My First Agility Class

Wow, I had so much fun last night! Mommy came home and changed into her "walking clothes" so Fin and I were so excited to go on a walk!!! However, she grabbed some new treats that smelled so good and took my crate to the car. My crate only, not Fin's crate. Wait, what's going on here?? We got in the car and headed off...poor Fin was crying and wanting to go with us, but mom got him a bone which I found out later so he was happy. He and dad got to lay on the sofa and watch TV. After a bit, we got to the place where mommy tells me to do things, I do them, then I get a treat - way cool! An American Eskimo dog ran towards me as we headed in and I just kept on walking...I thought mom was going to pass out since I didn't bark or anything! She was already proud of me! We got inside and I found out this class is called agility - whatever that means.

The first task was called a hurdle, I'm the smallest dog in class so all the rest of the dogs had to jump over the hurdle, I on the other hand was small enough to go under it on my belly! Everyone thought this was really funny and they all laughed at me. So, we did it again and this time I jumped over it, got some food and praise. OK, point taken, jump over the hurdle, don't go under it, I get it. We then moved outside, did more jumps and then went through a tunnel. Mommy got to the other end of the tunnel so I could see her, she called me, I ran through and got a treat. After a few times, we ran together and I ran through and got my treat at the end. Next was the A-frame. I ran right up it, got a treat at the top, then ran down and got another treat! Very cool! We did that some more, then moved to a hoop we jumped through and got our treat on top of a table. I think so far I like the A-frame best.

These are the dogs in my class: an American Eskimo, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Cocker Spaniel, Dalmatian, Border Collie (mix?), and a Golden Retriever puppy who I barked at because it looks like that dog on TV that always runs towards me - that dog is called Marley. He/she is some kind of movie star, but I just hate how she always tries to run through the TV at me! The dalmatian is also named Riley but he's a boy. His mommy kept telling him to leave me alone, but he didn't bother me...except one time when he spooked me so I barked at him.

Oh, our training place is called Alchemy Dog Training and you can see their website at: http://www.alchemydogtraining.com/. Anne is the lady in charge and she's a good lady to know because she always has yummy treats! If you can, go see her because she will share her treats with you and her classes are really fun!

Tonight mommy practiced with me, then Fin. Fin's not in the class but she practiced with him too. He took this class when I was a puppy so he kind of knows what he's doing. Personally, I think he just wanted the treats (like me!). Mom took some pictures of us tonight so you could see us in the tunnel. Can't you tell what fun we had?!

It's hot and humid tonight so I have to lay on the floor and cool off...

Bye for now,

Riley