Abbiestar

Hi OsoSwift, Yes, you can talk to your dog. Remember, it is NOT an obedience trial. Verbal encouragement and correction is fine. Have you entered a test? M

When you get to the grass section, use your bike's lowest gears. It will make the pedalling much easier, then when back on gravel/bitumen change the gears up to a middle gear. M

Glad that you are OK. What a terrible experience. Some words of wisdom from a dear old friend who sadly is no longer with us.... "I woke up this morning, IT'S A GOOD DAY!" M

The GSD one on June 25th The GSD ET has a HORRIBLE judge!!!! (It's me! ) M

Hi ish, I don't think you have left it too late. Just build her up slowly.. Very important to do this slowly and not overdo it. Dogs can recover amazingly fast, and the 20 minute rest breaks between the three legs of the ET are invaluable for the dogs, (and for some handlers too!) M

Sorry to hear about the ground conditions at KCC. Crapper of a day at work, I had no hope and no chance of gettig to KCC this morning. Hope you all worked well under the circumstances. M

There are are few ET's with entries still open..... Happy to provide details if you are keen. M

Hey TrinaJ was out at Kcc Park this morning for Obedience training, the gravel was fine, the grass was bloody slush underfoot we might find it a little hard pushing the bikes through, but I am still happy to go & train anyway Hi, murve, trinaj et al, just to confirm, unfortunately won't make it to KCC on Monday. Big day ahead at work. Good luck, stay warm! M

Hi Sir Sniffalot, There is really nothing to worry about with the willingness test. It used to be called an "obedience" test, but the terminology was changed to "willingness test" as the level of competence is somewhat downgraded to what is required in an obedience test. As the name suggests, the judge is looking for the dog's "willingness" to follow your instruction. You can compete on lead, you can command and double command, and you can use your hands to physically sit or stand your dog. As a judge, I want to see that the dog is willing to work for you and is capable of following instruction. Even with assistance. You will be asked to perform a short heeling pattern with a right about turn and a halt. The dog should sit, and you can command and assist the dog in doing this. You will also be asked to do a short recall on or off lead (ALWAYS CHOOSE ON LEAD!!!!). That is it. Same test before and after the run. At level 3 obedience you will be fine. M

That would be great if you can join us Abbiestar :D I will bring Malika as well, just to give her a short burst I think having a few of us there we can help each other in particular with encouragement What do you guys think??? Will do my best, but having my own business, can't guarantee being able to get away. If I can't get there, ride as a group in single file. If anyone has a speedometer on their bike, put them up front to act as pacesetter. Pacesetter to ride at a steady 10-11kph. Try to cover all surfaces - gravel, grass and bitumen. Practice overtaking on the right and getting back in order. Back in 2003 I was president of the Vizsla Club when we held our first ET (and the first ET run at KCC). I designed the course used for the test. I could probably still find the map on my computer if you are interested. The course has probably been amended over the years, but the idea is good and covers all three surfaces, the entire grounds and is a 2 kilometre loop that starts and ends outside the main office doors. Hope the weather is kind. KCC is a quagmire when under water! M

Cool I will be in a dark blue Ford AU3 Station wagon, cant miss me, I have a masive celtic design sticker across the tailgate window with a Pappy & Whippet stickers :D Can't guarantee it, but if I can get there I will. Will be in a silver Mercedes-Benz wagon with "VIZ" number plates. M

Being a cycling nut, I know that there is so much gear available to make riding in all weather more pleasurable. Gloves, windproof jackets, arm warmers. leg warmers etc. Probably overkill for an ET, but nice to know we have choices! Good luck training. M

Hi Murve, I recommend you invest in some good cycling gloves. they will be wind and cold resistant making the ride in this weather much more enjoyable. M

I think you are doing a great job. Slow and steady wins the race! Build her up slowly and I am sure you will do well at the ET. M

