Bri likes to sleep late into the morning. Yup, just like me as a lazy tween and teen. She is not a morning person. So exercising her before the trial is not such a great idea. She has also gotten a bit out of shape, so doing too much with her so that she gets tired will backfire big time. Bri almost always has to go to the bathroom (number 2) about 11am when we have gone to trials before. So I really need to make sure that she potties before we go into the ring if it's anywhere around that time. In general, it's a really good idea to make sure you dog has done everything they need to do, as this could make them uncomfortable in the ring...and they may just NEED to go right then. Bri has always managed to get the higher scores that I have made when we trialed before. I personally think her pink cuteness blinds the judges to her flaws, but they see so many dogs that I know this must not be true.
Magoo on the other hand, is still a young Great Dane puppy of 165 pounds. The size factor has meant being sure to get him used to not using his size and strength in public, and hopefully this holds over to the very exciting atmosphere of this trial. This trial is in a middle school, and there are likely to be baked goods and children running around with baked goods asking to pet your dog. Not to mentioned in a crowded gym area with three rings set up, and spectators. It's not the most chaotic scenario that I have had for a trial, but it is close. Magoo will be exercised before we go. Both dogs will be warmed up for about 10 minutes or so before the trial (starting outside and going to inside). Luckily I have some help coming with me (Bri's owner). I hope to get some good video of both in their individual exercises. Bri's owner will be helping handle Bri during the long stays.
Bri only needs to get one leg to accomplish her companion dog. This is Magoo's first trial and so he needs all three legs. In the past, Bri has tended to lie down during the sit stay for one minute. This has been the reason in the past for some lost opportunities for a leg. After a year, this has been the only week that I have worked with Bri reminding her of what she knows. Surprisingly, she is showing the most trouble on the stand. Occaisionally she also lagged a bit on the off leash heeling, but that has not cost us a leg.
For Magoo, last time he was really taken with the crowd looking at him (at a match). I have been working a lot with him in Portsmouth and on the beach with interested on lookers (sometimes a bit too interested and insistent on saying hi to the dogs while in the middle of a session). Magoo has been doing really well there, so hopefully that will transfer to the ring as well.
When trialling two dogs, it is important to realize a couple of things. One if they like each other, they can be a major distraction to each other. When I used to bring Bri and Jack together, at the beginning you could hear one crying in the crate, and it was obvious that the other dog heard it too. So you need to try and prepare for that. I am not bringing a crate for Magoo, but you do want to prepare a dog if they will be crated at the trial. Also if both dogs are in the same class, you need a handler for the second dog during the long stays.
Once you get used to it, trialing is a really fun activity to do with your dogs. Both Magoo and Bri love the attention that they get:)
1 comment:
Both are Cute!
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