After Alfie passing his basic training and Bronze and Silver Good Citizen Awards in 2007, we decided we needed to channel some of Alfie's excessive energy into something else and started to look for local agility training classes. We found a local club, but it was to be a year before we got a place as the club was so popular - but it was to be well worth the wait.
In June 2008, seven months before we started our classes, our club KATS were running a have a go small course at a local fun show, so Alfie had a go which you can see at the link below.
In December 2008, Alfie myself and Tim attended a Christmas party at KATS Agility Club where we took part in lots of fun games and races. We really enjoyed this party and the club members were very friendly and welcoming. Alfie won his first Agility rosette for a clear round on a small Agility course and that was it... we were hooked.
Here we are at the party
Taking part in the musical statue game
Taking part in a race..go Alf goooooooooooo!
At the moment we are in a beginers class and, since joining KATS, Alfie has gained in his confidence as have I - but we both still have a long way to go. Alfie being a Samoyed is quite a barker but has done very well in having to keep his excessive barking under control and I am pleased to say we have even got though a class with as little as three barks.
Here we are in action Alfie just loves the tunnels.
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Alfie can be very over excitable at class and has been the class clown many times, raising a laugh from our other class members. I am convinced he likes to make people laugh and the more laughter he hears, the more he plays up. His best trick is to totally blank what I am asking of him and run off and take himself through a tunnel or two, as this is his favourite piece of equipment. Or he just does his own thing from time to time and you can see him in action at the link below...Well I don't want to just show you the good stuff!
http://www.dailymotion.com/user/Flufftersmum/video/x8pr0d_how-not-to-do-agility-by-alfie_animals
Alfie has taken to all the equipment he has been trained to use at class and so far not refused to use any of it. However, when we are at home trying to practice over his own jumps, he can get a little lazy - but then he does not get the same buzz at home that he gets at club. Alfie is very fast on his feet and I have a way to go until I can keep up with him and learn to place myself better, but it will come and we do try and work as hard as we can while at class.
The link below shows Alfie training at home with his very slow head on!
http://www.dailymotion.com/user/Flufftersmum/video/x8pqr2_go-alf-go-or-not_animals
March 19th 2009 was a date to remember for Alfie and I as we were presented with the Metcalfe Memorial Bowl for Best starter. Tim and I were both so proud of Alfie and so very chuffed to have won this lovely prize which is displayed proudly at home and we get to keep for a year until it is passed on to the next lucky winner.
KATS Demo 13th June 2009
On the 13th June 2009 Alfie and I took part with K9 friends and owners from our club in an agility Demo at a local fete.
We did not get a clear round but Alfie had so much fun as you will see in the link below and we were still very proud of him.
Photo's from the day can be found at this link
http://community.webshots.com/user/AgilityAlf
