Celebrating 10 years of agility
 Easter 2012 marks the 10th anniversary of
the weekend that Ian Dobison and his rescue dog Tyler
(Ag.Ch. Call Me Mr T) starting competing together. Since then, they've had a amazing working
relationship. They've had a real bond from the
start and they still work totally in tune with each other. Ian pays tribute to his wonder
dog.
Ian got Tyler when he was
just six weeks old from the Dog's Trust in Darlington in November 2000. It was clear from the
start that they had a Special bond.
At their first show in April 2002, Tyler ran under more jumps than jumped over. However, by the
end of the year he had won his first Novice class, and then he won his second Novice to make
him Senior at the third show of 2003. Just a few months later he went Advanced. For nine
of the ten years that Tyler has been competing, he's been a Grade 7 (Advanced) dog.
In April 2004,
they entered their first Championship class (at SBCC). Ian had no real expectations except to
just to try to get in the final. The qualifying runs went perfectly and they got to the final.
That run went perfectly and the rest is history. They won. Ian couldn't believe it. They had
done it at their first attempt.
A year
later, they entered the same show only with more experience running Champ classes under their
belt. Ian approached this one in the same way as the first show, just aiming to get into the
final which they did on faults. They had a perfect run and won their second Champ ticket. One
week later at Woodside, Ian managed to keep focused and they won their third and final ticket
to make Tyler Ag. Ch. Call Me Mr T.
Ian and Tyler are
still
totally in tune with each other on the course.
Every time Ian hears Tyler's name
read out at a presentation - which is often - he feels immensely proud of his little rescue
dog.
 Here are some of their achievements;
-
April 2004 - First
championship run and First Championship Win
-
March 2005 -
Crufts Championship Finalist
-
April 2005 - Second
Championship Win
-
May 2005 - Third
Championship Win (making Tyler Agility Champion)
-
2006-2007 - Supa Dog
Rescue League points winner
-
December 2007 -
Olympia Finalist and Pairs Winner
-
August 2007 - KC
International Festival Nations Cup Team Winner
-
December 2007 -
Pedigree Pairs Finalist
-
December 2008 -
Olympia Finalist and Pairs Winner
-
December 2008 -
Pedigree Pairs Finalist
-
December 2010 -
Olympia Finalist
In
addition to these achievements Ian and Tyler have several hundred wins and places in numerous
classes over the ten years.
 After a brief spell away from agility in the early part of 2009, Ian and Tyler returned to
competitions. Now they only compete in Jumping classes but still regularly place in the top 5
and still win a few classes, too.
Ian only runs rescue dogs and will continue to do so with his youngster Jacob (My Jacob’s
Crackers) now three years old and showing some great potential with a win up to Grade 4 at
their first KC show of the year.
Tyler will be 12 at the end of September and is still doing great. Ian says that as long as
Tyler is still fit and healthy and competitive he will continue to run him at Grade 7.
'We still enjoy going for it and we always aim to win or place high in the results. We have
had such a fantastic time over the last 10 years and I feel privileged to have had such a
loyal, consistent and trusting dog to share all of those experiences with.'
Ian and Tyler (Mr T) would like thank everyone who has advised and supported them throughout
their agility career.
They are going to celebrate their 10th year anniversary by
presenting Special Commemorative
Trophies in five classes
at Hare 'n' Hounds
Easter show on Saturday, 7
April. Chris Hare has
bought extras trophies and bottles of champers for so they can make a fuss of the 'old boys!'
 About
the author...
Ian Dobison lives in Lincoln with his partner Claire Stainton and their rescue dogs.
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