airbear Posted August 23, 2014 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 Wick has been competing in agility since 2002. I'll never know how old she is (she was a pregnant stray whom I adopted through rescue after she whelped) but given that her pups are turning 13 in December, she must be around 14 (I like to think she was a teenage mom). I run her infrequently now, but she can still rock it out in the veterans classes. Last weekend, I let her have a go at Masters Jumpers and she won her class with a run that was over 5 yards per second. She has no startline stay anymore, and she screams feedback at me frequently on course. She is fast and sassy, and an absolute blast to run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mum24dog Posted August 23, 2014 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 Lovely to see. I've just been watching my 14 and nearly 12 year olds play fighting like puppies. At that age it's very much carpe diem and enjoy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMP Posted August 23, 2014 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 That was awesome to watch. She's having a blast! Agility and flyball and freestyle and whatnot are all like alien things to me and I always find myself amazed and impressed by how much fun the dogs seem to be having. Then I consider the sort of training that must take and ... yeah ... no ... could not do it ... so glad some people can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcv-border Posted August 23, 2014 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 Yay for Wick. It is wonderful to watch an older dog having great fun. "Wait", says Wick, "who's old?" Then I consider the sort of training that must take and ... yeah ... no ... could not do it ... so glad some people can. As for agility, training techniques have undergone a seachange in the past 5-7 years. Most of the 'newer' techniques are just a variation on playing games with your dog so you and your dog enjoy the training. It is not the 'old-fashioned' type of obedience-agility that I was introduced to about 12-14 years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mum24dog Posted August 23, 2014 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 That was awesome to watch. She's having a blast! Agility and flyball and freestyle and whatnot are all like alien things to me and I always find myself amazed and impressed by how much fun the dogs seem to be having. Then I consider the sort of training that must take and ... yeah ... no ... could not do it ... so glad some people can. Dogs get old when they don't have a purpose in life, whatever that purpose may be. Same as people really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrisK Posted August 23, 2014 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 Way to go Wick....she certainly was having a great time When I finally got to watch 'Away to Me' a few nights ago, the bonus feature was of the championship run at Soldier Hollow. The dog was 11 years old....it was truly a pleasure to watch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beach BCs Posted August 23, 2014 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 Awesome sauce! Lovely to see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurelin Posted August 23, 2014 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 That is so awesome and encouraging! She looks fantastic. My little papillon and I started agility foundations when she was 8. We did her first trial at age 9 and is now working on her 11th year and still going strong! It's been a blast and she's a great dog to run and learn with. Every run is a joy and I'm just really thankful my dog can still have so much fun. My last dog was acting a lot older by this point in her life. I love seeing active older dogs. I really feel like it has brought new life into my girl. She even learned how to play with toys. She absolutely loves the sport so I hope to keep going as long as she can play safely. Here she is with her first Q. Q by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr She's my buddy. agility by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr I wish more people would not discount older dogs! They can sure surprise you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simba Posted August 23, 2014 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 My 13 year old terrier got a 6 mile walk up a steep hill (600 steps) and across pretty rocky terrain today. I was huffing and puffing and making sure to stop for little breaks to 'rest the dog' (getting over flu), she was ahead of me at the end of the lead telling me to go faster. I did contemplate photoshopping her black and white so's I could post the pictures here... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligande Posted August 24, 2014 Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 Airbear, I loved your video it is lovely to see an old lady having fun and still handing a course beautifully and the look on your face at the end says it all pure joy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mum24dog Posted August 24, 2014 Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 I decided to do a bit of competitive obedience with my hound cross and took Ross along for company. I thought I might as well enter him too and he won me out of a grade at the age of 12 not having done any formal obedience training for about 7 years. I definitely agree that we shouldn't underestimate the older dogs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chan Posted August 24, 2014 Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 I'm pretty sure it's an official rule that start line stays are optional once you hit double digits Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oko Posted August 24, 2014 Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 Lovely to watch, obviously a lot of love between you two and a wonderful partnership. I would not guess that she's 14 from looking at her run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urge to herd Posted August 24, 2014 Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 Thank goodness you had her to lead you around the course, Kristi - you might have gotten lost otherwise. She looks happy and as though she's enjoying being the Dowager Lady Wick. Good dog, Wick! Ruth and SuperGibbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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