Student News & Brags!
(Archives - Page 2)
From Cindy Dahlberg with Turbo & Gunner:
Turbo and Gunner had a great weekend at the NADAC trial in Del Mar. We only went on Saturday, but came home with 4 Q's and 3 non-Q placements. Turbo received a 4th Place and Q in Elite Regular Round 1 and an 8th Place Q in Elite Regular Round 2. He had a clean run in Jumpers but missed time by 1 second! Gamblers was tough, but he made the weave pole entrance and then popped out of the last pole! I was so pleased he worked away from me and got INTO the poles! Awesome! Gunner also had a great Saturday! He receive a 1st Place Q in Open Standard Round 1 and a 2nd Place Q in Round 2, finishing his OAC and RS-O (ASCA Open) titles! We struggled with time in Jumpers and were still not able to get the Gamble working away, but we will someday I'm sure! (Pictured: all the kids relaxing at home) |
From Peggy Jencks and Star:
At the SCAT AKC Trial in August , Star and I had a girl's weekend out to celebrate Star's "got adopted" day:a whole year already! The two of us drove to Costa Mesa Saturday morning ran in Novice B JWW and Standard. Star not only Q'd in standard but came in FIRST! We spent the night in a motel, a new experience for her:and just like a small child, she had fun leaping back and forth from one bed to the other with her squeaky toy...don't tell the motel. I was so proud of the way she handled all the new stuff this weekend. The agility "gods" were not as good to us on Sunday but we had a great weekend! |
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From Peggy, Star and Blue after City of Industry AKC trial:
Blue and Star ran in Novice B 20" class. We didn't have very good jumpers runs, but Standard was a whole different story! They both Q'd with 100 points! Blue came in 2nd place, with a little weave entry problem. Star came in 4th place. Today's minor issue was the table sit which lost a bit of time (she preferred down. Both standard runs were otherwise clean. |
From Diana Walker and Dottie (Border Collie)!
Dottie and I started learning to run agility a couple years ago. But we were having a lot of problems with her being scared of the judge and a few other things. I was just about ready to quit because Dottie did not look like she was enjoying herself at all. Then about 2 months ago at a trial in Bonita I watched Sandy run her Bostons in Gamblers. That's when I made up my mind to change instructors. That was the best thing that has happened to Dottie and me. She goes to a trial now and is having fun! We are having a lot of clean runs now. Before we were lucky to get thru the course! My first trainer did not teach a lot of things Sandy does, which had made all the difference in the world! At Wags for Wishes we Q'd in both Standard classes! We are now in Elite Standard and Jumpers...thanks to Sandy! |
From Barbara and Kali (May 31 & June 1 Trial):
For those of you who know Kali & me from classes, you know that Kali has an attitude. She likes to do things "her way". Sandy has even called Kali a "spoiled brat" (can you image that?). This was Kali's third trial & our first Snookers game. At the judges briefing she told all of the handlers that it took a lot of runs to achieve a ribbon in Snookers, because it is the harder of the games to get the hang of. So you can imagine my surprise when Kali won a third place!<>My "attitude brat" won a ribbon in a first time game-WOW! I definitely contribute this to the teaching & strategy pointers that Sandy gives to us in class & at the trials.
When you listen to Sandy (really listen),
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From Sandy and Lil (Boston Terrier):
At the SCAT NADAC Trial on 6/14/03, Lil walked away with three 1st place Qualifiers: TWO in Open Standard finishing her Open Agility Certificate (OAC) and ONE in Open Jumpers! |
From Kathy and Pilot (Aussie handful):
Pilot actually put it all together in Novice Standard on Saturday at Wags for Wishes and earned a 4th place Q, his first leg in Novice! The rest of his runs did not produce Q's but he is definitely catching on to the purpose of the game, paying much better attention, and holding his start line stays...Now if I could learn NOT to be distracted by his barking! "Wags" was a great chance to see unusual dog sports like carting and lure coursing! (Pilot, the "confident", couldn't follow the lure unless I ran with him : I wasn't really PLANNING to run the course myself!) PS to Wags for Wishes...Much to my surprise, I received Pilot's AKC Novice Jumpers title certificate in the mail today: I left the trial early, thinking we had NOT qualified in Jumpers on Sunday! Onward to Open! |
From Sandy and Geronimo:
Going for...and GETTING the Blue in Novice B Standard 12" Class at Wags for Wishes! |
From Peggy with True Blue and Star (Border Collies)!
