Strategic Planning for Agility Game Classes

Strategic Planning for Agility Game Classes

Posted on by beyondtheq

Have you ever found yourself looking at Gamblers or Snooker course map and you’re not sure where to start? Well here are some quick tips to help you mentally break down your options.


Bring the Rulebook
For each organization I compete in, I download a copy of the rules and regulations on my phone and iPad each year. You could also bring a physical copy to the trial. This way I have my reference ready to go and it helps to take some of the pressure off of remembering what the points and requirements are in each class/level.


Take Notes
Just like in school, it can be helpful to note critical pieces of information down on your course map. Once I pick up my course map, I will generally note how many points I need, what the obstacles are valued at and what the course/game time is.


Draw it Out
I like to sketch out some of my options before walking the course. This helps me to focus and not seem so overwhelmed with all the choices. I used to do this with a pencil but my friend Tonni-Sue gave me a great tip; use dry erase markers! But wait, it’s paper, the markers won’t work. Well they do when you bring a page protector with. I got 15 page protectors for $1 from the dollar store and a set of 6 mini dry erase markers for $3.99 from Amazon and it has been a great $5.00 investment. Using different colored dry erase markers allows you to clearly sketch out different paths. If you want to modify something, simply erase. I then note how many points each path would be worth on the side. In the example above the pink opening is worth 24 points and the purple opening is worth 33 points. We ended up doing the purple course and successfully completed the gamble for a total of 53 points.


Time It
When I am walking the course options I bring my phone with. Many smartphones have a built-in stop watch and there are some apps out there if your phone doesn’t. Once I walk the paths and decide which option(s) I like the best, I will use the phone to help me confirm if my anticipated timing is correct. If I have a little more time I can add adjust to add an obstacle or two. If I am tight on time I can see if I have enough points to perhaps leave something out.


Know Your Dog
Know your dog! What are his/her strengths and weaknesses? When you are looking at a course map keep these attributes in mind. Remember every dog is different so what my work for your friend’s dog may not necessarily be the best option for your dog. For example my sheltie Nina can sometime start line stress and it can take a few obstacles to get her up to full speed. When I am looking at a game course for her, I am generally looking for something that flows well to help keep her speed and drive up. Nina also has a fast, reliable running dog walk (it’s her favorite obstacle) and while many handlers avoid contacts due to the extra time they take, I can sometimes use this my advantage to pick up some extra points. On the other hand my sheltie Reba is more driven and fast off the start line. She also does well with more challenging handling so for her I can get to obstacles further out in the course.

That’s all for now. Hopefully these tips will help you better strategize your next game course.

So you want to qualify for the CPE Nationals in 2019

So you want to qualify for the CPE Nationals in 2019

Posted on by beyondtheq
Nina at our first CPE Agility Nationals

CPE officially released the information for the 2019 agility nationals this week. Here is a quick overview of the information.

 

Location

The competition will be June 7-9, 2019 and will be held at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, WI. This was originally scheduled to be held in Minnesota but the show site had to be changed and the Minnesota Host Group did a fantastic job at locating and securing a new site. The new location is right by the Minnesota/Wisconsin border. There will be 4 rings indoor on dirt and 2 rings outdoor on grass (if needed.)

 

Requirements

• Your dog must earn at least 40 legs in the height category (regular, veterans, enthusiast, specialist) that they will be entered in for the Nationals during the qualifying period which is between January 1st, 2018 and December 31, 2018.

• The 40 legs can be earned at any level within the entered height category.

• For regular and veteran dogs, you must have completed all titles in the level you started at through level 3. For example, if you started in level 3, all level 3 titles must be completed by the end of the qualifying period. If you started in level 2, all level 2 and level 3 titles must be completed. If you started in level 1, all level 1, 2 and 3 titles must be completed.

• Enthusiast dogs can skip up to one class per level (must be the same class for each level.) Specialist dogs can skip up to two classes per level (must be the same class/classes for each level.)

You can find all the detailed information by clicking here to go to the CPE Agility Nationals Information Page.

 

Goal Setting

Sometimes it can be easy to get overwhelmed when looking at the overall requirements of things. I find it useful to break things down into smaller goals to help keep on track and stay focused without feeling overwhelmed. In this case if we break down the 40 legs requirement, we would need 3.34 legs per month or 10 legs per quarter to qualify for the 2019 CPE Nationals. Suddenly that 40 leg requirement does not seem so overwhelming!  

 

Remember dog agility is all about having fun with your dog. If you start overthinking things and stressing that “fun” factor will start to fade and your dog WILL notice. Sometimes things happen that are just out of our control. Take time to enjoy the journey and grow your relationship with your dog. In the end that is what really matters. 

A Dog of Many Firsts

A Dog of Many Firsts

Posted on by beyondtheq

It is through many tears that I have to tell you that my sweet boy Ollie passed away on June 10th, 2017. He was 15.5 years old. Ollie woke up from a nap that Friday night in distress and went downhill quickly. We believe he had a tumor that burst internally as well as a possible stroke. He lost most if not all of the vision he had left and was panting rapidly. Soon he was crying out. A trip to the emergency vet confirmed what I already knew. Ollie fought through so much in his life but this time, he wasn’t coming home. I helped him to pass; I owed that to him. He cuddled his head up in the cup of my hand and went to sleep peacefully. He took a piece of my heart with him.

 

Ollie was my first competition dog. The first dog I ever titled. The first dog I ever did Rally and Trick Dog work with. The first dog the U of M tried an experimental procedure on that stopped him from bleeding to death after a popular painkiller causes ulcers on his stomach and intestine. He was completely devoted to me. A love and trust like no other. He made me a better dog trainer but above that he made me a better person. 

 

It has been several months since his passing but every time I tried to write this I just couldn’t do it. My Nina had a hard time adjusting to life without him but has now find a new “normal.” We are all healing and there are good days and bad days. I can look at his pictures and smile most of the times now. Videos are still hard. The memories he left me with will live on forever in my heart. I love you my sweet boy and miss you more than words. I hope you are running free with your brother Laddie now and I will see you two boys at the bridge someday.

Welcome to Beyond the Q

Posted on by beyondtheq

 

Welcome to Beyond the Q Dog Sports! I started a general blog a few years back to detail some training and tips but when my web host shut down I ended up losing a lot of my work. Many of my agility students missed my references and “entertaining” stories so I was encouraged to get back at it.

 

This website is a work in progress but I hope it will be a good resource with time. Besides the training and handling exercises that many sites cover, I will also be sharing my real life training and trialing experiences. Being a middle class single person on a budget I will also be sharing some money savings tips, deal alerts and product reviews.

 

For more information on me, my training philosophies and class information see the links above.

 

I want to leave you guys with one final thought for today. In the world of dog sports it’s all about qualifying. Whether it’s qualifying on a course/exercise or qualifying for an event, you hear the term “Q” a lot. I encourage each of you to look Beyond the Q and focus on what really matters: your relationship with your dog and the quality of training you provide him/her with. From there the rest will all fall into place.