Watching a dog competition without knowing the ins and outs of it can look like an easy feat. After all, it’s just a dog jumping poles and moving from one place to another. Right?
Well, agility competition is much more than that. The dog and the handler have to be connected every step of the way. The handler needs to give the dog precise signals so they can move forward through the obstacle course.
Training is how rescued basset hound Diesel found himself at the American Kennel Club Invitational with his patient handler. Ironically, the eight-year-old basset was deemed ‘untrainable’ by his previous owners and turned to the ABC Basset Hound Rescue in New York.
ABC Basset Hound Rescue is a volunteer and non-profit organization that helps homeless basset hounds in New York find their forever homes. This organization connected floppy-eared Diesel to his owner and competition handler, Shelly Gordon.
Shelly is currently the president and intake coordinator of ABC Basset Hound Rescue in New York. She competes in agility with rescued dog Diesel and her other two dogs Dazzle and Flash Gordon.
As for Diesel, his time at the AKC Agility Invitational began with him adorably rolling on the floor as a sort of ‘warmup’ before deciding to take a crack at the obstacle course. By the end, this inspiring rescue dog gained the hearts of the audience.
Diesel has been invited twice to the AKC Agility Invitational in Orlando, Florida. Shelly indicates that going to the Invitational is an impressive feat as only the top five of each breed get asked to compete.
