Tuesday 30 December 2008

Happy New Year Everyone!

Hello,

It’s been a little while since I’ve posted, have been enjoying the festive season and relaxing!

Scott has been working hard on a new turn method I have been using, based on a technique from Finland. I will tell you more about it soon but he is now starting to wrap and prepare for each jump, its coming on very well.

I would now like to say a HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone, please keep supporting LGT and this blog, it is really appreciated. I would like more people to become LGT Blog followers, if you would like to follow the LGT blog then please follow the link in top left of this screen.

HAVE A GREAT 2009 – HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

Best Wishes - Lee

LGT Workshop DVD – Out now. Order from:
www.leegibsontraining.com

Friday 19 December 2008

Finland Update - Some pictures



These shots were taken from training at the KKK Club, Finland. I wish I could find a purpose built venue like this in the UK!

DVD now onsale: www.leegibsontraining.com

Finland Update Day 2

Moi, Hello!

I’m having a well deserved rest day today! I have been in Helsinki since Wednesday evening. We landed in snow, but that has since gone.

Last night I conducted a 2 x 2hour training seminar for 2 groups of 5. We specifically looked at shaping the dogs onto tight turns from a distance. I was working with the handlers on having the confidence to send their dogs into turns, waiting and rewarding them for making the turn. This was giving the dogs confidence and drive into the jumps.

A quick summary from last night (Hope you can understand my Finnish!)

Muistakaa tekniikat joita harjoittelimme. On tärkeää antaa koiran tehdä käännökset itsenäisesti ja palkata koira siitä, että se etenee itsenäisesti seuraavalle esteelle.

Ratapiirustukset tulevat tälle sivulle, kun olen takaisin Englannissa.

Jotkut kysyivät koulutus DVD:stäni. Voit tilata omasi netti sivuiltani: www.leegibsontraining.com

LGT Workshop DVD – Out now, order from: www.leegibsontraining.com


Best Wishes To All – I’m having a relaxing day looking for Reindeer!!

Sunday 14 December 2008

LGT Workshop DVD - Out Now


Hey everyone...

It is finally done!!! I have copied the text below from my website:


"The eagerly anticipated LGT Workshop DVD is now available.

It is my pleasure to introduce the new Training DVD from LGT. With six separate chapters studying Common Traps, Weaves, Contacts, Obstacle Discrimination, Waits and Working Courses, the LGT Workshop DVD gives structure and explanation to what you should be training with your dog, and why.

In a watchable and entertaining format, the DVD not only introduces and applies key training skills that Lee has developed, but also gives examples, course plans, summary pages and various demonstrations of how to teach, assess and build on the skills being taught."
Find out more at http://leegibsontraining.com/ and click DVD page or click the image above.
I would like to thank my co-producer Gina Graham for all her hard work and dedication to make this project happen!! Many Thanks.

Best wishes - Lee

ps - LGT xmas dinner pics coming soon, well done for the attendance and dress code!!

Thursday 11 December 2008

11th December Update

Hello,

Not much to report because again, this week has fallen bad of a frozen course. I’ve done about 3 lessons that’s been it. Also done nothing with my dogs (except walk them), but have been busy all the same working on my project!!

Am looking forward to the show on Saturday but more towards the LGT Xmas party, Saturday evening, will be a fun event. Black Tie remember...!!

Hope everyone reading this is well. Best wishes

Lee

Sunday 7 December 2008

Wyre 6th December

Hey everyone, It’s been a funny old week this week. The sub zero temperatures have meant I lost 4 days of lessons to the weather, but I’ve been working at a local bar which has kept me busy. Also been working very hard on the Latest LGT project, news is about to break on this, I can’t say just yet, but I will break it here on the release date (later this week!).
Scott had 3 really good runs yesterday, the best being a 5th in grade 5 agility with some nicely held contacts, and nearly going up the aframe two obstacles too soon! He also ran very well in the jumping, just two poles, and the agility, where I sent him over the wrong jump! He was working very well.


Jack had some excellent runs, especially in the grade 7 jumping, and Che managed three clears out of three, and a 10th place.

Well done to David and Cae who won again (now in grade 5!), this time grade 5 jumping small, and also Gina with Rum who won grade 5 jumping large. Well done to the other LGT members who also did well. Lyn had a clear with Flynn in G3 Alice and Christine also had some nice runs.

