Yetton Top Agility Dogs

A Sad Day.

2009-07-28T14:51:00.002+01:00

Sadly, tonight will be the very last training session for Yetton Top Agility Dogs. Family commitments mean that I am unable to continue training, and can't anticipate when I might be able to resume - certainly not this year I think.
So, thanks to all the many friends I have made along the way, and I'm really sad and sorry to have to 'close shop', especially so abruptly. I hope I might see some of you on the agility circuit sometime in the future.

Yes - Training!!

2009-07-06T07:22:00.001+01:00

Yes, we are training this Tuesday at 7.00pm!!

HOLIDAYS!

2009-05-28T08:27:00.001+01:00

Just a reminder that this Tuesday 2 June is the last session of the current block of training, and that Tuesday 7 July is the first of the next.

Delinquent Dogz 26 May

2009-05-26T12:45:00.003+01:00

Wow! What superstars!! Mary and Moss, Jane and Jake, Darran and Cassie (supported by the whole family) made their agility debuts yesterday - and didn't they do well?? Despite a lot of nerves to start with (including me), by the end of the show all the dogs and handlers were performing like seasoned professionals. Cassie and Jake even managed to get rosettes - Cassie in the agility class, and Jake in the Helter Skelter class.
Also there was Liz with her lurcher Les, who began agility with Yetton Top Agility Dogs a while ago, but had to give up temporarily due to injuries. They will also be back training with us from tonight. In spite of the break in training, Les managed a rosette in the agility class!
(Photos to follow!)

Forward Planning

2009-05-12T08:58:00.003+01:00

Training Dates for the next 2 blocks:
Block 1
May 12; May 19; May 26; June 2
Block 2
July 7; July 14; July 21; July 28
Please note the absence of training during June (except for June 9)

Just a reminder

2009-04-21T22:28:00.001+01:00

Just a reminder that there will be no training on Tuesday 5th May, the day after the Bank Holiday.
But there will be homework to keep you busy...... :))

Another Reminder

2009-04-03T22:07:00.001+01:00

Another reminder that we won't be training on Easter Tuesday - 15 April. I'd hate to think that anyone would turn up to find the place empty.....

Enquiries

2009-03-18T15:23:00.002Z

I've had a few enquiries lately about a new Beginners' Class. Just for the record, I don't anticipate starting another class before the Autumn, even if then. The summer show season is about to start, so I will be too busy for quite a few months now just with existing classes.
Sorry, anyone who was hoping!

17 March 2009

2009-03-10T12:39:00.002Z

Just a reminder that there won't be any training on Tuesday 17 March as I will be celebrating St Patrick's Day..... in Dublin.

Training is ON tonight

2009-02-10T09:59:00.003Z

Just confirming that training is ON for tonight. Take care crossing the stable yard access.

Training Cancelled

2009-02-03T13:38:00.003Z

Well, I went out for a drive around today to see what the roads were like - hairy moments!! And that was in sunshine. I spoke to the people at the stables, and all in all, decided that it really wasn't safe to go training tonight, especially if the snow-wet roads freeze after sundown, and drivers can't see the ice in the dark.
So, sadly, training is cancelled due to the weather. Hope to see everyone next week.

Snow, snow, snow...

2009-02-02T12:35:00.002Z

Quite a bit of snow has fallen, and the forecast is for more, BUT it may all have vanished by tomorrow night when we are scheduled for training.
I will make a decision about training by 4.00pm at the latest tomorrow, so if you want to be sure, please check with me first. If you know that you won't be able to make it, please let me know before 6.00pm if possible.

Taking stock

2009-01-28T10:16:00.006Z

So, where have we got to now?

Well, the Novice group are now sequencing all equipment except the seesaw which is still being done separately at present. They have started to learn the intricacies of 'agility dance' routines - namely the Front Cross, and so are coping with changes of direction. Mary and Moss have also taught themselves to Layer obstacles - very clever handler and dog! All the dogs are doing well with the weaves (we are using V weaves), mostly off lead, looking for the entries and exits fairly independently.

