Sunday, July 18th, 2021 Tails-U-Win (dog training school) hosted Talcott Mountain Agility Club’s (TMAC) ACT trial. ACT is an acronym for Agility Course Test. It’s the lowest level (beginner) of Agility competition. Tripp has mastered both ACT1 and ACT2, but the AKC has added an additional qualifier – Jumpers.
The difference between Jumpers and Standard is that Jumpers does not have “contact” obstacles. Those obstacles are the A-Frame, Teeter-totter, Dog Walk, or Table. Weaves and tunnels are still in play along with - Jumps!
Since Tripp has his ACT2, we really couldn’t do ACT1J, so I signed us up for ACT2J, just for the fun of it. We need some practice at trials. Our friends, Ronnie and her dalmation Daphne were trialing, too, so we’d have company to hang out with.
It was horrifically hot and humid, but Tails is air conditioned, so until it was time for us to run, we stayed comfortable. We had to take the pups outside a couple of times and it was horrid out there. Also, the practice jump was set up outside. Not that either Daphne or Tripp needed to practice, but it was a good reminder.
Daphne is still working on her ACT2, as she HATES the seesaw. Quite often she just refuses to do it. Not sure why, but it can be a bugaboo for many dogs. Not Tripp, he bounces over the one I built and has to be reminded not to “fly off” it, but put a toe or two in the contact area.
Both dogs were also going for their ACT2J, but at different heights. Daphne, being a taller dog competes at 20”. Trippy competes at 16”. I also learned that I need to have him measured several more times to make it official. What you learn as you go along.
Anyway, they were running late and although we got there around 12:15, required to check in by 12:30 and we didn’t get our first run in until after 3 p.m. Tripp had lots of practice hanging in his crate with me nearby. At last we headed out for our run.
I had HOURS to study the course, and the five minute walk through to make sure I had everything right in my mind so I felt quite confident. Tripp was On Fire, ready to go and watching me like a hawk. I led out to the second jump and gave him the start “Trippy, OVER!” and started forward. As he cleared the second jump I was already yelling “TUNNEL, TUNNEL, TUNNEL” and he bolted right to where my arm/hand directed. He wasn’t even out of the tunnel when I started yelling “WEAVE, WEAVE, WEAVE” and he ran right by the weave poles! Silly boy! He spun around, didn’t back-talk me ‘cause it was HIS mistake, and flew through the weave poles, I was already running and directing him over the rest of the jumps and he ran – at a distance. Running and leaping with great joy! As he flew the last jump, I let him know what a wonderful boy he is.
Now you should know that I am NOT FAST. Tripp is so tightly bonded to me he usually trots the course so he stays pretty close to me. To have him RUN the whole thing while still checking where to go and me actually running and remembering to direct him correctly! was most unusual. I so wish I’d had my camera there and asked someone to film us…
Round 2 came up quickly enough and although I didn’t study that course as long as I’d studied the first course, after walking it I was confident of Tripp’s and my ability to get through it easily enough. I wasn’t wrong. Once again, Tripp was on FIRE and I was really good. I almost forgot the last jump, Tripp stopped at it and looked at me and then I remembered that he needed to go over it… such a good boy. He jumped from a standstill and I was soooo proud of him.
ACT2J was the last class of the day. There were 9 other dogs in the 16” class, the largest class of dogs. When all the heights were done, we gathered in the big room for the ribbons. They were awarded by height, then those who qualified and the top three or four getting additional ribbons.
We didn’t have to wait long for them to get to the 16 inch qualifiers. I waited, knowing that we’d at least qualified (two qualifies = a title at this level). Remember that part about me not being fast? It’s the fast dogs that get the fancy ribbons… yellow, red and blue. We didn’t get called for the qualified, not third, not second, (I’m thinking “what the hell? At this point) but then “In first place, Tripp and Raelene” Woo Hoo!!! Run 1, when he blew by the weaves and had to come back, and we still got FIRST??? What a GREAT dog I have!
Then the second run… the same thing happens!!!! Everyone cheered for us again, and I collected the green Qualify and Blue first place ribbon, and our Title Ribbon. OMG, Tripp is just AMAZING, and people know it now.
Our friends got second place in the 20 inch group and also titled in Jumpers. All in all, it was a wonderful day. So happy for us! We had our pictures taken in the group of qualifiers, then Ronnie asked another competitor to get our picture. I wasn't quick enough with my phone, so she sent me hers.
Tripp wanted to look at me, not the camera. Yup, my dog.
FYI, we're already signed up for Novice Agility at another trial in August. I don't know how many "qualifiers" we have to get to get the title and move up, but I'm sure we'll find out. We're not in a hurry, though.
