Wilton - 01/10/2017

Wilton may have been weeks ago now, but I'm super happy with how Ethel ran there! I feel as though we've experienced a breakthrough as far as her consistency goes; most of her runs were clear and she's feeling awesome to run! Now we just have to start pushing for speed and really fighting for the top places in each and every run we do!

As the journey was quite a long one, we only did one day, the Saturday. We were asked to join an adult Crufts team a few months ago, and the qualifier was at this show on this day. We put in a lovely clear for the team and we all ended up with a pretty fast combined time, however, one of our other team members gained an unlucky 5 faults for a missed dog walk contact, meaning we missed out on qualification. However, I'm super happy that we proved ourselves to our new team!

We also went clear in another agility class and two other jumping classes. We're finally starting to see some contact consistency and it feels awesome! And, of course, she rarely lets me down in her jumping runs!

Ethel definitely proved herself as far as accuracy and consistency goes, and I couldn't be prouder of her! Onwards and upwards towards those higher places we go from here!

Crufts Official Shop Border Terrier Gifts Review

Recently, we were kindly sent some super cool Border Terrier gifts from the Crufts Official Shop! We received a Border Terrier tea towel and a Border Terrier apron, which we've found are perfect for cooking and baking your dog some treats! As you can see, Earl and Ethel highly approve of them!

Firstly, we have the Border Terrier tea towel. This has the same design as the apron and is ideal for drying dog bowls in style! Again, it's of excellent quality, thin enough not to be bulky but will withstand use without getting ruined. The material is slightly less shiny than the apron, making it more effective for cleaning and drying.

You can view the tea towel through this link: https://www.cruftsofficialshop.com/collections/tea-towels/products/border-terrier-tea-towel

Next, we have the Border Terrier apron. Printed with a beautiful image of a Border Terrier and an extremely accurate description of the breed, it's perfect for all Border Terrier lovers and admirers to wear while cooking! It is of excellent quality and easy to put on, off and tie up. The material isn't bulky but at the same time feels sturdy and will take wear without spoiling, ripping or breaking. There's a certain shininess about the material, making it very comfortable to wear.

You can view the apron through this link: https://www.cruftsofficialshop.com/collections/aprons

Huge thanks to the Crufts Official Shop for sending us these gorgeous gifts that we highly recommend to all Border Terrier lovers! Check out their official website and treat yourself or a dog loving friend or family member to something special through this link: https://www.cruftsofficialshop.com

Dog Vegas - 23 & 24/09/2017

It's been a brilliant weekend at Dog Vegas for us! Both Ethel and Kelly have done me proud, running awesomely and picking up several places! I'm especially happy with Ethel's contacts; they're getting more consistent with every show and the improvement is huge! She's managing to go clear in several agility classes now, whereas not long ago it was mainly jumping she excelled at! Obviously it's still a work in progress, but I couldn't be prouder of her for how she's come on! And as far as Kelly goes, we're connecting more and more and the results are proving that! She's a challenging dog and it takes time, but we're getting there!

Ethel sitting proudly with her weekend's winnings

Kelly and I with our weekend's winnings

The weekend began with Saturday's competition. Ethel and I came 3rd in agility, 4th in jumping and 8th in another agility. Her contacts and consistency was fantastic, as well as her usual speed, and I couldn't be prouder of her! Unfortunately our other run was ruined by there being rabbit droppings all over the ring, which the majority of the dogs in the class went off to sniff (and eat...), but she came back and finished the run very well! Kelly and I came 4th in jumping, despite a very random detour on Kelly's part, but it was still clear which is awesome for Kelly!

Today's competition went well, too. Ethel and I had a 4th in jumping and a few very close runs, and despite seeming a little tired after yesterday, she ran well for me and her contacts were super once again! Kelly and I came 3rd in agility, this run being Kelly's first clear agility round in a year, and I couldn't be happier that I helped her achieve this! Just like Ethel, we also had a few close other runs, but we're improving as a pair and her lightning speed makes the experience so thrilling every time!

Overall, it was another successful weekend for all of us, and both dogs managed to bag lots of points and have lots of fun! Now to look forward to Wilton next Sunday, where Ethel and I will be competing in a Crufts team qualifier among other runs!

North Derbyshire - 09 & 10/09/2017

Awesome weekend spent with some awesome friends at North Derbyshire! This year's show brought us success, fun, laughs and, most impressively, Crufts qualification, meaning we can look forward to competing in not one, but two events there next year! Roll on March!

The highlight of the weekend was definitely winning YKC Teams with our amazing team, the North Derbyshire Young Guns, and qualifying for the final of the event at next year's Crufts! I couldn't be happier with Ethel, who put in a fantastic clear for the team! I can't wait to compete with Ethel and our awesome teammates at the world's biggest dog show next March!

After training the previous week away with multiple sessions on the contact trainer, our hard work paid off and Ethel's contacts were fantastic at the show, getting her a very respectable 6th in a big agility class! These newfound contacts remained for the champ classes and, despite the rain, she ran really well in them!

Kelly and I also had two awesome clears in jumping over the course of the weekend, one of these being a 2nd in the junior speed jump off, qualifying us for the event's final at the British Agility Championships in October! This means I'll be running both Ethel and Kelly in the final!

Overall, it was a fantastic weekend, especially as far as qualification goes! Now to look forward to the events we've qualified in!

Agility Nuts - 02 & 03/09/2017

Awesome weekend at Agility Nuts with Ethel and Kelly! Both dogs ran amazingly and came home with this giant haul! We also enjoyed meeting up with several of our good friends and their dogs and cheering them on!

The highlight of the weekend was becoming Triple Team champions 2017 with our two awesome teammates! After qualifying for the final all the way back in July, it was amazing to come and win the final! Ethel, Millie and Rory make a brilliant little team!

Ethel also won grade 7 jumping, came 4th in 1-7 jumping, 5th in 4-7 jumping, 6th in 1-7 agility, 7th in another 1-7 jumping and 8th in 4-7 agility, all clear rounds! She was working brilliantly and was really consistent over the weekend! Kelly also came 3rd in 1-7 jumping and 7th in another 1-7 jumping, working really well for me again!

A very successful and enjoyable weekend for all of us again!