Wild Child Agility Training - About Us





Wild Child Agility - About Us


Sally Hildt

My goal is an enthusiastic approach to teaching with a goal of making dog agility fun for both the dog and handler.

I began dog agility by mistake. I had a pretty wild field bred English Springer Spaniel, Retty, (the original Wild Child!) as a companion in my bike shop. A friend saw that she needed a job and suggested that I take a class for something to do ... and I showed up at a horse arena with no knowledge of the sport. That was in 1999 and it hooked me right away. I found a place to play with my dog as a team member, not just a fetching game with only one of us working. We both loved the game right away.

Presently, Retty is retired and my current teammate is Arrow, a small Shetland Sheepdog. Her training from a pup was devoted to allowing her whatever speed she could muster.

This handler and dog speed is a goal throughout my training program. The more speed we have, the more adreneline we create. This adreneline is, I believe, one of the main reasons that the sport is fun for all. It is addictive and creates its own "high." We create speed through confidence. The dogs love to be able to run fast and perform the obstacles. When handlers become more confident, we pass it to the dog. As the team gains skills, the trust grows within the team.

With this in mind, I encourage handlers to take risks in training. With myself and with others, I push beyond the comfort levels of the team, challenging dog and handler to try new experiences and techniques. By filling the "tool box" of skills, we are better able to handle the unforeseen surprises that pop up in a course.

I hope to help each dog and handler team to reach a level of fun, primarily by working on the teamwork. I ask the handlers (and myself) to put a lot into the course if we are asking the dog to do the same. We work hard to understand the challenges on the course before we bring the dog to it. If the dog knows what is coming, they can run with confidence and speed and have a great time doing it. At the end of the day, we can all go home happy and tired -- the best combination possile.

Accomplishments:
  • First agility dog: English Springer Spaniel (field bred), Ms. Henrietta Wiggins MX MXJ AAD EAC EJC EGC CGC "Retty"
  • Current agility dog: Shetland Sheepdog, Strathspey All A Quiver CD RN HSCs MX MXJ MAD "Arrow"
  • Both dogs have earned an MX and MXJ in AKC agility.
  • Retty is one leg short of her MAD in USDAA in the 22" jump height.
  • Arrow won the USDAA Grand Prix Qualifier in 2002.
  • Arrow won the Iams International Jumpers class at the Rose City Classic in 2003.
  • Arrow won the Iams International Standard class at the Rose City Classic in 2004.
  • Arrow placed 3rd in the International Competition at AKC National Championships in Tampa, Florida, Jan 2005.
  • Arrow was part of the State Team Championships at Nationals: Washington State finished 2nd overall.
  • Arrow won the Iams International Jumpers class at the Rose City Classic in 2005.
  • Arrow is invited to the World Team Try Outs in Minnesota in May 2005 for the third year in a row.
  • Arrow completes her USDAA MAD title in Sept. 2005.
  • Arrow completes her MACH on Oct. 9, 2005.
  • Arrow is a 2005 USDAA DAM Team Qualifier and 2006 DAM Team Qualifier.




MACH Strathspey All A Quiver CD RN HSCs MAD (Arrow)

We went to the Debutante Ball this weekend in Auburn (Oct. 8 & 9, 2005) -- the PSLRA Lab trial. Arrow was introduced to society Sunday afternoon as:

MACH Strathspey All A Quiver CD RN HSCs MAD.

The presenter was Jan Palumbo, representative for PSLRA. Standing up for "Arrow" was Sally Hildt and many, many friends, both present and afar.

Congratulations Sally and Arrow! (From all your students!)


Arrow and Sally with their MACH bar and Ribbon!

Arrow in her costume.

Arrow Swimming.
(Photo by Creative Indulgence)






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