The beginners' group are also progressing well, though we lost a few 'waits' last night, and the dogs were a bit flighty to begin with. They all love the soft tunnel, and will work on; they are sequencing a few hurdles; weaves are looking good, with one or two dogs having cracked the footfall well; the seesaw is looking very promising for most, using the table method, and doing it backwards from the table for the two rather timid dogs (timid of people being close to help, that is)

I'm really enjoying taking these groups - hope they are enjoying it too!

First Class

2009-01-07T07:35:00.003Z

What a cold night it was last night - and the first night back for training in this New Year!
It was lovely to see the familiar faces of the newly promoted Novice Class, and to meet the newcomers of the Beginners Class. Yet again we are fortunate to have a group of very promising dogs and handlers.
My friend Jan instructed with me because my voice was still pathetic after the bout of 'flu I've had - and my coughing fits weren't helpful either! She's a very experienced handler and competitor herself, and has taken many Beginners groups in the past (as well as more advanced ones) so it was lovely to have someone I could rely on to 'do it right' - thanks Jan!
The Novice group coped really well with the more demanding work, and the introduction of more advanced handling techniques. They are beginning to realise that you have to be able to sprint occasionally too!! The new Beginners learned about the basic 5 skills, practised 3 of them, and went away with homework for next week. I'm already looking forward to what we might achieve in the next couple of months.

Happy New Year

2009-01-01T07:50:00.002Z

Happy New Year everyone! I hope that 2009 turns into one of the best years ever for each of you!
See you at training on Tuesday to start on the pathway to your agility dreams...

Just a reminder....

2008-12-29T00:11:00.002Z

Just to remind everyone that there is no training this week (Tuesday 30 December) but there will be classes next week (Tuesday 6 January) starting at 7.00pm for the Novice Group and at 8.30pm for the new Beginners' Group.

Happy New Year everyone!

New Year - New Era

2008-12-11T13:08:00.000Z

Due to demand, I have decided to start yet another (Yetton Other??) Beginners Group in January 2009, so the current beginners are automatically promoted to the Novice Group.
I have 4 or 5 people already signed up for the new group, but if you know of anyone else who might be interested, get them to contact me: yettontop at ntlworld dot com (replace with @ and .) Training will be on Tuesday evenings from 8.30pm to 9.30pm.

End of Year- End of Era

2008-12-09T15:18:00.000Z

Well, it's time for the first lot of Yetton Top Agility Dogs to fly the nest and soar in the outside world of agility. The competition class is closing at the end of December so that those handlers and dogs can broaden their experiences elsewhere. It's been a wonderful couple of years, from no knowledge at all of agility to competing at Independent and Kennel Club shows, and bringing home the rosettes. It's time to 'up the ante' and experience training alongside the higher Grades of dogs and handlers.
So, thank you to Rachel and Amos, Helen and Lucy and Jock, Isobel and Bonnie and Amber, Sara and Tilly (and tiny Steve), and Kirsty and Amazing Maisie and Mr Billy Woof. It's been great fun training you and having a laugh together. Best of luck at all the shows next year!!

Training cancelled 02/12/08

2008-12-02T12:33:00.000Z

Sorry to say training has to be cancelled tonight because the road is too icy outside my house to be able to get the car out - for the first time in 20 years!!!
Hope you all got the text and email messages I left, but a couple of phone numbers didn't work. If you have changed your phone number, please let me know.

Christmas Break

2008-11-19T07:52:00.000Z

Because of my own family commitments, there will be no classes on 23rd or 30th December 2008.
Look forward to seeing everyone again in the New Year!

Christmas

2008-11-19T07:46:00.000Z

We will be having Christmas fun on Tuesday 16 December, with both classes joining together for some little games and eats. Start time will be 7.15pm (arrive about 6.50pm to set up, and finish no later than 9.30pm (early enough to go along the road to the pub if anyone wants?) Families are welcome to join us!
All we need is for people to bring something to eat or drink - let me know in advance so that I can make sure that we don't have too many mince pies, for example. Silly hats and tinsel etc are compulsory......
Hope you will all be able to join us.

