Clean Run - December 2011 - 51

Ready, Set, Trial!
By Jamie McKay, CPDT KA

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Finish Line
Despite training and proofing before competing in agility, sometimes life throws you a curve ball. These unexpected challenges happen to novice and experienced competitors alike. The following stories have been graciously shared by your fellow exhibitors. Learn from their experiences and take them into account when developing your training plans. There is also a lesson to be learned about enjoying the lighter side of agility and not taking ourselves so seriously! Patty Andolina was competing with her shy Sheltie Breezy when a spectator’s dog got loose and entered the ring. Breezy, who enjoyed playing chase with other dogs, sped up and took the obstacles at full speed while the dog ran after her. When she sat on the table the other dog left the ring. Breezy finished the course and qualified. After that run, Breezy’s confidence improved and she began to have more fun at trials and has since gone on to achieve several championships. Carol Schiefer and her Border Collie Trace were competing in Steeplechase at a USDAA event. Trace headed toward the finish
December 11 | Clean Run

line when Pretzel, a terrier belonging to Terry Long, decided to join the run. Pretzel dragged his leash to the finish line where the two dogs met. There was a moment of uncertainty until Trace picked up the end of Pretzel’s leash and began to tug! All ended well and the crowd had a good laugh. Claudia Berkhan was running a course with her Border Collie Liam. Liam was weaving when a small dog from another ring entered the ring and grabbed Liam’s tail. Liam pulled out of the weaves with a terrier on his tail. Fortunately, there was no confrontation, no injury, and they were offered a rerun. Claudia accepted and Liam completed the weaves without incident. Paula Ratoza was judging an AKC FAST class inside an equestrian arena at a county fair grounds. A small Sheltie was running. Simultaneously a very large rat appeared and proceeded to walk along the edge of the ring for about 30' before exiting. Paula was startled and in the same rhythm she had been calling out the points began to repeat “rat, rat, rat.” The rat was so large it reportedly measured into the 12" height class. After it left, Paula

quickly called out the earned points. While rats appeared in and out of the ring for the remainder of the weekend none were quite so large. Audrey McKay was in the ring with her Australian Shepherd Summer at the same time a herding instinct test was taking place. The sheep escaped and ran past the agility ring with a Border Collie in hot pursuit. Summer completed the course but was ready to herd if needed. Laura Watts and her Siberian Husky Queue encountered a bumper crop of June bugs at a trial. These 1"-long flying beetles have spurs that help them grip whatever they land on. One landed on Queue’s side and when she grabbed it with her mouth it latched onto her tongue. Laura removed the beetle, which then latched onto her finger where it remained for their run. Things were going well until the tunnel where a mass of bugs clustered around the entrance. Queue took one look and said no way! Can you blame her? The Q-rate was reported as being very low that day. Andrea Harrison and her mixed breed Brody were competing in their first outdoor trial. Brody slowly

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Clean Run - December 2011

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