Im off to work now, was frozen out again today, will see for tomorrow!

Regards - Lee

Saturday 29 November 2008

Update and training exercise

Hello.

Im having a weekend off this week. After lots of private lessons over the last couple of weeks, im taking it easy today and tomorrow.

Ive had a few texts from people I train who went to a local show in Shropshire today, and it sounds like they did well which is pleasing.

Training News – Exercise!

I’ve attached an exercise in this post. Its a great discrimination/decision making exercise to do with your dog, work it from behind, and in front. Look to move once the dog has made a decision. Don’t move too soon or you will be forcing the dog into a snap decision.
The numbers are where you should stand, the arrows represent the path of the dog!



Let me know how you get on. I’m off for dinner now! All the best everyone.

Sunday 23 November 2008

Newton Heath Show 23rd November

Saturdays show was the first for a long while, and to be honest it showed! Scott was running his first garde 5 courses, and was flying into all the jumps like a train! We didn’t have the tightest turns ever, but everything else was pretty good. No places, but a fun day.

Jack on the other hand was fantastic in a grade 7 jumping class, coming 4th out of 83 dogs 0.7 behind the winner, and he was working nice. Che was also good and only a small split second behind Jack.

If I’m honest the day belonged to the people I have been training, including Ceri Jones with Teckyn who managed a fantastic 2nd place in their first day of grade 6, and also David Russell, who won his first grade 4 class with Cae. Well Done!

Well done to Alice Moodey, I saw some nice runs in grade 6 classes with Pip. I know Gina Graham also had a 2nd place with Ember in grade 6 jumping. Well done to you all.

Im busy with lots of lessons again this week, best wishes everyone. Lee

Monday 17 November 2008

Training Day at Wyre - November 15th

Saturday I ran a training day at Wyre, in Lancashire. I split the groups (I had two groups of 10 for 3.5 hours each) into two groups of 5, with one side focusing on turn exercises and tightening of turns, whilst the other side looked at Contact theory and handling certain sequences from a distance.

The groups swapped over half way through each session. I did a lot of work on motivation with some of the more inexperienced dogs, and made sure all the handlers were clear about their roles when training their dogs, especially in things like contact theory. I was impressed with even the most inexperienced dogs and handlers, and I know that everyone had plenty to take away with them and practice!

Below is the flick to tunnel exercise we did, with the handlers point marked by the numbers, and the dogs line by the path.





This week I have a lot of lessons, and will be training my dogs ready for Newton Heath show on Saturday, which include Scott’s first grade 5 classes!

Sunday 9 November 2008

Sunday 9th December

Training day at Taunton, Somerset.


I did a training day at Buckland agility on Saturday. Again I had a fantastic time and was most impressed with the standards of the groups. We worked in particular on shaping the dogs on jumps/obstacles before sharp turns and then worked on getting the dogs to positively drive onto sections of the course.

All the handlers developed the skills well and I’m sure everyone will use the skills to enhance their handling and push their performance levels even higher.

I felt very positive at the end of the day that everyone was really motivated to go and practice what we had been doing! Well done everyone.


Here is the basic pattern we were working on, remember the key areas to hold your position and send the dogs!!


Thursday 6 November 2008

November 6th

I was a bit slow updating this week, had a lot on my mind shall we say. That and watching the new James Bond film Tuesday. It was good, but not as good as Casino Royal.

The training night in Blackburn on Monday went well, the photo’s didn’t come out though, or rather I didn’t charge the camera from Sunday. I did some of the key things with the group Monday, and introduced them to some send away techniques, as well as contact theory, which Scotty helped me demonstrate... until he decided to stay glued to the contact despite me saying the release, was very funny at least if not a little embarrassing but could have been worse!

This week has been busy for lessons. I’ve set up a course from the Kennel Club Festival British Open class, and it is great fun to work. I’ve just been training Scott, Jack & Che on it. All three are entered in Dartmoor show on Sunday but I’ve decided to wait until Newton Heath to compete again, and Scott will then be grade 5, rather than grade 4.

I am off to a training day in Taunton on Saturday; it is going to be nice to see some of the groups I have worked with before again.