Progress

2008-09-30T15:41:00.002+01:00

Well, the competition class is getting thoroughly into the competitions - Kennel Club shows, BAA shows, Delinquent Dogz shows, Northern Agility Winter Series shows - what did they use to do with their weekends before agility. LOL!
The new Beginners' Class has been going a month now with some excellent progress - we have already been able to raise the hurdles off the ground, and the contacts too. Weaves are coming along nicely and tonight we will introduce the Long Jump. All the dogs are keen on the tunnels, even the soft cloth one that has to be pushed through.
Hopefully we will be able to get the two classes together for a bit of fun at Christmas!!

New Beginners' Class this September

2008-07-07T07:33:00.002+01:00

It's decided! there will be a new Beginners' Class starting 2nd September 2008 in the evening at Shay Lane Equestrian Centre Halifax. Now that the previous Beginners' group are almost all competing or about to start, it is time for the next group to begin.
I already have some names on a waiting list, but I'm happy to take more. The group will be no more than 8 dogs in size and will run for an hour each Tuesday evening. The first session will be a taster so may have more dogs in it. Although the class is suitable for people wanting just to have a bit of fun working their dogs, I will give priority to anyone hoping to compete eventually.
Dogs joining need to have a reasonable level of control off lead before starting.
Those on the waiting list will get more details nearer the time.
Just e-mail me on yettontop@ntlworld.com.

Club Wear

2008-03-22T12:29:00.000Z

Agility suitable clothing, with the Yetton Top Agility Dogs logo, is available on the Clubs page of Sew-What. Club colours are black, white and lilac/purple, but feel free to choose other colours if you prefer them. Now that so many of you are venturing into the competition world, it would be quite nice to have our identity on display.

Vacancies

2008-02-04T11:09:00.000Z

Yetton Top Agility Dogs currently has a couple of vacancies for dogs at the start of their agility careers (Kennel Club Grade 1 dogs or unaffiliated equivalent), and also for dogs that have completed a starter course elsewhere (eg an 8 week course) and want to improve their skills, and perhaps prepare for competitions eventually.
We train indoors in Halifax every Tuesday evening.
If you are interested, just e-mail me on yettontop@ntlworld.com
(February 2008)

New Beginners' Class

2007-09-10T10:31:00.000+01:00

The new Beginners' Agility Class starts 11 September at 8.30pm. I'm really looking forward to getting these dogs going as I know most of them already and they are ace!!

We do have a couple of places left on the course for dogs that already have a reasonable level of obedience (Kennel Club Good Citizen Bronze/Silver or equivalent). Just mail me at yettontop@ntlworld.com

Brenda

Normal service will be resumed......

2007-06-23T17:31:00.000+01:00

Well, after the disaster of the flood waters being diverted from the building site next door into the training arena, the contractor has pumped out all the water, aerated the surface and added new sand mixture where needed, so we are back in service again.
Classes resume on Tuesday 26 June, with Elementary Agility at 7.15pm and Ground Control at 8.30pm.
Looking forward to seeing you all there!

Training Reminder

2007-05-28T07:54:00.000+01:00

Just a reminder that we are training for Agility on Tuesday 29 May at 7.00pm, but not on Tuesday 5 June. Normal service resumes for Agility on Tuesday 12 June at 7.00pm, and the Ground Control classes start on Tuesday 19 June at 8.30pm.

Having Fun!

2007-05-05T19:29:00.000+01:00

Dogs and handlers having fun in training:

left to right: Leanne and Toby; Isobel and Amber; Sara and Tillie; Liz and Les.

Ground Control - Date to Start!

