TDAA
AKC AGILITY
This fast competition demonstrates the dogs' natural speed and agility. The dog navigates through an obstacle course of jumps, ramps, tunnels, tables and bridges as fast as possible without making a mistake to earn titles of Novice, Open, Excellent, Master and MACH.
Here is a list of local dog clubs that offer agility classes to their curriculum. We are not endorsing any one of these clubs, please check them out for their locations and classes to see if they meet to your training standards. NOTE: WHWTCWPA has many links to many external pages. These external links are only being listed as a means to assist people in locating other websites. These links are NOT an endorsement and the links should be considered separate and distinct from WHWTCWPA. In addition, if there are organizations listed on this site and do not want to be listed, please let the webmaster know immediately, and the links will be removed immediately.
www.keystonecanine.com www.pawmark.com/ccoc
www.wcotc-dog.com www.butlerdogtraining.com
www.wpka-inc.org www.gcdoc.com
www.k9cpe.com www.pittsburgh-dog-training.com
EARTHDOG TESTS
The Westie is a hunter, bred to go to ground after badger, fox, groundhog and other burrowing animals. These tests are open to all small terriers and simulate the underground conditions for the skilled hunter. As they become more adapted to their natural instincts they can earn the titles of Jr., Sr., and Master Earthdog. For more detailed information go to: www.wpaearthdog.org
| W. PA. 2009 Earthdog Practice Schedule W.Pa Earthdog Club, 165 Mt. Olive Rd. Champion, Pa 15622 |
| $3.00 per family (NON-members) to practice your earthdog(s) skills |
| Sat/Sun May 16-17 Training Weekend | |
| Sunday June 14 @ 10 - 12 P.M. | |
| Sunday July 12@ 10 - 12 P.M. | |
| Sunday August 9@ 10 - 12 P.M. | |
| AKC Earthdog Test August 14 - 15, 2010 7 - 4pm | |
Our Favorite Earthdog Sites
www.wpaearthdog.org www.lackawannakc.org
www.scottieclubofdc.org www.ycdtc.org
We've all seen movies with dogs following the trail of an escapee through swamps. The AKC's Tracking Tests allow dogs to demonstrate their natural ability to recognize and follow human scent. This vigorous outdoor activity is great for canine athletes. Unlike Agility and Obedience events that require a dog to qualify three times, a dog only needs to complete one track successfully to earn each title. There are four levels of tracking titles. The AKC is currently proposing more tracking levels.
Tracking Dog (TD)
A dog earns a TD by following a track 440 to 500 yards long with three to five changes of direction. The track is laid by a human tracklayer and is "aged" 30 minutes to two hours before the dog begins scenting. The goal is to use the scented track to locate an article left at the end of the trail by the tracklayer. The owner follows the dog on a long leash and can encourage the dog during the tracking test.
Tracking Dog Excellent (TDX)
The TDX is earned by following an "older" track (three to five hours) that is also longer (800 to 1,000 yard) and has five to seven directional changes with the additional challenge of human cross tracks.
Variable Surface Tracking (VST)
In the real world, dogs track through urban settings, as well as through wilderness. A VST dog has demonstrated this ability by following a three- to five-hour-old track that may take him down a street, through a building and other areas devoid of vegetation.
Champion Tracker (CT)
A dog that has successfully completed all three tracking titles (TD, TDX and VST) earns the prestigious title of Champion Tracker.
Owners who do tracking with their dogs find joy in seeing the dogs at work using their innate scenting skills. If you and your dog like the outdoors, try tracking!
This is a long but perfect story for the agility team in you.
The Perfect Run
A man dies and goes towards the light. There is no pearly gate, no rainbow
bridge just an overwhelming presence. He falls face down and cries out "God
help me". It is a simple prayer he has often repeated in time of stress.
