Siberian Husky Club Trial, March 6, 2009

I showed only Gryffin at the Siberian Husky trial in Dexter. We had a not-so-great NQ in Utility B (corner go-outs, moved on the MS exam, dropped an article leaving the pile, loss of focus on the sit signal so didn't do it without excessive waving on my part ), which meant another trial without a UDX leg. I can't be too upset, since he hasn't failed more than one Utility class in a row since last summer.

I'm very happy to say that we got 1st place in Open B. We had Open B II (again - 4th time this year out of 7 Open classes), earned a 198.5, and 1st place. This completes the 1st places he needs for his OTCh. title, and he also got 4 more points, bringing his total up to 68. And to top it off, he got High in Trial! He hasn't had many (this is his 2nd all-breed HIT - he had one from Novice - plus the one he got at the 2007 FCRSA National from Utility). It has been many years since I've won an Open B class, so it was a very fine day.

We really enjoyed getting home and having a nice run in the beautiful spring weather :-).

Detroit KC March 1, 2009

I can't remember the last time I showed a dog in obedience at the Detroit KC show at Cobo Hall. I have been there with both Gryffin and Ty in conformation, but I'm pretty sure I never showed Java there, and he's now 12. In any case, in my search for the Open B 1st that Gryffin needs for his OTCh., I decided we'd give Cobo a 1-day try. Except for being a dunce and not looking at the directions before leaving home (and thus went well beyond where I should have gotten off I-94...), our trip there was pretty uneventful. Hauled our large pile of stuff in on my crate dolly from several blocks away, found our benching spot, got everything set up and Gryff settled.

As everyone (all 4 of us) did who showed in Utility B, we NQ'ed. We had order I. Gryff's heeling was poor and unfocused, and he sneezed during Signals and didn't drop. Passed everything else, but had "all the way in the right corner to check out the mat rolls" go-outs. He DID jump the jumps properly, which was a bright spot in an otherwise pretty dismal performance. So no UDX title for us today.

In Open B, also order I, he did redeem himself, although it certainly wasn't the wonderful performance from two days before at the Collie trial. We had a runoff for 2nd, which we won. Too few dogs for any OTCh points at all. He earned a 196.5.

With our showing done, it was back to the bench to hang out, socialize, and talk to people about Flat-Coats. I had Gryffin out several times for the "meet and greet the public" and he thought it a splendid way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

I put up a table with my display board that is full of pictures of NDT staff members and their dogs, along with info on what we do. I put out some of my brochures and schedules, as well as some for Dr. Smith and Annarita's Mrs. Doolittle's Pet Sitting Service. I also had a business card rack out. It felt great to see people picking up not only my information, but my colleagues' information.

I'm hopeful that a few new people will head out our way for classes because of my efforts. Before BNI, I would have thought about it, but I don't think I would have been organized enough to actually set up the display.

Will I go back next year? It's hard to say, but it was a good marketing opportunity.

Collie Club Trial, February 27, 2009

Gryffin and I went to the Collie obedience trial in Dexter on February 27. Del Lund was judging. In Utility, Gryff was a bit more subdued than I expected, but pulled off a decent Q. I felt lucky to walk away with a 195.5 and 3rd place (1 OTCh. point). On his go-outs, he was very interested in the mats in the right corner, whose corners stick up in an interesting way. His go-outs were more in that direction than I liked.

He had a lovely Open B run - I left the ring feeling like it was one of his best ever. We were in a runoff for 1st. While we didn't win the runoff (darn), at least this time I felt like we had a decent runoff, just the other team made no mistakes. We got a 198.5 and 2 more points for the 2nd place, bringing him to 64 and 9 UDX legs. We show again on Sunday at the Detroit KC benched show at Cobo Hall, so my fingers are crossed that we can get the UDX finished.

Also, I'm happy to say that Northfield Dog Training was very well represented - each class had a qualifier from NDT. Several others had near-Q's at all levels. Nice going, everyone!

Utility B:
Adele & Gryffin 195.5, 3rd place
Kay Braddack & German Wirehair Pointer Jet Q

Utility A:
Russ Hornfisher & Golden Morgan - 1st place

Open B:
Adele & Gryffin 198.5, 2nd place
Belinda Venner & Lab Sparta, Q
Kathy Knol & Dachshund Casper, Q

Open A:
Jill Baker & Sheltie Hobbit - 2nd place and 3rd leg to finish their CDX!!

Novice B:
Jan West & Sheltie Lizzie - 1st place 196.5, 1st leg!

Novice A:
Judy Bocklage & Lab Tally - 1st place, 3rd leg to finish their CD!!