2007-05-03T19:25:00.000+01:00

The new Ground Control class will be starting on Tuesday 19 June from 8.30pm to 9.30pm, provided there are 6 or more interested people. It will include all kinds of exercises designed to prepare dogs and handlers for agility, or to improve the handling skill of experienced handlers. Dogs of all ages over 5 months are welcome, as there is no 'off ground' work involved, and exercises can be adapted to suit different dogs' abilities.
Classes will be every Tuesday at the same time, based in Halifax. The cost is £7.00 for the first taster class, then, if you want to continue, it will be £28 for the next block of 4 classes.
If you are interested, please send an e-mail to yettontop@ntlworld.com

Ground Control for Agility

2007-03-10T07:39:00.000Z

I have been asked to run a 'ground control' class for agility - basic obedience geared towards agility. This would include heelwork, recalls, waits, directional work, toy work, agility handling moves etc, all in the context of agility. Some agility equipment might be used occasionally, but all would be at ground level.

If there is enough interest, I will get a group organised. We need 6 to 10 people, paying group rates (£7 each, payable 4 weeks in advance) to cover the costs of the venue, equipment etc. for an hour.

Dogs of all ages are able to attend, from puppies through to older dogs, as there is no off ground work involved. Some basic obedience is required, such as Good Citizen Bronze Award - or the Good Citizen Puppy Assessment in the case of dogs under 6 months old.

This is a good pre-agility foundation, but will also benefit dogs already competing in agility that require a little more control, as well as handlers struggling with some of the agilty moves when working their dogs off ground.

Please let me know if you are interested - I can only get this started if there is enough interest. It is likely to be held on a Tuesday evening in Halifax.

Planning for September

2007-03-10T07:32:00.000Z

The next Beginners' Agility Class will start in September, as the show season begins to quieten down. Details of this will be posted probably in August, so keep watching if you are interested in joining.

Dogs should be over 12 months old, fit not fat, and have basic control skills to Good Citizen Silver standard. This means they should come back to you as soon as called, and work with you off lead without running off. Dogs that enjoy playing with their owners are definitely easier to train, so work on this in the meantime!

Busy January

2007-01-16T22:17:00.000Z

With two Beginners' Groups flourishing on Tuesday evenings, and numerous individual coaching sessions booked, Yetton Top Agility dogs are keeping very busy this January! With a puppy of my own to bring on, as well as an agility dog and now an obedience dog, to train, life is very full - of fun!

There is still a little time for a couple more individual coaching sessions, so if you are interested, please mail me: yettontop@ntlworld.com

New Beginners' Group in January 2007

2006-12-15T16:59:00.000Z

The new Beginners' Group will start on Tuesday 9 January, from 8.00pm to 9.00pm in Halifax. There are still a couple of places spare for anyone who has not yet confirmed their place.
If you would like to join this group, please call 01484-306963 as soon as possible.

NEW ARRIVAL AT YETTONTOP

2006-12-15T16:48:00.000Z

The Yetton Top Agility Dogs were recently joined by new arrival, Bryn (Bryning Truly Special at Yettontop), born 8 October 2006.
At the moment he is working his charm on the rest of the pack: so far only Amber has succumbed to his charms!

Another Beginners' Group

2006-10-11T08:05:00.000+01:00

I've had a few enquiries about starting another beginners' group, and this will now happen after Christmas.
So, if you are interested in having a go at agility, give me a ring, or e-mail me:
01484-306963
yettontop@ntlworld.com

Beginners Group this week.

2006-10-07T21:09:00.000+01:00

Just a reminder that the Beginners' Group is meeting on Tuesday 10 October for another training session at 7.00pm, though if you can get there a few minutes earlier to help put out the equipment, that would be a big help.
See you there!

New Banner!

2006-10-07T21:05:00.000+01:00

Many thanks to Katie Ford for creating our new banner for this page - definitely a big improvement! Thanks Katie!

Another Yetton Top Success

2006-09-30T18:54:00.000+01:00

Amber (Austmans Amber Nectar at Yettontop) won the Medium Senior Agility at Lune Valley Agility Show today, three seconds ahead of the next dog!! Just one more win, of any kind, will give her the 4 wins she needs to go Advanced. This would make her not only the first Australian Cattle Dog to be Senior in Agility inthe UK, but the first to go Advanced too. Wish her luck!!

