AKC Agility Invitational Winner – Height Category (8″): Dot – Handler: Antonia Rotelle

AGCH MACH25 Kayangee Dorothy Parker MXS7 PDS MJS8 PJS MFG TQX T2B5 CGC
Antonia Rotelle with Cavalier King Charles Spaniel "Dot"

 

Interview with Antonia Rotelle

 

How long have you competed in AKC Agility? How did you discover the sport?

Antonia Rotelle: I have competed in AKC Agility for 13 years. I got started through my daughter who saw an ad in the post office offering Agility lessons at a neighbor’s house. Turned out that I knew the instructor from Obedience classes, and so, we began our Agility career.

 

Did you have a strategy for competing with “Dot” at the AKC Agility Invitational this year?

Antonia Rotelle: My strategy for “Dot” was different this year than in previous years. Before, I was always rushing, trying to win every class. I also had many doubts about our ability to ever reach a Finals at a major event and I had to struggle to keep those negative thoughts out of my mind. This year, it was all about being positive and remaining calm and emotionless, as it were.

Dot is a very sensitive dog, especially to me, and if I get overly excited she does too and then everything blows up. So, we had a job to do in Orlando; remain calm and get to Finals. I spent the whole weekend keeping my excitement to a minimum, being very deliberate and not rushing my cues, and letting her set the pace. She is insanely fast whether she is pushed or not, so I was able to run her like this and still win four classes. I had a feeling that if we could make Finals, we would win.

 

Do you compete in other dog sports? If so, which sports appeal to you and why?

Antonia Rotelle: I really don’t compete in any other sport, although I do take my retired dog to Nosework class. For me, it is all about AKC Agility.

 


Featured photo: Antonia Rotelle with Dot – Credit: Nancy McDonough


 

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