Dave was the first real cowboy I ever met. And he fit the perfect picture of what I thought a cowboy would be. The well worn cowboy boots, the black hat worn low on the head, wrangler jeans and a plaid button down shirt, but instead of colt 45’s in his hand, he was slinging a spatula. His cowboy breakfasts of bacon, eggs and pancakes were the best anyone could ask for on those cool misty mornings! We all gathered around the cook shack as Dave dished out humor with those special eggs. Dave had a sparkle in his eyes that always seem to gleam with mischief. He always managed to bring a smile to your face….even before a person had any coffee. He was an amazing practical joker and had many of us at summer camps laughing and smiling. As Chris grew up and learn the ‘tricks’ of the trade from his father, there were some hilariously times as Chris too became something of a legend in the practical joke department. But I always knew that Dave was some how involved in the ingenius tricks and folly that Chris incorporated in the day to day antics at camp that seem to keep us all on our toes.

I had many opportunities to sit with Dave at the picnic tables at camp. Our conversations varied on many topics, and Dave always had some amazing story to share with whom ever was there to listen. You could see his eyes light up when he told stories of Chris or Amanda. He was so proud of them and it showed on his face as he shared their childhood with us.

Rest in Peace Dave. You will be in our hearts forever!

It is possible that the competitors at the RACE trial and PAWZAZZ trials this weekend might see courses that they have already run before, depending on what courses their judges select for this weekend.

If you have seen them………… please walk to the line with one of two thoughts and goals…………. “I am going to do better on this course this time”…………. or……… “I am going to be just as good as I was last time on this course!”

I apologize that I didn’t get new courses finished for these two trials, but I know that both trials are taking place in great areas with great competitors that will go forward with a smile and a new challenge.

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Last chance! Entries close on Friday, May 28th… and need to be in our hands by 4pm that day (not just postmarked!). We still have room both days, but it may fill before closing (both days filled early for the last couple trials), so don’t wait! So if you haven’t entered, want to add some runs/dogs, or know someone else who might want to enter, get those entries in ASAP!

**NEWS FLASH!! The new field turf has been installed at the Fieldhouse! Yes, you’ll be running on brand-new, sand/rubber-infilled turf in June! Be among the first to see what it’s like!**

Q: Does anyone know what the condition of the grounds is at Purina Farms? I have had 2 people report that the prior two weekends it’s been a total mud fest. I’m concerned since I am planning to go this weekend for the Fun-Raiser. Wondering if anyone knows if the conditions are any better for the upcoming weekend?

A:
I have looked at the grass and ground and all is fine. The wet spots have dried up and if the rains stay away we will be good. So at this the conditions are great.

Come on and have some fun with your dogs, I plan on having a good time.

Q: New to NADAC training. I have been competing in AKC with and want to explore different venues. I am considering being a sale rep for a product that lubricates joints and has been great for sports dog. I am wondering how to figure out what the largest dog venues would be, that had a concentration of sports dogs. So, can anyone tell me the largest NADAC trials? Most interested in the south and Midwest areas, but anywhere is possible!

A:
We have a embroidery company and I can’t tell you which trials are the largest but I can tell you if you have a good product size of the trial doesn’t matter. If you bring a good product people will buy. Good luck.

We will be playing in Gillette!

I just went on line and looked at this new Nestle Purina Canine Event Center. Looks awesome!! What a great place to start a new Game!! One thing we all need to look at is how to embrace the new as it is also an opportunity to build our relationships with our teammates. Being “perfect” at the game, whether it’s hoopers or gates isn’t the point. Being “in tune” and having fun with our teammate spells success (IMO). I’m hoping for a “taste” of this new game at the Gillette Seminar in May.

No titles and no points for any existing titles! Just a ton of fun…… the results will be recorded for each dog, but the results have no bearing on existing titles or awards. Just so I understand correctly, this is a tournament and not a trial. If we attend we don’t get any points toward regular titles for participating. It’s like a major fun run right?

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I used to enjoy being the leash runner but won’t do it anymore for NADAC. The first couple trials with this new rule I ended up with so many scratches and bruises on my legs from dogs jumping on me trying to get their leashes that it took all the fun out of it. I practically had to throw the leash to the handlers to avoid getting hurt by their dogs! And some handlers with poor control expected me to help them chase their dog down to put their leash on! For my own dog I don’t care where the leash is as long as it’s visible after the last obstacle so we can run to it and get out quickly. I don’t find it any faster to be handed the leash vs. sitting on a chair because my dog knows to go to the leash and put his head in position to put it on (I didn’t teach him this, he figured it out on his own). I also use a Martingale/fleece type leash so the part where the dog’s head goes is always open and ready.

