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The two dogs I run with in agility are vastly different. Lily (poodle mix) at ten years of age, is still very fast, has really good distance work, and is graceful and beautifully athletic. When she has a clean run it is a work of art. Misty (Bichon / Shihtzu mix) OTH, is slower, not great at distance work, and not as athletic. Misty also started two years later than Lily.
Who has progressed faster and has more titles? Misty has! It is partly because she is very biddable, but I think it also speaks to my skill as a novice handler. If I falter for a split second with Lily, I lose her because she is so fast. With Misty, I have time to recover, and she’s not two obstacles ahead of me while I’m trying to remember the course. She’s also probably benefitted from the fact that I cut my teeth as a handler with Lily. Poor Lily had to suffer through my ineptness as I learned the sport.
It’s already apparent that with Gracie (11 month mini poo) I’m going to need to step up my game as a handler. She is very fast, and it’s clear that split seconds will matter with her. I’m already thinking that good distance work has to be a foundation of this- I’m not getting any younger and she can run like the wind!
So, it will be interesting competing with the three of them. Lots of adventures ahead.
Who has progressed faster and has more titles? Misty has! It is partly because she is very biddable, but I think it also speaks to my skill as a novice handler. If I falter for a split second with Lily, I lose her because she is so fast. With Misty, I have time to recover, and she’s not two obstacles ahead of me while I’m trying to remember the course. She’s also probably benefitted from the fact that I cut my teeth as a handler with Lily. Poor Lily had to suffer through my ineptness as I learned the sport.
It’s already apparent that with Gracie (11 month mini poo) I’m going to need to step up my game as a handler. She is very fast, and it’s clear that split seconds will matter with her. I’m already thinking that good distance work has to be a foundation of this- I’m not getting any younger and she can run like the wind!
So, it will be interesting competing with the three of them. Lots of adventures ahead.