Having been asked by Peter Whittaker to help out with a small agility display at the Newdigate Village Summer Fete (Summer being used in its broadest possible meaning), Paula, Becky, Kaye and myself braved the savage elements and ventured across the border into Surrey to help out.

The idea was to give a short display of Agility featuring small and large dogs, experienced and inexperienced handlers, younger and older dogs. We began by giving a short demonstration on how dogs would be taught to do a couple of pieces of equipment, in this case a jump and a short section of weave. We then all did a brief agility round with the assistance of one of Peter's pupils who had a GSD.

The display had to compete for its audience with the thrills and spills, mostly spills it seems, of the Donkey Derby but attendance at our ring was creditable and appreciative. We spoke to quite a few people after the display who wanted to have more information about dog training in general as we were too far off our patch to be of much practical help.

The whole thing lasted about 30 minutes and having been lucky with the rain, we left as Peter was press ganged into judging a motley collection of canines in an impromptu fun dog show.

By David Scott

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