He was totally unprepared for what happened next. A voice says "never fear
my child I am here. I'll take a simple form and we'll have a talk". The
man was filled with peace and knew he had met his Maker. He realized he was
being helped to his feet. The man that helped him to his feet had a
radiance unlike anything he had seen before. He became aware of the
conversation covering his life, beliefs, and why he should be admitted to
heaven. God said he had one last test. The man had competed in agility and
had always wanted one more run with his favorite partner. God said he would
grant one final run. A perfect run and he and his dog would be granted
access to heaven. A failure and he would not be allowed in. The man said
to God win or lose thank you for one more run. The man looked in the crowd
but could not see his beloved partner. He asked God were he needed to go to
find his faithful teammate. God called the man to him and said to stare
into his eyes. Unbelievable peace and joy filled the man's soul. God
started to change into bright overpowering light. The man became aware of a
movement in the light. It grew and grew and there was his friend. He was
bowled just like so many times on earth. His face was being licked, a tail
beat his legs and a playful reunion was had.
There were several agility teams there that day. God was to be the judge.
The exhibitors walked the course and the man was to be the third team to
run. He watched the first team it was a beautiful start, the team looked so
perfect, he smiled at their teamwork, it was poetry to watch. Then it
happened, the handler took their eye off the dog and it took an off course.
"You idiot!" yelled the handler. "What were you thinking"? A curtain
covered the field and God voice could be heard but not understood. When the
curtain parted the previous team was gone. God beckoned the next team to
the line. This team looked even better. Then a bar was knocked. The
handler went to the dog and beat it. The man wanted to go to the dog's aid
but an icy stare from a near by angel froze him in his tracks. The curtain
quickly drew around the ring. God's voice boomed and the ground trembled.
When the curtain parted the team was gone. God motioned for the man to come
to the line. A quick placement at the line, one last scratch of the dog's
ear, as was their ritual. The stay was perfect the man smiled overjoyed for
one last run and the gleam in his old partner's eye. The man gave the
command and released his dog. The run was one of the rare one's. The
connection so right, the unexplainable feeling of being in harmony with
your
dog. Both the man and the dog beamed. One last cross and they would be
headed home. The man realized in an instant he had moved to soon. "I'm
sorry, that was my fault." he said sheepishly. They finished in fine form
but it was not a clean run. The curtain drew. God came over but before God
could speak the man fell to his knees. "I'm sorry it wasn't a perfect run
but thank you for one last run. It was so fun but I just blew that cross."
"Please don't punish my dog for my mistake he only did what I trained
him to
do." God lifted the man to his feet. "You passed the test." God said with a
smile. "I don't understand." stammered the man. "It wasn't a clean run."
God answered. "I didn't say your dog wouldn't go to heaven if you failed
nor that the run had to be clean" The man answered "you said it had to be
perfect". God answered. "You see I said the run had to be perfect, not
clean. Up here there is a big difference. You see nobody can run this
course clean. The joy of the run, the connection so close makes it
impossible to run this course clean. That is part of the test. Do you take
responsibility for your mistake; do you treat your dog, my gift of love to
you, with respect? The perfect runs are the runs where the handler takes
responsibility for their mistakes and allows the dog to make his. The dog
doesn't care if the run is clean they just want to have fun. You really
passed the test before you ran. You thanked me whether you won or lost.
Also, don't think I didn't notice you reacted when that other handle abused
the dog. You have shown great love. That was the test. To me your run was
a thing of beauty, your conduct even better." The owner smiled. "May I have
one request?" the man asked. God smiled and said "I know you want to watch
the other runs. If you look past the ring you'll see your old ratty chair.
I would love to have company today." The man saw some stunning runs but
also some crazy runs. Dogs that did nothing but visit all the heavenly
host. Dogs that knocked every bar. Dogs that sailed over every contact.
He smiled each time as the curtain closed and watched God inform the
handlers that though not clean they were still perfect. He realized he never saw
another run where the handler was mean. Every run he saw brought another
team to the sideline. Cheers arose and people rejoiced. It then dawned on
the man. He was no longer waiting to get to heaven, he was already there.
At the end of the runs the man said to God you must be pleased only two
teams failed. With a tear running down his face God said. "If only that
was true. Once you pass you only see those that pass" "But enough of that
we have a rainbow bridge to go visit: Some more of your friends want to see
you."
