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In Your Own Time - Lynda Pullin
As you may or may not know I came from Sussex to live in Cumbria in November 2004. The biggest difference that I have noticed between Northern and Southern clubs is the number of clubs and the number of members.
Clubs are many and varied in the south, some are KC registered and a lot are not. The unregistered clubs tend to come and go, probably because of the commitment required. I have been a member of four such groups. The training was generally excellent as the trainers were usually top handlers.
The only KC registered club, other than Barrow, that I have been a member of was Mid Downs. Situated about a mile from Gatwick Airport directly under the flight path, it could be a bit noisy.
Mid Downs was quite a large club with about 70-80 members, there were usually two classes per evening five days a week. Complete beginners had to go on a long waiting list of about a year I think. The instructors were excellent and everyone was very friendly.
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 | Anyway a bit about how I got started. I joined a local obedience club, Denne Park, in 1990 with my slightly wayward 6 year old border collie Toby.
I was persuaded to enter a national obedience competition run by Pedigree Chum. There was a regional heat with a final held at Stonleigh Showground, Warwick. Well we won the regional heat and went on to come second in the final. A great experience plus a years supply of Pedigree Chum. Toby and I then first entered exemption shows and then progressed to open obedience shows. In 1991 Denne Park set up a small agility section which I attended for about 18 months. Unfortunately this section closed when it failed to make any money. That's another story.
Jess, a beautiful Border Collie pup arrived in 1992. She was a natural in the obedience ring working her way quickly through the classes, qualifying to work B and C by the age of two.
Then in 1994 I got another pup, a little blue merle, that I called Bronwyn. Bron hated obedience and I was getting far too nervous in the ring to progress any further with Jess so I decided to give agility another go.
I started at Billingshurst Agility Club in 1995. Jess took to it very quickly but after three starter classes I was told that Bron was a no hoper.
Undeterred I left and joined two other agility groups. Under the instruction of Jo Sermon and Barrie Harvey we made fast progress. Within a year Jess and Bron had both won into Novice. Bron turned out to be super fast but her lack of good contacts let her down. She did win one novice agility class and had numerous second and third places but we just could not get that elusive second win to make her senior. In 1999 I took on a 7 month old collie, Meggie. Although she will do everything I ask of her in the agility ring she lacks confidence and is frustratingly slow. So in 2002 I got Kip from a farm near Whitehaven. He is the complete opposite to Meg. Very fast and very confident. I have five dogs at the moment. Four collies and an inherited terrier. Jess and Bron are retired, Meg would like to be retired, Bobby the terrier does not do agility and Kip who is my present competition dog. Agility really is good fun for both the dog and handler. There is nothing more rewarding than training your dog and watching them progress. I have made many good friends though agility and obedience. |
 | With regards to training I do wish that handlers would put toys to greater use. They are an invaluable aid in training. Some dogs are reluctant to play but with patience most if not all dogs can be taught. I also think that solid basic obedience is essential when starting to train a dog for agility. I only gave up my weekly obedience class when I moved to Cumbria but when I get a pup (not for a while yet) I will be going back to classes. Ambitions, well I tend not to look too far ahead. I would just like to get a few more clear rounds next year. I think its important to remember that our dogs are our pets first and foremost and that agility is fun if sometimes frustrating.
Lynda Pullin
What else about Lynda, well she is a great trainer and has a great deal of knowledge which she is always prepared to share. She doesn't go on about 'down south'! Oh and she hates having her photo taken!
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