Which came first, Agility or Shelties?

[Justicemom]

I feel sorry for dogs in that situation. People who act like that are usually making it all about THEM and the dog is just a means to an end. I wouldn't want to play on their team, either.

I know alot of handlers in obedience like this too.They must have big scoring dog/OTCH dogs no matter what. They have a reputation to uphold, you know. They put so much pressure on the dog. I really feel sorry for dogs with grouchy, no fun owners. I know Obedience is competative. Unlike agility you have to win and place to get OTCH points for you AKC Obedience Ch. A 199 out of 200 score means nothing if you didn't place in the ribbons(1st for sure, 2-4th maybe if enough dogs). In fact, obedience is the only AKC sport you need to beat champions to become a champion). But give me a break.

I would love an AKC OTCH dog(super tough area to compete and win in is MN) and work towards that goal but my main focus is my realationship with my dogs everything else is icing on the cake. Justice(51/100 OTCH points 4 utility B wins), Ember(10/100 OTCH points 1 Open B/1 utility B wins) and Diva(just starting but having a blast) agreed with me.

 

[Smudge]

I know Obedience is competative. Unlike agility you have to win and place to get OTCH points for you AKC Obedience Ch. A 199 out of 200 score means nothing if you didn't place in the ribbons(1st for sure, 2-4th maybe if enough dogs). In fact, obedience is the only AKC sport you need to beat champions to become a champion). But give me a break.

I would love an AKC OTCH dog(super tough area to compete and win in is MN) and work towards that goal but my main focus is my realationship with my dogs everything else is icing on the cake. Justice(51/100 OTCH points 4 utility B wins), Ember(10/100 OTCH points 1 Open B/1 utility B wins) and Diva(just starting but having a blast) agreed with me.

Yup. I was told I was fooling myself if I thought I was going to train Smudge and Fluffy solely in obedience, because there was no way they were going to win nice titles. I keep getting agility slammed in my face from a few people wanting me to do it, because "agility is so much easier to score titles". Maybe it's true, but not a nice thing to say and not a nice attitude to have. Even if it is true.

Anything I do with my dogs is just for fun. We are not going to stay in obedience forever, but I would like each of my dogs to get their CGC and their CD.

 

[DogIsMyMantra]

I would love an AKC OTCH dog(super tough area to compete and win in is MN) and work towards that goal but my main focus is my realationship with my dogs everything else is icing on the cake.

Exactly as it should be!

 

[Calliesmom]

Yup. I was told I was fooling myself if I thought I was going to train Smudge and Fluffy solely in obedience, because there was no way they were going to win nice titles. I keep getting agility slammed in my face from a few people wanting me to do it, because "agility is so much easier to score titles". Maybe it's true, but not a nice thing to say and not a nice attitude to have. Even if it is true.

Anything I do with my dogs is just for fun. We are not going to stay in obedience forever, but I would like each of my dogs to get their CGC and their CD.

Rally is easier than agility for titles. 70 out of 100 points gets you a Qualifying score- 3 times under 3 different judges and you have a Rally Novice title. There's a trial in June in Pensacola where the club is having 2 rally trials on Sat and 1 rally trial on Sun so if you had a good weekend- there's your title right there. I only entered Callie in one of the trials- afternoon, lady judge and Happy in the morning, male judge- though I doubt he'll care. just have to practice lots of heeling

 

[Smudge]

Rally is easier than agility for titles. 70 out of 100 points gets you a Qualifying score- 3 times under 3 different judges and you have a Rally Novice title. There's a trial in June in Pensacola where the club is having 2 rally trials on Sat and 1 rally trial on Sun so if you had a good weekend- there's your title right there. I only entered Callie in one of the trials- afternoon, lady judge and Happy in the morning, male judge- though I doubt he'll care. just have to practice lots of heeling

We have a local dog show coming up this June, and I have requested days off of work to attend. They have a fun match on the Saturday night show, and so this will be my first look at how agility, rally, and obedience works for competition. I got asked if I was going to enter Smudge into the obedience fun match.

I laughed.

 

[Caro]

Anything I do with my dogs is just for fun. We are not going to stay in obedience forever, but I would like each of my dogs to get their CGC and their CD.

I had dreams of Deska getting his CD... But he is never going to do a long stay at any distance from me - he just wants to be next to his sheep (me)!

 

[Infiniti]

Nike came first, actually as a much wanted second dog for my husband and I, and a companion for Honor. I've always loved herding breeds (my childhood heart dog was a rough collie), and I thought a Sheltie would be a good size/temperament for our household. Now I'm hooked on Nike's willingness to train and his devotion. He LOVES training in agility at home with me (we're still working on his confidence outside the home), and I know that when he's ready to trial we're going to have SO much fun!

 

[Ania]

Shelties - I only found out about agility when my last sheltie was over 8, so it was too late for him. And that was too bad, because he was small, but a little rocket! He would have done excellent at agility.