On Friday, I retired from agility. My one year career came full circle with a trial at the Soccer Blast, where I attended my first trial just a year ago. Mom and I love the venue, but I don’t love it enough to do well on the agility course.
Last July, you may remember I entered a NADAC trial just to see how I would do in the ring. I had a really great day, and brought home a lot of Q’s. That trial was the start of my agility career. Shortly after the trial, Mom entered me in my first AKC trial.
My actual start in agility, looking back, should have been a sign of things to come. I started puppy agility in January 2017. It was kind of fun, but even at that very beginning level, I was being made fun of for being so slow, and more interested in sniffing the floor than running agility. Mom broke her ankle a couple weeks after starting the class, which was just another handicap for our team. Bailie also tried her paws at agility, but dropped out after just a few months due to a lack of enthusiasm.
I have taken classes for two and a half years, with different instructors. Some times I was a rock star, but most of the time I was the dog people would laugh at because of my lack of interest. Mom has done her best to get me motivated, but I’m just not that interested in agility. I did manage to get my NJP (Novice Jumpers Preferred) Title in October. It was a proud moment for me and Mom.
After lots of tries, I finally got my NAP (Novice Standard Preferred) Title in November. Since that time I have not gotten one Q despite entering numerous trials. In a last attempt to, as Mom says, light a fire under my furry behind in agility, we took a four month break from competition, and we switched schools. Nothing has changed, and my first run on Friday was another dismal performance with my lack of interest. We did not even stay for my other run as Mom said there was no point to it.
On the bright side, Mom isn’t a huge fan of agility. She says the atmosphere is not something she really likes, but if I run it can be fun. It is very different from other sports we do. Olivia may be an agility dog, and she will get her chance to shine, but Mom is tired of dragging me around with agility. I have plenty of other sports I love to do, and I can spend more time working on them now. Mom is a bit disappointed, but she can tell I don’t love it, and she doesn’t ask us to do things we really don’t enjoy doing (except for eating breakfast which I don’t like to do, but she makes me do every day).
Am I sad about retiring from agility? Probably not too much, and I can always go back in a year or two and give it another try. Big sports types are always retiring and making comebacks, but it most likely won’t happen with me.
It’s been a fun couple of years, at times, but it is time for this hound to wave good bye to agility. Now it is on to bigger and more fun sports that I love, where I can use my nose!
We’re joining Comedy Plus for the Awww Mondays Blog Hop.
I love love this. I thought Lucy would be great at agility. She is very quick but I also fear she would spend as much time sniffing the scents in the venue as she would completing the course. When she goes for walks, her little nose is like a vacuum cleaner, collecting all the new information left in the grass by others so we pretty much stay with rousing game of fetch. Have a blessed day.
I can be quick, and running around the course isn’t a bad thing, but I don’t have the drive I need to really be an agility dog. I’m content with my novice titles and will focus on my nosy sports instead.
You and your mom gave it a good shot, but you both know what is best for you. I loved the pictures of you in motion. My nose would probably get in my way if I tried agility too. I am happy with my CGC, and we hope to get little Puffin her CGC also. XOXO, Sparkle
Olivia will be getting her CGC later this year. Agility just doesn’t blow wind into my furs. I’d rather do something else.
I do understand, I would be much more interested in the sniffs and trying to track done sumpeep willing to give me a TREAT!!!
Loves and licky kisses
Princess Leah xxx
That is also a problem, no treats on the course, and no cheering during a run, so all things that might motivate me are not allowed.
There are lots of activities to experience – glad you got to check this one out. Glad you found that it isn’t your cup of tea (or bone broth). Always do what’s fun for you!
I still have plenty of sports that I love to do, so I’m fine with quitting.
Most of us GBGVs are not really built for speed, and want our noses satisfied. We think you and your mom made a wise decision. Gosh, now you get to do more nose work, tracking, walking,etc. your are all so busy doing things that you like. It is good to try things, and it is also good to stop them when we aren’t having fun and excelling (follow your nose’s desire).
Chablis & Elbe
People have been amazed by my speed when I’m in the mood, but I’m not in the mood at agility very often. Maybe Olivia will love it.
