Thursday 31 December 2009

Happy new year 2010, from Lee

Happy New Year 2010

Well, a simple message from me for the dawn of 2010.

It has been an eventful last 12 months, there have been many highs, lows, moments of sheer joy, and moments of utter disappear.

There will have been exciting, happy times. Times that you will always remember, moments you wish had never ended, experiences that you were all too glad that they had, and as it turned out most recently, moments in your life when you realise your surrounded by so many fantastic people who when you really need them, are willing to do all they can to help you.

That is a special feeling. In fact it keeps you even more motivated and determined to succeed.

That is, as I believe, is what we should embrace and take into the New Year. The special people in your life are special for a reason. Mine are, and I will try my best to be for them.

I wish a healthy and successful 2010 for everyone.

Live it, and live it well.

Lee

www.leegibsontraining.com

Tuesday 29 December 2009

Thank you to everyone – the happy ending to this story!

Thank you thank you thank you everybody!

Scott and Flynn are back home and safe. I was reunited with them at around 7pm Tuesday evening. They had been missing since 12.30pm Christmas eve. We are still not sure quite why they went, they certainly don’t chase sheep, and maybe followed a walker or were encouraged to follow them... we really don’t know.


They firstly were sighted at All Stretton, at a farm. They were fed, but not caught and were still roaming around. Sometime in the evening of Christmas eve, they were sighted in the town of Church Stretton. I have been told that they were very close to being knocked down by a car, so they are very lucky.


A lady and husband managed to catch the dogs. The incident was reported to the police but they failed to make a connection between two missing border collies on Christmas evening in SY5, and two border collies found on Christmas evening in SY6.


So Scott and Flynn were taken to their new home about six miles away from our house at a farm / small house. They were looked after by a lady and two men for the next few days...


Meanwhile my parents had a horrible Christmas, having rang national trust, police, local farms etc, nothing at all came up. Every few minutes they went out to shout and look, however most of the time they were out anyway searching the hills with our neighbours.


As some of you know I was in fact abroad in Scandinavia, and only found out about the seriousness of the situation on my return 10pm Sunday evening. I was gutted, as it was already a few days on. However I believed I could & would find them, or what happened to them if I dug deep enough, and acted fast. Both dogs were micro chipped, so I was hopeful that they would be scanned!


So at 10pm, driving back from Birmingham airport, we set about getting the word spread everywhere. I contacted some of my close agility friends who took on certain aspects of the search for me. Clare Donnelly is my vet, and she immediately started networking those avenues. I posted on my blog, twitter, and Facebook. Many of you saw the news through this.


Ceri Jones and Dave Russell also took on a lead role in the next few hours. Monday morning I was up early and phoning numbers I had pulled off the net, and liaising with Ceri, Clare & Mum (who was speaking to every farmer in South Shropshire!) about any possible leads.


After speaking to a nice lady at www.doglost.co.uk and another national search co-ordinator (who also went to great lengths to tell me off for being a bad dog owner!) Ceri, David and I began littering various area’s with posters.
The information was now circulated nationally on websites and related forums. Agilityaddicts forum being one.


My phone was going crazy, so many kind offers of help and people wanting to come and help look, or asking what they could do. This was amazing and really humbled me, but my belief was that the dogs were not loose and running, but were somewhere being held, or taken, or, well you know what you think in those situations. We had to get some clue.


Alice and Christine took charge of ringing the radio stations for me, and after I had driven around to Church Stretton to put up posters, I returned home at about 4.30pm with still nothing to go on at all.


At about 5pm Monday evening I got a call from Ceri, who sounded positive about something. She had heard from a friend, that someone had seen the posters and recalled a convocation in a local pub that two strays had been picked up on Christmas eve. She gave me a description and a pub to head to, which I promptly did.


The put was the called the Crown Inn, at Wentnor. I went in with my poster and asked if anyone knew of this person who had claimed to have taken in two strays. The locals were very helpful and sent me toward a nearby farm...
This farm turned out to be the wrong place. It was a double farmhouse with a old lady being the only one in. I could see her sat in her front room in her arm chair, asleep in front of the TV. Of course I was desperate to speak to her, and eventually nearly gave her heart failure by banging on the living room windows. She thought I was a thief, and would barely open the door in case I robbed her. So I had little joy so headed back to the pub to ask again.


This time a local fella spoke to me and said the place I wanted to try was down the other way, so we both jumped into the van again and drove to the small building in the middle of nowhere. Sure enough we had located them!


We opened the front/barn door, and were greeted by two men and a very content Scott & Flynn. They had been looked after very, well, and I was told that they were not going to take these lovely dogs to a kennels or anything, but wait for someone to claim them... they also said they would miss Scott & Flynn a lot as they had ‘settled in so well!’


