Hi,

I am registered for online coaching with Olga for the in-line start. I really enjoyed the article in CleanRun since the startline is a big issue for Ralph. My other BC Rescue Duncan came with a built in startline! He stays nowhere else, but he sure does stay at the startline in a trial. Ralph, my other BC Rescue, has a better stay than Duncan out of the agility ring, but he has no stay in the agility ring. It has been agonizing trying to run a course with him. He has really achieved in agility, had numerous problems at the beginning, running out of the ring, jumping on pole setters, etc. However, he improved and had a startline for a time in Novice, but then he got the idea of the game, all about running, jumping, and having fun and then the startlines ended.

I  have been able to run courses without a startline and we even got through our last DAM with no E's and no startline! But, I feel I am under so much pressure at the start because I think he must stay like all the other well-trained dogs and he just does not. You can see his body tense up and that triggers a tension reaction in me and then we are off and away to a stressful run. I am hoping I can master the in-line start and be rid of all this stress at the beginning of a run.

--LInda