Haiyla Contact Training

Update 2012 - in her first year of competing in 2011 (she actually did one competition in 2010, but Elaine suffered a serious injury and couldn't compete again for over 8 months) .... Haïyla has done Elaine proud.
Home-trained by Elaine, she competed just 7 times during the year and had
3 x 1st, 2 x 2nd and 1 x 3rd places amongst her results ! She and Elaine have received many compliments from fellow competitors and from both French and English judges.

Please note : if video stops, pause it and wait a minute
before playing.

With the national agility competition in mind and in an effort to speed up Gracie in the weaves, we have been taking our ' training weaves ' to various locations. Gracie powers through the weaves at home, but usually is a good bit slower when in competitions. So the idea is to help her with working in 'un-familiar surroundings'. This agility 'jump and weave entry' training session was carried out in nearby La Roche Bernard.

So far in her first 5 competitions, Haïyla, now 2 yrs, has won
two 1st places, one 2nd place
and one 5th place - she is entirely home-trained.

Agility competition in Vertou. Torrential rain was the order of the day....That said, some great results by Cheryl with Daisy and by Elaine with Haiyla. Gracie was, of course just dependable ol' Gracie, clear rounds all the way!

Elaine and Gracie recently attended the regional agility finals. They worked hard during the day and earned a place in The National Agility Finals. They will be competing in the south of France in July for the Pays de la Loire team. Well done both!

18/07/10 saw us attending an agility competion at Lucon (our club). The video on the right tells the story of this day.

Today it was so hot that I decided that the dogs needed a swim.
I needed one too!

Gracie, ficelle & Haiyla on their walk to the nearby river Vilaine.
This was Haiyla's first visit to the river bank!

Then came Ficelle.

Finally to the delight of the children, Haiyla , then7 month's old puppy 'did her bit'.
Update 2012 - the Head Teacher of this school now brings her labrador for training with Elaine and has asked that we repeat this demonstration for the school again this year, as the children are still talking about it and she feels it is an important part of their education !

Gracie and Elaine competed in agility for their very first time on
19th April 2009. They were both very nervous, first time in front of a
large crowd in the agility 'circuit'. Despite their anxiety they performed
excellantly. 62 dogs took part in this particular event, with around 30
of them being eliminated. Gracie & Elaine completed a 'clear round'
which gave them 9th position, beating many experienced 'old hands'
in the process. Well done both!

Update 2012 : Gracie and Elaine were selected for the Pays de La Loire Regional Team 2011 and competed at the National Champsionships of the Grand Prix de France - in reality they had been competing for less than 2 years (due to Elaine's serious injury in July 2010) !!!
Elaine took the decision to retire Gracie from competition in September 2011 as she will be 10 years old in February. A short, but very successful agility career for Gracie Girl. xxx

Gracie and Elaine were asked to give a demonstration of their dancing in Chateaubriant on 11th April 2009 to promote the opening of a new Dog Club. A total of over 200 visitors were able to enjoy the displays of dancing, agility and obedience throughout the day. Elaine didn't drop the cane during the other 3 dances (but Gracie did stop to have a scratch during one - which delighted the crowd!). The video here was the first dance in the morning - for the Mayor and the press.

Gracie now wants her own dressing room with her name in lights!

Haiyla also joined in the fun - showing the visitors what a 5-month- old puppy is capable of in the obedience ring. She made us very proud and everyone was suitably impressed!