take4roll10
Moderator
I entered an AKC trial this past weekend despite not having had classes since November and competing since September. The only training we did this winter was one quasi-jumpers class in January and last weekend I rented my training facility for an hour to practice weaves, table, jumps and the chute. So, Bailey hasn't seen any contact equipment in about 5 months.
My expectations for this trial was very low. I knew we both would be rusty, especially since we are both a very, very green team. My goal was just to have fun, see what we need to work on and hopefully keep Bailey's focus.
Open Jumpers: Not that bad of a run for not training since November., but we did have two refusals. The first refusal was in front of the triple jump. It's so great to have a video of the runs because I can see exactly what I did wrong. I hesitated on the rear cross and shouldn't have said "back". That confused Bailey and made her think she had to turn into me. I should've just rear crossed without saying anything. I did notice that most handlers rear crossed at the jump before I did it, so maybe that was part of the problem as well.
The second refusal happened at the weaves. Bailey missed her entry, which is unusual for her. She usually has very good entries. While watching the video, I realized I said "weaves" way too late. I should've said it when she was committed to the jump. I noticed a lot of people front-crossed in front of the jump before the weave poles. Not sure if that would've made a difference.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLurA22r0pw
Novice Standard: Another decent run that wasn't successful because of handling miscues. Started off good, but I front-crossed at the A-frame and this made Bailey think we were going back up the A-frame. Then came the dreaded the teeter. She has had issues with the teeter in the past, so I wasn't even sure if she would even do it. She got on it and I was thrilled and then she just flew off! From watching he video, it doesn't look like she intentionally jumped. I think she thought it was the dogwalk and just kept running, not realizing it was the teeter.
She was fine and we finished the course. She also missed her weave pole entry again, but I didn't make her re-do it. I knew we already NQ'd and just wanted her to end on a high note.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbTvxwvLElc
I learned a lot about my handling miscues and what we need to work on. We start classes next week and our next trial isn't until May, so we have some time to work on our issues. I don't think I would enter this trial again next year. I should wait until we start classes again before trialing. I was just so excited to get back out there!
One good note is I think Bailey has gotten faster since our last trial. At least she looks a little faster to me.
My expectations for this trial was very low. I knew we both would be rusty, especially since we are both a very, very green team. My goal was just to have fun, see what we need to work on and hopefully keep Bailey's focus.
Open Jumpers: Not that bad of a run for not training since November., but we did have two refusals. The first refusal was in front of the triple jump. It's so great to have a video of the runs because I can see exactly what I did wrong. I hesitated on the rear cross and shouldn't have said "back". That confused Bailey and made her think she had to turn into me. I should've just rear crossed without saying anything. I did notice that most handlers rear crossed at the jump before I did it, so maybe that was part of the problem as well.
The second refusal happened at the weaves. Bailey missed her entry, which is unusual for her. She usually has very good entries. While watching the video, I realized I said "weaves" way too late. I should've said it when she was committed to the jump. I noticed a lot of people front-crossed in front of the jump before the weave poles. Not sure if that would've made a difference.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLurA22r0pw
Novice Standard: Another decent run that wasn't successful because of handling miscues. Started off good, but I front-crossed at the A-frame and this made Bailey think we were going back up the A-frame. Then came the dreaded the teeter. She has had issues with the teeter in the past, so I wasn't even sure if she would even do it. She got on it and I was thrilled and then she just flew off! From watching he video, it doesn't look like she intentionally jumped. I think she thought it was the dogwalk and just kept running, not realizing it was the teeter.
She was fine and we finished the course. She also missed her weave pole entry again, but I didn't make her re-do it. I knew we already NQ'd and just wanted her to end on a high note.Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbTvxwvLElc
I learned a lot about my handling miscues and what we need to work on. We start classes next week and our next trial isn't until May, so we have some time to work on our issues. I don't think I would enter this trial again next year. I should wait until we start classes again before trialing. I was just so excited to get back out there!
One good note is I think Bailey has gotten faster since our last trial. At least she looks a little faster to me.
