I don’t think I ever shared Nikon’s photos from flyball Nationals. I like these photos but was a tad disappointed that there were none of his box turn or extended over the jumps (typical flyball photos) since I specifically asked the photog. Nikon did really well at Nationals. Then we had a tournament in Sept, running the same team, and he did SUPER! Our first pass of the whole tournament was perfect (nose-to-nose). On the second day he got his best time running anchor, from 4.8 to 4.7. Then later that day he got a low 4.6! He’s at the point where he just loves to run and is on auto-pilot. I only run him in training every two weeks or so. He’s slowly picking up the titles and climbing the GSD ranks.
Our Nationals team: Marley (BSD) and Rosalyn, Lola (BC) and Joy, Rhythm (mini Aussie) and Becky, me and Nikon. Our shirts were sponsored by Raw Dog Plus, which many of you may know as Judd Snyder, who sells Blue Ridge Beef raw food. Be sure to check out Judd’s web site and Facebook!
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https://www.facebook.com/pages/Raw-Dog-Plus/449107185136878
http://www.rawdogplus.com/
OK, these are the pics from the photographer. Nikon runs last (anchor) after Rhythm. I look like I’m concentrating really hard because I am! At Nationals, your passes are what win or lose the division. your dog needs to cross the line the same time as the dog coming back. Early and you fault, late and you are wasting time. Races are won and lost over inches and thousandths of a second! As soon as Lola is out of the way, I move into the lane, I put Nikon’s paws at 35′, yell “RRRRRRRREEEEEADY?!?!” and then release him as I see Rhythm’s feet come over the first jump. I also run a little ways with him yelling “GET IT GET IT”.
I love this update – and love the pictures. If Nikon were any more excited, his eye would pop out of his head!
Barefoot? Next to 4 extremely excited GSD feets??? Brave girl you are Lies and I love your braids. 🙂
Are there many German Shepherds running FlyBall?
Nikon looks as those he loves doing it.
And how nice of Judd to sponsor your team. 🙂
DuKe’s Ma, Terri
I agree like your braids! You look like a Dutch Viking warrior.
“like”
HAha, he’s lucky I let him use the brown and orange tug and not the hot pink one that I like (because it has a softer handle).
Yep! I run barefoot or with “barefoot” VFF shoes.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8300/7903233150_535d7ac679.jpg
For Nationals we only brought one team which meant no loading for me. Normally we have two full teams and I box load for the other. If I’m loading, I need the VFF shoes or my feet kill after standing on that box barefoot. The run mats are anti-fatigue, so pretty comfortable barefoot if I don’t have to stand on a box. Unfortunately Nikon can scratch me through my VFF shoes so I’ve become really good at avoiding his feet!
There are not many GSDs that run flyball at the moment. I think there are more in NAFA but we usually run in the UFLI league. Nikon was one of three I saw competing at Nationals. At local tournaments he has always been the only GSD since my friends moved away with Pan and Kastle.
Congratulations on competing at the Flyball Nationals and Nikons’ good anchor time. Thank you for the post.
Nikon is certainly a “do all” dog and an excellent representation for our breed. It is great to see him in action. Congratulations to you both for a job well done.
I always love seeing Nikon right up there with BCs and Aussies. He does the GSD breed proud!
LOVE< LOVE< LOVE the ball junkie with teeth pic!!!!!! Thanks for the Nikon update.