and doesN'T embarass momma. Yea!
I had an oppertunity to go to a seminar on running contacts. This is what I've been training Zest on in my backyard. Doing this by myself with major breaks in our training (first due to her coming into season and then because of the snow/cold that comes with the winter) I thought this was a great point in our training to get some outside feedback. And I figured I could do the Handler-vs-Obstacle focus in the afternoon with the malinois. The only problem was Zest is only 13 months old AND has never been off lead in a class setting (this was an indoor horse facility) or even gone to an agility class. We go to conformation class, but otherwise she's a homeschooled child. But, having run basenjis in agility for 7 years or so, I figure she can't embarass me more than has already been done. But still, one never knows exactly what a dog, especially a basenji, will do when you take the leash off for that first time. I warned the class early, most knew me and my circus, I mean my agility basenjis. Our first set up was a U tunnel to the Aframe. I unhook her and quickly say "Tunnel" and race off. She does and as she comes out I say "Frame" and she does - beautifully I might add. I think she impressed some people. I was so thrilled and we had to repeat the exercise a few times for the teacher to watch. She did miss the frame once or twice, but she did NOT run off and go visiting. And she did just as nicely with the dogwalk! I am so happy with her performance. She's got so much potential and it's nice to see my hard work starting to pay off. Now if we can continue down that path, and if I don't screw something up, she's going to be an awesome little agility girl!