AgileDogs's Blog

Dog in need of saving

agiledogs — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 00:04:56 +0000

I hope someone can help with this. There’s a dog in need of a good home. Here is info from the vet who’s the go between (Lisa Wiggins): “I have an elderly gentleman that adopted a dog (4 years old) from shelter and cannot keep it. I think it has border collie in it. It does herd and bark and have lots of energy so is too much for an elderly man. This dog has an incredible personality and I think would do really well at agility…lots of energy, drive and heart.If I cannot find a home for this dog fast, he will likely be euthanized because it is too much for an old man. Dog is neutered and up to date on vaccines.”

CPE Nationals – a personal perspective

agiledogs — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 16:59:47 +0000

DogSport Magazine asked me to write about the CPE nationals for their online magazine. I wrote at the end of each of the 3 days of competition.

To read about my exploits, go to:

http://www.dogsportmagazine.com/?p=1589

Agility Mini Camp July 30th

agiledogs — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 16:58:25 +0000

I’ve added a mini camp to be held the Friday before my summer agility camp, on July 30th.

Presenters will be:

Trisha Stall and Melinda Schneider – agility handling
Tracy Sklenar – “Sniffaholics Anonymous”, agility trouble shooting and building drive/enthusiasm
Lisa Norris – Canine Water Sports, working with your dog around and swimming in water and the basics of this new sport/activity

Go to www.agiledogs.net/2010camp.htm for more details and the registration form.

AgileDogs 2010 Camp

agiledogs — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 01:23:03 +0000

I wanted to give you a heads up that there are still a few openings in this year’s camp, to be held July 31-August 1 at Sugar Bush Farm, so if you plan on attending this year you should get your registration form in soon.

This year’s instructors are:

Ray Wheeler

Elise Paffrath

Tracy Sklenar

Dr. Lisa Wiggins, DVM

In addition, we’ll have some special presenters on topics such as chiropractic, massage therapy, and acupuncture.

For this year we’ll be adding a pre-camp day on Friday, July 30th. We’re still working on this additional day’s schedule and presenters, but it’s an optional day, separate from camp, and will include agility and some other offerings (one thing we’re working on is a tricks/games workshop!).

Go to www.agiledogs.net/2010camp.htm to read the bios for this year’s presenters and download the registration form.

Email me if you have any questions.

Demos July 10th

agiledogs — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 01:21:47 +0000

Anyone interested in doing demos for a dog fair on Saturday, July 10, for the Wags and Whiskers Family Fun Fair in Schenectady, sponsored by the Schenectady County SPCA?

There will be plenty of chances to practice with your dog and work them in an exciting, trial-like environment. Your dog will have to be ok with kids as they are sure to be in attendance, but does not have to be trial-ready!

We will have an enclosed ring and most agility obstacles (will likely not be bringing dogwalk or Aframe due to their size).

The website for the event is http://www.schenectadyspca.org/

Please contact me if you’re interested in attending.

Fairs – Demos Season!

agiledogs — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:26:52 +0000

I just finished my usual Labor Day Weekend fair “tour“. Every year for the past 6 years I have done dog agility demos at the Scottish Games (www.scotgames.com) at the Altamont Fairgrounds. This year Steve Capporizzo, the Channel 10 weatherman and local rescue dog champion, was back to emcee. Last year he was notably absent, and it just wasn’t the same without him. This is always a big event, there’s a big crowd there to watch agility; but also in general there are tons of vendor booths, food, drink, and clans/societies, and of course the bagpipe bands. The weather was wonderful, and we had Border Collies, Shelties, Cairn Terrier, Golden Retriever, and even Scottish Deerhound to perform agility during the dog show. We also had an unofficial show earlier in the day (a warm up, really, without announcing to the crowd, and open to non-Scottish breeds of dogs). Any time you start running a dog over the agility course crowds form!

On Thursday, for the 5th year in a row (if my memory serves) I also held demos at Kids Day at the Columbia County Fair in Chatham (www.columbiafair.com). This is a great local event, and we have 2 45 minutes shows each year. The crowds were, as usual, large and appreciative, and other than the scary ferris wheel just 20′ from the ring that unnerved a couple of dogs and a brief outing by one dog to get some food a spectator had about 25′ away, all the dogs did very well and really entertained the crowd.

Thanks to all who helped me with both shows. These are a lot of work for me to organize, get participants for, and haul/setup/takedown equipment for. I really appreciate all of my friends and students to come out to help me put on a good show every year!

