Agility Dog Association of Australia Ltd

Handler Profile (February 2006) ~ Lisa Ruberry

Where do you live? Bribie Island, Queensland

Occupation: Teacher

Describe yourself: My husband Rob and I live 4 minutes away from work and walk there most days. With our family of three dogs – Darcy, Merlin and Yasmin, we go to the beach at least once a week and enjoy riding and walking around Bribie (with our dogs of course). In our spare time we are renovating our house and making it more doggie friendly. We also spend time on our boat, relaxing and fishing. The dogs love the fishing (as they get to eat some of it) and swimming also. We are also lucky enough to spend the school holidays at Great Keppel – which the dogs have claimed as theirs.

Describe you agility vehicle: Reggie Rav (with dog slobber on the windows).

When did you start playing agility, what drew you to the sport? In the Northern Territory in 2000 then with Suncoast in 2001.

Dogs and their achievements:

Darcy LabxBC (SAAD) – May 1998.
I have had Darcy since a puppy.  I have made lots of mistakes with her (including training her with a check chain) but she has forgiven me.

Merlin LabxBC (SAAD) – August 1998.
Merly came to live with us when he was 10 months old. He has overcome most of his fears and even though he weighs 32 kgs he loves to curl up on your lap for a cuddle.

Yassie Staffy (Certificate in Lazing about at Home) – January 2000.
Yassie came to live with us when Rob moved in. The girls didn’t see eye to eye at first but seemed to have worked out their differences. Her favourite activity is bungee jumping in the backyard.

Their biggest achievements are keeping us entertained.

Where do you train? SunCoast FunDogs.

What do you like about agility? Everybody working together, fun, spending time with my dogs and other people who are dog friendly.

When did you start in agility? 2000 (Very limited in the NT though).

What is your favourite ADAA event? (Agility/Jumping/Gamblers, etc) and Why? Jumping and pairs/team events they are lots of fun and we have a good laugh.

What was the most important piece of advice that you have been given about agility? Relax and enjoy spending time with your dog – that is what it is all about.

What was the most difficult training problem that you have overcome? Yassie’s aggression problem, Merlin’s drooling problem and Darcy being smarter than her Mum.

What is your most memorable moment in agility? Our first Grand Prix (2003) it was windy and raining but we had the best time.

What will your next dog be and when do you think you will get it? I like the Labrador / Border Collie crosses as I don’t think I could keep up with a Border Collie and I love the personality of the Labrador. I think my husband would leave me if I got a new puppy anytime soon.

What is your favourite training game and how do you play it? As we live in a double storey house the dogs nose touch at the bottom of the stairs for dinner each night.

What is your next goal in agility? To have more fun with my dogs.

Darcy, Merlin and Yassie

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