Off Course Agility

On this episode Ed Peters makes ChatGPT the guest on the podcast. ChatGPT is product from OpenAi, which is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) research and development company. Any suggestions, comments, feedback or to volunteer to be a guest, you can send an email to offcourse@optimum.net

On this episode of Off Course Agility, Ed Peters wraps up the 2022 podcast year, updates listeners on the beagle pack: Tres, Belle and Violet. Finally Ed wishes everyone a Happy, Healthy New Year and hopes to have a fourth season of the podcast in 2023. Any comments or feedback or to volunteer to be a guest, you can send an email to offcourse@optimum.net

On this episode Ed Peters talks a bit about the frustration of this year with his dog, Tres, who has been having an issue with a sporadic limp in his shoulder. Ed talks about Tekka and Angie, two dogs that recently went to the Rainbow bridge. In the final segment Ed expresses his joy of being apart of his sister's new beagle puppy's life. As always comments, suggestions and feedback may be sent to: offcourse@optimum.net

On this episode your host discusses a bit about his recent COVID positivity and comments a bit about some recent NADAC news. As always any comments or feedback is welcome, email can be sent to offcourse@opimum.net.

In the late 2000s, approximately from 2006 to 2010, I would often travel to Killawog, NY to NADAC funraisers with my beagle Dino. These trials were organized and hosted by Nadia Rubaii. Nadia was a NADAC judge, competitor, and super knowledgeable about dogs and their training. Nadia recently passed away, on this episode I remember Nadia and my trips up to Killawog NY. Nadia outside of agility was an accomplished academic and you can find Nadia's obituary at the link below. https://lansingfuneralhome.com/obituaries/nadia-rubaii-1 To reach us with comments about this episode you can email at offcourse@optimum.net

My guest on this episode is Marcy Matties from Texas. Marcy has been involved with agility for almost 15 years. We discuss when she started,  in which venues she has participated, her road to becoming a NADAC judge.  Marcy describes how she starts to design courses for trials and for the video taped program. As always any comments or feedback is welcome, email can be sent to offcourse@opimum.net.

On this episode Ed Peters discusses the limited changes to NADAC in 2022 and the preliminary Top Ten list for 2021. Comments or to volunteer to be a guest or to recommend a guest, you can a send an email to offcourse@optimum.net

Ed Peters reviews the year 2021 for the Off Course Agility podcast and then talks about what he is thinking personally for 2022 and for the podcast.  You can always share your comments, suggestions, send guest reccomendations or volunteer to be a guest by sending an email to offcourse@optimum.net

My sister LeeAnn Peters joins me and watches her 4Legged Flix videos of her runs with Belle from 2021 NADAC Championships for the first time and we hear her comments. We also discuss championships a little bit in general too. The following link is many of Belle's Agility videos and the first ones on page are 2021 Champs, this could change in months to come. https://vimeopro.com/k9video/belle-agility-videos Belle's first run - Thursday round 1 https://vimeo.com/638415897/944b805637 Belle's second run - Thursday round 2 https://vimeo.com/638413926/8f4d73f9ff Belle's third run - Friday round 3 https://vimeo.com/638412838/a6de61e278 Belle's fourth run - Friday round 4 https://vimeo.com/638411961/e8a9e9aa46 Belle's fifth run - Saturday round 5 https://vimeo.com/638406758/2f828d2a3c Belle's sixth run - Saturday round 6 https://vimeo.com/638406078/77a9911876 Belle's Challenger's run - Sunday morning https://vimeo.com/638405743/cf6f4710cb Thanks for listening. You can share feedback, suggestions or volunteer to be a guest by sending an email to offcourse@optimum.net

Ed Peters commentary about the final day of NADAC Championships 2021. As always feedback, comments or suggestions may be sent to offcourse@optimum.net

Ed Peters commentary about the third day of NADAC Championships 2021. Ed's video of the 2021 Championship site. https://vimeo.com/626567675

Ed Peters commentary about the second day of NADAC Championships 2021.

Ed Peters commentary about the first day of NADAC Championships 2021.

Ed Peters commentary about Pre-Trial Day Two at NADAC Championships 2021.

Ed Peters commentary about arrival at NADAC Championships 2021 and Pre-Trial day 1. Also a short conversation with my sister, LeeAnn.

