I make 2 categories for this aspect. 1) ME, the human handler and 2) DOG, the competition creature
For me, I make sure I eat a lot on Friday's as I am prone to running out of steam during a trial. I also try to have a nice relaxing evening the night before and avoid trying to reroof the house, attempting a major computer project, or any other disruptive task, etc. I do pretty light training, check the trial check-in time, layout clothes for the next day (as we usually have to get up at o-dark thirty in the morn) and get to bed early.
For the dog, I usually try to tap into my dog's mood and observe that he's not upset or bothered by anything. This AM, before going to work, I took him for a walk, taking a new route  I try to keep things light, silly and happy. I also make sure his toenails are clipped, his ears are clean, his coat is at the right length (for hot weather, especially) and that he has been exercised appropriately during the week.  I do get obsessed with Doc's fitness level. The day before a trial I may not do any agility. Sometimes it helps to have more than 1 dog because a non-competing dog can train a lot of agility the day before a trial, but the competition dog just gets exercised and 'checked'. This way I, as the handler, still get to practice technique... Â
Submitted by addictedtolabs on Fri, 2008-01-11 14:14.
Thanks Tracy, I like the part about eating a lot. VBG. Luckily, my labs have one mood, happy go lucky.I have been reassessing my training routine now that my boys are getting older. Bailey would drive me nuts if he didn't get a work out each day but now that he is approaching 4 I have noticed a change.
I would love to take them swimming,but that may be too much. I am going to the field with MEAT BALLSÂ and will play Frisbee and do 3 or 4 reps on contacts and weaves with both and "go on" with Kody. Most of my friends advocate a complete rest.
I am looking forward to hearing what the others do with the variety of breeds and temperaments we have in our class.
In this part of the country trials usually require overnight stays somewhere. I have found that I do not perform at my best if I have to get up at 4am to drive 3+ h to a trial so I try to get to the area the night before. All my dogs are seasoned travelers by the time they actually start competing in agility (ie the lakies do breed shows and everyone comes along for the ride) so travelling itself is not stressfull.
shadow trains on equipment maybe 1 -2 times a week usually a 8 - 12 obstacle sequence and a couple of teeters. If she is doing a USDAA trial I will do a couple of obstacles handling at a distance and reward with a thrown ball, practice a little heeling and jackpot a couple of contacts and quit.
pippen is coming back from a muscle strain so he gets 20 min of walking / trotting / running then this week he can work jump chutes up to his full height and start simple sequences with gradual changes in direction.
Wisp gets 2 approximately 10 min training sessions outside every day . We will spend a few minutes rewarding contacts then take 2 skills to train / practice.  I try to work her over her jump grids 3 times a week  In the morning we have group excercises in the kitchen while I eat ... sits and downs mainly!! when I train Wisp I try to mix in as much 'play' as possible and sometimes just go with the flow and run around playing frissbee!     elizabeth
Submitted by kmanning913 on Sat, 2008-01-12 12:30.
Hmmmm, Jean. I'm guessing that I may have the dogs closest to yours in temperament, exercise needs, etc (VBG). We, also, almost always have a travel day the day before the trial-----usually anywhere from 3-5 hours. They are great travelers, but I ALWAYS find a way for them to blow off steam that day---running in a field, playing with other dogs, frisbee, etc. And then I always take them out for a walk, short play, etc. the morning of the trial. That seems to settle them for the rest of the day. They all get at least l active playtime and a walk every day. Emmy and I have class one morning a week. We also do a few fun drills like run through the snow to the table and do a fast down, then release to a toy, but that's about it for now.   I cannot imagine taking Emmy to the start line at this point without having given her a chance to get the wigglies out :-)
Re: Day before a trial routine
Hey Jean,
I make 2 categories for this aspect. 1) ME, the human handler and 2) DOG, the competition creature
For me, I make sure I eat a lot on Friday's as I am prone to running out of steam during a trial. I also try to have a nice relaxing evening the night before and avoid trying to reroof the house, attempting a major computer project, or any other disruptive task, etc. I do pretty light training, check the trial check-in time, layout clothes for the next day (as we usually have to get up at o-dark thirty in the morn) and get to bed early.