Star was awesome this last weekend at Wags for Wishes! She Q'd and placed third in Novice B 20" JWW on Saturday. She has been to just two AKC trials and this was her first Q! Just one year ago this week, she was left at the animal shelter, adopted out and returned just two days later. Apparently she had just a little too much energy for the average pet home. She was born to fly!!! I couldn't ask for a better new team mate! On 6/7/03 in the City of Industry High Desert Agility Club's AKC trial, True Blue earned his NJP, placing 2nd in the 16" Class with a clean run! |
From James and Oscar, April 18 & 19, 2003, after his 3rd trial:
Oscar is an 8 yr old Australian Shepherd, with a beautiful tail. At his third Agility trial Oscar distinguished himself by placing fourth with a qualifying run in the NADAC/ASCA dual sanctioned agility trial sponsored by the Ups 'N Downs Agility Club. This is his first Novice qualifying score. To say that I am proud of him doesn't seem to adequately sum up the intense surprise and overwhelming ("WOW"!) of the moment. Sandy Crook, our trainer attempted for several minutes to explain and convince me as to just what Oscar had accomplished. Now I'm not sure I have any buttons left on the front of my shirt. Oscar seems to know he has accomplished something important, as when I attached the ribbons to his collar, he did parade around a bit and posed rather well for his picture. This is our first ribbon, and I am quite excited and impressed with Oscar. Thank You Sandy, all of your hard work at getting through my thick skull is working out quite well on the field. I am beginning to understand my right or left may not always be Oscar's perspective. Please, don't lose patience, just get a bigger hammer. Thanks again, Sandy. : Respectfully, James
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From Jen Shaul and her multi-talented, Duke (Entebucher):
Duke had a GREAT weekend at a Rare Breed conformation show! He took:  FOUR Best of Breeds
TWO Group 2nds
TWO Group 1sts AND
a BEST IN SHOW!!
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Recent Brags from Cindy and Turbo!:
At the Ups & Downs NADAC trial (4/19): Turbo earned a 2nd Place and Q in Elite Reg. Round 1, his first Elite Leg! At the AKC trial in Chino (5/10): He Q'd in Ex. B Standard for his 6th MX Leg, and Q'd in Ex. B Jumpers for his 8th MXJ Leg. This was his 4th Double Q this year which gets us into the AKC Nationals in Long Beach! We've achieved our goal for the year!
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From Sandy and the Bostons!:
Janie ran fast and Q'd in Excellent B Jumpers with Weaves 2 days in a row at the recent AKC trial! (Click here to see Janie's awesome chute photo!)
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From Sandy and Katie (Boston):
At the USDAA Trial in January Katie earned a 1st and Q in Advanced Gamblers and is now in MASTER Gamblers! She also earned a 2nd and Q in Advanced Pairs! She's a gamblin' Boston! |
From Peggy & True Blue (Border Collie):
Blue has a New Title! He finished his AKC NAP!
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From Tina & Stella (All American):
At the NADAC trial held by up Ups and Downs on April 19 & 20, 2003, Stella earned the first leg of her Novice Jumpers title with a 4th place ribbon! It truly was a Happy Easter for both of us! |
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From Ginny & Minnow (All American):
Minnow finished her Novice Gamblers AND Novice Standard titles at Ups and Downs. She ran with Robyn Bodecker on Saturday, getting her first legs in Novice Gamblers and standard, then ran with me on Sunday, getting her second gamblers leg AND the two other standard legs she needed to title. All her standard legs were clean both days and her gamble on Sunday was a 1st place, the ONLY dog to qualify in her jump height! A big thanks goes to Sandy for this one!: Ginny Muth
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From Lois & Fire (Keeshond):
Fire and I earned TWO qualifying scores in Open Regular at the Ups and Downs trial over Easter weekend! She's now completed her Open Regular title and moves up to Elite! (photos by Tien Tran) |
From Dan Roy & Nala (Aussie):
Nala recently earned an AKC MACH title!