Ed Peters discusses what a person planning for 2021 or any year's NADAC Championship event should include. Ed talks about his dog Tres and their participation at this year's event. Ed also discusses what his plan is for the podcast at NADAC pre-trial and Championships. Finally Ed is joined by his sister LeeAnn and they discuss their plan and LeeAnn's dog Belle, the beagle. LeeAnn talks about the pet therapy group that Belle participates, if you would like to support LeeAnn and Belle in the October fund raising event the following link is to LeeAnn and Belle. https://givebutter.com/CCPT_Furry_Scurry/LeeAnn As always comments, feedback or to become a guest, send us an email to: offcourse@optimum.net

My guest on this episode is Marj Vincent from Ontario, Oregon. We discuss how she and her husband Bruce got started in agility, the breeds of dog that she has run, some of the venues she has run with her dogs, her friendship with Sharon Nelson over the years. Marj is one of the judges that judge the video taped runs on Youtube that are submitted by NADAC competitors from across North America. We also discuss Jeannie and her GotDog? training business and how she does agility and Jeannie tends to focus on herding. GotDog? Agility and Herding https://gotdogllc.com/ The NADAC Championships state basket raffle that she and her husband, Bruce, were instrumental in growing over the years is discussed. Here is the link about 2021 NADAC State Basket Raffle from Marj: https://www.nadac.com/2021-raffle-info/  Finally Marj talks about the Starfleet Canine Aid organization that Bruce Vincent founded before his passing. You can make a donation at their website. Starfleet Canine Aid http://www.starfleetcanineaid.org/ As always if you have any comments, feedback or would like to be a future guest, our email follows. offcourse@optimum.net

My guests on this episode are Luke Rincker, my youngest guest to date and Lisa Schmidt who star together on YouTube on their the Luke and Lisa Puppy Show. Their latest episode can be found at the link below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yiam88tk7w0 They welcome questions from the viewers via the comment section on their videos. You can find information about Lisa at her In The Zone Agility site. http://www.inthezoneagility.com/ Comments or feedback to Off Course Agility podcast can be sent to  offcourse@optimum.net

Ed Peters discusses a few topics: trials and technology, numbers for the podcast, new telephone voicemail number to give the podcast feedback and recent update on the COVID Measures and Guidelines for NADAC Championships.  Feedback, comments or to volunteer to be a guest on the podcast please email to offcourse@optimum.net

My guest on this episode is Isabel Danforth from New Hampshire. Isabel participates at NADAC trials with mini poodles. Her first agility poodle was Cocoa who is now retired from competition. She is now running at the novice level with her new young dog Shir.  We both talk about the Northeast Agility Enthusiasts (NAE) trial at Dummerston VT which is coming up in August 13-15, 2021. As always feedback, comments are welcome, just email at offcourse@optimum.net

Toya McCullough is an agility handler that runs with her black poodle, Brecker. I recently met her at an In The Zone trial in South Jersey and it was her first NADAC trial. She has run in many different venues, including AKC, CPE, UKI, and USDAA. She enjoyed her first experience with NADAC. She has volunteered at the Westminster Kennel Club Masters Agility Championship previously and at this year's event too.  She represents some diversity in the sport of agility being an African American. When not at a trial she also enjoys playing the saxophone. Comments and Feedback can always be sent to offcourse@optimum.net

Heather Eckenrode is my guest on this episode. Heather does agility with her medium sized mixes Bradshaw and Rooney. Her up and coming dog is Franco, a real cutie by my sister's judgement. Her dogs are named after important names from the Pittsburgh Steelers history. Heather and her dogs have run in many venues including NADAC, CPE, UKI, DOCNA, USDAA and ASCA. In this episode she talks about some of the special challenges with Bradshaw who has been known to have bathroom issues when running in the agility ring. With her careful management Bradshaw has accomplished many Qs, titles and championship placements through the years. Special Thanks to Heather for reaching out to be a guest on the podcast. Feedback or comments about the podcast or to volunteer to be a guest can be sent to offcourse@optimum.net

Ed Peters discusses how for him in New Jersey, May is NADAC season. The time of year where he can easily travel to NADAC trials for four weekends in a row. He has a little fun practicing to be an agility commentator. If you are at a trial where I am trialing look for my Off Course Agility Podcast lawn sign which has a phone number where you can leave us a message to share your fun from the trial. As always you can reach out to us at offcourse@optimum.net.

