy what they are doing are going to be the most successful ones. Your destination will be affected by how much you enjoy your journey. D � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � Leslie lives in south Florida, where she owns and operates Merit Designs, Inc., and creates custom-painted art. Originally, horses were her passion until she discovered agility and a special little Westie, MACH Dreamtime Hope Diamond XF, CGC. Hope was the #2 Westie in AKC in 2007 (qualifying for AKC Nationals) and competed in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in March 2008, where they managed to accumulate five clean runs. Her Westie has taught Leslie the true meaning of “Hope.” 74 Clean Run | September 09

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Clean Run Magazine - September 2009

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