Thank you Sandy Crook and USAgility for all of the great instruction! You provided a solid foundation for us to be a successful agility team! Your words ring true every step of the way. Nala's recent MACH is a milestone that we could not have achieved without you! (She's pictured here with her NADAC 2002 Champion trophy). Yours truly, Dan and Nala |
 From Carla Power & Bella (Welsh Corgi):
Bella was a star at the NADAC Trial in Dehesa! She received 2 Q's and 2 FIRST PLACES in Gamblers, as well as 2 Q's and 2 FIRSTS in Jumpers! Now Bella has titled in both Gamblers and Jumpers and will be moving up to Open. We all had a really good time, despite the bad weather. I want to thank Sandy for all her training! If it wasn't for Sandy's directionals (teaching us our lefts and rights), Bella would never have Q'd! Thanks again Sandy! |
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Recent Brags from Monica & Pepper (Aussie):
At the Belgian Tervuren Club AKC Trial in Pomona, Pepper received a 2nd Place and a "Q" in his Open Standard Course...only his second trial at the OPEN level! At the recent NADAC/ASCA Trial in Dehesa: On Saturday, in Novice Gamblers Round 1 he placed 4th, Gamblers Round 2, he placed 3rd, in Standard he placed 2nd! On Sunday, he took 3rd in Novice Jumpers Round 1, 1st in Novice Jumpers Round 2!: ALL Q's! This was an exciting weekend...all of the action in one ring and IN THE RAIN! Team Gallina earned FIVE Q's! Pepper will now move up to Open Jumpers and Gamblers and needs only one leg to move up to Open Standard. Sandy and the USAgility Team support one another...even in the pouring rain! |
From Sandy and Janie (aka "Calamity" Jane) (Boston):
Janie was the only Qualifier (1st Place) in all jump heights in Elite Gamblers today (3/15) in the rain at the Australian Shepherd Club's NADAC Trial. We ended the day by running in the rain to Qualify (10 points) in Standard with a 1st in the 8" division! NEW! At the Ups and Downs Trial Janie won the Elite Gamblers 8" Class on Saturday! (Darn, that tunnel was slippery....well, that's why they call me Calamity Jane!) |
From Jen Shaul & Duke:
Once again, Duke and I qualified for the USDAA Grand Prix Dog Agility Championships for 2003! Yahooo! |
From Pepper and Monica:
First news in 2003 for Pepper! At the AKC Trial in Pomona on Saturday, Pepper took 1st Place and Q'd in his Novice JWW run! This finished his NOVICE TITLE! And it was the first time he received a 1st Place and Q in the same run! He's now an AKC Open Agility dog. On Sunday his Open Standard run felt really good as we were running...it turned out to be a 4th and a Q:his first Q in Open! We had a great weekend! Team Gallina loves agility! |
From Peggy Jencks and True Blue:
At the AKC Trial at Industry Hills, True Blue completed his Novice Agility Preferred title with a perfect score of 100 points, AND a FIRST PLACE! He also got his first Jumpers Q with 100 points and a SECOND! He is very shy and this is quite an accomplishment for him! |
 TWO Brags from Brian Hall and Harpo:
At the USDAA Trial in Chula Vista on Jan 18th, Harpo did very well! In our first trial in the Advanced class, Harpo won a FIRST Place in Advanced Standard, a SECOND in Advanced Gamblers, and a THIRD in Advanced Jumpers! Also, at the AKC Trial at Rohr Park on 3/29.03, Harpo placed second and finished his AKC Novice Agility Title! |
From James Jarvis and Oscar:
Thank You, Sandy! Oscar and I were your typical "Master/dog" relationship. We tolerated each other rather well, from our typical positions. Through your Guidance, Oscar and I have learned respect for each other and to work together as a Team, through the professional training you impart to your students, human and canine. Oscar has learned to concentrate and focus on the task at hand, as have I. Granted, our first trial was not your first love, agility, as you have trained us. However, "Weight Pull" requires all of the concentration devoted to agility, albeit none of the grace and poise. Through your professional training skills and demand for excellence, Oscar has developed the determination, endurance and strength to excel. Prior to placing ourselves in your capable tutelage we were both avid "couch potatoes". Not today. On January 17th and 18th, I entered Oscar in the American Bull Dog Associations Weight Pull Trials at Ontario CA.
