Way to go Pickle, what an efficiant weaver. Pickle did at least 3 sets of 60 weaves and never missed a step. That's a lot of stress on the dogs and yours was fit enough to handle it!
Katie

Great video, and congrats Pickle!

Kristie

Congratulations Alicia and Chris. Pickle and Stinger were awesome and never let down. You'll give the dogs from the east coast quite a run for their money. I'll be rooting for you in spirit in St. Louis.

Jeannine

Great video and Congrats to Alicia and Pickle and Chris and Stinger. Great weaves! Can't wait to see you guys on TV at the finals!

How does the Purina Challenge work? Do they cover all of the US states or select different states/areas each years?

How do they select the dogs to compete in the events?

Renee and Stingers proud cousin Della

Renee - I'm not sure any of us really knew how it worked or why we were chosen. Since only dogs from Arizona were there for the agility it wasn't truly a regional competition. And I think they choose different states each year but again not sure. It was a little strange. See you at Dixon! Go Team! Alicia

Thanks.  It's interesting that one of the few agility events with TV coverage is done in such an obscure way.  I've asked a few others who attended - and they have no idea how it works either.  Oh well.  It's neat that I know people who attended finals last year and others going this year.  We'll be cheering you on!

 Dixon will be great!!!  I can't wait.

Renee

Eric - as a team who competed in the large dog agility event, I consider your comments about the level of competition being low rather insulting.  Since Arizona agility teams are part of your target market, I consider it not very bright either, to put it on a public forum.  I was going to order some video from you, but I won't be doing that now.

Yes Stinger or Pickle could have won it.  If they had connected with each other completely through the whole course.  If the dogs had done their job on each individual obstacle perfectly, despite the large crowd cheering them and the cameras in their face - two things they don't normally see.  If their handlers had not let themselves think about those things either - even for a second. If both dog and handler had negotiated wet, slippery surfaces of both ground and inferior equipment successfully.  If, if, if!  That's what agility is all about.  Any of the six teams competing were talented enough to have won also if everything had gone perfect for them. On any given day, that's what it takes from any team.  We have all seen the so called best and brightest in this sport make mistakes - both dogs and handlers, at little trials and big.  That doesn't make them low competition.

Purina's goal is to expose the general public to these dog sports, so they like having several breeds represented. It is not all about Border Collies. The bottom line is - this was just a made for tv, very wierd agility show for our dogs and was fun for us humans.  I think the dogs handled it pretty darn well. I also think the Arizona teams did a great job of having fun and showed great sportsmanship.  

Anabel and Deacon

Big Dog Agility: 1st place: Deacon , 2nd place Rio

Little Dog Agility: 1st place: Mesa , 2nd place Spike  

Click on the dog's name to see the video. Enjoy

I video dog agility because it gives me great joy. I especially love watching the fast, big dogs. I don't do this for the money (so you can have your video for free, you will find a link to it in the next comment).

This gives me great leeway to express my honest opinion about agility and the events that I attend. My comments were not directed towards the competitors (most of whom I know and some are my friends). But as an editorial on Purina and marketing and selection process for this event.

 "Purina's goal is to expose the general public to these dog sports"

I'm pretty sure Purina's goal is to make a one hour commercial for their dog food. Where they do the classic marketing technique of pairing something appealing with what you are selling. Think bikinis and beer, cigarettes and the Marlboro Man. In this case dog food and dogs competing in various events.  

Hence the silly questions in the interviews, like "Is nutrition important for your dog?"

My disklike about the whole thing is that they bill this as a competition. On their broadcast they call it a "National Championship". In that case, as a spectator I expect to see the best dogs available. Regardless of breed.

If they had just been honest and said "Hey, we are in Phoenix making this Purina Dog Food commericial. We would like you and your dog to be in it. We will pay you $150 for your time."  I would have had nothing to say. Sounds like a brilliant way to sell dog food. 

As a spectator I feel cheated, and I believe they decieve the public to what this "event" really is. No offence meant to anyone who participated in it. I didn't mean to take away from anyone's good time.

You said yourself, "this was just a made for TV, very wierd agility show for our dogs and was fun for us humans". 

Hi Eric - This is directly from your commentary - 

"I have video of the agility, but I probably will not be posting it. The level of competition was pretty low for an event that was suppose to be representing the western half of the United States."

Yep - I took that personally!

I don't think Purina ever tried to mask the fact that this whole event was marketing.   It was a competition also, by definition. They are marketing their dog food by showing dogs competing in dog sports.  I have no problem with that and I never took it as anything else. 

Your newest comments don't change make me feel any differntly about your opinion.  "

My disklike about the whole thing is that they bill this as a competition. On their broadcast they call it a "National Championship". In that case, as a spectator I expect to see the best dogs available. Regardless of breed.

 Guess we all weren't the best available because you feel cheated!

I never questioned your right to publish your opinion - I only stated I didn't think it was such a smart marketing move to publish such a potentionally caustic comment on a forum that your target market looks at.  I stand by that.

I believe you love video taping dogs, Eric.  It's apparent in your work. To say you don't do it for the money is sort of silly though.  You sell video.  You could be as honest as you are asking Purina to be.

 Later, Anabel

Katie

Hey Eric, I tried to open the videos, but I'm directed to a "Revver" Web site that asks for my log-in name and password. I tried my name and password for AgilityVision and that didn't work. Help!

Thanks,
Julia

I deleted the videos off the Revver site. It was an experiment. Maybe I will post them on here sometime.

Eric,

Before it's too late, take an empathy pill! What a drag to find that there are still dog lovers out there who can't allow other dog lovers (not to mention the dogs!) a bit of acknowledgement. If you can't put yourself in the trainer's shoes, you might at least put yourself in Deacon's.

I know how hard these trainers and dogs work. I've seen firsthand the love, respect, patience and determination of both. Haven't you?

We are the breeders of Deacon and his littermate Ginger. We've been very gratified to know that our beautiful dogs live a 'dream life' with Anabel and David Schafnit.

Anabel and David 'get' it. Obviously you don't. Your comment puts a stain on the spirit of competition. If you can't allow yourself a wag of the tail to the humans, at least give a friendly wag to the dog!!

After all, remember what 'Thumper' said: "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."

I think Deacon would appreciate this quote from a teleplay by Rod Serling: "A man will walk straight into hell with his eyes wide open, but even the devil can't fool a dog!"

Mariah Fleming

I found this thread rather funny.  I am from the Jack Russell world and I invited the JRT's that raced.  As several have said - the event is for Purina to show folks what fun can be had with their dogs.  We have the same competitive type people in our JRT world and many of them have behaved very badly at past events.  So if you are one of those heavy competitors, I do not believe that the Incredible Dog Challenge is for you.  Remember - we are supposed to be having FUN!!! with our dogs. 

You know what I find funny?

If you Google "Purina Incredible Dog Challenge" this thread comes up in the top 10.

I agree with you. The event was a fun thing, I loved watching the Ostrich race! And not a National championship as Purina tried to bill it. Becuase at a National Championship you would find super competive people and dogs.

Love the 2 dogs competing at 60 weaves, we don't have that in the UK, it's only ever one dog at a time.  Looks great fun!

Gina & the Disco Dogs

http://www.freewebs.com/discodogs

Hi, I´m looking for a dog show to book several dates outside of US, it must be like Incredible dog challenge, please contact me by email and I´ll call.

Thank you.