Yesterday was the Agility 10º Open from Os Cãogurus and finally, even in extreme cold conditions, me and Angel, my Australian Shepherd, were able to show some positive results. Of course we made some faults, but globally it was a very rewarding experience.
On this weekend took place the VI Animal Show, on Jardim Almeida Garrett, in Portela (Loures).
These initiatives are created with the goal to promote and educate the population in their relation with their pets.
Since the dog is the pet more adopted by the families has their 4 leg companion, it is on him that this kind of events is more focus.
Pedro Araújo of Doggy Clube presented by João Sá, of the Os Cãogurus, the school that organized the event
As such, in this event, several schools, associations and other entities were represented and it was possible to watch a demonstration of physical therapy and its benefits organized by the Monte dos Vendavais, watch a demonstration of obedience organized by Os Cãogurus, where the Obedience National Champion made a demo temperate by a Frisbee game, and watch a agility demonstration also organized by the school Os Cãogurus.
João Sá of Os Cãogurus presents Pedro Araújo of Doggy Clube in a very excitement demo of Obedience and Frisbee
Other initiatives, like adoption of animals, interaction with animal, like rabbits, ponies and horses (made available by Escola Profissional Agrícola D. DINIS - Paiã), were also available to the visitors.
Me and my sun, as members of the team Os Cãogurus, couldn’t have ceased to be at this event to help represent the school.
For my sun it was a very positive experience, because, until now, no working or showing attitude was requested to him as a representative of his work with Bianca, his Golden Retriever.
My sun and Bianca, his Golden Retriever, in the Agility demonstration
Of course, not all was gold, since as a child, he was extremely exited with the games that were available for the kids in the event, or he was exited with riding the horse and ponies, or he was exited with the other animals like rabbits, or … So it was difficult for him to calm down and focus on the important task of represent the club and some exercises were forgotten (I hope the master wasn’t to mad).
Teco, Bianca, my sun and a little friend
But to be fair, Bianca in her Golden Retrievernature and in the middle of much pamper from the children also forgets to turn off the “pamper” mode and turn on the “working” mode, so she doesn’t focus on the demanding tasks (yes a lot of patience is required) and so adding the Bianca excitement with my sun excitement we got ...
Well, but his mother wasn’t exactly perfect and she is older and experience.
It is never easy to work with dogs in a middle of a crowd and with extra distractions like smells, other animals and females in that “hiper appealing” phase, is lesser easier. So in the obedience demo, me and Teco, my Australian Shepherd, on the first day wasn’t so bad, but on the 2º day he wasn’t foul by the tasty rewards and the “hiper appealing” colleague odour attract him (I thought in placing a nose mask) and his work was far from good (oh, well, now the master can shoot us).
At this stage I thought that Angel, my Australian Shepherd, would save our good name and represent us in a glorious manner … but or her owner, like a crooked head she sometimes is, got wrong in leading, or the distractions were so many that we couldn’t got the slalom right, witch left us frustrated and very sad.
Well, we went, make our presence, showed will and tried to shine ... only it was a very low fainted shine ... << sigh >>
Pedro Araújo of Doggy Clube in a very excitement demo of Obedience and Frisbee
Anyway it was always a learning experience and we only have to thank our presence to the school Os Cãogurus and to the organization by Câmara Municipal de Loures.
For those who love dogs, 10 of June is the day to go to Santarém.
Besides being the Portugal Day and one of the days of the agriculture fair in Santarém, CNEMA, it is also the day of the Dog Show of Portuguese Breeds.
On this weekend me and Angel, my Australian Shepherd, went to the open trial organized by the Clube Canino Amigos do Alão on the charming city of Alenquer.
We were able to enter in the beginners class, so it was a good experience !
Never before I had attended an official Agility trial and Caoguros gave me that opportunity,
Pasteis de Belem
participating on the organization of a trial. And what better place than the one of the most beautiful places of Portugal, Belém.
The stage was its gardens, in front of the unforgettable Monastery of Jerónimos and the famous house of the Pasteis de Belém. Everything there shows the story, tradition and true Portuguese culture.
42º Agility Trophy
Angel, on the competition break
For someone that only sees and participates on a trial, doesn’t see the effort, dedication, and in the end, pleasure, around the successful organization of such a trial.
It starts with the maintenance and checking the condition of the obstacles. Then we have to load the obstacles, transport then to the trial site, put together the track and help the judge to place the obstacles. Finally all the documentation must be very carefully made and it is necessary to support all competitors and the judge.
Angel, on the competition break
A lot of work, but that doesn’t take out the pleasure of seeing the several trials, some with success and other without success, but all made with lot of enthusiasm and joy buy the dogs and conductors.
Of course, on the lunch break, me and my Australian Shepherd, Angel, went to try the first level course and it went quite well. Hopefully, next time we are also in the competition.
Without any doubt an unforgettable experience of social interaction with people that work on one of the most enjoyable sports with dogs.
My thanks to the Os Cãoguros for this memorable experience !
On this weekend a Workshop of Agility was organized in Lagos and was conducted by Sergio Sousa.
We must give our congratulations to CIC-Lagos by the effort and good organization of this event.
The workshop was given with excellent knowledge and for those interested in such sport was a unique reception of training to better teach and handle dogs in agility.
I went to this workshop with Angel, my Australian Shepherd and she done very well.
