Agility Dog Association of Australia Ltd

Handler Profile (March 2005) ~ Donna Visini

Where do you live? Geebung, Brisbane

Occupation:Personal Banking Manager

Describe yourself in 25 words or less: Happy go lucky perfectionist, who sometimes wonders how I manage to look after a husband, a baby daughter, train two dogs and be Chief Instructor at PADS.

Describe your agility vehicle:Holden Station Wagon, (family wagon to go with the child) usually with a campervan attached.

What drew you to the sport?Four years ago, my Jack Russell thought obedience was boring so I was looking for something fun for her to do.

Dogs and their achievements:Bella has MAAD and AAC titles and over the past four years at the Uralla Grand Prix has managed to achieve 24 Weavepole Challenge Winner, Team Challenge Winner and this last year Individual Challenge Winner, my Kelpie Keeto is yet to get a clear round.

Where do you train?PADS – The Positively Addictive Dog Sports Club.

What do you like about agility?The challenge of always trying to improve and achieve goals with my dogs…. And of course the amazing socialising and great friends.

When did you start in agility?Four years ago.

What is your favourite ADAA event (Agility/Jumping/Gamblers, etc) and Why?The new Advance Courses… I love the challenge of the more difficult events.

What was the most important piece of advice that you have been given about agility?Make sure you and your dog are having fun!!!

What was the most difficult training problem that you have overcome?Bella went through a stage of no motivation what so ever…  And I am not totally sure how we came out of it..  Probably a combination of getting a new dog (Keeto), being pregnant and not being able to run her as often and Dallas (my husband) running her for a while when I couldn’t.  I also only train Bella for very short periods now.

What is your most memorable moment in agility?At the moment it was getting the first clear round in the Advance Course. Memorable moments change with your goals.

What will your next dog be and when do you think you will get it?I’ve got my two ideal dogs, a Jack Russell and a Kelpie… Although when my husband gets another dog I will be pushing towards another Jack Russell.

What is your favourite training game and how do you play it?With Bella it is Weavepoles… She absolutely loves them. She does them as quick as she can to get more treats.  With Keeto it is the Ready, 1,2,3 game.

What is your next goal in agility?To be the first to get an International Agility Title.

Any other interesting information about you that you would like to share with the members:Agility is the greatest sport, if you are having a rough time remember as long as you and your dog are having fun you will get past it.
 

The Visini Family

[Top]