Oscar not only qualified at 320 pounds, he continued two more pulls. One at 440 pounds and his last 560 pounds, He did manage to move 680 pounds 2 inches, at which point he looked over his shoulder at the cart and turned to look at me with an indignant expression of "You've got to be joking"! Each dog is anticipated at the peak of condition to pull 20 times his or her own weight over a measured course of 16 feet. For Oscar at 72 pounds, that would be 1,440 pounds.
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From MACH3 Jasper, EAC, EJC, EGC, MAD, SM (Vizsla) and Susanne Glasgow:
Jasper was the first Vizsla to complete his MACH2 and MACH3! He received an AKC Award of Merit in 2001 for being the top agility dog in his breed. He also receive the 2001 Dog of the Year Award in Agility from the Vizsla Club of America, and was a finalist in the 1999 AKC Agility Championships! |
Pepper received his AKC Novice Standard Agility title at the Kennel Club of Palm Springs trial! He was focused and right with me! He has only one leg to finish his AKC Novice JWW. I am hopeful that "Team Gallina", Monica and Pepper, will have that to add to the next brag!
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From Kathy & Pilot:
Pilot managed to put it all together and earn a perfect score and a 3rd place in Novice JWW at the Dec. 30th AKC trial at the Fairplex. His second trial ever, at 14 months, and it's only his first leg, but we are quite pleased that he's starting to understand the game and having a LOT of fun! We have a long way to go! His third trial at Silver Bay produced no "Q's" but some very awesome speed and great "would have" scores! The things that will eventually make Pilot a great agility dog are also the things that make him a challenge to train: pushy, bossy, high energy, dominant, intense herding instinct... (Pilot takes flight over a broad jump...) |
From Katrina & Jarrah!
At the Ups & Downs trial in August, Jarrah had her best weekend ever! She earned first place Q's in 3 standard classes, 2 jumpers classes and 2 gamblers classes, and one 2nd place and Q in another Standard Class! "It was our best weekend ever!" |
A STAR IS BORN!!
Linda s Lady Snow White Mindy, aka Mindy (Cocker Spaniel), just came from a NADAC trial in Madera, CA where she competed in her 4th agility trial. She ran with speed & accuracy to earn 12 Q's & 12 1sts in 12 runs!! In short she cleaned house!! It was no small trial either. It had 3 rings & 4 judges who challenged us with the hardest courses we have seen to date. Mindy was the only Cocker Spaniel in her height class, & despite the courses being twisty & trappy, & being in a field of 7 to 10 other dogs in each run dominated by Jack Russell Terriers & Pembroke Welsh Corgis, she carried over to agility what made her breed famous in the field (speed & endurance) combined with the tools we learned from SANDY CROOK to come out on top! Mindy earned 4 titles at this trial (NAC, TN-N, OGC, OJC) & has earned 6 titles so far. She is only 19 months old & has been trialing for 2 months! At our recent trial, many people wanted to know where we trained! A local Madera trainer approached us at the end of the trial on Sunday & said she was watching us the entire weekend because she had a few students running with us & she commented that my handling style & abilities were above what you normally see for our level. One of the judges commented that competitors are coming into agility better prepared nowadays because it's highly competitive, but we still performed better than he normally sees at our level. We believe it's the master type courses Sandy trains everyone to do in her classes, her experience, and her ability to catch the small things that make a difference between winning & losing that helped us to confidently handle the difficult courses we faced at this trial! If you're interested in agility we recommend Sandy Crook at USAgility. No matter what kind of dog you have or your goals, she can help you reach them. Thank you, Sandy!
