Just a reminder

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

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

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

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

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

Training Cancelled

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...

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

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

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

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....

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)