For the dog, I usually try to tap into my dog's mood and observe that he's not upset or bothered by anything. This AM, before going to work, I took him for a walk, taking a new route  I try to keep things light, silly and happy. I also make sure his toenails are clipped, his ears are clean, his coat is at the right length (for hot weather, especially) and that he has been exercised appropriately during the week.  I do get obsessed with Doc's fitness level. The day before a trial I may not do any agility. Sometimes it helps to have more than 1 dog because a non-competing dog can train a lot of agility the day before a trial, but the competition dog just gets exercised and 'checked'. This way I, as the handler, still get to practice technique... Â
Tracy
Re: Day before a trial routine
Thanks Tracy, I like the part about eating a lot. VBG. Luckily, my labs have one mood, happy go lucky.I have been reassessing my training routine now that my boys are getting older. Bailey would drive me nuts if he didn't get a work out each day but now that he is approaching 4 I have noticed a change.
I would love to take them swimming,but that may be too much. I am going to the field with MEAT BALLSÂ and will play Frisbee and do 3 or 4 reps on contacts and weaves with both and "go on" with Kody. Most of my friends advocate a complete rest.
I am looking forward to hearing what the others do with the variety of breeds and temperaments we have in our class.
Cheers,
Jean
Re: Day before a trial routine
Depends on the dog.. and the handler too, ;-)..
I confess, I don't have a luxury of tailoring mine or my dogs' schedule according to the trials. I am not saying I don't admire those of you who do..
I would like to ask all of you to take a closer look at how much you train your dogs on equipment.. I can bet you, probably too much..
Olga.
Re: Day before a trial routine
In this part of the country trials usually require overnight stays somewhere. I have found that I do not perform at my best if I have to get up at 4am to drive 3+ h to a trial so I try to get to the area the night before. All my dogs are seasoned travelers by the time they actually start competing in agility (ie the lakies do breed shows and everyone comes along for the ride) so travelling itself is not stressfull.
shadow trains on equipment maybe 1 -2 times a week usually a 8 - 12 obstacle sequence and a couple of teeters. If she is doing a USDAA trial I will do a couple of obstacles handling at a distance and reward with a thrown ball, practice a little heeling and jackpot a couple of contacts and quit.
pippen is coming back from a muscle strain so he gets 20 min of walking / trotting / running then this week he can work jump chutes up to his full height and start simple sequences with gradual changes in direction.
Wisp gets 2 approximately 10 min training sessions outside every day . We will spend a few minutes rewarding contacts then take 2 skills to train / practice.  I try to work her over her jump grids 3 times a week  In the morning we have group excercises in the kitchen while I eat ... sits and downs mainly!! when I train Wisp I try to mix in as much 'play' as possible and sometimes just go with the flow and run around playing frissbee!     elizabeth
Re: Day before a trial routine
Hmmmm, Jean. I'm guessing that I may have the dogs closest to yours in temperament, exercise needs, etc (VBG). We, also, almost always have a travel day the day before the trial-----usually anywhere from 3-5 hours. They are great travelers, but I ALWAYS find a way for them to blow off steam that day---running in a field, playing with other dogs, frisbee, etc. And then I always take them out for a walk, short play, etc. the morning of the trial. That seems to settle them for the rest of the day. They all get at least l active playtime and a walk every day. Emmy and I have class one morning a week. We also do a few fun drills like run through the snow to the table and do a fast down, then release to a toy, but that's about it for now.   I cannot imagine taking Emmy to the start line at this point without having given her a chance to get the wigglies out :-)
Kari, sister Emmy and Daisy
Re: Day before a trial routine
PS---To clarify, we do AKC, so only 2-3 runs per day. If we did USDAA with more runs, I would keep the play time shorter.
And since Daisy is almost 9, I let her "think" that she is getting the same amount of activity as Emmy, but keep the level lower for her.