Pretty proud of the “old man” (age 9.5). Its always a pleasure to step to the line with Nikon no matter what game we’re playing that day.

ADCH-Bronze MACH4 Pine Run’s Photo Finish CD RN JH NJP XF WCX ADHF TM-S

Snapshot, ADCH MACH Pine Run’s Capture the Moment CD RN XF WC ADHF and I earned the last Master Gamblers leg she need to complete the requirements for her USDAA Agility Dog Championship at the BARK! NH agility trial in Smithfield, RI. It was a bit of a long road to get that last leg but to happened when and were it was meant to happen.

Zer, ADCH MACH Pine Run’s Mountain Escape RA XF ADHF, and his handler Grace LaRocque earned their AKC Master Agility Championship at the Labrador Retriever Club of Greater Boston agility trial in Smithfield, RI by., finishing their 20th QQ. This young team has achieved great things in in just 10 months earning their USDAA ADCH in August 2010, then earning their GRCA ADHF in September 2010, then placing 2nd in the finals of the 24″ division at the AKC National Agility Championship and then they finished up their MACH just a few weeks later in May 2011.

Hatrick, ADCH Pine Run Joy of Sport NA NAJ, and her handler Hannah Phelps earned their USDAA Agility Dog Championship (ADCH) at the BARK! NH agility trial in Smithfield, RI., on April 15th on a very tough Master Standard course.

Now the Echo x Flyte litter have produced 2 ADCH MACH dogs and 1 ADCH dog. A bright future for the pups of this litter!!

I have to thank their wonderful owners/handlers/trainers for their efforts and all they have done to achieve these great accomplishments at such a young age. Looking forward to seeing your teamwork continue to blossom.

Nikon Round 1 — Jumpers with Weaves
9 year-old Golden Retriever Nikon competing in the 24″ class at the 2011 AKC National Agility Championships.

Nikon Round 2 — Standard

Nikon Round 3 — Hybrid

More videos available at: http://www.youtube.com/SnapshotzGoldens

Grace and Zer with their 2nd place Ribbons

Zer (ADCH Pine Run’s Mountain Escape RA MX MXJ XF ADHF), an Echo x Flyte son, and his handler Grace LaRocque took second place in the finals at the 2011 AKC National Agility Championship in Lexington, Virginia. Out of 111 dogs running the 24 inch Division, they placed 7th after the first 3 rounds—which meant he earned a chance to run in the finals—and he took second place in the final round!! He came very close to winning the whole thing, missing first place by only 0.352 seconds!

It was such a thrill to watch Zer and Grace run in the finals. They have come so far as a team and I am very proud of them. Way to go!!!

At 8.5 years old, Nikon was in 9th place after three rounds out of 111 dogs but was JUST out of the finals since they only take 8 dogs. Ugh, so close. He was not running at his best with a sore back, but he put in a great effort. He ran clean in all of his runs, not bad for an older guy with a sore back.

Trey did a fine job for a youngster, running clean in 2 out of his 5 runs with minor handler errors due to his increased speed and baby dog inexperience. But he certainly did not seem phased by the atmosphere.

Snapshot ran well the first day, but I caused some minor errors in both her runs. Then on Saturday she woke up with a dead tail. I ran her in her first run, but she was very uncomfortable during her second run, so I pulled her off course. I did not run her in the last class of the weekend as her tail was still painful.

Then on Sunday, March 13, Trey proceeded to earn yet another double Q with placements, this time a third and a first, making his total 11 QQs towards his MACH. Snapshot also earned her second QQ towards MACH2 with two fourth placements.

Puppies to Mountain Goats

Puppies at play

Rebel Tugs

Dozer Tugs Too:

Tank takes on Penquin

Fancy riding snow saucer sled

Punk shaking the Moon!

CVC Highlight: Rethinking the causes of canine aggression - Veterinary Medicine veterinarymedicine.dvm360.com

The term dominance-related aggression is not only simplistic but is often inaccurate.