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From Carla & Bella (Welsh Corgi):
Bella has been competing for approximately 8 months now. She has not titled yet, but she has received 4 Q's and lots of 1st places! Agility has helped her become more focused and our bond is greater than ever. Due to agility she listens to me at the dog park (which she didn't before) and at home. My husband can't understand why she doesn't really listen to him though...Bella and I really enjoy doing agility and the competitions and we are looking forward to the year 2003 which we hope we will be getting some titles. I want to thank Sandy for her help and her patience with Bella, because Bella is a handful! |
From Cindy Dahlberg, Turbo & Gunner:
I just wanted to share our experiences at the ASCA Nationals in Bakersfield. Turbo was my little star this week! Out of 4 runs, we received 4 Q's and three titles!!!! I am very pleased with him. Everything I heard from the people that were with me, was how well we worked as a team, and how consistent we were in all our runs. This is something I have not been able to achieve since Turbo and I began competing in August of 2000. I wanted to thank you for all your help and for bringing Turbo and I together as a working team!
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From Tina Yapelli and Stella, NAC, NGC:
Stella was found living on her own in Wild Cat Canyon when she was about seven months of age. Flea-bitten and tick-ridden, she was rescued by Help for Homeless Pets and was given refuge in foster homes for two months. Then, just in time for Christmas, Stella, Tom (my husband) and I became a family on December 5, 1998. The following summer Stella and I began agility training with Sandy, and first competed at an agility trial in April 2000. At the time, Tom and I used to joke that Stella was really a cat in dog's clothing. She was aloof, and definitely had her own agenda. Her reserved demeanor was likely the result of her difficult puppy-hood, and at the agility trial she was much more interested in doing her own thing--sniffing and exploring the ring--than in following my commands.
In addition to the excitement and satisfaction of doing well as a team of two, agility training has given Stella and me an opportunity to get to know some wonderful people and to make some great canine friends. Thanks to Sandy and to all of our training buddies who help keep us on course! Thanks again!> |
From Peggy Jencks & Blue (Border Collie):
True Blue and I started taking lessons from Sandy in the Fall of 1999. I am a bit clumsy, and knowing left from right has not come easy! True Blue came to me with a few "issues", one is that he is extremely shy. With Sandy's help and patience we have come a very long way. Blue is able to compete now and has recently earned his first Q in Performance 1 Standard at the USDAA Trial in August! We also tried Gamblers, but "mom" stepped over the line. I want to thank Sandy for all her patience and understanding! She is very good at what she does and without her we would have never come this far! |
From Monica & Pepper:
Pepper is a shelter rescue Australian Shepherd. He and I met in May of 2000 and have been a team ever since. He had little or no training...and nipping behavior. A basic obedience class improved our relationship. We started training with Sandy in August 2001. We are having a GREAT time!! Pepper is a quick study and works beautifully: IF I can get my hands, voice and body to give him the correct signals! We have been to AKC, USDAA and NADAC trials. He has two Q's in AKC Novice Jumpers, one Q in USDAA Starters Standard and he just earned his first NADAC Q in Novice Jumpers on October 27, 2002. We are a work in progress. I credit Sandy Crook for ANY AND ALL skill advances we make each week in class and the confidence we gain at each trial! Thanks, Sandy! |
From Jessi & Scooter:
This past October was my Chihuahua, Scooter's, first show. We drove all the way up to LA to stay the weekend. Saturday morning tested both of our nerves when we completed our first Gamblers, Regular, Jumpers, Weavers, and Tunnelers courses. To my surprise, we managed to get half a Q and a 2nd in our regular run and a fourth in Jumpers. The second day was an improvement on the first! We managed to get a Q third in our jumpers, a first in a regular round, and second in our tunnelers! Our second show also went well, regardless of the fact that Scooter decided to express a dislike for all contact equipment by substituting them with the obstacle of her choice (preferably a jump, and if that was unavailable, a tunnel would suffice). We managed to get our Novice title for Jumpers because Scooter was more than willing to complete a course composed solely of jumps. Then on the second day, we got a Q in Open Jumpers and a Q in tunnelers! The most important factor was that we had a great time at both our shows and cannot wait for the next event. Even when Scooter was not the most capable of agility dogs she was one of the cutest!!! |