I went back to the pub to tell them the good news, and then I took them home and let them barge in on Mum and Dad, the dogs were happy, Mum and Dad were happy, and I was overjoyed. Really over joyed.


What has amazed me the most is the amount of support I have had over the last few days. I have so many people to thank, the local vets, kennels, councils, national trust, pub owners and drinkers. The people who helped me especially, there are so many to name but Ceri Jones and David Russel did such a lot without asking. Thank you so much.


To everyone who has posted on the forum, on my Facebook (I have not had time to get on there yet, as we only have dial-up internet but I will do!), the people who offered to come and help look from literally North, South, East and West.. it means such a lot, it really does.


A big thank you to everyone who contacted me by mail, phone, and internet, and everyone who helped. I am trying to get round to speaking to everyone, but the story ended happily for all!


Happy New year to everyone!


Lee, Lyn & Row, Scott & Flynn (from their ball and chain!)

Sunday 27 December 2009

Two Missing Dogs Shropshire - Please Help

On Christmas eve around 12.00pm two of our dogs went missing. Scott is a Tri colour, and Flynn is a Red and White. Both Intire Males, Both Microchipped.

Both dogs were at home - Ratlinghope, 5 miles west of Church Stretton (SY50SR) when they went missing

Police and local authorities have been informed...

Any help really appreciated.

Lee - 01588650638

Tuesday 22 December 2009

Tonsberg, Stavangar, Frankfurt, Hotel, Birmingham, Shrewsbury.. home!

Hi,

I have just returned to England.. only 19 hours late and after 3 separate flights, two rescheduled journeys, and a overnight stay in Frankfurt...


I am shattered.. still in the clothes I left Tonsberg in yesterday morning, tired, fed up of queuing in lines at the airports, cancelled flights and hundreds and hundreds of stranded passengers struggling to get home for Christmas.


My route originally was from Tonsberg to Amsterdam and then to BHX, but they rerouted me first flying from Tonsberg to Stavanger (5 hours later) then fly to Frankfurt, and then to Birmingham, however when we made it to Frankfurt, the flights were grounded due to the horrendous snow. So then ensued hours of lining up for a hotel voucher, transport to a nearby hotel, trying to phone Lufthansa (which was a joke!) dinner at 1.30am...


This morning I woke up at 6am to go and start queing again at Lufthansa tickets (the que was an hour and a half long) and then I was only placed on a ‘waiting list’ for the morning flight to Birmingham. To be honest Lufthansa and Frankfurt airport were pretty poor with communications, and I will avoid using either again. However once I was flying back to Birmingham I was just pleased to be back. Am writing this from a train trying to get back to Shrewsbury now. I sometimes think about planting a tree for the CO2 with all this touring of Europe!

Today I did have lessons booked, but I believe the ground is frozen anyway, so the fact I was stuck abroad did not ultimately matter, I guess!

Good luck if you are travelling this Christmas, and as for wishing for a white Christmas, +15 would do me nicely thank you!

www.leegibsontraining.com

Monday 21 December 2009

LGT on Twitter

I have set up one of these "Twitter" accounts for myself and LGT...

http://twitter.com/LeeGibsonLGT

Regards - Lee

Tonsberg agility training

Hello,

This is the first time I have been able to get onto my blog since I have been away! The last two days over the weekend have been really good fun. We have been training contact pieces and the importance of fine exact details with regard to the contacts. Yesterday we developed the idea of independence with the weaves also, encouraging dogs to be independent and drive into the weave whilst remaining accurate with the weave entry itself.
The weather has been very wintery here over the weekend. It was -14 when I arrived. This morning it was still -6. Has snowed most of the time also, although everything carries on!
Here are the two course plans from the weekend – (see below)

Thank you to Birgitte for another great stay, and everyone on the course for a fantastic attitude and application. Keep up the good work! A well done to my fellow trainer Lars Bang who was teaching cross behinds and worked his group really well.

Nina Hansen has taken some great photos of the weekend, so I will get some of those loaded up on here as soon as I can! Thanks for letting me use those.

Friday 18 December 2009

Flying

Flying to Norway today (16.40)!

Slighly colder than the UK, but not much im sure. Will update later!

Lee

www.leegibsontraining.com

Wednesday 16 December 2009

The LGT xmas meal... pics!





These are a selection of pictures from the LGT meal last Saturday. Thank you everyone for coming, it was a super evening!
Lee

Tuesday 15 December 2009

Rugby show and LGT meal

Hello,

I had a very energetic weekend. At Rugby show Scott and Jack both were clear in the agility and both knocked a pole in the jumping class. I left before the prize giving so don’t know where I finished.

