Monique Plinck and her dog Tiki are a dynamic duo, training for and participating in agility competitions around the world. In January, Plinck and Tiki were invited to be on The Today Show for a segment sponsored by Purina (at left). Together, they have clocked about 100,000 miles on the competitive circuit, including six nationals, and show no signs of slowing down any time soon. See list of of awards won.
A program coordinator for the Primary Care Residency Program at the Yale School of Medicine, Plinck has been with Yale for seven years and mentions that her department has always supported her participation in national and international competitions.
Wired for speed
Tiki is a six-year-old male papillon. His name was chosen from Plinck’s “short list” before he was flown in from Calgary. She explains, “Quick and catchy names that end in an ‘e’ sound are best for puppies to recall when running in agility.” Plinck associates Tiki with luaus, hulas and “the very talented football player,” Tiki Barber. She says the name suits her dog perfectly.
According to Plinck, there are a number of reasons Tiki is a great agility dog (at right): His structure allows him to be agile, quick, and great at turning; his temperament is sweet and work driven; he loves to play and Plinck has been very successful at making agility training a game. His size also makes him very competitive. The height for their division tops off at 12” and he is 11 and ¾”, which means he is one of the largest dogs in the classes for which he competes. Plinck also prides herself on being an accomplished trainer.
How it all began
Plinck first got into agility training over twenty years ago, “when a very busy and bright Rottweiler puppy named Bianca taught me a valuable lesson: a tired puppy is easier to live with.” She and Bianca graduated from puppy, then adult obedience classes and even competed in American Kennel Club (AKC) obedience training, earning the AKC Companion Dog title. Plinck recognized that Bianca needed more to keep her mind busy and her body rested; when their trainer recommended they give agility sessions a try, they did.
Plinck went on to train two Pyrenean Shepherds and a Border Collie before teaming up with Tiki in 2007, seven weeks after he was born. In 2012, Plinck welcomed another papillon puppy into her home and training program. Tush (at left) is 17 months old now and is training for his first competition, a United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA) qualifier for nationals in May.
As an agility trainer, Plinck follows a team from Finland very closely: Janita Leinonen & Jaakko Suoknuuti and their One Mind agility handling system have had a major influence on her training style. She worked with them in Canada and California and will be traveling to Hungary later this year to do the same.
In a class all their own
At this stage of Tiki’s career, Plink notes that their training schedule is “not as heavy as one might think; he has excelled and knows what he knows.” The pair usually trains a total of one to two hours weekly. They also may attend local trials or seminars one to two times per month, which can take up an entire weekend. Most importantly, the duo works to stay in shape so that they can train and compete safely. Plinck adds, “We do a lot of hiking off leash in the woods. Agility training should be fun, safe and consistent so the dog always feels confident in what earns him rewards and what doesn’t.”
Plinck doesn’t believe Tiki knows that one competition is any more important than another. She describes how he gets “amped up” at the shows, revealing, “He and I both feed off of the adrenaline and, regardless of the outcome, we celebrate when we leave the ring. He gives me his all, always, and I adore him. What more could anyone want?”
In 2012, Tiki and Plinck represented the U.S. in the World Agility Open in Belgium, winning one class and taking second in another. Plinck says, “My Yale department was wonderful while I undertook that challenge.” This May 7-11, the pair will represent the U.S. at the IFCS (International Federation of Cynological Sports) World Championships in Holland, where Plinck’s family originates. She is the first member of her family born in the U.S. and is excited that her uncle will be there to see the competition. At right: Monique with Tiki in 2013 following a competition in Texas.
As she considers what it all means to her, Plinck states, “The opportunity to be a part of this event in Holland is huge. I get to see friends who I’ve met through this sport that I rarely get to see. I look forward to the head-to-head competition against international handlers with dogs as talented and as fast as Tiki. May the best team win!”
Monique and Tiki’s wins
2013
- Tiki enjoyed the podium twice at USDAA’s Continental Championship of the America’s. Then again in July at the N. E Regional Grand Prix and Steeplechase Finals
2012
- Earned an invite to the AKC 2012 World Team tryouts.
- Tiki named #1 USDAA Tournament Dog of the Year
- Tiki represented U.S. at World Agility Open in Belgium, winning Gamblers and taking second in Biathlon Jumping
2011
- Monique and four-year-old Tiki were Steeplechase and Grand Prix finalists, ranked top ten in every USDAA Master’s class.
–Lauren Hurd, Communications Assistant, Office of Public Affairs and Communications