Home
closeup, Pack Pick, headshot, Pack Pick Vic 11 months, firstday, Max, 19weekpackpic, Starlet, Soccer

Vic, The World's Easiest Dog

mood: ecstatic
Seriously, if this is what a border collie is, well, I have less respect for some of the trainers who only have bcs.  Vic is amazing!  Yes, we need to get him more confident about running across the dogwalk, his teeter is virtually unstarted, the weaves still need entry work/experience and his A-frame is an experiment in motion, but he has been so simple.  He is easy.  I have put more focused time into his foundation than any of my other dogs and I'm sure that's part of it.  Still, I think the biggest factor is it's just who Vic is.  All this power and speed, but he never feels out of control and I can feel what a good time he has.  Agility just seems to be a part of him, he's so different than any other dog I've trained.  I believe in fate and am just enjoying the ride.  :-)  

Here's some video from today at a VERY windy park.  I cancelled classes after my list of things that couldn't be used included all the contacts and most shapes of the tunnel...  It was just starting to pick up while we were there, but was bad enough that I only did the 4 dogwalks (which is the main reason I go early and I think he has to do quite a few, so only doing 4 isn't what my plan was...).  He's still figuring out the weaves, but I was thrilled with his efforts.  He felt wide to me, when I was running him, but he really is giving great efforts.  He is so much fun to run!  I've only edited out extended play sessions...




Posted on Apr. 23rd, 2008 at 09:15 pm | | Leave a comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend

Comments


[info]moodypdx

I LOVE VIC!

Posted on Apr. 24th, 2008 05:20 am (UTC) | | Thread | Reply

[info]agilityfrk

Thanks! Of course, Vic could use some pointers about the dogwalk from Fred. :-)
Posted on Apr. 24th, 2008 03:44 pm (UTC) | | Parent | Thread | Reply

[info]brisbeethewhite

It's not just Vic, border collies ARE easy! And fun!
Posted on Apr. 24th, 2008 05:29 am (UTC) | | Thread | Reply

[info]moodypdx

They really are easy. I am enjoying it;)
Posted on Apr. 24th, 2008 05:32 am (UTC) | | Parent | Thread | Reply

[info]sclmarm

I've always said we have the BC's that make us look like good trainers and the Jack's to keep us honest.
Posted on Apr. 24th, 2008 11:12 pm (UTC) | | Parent | Thread | Reply

[info]agilityfrk

I've met some nice JRT's, but there's no way I have the courage to take one on. I don't want to know that much about myself. ;-)
Posted on Apr. 25th, 2008 04:15 am (UTC) | | Parent | Thread | Reply

[info]sclmarm

Jack's are an interesting lot for sure. We have a soft, melty kind, a stress pee/pooper who is pretty darn good when she wants to be and a crazy, off the wall nut head one. Poor Meg and Zach started with the Jack's when they were 8 and 10 years old. Zach says he wouldn't have anything but a Jack. Meagan says a big maybe for agility, but she wants one around because she likes their personalities. Personally, I love their naughtiness and sense of humor, but I don't run fast enough to run one.
Posted on Apr. 25th, 2008 05:12 am (UTC) | | Parent | Thread | Reply

[info]agilityfrk

Starlet wasn't this easy, actually she was basically the opposite of easy. Of course, she came with baggage and I've often wondered what she would have been like, if I'd had her from the beginning. :-)
Posted on Apr. 24th, 2008 03:43 pm (UTC) | | Parent | Thread | Reply

[info]brisbeethewhite

Well, baggage is going to make any dog a challenge. And to be fair, there are most definitely border collies out there with temperment issues that would really make training and living with them difficult. A nice, normal border collie though ... they make their handlers look GOOD. ;-)
Posted on Apr. 24th, 2008 04:23 pm (UTC) | | Parent | Thread | Reply

[info]agilityfrk

Yes, Agility for Dummies could be one page long, with a picture of a border collie. :-)
Posted on Apr. 24th, 2008 04:46 pm (UTC) | | Parent | Thread | Reply

[info]moodypdx

Haa, they really are very forgiving. It is sooo much easier changing criteria with Freddie than it is with Nova. I think you should make a t-shirt;)
Posted on May. 6th, 2008 12:35 am (UTC) | | Parent | Thread | Reply

[info]agilitybc

I've only had BC's. I've always admired all the agility handlers out there that train non-herding dogs.

And Vic is awesome!!!!
Posted on Apr. 24th, 2008 02:23 pm (UTC) | | Thread | Reply

[info]agilityfrk

Yes, I'm developing a new level of respect for the handlers doing so well with non-bcs. The parents of your possible pup look very cute. :-)
Posted on Apr. 24th, 2008 04:50 pm (UTC) | | Parent | Thread | Reply

[info]nosemovie

I have truly come to realize that beginning agility handlers have NO CLUE how important foundation training is... if they did, they'd approach the sport very differently (as you have, as I have)...
Foundation... you can't build anything without it!
Posted on Apr. 24th, 2008 03:46 pm (UTC) | | Thread | Reply

[info]agilityfrk

So true. :-)
Posted on Apr. 24th, 2008 04:23 pm (UTC) | | Parent | Thread | Reply

[info]cedarfield

Good t-shirt slogan!
Posted on Apr. 25th, 2008 01:05 pm (UTC) | | Parent | Thread | Reply

(Anonymous)

You can tell you're not in Oregon--those dirt patches would be swimming pools. Nice workout! I'm ealous--I want Tru to be doing all that--but we're only just beginning...
Posted on Apr. 24th, 2008 03:51 pm (UTC) | | Thread | Reply

[info]3bluentru

That last comment was from me--who has been drenched in rain for the last 4 days--looks like a repreive for a couple of days! yeah!
Posted on Apr. 24th, 2008 03:52 pm (UTC) | | Thread | Reply

[info]agilityfrk

Tru will be doing this stuff before you know it, they grow up so fast!