The LGT Christmas dinner was Saturday evening. I have some pictures and I will try and get those uploaded to here. It was a fantastic evening.

Sunday I had a day of lessons and then Monday took Anna to Heathrow to fly her and her dog back to Finland. I left at 2am!! Never had so much pro plus and coffee in one day. After visiting my Aunt in London and coming back to Shrewsbury, we had 3 40min games of 5-a-side, I collapsed in bed last night!

Today I have spend shipping DVD’s!

I am now looking forward to training in Norway this weekend. I have heard it is rather cold in Scandinavia right now!?

Pictures coming soon..

www.leegibsontraining.com

Wednesday 9 December 2009

Wyre show, update of where and what I am doing & a fun course plan

At last I can write a few positive things on here for a change! Although when I planned to do this Monday I was in no fit state to write anything because of possible food poisoning or a viral bug. Which- ever it was, I do not want it again. A very un-enjoyable 24hours!

In fact I am a bit concerned about my ill-fated last few . First it was my ankle, two weeks later some idiot writes my car off by driving straight into me, another two weeks and I am crippled with food poisoning... and what am I doing in two weeks from now? Taking a flight...

Any way enough of that fate, I don’t think I have ran over mystic meg recently or broken any mirrors (yes Q the “did you look in one joke!”) so here’s my decent interesting blog update that I promised!

Tuesday was my recovery day, but being a man and not wanting to make a meal of anything ;) I had a couple of lessons and then a training night in Hereford.


We focused on discrimination and also so jump space exercises. It was a fun night, especially the hot punch that was served, went down a treat! The course plan is below. I have merged the three exercises in to one big super-sized discrimination course. It is fun, just don’t knock the first pole down, kind of ruins the rest!
Back to Saturday and the show at Wyre, we had a successful day. Jack had a 2nd in G7 Agility, a 7th in jumping and a 11th in the other agility. Che had a 15th in the jumping. Scotty was working very nicely. A couple of poles in the first two runs, but a great clear and 8th place in 6&7 agility at the end of the day was pleasing. Scott was 1.12 from the winner’s time, and 0.9 from second place.
Mum did well at the show with Flynn, having a 4th in 1-3 jumping and a 10th in 3-5 agility. Well done!


Sunday was another day of losing lessons because of the horrid weather, and the general state of the ground. The ground is not really in great shape this week but I have trained Tuesday, Wednesday and all being well some on Thursday & Friday.


Saturday the 12th is Rugby Christmas show, the warm up for the LGT Christmas Dinner in the evening. I am dead excited about it and look forward to seeing everyone in something different from muddy tracksuit trousers and fleeces... or should I say full waterproofs considering the recent weather! It was fun last year and this year will be just as good.


I am also planning for my up-coming training trip back to Scandinavia. I am returning back to Norway in a week and also meeting up with Lars Bang (Denmark) as we do a joint training seminar in Tonsberg, Norway (19th & 20th).

I will put some dinner photo’s up here soon. Yes I will wear a suit, and not the Santa suit I won at the Wyre raffle on Saturday, as amusing as it maybe, the leg piece is ultra small and would not leave much the imagination ;) and I do try to be modest if I can.


Before I go I have to make a shameless plug I am afraid. The LGT Workshop DVD. It would make a fantastic Christmas present. The DVD is packed full of exercises, course plans and training tips and ideas. It is broken down into 7 sections, including waits, obstacle discrimination, contacts & common traps, amongst others! I have had fantastic feedback and would like to thank everyone who has ordered it for supporting myself and Gina who helped me produce the DVD. I am sure you will find it useful.
Order direct from http://www.leegibsontraining.com/

Best wishes everyone. I will update hopefully after the dinner (I am sure there will be some very mature pictures from that!) and also from my time training in Norway next week.


Lee Gibson

http://www.leegibsontraining.com/

Thursday 3 December 2009

Update Thursday

Sorry for the lack of updates, have had na ‘eventful’ week and have also been busy doing my lessons, in amongst the bad weather! I am hoping for some better weather soon for the ground to dry out a bit. I have trained today and its not been too bad.

Am off to Wyre show Saturday, should be fun. I am looking forward to it.
Some more and interesting updates soon!

Lee

www.leegibsontraining.com

Tuesday 24 November 2009

Back to it

Hello,

I went to Wilmslow show on Saturday, and managed to run. The ankle was a bit sore but I did all my runs. The dogs were really excited too as they had only had walks for about two weeks. Needless to say we knocked a few poles down, but jack still managed to get a 7th & 8th place in Agility & Jumping.

