Winter locations and schedule

We have just completed our first month in our new locations for the winter season and I must say it’s all working out just fine.

My mountain clients have easy access to a wonderful horse arena in Evergreen. Monday is my day at the arena with two morning classes and two evening classes. The horses are enjoying watching the dogs run and the dogs just think “wow, what big dogs”.

The north Denver location is a brand new facility, Denver Dog Sports, at 4300 Forest Rd, just off I-70 at Dahlia/Holly exit. If you haven’t been there yet it’s worth your time to take a look. I helped the owner, Kathy Lantz, open the place in late December with an agility fun match so dog enthusiasts could get a look at this fantastic facility. Not only is agility offered, but most all dog disciplines except sheep herding will be offered. Visit the website: www.denverdogsports.com

The intown location is still Mantayo Kennels, central to most. Mantayo has recently purchased new equipment to offer classes outside or inside in case of bad weather. Their outside arena is 1 1/2 times regulation size, fully fenced, with a south view for snow to melt away.

I will continue at these locations until ALL the snow melts and we can move back to Indian Hills – just 10 minutes from C470 off Hwy 285.

Visit Class Descriptions to see where you might fit in.

 

 

 

 

 

August 2011 Update

I haven’t updated this page in ages. I have edited the schedule of classes and upcoming events.

Also want to mention that the annual party was a success with over 80 people attending with their dogs. We played a relay and ran the tunnelers course. I especially love to see the beginners have a great time and realizing what lies ahead for them and their dog.

Agility has moved down the hill

We moved all the equipment to Mantayo Kennels today, December 4, 2010. They are opening up the back field for Hoppin’  in the Hills only. It will be an experiment over the winter to show the owners that it will work there. Then in the spring when I move back home they will purchase all new equipment and open the field to the public.

I appreciate the help from Steve and Judy Iannacito, Craig Kissler, Erica Scheilz and Fritz Kaeser. Thank you so much for helping with the move.

Let’s hope we have moderate weather so we can be outdoors as much as possible. However, we do have the option of moving indoors if we have to.

Tip of the Month for Clean Run Magazine

I finally sent my idea in about keeping a target handy for contact training. Clean Run will run it in their September issue, and they are actually compensating me with a $50 voucher to their store. Clean Run is a monthly magazine dedicated solely to agility. It’s a must have. It’s $48/yr for a hard copy, or $25/yr for the digital/computer issue. If you sign up, please put my name as a reference. www.cleanrun.com

Tip of the Month

For those that use targets for the contact obstacles, take the lid to a plastic container and put the soft side of adhesive Velcro on the top side. Turn the lid over for treat placement. Under the contact obstacle, i.e., the exit side of the teeter or the down ramps on the dog walk, place the looped side of the adhesive Velcro. Store the lid underneath so you always have a target handy within reach.

Footnote: I have even put these at other locations where I train – Mantayo and My Pets Place.

Have a good idea – send it to Clean Run, and share with me, too.

 

 

No No’s

I have been alittle dismayed by the negative talk that some of you are doing to your dogs. Even the smallest hmmph, sigh, or utterance of grievance can belittle your dog to a low confidence level. They only want to please us. You have to keep this fun or they will turn off and wonder “why should I do this, she only gets upset with me”. After all, this is supposed to be fun for you and your dog. Let’s not utter these disparaging remarks. Keep it upbeat and you’ll have a better performing dog.

 Happy training to all.

My new commitment

Off the subject of dog training, I am putting out there to all that I am not going to answer my cellphone while driving nor will I call anyone while driving. I don’t text. So leave a message and I’ll call back.

I saw Oprah’s show last Monday and she presented a pretty strong case along with statistics that show when you are on the cellphone while driving your risk of having an accident is 4 x higher than not on the phone. If you’re texting, it’s 8 x higher. You all know that now it’s a traffic violation to text while driving. Oprah had the families of victims of accidents resulting from these infractions. It was poignant. I think if you go to her site there is more information. Please stop talking and texting while driving.

Student Spotlight Article

The first spotlight on a student is up on the site: go to left sidebar to Student Spotlight.

I chose Dawn because she is one of my first students and has a very interesting background in music, life with her Aussies, and a writing career. Check her out.

Back to normal – whatever that is

The holiday is winding down. Whew, it’s always fun to go away and visit with family and friends, but I LOVE to come home. I missed my dogs, they missed me. Life is good.

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. I did.

Back to normal – —-

My field is still covered in snow. Hard to believe with these sunny days, but the cold nights keep the snow cover on the dirt. There are splotches of mud, too.

I’m planning on classes here on Saturday if we don’t get any more this week and if the field melts and dries. In the meantime, we always have My Pets Place.

I’ll be holding classes there on Tuesday at 9 am and Thursday at 11 am. I also hold the Run Thrus every Tuesday at 10:30 am. See the page on “Upcomin Events” for complete info.

Also, remember the agility fun match on December 13 is a pre-register event. I will download the flyer and send out, or you can get it at ColoradoAgility in the Yahoo Groups.

Check again for location for Saturdays classes.

New shelter in agility field

No more easy up with tattered cover. We’re going to have a professionally designed and constructed shelter, just like a dugout.

The concrete footers are poured and ready for the next step. Thanks to the helpers, Bob Lamb and Steve Iannacito, my son-in-law, Jeff, and especially to Bill Yearsley for spearheading this project.

We’re not done yet though. Still need to put up the structure. I’ll be asking for helpers when I know when the date is. It could be the 22nd.

Got any construction skills? Anyone want to come play??? I’ll be fixing lunch for all the helpers.

 

Wow, a new website and blog

I have been working on my new website with the home page blog. It’s in progress, but I’d love your suggestions.

I plan to put the weather report on the home blog page.

FYI – tomorrow will be beautiful. Maybe alittle muddy.

Also, in the next week I will be sending the flyer about photos with Santa Claus (yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus). He’s real and the photographer is professional. You can visit his website to see the photos he did for the Deaf Dog Playday:

www.charlieosphotography.com

You can also sign up tomorrow or this week at your class.