Team Alasera has been at several trials in the last month. The last two trials, we competed in USDAA agility at our local training school, On The Run Canine Center (OTR). We continue to make progress towards many goals with our dogs in this venue which differs from AKC in several ways.

Mellie is working toward her Agility Dog Championship (ADCH) title. She took another step closer to this by getting her second ever Masters Gamblers Q which requires distance skills. She did a great job and even took first place in that run. She also earned her two qualifying runs in Grand Prix so she is eligible to compete in that tournament at the USDAA National Cynosport Games in Colorado. She also earned a Dog Agility Masters (DAM) team qualifer along with teammates Katie and Lhasa Apso, Josie. She can now compete in that tournament at the National event as well. She earned yet another SuperQ in Snooker. We don’t enter many runs with her in these trials since she has to jump 12″ but she sure makes the best of the ones we do. We continue to struggle making time in Steeplechase tournament but we’ll keep trying.

Katie is doing very well in USDAA and has now earned three Steeplechase Q’s. This week-end she placed first in both the first and second round of the Steeplechase tournament, earning $21.00 in payout money. With these Q’s, she can enter this tournament at the National event as well. She earned her DAM team qualifier with Mellie on their first ever try. Katie also earned her Advanced Jumpers title so gets to move up to Masters Jumpers. She is definitely enjoying the courses in USDAA.

Ace made limited appearances at the trials, but did well with his runs. He earned his Masters Jumpers title and for topping on that, he earned his second ever Super Q in Snooker, taking first place and beating out Mellie for this honor by one point. He is doing his teeters well and running very nicely for Terry.

Abby has had some significant set backs and is on a short term hiatus from all agility. Anxiety issues have worsened, so we are trying some different approaches. Hopefully, she’ll come back strong and sassy very soon. She came along for the week-end and seemed very happy to play tug, get treats and watch some of the action.

Ripley (aka Sir Not Appearing in USDAA agility) came along for moral support for the team.

Back to AKC agility in February!