I was pleased with many elements of Scott’s runs, the weave entries were quite challenging, and although I was confident of getting them, just seeing him locate the first pole and drive toward it out of a tunnel on the angle was great. It showed great awareness and discipline.

I have been training some lessons already this week. Again the weather is really poor although it puts things into perspective when you see the serious flooding and people’s homes and lively hoods being wrecked in Cumbria and the other area’s affected, so I am not going to moan about a wet and muddy agility course!
I played 20 mins last night in the football match. My first touch of the ball was a bit painful but after that running and using it was great. I even scored a beauty of a goal. What was better was that we won, beating the other rival team from Church Stretton 11-7. Get in!

I am also just getting stuck into the new issue of Agilityzone. Well worth a look, this magazine gets better and better ever issue. www.agilityzone.co.uk

Bye for now – Lee

www.leegibsontraining.com

Tuesday 17 November 2009

Hopping about!

Hello.

First things first... my ankle is still sore! I have been training (doing my lessons) most days, but have yet to run on it yet. I almost fell over walking the dogs this evening even though i have a huge ankle support on it now!

I think football is out the question this week, but I have Wilmslow show Saturday. I hope to run there but its still in the balance I think. This may not be a bad thing actually as Scott has also been out of action for a couple of weeks, and has done no training at all! The saying coiled spring comes to mind for Saturday. Maybe I will find a surrogate handler for him... lucky them!

Weather has been really poor these last few weeks. I had to cancel training Saturday and Monday, although now the course is draining really well due to my relentless spiking it with my pitch fork and other farm yard objects!

Not being able to play football has given me chance to sit and watch some TV and play on mums new Wii consol.. although maybe that is not the best for the ankle, tennis and sword play etc!! I have never watched X-factor before, but last Sunday I even watched Xtra-factor. Over the last few weeks I have watched it more and more. In fact I consider myself an expert as I one hundred percent correctly predicted the bottom two and the eventual result after Saturdays show, and was proved right Sunday evening. Maybe I should be a judge of talent too ;) now who agrees... that sounds like fun!?

I don’t have any training news to report at the moment, but will write up an account of Saturdays show. Hopefully something good to report!

The LGT Workshop DVD, available in European and USA formats can be ordered from www.leegibsontraining.com

Best wishes all - Lee

Wednesday 11 November 2009

This hurt!

Hello,

This week has turned into a very painful one! Playing my regular 5-a-side on Monday evening, I chased down a ball and went over on my ankle. As soon as it happened I knew it was a bad one, but when we took my boot and shin pad off I was quite shocked at the amount of swelling. Needless to say it was rather painful!

Here is a picture from Tuesday, just to prove im not exaggerating!
I think I will not be able to play for a little while now, and hobbled about Tuesday evening whilst doing a training seminar in Hereford. Not quite my agile energetic self at the moment, but im not one to make a fuss!

Here is the plan from my seminar from Tuesday evening:

There are many combinations to do on this grid. The key points were based around not moving to close to jumps that you dont need to, and to trust the dogs to be independent and craft the turn themselves, based on our voice and body signals.

www.leegibsontraining.com

Monday 9 November 2009

LGT Show - Great Course Plan

Hello,

I have been a bit behind on answering emails and updating in the last week. It has been busy one.


Well done to everyone who did well at the show I held on Saturday, it was a really fun day and I was pleased everyone improved and did some good runs.
Here is the course plan most will want to see again. The see-saw and weave combination caused 'some' problems... Remember what we talked about, shaping and speed etc!

Lee
www.leegibsontraining.com

Sunday 1 November 2009

Training & Course Plan:

Hello,

This week has been a busy week for training. I have had a lot of lessons, however Sunday I was forced to cancel all the lessons due to the horrendous weather.


Next Saturday I am having a fun competition day for everyone that trains with me here at LGT. I am hoping it will be a fun day and great to get the dogs working with lots of noise and distractions. This is not an open invite but everyone who trains here is welcome (please contact me if you wish to come down and i have not yet spoken to you!)


The LGT Xmas meal is booked, if you have not had your form from me yet, please contact me and il get one to you. I need it back by the 20th November.


This-weeks course plan – I know I set several of you home work on certain bits of it (re shaping and turn infomation / working the 'gaps' ):

Try - Wall, dogwalk, tunnel, jump, weave.

Also wall, dogwalk, tunnel, jump, across to the fan of three jumps and weave!

http://www.leegibsontraining.com/

Regards - Lee

Thursday 22 October 2009

Update

This week has not been a nice week for the weather! In fact it has been pretty rough at times. I have done some turn training with Scott, but otherwise just my regular lessons.