LGT Members News – 13th December Meal, I now have the menu sheets done, and need them back before December 1st. Thanks - Lee

www.leegibsontraining.co.uk

Monday 3 November 2008

2nd November

Training day at Aberystwyth.

Today was an early start, leaving at 6am to arrive just after 8am. The training was indoors and was at a venue south of Aberysthwyth.

I had decided to split the group into 3 x 2 hours and had 6 dogs and handlers in each session.


Many of the handlers were there all day and watched the other groups. I encouraged people to make notes on what we had done (however the pattern we were using is below) so they could go away and build on the foundation work we had been doing.



I had some very good feedback and asked a few of the handlers to come and train at LGT to develop the skills and techniques we had talked about during the day.



Today I travel up to Blackburn, Lancashire for a training evening tonight. I am taking Scott to use as a demo dog!!


Thursday 30 October 2008

Thursday 30th October



Hello,

Here is the current scene at LGT! We have had a very unusual 4 inches of snow over Wednesday night. I was actually training until 7pm in possibly the worst conditions Ive ever trained in!

Today I had to cancel all of my lessons but im hopeful that tomorrow the course will be okay!

I have a training day on Sunday on the Welsh coast at Aberystwyth, thankfully its in doors!

Enjoy these pictures I took earlier!





Sunday 26 October 2008

Denmark - Sunday 26th

Today was very productive if not a little bit wet! We covered contacts, discrimination and courses. I started the day off with a talk (inside!) with the use of a laptop and some of Scott’s videos from my website to demonstrate foundation training, progression and long term results.

We then went on to break the group up in three groups of four, and despite the rain and wind, built on the contact theory we had previously discussed. After an 90 minutes and an assessment of everyone’s method we moved on the discrimination of obstacles, using seesaw and weaves, tunnel under A-frame and dog-walk.

We then went on to look at this course in the afternoon, which enabled handlers to draw together everything we had done over the weekend. The group worked really well and I was very pleased with the progress.



I would like to especially thank Lars Bang for the fantastic time I have had here in Denmark, and thanks to everyone in the training seminar for being a pleasure to train!

Keep up the hard work!

I fly back to BHX at 10am (UK time) tomorrow morning. Lee

Saturday 25 October 2008

Denmark - Saturday 25th



Today was a really good day. I had a group of 12 for the whole day and had decided upon a list of things I wanted to cover over the weekend, these were as follows:

Warm-up Theory/Routine
Waits
Directional’s
Turns & Cross Behinds
Send-A-ways
Boxes
Weave Entries & Pick ups
Pull Through’s
Contacts & Contact Method Theory (including teaching and reinforcement)
Obstacle Discrimination
Course Walking
Handling Courses




Today we got as far as doing the pull through’s. Everyone worked really well and enjoyed what we did. The weather was great and we had a lot of fun (and some very nice Danish Cakes too!)




Tomorrow the weather forecast is not great though, and I want to do everything on the list from contacts, which is first up tomorrow!
I’m feeling pretty tired now, early night I think! Lee

Friday 24 October 2008

Denmark - Friday 24th

Hello - I’ve had a fantastic time in and around Copenhagen today. Lars showed me a Castle called Kronborg from which I could see Sweden, and we went to visit the iconic Little Mermaid in Copenhagen docks.



Tomorrow we will be training for around 6 hours. Saturday I intend to do lots of exercises and cover everything (contacts, turns, weaves, etc) and Sunday build on that to work on handling courses.








Enjoy the photos (It was raining/windy so hard/much!!) Best wishes to everyone - Lee

Thursday 23 October 2008

Training weekend Denmark - Thursday 23rd

Good day,

Today I fly to Copenhagen, Denmark for my training weekend. The flight is at 7pm from Birmingham and Im looking forward to the weekend. I have lots planned.

The weather is however very rough, and Im not looking forward to the flight quite as much!!

Have my camera also :)

Monday 20 October 2008

Newton Heath Training Day Review






Firstly I would like to thank NHDTC for their great hospitality, food, and banter! It was a real pleasure doing the training day and I had great fun. We covered and built upon the stuff we had done 7 months ago in March, and everyone went away pleased and having learnt something. That always makes me happy.