Erin and Clay Batchelor from Maryland are both instructors at Pawzazz Agility. They both discovered agility and started training in 2011, Erin with Lola, an English Shepherd, and Clay trained with Yoshi, an Australian Shepherd. Later Erin got her border collie, Jinx and Clay got Knox. They have been extremely successful at NADAC Championships in 2017 and 2019 with Jinx, Yoshi and Knox. They have competed in NADAC and AKC agility, and also done barn hunt and dock diving with their dogs.   Comments are always welcome to be send to offcourse@optimum.net  

On this episode Ed Peters talks a bit about AKC 2021 Nationals that were on ESPN. Ed, Tres, his sister and Belle recently attended one day of an actual trial.  Tres ran Into jumpers (no Qs where obtained) but it was good to be at a trial. Ed comments about a new NADAC forum that seems to be in beta testing at nadacforum.com Comments, feedback can be sent to us at offcourse@optimum.net

My guest on this episode is Eric Brad from Vancouver Island, Canada. Eric has been doing agility since the early 2000s. NADAC is where he currently trials but he started in the AAC (Agility Association of Canada). Eric and his wife are fanciers of the Belgian Shepherds which I learn on this podcast includes the Malinois, Tervuren and the Groenendael. Eric is a student and teacher of modern animal training methods based on behavioral science. Eric is a certified professional dog trainer, having earned his CPDT-KA certification from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. He has written many articles and essays, many of which are available as Canine Nation podcasts (available on Spotify, iTunes, and other podcast directories) and also at his Canine Nation website.  You can find more information about Eric and his writings at his website: caninenation.ca Eric has a new mailing list where his new writing is appearing first at caninenation.substack.com Also an archive of Eric's essays and articles can be found at caninenation.lifeasahuman.com Comments or feedback can always be sent to offcourse@optimum.net

Ed Peters discusses and comments about the following NADAC news items which can be found on the NADAC website. 2020 Survey Results and Discussion https://www.nadac.com/2020-survey-results-and-discussion/ Merging of Barrelers / Hoopers https://www.nadac.com/barrelers-and-hoopers-voting-results/ Comments or feedback can always be sent to offcourse@optimum.net

How often have you seen a couple who does agility together?  On the east coast when I think a couple that does NADAC agility with their dogs and their human partner, Pat and Tom Moloney-Harmon are a couple that quickly comes to mind. So on this episode in honor of Valentine's day I talk to them about how they started in agility. Pat and Tom are fanciers of the Shetland Sheepdog and have run quite a few in NADAC and USDAA. They have also both attended many NADAC championships. They live and trial in Maryland but I met them in south Jersey at an In The Zone trial but I've also seen them as far north as Vermont at a Northeast Agility Enthusiasts trial. The idea for this episode was suggested by Margaret MacEwen. You may always email comments and suggestions to offcourse@optimum.net

On this episode Ed Peters discusses the NADAC changes for 2021, the NADAC Top 10 for 2020 and a final commentary. NADAC changes were discussed by Chris Nelson in this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5H6osuW47E The NADAC 2020 can be found at  http://www.nadac.com/2020TopTen As always you can send us an email with comments, suggestions to offcourse@optimum.net

Lorrie Reynolds from Colorado has been doing agility since 2002. She has run in NADAC, DOCNA and USDAA. She started with her dog Maxx and has gone to both NADAC and DOCNA Championships over the years with her dogs. She is a certified trick dog instructor, canine conditioning  and fitness coach and stunt dog judge through Do More With Your Dog. She has a website where you can find out more. www.maximufundogs.com Lorrie's video of Novice Tricks https://youtu.be/ppaz21K_-HE Intermediate Tricks https://youtu.be/EQRgXh1wDAw As always if you have any comments or feedback for Off Course Agility you can email us at offcourse@optimum.net

Ed Peters reviews the first year of the Off Course Agility podcast and then talks about changes for 2021. You can always share your comments, suggestions or volunteer to be a guest by sending an email to offcourse@optimum.net

Lisa Schmit from In The Zone Agility is the guest on this episode. Lisa discusses how she started, her dogs, her training seminars and online courses. Lisa talks about her RVing for agility and how she likes to stop at some historic places when she is traveling. Lisa has attended many of the NADAC Championships in the West and ones more toward the East too. You can check out her vast accomplishments, upcoming trials and online training courses at inthezoneagility.com Comments about this episode or any feedback or suggestions may be sent to offcourse@optimum.net

