Long-Dangerous Tails

Today I took Nikon to the Michigan Classic, a big UKC weekend at the fairgrounds.  My goal was to finish his championship, which we only needed one win to do.  Diane brought Emma to ensure that there was at least one other class dog (oh, and I heard Diane say “I bet I can get her to prance around in a circle…” yep, she’s hooked).  There ended up being several other class dogs and Nikon racked up even more points (which he does not need) but did not get the win.  In the first show, the Best Male went to a working line dog that ended up taking Best of Breed.  In the second show, the judge picked all American line dogs.

I was really disappointed, not because we did poorly, but I’m sick of spending money on shows when it mostly boils down to a judge’s preference for type.  The only way to get over spending money is to spend more.  Nikon didn’t do anything wrong so he got some trachea treats from a raw vendor.  I asked about showing altered dogs and they said you can do that now so I entered Chopper.  Last night I gave her a bath and since she was already there I figured why not blow more on entry fees.  She got a ribbon and got to be in a Best in Show.  Then Amy and I were talking about the lure coursing and I said I’d go check it out.  I was going to ask questions but when the woman running it said “do you need to sign up?” I just said “yes” and gave her the last of my money.

Best $5 ever spent on a dog, if not ever.  For $5 you got three runs.  They said it’s the type of thing that the dog either does or he doesn’t.  I was getting some looks for bringing a shepherd out with all the sight hounds but I was confident Nikon would do it.  On his first run, he started dancing off after the lure and then it jammed so he was trying to kill it and started running around the field but went back on it once it got going again.  The second run, he had it all figured out.  He was already barking and clawing at the ground, no encouragement needed.  I dare say he put some of the sight hounds to shame.  The third run he was so amped up he slipped twice and somersaulted in the mud both times but stayed right on the course.  He had so much fun.  I had to drag him off the field, screaming and barking and clawing in the direction of the lure.  So much for the groom job I spent days perfecting.

The best thing about this event is that there isn’t really any training.  It’s the only performance event where I’ve been able to photograph my own dog.  The most difficult part is getting the dog from the gate to the start without being dragged through the mud.  I thought Nikon pulled hard during protection training but this takes his prey drive to a whole new level!!  I think this might have topped the herding instinct test.

This show was also great socialization for Nikon.  I’m the first to admit that he can be quite the snarkster when it comes to other dogs in his space, but he did fabulous and even had dogs walking over him while he waited his turn.  He also spent about 10 minutes giving kisses to two little girls lamenting the fact that they are just a few months too young to handle dogs.  They decided they want a GSD instead of a Corgi.

Lure coursing is going to become an official UKC event and will have official all breed competitions.  Amy and I decided that Nikon will be the first German Shepherd titled in UKC lure coursing.

“I get to be in the show!”

Nikon’s crate neighbor.  Can you guess what he is?

Show 1 – First Place and Reserve Best Male

Nikon thinks the down and back is for heeling

Emma handled by a talented Junior

Chopper remembered how to show.  We did better in the Best in Show, I had her gait out in front of me.

“We’ve already read Carole’s latest issue front to back including all of the show and trial results and this is still hopelessly boring. ”

OK, Noodle, what do you think of chasing a plastic bag?

“Fabulous.  Where do we sign up?”

Who would have thought you can get titles in chasing a plastic bag?

A composite of the second turn

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