Monday, April 22, 2013

Strike's 8 Month Progress

Let's see... 8 months old and not doing a whole lot more than playing!

Lets start out with his flat progress. Measured out yardage, had him run through being timed, and clocked in at 10+ YPS on the flat ground. (He was almost 7 months, so I need to run that test again.)

Learning channel weaves, wide channels of course. Going to separately work entries with a 2x2.

Still practicing tight turns, left/right. Still doing great! Bar is at about 10" in our wrap exercises for tight turns.

Learning running contacts (dogwalk); doing a phenominal job!!

Doing short sequences, mainly to learn body language better and directions. He literally drools from the excitement while running. He's so intense!

Next on the agenda? Continue weaves, jumps, and running contacts still.

He's so fast that it's actually challenging to keep up. Luckily we did distance foundation a while back - woohoo!

He's such a kickass little dog.




Monday, April 1, 2013

PURPOSE CONFUSED?

I apologize for the angry capitals... but what do I even mean?

We (Border Collie folk) know that there are basically three types of BC breeders: Herding, sporting, and conformation breeders.

Everyone had no idea I was in the market for another BC before I got Strike, but I did receive comments from people suggesting where to get my next BC (who was planned a few years away).

I got this : "Why would you want a dog from a working breeder?"
"I guess you don't want a fast agility dog?"
"Good luck without a sporter collie."
"You won't have a chance with a working bred dog in agility."

These quotes carried in my mind and have been bugging me lately.

Ace was bred for herding and is a wonderfully consistant agility dog, but lacks the speed he could have. (probably because I trained him when I was 15 and clueless...)
And now I'm training Strike, who is a half brother to Ace and also from wonderful herding lines. He's turning out to be very promising. Honestly, he's also one of the fastest pups I've ever seen!
Though now that I know what I'm doing, how to train efficiently, and how to build drive, I'm quite insulted that the people who had been talking to me and giving me "tips" constantly said to go to a sport breeder if I ever wanted to make it in the agility world.

I'd like to point out a few things I've seen personally.
*It's the trainer. Dogs aren't born pre-programmed.
*Dogs bred for conformation or herding can stand a chance against sporters; I see it often at local shows.
*Not all sporters are ~perfect~ like they are claimed to be.
*There is no such thing as a certain type being automatically better at agility. Now do the breedings give advantages? Sure; but when it really comes down to it, it's the trainer, the bond, and the hard work and persistence.

Just had to rant a little as I'm tired of hearing "don't get a dog from them; they're slow."

A companion and friend first; an agility dog second.