The next few days I have several lessons each day, so lets hope the weather picks up. I have lessons all day Saturday & Sunday.

As you know I am just back from the Isle Of Man, and have been stitched up a treat by Gina & some deviants on the island taking pictures of my bag with ladies shoes and make up in it... I knew you were up to something! I am not putting the picture up here but it is on facebook for those of you who use it!

Il get you guys back.. ;)

I have another picture from the IOM to put up on here, il get that up soon.

I need to say this – I have several DVD orders that I have posted but due to the current postal strike you may well have a delay in receiving them. Church Stretton post office won’t be the priority back log to clear I would not have thought!

Lee
www.leegibsontraining.com

Monday 19 October 2009

Hello,

I have now returned from the Isle of Man. We flew back last night and today I am relaxing a little. I would like to say a huge well done to all the participants of the seminar, who took on board what we talked about and started to apply the idea’s well.


Keep up the good work.

Here is one of my course plans to keep the idea’s fresh!

The LGT Workshop DVD can be ordered from:

www.leegibsontraining.com


Saturday 17 October 2009

Isle Of Man Day 2

Well it has been a great day today. We did eventually arrive late last night, and managed to get some food at a little pub (yes I did have two dinners!) and eventually settled in at our Douglas house, with Christine who this morning cooked a wicked fry-up!

Today’s training seminar saw Gina and myself break the handlers up in to smaller groups, allowing us to Sub-focus on many different area’s.


Gina looked at Front crosses, jumping style, speed and send on. I was focusing on contacts and the importance of reinforcing the right parts of the method, contact reinforcement, conditioning, discrimination and weave exercises. It has been a very productive day!


Well done to the handlers today, who really took on board the aspects, concepts and idea’s that we both wanted to get across.


Tomorrow we have more of that same, and then flying back in the evening. So far we have had a really great time, the people here are fantastic and it has been a real pleasure to train so far!

Well done.


Friday 16 October 2009

Getting there is half the fun...

Now not leaing until 19.30, and the original flight was to arrive at 17.35!! At least we have a £5 food voucher... another pint then!

www.leegibsontraining.com

Isle Of Man Day 1

Hello.

Myself and Gina are flying out to the Isle of Man, to conduct a training seminar weekend. We are very much looking forward to getting out there and working with the handlers.

Currently we are sat in the airport lounge, waiting for a delayed flight! Hopefully we will be on the Isle at 18.30 this evening. The weather forecast is good for the weekend, and we have lots in store for the handlers. It should be a very fun weekend, and I personally am looking forward to it!

I have my camera, so will hope to put some pics up during the weekend.

Lee

www.leegibsontraining.com
Hello.

Myself and Gina are flying out to the Isle of Man, to conduct a training seminar weekend. We are very much looking forward to getting out there and working with the handlers.

Currently we are sat in the airport lounge, waiting for a delayed flight! Hopefully we will be on the Isle but 18.30 this evening. The weather forecast is good for the weekend, and we have lots in store for the handlers. It should be a very fun weekend, and I personally am looking forward to it!

I have my camera, so will hope to put some pics up during the weekend.

Lee

www.leegibsontraining.com

Sunday 11 October 2009

Radio Interview

Hello,
Ive been busy doing a lot of training the last few days, as well as getting ready for a training weekend next week in the Isle of Man, which I am looking forward too.

Gina and I have put a new video on the internet, which is a copy of my interview with BBC Radio Shropshire back in June 2009. Hope you enjoy it.



Lee
www.leegibsontraining.com

Monday 5 October 2009

Show results & latest news:

Show Results & Latest News

Hello,

It has been another long time since I posted on here, have got no internet access at home at the moment and every time I drive out after I reply to emails about training days, shows and DVD orders, my battery is always flat on my laptop!


I have been to two shows since I last blogged, Dashin Dogs & Lune. I was going to go to Belfast this weekend to take part in the Champ show, but the ferry cost of £288 was just a bit too much! So I went up to Lune instead (I had entered two shows so that if I did decide not to go to Ireland I could still run!).
Last week at Dashin dogs Che & Jack managed 2 x 2nd and 2 x 3rd between them. Scott was competing at grade 7 for the first time, and had a clear in a 7 jumping, finishing 4th. He was a little bit careless on poles again, but my handling was not on top form that weekend so he can be excused this once! Several people I train had high places and Brigit & Lilly won three classes which was exceptional, well done. Janet, Ceri, David, Miranda, Lyn (Flynn is working much better now and the places are improving!) Alice, David, Wendy (first grade 6 weekend, getting a 6th place) Anna(despite being on the floor most of the time during her runs!) & Christine all had places too, so it was a very satisfactory weekend on the results front.

