After two days of shows, have a few ?s and comment

[selzer]

I worked Ninja and Milla on a sloppy field with mud puddles yesterday (Rally Novice), and this was Ninja's first work outside and her first show experience. I would have liked to do matches, but it did not work out. Milla has been going (sporadically) to my trainers who have in July done some thursday night outdoor rally courses.

Yesterday Milla qualified, Ninja NQd, and I was not surprised. What surprised me was that the judge said that she NQd on points because she never stopped sniffing (the ground). I definitely have to read the rules again, I did not think sniffing was against the rules. She did everything except going down in the mud puddle, but neither did Milla and she at least qualified.

Last night at the specialty which was indoors Ninja took first and Milla took second. So it is not that I am taking dogs that are completely untrained. Ninja got a 94. Different judge, but the judge of the morning was stewarding, so I just said she must work better indoors.

Today, outside it was not raining, and she did better than Milla, but worse than last night with an 87. I am happy. I shortened the leash and moved quicker and she did not try to sniff her way through the course. However, the forecast is rain for tomorrow and as she still needs a leg, I am going to be biting my nails there tomorrow too.

While I was there this morning, I was watching the advanced class and this one woman was using the most annoying, high pitched whoo hoo and a variety of high pitched noises some of which were obvious corrections. I did not think that that was allowed, but she did not seem to be penalized for it. I cannot remember if the dog was a border collie, an aussie or a sheltie, but it was one of these high strung energetic dogs. Why would she have to use so much power in her voice to either keep the dog's attention, or keep it animated?

Actually, I was glad I left my dogs in the car, because I was ready to bite the lady if she whooped one more time

Also, today the judge actually asked when I got up there if I had treats in my pockets, and not just me, I heard him ask someone else. I just told him no (because I didn't), but are they cracking down on this? Have there been issues? I know it has never been allowed. I suppose since a lot of these are conformation dogs in this show, it may be that people have them inadvertently in their pockets, and this judge just asks?

[LuvourGSDs]

Sue,

I was not asked about the treat thing, but others in my group were.

I thought our judge wasn't very strict (which was nice), because I seen many tight leads & I was trying to do the oppsite which I feel is one of the reason I lost him off air scenting some. I wish I would have used the lead more tight & went faster. Then my luck, that would have cost me !

Not sure on all the rule crap as I'm still learning.

Anyway, I had a nice time & was cool meeting you.

[middleofnowhere]

In standard AKC obedience a few years back sniffing wasn't allowed. Don't know about rally.

[amjrchamberlain]

Not sure on the sniffing thing - would have to check the rulebook (I'm currently short on time).

But RE: the treats - it's always been that way. Some enforce it more than others. One of my trainers (a judge herself) told me that some judges will even ask you to turn your pockets inside out! So, I'm always clearing out my pockets before we go in, just to be safe.

Congrats on your Qs!

[BlackGSD]

Originally Posted By: selzer
She did everything except going down in the mud puddle, but neither did Milla and she at least qualified.

Me thinks they need to come and take lessions from Siren.

(She will lay down in water that is so deep that the only thing that sticks out of the water is her head.)

First at 4 months, next 2 were today.

[selzer]

Thanks, my rule book is a little old, I guess I should get on the AKC site and look it up.

Well, today the twins did equally bad, but we qualified at 71. It was rainy and soggy and I was not going to run Milla at all as she was done, but on my way down, I got nervous that they may put the first qualify on the wrong dog and then I would be on leg shy on her. Talk about tight leashes though, that is what he told me at the end, and where I lost my points(for the most part).

I figure they are babies, and we'll work on it. Ninja works better on leash than Milla. Neither are ready for off lead work. I think I want to try advanced, but not with these two, yet.

[selzer]

Great pictures!!! I would be mortified because Milla would follow that by putting her paws on my shoulders!

I figure we are not training for work in the trenches so I don't deliberately train for them to down in puddles. They did go down in the wet grass, just not the slimey wet section.

My girls are just prissy.

[BlackGSD]

Siren does that HERSELF. (She will do it if told too. But she mostly does it on her own.)

She is obviously the exact opposite of "prissy"! lol

[Kayla's Dad]

Originally Posted By: selzerWhat surprised me was that the judge said that she NQd on points because she never stopped sniffing (the ground). I definitely have to read the rules again, I did not think sniffing was against the rules.

Sounds like the judge wasn't clear/specific enough. Don't think sniffing is directly mentioned in the rules, but constant sniffing could probably fall under lack of teamwork where the judge could give anywhere from 1 -10 points and could (depending on the judge I supposed) possibly fall under lack of control.

From Section 2, Section 9 of the regulations:
3-point deduction for each of the following:
• Repeat of a station—only one (1) retry of each station will be
allowed for all class levels
• Pylon/post knocked over on Figure Eight, Spiral and Serpentine
• Lack of control
• Loud command or intimidating signal
• Excessive barking
• Hitting the jump
10-point deduction for each of the following:
• Incorrectly performed station*
• Failure to complete the Honor Exercise (IP)–No retries allowed
1 to 10-point deduction:
• Lack of teamwork
• Lack of briskness
• Handler error**

[selzer]

She was going along with me and not pulling but her nose was glued to the ground. She was green, she will be a year old on 8/7, I haven't worked her since she went into heat and dropped out of class at about eight months, she has never "worked" outside or in the rain. And like one of the other exhibitors said, "if we can smell it, they can smell it so much better."

Frankly, I think she was smelling all of our footsteps through the course, she was trailing the walk-through quite nicely.

So maybe Ninja can teach me how to train a tracking dog? Hmmmmm. Its a thought. I do believe in playing to a dog's strengths.