We did 3 x 2 hour sessions, which enabled me to focus on each group very specifically. We looked at sending dogs on to obstacles from a tight angle turn, cross behinds, discrimination (decision making), and weaves (I in fact based a lot of the exercises on weave entries and pickups). There is a diagram of the hardest weave approach we looked at. All the dogs got it in the end, we had to break the exercise down and look at directing the dog from the first of the jumps, not the second. I encouraged handlers to take their time at the first jump, not rush to the second.

I had Scotty with me also, and he found this weave entry also. I was very pleased with the day as a whole and look forward the NHDTC show in November.

Im heading to Copenhagen this Thursday for the training weekend and I will try and keep the blog updated!




Check out the photos. Best wishes, Lee

Thursday 16 October 2008

16 October Update & 6-7 Jumping Course



Hello, Ive been doing lots of training with Scott this week, as well as planning my training day on Saturday.

I said I would upload a course plan for everyone to practice, its the course I used in Belfast for grade 6-7 jumping. Course time 50 seconds! Enjoy... and dont rush the weave entry!!!

Monday 13 October 2008

Update 13th October

I have not been up to much of particular relevance for the last few days, so haven’t had much to post here!! It’s been a weekend off from agility spent down in Cardiff.

I have been training Scotty on the weaves again, and he is picking some really good entrances up, I’m very pleased. I have a fairly busy week this week of training, and also am going to Hereford for a training night tomorrow and Manchester for a training day Saturday, which should be fun as I had a lot of fun when I was last up there!

Hope everyone is well, best wishes - Lee

Tuesday 7 October 2008

Belfast Judging Review

Sunday 5th October: Sunday was also my birthday (thank you to everyone who sent best wishes etc) and I was pleased that the weather was dry and not wet like the day before. I had 12 classes to judge and had designed a jumping course that I could easily adapt for each class. I will just like to say that I don’t actually like judges to set course similar from the one before, but I had a flight booked at 6.30pm and also I built the ring myself as there was very few ring party, so I decided to keep changes to a minimum!

The classes ran well, and I enjoyed my day. I had a particularly challenging grade 6/7 jumping course that was really fun to handle. (I will try and get a copy on here soon).

I flew back into Birmingham at half 7, and drove home. I was shattered by the time I got home. I would however like to thank the lovely people I met, both in training, at the show and socially. I was looked after so well all week (I can’t seem to get an Ulster Fry in Shrewsbury!) and the friendliness of everyone was fantastic.

Next up in three weekend’s time is a training weekend in Denmark with some of the people I met at Dania Cup 2008.

For now it’s training in the tipping rain back In Shropshire. Will get Scotty back into weave training soon!

Saturday 4 October 2008

Judging October 4th Belfast


Today was one of the most eventful days judging ever! The ground was not good at the venue, I ran 3 classes before calling a halt due to dog/competitor safety. The whole show then ground to a halt as conditions got even worse.

I stated on record that I would not judge on that ground, but an alternative venue had been found (some ones training venue) and the show was moved to that venue for tomorrow.

It was suggested that the YKC qualifier class should be at the new venue today, and after I saw the new ground it was agreed to run that class there, which we did.

I have about 11 jumping classes to judge tomorrow and then my flight home at 6.30pm. Im hoping for some dry weather...

Well done to the LGT crew at Lune Valley.

Friday 3 October 2008

Belfast Training & Judging - Friday 4.45am





Hello.

After finally going to bed about half 4 after a good night out in Belfast, most of today has been spent relaxing.

Yesterdays training sessions was really good. I had some really good feedback and I think everyone went away having learnt something and understood some of the key points I made.

I made a point of thoroughly explaining the contact foundation work, and the importance of sticking to the key concepts and stages to achieve consistent reliable contacts. I use my training with Scott as bases to work/talk through the stages.
Here is a small selection of photo’s from yesterdays training session.



I am setting up my courses later today ready for judging tomorrow, rain is forecast apparently!

All the best - Lee

Thursday 2 October 2008

Belfast Friday 2.50am

This afternoon and evening have been very busy. I trained two groups for 3 hours each, we did loads of work on turns and contacts. A certain handler who goes by the neame of Louise, did very well, and I told her that if she tried a little harder, she could do a bit better!!

Full report to come tomorrow + pics.

I have been out in Belfast City this evening :)

Thursday 10.30am

Arrived safe and well in Belfast. Am now taking a power nap before training at 2pm. I have the group lists and information.

