Agility Dog Association of Australia Ltd

Handler Profile (April 2005) ~ Ronnalyn Shawyer

Where do you live? Bargo in the Southern Highlands of NSW

Occupation: Financial Controller

Describe yourself in 25 words or less: Ooooo, that's hard.  I'm a Virgo does that say it all? 

Describe you agility vehicle: My dog mobeele was bought specifically for my dogs.  It is a V6 wagon (large enough to tow the dog's mobile home) & it is a 2 seater (humans) & 8 layer (that is the maximum dogs I have had in there).  It is spacious, cushioned floor, heated in winter, air conditioned for the summer months, tinted windows & importantly electric windows to enable them to be opened on demand.

When did you start playing agility, what drew you to the sport? My 1st dog Oscar, was scared of his own shadow, had no confidence & it was suggested to me to try agility to help with his confidence.  In his 1st year of training we joined nearly every Sydney Training Club for the different grounds, dogs, equipment & people & it has worked.  A monster (character full of himself) has been created.  At his first trial, he got a cricket score a batsman would have been proud of - but he was on the board & I was hooked.

Dogs and their achievements:

	• Oscar de Wilde ►11 y.o. Border Collie, Old English Cross also known as an Irish Sheepdog ►Agility - ADAA - Winner Individual Maxi Dog Challenge 2003, MAAD2, AAC.  He also competes in ANKC agility & has his ADM & JDM.  Represented NSW in National Teams event in 2003 & 2004 ►Obedience CD & one pass towards his CDX ►Oscar also received the 'Turkey Award' for the most entertaining dog at a Flyball Competition at the Sydney Royal.  FDX.
•  Jak the Yipper ►6 1/2 y.o. Border Collie - you understand the name when you hear him run.  The faster he runs, the faster he yips.  Jak is a rescue dog, he had been beaten & stitched up when I took him. ►Agility - ADAA - Winner Individual Maxi Dog Challenge 2002 SAAD AATD AAGD ANKC Agility - ADM & JDM - Winner ACT Agility Dog of Year 2003, Winner of Winners Canberra Royal 2003, Runner up NSW Agility Dog of Year 2002. ►Loves his Flyball where he attained his AFCH ►Obedience he has his CD, but his mother stood on his tail on the return from the long downs on his last trial so she does not have her CD. ►Tracking Test Track
	• Cricket ►2 1/2 y.o. Smithfield.    ►Agility - AAC & in ANKC has her ADM & JDM.  Winner NSW Agility Dog of the Year 2004. ►Obedience - HUH!!!!

Where do you train? At home.

What do you like about agility? The challenge of training & the trials keep you active & outdoors.  It is a very social sport & not too expensive a sport.  AND I just love having fun with my dogs & I hope they love having fun with me.

When did you start in agility? I think about 1996.

What is your favourite ADAA event? (Agility/Jumping/Gamblers, etc) and Why? Any game.  All games to me are touch & go. You have to try & think fast on your feet when your plan goes awry & I think the dogs also enjoy the unstructuredness of games. Maybe my all time favourite is 'pairs'.

What was the most important piece of advice that you have been given about agility? When it starts becoming important take a break - it is a game - so if you are having fun, so are your dogs.

What was the most difficult training problem that you have overcome? I had to learn back at the very beginning (before it was the norm) to work left & right as Oscar really was scared if my shadow went over him or the obstacle while he was in motion.  He would just pull out & STOP.

What is your most memorable moment in agility? Oscar winning the Individual Maxi Dog Challenge 2003. I was quite emotional about that as I had nearly retired Oscar & had thought about not entering him that year.

What will your next dog be and when do you think you will get it? It will be a Smithfield. I will be getting it from the same farmer, if & when he needs another working dog. I don't want to have more than 3 dogs, but if the farmer is breeding soon, then that is when I will be getting another dog. My other option is to try & find breeders in Tasmania.

What is your favourite training game and how do you play it? This is not a training game, but our favourite game is 'Hide & Seek'.  Oscar is as solid as a rock in his hide - won't move until you look him in the eye.  Jak is hysterical - he is beside himself, dancing on the spot & only has his face hidden.  He cannot do the WAIT to be a seeker (he tries), but the moment you are out of sight he is off seeking.  Miss Trickie (Cricket) bounces out as soon as you say you are looking.  If one of the other dogs show you where Oscar is hiding, he will tell them off (big time).  Oscar also likes to do the seeking & head butts you when you are found - if Jak is hiding with me he gets so excited & bounces out yipping when Oscar gets close.  This game really brings tears of laughter to my eyes.

What is your next goal in agility? To get some or at least ONE Open Agility & Jumping passes in NSW with Jak. We only get passes at Uralla.

Any other interesting information about you that you would like to share with the members: Oscar is a movie star.  He has done 2 x half hour movies - 1 made it to the finals of the Tropicana Festival, called the Kiss of a Stranger.  He averaged approximately 9 TV & magazine Adverts per year.  His movie career has slowed in the last year :-)

Cricket has also started her modelling career.  She was on the cover of the Sydney Morning Heralds Sunday Magazine Life.  She has also done a beer advert for TV.

Cricket, Jak and Oscar

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