The Beginners' Group Begins

2006-09-28T21:21:00.000+01:00

What an excellent start to the Beginners' Group last Tuesday evening. All dogs started to sequence 4 low jumps, had an introduction to the tyre and to the training weaves, and enjoyed the run through the tunnel. I was very impressed by all the dogs and their handlers, and look forward to the next class on Tuesday 10 October, when we will be consolidating last Tuesday's work, and introducing the dogs to the first piece of contact equipment.

Beginners' Class starts 26 September

2006-09-22T20:37:00.000+01:00

I am delighted to say that the new Beginners' Class will start on Tuesday 26 September at 7.00pm in Halifax.

Beginners' Agility Class

2006-09-18T17:15:00.000+01:00

I am hoping to start this class in another couple of weeks, but we could do with another couple of dogs to spread the cost a bit.
If you fancy having a go at agility, and you live within striking distance of Halifax, West Yorkshire, why not give me a call and we could get the class started?
Brenda on 01484-306963

Bookings for Classes

2006-09-03T09:12:00.000+01:00

Bookings are now being taken for the Autumn. There are some evening vacancies (Tuesdays) for individual coaching or for groups who wish to train together. Daytimes can also sometimes be arranged, subject to the venue being available.

Prices - including the hire of the indoor venue: £35 for individual coaching of up to 3 dogs an hour. £9 per dog per hour for groups of 4 to 8 dogs.

Call 01484-306963 - don't be afraid to leave a message on the answer machine if I am out training someone else when you call.

Training for Small and Medium Dogs

2006-08-20T16:43:00.000+01:00

Training for Small & Medium Dogs starts on Tuesday 5 September at 7.30pm in Halifax.
If you are interested in joining this class, but have not already booked, please contact Brenda on yettontop@ntlworld.com There are still a few places available on weekly/fortnightly basis.

Forthcoming events

2006-08-04T10:25:00.000+01:00

September 2006 sees the addition of new training opportunities at Yetton Top Agility Dogs. Individual coaching will continue for 1 to 3 handlers at a time, but there will also be group sessions for 4 to 8 handlers.
A lot of interest is being shown in the group training aimed specifically at Small and Medium dogs, and bookings are being taken daily.
Training for Large dogs is continuing to be popular, from absolute beginner (Grade 1) to Advanced (Grade 7) work being undertaken.
Ring 07900-470611 for further details and to book a place.

Yetton Top Agility Dogs

2006-08-04T09:33:00.000+01:00

Yetton Top Agility Dogs are handled by Brenda Tenten. Brenda has been competing in agility since 1986, when she got involved with her rescued Weimaraner. There followed two lurchers, two Border Collies, and now, two Australian Cattle Dogs, so she certainly knows about dogs of different breeds. One of the lurchers was made up to senior level (Grade 6), as is one of the ACDs, and one Border Collie is halfway there. The ACD is en route to Advanced level (Grade 7).

As a qualified teacher and agility instructor, Brenda has been teaching agility since 1991, taking dogs to advanced level and into many national finals, including Olympia. With a couple of friends, she set up and runs White Rose Agility, a training group based in Halifax, West Yorkshire, in addition to her own club Yetton Top Agility Dogs.

Judging began in 1992, and Brenda usually judges at about 5 shows a year. She is a Kennel Club recognised Championship agility judge as well as being on the UK Kennel Club's List of Approved Overseas Judges. She set up and organised for many years the Pedigree ABC Agility competitions, so was delighted to judge the Final in 1998. She is happy judging dogs of all levels of ability and all sizes, and has also judged at unaffiliated shows.

Throughout, Brenda’s maxim has been ‘Expectations Shape Outcomes’, and as she always expects to have fun, she and her dogs generally do so! She currently runs an 12 year old Border Collie, Meg, in veterans classes; a 6 year old medium Australian Cattle Dog, Amber, in Senior (Grade 6), Intermediate (Grade 5) and Open medium classes; and a 4 year old Australian Cattle Dog, Corker, in novice (Grades 3&4) and Intermediate (Grade 5) classes – a real challenge!