Ty and the tennis balls

My Flat-Coated Retriever Ty (AKA Ch. Grousemoor Timeless CD RE JH WC; RL2) is a fanatical retriever and carrier of things. Here's a recent picture of her showing off her talent. Yup, that's 3 tennis balls in her mouth.

Obedience Numbers Quiz

The following quiz is designed to test your knowledge of the many different numbers that you should know when training for and showing in AKC obedience. There are 21 questions altogether. Have fun!

1. During the Figure 8 in Novice & Open, the ring stewards stand:

a) 6 feet apart
b) 8 feet apart
c) 10 feet apart
d) Not sure

2. When you throw your dumbbell for the Open Retrieve on Flat, you should throw your dumbbell:

a. Less than 20 feet
b. Exactaly 20 feet
c. At least 20 feet
d. Not sure

3. When you leave your dog for the Novice Stand for Exam, you should walk:

a. About 6 feet
b. About 8 feet
c. 10-12 feet
d. Not sure

4. The obedience jumps are how wide?

a. 4 feet
b. 5 feet
c. 6 feet
d. Not sure

5. On the Utility Moving Stand and Examination, after the judge's command to "Stand your dog," without pausing, the handler will command and/or signal the dog to stand and continue forward:

a. About 6 feet
b. About 8 feet
c. About 10 to 12 feet
d. Not sure

6. When lining dogs up for the Group Exercises (AKA stays), the judge should allow (updated 5/1/14, due to changes to the AKC regulations):

a. 2 feet between dogs
b. 4 feet between dogs
c. 6 feet between dogs
d. Not sure

7. The minimum ring size for Novice and Open is:

a. 30' X 40'
b. 40' X 40'
c. 40' X 50'
d. Not sure

8. The minimum ring size for Utility is:

a. 30' X 40'
b. 35' X 45'
c. 35' X 50'
d. Not sure

9. On the Open Retrieve over High Jump, the handler will stand a minimum of how many feet from the jump?

a. 6 feet
b. 8 feet
c. 10 feet
d. Not sure

10. On the Open Retrieve over High Jump, the handler must throw the dumbbell at least how many feet past the jump?

a. 8 feet
b. 10 feet
c. 12 feet
d. Not sure

11. When setting up for the Open Broad Jump, the handler will stand at least how many feet from the jump?

a. 6 feet
b. 8 feet
c. 10 feet
d. Not sure

12. When the handler leaves the dog for the Open Broad Jump exercise, the handler should stand to the right side of the jump,
between the lowest edge of the first hurdle and the highest edge of the last hurdle with their toes about how far from the jump?

a. 6 inches
b. 1 foot
c. 2 feet
d. Not sure

13. When setting out the articles for the Utility Scent Discrimination exercise, the closest artricle should be about how many feet from the handler?

a. 10 feet
b. 15 feet
c. 20 feet
d. Not sure

14. When setting out the articles for the Utility Scent Discrimination exercise, the articles should be arranged about how far apart?

a. 4 inches
b. 6 inches
c. 8 inches
d. Not sure

15. In a Utility ring that is 40 feet wide, what's the approximate distance between either of the corner gloves (1 & 3) and the center glove (2)?

a. 13 feet
b. 15 feet
c. 17 feet
d. Not sure

16. In a 50 foot Utility ring, the jumps are placed how far from the unobstructed end (the one without the judge’s table) of the ring?

a. 22 feet
b. 25 feet
c. 28 feet
d. Not sure

17. In an AKC Utility ring, the jumps are set up:

a. 18-20 feet apart
b. 20-22 feet apart
c. 22-24 feet apart
d. Not sure

18. To qualify on Utility Directed Jumping, the dog must stop and remain at least how far past the jumps?

a. 8 feet
b. 10 feet
c. 15 feet
d. Not sure

19. On Utility Directed Jumping, the handler should command the dog to sit on the go-out when the dog is about how far past the jumps?

a. 20 feet
b. 22 feet
c. 24 feet
d. Not sure

20. A substantial deduction is how many points off?

a. At least 2
b. At least 3
c. At least 4
d. Not sure

21. A minor deduction is how many points off?

a. 1/4-1 point
b. 1/2 to 2 points
c. 1/2 to 2 1/2 points
d. Not sure

That's all the questions. Need to check out your answers? Click here to see a list of the correct answers.

Did you enjoy the quiz? If you answered "Not sure" often, you better pull out your rulebook for some study time!

