Agility Dog Association of Australia Ltd

Handler Profile (January 2005) ~ Leisa Cassidy

Where do you live? Townsville, Queensland

Occupation: Registered nurse

Describe yourself in 25 words or less: No where near as fit or active as my dog. Fairly easy going.

Describe you agility vehicle: It’s either my old Commodore for around town stuff or the old boy’s Landcruiser for trips further afield. There’s usually all manner of dog stuff floating around both of them.

When did you start playing agility, what drew you to the sport? I started obedience when Murph was about 4 months old and moved onto agility when he was about 12 months old. I suppose we both found agility a lot more fun than obedience.

Dogs and their achievements: Just the one - not sure how all you guys manage multiple dogs. Murphy is a nearly 4 year old Tenterfield Terrier x Jack Russell. In ANKC he competes in Open Agility and Jumping. Completed his SAAD title at Burrum Heads this year. I have just started doing some training with one of my friend’s dogs. Duffy is an 8 year old deaf Dalmatian who only works on the left and hadn’t done any agility training for about 2 years. Having said that he already has his first quali card.

Where do you train? As our club TOADS is very much in its infancy- read minimal gear, not many members (YET)- I do most of my training at the local CCC club. We are just starting to make plans for TOADS to start training in earnest next year. Thanks to everyone who worked on the CD.

What do you like about agility? I really like that Murphy is so into this sport- I can tell by all the barking he does- and that I get out and meet other dog lovers.

When did you start in agility? Sometime in 2002 I think.

What is your favourite ADAA event? (Agility/Jumping/Gamblers, etc) and Why? I generally just like the fact that with ADAA Murph can jump a height that is more appropriate for him. It’s great to see him sail over a jump instead of launching himself off it. The games are fun. Difficult, but fun.

What was the most important piece of advice that you have been given about agility? Learn to work your dog on the right. Most important when your level of fitness leaves a lot to be desired.

What was the most difficult training problem that you have overcome? Teaching Murphy to weave on the right. Finally happened when I introduced the clicker. Still having some problems with the down contact on the walk.

What is your most memorable moment in agility? Funniest was watching him run out of the ring to chase a bug and decide to have a poo whilst out of the ring. I was also quite chuffed to be the first person to run clear at our very first competition.

What will your next dog be and when do you think you will get it? Something small- makes them very easy to travel with. Maybe a Tenterfield or a Min Pin. Starting to think that maybe I shouldn’t leave it that long before I get another.

What is your favourite training game and how do you play it? Murphy is a mad keen tugger. Anything will do- rope toy, lead, my finger etc.

What is your next goal in agility? To get my MAAD title and to go to both Burrum Heads and Uralla next year.

Any other interesting information about you that you would like to share with the members: Murphy is my very first dog and I have done absolutely no sport since College many years ago. I had to stop him training as a Delta dog as he was way too protective of me and would bark like mad during the training.

Murphy

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