2016 Agility Fun Day

Workshops and Fun Runs

Does your PWD fly through the air with the greatest of ease? Channel that energy into the great dog sport of agility!

Who should participate

We’ve got something for EVERYONE, from the complete novice who knows absolutely nothing about agility to those who enjoy running international level courses. Any healthy dogs or puppies may participate. Young dogs and puppies will not be jumping or doing some activities, since their growth plates have not yet closed; however, they will still get a great introduction to agility and some equipment. This is a PWD event, but we will allow the non-PWDs in the family to participate, if space is available.

About your hosts and organizer

Rebecca Sliger has been running agility since 2005. She started in agility with her PWD, Lucy. Lucy is now 12.5 years old and retired. Lucy earned 5 MACHs and a PACH, as well as numerous other AKC and NADAC agility titles. In her younger days, she was on Team PWD at the AKC Agility Invitational for three years, participated in the National Agility Championships twice and was Bad Dog Agility’s fastest 16 Preferred PWD just before she retired. Rebecca is now trialing with her 3 year old Pumi, Ewok. They have very different strengths, and she and Ewok are still developing as a team. While running Lucy was like dancing with an old friend, running with Ewok is like a roller coaster ride!

Dave Sliger and his PWD, ZaQ, are well known agility regulars. ZaQ is seven years old. He has 3 MACHs, was on Team PWD at the AKC Agility Invitational in 2014 and has participated in the National Agility Championship twice. His great combination of speed and consistency has led to numerous High in Trial Group Awards, including one at the AKC Invitational. Dave also has an 8 month old Border Collie, Joule, who is just learning some preliminary agility skills.

Tentative Schedule

(Note: Schedule could vary somewhat based on participant numbers.  If we get lots of demand for some items and not for others, we may change the schedule slightly.  Final schedules will be emailed to participants.)

8:30 – 9:00   Workshop check in/getting yourself set up.

9:00 – 11:00   New agility team workshop.

First, learn how to do some basic handling moves using an experienced agility dog. Then, we’ll start working with you and your dog or puppy to learn some of the skills that will be required to get started in agility. We will introduce some beginning agility equipment like the tunnel and chute. Our goal is for you and your dog to be smiling at the end! This workshop is for dogs who have not started competing in agility, and will be geared to inexperienced handlers as well.  We may adjust topics depending on experience level and age of participating teams.

11:00 – 12:30   Novice/Open level fun run

We’ll have a novice/open level course set up.  You do not need to be competing to participate, but please do not put dogs on equipment that they have not been trained to do.  Feel free to break it down and just do part of the course.  If you would like suggestions or input, please feel free to ask one of the experienced handlers. We will provide as much or as little input as you would like.

12:30 – 1:30   Lunch and socializing (We’ll need help building the next courses!)

We’ll provide meat and vegetarian main course and salad, please bring a side dish to share and beverage, if you wish.

1:30 – 4:30   Master’s/International level fun run

Let’s stretch ourselves with some challenging courses. If you are willing to help rebuild, we can do a couple!  Let’s work as a team to explore various options and have great collaborative conversations. We are open to course suggestions.

All participants are welcome to watch the other sections of the fun day.  Stay to cheer on the dogs during the fun match, and grab a bite to eat at the pot-luck lunch.

Registration instructions

To register for the workshop as a working team: Complete and sign the 2016 Agility Fun Day Entry form and waiver, and either email the form and pay via PayPal or mail registration and payment to Kimberley Hart, the event secretary. You may bring more than one dog, but please plan to work only one dog at a time.

Auditors: Unlimited auditors. Please email Kimberley Hart to let us know that you will be participating.

Dogs on leash: Please keep all dogs on leash unless they are participating in an event. There are many dogs who are not comfortable with other dogs coming to greet them.

Profits from this event will go to the PWD Foundation, Inc., which is dedicated to funding canine medical research focused on issues that affect the health and well-being of Portuguese Water Dogs.

Questions?

For any questions, please contact event organizer, Kimberley Hart at alan.kimberley@live.com.