Studying biology and working as a teacher for youngsters, Jenny also spends her time with aged people in asiles. In her spare time, a lot of dog training courses – specially agility. Jenny found some time in her agenda do talk to Agiliteiros.com with exclusivity about her life, her dogs and shows that she can reach all that she wants: results are just a matter of hard work – and good chance, sometimes.

How did you start dealing with dogs?

I have been riding a lot and compete in jumping and dressage with horses. I brought my first own dog, a Jack russel terrier, when I was sixteen. Two years later I wanted to train more dogs so I got Lotus. In fact, I wanted a Rottweiler - my plan was not agility at first - but a friend of mine told me about Lotus’ breeder. I went just to check and then I got a Border collie instead!

How did dogs overcome horses?

After a time with two dogs and the horses, I decided to concentrate on the dogs. I saw a agility show and I got fascinated, then I started agility classes and I got the elements of a very good handler, which was Irene Stjärnås, coach in the Swedish team. She has rheumatism and can’t run. So she has to be very good with her motions to get her dog understand what she means.

Which was your first agility dog?

The first dog I trained in agility was Lotus (the dog with whom Jenny won world championship), but I also trained with my Jack Russel terrier Frances, but now she can’t run agility anymore as her joints hurts. I used to train with my mum’s terrier and she was also really good but unfortunately I have moved away so I can’t train her very much.

How is to train Lotus?

I think dogs that feel like working are funny to train. But I Lotus is a very special dog, he is very intelligent, humble and anxious about doing right. We understand and know each other extremely well.

Why did you choose a Border Collie for agility?

In fact, I didn’t buy Lotus to practice agility. My thoughts were to train obedience and sheep herding, as I still practice. When Lotus was a year, I started with agility.

Besides Lotus, do you have other dogs? Do them practice agility as well?

Besides Lotus, I have Frances, the terrier and now I have bought Elvis, a Border collie which is nine months old now. I have introduced him to sheep herding and when he is about a year, I will introduce him in agility.

How is to be on the course with Lotus?

I want my dogs to work with me, so this must be a teamwork, not a fight round the course. That’s the most important. I also want him independent but at the same time sharp. I always prepare him and show him the way very early. Often two hurdles before. He can then prepare himself and make the best and fastest way round the course.

How many times per week do you practice agility?

Mostly once a week. Sometimes more and sometimes less.

How long have you belonged to Swedish Agility Team?

My first time was in the Nordic Championship 1999 but we was just reserves, so we didn’t compete.

And about World Championships? What are your best memories from the ones you took part of?

I was in Finland 2000, where I got 6^th place with the team and in the individual we got faults on the dog-walk in the last run. If we had been faultless, we had come on 9^th place. So I understood I had to run harder. Then I went home and began stake and venture more. It’s very "swedish" to be correct and "just right". So I learned a lot at the WC 2000 and also at competitions in Denmark and Norway. My best memory is, of course, the last run in Portugal. Especially when he did the dog-walk in the end, since we got five faults the last time in Finland. I changed my methods and it was a big test to see if my training did work... Obviously it did!

Did you think you could win WC?

My purpose was to win and I knew we could make it. But there are so small margins in agility and things you don’t expect can happen. I understood that the only thing to do was to be concentrated and give everything!

The way you conducted Lotus in Portugal was the usual for you or you chose another tactic to win?

The only thing that was different to usual competitions is the preparing. It’s much longer and more intensive for a world championship. We like when the atmosphere is charged!

Has WC changed your life?

Not really. It’s something I do in my spare time. I can’t make money in it, so the sport gets limited. But in one way it has. I got a lot of contacts all over the world and that’s wonderful.

Have you already started working for World Championship 2002?

I always try to develop and to do my very best. Now I work hard to get constant results. But the real preparation has not started yet. The mental preparing, which is very important for me, did. Now I work with Lotus’ condition. Long walks in the hilly country and stretching, all time of the year.

What are other activities you do with your dogs besides agility?

Sheep herding and obedience. They practice clicker-training and I teach them funny things like throw trash, open and close cupboards. We also take long walks in the wood every day. That’s very important for us.

Has agility in any way changed your life?

Since it became a lifestyle, it has really changed my life. I left the horses because of the dogs and agility. I spend all my spare time with my dogs. Therefore most of my friends are dog-people nowadays. Luckily there are very nice people!

Is there any breed you would like to practice agility?

I want a dog that likes to work. Then all dogs are individuals and they have advantages and disadvantages. You have to find the right way to learn your dog the things you want. I think that’s a big part of the fun! Border collies have been bred for sheep herding and it makes them very good to practice agility. To be good sheep workers they have to be quick, intelligent and humble as they have to be independent as well. So I think it’s important to save this qualities.

What are the best breeds for agility?

It is a very difficult question to answer. All dogs are individuals. It depends what fits to you and your personality. Some like terriers and some like sheepdogs. But if I should choose a mini-dog it would be a Jack Russell, Poodle or Papillon. In midi, it would be a poodle and in standard, it’s easier for me: the only one for me is Border collie. Simply because this breed really fits me.

How do you see agility in your life from now?

My dream has come true but keep on practicing the sport Lotus and I love. You develop all the time and soon I will start practicing with Elvis. A new challenge.

What's your best definition for agility?

A sport that demand good teamwork and good relationship with your dog. Both of you have to have a lot of qualities. In agility your dog has to think and so are you.