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This past weekend was the Three Rivers Shetland Sheepdog Club of Greater Pittsburgh's (TRSSCGP) annual specialty show. Edan and I traditionally enter Rally at this show and for the past few years have started to slowly enter the Obedience ring.
Starting with (all-breed) Rally, we successfully earned two more RAE legs (Rally Advanced Excellent) bringing him to a total of 5 out of 10 RAE legs. It was amusing because one of ladies I was competing against, another Sheltie owner and friend, and I swapped 1st place finishes between Saturday and Sunday. Because it was an all-breed rally and Sheltie specialty two placements were available for Shelties.
On Saturday Edan scored a 90 in Rally Excellent B with 2nd place Sheltie/no placement in all-breed and a 98 in Advanced B with a 2nd place Sheltie/3rd place all-breed. When I saw my 98 in Advanced I joked that Geo (the other Sheltie) would get a 100. His owner heard me and, sure enough, they scored a 100. She laughed and said I could make that call any time.
On Sunday Edan scored a 99 in Rally Excellent B with a 1st place Sheltie/2nd place all-breed by time (tie breaker) and 100 in Advanced B with a 1st place in Sheltie and all-breed. Poor Geo was off his game on Sunday, which is usually the only way I can score better than him in Rally. Everyone had a good laugh about the two of us swapping places between Saturday and Sunday, including the judge.
Before rally on both days I had my first foray into the Novice Obedience ring. Let me preface this with I knew we weren't 100%, even 95%, ready when I entered but I wanted to get in the ring and see how we would do under a judge, in a different location, with different dogs. It was our Specialty show and I tend to debut Edan in new things there so I went for it.
I did learn our off-leash healing needs serious work when treats are not involved. (If I have treats on me he heels like a champ.) I also really need to keep working on my heeling footwork and how to maintain contact with Edan without pushing him behind me so he stays confident. Our fronts also need work because they are hit and miss and right on that edge of too far away. Our judge (Ted Walshesky) was GREAT! He's tough, don't get me wrong, but very fair. He also really cares about the Novice handlers showing in his ring and will do what he can to make them comfortable, especially the Novice A handlers. His demeanor and willingness to lightly joke with the handlers while setting up for the first exercise helped put me at ease.
On Saturday Edan was a bit laggy during on leash healing and figure eights. For off-leash heal, he ended up on the wrong side of me during the about turn. His stand for exam was perfect. His recall was close enough to count but really should be closer and more centered on me. His long sit and down were perfect. We ended up with a 183 and a Q and 1st place in Shelite and all-breed. (We were the only Novice A dog.)
Sunday was more of the same but his recall ended up too far away, automatic NQ. Ted told me he really wanted to give it to me but it was just to far to be considered 'within reach'. I still returned for the long sit and down because it's good practice for him. (As I said, different venue, dogs, noises, etc. If I have the opportunity to practice, why not.) I did talk to Ted at the end of the day and he suggested yet another way to try to train the come front to get it closer. (Putting a bar on the floor he has to cross and sit between me and the bar.) I've tried many other techniques and they aren't clicking. Maybe this one will.
So great weekend in the Rally ring, 50% in the Novice ring. You know what, I'll take it, especially since we really weren't as ready for the Novice ring as I would have liked. What it did do, though, was help me relax a bit with it since I now have some experience AND really showed me where we need to work.
I always tell my students this is about the journey with your dog and not the destination. Obedience is definitely a more challenging journey for Edan and I but we'll get there and have fun doing it.
Starting with (all-breed) Rally, we successfully earned two more RAE legs (Rally Advanced Excellent) bringing him to a total of 5 out of 10 RAE legs. It was amusing because one of ladies I was competing against, another Sheltie owner and friend, and I swapped 1st place finishes between Saturday and Sunday. Because it was an all-breed rally and Sheltie specialty two placements were available for Shelties.
On Saturday Edan scored a 90 in Rally Excellent B with 2nd place Sheltie/no placement in all-breed and a 98 in Advanced B with a 2nd place Sheltie/3rd place all-breed. When I saw my 98 in Advanced I joked that Geo (the other Sheltie) would get a 100. His owner heard me and, sure enough, they scored a 100. She laughed and said I could make that call any time.
On Sunday Edan scored a 99 in Rally Excellent B with a 1st place Sheltie/2nd place all-breed by time (tie breaker) and 100 in Advanced B with a 1st place in Sheltie and all-breed. Poor Geo was off his game on Sunday, which is usually the only way I can score better than him in Rally. Everyone had a good laugh about the two of us swapping places between Saturday and Sunday, including the judge.
Before rally on both days I had my first foray into the Novice Obedience ring. Let me preface this with I knew we weren't 100%, even 95%, ready when I entered but I wanted to get in the ring and see how we would do under a judge, in a different location, with different dogs. It was our Specialty show and I tend to debut Edan in new things there so I went for it.
I did learn our off-leash healing needs serious work when treats are not involved. (If I have treats on me he heels like a champ.) I also really need to keep working on my heeling footwork and how to maintain contact with Edan without pushing him behind me so he stays confident. Our fronts also need work because they are hit and miss and right on that edge of too far away. Our judge (Ted Walshesky) was GREAT! He's tough, don't get me wrong, but very fair. He also really cares about the Novice handlers showing in his ring and will do what he can to make them comfortable, especially the Novice A handlers. His demeanor and willingness to lightly joke with the handlers while setting up for the first exercise helped put me at ease.
On Saturday Edan was a bit laggy during on leash healing and figure eights. For off-leash heal, he ended up on the wrong side of me during the about turn. His stand for exam was perfect. His recall was close enough to count but really should be closer and more centered on me. His long sit and down were perfect. We ended up with a 183 and a Q and 1st place in Shelite and all-breed. (We were the only Novice A dog.)
Sunday was more of the same but his recall ended up too far away, automatic NQ. Ted told me he really wanted to give it to me but it was just to far to be considered 'within reach'. I still returned for the long sit and down because it's good practice for him. (As I said, different venue, dogs, noises, etc. If I have the opportunity to practice, why not.) I did talk to Ted at the end of the day and he suggested yet another way to try to train the come front to get it closer. (Putting a bar on the floor he has to cross and sit between me and the bar.) I've tried many other techniques and they aren't clicking. Maybe this one will.
So great weekend in the Rally ring, 50% in the Novice ring. You know what, I'll take it, especially since we really weren't as ready for the Novice ring as I would have liked. What it did do, though, was help me relax a bit with it since I now have some experience AND really showed me where we need to work.
I always tell my students this is about the journey with your dog and not the destination. Obedience is definitely a more challenging journey for Edan and I but we'll get there and have fun doing it.
Birch obedience journey Ida more difficult too
