They truly can. 

I teach a couple agility classes at Dawgs in Motion.  Quinn usually goes along to be my demo/proofing dog and because he really needs one-on-one time with me.  Plus, I enjoy agility and Quinn had been almost to the point of trialing several years ago.  You know, the years before all the sheep.  On Fridays Shaine goes along as well and gets in some swimming when I’m done with classes.

So today I pop Shaine in the back seat of the truck (the bed of the truck being currently occupied by 500#s of grain), pop Quinn in the back seat of the truck and go to grab a couple leashes.  When I turn around, Quinn is attempting to mount Shaine, telling me she wasn’t nearly as far out of heat as I thought.  So out of the truck with Quinn, much to his dismay, and into the truck goes Rowan. 

Now, I did have second thoughts about taking Rowan given that her motto has always been “shoot first and ask questions later” in regards to just about everything.  Right hand chore dog she is.  Easy-going, mild mannered, love everyone even if you get in my face demo dog she ain’t.  But I had worked Rowan in agility as well and it seemed to suit her.  The fast paced style of it is pretty much a perfect match for her inability to focus on things longer than a nano-second and she had always enjoyed it.  I really didn’t expect her to remember much though.

Here’s where the surprise comes in. 

She not only remembered a whole lot more than I even remember teaching her, she didn’t react when a young poodle got all up in her face with a lot of tooth showing.  When I took her off lead to demo starting weave poles she didn’t once think about going to start something with the other dogs.  Although she was rather fascinated by Griz. 

After class I worked her on a few obstacles.  She not only did them all with enthusiasm she even remembered her two-on-two-off for her contacts.  Then we got to the one obstacle she always had trouble with.  The tunnel.  I know, most dogs love the tunnel.  Rowan loves the tunnel also.  Only Rowan would prefer to not go through it, but rather run along the top of it.  Yes, the whole length of the tunnel.  On top.  So I took some time to explain to her how to actually perform the obstacle correctly.  A tennis ball whipped through it did the trick.  After a few runs through she had it down pat.  Even did it on her own, carrying the ball, as I put the equipment away.   

Not bad for a middle-aged gal.  Rowan, not me.