Nikon update

Nikon’s had a busy spring! In Jan and March (I think it was) we had two different flyball tournaments at the TNT center in Midland. This facility has professional turf which is great for dogs, so Nikon ran his fastest official time ever against our team mate Border Collie.

Then in April we were gone for a week so he and Legend went to aunt Meghan’s farm where they enjoyed jolly balls, marrow bones, and a big yard while we enjoyed the beach. Also in April, we had another flyball tournament in Davisburg and Topline’s show in Chicago. Nikon earned a “V” rating and Legend earned “VP” in the 3-6 month class.

May was a relatively quiet month as far as dog events go, but we did go down to the Centreville UKC event where Legend lure coursed like he was born for it (he was only 7 months so his runs did not count) and Nikon finished out his CAX title (12 runs in addition to the CA). At the end of the month, my flyball team did a demo/clinic at 4H camp. It was funny, Nikon was one of only two dogs that didn’t have a major brain fart! We train indoors and all of our tournaments are indoors (or under pavilions at fairgrounds) due to Michigan weather. Apparently all the other dogs on our team lose their mind when they are doing flyball on normal grass in an open field. Nikon would rather do flyball than run around in an open field so it was not an issue for us.

June began with yet another flyball tournament in Hastings. Nikon ran on the “variety” team here (all dogs must be different breeds and only one can be a mix, he usually ends up on a “variety” team since he’s the only GSD and we have lots of BCs and mixes). Here, he upgraded his U-FLI title. There was also a lure course fun run available so both Nikon and Legend did that for an extra work out. The second weekend of June was of course the UKC Premier! Nikon did dock diving and we were talking into entering a disc dog competition despite the fact that I didn’t own a frisbee and Nikon had never played with one. We entered an event that combines a short agility sequence with frisbee tossing. Nikon did not win a medal but he did beat several experienced disc dogs! Legend got lots of practice dock diving and loves it. I guess having 50% Alta-Tollhaus genes are plenty enough for the love of water! He jumps off the big platform, and jumps off the ramp before you even have the chance to throw a toy. His technique is better than Nikon’s too. His brother entered the real event and actually WON his division in the final as a 7 month old. The weekend after the Premier we didn’t have a competition, but Coke (who turns 8 next week), Nikon, and Legend all walked in the Dutton Days Parade promoting Dutton Christian School. Finally, this past weekend I took Nikon and Legend to Escanaba in the UP for a fundraiser flyball tournament. One of our team dogs is injured, so Nikon got bumped up to the “A” team (fastest team) and again upgraded his U-FLI title. He ran some of his fastest team times ever and helped the team set a new personal best twice! The weather was wonderful and the water near the shore was about 80* so the dogs got to go swimming three days in a row.

Some more recent pics…

Nikon early morning dock practice at the Premier

Legend dock diving at the Premier, he looks like a fox!

Nikon and Legend in Escanaba

Nikon competing in the UpDog Challenge

Finishing up the parade walk with their friend Clare

Nikon LOVES his hot pink frisbee and wants to be a disc dog

Nikon resting after flyball with Ping, a Papillon our friends are raising for a service dog program. Nikon loves any little dog that will dig in his ears.

Nikon and his kids. He was SO tired after flyball (you can tell by his ears) but he absolutely will not pass up a round of tug.

A typical scene – my flyball dogs. Nikon being the most accomplished and most senior, gets the dog bed and the fan 🙂