This weekend I was handling much better and was much more on my game. Scott had only one pole all day (4 runs) but just got away from me several times. I was having several moments of “I really don’t know why I thought I could get there!” having watch Scott slice me up and take the wrong jump. Really got to be even more independent I think in the way I handle him.

The consistency award goes to Che... again! 3 clears out of 3 runs. He had a 4th in a very tough 67 jumping class, which Jack actually won! He was flying this weekend (maybe I should have entered that Champ show!) and also had a 3rd. He would have won the 67 agility also, but knocked the second to last pole down... gutted! But a fabulous run and very quick contacts too!

Lyn had more places with Flynn, 3 I think including a 4th. David had a second and Ceri’s Sheltie Kelta is also showing much more drive and speed now and is really coming along nicely. Gill Vann had a win with Zara, very well deserved and I was very pleased with that. Alice won a grade 7 with Pip after he had been a bit naughty in earlier runs, so well done!

I am busy sorting out my diary for the winter and spring. I have been asked a few times about training days and weekends. If you and/or your club (UK or Worldwide) would like me to come over and conduct training seminars or workshops, please email me at leegibsontraining@hotmail.com especially if you live anywhere hot – my quality tan lines are fading now!

My football team has also been performing well, I have scored 15 in 5 games now and we are second in the league. We are trying to find a kit sponsor, if you think you would like to sponsor the “Stretton All Stars” then please email me. We only want a shirt each, and could even change the team name too ;-)

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who remembered my birthday (Oct 5th) although I am very bad at remembering anyone else’s so apologies for anyone I miss.

Octobers Agility Zone magazine will soon be out – This month I am writing a feature on how each and every one of us can break down our own training methods (using simple yet effective models) to establish exactly what we should be working on this winter... here is a small taster extract:

“From this table we can now deconstruct what is happening as the dog runs too, up and over the whole contact piece. I also include the exit and immediate handling sequence after the contact piece.
This gives me 5 basic area’s that I can use to identify exactly where the problem is, and then I have 14 sub-key area’s that I can now look at in more detail, hopefully identifying the exact problem.
I am going to take one of those sub-key areas, lets say End & Final Position, and I use a Cause & Effect type approach to establish what I need to be doing to formulate how I am going to improve this"

Visit http://www.agilityzone.co.uk/ and subscribe now. This really is what agility needed. The quality of the magazine is superb and all the contributors are excellent.

I have never written nearly 900 words on a blog update before, hope it makes up for the lack of postings recently.

Best wishes and regards – Lee

Order the LGT Workshop DVD from http://www.leegibsontraining.com/ The DVD covers Waits, Contacts, Obstacle discrimination, Weaves, Handling sequences & Courses. Read some of the many reviews on the “DVD Reviews” page.

Thursday 24 September 2009

Update

I have just got back from 5a side we lost again, however being 9-2 down at half time to losing 12-10 shows how well we battled back.

This weekend I have Dashin dogs show, I have 4 runs for each dog each day, meaning I will have 12 runs each day.. I will never walk all my courses im sure!!

www.leegibsontraining.co.uk

Wednesday 23 September 2009

Thursday 24th

Hello,
It seems ages since I have written on here, seems like I have been quite busy the last week or so and also have not had any real good news to report regarding training or shows!
At least the high lights have been the fact that I scored 7 goals in two games for the five-a-side team, (however we only managed a draw and a loss despite being on top in both games!) and Everton have won three straight games without conceding!
As for the dogs, at Bromsgrove last weekend I had a 2nd with Jack in 1-7 jumping, Che had 6 out of 6 clears, and Scott was being a little bit careless with poles. So he has to learn the hard way and if he is careless, he doesn’t get to do his agility. He does not like being taken out of classes, but I think it maybe might just make the point a little more clearly for him! (Scott makes it very hard to pick him up after knocking a pole by going extra bendy!)
Well done to David and Poppy for winning grade 5 jumping at Bromsgrove, well deserved as it was a cracking run. Good on you.
I am writing a chapter for a book that is soon to be published in the UK, it is all about dog sports, and I am doing a section in it. We took some photo’s earlier in the week to demonstrate some of the training points discussed in the chapter. I think once the book is finished... it will be a good read and well worth investigating to get a copy of.
Lee
http://www.leegibsontraining.co.uk/

Monday 14 September 2009

Show Update

Hello,

This weekend I was at Gillingham show, it was a bit of come down to earth after our fantastic weekend at Dog Veges.