From Joan Keif & Scoobey Doo:
My Great Dane, and I began Agility training with Sandy in July and we could hardly spell "agility" much less do it. Although we are far from perfect we are having so much FUN! Scooby Doo is my star. Weaves are still a work in progress but he has all the other obstacles down pat. Most of the time his mistakes are my miscues. Scooby even knows left and right which is more than his dyslexic Mom knows! Agility is so much fun and Sandy and her patient husband, Bruce, deserve all the credit! They are GREAT! But so is Scooby! |
Fun Stuff from the North County Times! (11-11-2002)
Diamond Lil, a Boston terrier owned by Sandy Crook of Poway, jumps a set of bars while holding an American flag during auditions for the Animal Planets Pet Star television program, which will air in January. Other Boston 2002 Brags: Katie (6/1/02) Qualified in USDAA Advanced Gamblers with a 1st and was one of only 2 Q's in the entire class (and the other one was a Border Collie)! Janie on 6/29/02 earned a Q and 1st place in NADAC Elite Gamblers, the ONLY Qualifier in Elite Gamblers, all jump heights!
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From Dan Roy and "Nala" Red Forrest Sage:
At the 2001 NADAC Nationals, Nala earned 3rd place in the 24" division. She also recently received the merit award of "#1 Agility Dog" from ASCA for 1999.
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From Aspen (Golden Retriever) & Donna Murdoch:
Aspen earned her Novice Gamblers Certificate and her Novice Jumpers Certificate on 28 Apr 02. She, also, earned her Novice Agility Certificate on 29 Jun 02. Recent brag: Aspen earned qualifying scores and placement ribbons in both Novice and Novice Jumpers at the Nov. 30th AKC trial. |
From Sandy Crook, Liz & Kofi (Aussie):
A Certificate of Achievement was awarded to Sandy Crook and Kofi for earning the most (10) Dog Agility titles in the year 2001 by the Ups 'N Downs Agility Club. For example: At the AKC Trial August 12-13 in Huntington Beach Thanks to Sandy's excellent training and handling, Kofi placed first in the Novice B Standard Run on Saturday and placed third in jumpers. On Sunday, he again placed third in Jumpers. Kofi scored 100 in each event. |
From Ginny Muth & Minnow (Border Collie mix), NJC:
Minnow got her Novice Jumpers title at the NADAC UDAC trial on 11-16-17-2002! We're on our way!
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From Brian Hall with Maggie & Harpo (Shelties):
We did the UDSAA trial in Chula Vista on June 2nd<, 2002 (one day). Here are our results! Harpo – 1st place Novice Standard, USDAA place Novice Snooker, 4th place Novice Jumpers Maggie – 1st place Performance 1 Standard, 2nd place Performance 1 Snooker, 2nd place Performance 1 Jumpers. We had a great Sunday! |
From Bobby Jo Cook and Hanna (Border Collie):
I wanted to share my exciting success at the NADAC agility trial, October 9th and 10th. Trainer, Sandy Crook. I have a 1 1/2 year old Border Collie named Hanna, which has been in training with Sandy for 11 months now, beginning at age 8 months, in private lessons. We took the private lessons to learn the basics in agility and to get the individual attention it takes to succeed. By the way, I was in training too!!! I didn't know the first thing about agility. We were able to go right into the advanced classes and fit right in. This past weekend, now that Hanna is old enough, we ran in the NADAC trial in Poway. We ran all novice classes available the 2 days and took home 5 blue and 2 red ribbons. All of her first places were clean runs with time to spare. We earned 2 titles and now must show in all open classes in the future. I feel the program Sandy offers is excellent and that taking the private lessons gave me a good background in this sport. I still have a lot to learn and certainly lots of practice is needed and I intend to continue taking group classes, but because I used the tools taught me we had a great run! |
From Patricia Terry:
