5 years ago this was my very first obedience show with Bloom. I was so nervous driving up the coast in my Miata (not a true dog person yet because I only had a non-dog friendly car)that I felt sick and I thought, "If I'm so nervous I'm getting sick I shouldn't even go." And I also wondered what was making me nervous. Sure I wanted to do well, but it wasn't life or death, and there is always another dog show. I did not turn around and Bloom did not qualify that day- missing the recall- but the next day we tried again and did qualify, wining first place and a real silver trophy. So the show has good memories for me.
This year Pie was trying for a UDX leg or two. The show had moved the obedience location to a much less crowded area, with plenty of set up room and close parking. Nice.
The first day Pie qualified in both classes (no placements) for her third UDX leg.
The next day Pie picked the wrong leather article and refused the sit signal. Both days she was very stressed and not having fun, very inattentive, lagging and just blah. She trotted out to the go out spot, trotted her retrieves and was super sniffy. The good side is she had several straight fronts and finishes. The past 2 weekends I went to matches because I wanted to associate the obedience ring with rewards. That didn't work. Maybe I need more. It is a common problem to practice better than you show, and I wish there was a quick fix. Or even a long fix, but I am not aware of the proper steps to take, so that is very frustrating. It is sad Pie is not enjoying her time in the ring. I retired Fancy because she was so sad she walked many exercises but I thought Pie enjoyed showing. In Fancy's case I know her temperament is not suited to the repetitiveness and lack of positive feedback in the ring. I thought Pie wouldn't get stressed and would work better since she enjoys petting and voice praise. I'm not giving up, but I do hope to find some help to improve her attitude. Working on your own to fix problems doesn't work when you don't know what you are doing. I know it is my fault and that is discouraging because I don't know what I did to cause it. Both of ffluffy's dogs were very happy in the ring, and we have trained together, so I do not know why my results are not the same as hers.
In better news, ffluffy and Hunda (Valhund) earned their final leg for their CD! This is a huge accomplishment for this team because of their early difficulties and because Valhunds are not a typical obedience breed. They are mixed with Corgi and Elkhound and in Hunda's case, he got more Elkhound traits than Corgi. Elkhounds are a nordic breed, AND a hound... so do your best trying to train that combination! Hunda was amazing and his tail was wagging the whole time with super attention on ffluffy.
Pickle, ffluffy's BC got his second Utility leg which is also great since he is ffluffy's fist utility dog. Pickle has a handicap of having only one eye, so glove number one gives him trouble, which is why he does not have his UD already.
Some pictures from Sunday. They key to self esteem is only posting the good pictures! I will not proudly display the one of the Open fast with Pie about 6 steps behind me. Yikes.
The worst picture I'll post. You can see Pie is stressed from the panting (it was cool outside) and the ears that are not attentive. This was our very first exercise.
Nice straight front.
Good attention.
Pretty dog.
A little crooked on the halt, but still nice attention. Even if she lagged durring the heeling, she always catches up on the halt!
Open retrieve over the jump.
****I wrote the above during lunch. I came home determined to make Pie and I a happier team. I do not think Pie's problem is she is not getting toys in the ring, since she began stressing on our very first exercises, before they were complete. Even so, today I worked the broad jump (she did great!) then wrestled around with her. Then we did a go out and one jump and I had her jump on me. Then we did both articles and I had her do figure 8 through the legs, nose touches, and then we ran for the toy together. My hope is when she begins to be worried in the ring, I can play these same games to release stress, put her in a playful mood, and get her thinking a better toy will be coming soon. The problem is keeping it fresh and not boring her with the same "fun" games. If anyone has additional ideas, I'd love to hear them.
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