So, I've sent in Dally's first ever agility trial entries! She is registered AKC, and we just got our CPE (Canine Performance Events) card, so we're hitting both circuits. Our first CPE trial is March 1 in Ohio, but we're #2 on the waiting list, with four runs ahead of us (here's hoping someone pulls out!). Then on March 15, the big-dog AKC trial in Louisville, Ky., at the "cluster", which is also during the regional Pembroke Welsh Corgi specialty (March 13). I'm already getting nervous and we're putting more seriousness in our classes and trials.

Dally's main problem right now is the weave poles. As it's the hardest obstacle for any dog to learn (because it's not something natural for them to do like jumping and climbing), it's understandable that she's getting so close. At class last week she popped out after 10 when doing 12 in the row, but nightly we work on 6 poles in my tiny apartment, with the help of guide wires. I have one more month to perfect her staying in through the whole set, and I'm sure she can do it...it's just gotta click in the very near future.

Lately, though, we've struggled with the A-frame and the teeter-totter. Where we're currently taking our class, it's indoors and the teeter falls quickly, and hits the ground with a bang (plus, the texture is so worn there's no sticking to it). After getting on that once, and being banged off (when it hit the ground, she bounced off), she won't go near it. The A-frame is so slick that she slides back down after getting towards the top....which has scared her as well. When we go to another facility for practice, where the textures are rougher, she loves that A-frame and she's just a little timid about the teeter. So...basically we'lll have to see how these obstacles are at both trials. Too bad we don't get to practice on the before the show.

So, anyway, that's what we've been up to. I'll keep everyone up-to-date on our training leading up to the first trial, plus of course the trials. Hopefully I can get some pictures, maybe even videos.

If anyone has any tips, please share them!