Win a free holiday in beautiful Devon...

Jill Robertson says that she is not a proper agility person. She doesn't have a caravan with or without a garden fence round it or a van kitted out with cages. And she only has one dog - and it's not a collie. Poppy is a two year old, orange, bearded and whiskered Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla for whom Jill took early retirement. They began  agility because Poppy is a clever, active dog who loves humans and dogs and finds jumps and tunnels a bit of a bonus. Because they started competing this year, they decided to take the Devon Dogs Course Analysis Workshop at Bowerland Farm.

I was looking forward to the day. Besides the attractions of homemade soup and bread, it was a chance to see the new Devon Dogs venue including beautiful holiday cottages for Agility Holidays and an opportunity to spend a day with nice doggie people.

I do like course analysis. It gives you rules. I also like breaking rules but it's important to know what the rules are so that you can experience the joy of breaking them.

Matt Rouse presented us with handouts and explained the rules to us in his oh so patient way.  We then had the chance to work out on paper how to apply the rules to give us the quickest line.  I relish that bit because you have to forget the (in)ability of the handler and the strengths of the dog and just do the theory - no delving into the complicated language with which I'm only just getting to grips, no mention of any front, rear or blind crosses, no pushes through, pulls round or indulging in a kind of semaphore without flags. Oh yes, this is the bit for me.

Then we went outside went to the big new agility ring which was a riding school in its previous life to put the theory to the test. With a stop watch, we were able to show that it did indeed give a quicker line with collies, terriers, Labradors and the Orange One.

Following this we had the chance to walk - and then run - a course, putting our decisions into practice. After we'd all had a go, Matt talked us through the decisions we had made and ways to handle it. Some of us were choosing to ignore the rules because of handling issues, but now we knew we were doing so.

After a lunch that was far from disappointing, we returned outside for the next session. This time we walked and discussed the course first before running it. I was particularly grateful as it gave us chance to digest the wonderful repast.

There were some decisions that needed lengthy discussion but eventually we all gave it our best shot. Our final run was a slightly simpler version so that we could end on a high and then we adjourned indoors for tea and plenary when we discussed what we had learnt and what we needed to work on.

All in all it was a very well spent Sunday. The workshop was well planned and executed with plenty of opportunity to ask questions so by the end we were all able to decide the quickest route. The different courses we ran highlighted not only our dogs' strengths but also areas of handling which we need to perfect.

I can't wait for the next. Wonder what the soup will be?

For more details of Devon Dogs courses, workshops or agility holidays ring Carole Langman on m. 07717 696623 or email carole@devondogs.co.uk.

Visit http://www.devondogs.co.uk


Win a Holiday at Beautiful Bowerland Farm

The Langman family is offering you the opportunity to win a free weeks break at Bowerlands Farm. Interestingly, they found the cottages whilst taking part in the TV programme Relocation, Relocation and they decided it would be a perfect place for dog friendly holidays where you could combine a rustic holiday with top class agility instruction and excellent facilities allowing you and your dog to have a lovely holiday.

Bowerland is a classic example of that fast-disappearing phenomenon - the Devonshire farm courtyard. Superbly located on an area of outstanding natural beauty, it  offers character, warmth and a wealth of opportunities for dog lovers including a large paddock and an fab bridleways for dog walking.  For more about the farm and the surrounding area, you can look at the information on the website.

To win a weeks stay at one of the two superbly fitted, self-catering cottages - The Hayloft or the Old Dairy, just write a paragraph or two, describing why you would like  to stay at Bowerlands with your dog.

1st prize is a weeks stay at Bowerlands Farm to be booked by August 2011. 
2nd prize is £100 off a stay at Bowerlands
3rd prize is £50 off a stay at Bowerlands

 
 Any clever runners up will receive a free toy from Tug-E-Nuff Dog Gear

Entries should be emailed to Carole@devondogs.co.uk - Subject Bowerlands Competition. Closing date is 1 December 2010.

Any clever runners up will receive a free toy from Tug-E-Nuff dog gear

Entries should be emailed to Carole@devondogs.co.uk - Subject: Bowerlands Competition. Closing date is 1 December 2010.

About the reviewer...
Jill Robertson has had dogs all her life but contented herself with basic obedience training and lovely long walks, as much as time would allow with three children and a teaching career.

When Poppy, her HWV, came to live with Jill, she  took early retirement. She wanted to find puppy classes to continue Poppy's puppy socialisation. The breed is very sensitive and so she had to be careful in her choice. After two failed attempts with unsuitable classes, by chance she discovered Devon Dogs and often thanks her lucky stars that she did. 

Lauren Langman runs the courses and very obviously adores puppies. Her methods are very positive and rewarding for the dog (and handler). Jill just couldn't get enough and Poppy was so keen to learn. They had to start agility or Jill would have run out of tricks.  Now her sensitive little dog is able to cope with most situations and is learning to live with agility noise and bustle.  Now she just has to find a proper handler!

 Photographer: Lesley Huggins

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