Set goals for 2016

No matter what type of training you do with your dog, be it agility, rally, flyball or just general pet dog obedience, it's good to set goals to give your training a direction.

If you compete in agility with your dog then you should currently be in the middle of your winter training and starting to look towards the next season of competition, therefore now is a great time to set your summer goals.

But goals mean nothing if we don't put into place a plan to achieve them.

For example, if your goal is to progress from Grade 3 to Grade 4 this season, you now need to set little steps in order to achieve this.

If your dog is missing the down dog walk contact, then put into place little goals and steps to achieve consistent contacts, which will then help you to achieve clear rounds in competition.

Plan which shows you are going to enter and get the entries sent off. Consider entering some competitions NFC to work on ring experience. Or maybe your dog is knocking poles and therefore your plan will include jump grips, workshops and fitness exercises.

Perhaps one of your goals is to teach your dog a retrieve. You can set a training plan including step by step instructions on how to achieve this. Your first step may be to book onto a workshop or research different training methods before setting out your own training plan.

Ensure that your goals are SMART:

Specific - it is clear, defined, do you understand what you are aiming for?

Measurable - how will you know when you have achieved it, can you measure how far it is from completion?

Achievable - is it achievable, can you do it?

Realistic - is it realistic, do you have the resources, knowledge and time?

Time - do you have enough time to achieve it, have you set a realistic completion date?

Talk to your instructor about your goals and they will be able to help you in classes to aim your training in order to complete them.

British Flyball Association Championships Report

The flyball champs is the biggest competition of the year and has steadily grown over the last few years until we are now at the maximum capacity of 330 teams racing over 3 days spread over 55 divisions.

The slower teams start the racing off on the Friday and this builds until we get to division one on the Sunday when there is standing room only to view!

This year Carry on's had three teams entered meaning a team racing every day.

Fridays team was the team I thought had the best chance. They they didn't disappoint and went on to win division 43. We had some super tough racing and the last race meant the difference between winning or third place in the division.

The team consisted of three collies, two labradors and super height dog Millie (who keeps the fences low for the other dogs).

Saturday and Sundays team didn't do quite so well but worked hard to get a 3rd and a 5th.

The racing on Sunday was spectacular and we got to see the first ever run where both teams went sub 16 seconds (only three teams have done that so far) and the British and European record is currently set at 15.79 (by the team that did the 15.80 here).

Summer Fun Day!

This June we opened our doors and welcomed everyone to our Open Day and Fun Dog Show.
Have a go agility, have a go rally and have a go flyball. All for free! We want to encourage as many people to try something new with their dog and have a go at a dog activity.

The Dogs Trust attended to provide free microchipping and advice and a total of 20 dogs were chipped!

Our Fun Show started at midday and was very popular! Judge Dawn from The Paw Wash Groomers had a tough decision to make. As we rolled through the classes every aww'd and coo'd as we reached the Pleasant Puppy category. Aaron Roscoe, Signal 1 Producer, came along with his tiny pug puppy and they got 1st place! Everyone was nodding in agreement, she was just gorgeous and so well behaved. 

It all got a little silly as we got to best 6 legs and the deserving winner was a spotty dalmatian and its spotty legged owner! Now that's what you call Best Spotty 6 Legs!

The show finished with a great laugh in The Egg and Spoon Race! Hold your spoon and your dogs lead in the same hand and race to the other side. Such fun!

Once the fun show was finished there was still lots for everyone to do and we must thank Oscar Pet Food for kindly sponsoring the whole show. Monkey Dog Wear brought their great selection of collars and leads to sell, plus Windyways and Instructor Bex successful made a good amount for their fundraising with their table top sales. Of course we can't forget Bret in the Brunch Box who completely sold on of burgers! I'm glad I had mine as a cheeky late breakfast before the rush.

In the afternoon the Carrry On flyball team gave us a great demonstration and Lydia & Freddie got to show us that they are not only amazing at agility but flyball too!

We are pleased to announce that the Fun Show raised a whopping £100 for the Dogs Trust and thank you for everyone who came and participated in the day! The weather was glorious and we hope that you all enjoyed your day.

Check out our full gallery here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/digitdogtrainingclub/sets/72157645069884742/

See you next year!

Open Day

Wowie what great weather we had for our Open Day today! This is a new event that we've not done before at Dig It and we haven't done anything similar to an Open Day for some years.

Have a go Agility, Have a go Flyball, Have a go Rally! All free of charge. Plus a Gundog Scurry that you could try out for free then enter a Scurry Competition. It was a fun filled day to encourage people to try out new activities with their dogs plus learn about what kind of classes we have at Dig It.

The yummy Brunch Box got the saliva flowing, plus the dogs thought it smelled pretty good too, and Eddie the Toy Man (that's his official nickname) was there with some great toys and treats for sale.

Also throughout the day we had several workshops running such as Tricks, Clicker Training and Agility at Home. The tricks workshop was particularly busy and everyone came out smiling and showing off the cool new things they have taught their dog!

Special guest Mike Crawford from Cheshire Canine Services ran the Gundog Scurry for us and he had a good crowd of people watching and having a go. Mike is running some gundog classes at Dig It over the winter and a lot of people that are booked on enjoyed their chance to try out what they will be learning.

A number of Flyball dogs were here and the Scurry started to develop into a competitive flyball feel, with fast collies coming first and second! Huge congratulations to the fantastic Steve who runs our website for coming 3rd with his Cocker Spaniel Digby! Mike later tweeted saying flyball collies are banned next year, teehee.

We saw a lot of new faces as well as familiar ones, and everyone said how much they had enjoyed the day. Rosettes were given to anyone who completed all three stations and many dogs were seen proudly sporting their hard earned prize.

Maybe we'll do this Open Day marlarky thing again?!

Carry On Succeeding!

Well done to Instructor Katie's flyball team, Keep Calm and Carry On, who WON their Division at the BFA National Champions last weekend at Catton Hall!
Not only that but another of the Cary On teams, Carry On Regardless, also came 2nd!

Katie's Carry On's is so popular that they have several branch teams, keeping the Carry On name theme throughout and Katie works hard to Captain all of them.

Well done guys!