For being springtime, it sure sounds like winter in the NW.
Posted on Apr. 24th, 2008 04:30 pm (UTC) | | Parent | Thread | Reply

[info]3bluentru

So I'm watching your video this morning, and saying to myself--sure looks like Mia---but iz has aussies! Then Kristi wmails me, and I FIND OUT IT IS YOU! HEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SOOO--we be all running the dark side boys in a few years, eh? I have a new boy too-named Tru--not fast and on the ball like your Vic...YET!
he's a rescue,a nd we're spending time getting to know each other first...he's just as sweet as they come...kind of a chunky boy--built more like aiko that any of the other BC's I know...will bes trong and powerful, and ready to rock & roll! Right now, I'm letting Mick teach him what this sport is all about--he he he (evil sounds).

But I am having a blast with him...and the Mickster too, of course! Good to know who you are, and your pup is wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted on Apr. 24th, 2008 07:31 pm (UTC) | | Thread | Reply

[info]agilityfrk

I wasn't sure if you'd remember me and didn't want to scare you with my Mick obsession. ;-) I have gone to the dark side (which I will one day have a The Dark Side DAM team ;-)), but more in not getting a rescue. The aussie I run, Finn, isn't my dog. Kristi bred him and he's owned by an older lady, who isn't able to run him. I've trained him since he was 6 months old and his person doesn't come on road trips, because of her back, so most people from out of town think he's mine. Max (aka Mr. Wonderful) is a bc/acd and my border collie, Starlet, is a rehome and I still battle a little guilt about treating myself to a puppy, but Vic is such a cool guy! So much better than I'd hoped or dreamed. I got very lucky.

Your Tru looks darling, what a great face! He reminds me of Susan Rolek's Elan (I think she's from Heelside and I want to say a Winger puppy).

Kristi mentioned you're interested in the box for a running frame. I have some videos I made private of the grid work we did before introducing it to the frame. Rachel came up with it in the last 6 or so months ago and I think it's been key for Vic's understanding. If you're interested, I just need an email or youtube account, so you can check them out.

I was so pleased when I noticed you'd joined the Live Journal clan! Tell the pack they're good!
Posted on Apr. 25th, 2008 04:26 am (UTC) | | Parent | Thread | Reply

[info]3bluentru

McFans

Oh, there are LOTS of Mick-aholics--me included! I feel VERY blessed to actually live with the boy! He's one in a million, that's for sure. Did you see the collage pic on my blog taken last weekend at the AKC? Too funny...

Vic is wonderful! Makes me crazed to get Tru started jumping and weaving! But, like you said, the groundwork makes it all worthwhile. I am doing some--I'd love to hear what you did!!! I am so green at ground work, as all my other dogs were rescues from 1 year up! You guys are SO lucky to have Steph and Rachael! wow! I have...ME. and now you guys to help me! I feel pretty lucky to have your videos, into, and support! Tru is a hoot--quite the slug indoors...but comes alive in agility--let's hope. If not-I'm not getting any younger either, so we can plow around together. Mick still has a couple of years to compete (he's 7-ish) so I'm not really in any hurry to spend more $$ on entry fees till Tru's 'ready'. Patience is NOT MY virtue--so this is hard to not jump right in.

I am going to go back in your archives and see what groundwork you did--cuz obviously it paid off!

Any hints-tips, etc is welcome!! Tru is 10 mo old. We are working on call-send-run over 4 jumps with bars at 8". Send to tunnels, and working on a 4 on the floor contact. Not sure I want to do a running like everyone else is doing right now...so thought I'd train a 4/4 just to have it. It's good target training if nothing else. He's fun--not highly motivated, so I have to create that--unlike the Mick...but once he gets it--he will be awesome, and SO loyal...

Well, off to run the dogs for their morning outting...and mine too--3 miles for me on a bum knee. 10+ for them...
Posted on Apr. 25th, 2008 02:49 pm (UTC) | | Parent | Thread | Reply

[info]agilityfrk

Re: McFans

Keep me posted on how the 4 on the floor goes. I have some students I think it could work for... I'm liking Rachel's running frame work, but do think defining a specific criteria is key and the grid work at the beginning absolutely necessary. Kristi's the lucky one who gets to work with Steph, but between Rachel and Kate, I can't complain either. ;-)

One thing I did with Vic that seems to be paying off was lots of speed circle type stuff for beginning sequencing and Linda M's 6 positions on a single jump (working both collection, relative collection and extension). He learned to love both things, so when it came time to put it together, it's been very simple. Of course, Vic is easy, freakishly easy.

Sounds like your Tru is also a thinker (Vic is a thinker too). I love thinkers! You'll have to get video going, this damn LJ is what motivated me to figure out video and my computer, now I'm a complete addict. It is really helpful. :-)
Posted on Apr. 26th, 2008 06:37 pm (UTC) | | Parent | Thread | Reply

[info]moodypdx

Hey, I want in on the videos;)
Posted on May. 6th, 2008 12:38 am (UTC) | | Parent | Thread | Reply

[info]biggmellon

I gotta say my BC Ricky has been anything but easy- but I think we are in that rescue baggage department- but that said what I LOVE about training the BC's is that they need so little motivation to do something over & over a zillion times. My Goldens & Shepherds would never let me get away with so much repitition.

I look forward to that day off in the future where I get to work a BC from a puppy. I love watching all these LJ young up & coming dogs- Vic is looking GREAT!
Posted on Apr. 25th, 2008 02:43 pm (UTC) | | Thread | Reply