The people I am staying with seem lovely, I had the biggest breakfast ever (yes I have had two today) and have a pot (yes a pot not just a mug!) in my room... Bliss!!

The venue this afternoon is indoors, but the weather here so far is great. Am hoping to do some turn work and motivational work also this afternoon.

Am heading out into the city this evening, not sure how im getting back yet!

Sleep time now, and then an "ulster fry" at 12pm... I await with interest :)

Wednesday 1 October 2008

Belfast Training & Judging - Thursday 6.30am

Good day,

Sat here with bacon roll and a tea (what else!) waiting to board my flybe flight to Belfast City. Was a 3.30am alarm call this morning, so I am hoping for a sleep or so on the plane and where I am staying before training kicks off today at 2pm. I am hoping to do some good work with the groups, giving them an idea of the key issues I believe are important (what I train at LGT) and help improve the training methods used.

More updates soon. Now I have a plane to board :)

Lee

Tuesday 30 September 2008

Dashin Dogs Show Review

Well this is definitely one of the more upbeat LGT blog posts. Scotty won two grade 4 agility classes at Dashin Dogs last weekend. He was fab, and worked really hard to keep the poles up.

Over the whole weekend we only knocked 2 down, and all the runs showed composure one some hard courses. Our clear round percentage was also 50% again, which is pleasing. One of the agility courses had a tough dog walk entry, but Scott (with the help of me putting him out a bit!) was fine onto it. Looking back at the video I am so pleased with his contacts, as I really can just leave him on them. It gave me several advantages in the two classes we won.

Jack and Che also did very well in their grade 7 classes, having 4 top 3 places in total. They were some hard starts which required a decent start line wait, something Jack and Che are very good at, which enabled me to recall through a gap to the far side of a box! (Jacks run is on the end of Scotts video)

Last week I also did a lot of training with Scott. I decided to actually work really tight to him, to practice him keeping his poles up. We did several push rounds also, something I will develop further over the coming months. However I decided to do some tight pushing handling on some of the jumping courses, and Scott coped really well, no poles, just one missed weave entry.

I am off to Belfast this weekend, I fly from Birmingham at 7am Thursday morning, where I will conduct a training seminar Thursday afternoon/evening, and then judge Saturday & Sunday. I intend to take my laptop with me and update what I’ve been up to, I’m not taking any dogs but I think it will be good fun.

Scott’s video of his weekend and two wins is below. Gina and myself spent another day working on an exciting media project yesterday... more will be revealed soon!!



All the best, Lee

Tuesday 23 September 2008

Bromsgrove Agility Show Review

After the events of last weekend it was nice to focus on the agility rather than the journey. Bromsgrove show is only 42 miles away so we did it each day, rather than camping over.
I was intent on improving Scotts clear round percentage this weekend, and after a positive weeks training was in a confident mood that we could get round some courses clear. This proved to be correct and a 50% clear round rate (3 from 6 runs) was a good return.

Scott won grade 3 jumping by 2.4 seconds, and had a 5th place in the open agility. Both runs were technically excellent in my opinion. The second box in the grade 3 jumping class was set so that it really only one chance of working it neatly. As long as I shaped the approached and timed the left and right commands okay, I thought he should do it, and it worked really well. I was very pleased with him and myself for standing still long enough!

The agility class was also pleasing, with two lots of weaves. Watching the video back I am also pleased with the shaping over jump 5 into the second set of weaves. Watching the video (below) back though, I was rather lax working the approach to jump 9, and Scott really recovered well considering. I do need to focus all the way around as we easily lost 0.6 at least there. The grade 3 agility class was nice also. I know for a fact I didn’t give a left weave command, which was defiantly needed. Because he had slightly come off the seesaw, I moved back, and then of course I was moving as he came out of the tunnel, and he looked at me because all I said was ‘go weave’... no directional (big slap for me!) although this was the only missed weave entry all weekend, 6 out of 7 weave pickups is pleasing.

