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Day One, Longs Peak Dog Training Club, Greeley, Colorado, 2009
Ronin had a fairly good day. He definitely was happy throughout. We tried for another UDX leg, but didn't quite make it.
First off was Utility B and the first exercise was Directed Jumping. He barely went out beyond the jumps, almost not far enough to qualify. The judge really gave us a gift by only penalizing 6 points for each "Go-Out". We really need to practice longer distances, but it is hard in the winter. Time to stop by some training facilities for drop-in practice. After squeaking through the jumps, I was discombobulated and blew a lot of what I had practiced so hard for. We Qualified, though, one of 6 out of 15 entries to do so. The score was good enough to get a trophy as highest scoring Cocker Spaniel in trial (a Toy and a bag of Biscuits).
I had really good feeling going into Open B. Ronin is rock solid on everything there (ha ha). And he did really well. We had pattern I (one) which is like Utility A. He did really well on everything, including magnificent stays. He didn't even move a centimeter on the Sit-Stay. Someone slammed down some equipment in the next ring just as he was coming off the Broad Jump and he flinched and had a crooked front (1 1/2 points off). In all, he had a 196 going until HE DIDN'T DROP ON RECALL. It was if he didn't even hear it. gAh.
So we practiced "Go-Out" and "Drop-On-Recall" elsewhere in Island Grove for awhile and signed up for a C Match for practice. We had a good 20 Minutes of practice to go over problem areas and play with his New Toy. I checked out the area where he was supposed to drop and there were two large electrical transformers on the wall inside the building right there. And they were HUMMMMMMMing. Handlers using voice commands for the Drop had problems, those who used hand signals did better. We played around the transformer, then did several practice Drops. I hope we worked through that problem.
He enjoyed every minute of the day, and made friends with the judges. A dog that loves to work in the ring is a joy to be with. I hope I can become a better handler to get him the scores he deserves. Right now he's asleep at my feet. We have two more days of Obedience Trials, and I hope we do better.
First off was Utility B and the first exercise was Directed Jumping. He barely went out beyond the jumps, almost not far enough to qualify. The judge really gave us a gift by only penalizing 6 points for each "Go-Out". We really need to practice longer distances, but it is hard in the winter. Time to stop by some training facilities for drop-in practice. After squeaking through the jumps, I was discombobulated and blew a lot of what I had practiced so hard for. We Qualified, though, one of 6 out of 15 entries to do so. The score was good enough to get a trophy as highest scoring Cocker Spaniel in trial (a Toy and a bag of Biscuits).
I had really good feeling going into Open B. Ronin is rock solid on everything there (ha ha). And he did really well. We had pattern I (one) which is like Utility A. He did really well on everything, including magnificent stays. He didn't even move a centimeter on the Sit-Stay. Someone slammed down some equipment in the next ring just as he was coming off the Broad Jump and he flinched and had a crooked front (1 1/2 points off). In all, he had a 196 going until HE DIDN'T DROP ON RECALL. It was if he didn't even hear it. gAh.
So we practiced "Go-Out" and "Drop-On-Recall" elsewhere in Island Grove for awhile and signed up for a C Match for practice. We had a good 20 Minutes of practice to go over problem areas and play with his New Toy. I checked out the area where he was supposed to drop and there were two large electrical transformers on the wall inside the building right there. And they were HUMMMMMMMing. Handlers using voice commands for the Drop had problems, those who used hand signals did better. We played around the transformer, then did several practice Drops. I hope we worked through that problem.
He enjoyed every minute of the day, and made friends with the judges. A dog that loves to work in the ring is a joy to be with. I hope I can become a better handler to get him the scores he deserves. Right now he's asleep at my feet. We have two more days of Obedience Trials, and I hope we do better.