Abbiestar

The Adelaide ET is to be held on Saturday June 25. It is hosted by the German Shepherd Club and will be held at their club grounds. I believe it will start at 8.00am. M

We only have one a year down here in Tasmania - this year is scheduled for July 10 - held at Longford in northern Tasmania. It's an out and back course, mostly on roads. Some of the others sound nice - especially Sale, but it's expensive to bring the dogs across Bass Strait more than a couple of times a year - and we're already planning to come over for a DWD workshop in April. In July we won't have to worry about it being too hot - but it could be sleeting and squally like it was when I did it before. Maybe you could petition your dog club to hold a second one. if there is enough interest, it may happen. M

Which ET do you think you will do? M

When holding the lead, it is important not to wrap it around your hand. If the dog really needs to stop, or bolt off in another direction, you will have no choice - you will be going with the dog! I like to hold the handle bar with the lead inbetween it and my hand. Glad you had a nice ride. The dogs really enjoy it and settle down after a while and gait very nicely alongside you. Keep it up, you will be ready for the ET in no time. M

Don't worry answered my own question! Thats an old version of the rules! Would a 6' or 4' leash be fine then? According to the rules as at the most recent update, there is no mention of a specific lead length. The rules state that "the leash must be long enough to be held in either hand so that the dog may adjust itself to the cyclist or runner." I guess common sense applies and use a length that you are comfortable with and will not be cumbersome and interfering with the dog. M

That's a great start. Maybe try walking him together with the bike so he gets used to it before having to run alongside you riding it. M

Take it slow at first. it will be a bit of getting used to for both of you. Good luck. M

Are these Victorian ETs still happening? 16/04/11 WERRIBEE OBEDIENCE DOG CLUB 28/05/11 HUNGARIAN VIZSLA CLUB 05/06/11 MURRAY VALLEY OBEDIENCE DOG CLUB btw Cherry Lake for me! CC I don't believe Werribbee is holding one. HVCV is at KCC Park Murray valley is on. Unsure of exact dates. Cherry lake is the venue used by the German Shepherd Club. It is a great course. M

The rules allow you to use a harness, so it should be fine for both purposes. Do have a lead and collar as a back up plan just in case the judge does not allow that type of harness. However, with tracking the dog should pull ahead to search for it's target. In an ET, constant pulling ahead will get you disqualified. The dog should work freely alongside you without pulling or lagging. I would get a different harness so the dog learns the difference of what is expected, or get the dog used to lead and fixed collar. M

Have some details for you about Ipswich ET. It will be held at 6.00am on July 31 at the Ipswich Dog Club Contact Anne Clarkson 07 5426 8774. M Thanks heaps for info No problem. I spoke to Anne today. Tell her I gave you her number. M

Where did you get the Springer from and let me know when you find the cheap comptuer thingy. Cheaper isn't always better. You get what you pay for. I recommend a visit to your bike shop. Explain what you want and what you need it for. A good bike shop will give you what you need without upselling you to the Rolls Royce model! I am a serious roadie (Carbon framed road bike rider), and I have a "Cat Eye Velo 8" computer. It cost $49.00 and does everything I need it to do. Speed, Distance, Calories burned, Time, Clock, Average speed, Speedometre. M

There is a minimum age (2) and a maximum age (8). A link to the ANKC website with a PDF of the rules is here TC001, hasten slowly with your young Lab and a bike - I'd not be doing any sort of distance for quite a while yet. His bones are still growing. Second that advice. Strenuous exercise in a puppy can be quite harmful. Gentle excercise only up to 12 months. Introduction of extended exercise 12-18 months, 18 months + they can work all day. If you give your puppy too much exercise you run the risk of strains, sprains, exhaustion, and in severe cases, dysplasia. Please take it easy. That would be one reason for the 2 year minimum age level for the ET. M

:D ;) :D There are a lot of things OH will do, try etc but shaving his legs, I don't think will happen. I might tell him that they have to be waxed Ouch! M

Kyza ETA: Does anyone know when/where the ET is held in Brisbane?? Have some details for you about Ipswich ET. It will be held at 6.00am on July 31 at the Ipswich Dog Club Contact Anne Clarkson 07 54268774. M

A budding ET competitor then? The ET should be a breeze for you both by the time your lab is 2. M

Yes, you will be able to walk quicker and further, and probably not collapse in a heap when you finish. With regular excercise it is amazing how quickly your body can learn to cope. As you increase the regularity of your training it will become easier. I live at the top of a big hill and being on holidays from work since Christmas have cycled (in lycra!!) most mornings about 45 - 50 kilometres. It is amazing how easy that final hill to home has become. M

I believe the QLD Et's are held in Mackay, Kingaroy and Ipswich. Not sure if any of these are close to you. M

ETA: No underwear?! ummmmm, don't think I could get used to this one And now I'll be looking at everyone wondering if they're wearing underwear or not :D If you see cyclists on the road in lycra, trust me, they are not wearing undies! M

Yes. You can change handlers. You can do the before and after willingness tests and your triathletes could run/cycle the dog in shifts or one do the whole course. You could rent the other out as a handler to someone else too )))) M

LOL!!! And yes, you do if they are padded. M

Kyza ETA: Does anyone know when/where the ET is held in Brisbane?? I believe it is held in Ipswich in August. M

I think the Aldi bike should be fine. If it only to be used for the ET and training for the ET, it should serve you well. At $50.00 it is probably cheaper than a service on your old bike. M

Not just any lycra tights... You need to look for proper bike pants that have a padded saddle area in them. The padded part reaaaaaally helps your butt! :p And now for the scary bit. These padded shorts are designed to wear without underwear!!! It's true. The padded chamois is designed to wick moisture and sweat away from your body to prevent chafing. Undies would not allow this to happen as the fabric will trap the moisture. It takes a while to get used to this, but it is definitely better. M

Unfortunately the dog must work beside you and not pull. If the dog is pulling all the way, you could be disqualified. Start training him to "hel" beside you on the bike. It really does not take long to condition the dog. M