Scott managed just one clear round out of 5. He was way to hyper after not having a show last weekend due to high peak being cancelled. I trained him a fair bit during the week but he was crazy at the show. The weaves caused us a few problems which was a shame and something I want to again practice.

Che ran fairly well, and was unlucky (to say the least!) not be in the Champ final having had two clears. Jack was going very quickly over the weekend and I kept managing to mis-time things and flick him over the backs of jumps rather than the right side, but never mind.

The journey to the show was the worst, the Sat nav did not care I had a van and caravan and took us through the middle of Bath and over a narrow toll bridge, which ended up being a master class in close narrow driving!

I have a few lessons this week, but am busy sorting out training days and lessons for the next few months, I seem to be behind on all the emails etc!

Really good luck to the British Agility team at the world championships, as well as the Danish Agility team who I also support! Good luck.

Take care – Lee

www.leegibsontraining.co.uk

Wednesday 2 September 2009

Scotts 7 Wins!!

Hello,

Firstly I would like to thank everyone for being so nice about Scott this weekend, I was over the moon with how well he applied himself and worked.

Scott had 12 runs, 7 wins (4 x Agility6 and 3xJumping6) and one second place. He worked very well and also only knocked just two poles all weekend. A fantastic return. Jack and Che also had some great runs in the 7 classes, I had a few places with them too.

Several people I train also won this weekend, Wendy Williams won a 5 jumping, Gina won with Ember, David and Cae also won grade 7 classes, I think Ceri won with Kelta and Janet Jones won out of grade 1 by also winning a grade 1 agility class. Janet also did me proud in the First Contact final coming 5th out of 30! Lyn and Miranda also had top ten places, and well done to Ray Woodcock who has another win towards grade 7 with Spike. Well done every one.

Thank you to Gina for lending me her camera... and to Ceri for filming every run for the last few weeks (you will be happy Gina wants it back!) however I am going to be uploading a compilation of Scott’s best runs in the next few days, which I will post up here.

Also I have to give thanks to Dog Veges for a great show, especially the super surface!
I am still selling many copies of the LGT workshop DVD , and have had some really good feedback about it in recent weeks. To order your copy visit www.leegibsontraining.com
Some people have also been asking about Taddymoor Scott’s breeding lines. I am possibly the worst person to ask about this as I have a very limited knowledge about lines and breeding etc! Scott’s profile however is on www.anadune.com which will be much more informative than I am!
I will load the video soon...
Lee

Thursday 27 August 2009

Dashin Dogs & Dog Vegus

Hello,
Just a note as to where I am! Last two days I was at Dashin Dogs, Scott had 2 x 4th places and a 9th. I made some handling mistakes though so I was slightly annoyed with myself! Jack had a 4th and Che had an 8th so all in all, despite the poor weather it was a good couple of days.
I am now at Scunthorpe, Dog Vegus is on for 4 days this weekend. I am very much looking forward to it.

Here is Scotts video from France in July, notice Scott needs some table training!



Lee
www.leegibsontraining.com

Thursday 20 August 2009

Dogs In Need Update




Hello,
A good week so far. Jack had a 3rd today in the Power & Speed Final, I was really pleased as he pulled it out and really worked hard.

Scott has had a 5th Place in the grade 6 agility class on Wednesday, he worked nicely also, however the jumping was not quite as good, the course catching Scott out very early on... or me... it was one of us who decided we go 1 - 5 !!
Lovely weather and some nice pictures (thanks Emily Barnes) and all of my runs have been put on video (thanks Ceri Jones) I cooked everyone breakfast this morning to say thanks... we will all probably be ill in the morning!

Lee

Monday 17 August 2009

Update

Hello,
This is a live update from dogs in need agility show. Today we have arrived and set up after a very busy weekend at the Kennel Club Festival.
The highlights for me were two of Scott’s runs, and Che getting into and going clear in the British Open Final. He did really well and tried his best!
Scott managed 7 not so clever runs, and 2 stunning runs. He came 6th in the British Open agility heat on Saturday, and 3rd in the EO ranking event on Sunday. He was working great.
Gina has very kindly lent me her video camera and ive been getting people (mainly Ceri.. thanks!) to film my runs with Scott, so Im hoping to get some footage online after we are back.
We have two runs each day all of this week (except Thursday which is a rest day!) so hopefully Jack Che and Scott will have some good results to report.
Lee
http://www.leegibsontraining.co.uk/

Saturday 1 August 2009

August 1st

Hello,

The internet has been a bit hard to get to over the last few weeks as I have been so busy. After Denmark and the success of both my dogs there (Scott’s 1st & Jacks 3x 2nd Places), I also competed in France where Jack had a 2nd and a 5th place.

