Madison participated in her first AKC Agility trial last weekend. Mom signed up for all three days, and in the end it was tiring, but a good thing. As always, things did not run as planned. Madison got on the teeter and did that, but she didn’t understand her weaves.
The trial was on On The Run about 45 minutes from out house. It is a really nice facility, but boy is there a lot going on at all times!
Madison did really well, working super hard, staying on course, learning to work in a new place, but could not do her weaves. She loves weaves, but for some reason, she acted as though she had never seen weaves before. Mom took her to our dog school Friday night to practice, and Saturday night she put poles out in our yard. Madison really struggled in the backyard, just like at the trial.
Everyone told Mom it was trial nerves keeping Madison from doing weaves, but Mom knew it was not. Madison has trouble generalizing things. For her, weaves are weaves at her school, but elsewhere, she does not recognize them. After lots of practice in the yard Saturday night and Sunday morning, Madison finally got the concept on Sunday at the trial. The light bulb went on during her standard run, but because it took three tries, she timed out. On the final run of the trial, JWW (Jumpers with Weaves) Madison did it like a pro and qualified.
Both Mom and Madison were super tired after a full three days of agility. Madison still did her best to keep going, but she was pretty much out of gas. If you saw her earlier runs, you would see the difference. Mom didn’t care because she did her weaves perfectly, and qualified. In AKC Agility you need three “Q’s” to get a title. One down, two to go in Jumpers.
At the end, they had a photo taken with the judge since it is a special thing getting your first qualifying run in an AKC sport! They will be back competing in agility in October, and hopefully be able to get that “weaves in other places” concept.
I stayed home all weekend, Bailie went along on Friday and Sunday for moral support. Well, guess what? Just as she did in July, she somehow managed to finagle another massage. Does this girl know how to live the good life or what? My heavens! Madison was the one working all weekend and she got nothing! Stay tuned for more sports updates as the weekends go by. I think we have sports almost every weekend for the next two months with agility, nose work, AKC scent work, and barn hunt.
Those weaves don’t sound easy but we know sweet Madison will figure it out. Oh, that massage looks wonderful!
You kitties would love the massage. Many dogs struggle with weaves, but Madison does them really well and loves them, but she doesn’t recognize them when they are not at her training school.
congrats madison the final runs are often the best. you are a pro and a champio!!! woohooooo!!!! … the mama would like to be with Emma…to get such a massage would be like being in heaven fur her ;O)
The massage felt really good. My mom doesn’t like massages, but we girls do.
Your mom was so happy!!! We loved her cheer after the weaves. Madison is tooooo cute. Her little legs were working hard making it around the course!! Great post Emma. And hey what is it with that Bailie livin the good life!!!! Have a great day. Your doodle friend Dash
Mom was as worn out as Madison was, but with the hard work they put in after hours trying to get the weave problem solved it was just the best when it paid off. It will help Madison in the future too, because she knows it makes Mom really happy. She is like Bailie and loves it when the crowd cheers and Mom is thrilled. Bailie is Bailie, no changing that girl. She enjoys the good, stress free life.
The look on Bsilie’s Face is priceless. Way to go Madison!
I agree, Bailie is so enjoying that massage!
She loves the good life!
She really enjoys being pampered!
Getting Ducky to do weaves in the backyard is tough sometimes, too; but that’s okay. She would rather run the fence line with our neighbor’s dogs. ?
Good Job, Madison – and Mom!! ??
Once she realized they were weaves like at school, she ran them without a problem. Some dogs have trouble generalizing things.
Loves Mom’s reaction when Madison did her weaves and finished.
She was quite pleased!
Way to be awesome, Madison! You girls are so busy but we know you love it. How do we score a massage, Bailie?
I think Bailie has all the dog massage people in her furry back pocket. She even knows which day to go along to the trial because they are not always there!
Wahoo!! Go Madison…and kudos to Bailie for always being able to sweet talk herself onto the massage table 😉
xoxo,
Rosy, Arty & Jakey
She doesn’t mind riding along and hanging out all day when it includes a nice 20 minute massage.
Way to go, Madison!!! You are a rock star! And you deserve a massage too! Ask Bailie to teach you the tricks for getting a massage!
One of these days I think Madison will be getting a massage too. For now Bailie has the massage table reserved for herself.
My daughter owns a gymnastics gym and I am sure that Madison would do great there. Perhaps my daughter can expand her business to include adorable dogs. Thanks.
http://www.bruceehowelldds.com/
I’m sure as Madison gets used to working in different venues, she’ll be weaving like a pro no matter where she is! Congrats again on your first Q.Your calendar sounds like ours–we’re booked up through the first weekend in December!!
It is exhausting, but so much fun we can’t stay home! Madison is smart and will figure it out. We have mat time at the next venue a week before the trial to try to avoid any confusion on what the weaves are.
We’re so glad Madison came through in the end and qualified! It sounds like you have a busy few weeks ahead; Bailie must have just wanted to get in her relaxation time while she could. 🙂
She is such a weave lover, it made Mom sad, but she is smart and finally figured out they are the same as the ones at school.
Good for you Madison!! (And Mom.) All your hard work paid off!!
They are hoping for better results next trial, but are pleased the first experience ended on a good note.
Congrats on one q!!! Oh Emma I want to be you and have a massage!
Thank you. Actually, I was home. No need for me to sit in a kennel all day for nothing. Bailie is our massage queen. She loves it.