Not coming from an ET background (so feel free to ignore because I've never been in or completed an ET), but from a fitness/competition background, since you have plenty of time until you need to complete the ET, I would concentrate on base training. Base training is about completing 'easy' miles, and building distance at a relatively easy pace so that you build endurance. Then closer to the trial/competition you begin a training program specific for that event (interval training, steep hill work etc). I also work on implementing an easy day, medium day and hard day into each training week. I work on a goal distance for each week, and that is my hard day. So for example say you work on a 4 week training cycle, with 3 training sessions per week (Goal of 3.5kms): Wk1 Day1: 2km (@6-7km/hr) Wk1 Day2: 1km (@6-7km/hr) Wk1 Day3: 3km (@6-7km/hr) Wk 2 might repeat depending on your goals and assessment of how your dogs have coped. Wk2 Day1: 2km (@6-7km/hr) Wk2 Day2: 1km (@6-7km/hr) Wk2 Day3: 3km (@6-7km/hr) Wk3 Day1: 2.5km (@6-7km/hr) Wk3 Day2: 1.5km (@6-7km/hr) Wk3 Day3: 3.5km (@6-7km/hr) Then as I count Wk 4 as the 'rest' week, I would repeat Wk 1 Wk4 Day1: 2km (@6-7km/hr) Wk4 Day2: 1km (@6-7km/hr) Wk4 Day3: 3km (@6-7km/hr) Next 4 week cycle (Goal of 4kms): Wk5 Day1: 2.5km (@6-7km/hr) Wk5 Day2: 1.5km (@6-7km/hr) Wk5 Day3: 3.5km (@6-7km/hr) Wk6 Day1: 2.5km (@6-7km/hr) Wk6 Day2: 1.5km (@6-7km/hr) Wk6 Day3: 3.5km (@6-7km/hr) Wk7 Day1: 3.0km (@6-7km/hr) Wk7 Day2: 2.0km (@6-7km/hr) Wk7 Day3: 4.0km (@6-7km/hr) Wk8 Day1: 2.5km (@6-7km/hr) Wk8 Day2: 1.5km (@6-7km/hr) Wk8 Day3: 3.5km (@6-7km/hr) Next 4 week cycle (Goal of 4.5kms): Wk9 Day1: 3.0km (@6-7km/hr) Wk9 Day2: 2.0km (@6-7km/hr) Wk9 Day3: 4.0km (@6-7km/hr) Wk10 Day1: 3.0km (@6-7km/hr) Wk10 Day2: 2.0km (@6-7km/hr) Wk10 Day3: 4.0km (@6-7km/hr) Wk11 Day1: 3.5km (@6-7km/hr) Wk11 Day2: 2.5km (@6-7km/hr) Wk11 Day3: 4.5km (@6-7km/hr) Wk12 Day1: 3.0km (@6-7km/hr) Wk12 Day2: 2.0km (@6-7km/hr) Wk12 Day3: 4.0km (@6-7km/hr) Next 4 week cycle: You may be find you may be able to increase speed slightly as fitness has increased so you could do 7-8km/hr, but I would repeat the previous 4 week cycle program, and then think about increasing distance the next cycle if the dog copes ok. NB. Sometimes though you may not be ready to do more distance the next cycle, so just repeat the last one, or if really struggling, drop back another 4 week cycle and build from there. I also make sure I walk my dog before and after his rides, to warm up and cool down. Because my dog is relatively fit and very energetic I have been training 7 days per week, I do one medium distance, one short, one long, one short, one medium, one short etc etc building the long distance each week. I am trying my hardest to stay between 10-12km/hr (he'd rather travel faster), so far he's coping very well. Then working up to 12 weeks out from the ET I will do more interval training, going from 10-12km/hr up to 18km/hr, then back to 5kms per hour to rest/get breath back, then another fast interval. Again as I've not done an ET before I'm sure the more experienced ET'ers may have better advice for you Hi Zenith, your advice is pretty good. It may also look a bit daunting to beginners starting out with an aim to achieve an ET, but it makes a lot of sense. Whether you choose to have a regimented training pattern, or just at your own pace build up speed and distance, it is very important to start of with small achievable goals and build on them. Happy training to all! M

