Why Warm Up?!

You'll often hear us at Dig It telling people to warm up their dogs before agility training, and indeed before an agility competition run.

But why is this so important?! Why do we need to warm up, not only our dogs but also ourselves!

Here are a few reasons why:

• Reduce risk of injury
• Increase blood flow & nerve stimulation
• Improves mobility & performance
• Creates a bond between dog & handler and encourages focus
• Improves hind end awareness
• Massage reduces warm up time
• Reduces stiffness
• Keeps joints supple and counteracts tension
• Increases you & your dogs speed
• Tighter turns
• Increase body awareness
• Improves the dogs use of its body 
• Improves jumping style and ability

At Dig It we will give you the information for why and how to warm your dog up, but at the end of the day it is your responsibility to ensure you are taking care of your dog. It is only you that can make the decision to warm your dog up properly.

Awesome August: Can You Dig It Show

This year is flying! August already! The first Sunday of the month brought another of our Can You Dig It Shows.

The weather forecast had been dubious but thankfully the rain held off all day. Lydia set out the Jumping courses and Nigel very kindly offered to judge for the whole day, rather than just for the afternoon as had been previously arranged. Lou Cadman made a rare appearance to a summer show and judged the Agility for the whole day. The course standards were very high, challenging the more experienced handlers to find the fastest lines while keeping it very much do-able for the less experienced handlers and dogs.

Beginners Agility - Lou Cadman

There were many talks and whispers of "this is my first show" heard throughout the day and we are always very proud and pleased to do our best to support and encourage agility newbies. As well as the first timers we also had a good range of experienced handlers showing us what they can do in the Advanced classes. Vic Royle got a little more than she bargained for when she asked for some cake and nearly ended up wearing it. Smiles and laughter all round! There was a real family spirit about this show, as there is at all Dig It events!

3 years on from this photograph and still the same club atmosphere, only now we have a sit on mower!!

A big, massive thank you to Sharleen Toller who kindly baked some delicious cakes to give to helpers for free! There was even a glutton free cake! Poor Sharleen couldn't run her dogs, but despite this she was still seen scriming for well over an hour. 

Ash was a busy bee scoring in the caravan and the results were quickly rolling out. Deb's face was a picture of shock and amazement when we announced that Beanie had won a class! Sue Bebbington rocked up late with Mia and only went and won her Jumping and Steeplechase classes with storming fast times! Mia the tiny pocket rocket! 

Cake, chuckles, lovely judges, lots of beginners, whippet zoomies and an early finish all made for a very very enjoyable day!  Thank you to everyone who contributed to make it so.