Ziva went to the Kanadasaga KC AKC Sanctioned All Breed Obedience & Rally Match this weekend. It was so windy you could barely hear the judge, along with the occasional trash can rolling by or stack of papers blowing across the arena. I was a very pleased with her as I thought the conditions were very challenging for a young dog. Thankfully we were there on the good day. The match the day before rained buckets. She ended up 1st in Beginner and Pre-novice and 3rd in sub-novice obedience.
In her pre-novice class, she was about 90% attentive throughout her heeling and the sits were solid and prompt at the halts. She casually sniffed one of the “posts” on the way by during her figure 8. During the stand for exam she wagged her tail as the judged approached, but did not move her feet. This was followed up with a rocket recall. One more exercise to go….. She plotzed for her long down, and then she saw the squirrels in the hedgerow. She warbled, she whined, she looked at Mom intently , BUT SHE DID NOT MOVE until I returned to her, hooked on her leash and released her.!!!! YEAH. I’m sure some points lost were for “talking” in class.
I also entered her in conformation to get her additional exposure to other dogs moving in the ring next to her. There ended up being only 2 female GSD. Ziva placed 1st and best of breed. The judge loved her head, temperament, expression and of course her pigment. She also ended up 5th of 9 dogs in the herding group.
Wow what a great day for you and Ziva! What a good girl she was holding her stay on the long down with squirrels teasing her. I love the rocket recall, and wagging her tail for the judge approaching…another GSD myth busted. Congratulations on the BOB and the terrific group placement!
I never thought of her as a conformation dog, so placing over dogs that are shown in the breed ring was a plesant surprise. She has really matured mentally over the winter. I think last year it would have been game over with the squirrel tease.
Congratulations, Ziva and Lisa! You give me hope for Ember! 🙂 That is great that she stayed with those darn squirrels teasing her. I start rally classes with Ember this month, I am very excited. Do you enjoy rally or obedience more? Do you think its hard to do both at the same time, or can they decipher between the two? I thought it would be hard for Ember to decipher between conformation and obedience, but she’s doing a pretty good job with that.
I always liked rally better b/c there is more activity & ob is more precise, i.e. boring. I am starting to appreciate ob more, finding satisfaction in accomplishing the details. Ziva & Libby know what we will be doing by the equipment and my body language.
harness=tracking
flat collar=OB or rally
wine glass=laying on the patio watching Mom giggle
As far as time, with 2 dogs it can be tough and when I decided to track w/Z-Evil one last year, I had to back off on some of the stuff I did w/Libby especially as trial time got closer. This winter I was going some weeks to 4 classes a week between the 2 of them. Since I have never done any competing before the learning curve is very steep. We got thrown off track w/agility when they decreased the # of classes per week. We have been waiting to get into a contacts and weaves class since Jan and can’t go on until we take that 🙁
Super job Lisa and Ziva! Sounds like Ziva did great under difficult circumstances with the wind and wildlife distractions.
Yes, I was very pleased-especially since I am sure she frequently dreams of squirrel stew.
Whoo Hoo Ziva, wonderful job!
Congratulations.
Thanks
Good Girl, Ziva and Awesome job, Lisa!!!! Wow, what a wonderful weekend. I was smiling ear to ear reading your post, Congratulations!