Obedience Numbers Quiz answers

Here are the answers to the Obedience Numbers Quiz:

1 b 8 feet
2 c At least 20 feet
3 a about 6 feet
4 b 5 feet wide
5 c about 10-12 feet
6 b 4 feet per dog
7 a 30’ X 40’
8 c 35’ X 50’
9 b 8 feet
10 a 8 feet
11 b 8 feet
12 c 2 feet
13 c 20 feet
14 b 6 inches
15 c 17 feet
16 b 25 feet
17 a 18-20 feet
18 b 10 feet
19 a 20 feet
20 b at least 3
21 c 1/2 to 2 1/2

Toledo KC Trials

I showed all 3 dogs at Toledo KC's weekend trials. On Saturday, Joker was in the 1st group in Open B. He not only got through the individuals, but also did the dratted sit stay and earned his 1st CDX leg. Hurray!

Gryff had a nice Open B run, earned a 197, was in a 4-way runoff for 4th place, and didn't win the runoff :-). He was having a beautiful run in Utility B, with only 1.5 points off on the 1st three exercises (Moving Stand, DJ, Signals), when he anticipated his finish after I took the glove on the DR. I think I did something odd with my left hand, so I will accept at least partial blame. First article was fine - in fact, he did GREAT pickups and deliveries all weekend - and then, darn it, he anticipated the final finish on the 2nd article. With the 6 points off for those 2 anticipated finishes, he STILL had a 192! Dang. Happily, UDX leg #7 was in the bag.

Ty was entered in Novice this weekend for 2 final times, which I decided a couple of weeks ago. She had a no-sit on the last off-leash sit, after which the judge immediately said, "You caused that, you stopped funny." I can't disagree :-). Perfect recall, hurray! Ended up with a 194, out of the placements for the first time. It was an excellent class, with some really fine Novice dogs. I decided to take the plunge and move her up to Open B for Sunday after checking with Sunday's judge about the likelihood of there again being 3 groups of stays.

Joker was first in Open B today at 9:00. He decided that he really didn't need me to tell him when to do his drop on recall, and did a lovely one about 1/3 of the way to me. Given that that is a problem that has been just waiting to happen, I wasn't that surprised. I'm just grateful that he did his sit stay again! He did once again put a smile on the judge's face :-).

Gryff had another solid Open B performance, and this time, we ran off for 1st place, the first time this has happened (we are still seeking the Open B 1st needed for his OTCh). It took 2 runoffs for Kerry Allison and Alax to beat us out. They took home High in Trial with their 198+. Our knocking on the Open B 1st door is getting louder . We got 3 more OTCh. points for our 2nd place in Open B. He also got 4th place in Utility B for 1 more point. The 4 weekend points gets us to 61. We also earned UDX leg #8.

I came out of Utility with Gryff and had to grab Ty and go right into Open with her. It was good heeling was last :-). She was my little fire cracker of a teammate today! She did a lovely job while being completely on the edge of anticipating pretty much everything :-). It was a lot of fun. Sadly, her sit stay only lasted 2:40 before she went down, but I knew the whole thing was a gamble, especially the out-of-sights (we've done a lot of long stays, but not much out-of-sight work), and I'm thrilled that she only lost 2.5 points on the individual exercises. She had SO much more fun doing Open than one more trip in the Novice ring! Now that I know she's close to ready enough, I plan to really get serious about stay training and polishing the rest of the class and I will enter her again at the Fulton Co KC trials that will be mid-March at TKC. Nice to have a concrete goal .

I'd also like to congratulate:
* Russ Hornfisher & Golden Morgan for finishing up their UD title yesterday, and Q'ing again today.
* Deanne Matthews & Cocker Spaniel Magnum for finishing up their CD title yesterday, and earning 4th place yesterday and 3rd place today.
• Jill Baker & Sheltie Hobbit on their 2nd CDX leg yesterday, earning 2nd place (if I'm remembering correctly).
• Kay Braddock & GWP Jet on their Q in Open B yesterday in their 1st attempt at a UDX leg. They almost got one, too, except for Jet taking the HJ twice in Utility.
• Belinda Venner & Sparta on their 4th place in Open B today.
• Deanna German & Dash on the 1st CDX leg in Open A today, the lone survivor.
• Jackie Takacs & Golden Monty for their Novice placements, including a lovely and smooth 1st place today.
• Kathy Cox on her 7th & 8th UDX legs on Chase (Gryffin and Chase finished their UD's on the same day in October 2007 and seem to be getting to their UDX's at the same rate :-)) and a 4th in Open B yesterday, and her new Novice girl, Haley, for her Novice placements this weekend.

There were a lot of others that were close to a Q. Better luck next time!

Thanks to all the people at TKC who worked to put on the trials. Great judges, great stewards, GREAT food (oh, those desserts...).