Nick, MACH2 PACH2 NATCH V-NATCH Flying Quick Nick Du Volant RA MXS MJS MXF T2B2 CGC TKP
Nick, Flying Quick Nick du Volant, heralds from top agility lines (Chris Libs's Volant Kennels) and herding lines (Peggy Richter's Kuymal Belgian Sheepdogs). I picked him up on May 24th, 2011 at 8 weeks of age. He was born on March 29, so he is maturing into a handsome guy measuring over 26 inches tall, and weighing 60 pounds.
Our Future
Nick is in training for agility and canine freestyle. He was also my training partner in the Karen Pryor Academy Dog Trainer Program. This was a Christmas picture. He has a lot of girlfriends and gets along great with Dani, my Belgian Tervuren.
Here's a link to Nick's great aunt, Disco's sister, Bejay, who was competing and winning at the age of 10. This is so impressive.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9EfH1_Jk_8&feature=youtu.be
Here's a link to Nick's great aunt, Disco's sister, Bejay, who was competing and winning at the age of 10. This is so impressive.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9EfH1_Jk_8&feature=youtu.be
Nick's First Agility Trial
Nick made his debut in AKC agility on Sept 28, 2012 at a young 18 months of age. He was an awesome boy and did everything I asked with competence and skill. He won the class and was the fastest of the novice dogs competing. We have a lot of training to do but it was a good experience and he grew more confident with each of 3 runs. We didn't qualify on the other 2 courses but I was so happy with his desire to run and his ability to follow my cues (most of the time). I couldn't be happier! See more pictures below. All photos by Randy Gaines, Gaines Animal Action Photos, http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/store.aspx?p=223617 .
I don't remember the kiss before our first run, but Nick is that kind of guy!
I don't remember the kiss before our first run, but Nick is that kind of guy!
ICCKC Agility Trial Oct 11-13, 2012
Here's some great pictures taken by Randy Gaines of Nick on course. He ran just once a day as I want to be sure he is ready to compete without building in any potential problems. He will be doing more runs from now on as he is becoming more steady in the trial environment and no issues have cropped up. He is great on the start line, holds his contacts, works as a team member, weaves on first attempt most of the time, and is happy to get onto the course. Such a good boy!
Lizard Butte Kennel Club Agility Trial, May 31, June 1, 2, 2013
This was Nick's 4th agility trial and he completed his Open Standard and Jumpers with Weaves titles and his Novice Fast title. He has also been competing in NADAC and USDAA trials recently. Below are pictures taken by Randy Gaines, http://www.photoreflect.com/store/store.aspx?p=223617.
Pocatello Kennel Club, Blackfoot ID Agility Trial June 14-16, 2013
Nick, Flying Quick Nick Du Volant AX OAJ NF, completed his Excellent Standard title in Blackfoot at his 5th AKC trial weekend and while just 2 years and 2 months of age. Our judge was Christy Bowers. Thanks to Randy Gaines for the photo.
ICCKC Agility Trial, June 28-30, 2013, Caldwell
Nick then completed his Excellent Jumpers with Weaves and Open FAST titles at the ICCKC trial under awesome judge, Jan Skurzynski. We hoped to earn our first Double Q but came up short during the next 2 days of our trial. But he did get started earning MACH points already.
Here’s a picture of Nick with his new title ribbons, and Mary and
Jan. Thanks Randy Gaines for the photo!
Here’s a picture of Nick with his new title ribbons, and Mary and
Jan. Thanks Randy Gaines for the photo!
BARC's NADAC Games Trial, Aug 24-25, 2013
Nick had a great time at the trial and here's a few runs.
Touch N Go
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCGG6v8_dHk&list=UUXoEwctw33iE5lZaJdm7bcQ
Tunnelers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0uFKHxJXGU
Weavers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PP7XmXLohjU
Touch N Go
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCGG6v8_dHk&list=UUXoEwctw33iE5lZaJdm7bcQ
Tunnelers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0uFKHxJXGU
Weavers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PP7XmXLohjU
ICCKC's Agility Trial, Oct 11-13, 2013
Nick earned Double Q #2 and 64 speed points toward his MACH. He is such a nice dog and is getting more comfortable in trial settings.
Pictures taken by Randy Gaines.
Nick earned Double Q #2 and 64 speed points toward his MACH. He is such a nice dog and is getting more comfortable in trial settings.
Pictures taken by Randy Gaines.
Salty Dogz Agility Trial, Thanksgiving 2015
Nick and I completed our MACH2 title at this trial and also qualified on every run with a first or second placement on all but one of our 6 runs. We had a great time. We also qualified for AKC's Agility Nationals coming up in March 2016 in Tulsa OK. We don't plan to go but feel honored to meet the criteria. |
ICCKC Agility Trial, Oct 14, 2016
Nick and I moved to the preferred AKC classes in March 2016 although he is only 5 years old and is jumping great. I moved to the preferred classes to give him a longer career and to allow us to jump in the premier classes at the lower jump height of 20 inches. We completed our PACH on Oct 14, 2016 after just 8 trial weekends and 23 days of competition meaning he earned 20 Double Q's in 23 attempts. And he usually won his class. We also qualified for AKC's Agility Nationals coming up in March 2017 in Georgia. We don't plan to go but feel honored to meet the criteria. Thanks Randy Gaines, Gaines Animal Action Shots, for the great photos.
Nick and I moved to the preferred AKC classes in March 2016 although he is only 5 years old and is jumping great. I moved to the preferred classes to give him a longer career and to allow us to jump in the premier classes at the lower jump height of 20 inches. We completed our PACH on Oct 14, 2016 after just 8 trial weekends and 23 days of competition meaning he earned 20 Double Q's in 23 attempts. And he usually won his class. We also qualified for AKC's Agility Nationals coming up in March 2017 in Georgia. We don't plan to go but feel honored to meet the criteria. Thanks Randy Gaines, Gaines Animal Action Shots, for the great photos.
Nick and Canine Freestyle
Nick and I have been doing canine freestyle and Rally FrEe. Nick earned his first Rally FrEe title, Rally FrEe Novice Skills Test title, in Nov 2016. We are working on future tities. He has also been presenting at assisted living visits and fund raisers.
Here are some fun video clips from 12-31-2016;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5i9JS8ao9fU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtYxo-SoK8c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9gTaKVrJ_g
This is the link to Nick's Rally FrEe Novice Skills Test;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Rb3-RTZtDk
We will be working on more video submissions for future titles.
Retirement
Now Nick is almost 12 years old. He is still my stable force in life here. He helps me with reactive dogs in private lessons. And he helps students doing agility or rally obedience. And he recently completed his Rally Advanced AKC title. We are both showing our age but we still have good quality of liife.
Here are some fun video clips from 12-31-2016;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5i9JS8ao9fU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtYxo-SoK8c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9gTaKVrJ_g
This is the link to Nick's Rally FrEe Novice Skills Test;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Rb3-RTZtDk
We will be working on more video submissions for future titles.
Retirement
Now Nick is almost 12 years old. He is still my stable force in life here. He helps me with reactive dogs in private lessons. And he helps students doing agility or rally obedience. And he recently completed his Rally Advanced AKC title. We are both showing our age but we still have good quality of liife.