When our Saluki, Brio, came home from Sandy's class last night, she galloped all over the house, insisting that Kala, our Tibetan Terrier, play with her, and throwing a huge (forbidden) pillow off our bed. I felt exactly as she did. For the past three classes she has been running the courses faster and faster, and enjoying herself more and more. Last night there was absolutely nothing she didn't do with energy and joy. Of course I hope she will carry this attitude into competition! Meanwhile, I want to give thanks where they are due. For the first two or three series of classes, all Brio wanted to do was go home. As soon as she was off leash, she would run to the gate and stand there pathetically. No chance of cheering her up with treats, since away from home she refused everything from liver to roast chicken. It wasn't so much the equipment that troubled her as the presence of other dogs, non-Salukis! Most teachers would have advised me to try another breed. Even when Brio began to participate a little more, she was depressingly slow. One of the world's fastest dogs was only creeping around the course - Sandy once said it was as if the collapsed tunnel were giving birth! This is definitely not fun. And all the time Sandy was fighting my attempts to make things easier for Brio by babying her, wanting her excused from having to lie on the hard table, etc. This is a most difficult form of teaching, because the student is so sure she understands her dog better than anyone else. I thought Brio couldn't possibly be asked to do gambles, for example, but when she and I were forced into it, I found that, although slow and awkward, she did them much better than I had expected. Last night a Masters Gamble was scarcely a challenge! It's hard to say just what has caused the change, apart from time and patience. Sandy and I both attended Rachel Sanders's motivation workshop, and that added an emphasis on play which helped for a while. In classes we began selecting a few obstacles in a line and simply trying to get Brio to run, any sign of speed being rewarded with play. But at this point Brio is scarcely interested in toys - she seems to love the sport for itself, and the best part of it is that, for her, the sport and I are the same thing. For me, it's Brio and I, and Sandy. |
Boston Terrier Club Certificates of Achievement!
#1 Boston Terrier in Agility: 1998, 1999, and 2000 was MACH Brandy's Ace High Kid, CD, MX, MXJ, bred by Bruce and Sandy Crook and owned, trained and handled by Ann Croft. Chance just retired after earning his MACH2! #6 Boston Terrier in Agility in 2001: Brandy's Calamity Jane, MX, MXJ, bred by, owned, trained and handled by Sandy Crook. (Pictured at left) #7 Boston Terrier in Agility in 1999: Ch. Brandy's Doc Holliday, AX, AXJ, owned, trained and handled by Sandy Crook. |
From Kathy & Bonnie:
Bonnie, my Border Collie, and I have been training with Sandy for over two years now. We've had many "hurdles" to overcome and Sandy's patience and strong guidance has helped us every step of the way. As other Border Collie handler's know, trying to keep up with a fast dog and improve accuracy can be quite a challenge. She successfully qualified for the USDAA Grand Prix of Dog Agility World Championship Nationals in September at Del Mar. Agility has given both of us the confidence to compete in front of a group and to not give up on our goals. Thank you Sandy for having the faith and believing in us! |
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August 18, 2000 From Pat Terry and Kala (Tibetan Terrier):
What impressed me most at the recent AKC trial at Huntington Beach was the inherent difficulty of the sport, which means that at any instant there can be a mistake, as when Kala (my ever-eager Tibetan Terrier) got off the see-saw a fraction of a second too soon. Thus the number of clean runs was relatively few. At the higher levels, this seems to me appropriate; dog and person have to be in increasingly perfect focus. What is less perfect, however, is the built-in difficulty created by course designers. Thus a Novice JWW was a challenge even for pros! Unless Agility is meant to have a static population of teams who are already highly trained, discouraging beginners seems a poor idea. As for Kala, I was immensely pleased with his performances, win or lose. He seems, at last, to have truly realized that it is a team sport! The result was two red ribbons, in Open and JWW, the latter finishing a title. Many thanks to Sandy, as always! |
Below are pictures from the USDAA Grand Prix of Dog Agility World Championships held at Del Mar on September 20-23, 2001. Shown below are Sandy Crook with Kofi (owned by Liz White), Jen Shaul with Duke and Kathy Upton's Tribble.
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