Hi, glad the training is going well. Sounds like we have lots of bragging posts about all the new ET titles being earned over the coming months! Why do you need to change the side the brakes are on? M

I don't think you should be looking at the test as a 20k event. It is broken up into three sections of 8k, 6k, and 6k again. It sounds like his fitness is at a good level to complete the test. Try taking him out for 8 ks and then resting him for 15 minutes, then go again. It is amazing how quickly the dogs can recover from their exercise and want to go again. M

Hi Sir Sniffalot, I will be judging the ET at Cherry Lake. I recommend that you have a lead that is comfortable to hold. An obedience trial suitable length is fine. You do not want the lead too long so that it gets tangled in the dog's legs, or even worse, in the bicycle wheel. I also think your training pattern is good. Do Not overwork Hamish. If he can cope with what you are currently doing, he will be fine at the test. Remeber, at the test, it is very controlled and pace set at 10-12 kph. There are three rest breaks for dogs and humans. Good luck for the ET. M

Hi Abbiestar, We have entered Jag in the Dalmatian test and are now 4 days into training schedule. Early days but all going beautifully so far :D I believe there are several Rottis doing this test, so it should be a nice social get together for all of us. Probably be more Rottis than Dallys... I think there was last year also. ;) Hope everyone else is going well with training etc. Have fun. Hi dyzney, good for you for entering! Not sure who is judging there this year, but the course is nice and flat. Hope you have a great day and have success too. M

Are you a member of your state govening dog body, eg Dogs Vic, Dogs NSW??? you can join as a acciated member, this also allows you to compete for Obedience titles, Agility Min age of participating is 2 yrs for Et Hmm what is the one for SA, and how do you join? Hi, DogsSA will get your dog registered, and it may also be an idea to talk to the German Shepherd Club of SA. They run the ET in Adelaide. Jenny DeLucia is the contact person. [email protected] M

Hi, you can use any non motorised bike. M

Canberra is a great course through the showgrounds. It was very wet when I judged there last year (torrential rain). I think Jenny Kenworthy has changed the date to TBA as she would like a better climate and less risk of cold and rain to conduct the ET. When I last spoke with her, she thought it may be held in September. Good luck! M

Hi TrinaJ, I have met some people who literally turn up with their dog to do the ET having never trained, practiced or even ridden with the dog -and they passed! I guess if the dog is fit and reasonably well behaved this is a possibility. I do not advise this practice though. I think it is very important to be well trained, practiced and prepared for the ET to maximise the chance of passing and reduce the risk of over exerting or injuring the dog. Personally, I think what you are doing is fine. Remember the test is conducted under very controlled conditions with rest breaks and vet checks. Good luck for your test. M

OMG! I got another date wrong, and forgot the ET in Tasmania! Must be getting old. I guess the only ET I really NEED to remember is the GSDCV because I am judging that one! M

Hi All, so we are all talking about our dogs, and training, and bikes etc. but who is actually ENTERING an ET this year? We know the dates are: NSW: 10 July 2011 - Grafton Dog Obedience Club (Grafton) 7 August 2011 - Dogs NSW (Erskine Park) ACT: TBA - Dogs ACT (Exhibition Park In Canberra - EPIC) VIC: 25 May 2011 - Hungarian Vizsla Club 5 June 2011 - Murray Valley Obedience Dog Club 11 June 2011 - Dalmatian Club 25 June 2011 - GSD Club (Cherry Lake Reserve, Altona) 2 July 2011 - East Gippsland Dog Obedience Club (Lake Guthridge) SA: 25 June 2011 - German Shepherd Dog Club of SA QLD: 31 July 2011 - Ipswich Dog Club WA: June (unsure of date) So who is entering and which tests? M