I had heard about agility and briefly tried it with our first dog Corrie, a golden retriever, but it wasn’t until 1998 that I became involved properly. A change of job meant I had more time and consequently we got a second dog, Floss. Our first border collie and everyone knows that border collies need work!
I had seen agility on the TV and had heard about the local group through the dog training classes I had attended with Corrie. I contacted the dog club and got a place on their basic training course.
As it turned out Floss was very laid back but within weeks I was hooked in spite of the cold wet weather as the training was held outdoors over the winter as during the summer they all went to competitions. Initially we did a beginners course which was very similar to the Buddy course we now run, teaching the dog to jump, weave, turn and do the contact equipment. I was lucky as Floss was pretty good and didn’t run off, but we also did a basic obedience course which helped me and Floss to work together more effectively.
Once our initial training was complete we continued to train and began to enter competitions. Stewart, my husband then got interested and we got another collie, Molly.
Unfortunately Floss developed arthritis and wouldn’t jump so, having attended a judging seminar I spent a season or so judging, and helping at shows, while Stewart competed with Molly. When our first dog Corrie succumbed to old age we ended up with our third collie, Meg, who is definitely not as laid back about it as Floss was. Training Meg has been much more of a challenge. |
 | Where Floss had to be coaxed and encouraged, Meg has to be held back as she is so enthusiastic! By the end of our first competitive season we had progressed to the next level, no longer a Starter dog but a Novice. Agility has a language all of its own. We haven’t been members of any other agility clubs but have attended training seminars run by some neighbouring clubs. When the opportunity arose to participate in training, I was pleased to volunteer as I wanted to help others see what fun it can be for both dog and handler. Training dogs is all about fun, and as a sport agility always should have that fun element, even for the most competitive of people. Your dog will always do its best for you even though it doesn’t always get it right. Indeed it’s usually the handler who mucks it up!
I thoroughly enjoy agility as it provides me with a combination of exercise, entertainment and outdoor living. Most summer weekends are now spent in the caravan at shows. It has also introduced us to lots of new friends and acquaintances as the people who do agility are a very friendly and helpful bunch. Agility is a growing sport and is currently changing to provide a better competitive progression to the top! My only ambition is to keep as fit as possible and enjoy myself for as long as I can, oh, and to win the occasional rosette would be nice.
Marilyn Black
|
| What else about Marilyn - Well she doesn't take on easy dogs and she has given a home to a number of rescue dogs. She got out of Starters this year with Meg at Weardale which was brilliant as she has had to work very hard and it is starting to pay off. Oh, and she and Stewart always sort the tea and biscuits at Sunday training, very important! |