A month or so ago there was a post on Performance Sheltie list looking for a Dam team partner for a USDAA trial not to far away. I knew the other team member from AKC and the person posting has a Sheltie that is a cousin to Echo. I replied and next thing I know I was on a DAM team.
Boy was it fun. I loved all the games and that atmosphere was a great.
We did okay and didn't humiliate ourselves too terribly, except a little in Snooker.
I had debated taking Brenna since I just went up for the day but I'm so glad I did. They had 5 rings going and speakers set up. Brenna isn't crazy about the popping and spitting speakers can make,so it was great to get her around that.
They also had splash dogs. It was worth the drive just to see that. Brenna was very interested. She wasn't ready this year but who know maybe next year. The woman said two of the top dogs in the county are Mals.

Sounds like fun!

What are splash dogs?

Fun! What's a DAM team? (There are so many terms in the world of dog sports that I have no clue about!)

I googled 'splash dogs' -- it's dock jumping! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wG6Eoli8gA

Wow, I want a dog who will do this! Brenna was interested? That would be SO cool. Never in a billion years would a Sheltie do that. You could toss an entire pound of raw meat into the water, the Sheltie would back up and shoot you a 'you go get that right now!' look and walk away.

I hear that lots of bully breed dogs are great at dock jumping, and of course Labs are well represented.

You got that right ! The woman was telling me that two of the top dogs in the country are Malinois. Brenna can't handle her feet not touching yet so maybe next year.
Lets see if I can explain Dam team. It is a group of three people and dogs and you compete in different agility events through out the day to try and qualify for nationals. I guess it started in Canada and is a way of avoiding conflicts when you have several events you are entered in.
We did snooker, gamblers, relay, and then a jumpers and standard course.
The games where a kick and I will be doing more USDAA if I can manage it.

Oooo...dock diving! That looks like so much fun! I had a irish setter/lab cross when I was growing up that used to love to run down the dock and soar into the lake. He would have loved participating in something like that.

Sounds like a great day. Brenna got some exposure to new things, Echo got his agility, and you had a lot of fun with both.

Sounds awesome - congrats on a good day.

Fun day! I enjoyed going to USDAA most when we were hanging out with the agility crowd. Nicest most knowlegable people around at the time (CPE wasn't around yet and AKC was just getting started - yes, and dirt was young).

They are doing Splash Dogs at Soldier Hollow sheepdog trial this year. I've heard it's huge. I predict it is well on it's way to being the Next Big Thing - in dogs for sure, and possibly in outdoor sports. It's got great crowd appeal and they've got it together on the whole sponsorship and publicity thing.

Sounds like a fun weekend!

Cool, I knew you'd like it. I LOVE it. I wish Whisper would let me do more but she didn't take too kindly to USDAA. I've been dying to be on a DAM team and entered team with a friend but had to withdraw when Mr. Y's mom got sick.