Via attended her obedience coming out party and provided laughter for folks watching the APDT Rally Puppy Level at the MN Mix Breed trial this afternoon. Even the judge cracked up at our antics in the ring.
My puppy was calm when she wasn’t attached to the back of my leg. And happy all the time that she was in the ring or in the building. And she did not retrieve nor slam down any signs or cones.
Her score was 175, a First Place. (Shhhhh! She doesn’t know that she was the only entered puppy.)
The judge, Pam Sheehan added up our score three times and was as surprised as I was that it was a qualifying run even with out the 4 points (out of 10) that we earned on the bonus sign.
The judge had to check her rule book to see if downing Via when she started losing her mind was an NQ.
We get to show again today to a different judge.
Today’s plan includes a higher rate of reinforcement and working hard on my part to keep the lead loose.
Way to go! Sounds like you kept things fun for her even during competition.
She will not be “ready for competition” for another 6 to 8 months or so. I’m just making any time in the ring super fun while she is young and “I” am not stressed about competition.
Thank you so much for posting Via’s coming out party video. She is a super attractive puppy having a fun. It made me feel more relaxed about entering competitions. Are you always this relaxed, or is there a trick to it?
I NEVER care if I win or lose. My goal is always to have fun with my dog. I always go home a winner because I am always leaving with the best dogs in the world.
That’s great Robin. I definitely need to take a leaf out of your book. I am so competitive and always put a ton of pressure on myself. I need to think “deep breath and have FUN”!
Julie asked if I would like to help her take some photographs – my first response was “Oh my gosh, they’ll never turn out as well as hers, and she will be so disappointed” Reading between the lines your book would say “What the heck, sure I’d love to help you take photographs and if I get a good shot, all the better”. I’m loving your book already!
Robin, YOU ROCK!!!
We did not get to play in the ring today. They moved the puppy classes to 9 am (instead of the 12:30 pm listed in the premium) and we missed it.
So we went tracking instead. The kidlet put down the the second track for us and had a blast playing with her puppy after.
It was a good day anyway.
Robin, I could not watch the video until just now (computer issues). The 1st time I was focused on Via, subsequent viewings I was watching the peoples expressions. Via was having such a blast you could see the smile on her face. I did think at one point she was going to pick up a marker and walk off w/it, but she didn’t. She is a busy girl.
Robin that is so cute, you made me LOL! Via and Gryphon act so much the same…I just saw Gryph last week so it was very fresh in my mind.