Agility Dog Association of Australia Ltd

Handler Profile (October 2005) ~ Lisa Henshaw

Gidget and Hector

Where do you live? Camden NSW

Occupation: Veterinarian

Partner: Jim Hull, also runs Gidget

Describe yourself in 25 words or less: Busy (Jim says bossy!).  We share our house with Gidget and 2 cats, Millie and Hector.

Describe your agility vehicle:  Very unreliable Magna station-wagon, good for sleeping in the back with Gidget +/- Jimmy.

When did you start playing agility, what drew you to the sport?  I started in Victoria at the Agility Dog Club of Victoria in 2001. I wanted to try a dog sport that I thought Gidget would enjoy playing and she took to it with so much enthusiasm I was hooked.

Dogs and their achievements: Gidget (mini poodle) is my first agility dog and she’s saved my butt many times. My proudest moments were our first place in the team game at Uralla with Holly Williams, Betty Cachia, and Maverick Connor last year and making the Open jumping final at the ANKC nationals last year.

Gidget loves jumping. Photo by Sue Town, Pinnicle Photography

Where do you train?  Wollondilly All Breeds Kennel Club and Ronnie Shawyer’s back yard.

What do you like about agility?  The dogs have so much fun and it’s a good social occasion for the handlers.

What is your favourite ADAA event? (Agility/Jumping/Gamblers, etc) and Why?  I love Snooker and the other games because I love to go for the “No guts no glory” options and Gidget picks up on the enthusiasm of the game and goes extra hard.

What was the most important piece of advice that you have been given about agility?  Susan Garrett at the February 2005 training camp in Heathcote told us that we will never be successful with the dog we have if we don’t believe in that dog 100%.

What was the most difficult training problem that you have overcome?  Getting Gidget to run through heavy collapsible tunnels.

What will your next dog be and when do you think you will get it?  I would love to have a border collie cross poodle and I will get one as soon as I find 4 more people who are interested in the idea. I have a very responsible, ethical breeder willing to cross a working border collie with a medium (toy cross standard) poodle. Any takers?

What is your favourite training game and how do you play it?  The ready set go game played with a tug toy as described by Susan Garrett. It’s given us fantastic start line stays and speed.

What is your next goal in agility?  Mastering the see-saw.

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