Sunday proved to be more of a reality check, but still had some pleasing elements. We came 5th again in the open jumping class, 0.6 behind the grade 7 winning dog and Scotty also beat Jack, who came 9th 0.8 behind Scott’s time. However what then happened was not quite as pleasing. The grade 3-5 jumping class was technically difficult in two places, Scott worked these as well as any dog, but he knocked three (two consecutive) poles before the weaves. I know his confidence was high, but the manner in which he knocked them proved we still have plenty of work to do.
Our last run in grade 3 ever was in the agility class last thing on Sunday. I admit I did want to win it, and Scott was on course to put in a decent run until he knocked a pole midway round, so I trained the dog-walk and finished the course.

The video is below (thank you to Gina for all your hard work!)

Jack and Che were also running this weekend. Jack had a 9th, 6th and 3rd in grade 7 classes. Che had a 13th in grade 7 agility and a 10th in the open jumping, but also showed some rather poor contacts. Rusty, more like totally memory loss!!

A huge well done to all the LGT crew who had places this weekend: Joyce Lewis, Gina Graham, Wendy Williams, Ceri Jones, David Russel, Lyn Gibson, Christine & Alice all had places and well done :) to you all. If ive missed anyone... apologies again. I struggle to remember my own runs!!All the best, enjoy Scott’s video. Grade 4 up next for Scott at DashinDogs show next weekend!


Wednesday 17 September 2008

Training Event 1st November

Hello.

Ive been training for 4 hours today, and have another 2 hours this evening. I have set up a popular start sequence this week, 2 jumps into a pull through and on to the dogwalk. I have been practicing with Scott today. He was doing well, and we have also done some more weave training!

Ive updated the training day page of my website. I am holding a Training day on the 1st of November. Click here for details

All the best, lee

Monday 15 September 2008

Weekend Review

Hello

Well the weekend at Prestbury park was certainly eventful in more ways than one. We set out in glorious sunshine Friday, but as we neared the venue the rain had started. We were about 4 miles from the venue when the can developed a fault, resulting in a virtual loss of breaks and severe grinding coming from the front left. I stopped and saw that the break calliper was grinding on the wheel, but there was little I could do.

We managed to crawl to the show, where we were faced with the prospect of driving across a soaking wet field. We enviably got stuck, but were camped by the entrance so the RAC man could come and see to our van. He eventually showed up about 8pm, and was quick to diagnose that we were ‘screwed’ and needed a lift home. It was tipping it down by this point, and walking about in mud, I was pretty fed up!

Saturday and Sunday, thankfully turned out to be dry and sunny, and we were taken by recovery truck, without any further incidents, back to Shropshire Sunday evening. Now I can tell you about our runs.

I am the type of person who looks at facts, and I believe results and league tables, for example, do not lie. So with that in mind, I was slightly disappointed, because we ended up with 6 runs, none of which were clear! This sounds pretty bad, and if you consider my other two dogs Jack and Che once had a combined run of 37 consecutive clears (June/July 2006), I consider 0 clears in 6 not to impressive...

However, two of the classes we had just 5f (one pole), in two classes we missed the weave entry, 1 class I sent him over the wrong jump (I was really grumpy at that point haha!) and the other, Scott fell off the dog walk! These were the only mistakes we made. In fact, Scott had 6 stunning runs, he never dropped a directional, or took the wrong course, he worked very very well.
His weave entry training showed some good signs by one of the weaves he picked up (a 90degree left turn out of a straight flat tunnel) where he had to put his head round the first pole. But the real problem is ‘discipline and approach into obstacles’ this was highlighted by the two entries he missed, both were quick approaches to ‘flat’ entries. He is only breaking on entry, which is too late. I need him considering the angle and adjusting accordingly.

What also reinforces my view is when he fell off the dog walk in grade3. The turn was about 110degrees right off a jump. I shaped the jump and was planning a cross behind (knowing Scott will find his contact position every time I can just send him) so I didn’t run in, I watched him lock onto the dogwalk and then accelerate despite the angle. He managed the up plank, but as he struggled to stay on the top plank I knew he was going to come off. He actually twisted quite badly but no damage was done thankfully!

I really have never had a dog with such a consistent high tempo in agility. For his own good he needs to be a little disciplined on his pick-up of obstacles, but we will work on this, I know what he is capable of and we will get there. I am pleased with how the jumps are coming on. Only two poles in six classes is pretty pleasing, but those who know me will know I am always pushing and goal setting, so we still have hard work to do.