Just my experience and 2 cents

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The NADAC office is soliciting feedback from exhibitors, judges and supporters on the following application to become a judge.

Here are some things to consider in your responses:

Are they polite, considerate, friendly to everyone at a trial?

Do they treat their dogs fairly and with respect and always compete in a sportsmanlike manner, as a representative of the sport should be?

Are they interested in other competitors’ successes and achievements?

Are they willing to jump in to help keep trials moving even without being scheduled as a volunteer?

Are they a strong supporter of NADAC, its rules and philosophy, both at a trial and in other areas?

Are they willing and able to knowledgeably discuss NADAC rules and philosophy with fellow exhibitors when asked?

Do they have the ability to handle difficult people with diplomacy and effectiveness?

Do they embrace and support the evolution of NADAC?

Do they have the ability to mentally concentrate for long periods of time and be able to make split second decisions?

Are they physically capable of being on their feet from the measuring of dogs in the morning until the last dog finishes running that day, while maintaining mental focus and a good attitude?

Do they have a good knowledge of how a trial runs, as a score keeper, timer, scribe?

When I run my dogs, the final getting on the leash is the last obstacle, not the last one on the course. It is my job to handle the dog until the entire run is over, from waiting in line, moving to the line, the course (OK, sometimes the dog handles me instead), the last obstacle, and then the getting of the leash/dog until I get the leash, or what ever my finishing the course is, navigate the way through all of the dogs waiting, etc, back to my crating area, or trading my dogs (when we were both in the same level and a few dogs in that class). In my dog’s brain I’m sure she thinks the end of the run is the treats we get back at the crate, not the last obstacle.

I have one dog that I have trained to accelerate out of the last three or four obstacles on the course in order to make time (she does not like collecting). She also has learned to turn tight when I call her as she finishes the last obstacle to come back to me. She sometimes will come back to me, or turn and slowly wait for me. Either way, she is still being handled until I either leash her,[or sometimes the leash walker will put the loop over her head and hand the leash over to me (for the leash runners that do the latter, they are familiar with her, and know that she has been trained to put her head through the loop before she comes out of a crate, crosses a plane of a door, etc. and are not usually the ones that she doesn't know).]

If I’m running a dog that doesn’t have a polite finish, or I’m worried about the finish, I usually opt to have a leash holder at the end, rather than be rude to the leash walker. I also am a leash walker, and sometimes have my blue stick with me (it is so I don’t have to bend over to pick up the leash). I enjoy dogs and handlers that are polite to me, and I always hand the leash to the handler unless I have been told otherwise. I have had dogs also jump on me, but that is rare as most handlers do not want to see me on the ground (I do have a back injury, so I am very careful about making sure I do not get hurt). My secret tip to other leash walkers, if the dog is charging you down, turn the shoulder to them (or turn away and walk away) or stand absolutely still and no eye contact (scary, but it works)<

If I’m the leash holder for a team, that is a different issue and I will at that point, leash the dog if it comes directly to me. Perhaps the novice teams would benefit from a professional dog leash holder, a.k.a. friend, helping leash the dog until both are under control. I have had a dog when novice leaves the ring, zoomies, etc, but usually when I call them, they come back to me.

As for rude, non-novice teams, that is a training issue. And most of our novice leash runners are the ones doing the task for the open and elite teams.

Just my suggestion/ideas.

I think that it is time for people to start training dogs to do more than just a piece of equipment and train them to be socially acceptable animals if they are to participate in this wonderful sport of dog agility….AGREED!!!!! So many people get puppies and start agility training with them right away. I tell people agility training is the easy part of training a dog. I am constantly working on LIFE SKILLS as I call them.

I have been called a slacker’ trainer because my puppies don’t know much agility before they are a year old and I just LAUGH!! My dogs will be running when they are double digits!!! The first year of life is about learning LIFE SKILLS and relationship building..not agility. Yeah I will do some agility training with them but most importantly they are BONDING with me and learning about being good dogs-socializing them, getting them use to being around so many different places, meeting many people and dogs..etc. Tandem-my 5 month old-knows his name, he knows how to sit and a few other ‘tricks’ but he has lived in my house, lived in my motor home for months, stayed at my sisters, lived with 11 dogs at for weeks, walked on the beach, walked through corn fields, swam in the ocean, swan in a creek and has been in 11 states already. Living with me and my pack and dealing with all this is imperative in my life, not agility training.