This past weekend, I entered Jordan and Maverick(my 11 year old and her dog) in a NADAC show. I did this for a few reasons. First, her confidence is really low right now in AKC because they are having a hard time with weaves. In AKC after 3 tries, you're told to move on and you can't attempt them anymore. So Maverick has been learning that all he has to do is run past them 3 times and he gets to go play some more. I entered Jordan in Tunnelers, Regular 1 and 2, Jumpers and Weavers. For non NADAC folks, Regular 1 and 2 are standard courses run one direction and then the opposite for a second time.
So Jordan and Maverick Q'd in almost all of the classes, including Weavers!
Now for my observations. None of this is meant to put down any venue at all. Just stating what I saw this weekend. I was super impressed by a lot of the handling. Most of these people could easily pull off ANY Master FAST or Gamblers(for you USDAA peeps) course. The distance that 90% of the people had was astonishing! Most people could stand in the middle and point and their dog just did what they were told. They seem to train much harder on obstacle discrimination than I know I've ever trained. Lots of people could just say "in" or "out" and the dog knew where to go. They used lots of "switch" and "go" whereas I think AKC people do more "back" and "get out". The craziest thing I saw though, was Border Collies, German Shepherds and other huge dogs jumping only 16" or 12". I saw one decent sized Sheltie jumping 8". I can't imagine running Trax at 8". He wouldn't even have to try to jump.
The biggest difference(in my very humble opinion) is that AKC and USDAA people run A LOT more! I think we use a much more hands on approach to handling. In AKC and especially in USDAA I see much more precise commands and handling. We're in their faces, giving directions and getting them to stop on a dime and twist and turn. It's definitely more fast paced and more competitive.
So when my 11 year old daughter comes on the scene at a NADAC show, she gets attention. Her handling was completely different than anyone there. She ran with Maverick and did great. Her jumpers runs were the fastest of ALL THE DOGS IN ALL THE LEVELS! On Saturday her jumpers run was 16 seconds and on Sunday it was 18 seconds. On Sunday the judge pointed her out during his briefing and said, "I especially want to thank Jordan for coming and showing with us this weekend. She's made us all look bad, but we're still happy she's here!"
Nonetheless it was a huge confidence booster for her and she feels much better now about her skills. Everybody made over how well she handled out on the field. She definitely felt great by the end of the weekend.
I have a ton of respect for these handlers and their skills! On the other side, I can see how their lack of movement causes their dogs to be much slower than they could potentially be. NADAC seems to definitely be more about skill and having fun, than being the best and fastest dog out there. So it was a nice change and we will definitely go back
So Jordan and Maverick Q'd in almost all of the classes, including Weavers!
Now for my observations. None of this is meant to put down any venue at all. Just stating what I saw this weekend. I was super impressed by a lot of the handling. Most of these people could easily pull off ANY Master FAST or Gamblers(for you USDAA peeps) course. The distance that 90% of the people had was astonishing! Most people could stand in the middle and point and their dog just did what they were told. They seem to train much harder on obstacle discrimination than I know I've ever trained. Lots of people could just say "in" or "out" and the dog knew where to go. They used lots of "switch" and "go" whereas I think AKC people do more "back" and "get out". The craziest thing I saw though, was Border Collies, German Shepherds and other huge dogs jumping only 16" or 12". I saw one decent sized Sheltie jumping 8". I can't imagine running Trax at 8". He wouldn't even have to try to jump.
The biggest difference(in my very humble opinion) is that AKC and USDAA people run A LOT more! I think we use a much more hands on approach to handling. In AKC and especially in USDAA I see much more precise commands and handling. We're in their faces, giving directions and getting them to stop on a dime and twist and turn. It's definitely more fast paced and more competitive.
So when my 11 year old daughter comes on the scene at a NADAC show, she gets attention. Her handling was completely different than anyone there. She ran with Maverick and did great. Her jumpers runs were the fastest of ALL THE DOGS IN ALL THE LEVELS! On Saturday her jumpers run was 16 seconds and on Sunday it was 18 seconds. On Sunday the judge pointed her out during his briefing and said, "I especially want to thank Jordan for coming and showing with us this weekend. She's made us all look bad, but we're still happy she's here!"
Nonetheless it was a huge confidence booster for her and she feels much better now about her skills. Everybody made over how well she handled out on the field. She definitely felt great by the end of the weekend.
I have a ton of respect for these handlers and their skills! On the other side, I can see how their lack of movement causes their dogs to be much slower than they could potentially be. NADAC seems to definitely be more about skill and having fun, than being the best and fastest dog out there. So it was a nice change and we will definitely go back