Next week we are at Bromsgrove, Scotts last weekend of grade 3. Jack and Che are also back in competition next week after their end of season leave! I have a fairly busy week training again, but will do a bit more with Scotty this week than I managed last week.

A big well one to David & Cae for another win, Janet & Cody for a fabulous 5th place, Ceri and Teckyn who were placed high (I cant quite remember where!), and David with Poppy for some good runs this weekend. Also to Gina and Cas on your places and winning a place in the HTM semi finals!! The other members of LGT had their show cancelled I believe... after they had driven to the north east and walked courses!

All the best, Lee

Thursday 11 September 2008

Training

Hey,

Only a short post today, because in 30mins I start teaching again. Ive done 5 hours so far and have another 2 this evening. Yesterday (Wednesday) I did an epic 10 hours, finishing at 9pm. It was great, because all the lessons were successful, and handlers have been learning lots. I have set up some box exercises this week.

Some of the handlers wanted to see Scott do some contacts, so I managed to get a little bit of training in myself today!

The show at Presbury Park is on, so I will see some of you there no doubt, I hope its dry! Only running Scott this weekend as Jack and Che are having some time off after all the seasons excursions and shows!!
Speak soon - Lee

Tuesday 9 September 2008

Tuesday 9th September



Hello,
Well today was very wet. I did 6 hours of lessons and it was pretty wet all day. It’s now eased a bit, but tomorrow (Wednesday 10th) I have 9 hours of lessons, so it is a busy one!
I had to write an interview piece this evening for a foreign agility Magazine, well I had to finish it, I’ve been working on it for ages, and I dug out some pictures from the summer. I’ve uploaded a couple, one very nice one of Scotty on the dog-walk!
31 different countries have visited this blog so far, I think thats fantastic and would like to say Hello to everyone who is following it. Tell me about yourselves... & please feel free to comment. I hope the formatting improves though!!
Bye
Lee

Monday 8 September 2008

Ps - poor formatting

Sorry about the poor formatting of the latest post ;)

I am still getting used to it, I shall try harder next time!!

LGT - Sunday

Hey everyone.



With the shows being called off, I put on a relaxed training day for everyone at LGT. Thanks for the great support and it also stayed dry which was a bonus!




We did some exercises about directing dogs into some hard weave entries and were comparing the use of front crosses and cross behinds. Then we worked an exercise with the tunnel under a-frame, this proved to be difficult if the handlers got drawn into the space. I was teaching that if the obstacles are close together, then the dog needs space to work in, or they get “pushed” into the tunnel.


We then had a lunch break, a nice spread that everyone helped put together. After lunch we then had a go at a complete course which we worked several ways. It did have traps in it but depening on body language and shaping/the quing of the dog you could make it easier!
I ran Scott all day, he was good and after some of my weave entry training he got all the entries which was pleasing.





Well done everyone for a fun and worthwhile day, you all worked really well!
As for this week, I have very busy week training, but the forecasts are not great. I have my doubts about next weekend’s show if it carries on like this!
Speak soon - Lee


Friday 5 September 2008

No show this weekend!

Hey everyone.

Wrexham and Ows show has been called off due to the weather this weekend. Im not surprised to be fair, its been rough this week! I had 5 lessons yesterday and got soaked, the course is land drained so flooding etc is not normally a problem, but I did cancel this mornings lessons as it was just horrid out.

Those of you who train at LGT and have not yet heard from me about Sunday, please contact me. Im not putting anything up on the website cause I cant take more that ive planned for!

On a social note, i think il head out this evening maybe seeing as we now dont have an early start Saturday!!

Stay dry!

Tuesday 2 September 2008

The first LGT post

Well everyone seems to be jumping on the blog band waggon, so if you cant beat them join them I guess.

I will be posting when im out and about, cause I have pre historic dial up at home, but il try and keep the blog up todate.

Today I did one lesson in the morning, and it rained all day. I live in Shropshire by the way, and today it felt like December!!

I will post LGT news on here, as well as results and congratulations, and anything else that could be of concern...

actually having read some blogs I dont think they do need to be of concern do they?

here is my favourite song at the moment!!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_7Hf2kh9Mz4

Hope everyone is well, please feel free to reply, comment, rate or watever you wish!

Im going home for some dinner now, been a long day ;)