Agility Dog Association of Australia Ltd

Handler Profile (December 2005) ~ Margaret Lind

Where do you live? I live at Stafford, an intercity suburb on the northern side of Brisbane with my husband Peter, our two Siamese cats (Casper and Xena) and Ginger (poodle cross).

Occupation: I am a Registered Nurse and have worked at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital since graduating some 18 years ago. My current position at the hospital is the Clinical Nurse Consultant of the Emergency Department… somewhat challenging.

Describe yourself in 25 words or less: I enjoy working and being with people and animals. I am a quiet and sincere person and have a love of the outdoors, camping, sport, and most of all dogs.

Describe your agility vehicle:  My agility vehicle is a Volkswagen Passat sedan… Ginger is comfortable buckled in with her safety harness.

When did you start playing agility, what drew you to the sport?  Ginger and I started agility in January 2002, when she was 16 months of age. We had been attending obedience classes for 12 months and were looking for something a little more challenging and exciting. Anna… Ginger’s “groomer” recommended ADAA agility and we have never looked back.

Where do you train?  We completed our beginner’s agility course and have trained at Pine Agility Dog Sports Club (PADS) since. It is close to home and we enjoy the companionship. Agility provides Ginger and I with an outdoor activity we can enjoy together. I enjoy it because it is a team sport and I need to focus on my communication with my dog.

What is your favourite ADAA event? (Agility/Jumping/Gamblers, etc) and Why?  Our favourite event is anything fast when Ginger decides to run. Jumping events or games such as Helter Skelter are fun, although we are starting to work on our distance and hope to enjoy Gamblers more.

What was the most important piece of advice that you have been given about agility?  The best advice I’ve been given is to trust and have confidence in my dog. This is especially true of the weave poles. I’ve always crowded Ginger at the weavers and she has been slow and inconsistent. Since allowing her to find the entry and giving her space she has shown a vast improvement. Recently qualifying at Uralla in the top 15 of the 24 weave pole challenge was thrilling for us both.

What will your next dog be and when do you think you will get it? Ginger and I (plus Peter and the cats) are keenly awaiting the birth of our next dog, a Shetland Sheepdog, who is due this month. We hope to adopt our new puppy by Christmas and are absorbing as much information about puppy games that we can.

What is your favourite training game and how do you play it?  Training games are a big part of Ginger’s and my time together. We enjoy tug games together at home… although changing the Habitat to the agility field and equipment is still challenging, especially for a dog who was heavily trained with food rewards since a puppy. Ginger and I also enjoy recalls from a stay and restrained recalls in different Habitats as they help to focus and build speed.

What is your next goal in agility?  Our biggest goal in agility is to have fun together and enjoy working with one another. My goal is to de-stress before running in competitions and eventually assist Ginger to earn her SAAD title… something we have been working towards for a couple of years.

Ginger with Margaret

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