Aussie Acres Agility

06/20/2025

Fun in the sun and heat today at Nomad's UKI trial in beautiful Waterbury, Vermont! Although, all agility handlers love the Q, it should not be the first priority. My reflection on a run always goes to "what went right"!
In some runs, more goes wrong then right, but then we all have runs like that!!

Today's courses were fun, allowed our dogs to run fast, and pushed handlers to be timely with their cues! Sequence had beautiful Lateral Lead Outs allowing me to perform timely Blind Crosses! I was proud of his independent weaves, even layering the weave entrance on the far side (something we have recently trained!). He also showed me that I need to be very precise with my handling cues, or he may offer me something unintended (he is becoming very confident with his threadle wrap cue).

I love playing UKI, there is always something for our team to learn from, and always more training to be done!!

'til we UKI again.............

06/16/2025

Solar, Sequence and I participated in a UKI Classic this weekend at the beautiful facility of Guides Canines in St. Lazare, Quebec. As I sit here and digest the trial, courses, things that went well, things that didn't go so well and the thrill of watching some amazing handlers, the boys are passed out on the floor. It was a good experience for learning where are strengths lie and what we need to work on for next year's Classic....because we will be there and be even more prepared, for sure!

Sequence participated in Master Series (Agility and Jumping), Biathlon (Agility and Jumping), and Pentathlon (Agility, Jumping, Gamblers, Snooker, Speedstakes). I was super proud of Sequence's solid start lines, incredible lead outs, 100% stopped contacts on the DW, superb independent weavers, and terrific Threadle Wraps! For his part, he enjoyed a few extra tunnels!!! We finished our weekend with a Gamble Q and a Speedstakes Q (taking 2nd in the 20" consolation grouping!).

Solar participate in Master Series (Agility and Jumping and Biathlon (Agility and Jumping). He Qd in Master Series Jumping, but missed Qing in MS agility by my badly placed BC. No Qs in Biathlon, but he had a great time anyway!

UKI is a challenging venue; a Classic is even more challenging. I was super pleased to see the skills we have trained thus far are there in a trial setting. We have more work to go, but now we know what we need to train and will be even better next year at this time!!

Now we rest, regroup, plan our training and get ready for the next trial...........Love my boys with all my heart!

06/01/2025

Reminder: June Weekend Workshops are posted. (see featured post)
Focus for June is working on Back to Basics skills. Even Handlers working Advanced course work can benefit from reviewing Foundation skills. Workshops will provide good challenges for all levels!

June 8:
****Wings- Sadly this workshop is postponed.
This is a great workshop to focus on handling with a low impact for the dogs (without jumps). For beginners just learning handling to advanced handlers.
****Discrimination- Basic obstacle discrimination skills- 1 opening

June 28:
*****Obstacle Commitment- Jumps, tunnels, weaves. Appropriate for all levels. 1 spots available
*****Distance Handling- the basics. 1 spot available

The outdoor season gets busy with schedules involving dog sports and outside of agility obligations. Weekend workshops will be limited during the summer months, so I hope you can take advantage of the offerings as they are scheduled.

Lessons and classes are ongoing. PM if interested in training opportunities.

Complimentary Video: A little bit of Advanced Heelwork, demonstrating how the basics are always important in your dog training, no matter what level one achieves

05/26/2025

June at Aussie Acres Agility is going to be "Back to Basics Month"!

June Weekend Workshops will work to solidify our foundation skills thereby enhancing our handling on course. Getting back to basics is not just for Beginners or Novice handlers. It's for all handlers, no matter the skill or expertise. Revisiting a handler's basic skills from time to time can not only be enlightening but also provide awareness in the gaps in training. It's also lots of FUN!!

Sunday, June 8:

Wings: Handling with wings is a low impact way of training, while building the basis for all jump work. This workshop will explore building value of the wing, handling skills , distance work and handling with multiple wings. This workshop is for all skill levels.

Time 11-1, Maximum 5 Dog/Handler Teams. $50

Discrimination: Today's courses are more complicated than in the past and often require the dogs to discriminate between obstacles at speed. It is extremely beneficial for handlers to teach their dog the skills to discriminate between obstacles. This workshops begins with the basics of teaching Obstacle Discrimination. Equipment will include a wing, jump, tunnel, weaves, and dog walk plank.

Time 2-4, Maximum 5 Dog/Handler Teams. $50

Saturday, June 28

Obstacle Commitment: This workshop will identify your current skills with equipment and explore how to expand your dog's understanding of his job with equipment. Equipment used will be specific to the team's needs.
Time 11-1, Maximum 5 Dog/Handler Teams. $50

The Basics of Distance Handling: How does a handler build independence and the base skills for distance? Answer: Independent Obstacle Performance. Can your dog perform all agility obstacles on a verbal only? Without handling? From a distance? This workshop will explore the basics for building distance skills: improved Obstacle Commitment, Independent Obstacle Performance, Importance of Reward Placement, Handling at a distance, and helping your dog gain confidence.
Time 2-4, Maximum 5 Dog/Handler Teams. $50

All workshops are open to all handler levels. Adjustments for the activity and equipment will be made according to skill level. Payment secures you spot in the workshop. Refunds will only be given if someone can take your place. Contact via PM to sign up and for information on payment. Auditing is also welcome, $10 charge per workshop.

Looking forward to helping everyone improve their basic skills and promoting more success on course!

05/23/2025

Thanks everyone for having a laugh along with me on my previous video and post. Here is a video of us getting the same sequence right.

This was a good lesson. When a sequence doesn’t go as planned, don’t change your handling and babysit!
Re-evaluate, improve your plan and make it happen!