You and mom know what is best. When it’s time to retire it’s time to retire. It’s all good.
Thank you for joining the Awww Mondays Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Awww Monday. ♥
We tried, and that is all we can do. Moving on to things I love to do now.
A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do. Enjoy your other sports! I don’t think Ducky would really like agility either…she prefers using her nose first, and then her feet – to chase the squirrels back up the tree.
Agility is kind of fun, but just not my cup of tea on demand.
a girl knows what to do..always… and we think nosework is something super special and it is YOUR sports… France is proud that your wonderful breed was invented once here ;O)
My nose is my treasure and I so enjoy using it.
Happy Retirement! Yes, we agree, do what you enjoy and it’s a win no matter what!
No point in wasting time doing something we are not enjoying. Moving onward and upward.
With all those ribbons you’re sporting, you sure have plenty to show for yourself and stepping down now is alright in my book. Enjoy retirement but don’t let yourself get too soft around the middle. That’s what happens to humans when we become less active. Thanks for dropping in for some boogie time! Have a safe and happy 4th!
We are all super active all the time, so no worries there! I’ve got my novice agility titles, and that is good. More titles with sports I love will be great!
Both you and your Mom gave it a great shot, and hopefully had some fun along the way! It’s such a good thing that there are many other sports to choose from, and you can focus on the ones you both really enjoy.
We did out best, but it just didn’t work out. I’m happy with my novice titles.
I love the action shots – awesome! Always do what makes you happiest sweetie – good decision.
That is another bummer with agility, there are never photographers.
Congratulations on your retirement. We hope you and mom had some really fun times at the events. That is all that matters in the end. Thanks for sharing the lovely photos. Have a great day.
We enjoyed working together and learning about agility, and I got my novice titles.
You should be very proud of yourself with all of those beautiful ribbons and fantastic photos, Madison, but if nosework is your preferred sport than more power to ya!
Nose work, scent work, barn hunt and tracking are things I really love.
It’s all about whether or not you are enjoying yourself, sounds like you gave it lots of chances!
xoxo,
Rosy, Jakey & Arty
We tried everything, but it was not for us.
you look so cute running the agility course. so sorry, you did not enjoy it, maybe one day you will make a big comeback. if you dont enjoy it, not worth the trouble. just like with show dogs, if they dont like the show ring, no use making them show. one of girl’s mother was a beauty, but she just did not like the show ring. so after she got her points, she retired her. now my girl’s grandfather loved the show ring, he did very well, was the top winning sr. mini schnauzer in the country before he died. i know you love sniffing and finding those rats and bunnies. life is too short not to do something you enjoy.
Everyone loved watching me run the course, but I just didn’t really run most of the time and didn’t enjoy myself at all at trials.
Every dog has her day, it sounds like your days were not meant to be spent running agility, and that is just fine.
A girl can’t be good at and love every sport.
Congratulations on your agility career. Not every sport is for every athlete and you are awesome at so many other things! We would be happy to bite anyone on the butt that laughs at you in the future. Just let us know. XXOO
I have been made fun of at agility since day one, and Mom was tiring of that as well.
Sorry you are retiring but if your not clicking then yes a break is in order, your right about always being able to go back to it. Love all the photos of you doing it.
I doubt I will go back as I have never been in love with agility, but you never know.
Congrats on everything you managed to accomplish as well as on your ‘retirement.’ We love you just the way you are and hope you’re able to do the things that mean the most to you and your huMom.
I won’t be lacking in sports, but I will do the ones I love.
I was just wondering if you were still doing agility! It sounds like you’ve got a good plan to focus on what you love instead. Rye and I went 8 full months without a Standard Q, but we love agility so much that we’re still doing it 2 or 3 weekends every month and we get a little bit better every weekend, so I can’t imagine giving it up! She might be retiring from scentwork soon, though, if we don’t have a good experience at our trial later this month, so we totally understand your decision!
Every dog and human has the sports they love. Trying new things is a good thing, but if it never is really fun, it is time to stop. Everyone does and loves agility, but Mom doesn’t really like it that much, and I really wasn’t having fun, so it was time to quit. I love my nose sports so much more. Good luck on your agility, and hope you do well at scent work, but that might not be your thing.