Training Reminder

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!

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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!

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

Another Yetton Top Success

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

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

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

Beginners' Agility Class

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

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

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

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

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!