I have two dogs competing in
NADAC dog agility trials: PJ and Jade. PJ is
a six year old miniature Australian shepherd
that has been competing for nearly two years.
Jade is a two year old Border Collie that just
started competing this last summer. Jade and I
started taking classes with Michael Bruce at
Everybuddy's nearly a year ago. At the time Jade
was a wild in the classes - focused more on the
other dogs than on me or the obstacles. In the
foundation classes, Michael helped me build a
relationship with Jade that is the basis for our
subsequent agility training. Most of the time,
Jade is now a focused agility partner.
In recent classes, Michael has taken a
two-pronged approach. On one hand, he is
teaching us exercises that are improving Jade’s
agility skills. At the same time, he is teaching
me to be a better handler. In agility, the
performance of the handler/dog team is
frequently limited by the handler’s ability to
clearly and effectively guide the dog through
the course. This was certainly true in my case.
Michael has taught me how to be a more effective
handler, and my performance with both dogs, PJ
and Jade, has improved.
I continue to have both PJ and Jade in
classes with Michael at Everybuddy’s Agility
Fun!
Scott Imlay and PJ and
Jade
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Every-Buddy's Agility runs a wonderful agility
school for newcomers and veteran competitors
alike. Michael and Heather Bruce do a fabulous
job of teaching basics and fundamentals for you
and your dog to get off on the right paw.
If you are good at the game of pool, or quantum
physics, then you will love agility! If you have
ever been a professional cheerleader or traveled
as lead ballerina in an international dance
troupe, then agility is definitely for you!
If, however, you have an aversion to ripping out
all your hair or crying in front of classmates,
then agility is probably not for you. But if the
idea of a 30-pound, cheese-inhaling
whippersnapper looking at you with "I'm smarter
than you so why don't you just calm down and
figure it out" eyes sounds appealing to you,
then agility is the sport for you! You will be a
better person in the end and your dog will love
you for it, no matter what!
Janya Veranth and Fiona
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About Leo: This pup had big paws to fill in the
shadow of our old dog Cody, a dog that would do
anything in his power for us. He was the best
and classiest dog we have ever known.
Leo is sure trying hard to fill those paws.
He has always been a smart dog. As a young pup
he was a bit reserved about things, but one
thing struck him as tons of fun and that was
learning to play with a Frisbee (disc).
After our first year of local tournaments,
Leo finished about midway in this area’s pack.
In his second year he won several local
tournaments. Then, surprisingly, he took first
place at the Northwest Regional Skyhoundz
championships in distance and accuracy. This
qualified us for the Skyhoundz World
Championships in Atlanta Georgia (where he took
10th place) his first time (in a World event).
In 2005 he took more titles locally and at
Regionals he qualified for three divisions in
Worlds finishing sixth in his best event. We are
very pleased with Leo's progress!
We initially entered Leo into Agility to
raise his confidence level and drive in other
areas, where he has improved significantly. When
Leo is not catching discs he has been
participating in agility classes weekly. He
hopes to do trials soon, to follow in Cody’s big
paw prints in doing just about anything for us
as well.
Jennie, Aaron and Leo
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I took agility classes for a year before
joining Every-Buddy’s, but prior to Michael no
one explained the basic fundamental skills
necessary to be successful in agility. Michael
not only explains the skill but the proper
execution and why it is the preferred method. It
was not until I understood what I was doing that
I understand how little I knew.
The classes are fun but challenging, Michael
pushes you outside your comfort zone in order to
expand your skill set. After a year and a half
Elsie and I continue to grow as a team and are
having fun doing it.
I have learned a great deal training with
Michael. I enjoy going to class each week and
like the fact that I continue to learn and
improve my handling skills. For those of us
needing a little more time and guidance to get
it, Michael continuously works trying different
ways so that you and your dog succeed.
Heather does a great job providing support on
and off course and doing all the behind the
scenes stuff that is so necessary to make it all
happen at Every-Buddy’s.
Jenny and I are still a work in progress and
continue to make headway thanks to Michael!
Agility has been an unexpected journey in life
for me and I will always have wonderful memories
of how Michael and Heather have helped me find
my way.
