A good opportunity ~ match tonight in a tough venue

[2GoodDogs]

A huge cluster of dog shows in town, the Atlanta Expo Center is tough, with the grooming set up, tons of vendors - this is a major build up for Westminster and the place is packed!

I don't like entering obedience here because it is a bit overwhelming with noise, space and the number of dogs in breed.

We are putting on an obedience and rally match this evening and I can see if Justus can hold it together in such an environment, he hasn't been tested like this before!

Bobby is going along, he seems to be having a good day and if he seems interested in warming up, he gets to play too! After a tough week, we are going to put it all out of our minds for a while and GO PLAY the games we love with the people we love to hang with.

Video soon! Might be of Justus blowing me off, but he might just surprise me too!
Jpuppy is in Novice, Open and Rally Advance, Bobby is entered in Utility, Open and Rally Ex.

[Jaynie]

I showed my Novice A dog there in matches many MANY times. You could correct in the ring, and that helped with other venues, as the grooming area was usually set up almost on top of the obedience rings in plain view and hearing. Plus, the echo of the large old Richway Department Store building isn't very popular with my dogs, either. Good luck with the match!

[Calliesmom]

good luck- maybe we'll make it up there next year

[2GoodDogs]

That would be so nice. I wish they would take a few hours out of the commute from my house to yours!

The match was almost a disaster. I arrived to an unorganized mess, and my pre-entries did not make it into the run order list. I was a little sore emotionally and had hugs and tears with friends who greeted me with sympathy for Bobby's prognosis. Anyway, our name was at the bottom of all the run orders. tried to find a spot to work to keep me busy, but it was so unorganized I just popped up whenever any of the four rings yelled out for "posts"

I left the camera in the car, and wouldn't have found anyone to actually stand still and film us anyway..

Bobby did a nice utlity run missed his articles - he has a real knack for standing over and in front of the right article, often kicking it out of the pile when searching ... :) He does not like the glove in the dark corner so we worked that with a do-over and treat baited glove :) , he was so excited to do the go outs her squealed his enthusiasm and overachieved his heeling (forging) and nailed his signals. All gravy for my good boy and if he feels like playing we will do show and go's as long as he's wanting to warm up. If he doesn't want to play - that's fine he gets to come along for free hugs and cookies.

Justus is a goof but overall I was pleased with his attention. Our heeling has some weak spots to work on, the same ones seen over and over in our previous videos. Sigh. I need work because we aren't getting better and he's only giving me back what I've taught him to do.

His open run was fun, he's got a nice drop on recall - his broad jump was good and the retrieves... well, he's still pouncing on the dumbell a bit. We are going to try a larger size and at home he's retrieving out of a wicker bread basket to slow him down so he picks it up more carefully.


I saw a cool new way to teach the broad jump on youtube... I will go look up that link in a bit...

[fuzbuttsheltie]

Good for you for seizing this opportunity and not letting others frazzle your nerves or patience. I do hope that your stewarding did not go unnoticed.

I'm delighted to hear that you had a great time with Bobby. Surely he loves the opportunity to perform even though the gloves were placed in a dark corner. I imagine he was quite proud of himself as you both exited the ring. He gets to play with his mom!

Justus is coming along quite nicely. Getting attention in a very distracted environment is something to shout about!!

Congratulations!

Dani
Davina - UDX, OM1
Dalton - CDX, RAE
Derrick - CD, RAE
Rush

[Calliesmom]

glad to hear that the boys were doing well at the match.
at our small ob/rally trial, we have stopped doing pre-entries. show up the day of the match, pay your money and take your turn. it has made our lives so much easier. I imagine with a show that size, it would be more difficult to do it that way.
I do wish Atlanta was a little closer- would be fun to practice stuff together