My Parents 50th Wedding Anniversary

agiledogs — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 00:43:09 +0000

The following was in the Berkshire Eagle last weekend:

Stalls Celebrate 50 Years

August 15, 2009

Marjorie and Ralph Stall

     Ralph and Marjorie Stall of New Lebanon, NY celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on August 15th. They were married in the East Chatham Methodist Church on August 15, 1959.
     They have a daughter, Trisha, of New Lebanon, NY.
     Ralph retired from General Electric/Martin Marietta, as a senior Designer in 1993 after 37 years of service. After retirement he worked part time as a design checker for Advanced Power Technologies, first in Pittsfield and then in Schodack, NY. Ralph is an avid golfer and plays almost every day at Bas-Ridge in Hinsdale, Mass, and has gotten two holes-in-one. He continues to try for the 3rd one.
     Marjorie, formerly Marjorie Larabee, worked as a bookkeeper for the first few years of their marriage and then was a stay at home Mom and housewife. Marge is an avid quilt maker.

===============================================================================

I am putting together a booklet for Mom and Dad, and if you would like to send me an email, I will include it in the booklet.

I know some of you know them very well, others have just seen them loading equipment at trials, or Dad fixing things, or bringing me items at trials. Or, some of you know of my Mom making that Teacup quilt for the TDAA nationals, or my parents making and bringing the food for my summer agility camp.

But, they do a great deal for me such as getting the trailer packed up, driven to the site, and unloading it, taking inventory of the ribbons and food after the trial is over. Plus, they take care of my dogs when I go to my day job adn when I am away judging on weekends. Anything you want to include is fine, either something you remember about them or just sending them good wishes. Thanks in advance!

Trisha

Power Your Paws Seminar!

agiledogs — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 01:59:00 +0000

Oh, wow… I had a blast on Monday doing the “Power Your Paws” seminar for filming by Agility Vision in Sandgate, VT. What a lovely facility! I was nervous; thank goodness it wasn’t presented live, so that they can edit out my pauses to look at my notes, and the times people were walking the courses and sequences.

I’m not a public speaker by nature; the first time I taught an agility class 10 years ago I was so scared I could hardly talk. But I got through it, and realized the students were getting a lot out of my classes and hardly noticed I was nervous. Then, by the time I started presenting seminars and hosting agility trials (try talking to 100+ people at once!), I was more used to public speaking.

But, speaking before a camera for all posterity brings a whole new level of nervousness out, or at least it did in me. It also did for the 7 people taking the seminar (we kept the size small for filming purposes), as witnessed by their first course run. After that run, we all loosened up and got to business.

It was 6 hours of fun, lots of motivation and getting every bit of speed and fun out of each team. I just found out the video will be available for purchase in a week or so (they’re working fast!), and they’ve just completed the trailer. You’ve gotta see it – here’s the link:

http://vimeo.com/5099128

Let me know what you think after you’ve purchased and watched it, I’d love to hear your comments.

Trisha

Not enough hours…

agiledogs — Tue, 19 May 2009 18:03:08 +0000

I know, I know, I haven’t posted a blog in – what is it, 2 weeks?? Yikes!

I just cannot seem to get the “necessary” things done (you know, confirmation emails for my camp, courses designed for future judging assignments, entries into the computer for the CPE trial in 3 weeks), let alone find time for this blog, which I love the idea of but at least for the moment isn’t at the top of my priority list.

Anyone out there have ideas for time management? Or, even, ideas for what they’d like to see me write about that doesn’t take me an inordinant amount of time.

For instance, I’d love to post more courses/sequences to critique how I look at and handle them these days using APHS. I’d love to give updates about Lucy (who’s started some agility training, but is still having problems being left alone in a crate, which is the only safe spot where she won’t ingest something bad again). I’d love to talk about my schedule of judging, trialing my own dogs, and hosting trials and camps. But, oh, there isn’t any time…

Ok, enough poor me, I’ve managed to write quite a bit in just 5 minutes, haven’t I?

What that being said, I must get back to work at my non-agility day job…

Trisha

Hy Caliber Video

agiledogs — Sat, 02 May 2009 09:50:33 +0000

I have to promote these guys. They have a great service – I’m trying to get them to come out and video for one of my trials this year, but they’re in high demand!

Look at this video taken of Jart on April 18th at BARK’s USDAA trial:
http://www.hycalibervideo.com/09-04-18-jart-sgmb

LIVE SEMINAR
In addition, I’ll be holding a live seminar on Monday, June 8th (after the CPE nationals) that they are going to stream to the web! This is going to be “Motivating Your Agility Dog”, and will run from 11am-5pm with an hour long lunch break. I’m going to have a small group (maybe 5 dogs) because that will work best for this format. So, if you’re interested in this seminar, please email me and I’ll get you more details! I’m so excited to be doing this; I know it’s going to be fun, as well as a learning experience. I’m also happy that I will be able to get my information out to more people that would normally not be able to benefit from my seminars.