An Agility Trial is nothing more than an event to tell you what else you need to train for. Once you figure that out, you will no longer be worried about Q'ing and if you do, it's just icing on the cake.

4 weeks ago, Darla, Guy and I went over to the Mississippi Mavericks trial in Gulfport. (It was hot, hot, hot!) I just had them in Novice FAST, since Darla isn't ready for Open weaves and Guy isn't ready for Novice standard class. Since FAST has elements of standard, ie some contacts, I thought it would be good practice. I wasn't going to enter anything else, because I was afraid it would be hot. My dogs don't like being hot and I certainly don't!

Once we got into the arena, their noses were glued to the dirt. I don't know what it was but it completely overwhelmed Guy. Darla was distracted and would have gotten her first leg, but she was hampered by a handler who didn't keep up with the time! Had I not opted for one last tunnel, she would have made it with 51 points. Instead, I sent her to a dark red tunnel... she doesn't like red tunnels - don't ask me why... so it took her too long in there and she crossed the line after the buzzer and had lost 3 points... one under a Q score. Great dog....shame about the handler! :-/


Guy's brain was over come by the smell and he just couldn't get going, but did manage the send bonus, after which, the rest of his brains fell out and I took him off the course. :-/

Okay, lesson here is we must work on "Leave it" and more focus on me. Second lesson is play to your dog's strengths when figuring out your course!