Playing it safe won’t give you the skills you want.
Learn it, train it, be brave and you and your team will be great!

05/22/2025

Agility should be all about pushing your self and the skills you train your dog. I trust the handling!
BUT, sometimes things aren’t perfect. And in those moments the best you can do is laugh at yourself, get up, brush yourself off, and try again!

Enjoy a snippet of entertainment on this dreary May day.

Disclaimer: No one was injured in the making of this video, and all involved just got up and tried again 😆😁

05/19/2025

Despite inclement weather on the weekend, the Super Reliable Serps Weekend Workshop at Aussie Acres Agility happened. Because of the forecast on Sunday, the session was moved to the AM and we had a great workshop with only short stints of light rain and even saw the sun peek out a few times.

I am super excited about how well all the students did in allowing their dogs to work the serp line, trust them and not spectate or babysit! The workshop took students from the beginning to the end result, with training tips for helping the dog to be successful.....and NO not by changing what the handler is doing.

After the workshop was completed, the boys and I had to play with the set ups, before breaking the field down for this week's classes. The video shows the fun we had playing with Serps.....we could have done more but then it rained, AGAIN!!!

If you missed this weekend workshop, hopefully you will be able to attend the next one. These are great, short, and intense learning experiences. Stay tuned for news on upcoming Weekend Workshops at Aussie Acres Agility!

05/12/2025

Sequence and I attended two seminars with instructor Sarah Mairs last week. It was a great learning experience in so many ways. She reminded us about the importance of our foundation work, no matter the skill level a team has achieved. Getting back to basics can only strengthen your team work on course.

Today's agility dogs have learned to pay attention to more than just their handlers body language on course. They now have to respond to verbal skills and discriminate between obstacles at speed. Isolating skills and training them gradually with distance and speed, will benefit the team for today's challenging courses.

I love the thrill of running courses with my dogs! At the seminar we did run courses in their entirety, but then spent much more of our time breaking the sequence down into it's parts and working various options. Challenging the team's skill level is vital for determining the best options for the dog and where the team stands in independent skill development.

I love the sport of dog agility. Not only because I get to spend so much time with my dogs, but also because I get to expand my knowledge and skill in a sport that continues to grow. For both myself and my students, I strive to promote best handling practices, independence, and top notch communication between dog and handler.

Aussie Acres Agility where we keep growing with the sport in all the best ways!

05/08/2025

It’s mow, mow May at Aussie Acres Agility!
While I work to keep the agility fields trimmed and ready for training, you may be interested to know what’s coming up this month.

May 18- Super Reliable SERPs Weekend Workshop. 12-2pm limit 5. Cost $50. Although this workshop is now full, I have started a waitlist. If there is enough interest, a second session will be offered. Take a look at the video below to see how confident I am when performing a serpentine with Sequence.

Class Schedule:
Monday 5:30 Novice Skills and Handling. New session begins next week. One spot available

Tuesday 6 pm Beginner New session begins in two weeks. Full at this time

Thursday: Advanced Handling- 2 sessions. New sessions begin next week.
10 am- one spot available
5:30 pm - Full

Private Lessons available upon request. PM Aussie Acres Agility on FB.

05/05/2025

Huge shout out to all the Handlers that accepted the Blind Cross Challenges today. You were all amazing!!!!!!!!

Hopefully, someone will share some videos of your terrific work!

Send a message to learn more

04/25/2025

Aussie Acres Agility May Weekend Workshops:

🐾🐾Blind Cross workshop May 4th 🌷🪻🌹.

There will be two sessions:

***10-12 All kinds of Blind Crosses: handlers will explore BCs in many small sequences to build understanding and confidence.
All levels welcome. Limit 5 Full

***1-3pm Blind Crosses in Course work sequencing.
For handlers with experience on sequencing and course work.
Limit 5. Full

🐾🐾🌷🪻 May 18th 12pm-2pm Super Reliable Serps
- This workshop will takes students from initial teaching to sequencing serpentines in which the dog understands his job of always taking the middle jump no matter the approach. Handlers will be confident of this skill at speed, with minimal handling and while ahead of their dog!
Max class size 5 Full

Workshops are $50 per session. Payment holds your spot.

Send a message to learn more

04/15/2025

Aussie Acres Agility Weekend Workshops

It's been awhile, but I am glad to say that Aussie Acres Weekend Workshops are back! I love the weekend workshops, because it pulls everyone together to focus on a particular training skill. We can learn a lot by watching and learning when students have a variety of skill levels!

I am in the process of working out topics and dates, but for now will start off with our first weekend workshop on Sunday, April 27th. Other proposed dates include the weekends of May 3-4 and 17-18. Stay tuned for more information on topics and details.

Sunday, April 27th Weekend Workshop:
Topic: Blind Crosses- The BC is one of our 3 Crosses in which we have a change of sides with our dog. It is not a difficult cross to perform, but the timing of it is vitally important to the success of the BC. BCs continue to grow in use on agility courses and are now used in places where they would not have been used years ago.
This workshop will explore when to use the BC, how to perform it effectively and in a timely fashion.

Two sessions will be offered:
10-12 Blind Crosses Basics and Beginnings: This session is for handlers newer to agility who want to learn the proper way to perform a BC, when to perform a BC and where to perform a BC. Appropriate for all levels. 2 spots left

1-3 Advanced Handling with Blind Crosses- Handlers who are comfortable performing BCs but want to be more efficient and confident when using this technique. 2 spots left

Cost for a dog/handler team is $50. Maximum # in each session is 5. PM or email to sign up. Payment secures your spot in this workshop. No refund 1 week before workshop, unless a replacement handler can be found to take your spot.

Hope to see you on the agility field