Scott was working very well there, however the 2-on-2-off method on the table was not quite what the judges wanted, so we did not have any clears.

I have been very pleased with how Scott worked at the shows and I am happy that August gives us many competition days, which I am really looking forward too. It will be nice to continue working together on the harder courses. Scott has also gained a lot of confidence from doing some more independent work than before, something which I know I need to do more of!

Our next shows are the KC-Festival and Dogs In Need. I will update as we go.

Best wishes to all.

www.leegibsontraining.co.uk

Saturday 18 July 2009

Scott & Jack Win in Denmark!

I had to get this up onto the blog as the week has some how got better and better! I have ended the week with 3 silver medals and 1 gold medal... and 2 Danish Agility Champ tickets, one for each dog!

Scott was first and Jack was second in the same A3 Agility class on Friday, a fantastic run by both dogs, I was very proud to be up on the podium with my England flag!!

The show is over now, it has been a fantastic week. The dogs have worked really well and behaved themselves mostly, the exception being some suspicous crumbs and wrapping paper being left behind by Scott after he decided to eat Jacks prize for the day!!

Regards

Lee

www.leegibsontraining.co.uk

Friday 17 July 2009

Denmark Update

Hello, Just a quick note as I have only a few mins on my laptop using the hotels wifi! I have been running all week at Jutlandia Cup, and on Wednesday managed my best result over here by coming 2nd in Class 3 Jumping with Jack. It was a tough course but a super run!

Scott has been finding it a little tough over here, but we are still improving!

Weather has been very hot, lovely until late in the evenings. Its been almost a none-stop party this week.

I am also pleased as some of the handlers who were on my training seminars have won and had some high places.

Regards - Lee

www.leegibsontraining.co.uk

Wednesday 8 July 2009

Update

Hello,

Just an update of what I am going to be up to over the next few days. I am leaving today to drive up to Denmark where I am teaching for the weekend (11th/12th) and then moving to Jutlantia Cup near Billund where I am competing with Scott & Jack for the next week. Scott is now also running in Class 3 (FCI) so this should be a good test for us. Following that I am heading to a show in France and then back at the end of July. I am really looking forward to the trip, however I might not be able to get internet access through this time, but I will report all about it on my return!

Regards

Lee

www.leegibsontraining.com

Tuesday 30 June 2009

UKA Final c/plan & 6-7 Agility c/plan Lune Valley

Here are the UKA finals course from Saturday, and also my grade 6/7 agility course from Lune Valley on Sunday after my 300 mile drive up Saturday evening!

It was a long hard weekend with all the driving, but I enjoyed it and was very pleased to be running my own dogs again Monday. I still have not managed to get a clear with Scott, It was my mistakes, but he looked great. Jack had a 4th & 5th in grade 7.

This week I have lessons, then Tuffley at the weekend, another two day show and I am not judging or going away, I am running both days! Looking forward to it!


www.leegibsontraining.co.uk


6&7 Agility Lune Valley (Sunday)

UKA Canin Final (Saturday)

Thursday 25 June 2009

Thank you Tonsberg (Norway)

Thank you to Tonsberg club for a great weeks training.

We have spent time working in detail about contacts and releases, method & reinforcing methods. We have analysed body language and reinforcing arm-verbal command. Issues about “timing” “rolling” ;) “collecting & sending” have all been practiced. We have also talked about creating time and space for ourselves to work in, use to send the dog, and use to make our various types of turns in.

I would like to say how well every member of the seminar groups did during my 5 6 days training here, it was so good to see people improving so much. However those of you who were on the seminars know you can be working with these ideas and concepts for a long time now, and you will see improvements.

I look forward to seeing how you are all getting on when I return ;)

Thank you to the fantastic people. Birgitte has looked after me so well, and everyone at the training sessions have been superb. We have had such a good laugh along the way.

Well done to Anne-Marie (think I spelt it right?!) and Tarzan for making such good progress. Glad you liked the cap ;)

I fly back to Birmingham Thursday evening, and I am spending the weekend judging at UKA and Lune Valley, before competing on Monday! It will be nice to see the dogs.

Best Regards to everyone – Lee x

Enjoy the photo's below:



Tuesday 23 June 2009

Wednesday update from Norway

Here (below) are some more pictures from training today (Tuesday). You will also notice me acting rather like a child at the restaurant afterwards (it had nothing to do with the beer!), where I had Nordic Crab and then Shrimp & Steak... what we know as Surf & Turf!

Happy Midsummer :)

Regards

Lee