Terry Todesco from Maryland is the guest on this episode. She is currently a CPE and AKC handler for her current Papillon, Huxx.  Huxx has earned his CATCH and CATE in CPE. Her first agility dog was Picasso, a mixed breed, and her second dog was ClaireBeth. They both ran NADAC, USDAA and CPE. Terry talks about some of the differences between CPE and NADAC.  Comments about the podcast are always welcome at offcourse@optimum.net

Craig Coonrad from Arizona is my guest. He tells how he got started in agility. He runs Border Collies. Craig is a NADAC judge and talks about becoming a judge and his judging at NADAC Championships for a number of years in Wyoming, Utah, and Ohio. He has been busy judging locally in Arizona and driving up to 6 hours to judge other trials during the pandemic. Craig is also an agility instructor. Comments and feedback on our podcast are always welcome at offcourse@optimum.net

Karla  Vialle from Kansas is my guest, she is a NADAC competitor who runs female yellow labs. She originally started with Sadie Louise, and currently she has Josephine and her sister Savannah. Karla is also a SP NADAC judge and hopes to lose the SP next year. She also enjoys sailing with her husband and her dogs. Also she was previously a professional ballroom dancer. Comments are always welcome at offcourse@optimum.net

Sam Lietz is my guest, I first met her at In The Zone trials in South Jersey and then she moved out to Washington in 2015. She discusses how she discovered agility. We talk about her rat terriers, Schatzi, Squeek, Dance and her border collie Bling. Sam has been the primary announcer at NADAC Championships over the last few years and we have a discussion about that and her attending of many Championships. She is currently holding agility and barn hunt activities at her SchaSam Farm in Washington. Any comments and feedback about the podcast may be sent to offcourse@optimum.net

Ed Peters discusses the Video Taped run course maps, for Oct 1 to Nov 1st of 2020 found on the NADAC website at following link. https://www.nadac.com/video-run-course-maps/ Ed is joined by LeeAnn Peters to discuss the Elite regular courses and which one she might enjoy running with Belle. If you listen to this podcast after November 1st 2020 you can find a video of some of the courses discussed at the following link. https://vimeo.com/465202431 As always comments and feedback may be sent to offcourse@optimum.net

Beth Gideon from Washington is an agility enthusiast who mostly runs NADAC. She runs with her Border Collies, Youke, Brady, Camm and Rhys. She originally started agility with a mutt named Jasmine. She has been involved as board member, trial chair and trial secretary for the Rainer Agility Team. She also operates her own dog-walking and pet sitting business. Comments and feed back may be sent to offcourse@optimum.net

Michael Vorkapich is an agility handler from Washington who runs with Collies. He and his dogs have been involved with many dog activities including Agility, Treibball, Carting, Obedience, Barn Hunt, Rally, Rally Freestyle, and Trick Dog. We discuss some of these plus his activities with Rainier Agility team, Sno-King Agility Club, and Hoofs N Paws 4-H club. His dog D'Argo has agility titles in CPE, NADAC, AKC, UKC, UKI, ASCA, AAC, USDAA. I also ask a bit about his time in the US Navy as a Radioman on a nuclear Submarine.  Feedback and comments are welcomed at our email of Offcourse@optimum.net

On this episode Pat Daggett tells how he discovered agility, talks about his dogs that have run in NADAC. How and when he became a NADAC judge and we have a good discussion on how he goes about course design. We finish up with a bit about his attendance at NADAC championships over the years.

My guest is Audri Tarr a fellow beagle owner. We talk about her agility dogs including Cee Cee, a beagle that ran at NADAC Championships in Sunbury Ohio. She tells how she started in agility, her dogs, Lily, Cee Cee, Toto, and Calypso. She discusses how some of these were foster failures and her attending the NADAC championships in the east dating back to 2011.

Your host Ed Peters catches you up on where he is on some Agility topics, including agility school / training, an A frame agility project, virtual runs and a Thank you to the listeners.  Remember feedback, comments or volunteering to be a guest can all be done via an email to offcourse@optimum.net

Carole Daggett is a NADAC judge, my former instructor, and a fellow attendee of trials and seminars. Carole is the first NADAC judge to be a guest on my podcast, we discuss how she first became involved with agility, her agility dogs over the years, and how she became a judge. Carole has been a NADAC judge for over 20 years and she has judged both Dino and Tres. Carole brings up how the first time we met was when I was in her beginner agility class with Dino and her husband Pat and his dog Druid.

A group of North Jersey NADAC agility people have been meeting weekly with Zoom  on this episode I take my podcast to this group for a bit of fun with a round table of agility questions.  Special thanks to Melissa, Maureen, Danielle, Roger, Pam, Dennis, Margaret, Cindy and Len for participating.

My guest is Heidi Konesko from New Hampshire and she discusses how she started in agility. Talks about the dogs that have been her agility teammates. Heidi discusses her vacation to Champs in 2011 and the 2017 Championships where she ran with her Australian Shepherds, Penny and Hi Jack. We talk a bit about agility camping and virtual trials / runs.  Late breaking after this podcast was recorded. Heidi now has a new good looking Australian Shepherd, Maybelle.

My guest is Linda Lavolette from Upper Michigan. Linda is my first guest who is a judge, a UKC agility judge. She discusses how she started in agility, her dogs, a bit about UKC agility, why she became a judge and what the Bay De Noc Kennel Club is doing now that COVID-19 is affecting trials. Please send us comments to offcourse@optimum.net or you can message us on Twitter at @OffcourseBeagle

My guest is Maureen deHaan who puts on Play~Bow trials in April and October in New Paltz, NY. She discusses how she started in agility and how she began holding trials and some of the things needed to run a NADAC trial. (Note in second half of our talk sometimes there is a lag on my questions and responses with a slight delay after her answers. My volume level is lower than hers. I will look into this for future podcasts.)  Remember you can reach out to us at offcourse@optimum.net with ideas, comments and if you would like to be a guest on a future podcast.

Guest Amata Hinkle from Alabama discusses how she started in agility, her involvement in Search and Rescue and caving. Her SAR activities and training occur on weekends and this is why all her dog Edraith's NADAC Qs have been obtained via the NADAC Video Run program. A few final comments at the end about NADAC topics: Champs and NADAC training week.

Guest Nancy Hoffman from New Hampshire discusses how she started in agility with her Jack Russel Terrier Stewie and now continues with Skipper, another JRT. She also talks about going to NADAC Championships in Springfield, Illinois with Stewie and more recently to Springfield Ohio in 2019 with Skipper.

On this podcast Margaret MacEwen is my guest. She discusses how she got started in agility, how she was President of Dino's fan club, how she became an agility instructor, dog trainer and how she is trying to operate her Super Fine K9 dog training business in this time of COVID-19. She also offers some advice and her concerns about how when we get over the COVID-19 traumatic event that then the traumatic event may begin for our dogs.

Ed Peters is joined by his sister, LeeAnn, and they discuss the Coronavirus, COVID-19, affecting agility trials, agility schools, their lives and NADAC. A request for guests for future podcasts is put out to our listeners. Please email us at offcourse@optimum.net if you would like to be a guest and tells us how you first started in Agility. 

Ed Peters discusses where he is with training his 2 year old beagle, Tres. The electronic mailbag, a correction and a commentary. The podcast finishes up with the upcoming NADAC agility calendar for the first 2 weekends in April 2020.

A quick discussion of agility statistics and reading of the NADAC Top 10 dog/handlers for each class of 2019.  The podcast finishes up with the upcoming NADAC agility calendar for the last 2 weekends in March 2020.

On this episode, Ed Peters discusses trial decisions, premiums and why we go to trials. Since Ed runs beagles in NADAC he announces the 2019 Top Ten for the beagle breed. We take a look at the NADAC trial calendar for the March 13 14 15, 2020 weekend. A quick comment and mailbag segment.

Ed Peters talks about how he found and adopted Tres, his current beagle. Our first mailbag segment and how you can be a part of our podcast. We look at the NADAC trial calendar for the leap day weekend February 28 29 March 1, 2020.

Ed Peters talks with his sister LeeAnn Peters about her beagle Belle and how she started in agility. A few minutes on Gamblers and a change in rules for 2020.  We look at the NADAC trial calendar for the weekend February 14 15 16, 2020.

Ed Peters talks about his first beagle, Dino, and how they got started in NADAC agility. Some of the changes for NADAC in 2020 are discussed. We look at the NADAC trial calendar for the weekend January 24 25 26, 2020.