Trial and error; Our first fail in IPO

[elisabeth_00117]

Alexis... you are allowed 1 day, that's it, 1 day to feel sad about this... lol.. I am serious... and then I want you to stop and think about how far the two of you have come.... this, just going for the 2 is a HUGE accomplishments. Some dogs don't even do that!

I think you guys did terrific and your obedience score is phenomenal!

I am still going to congratulate you both on a job well done!

Okay, I know that was probably harsh since we don't know each other very well, but I am proud of you two and feel like you and Adien are a great team and even if the 2 isn't in your future, feel like the connection you have created with him over the last few years training is going to be the "title" in the end.

Congrats AGAIN!

[GatorDog]

Originally Posted by onyx'girl

So sorry...What happened in protection? I was at a trial today and a few failed tracking and two wouldn't out/DQ'd(1's were on the schedule today)...Don't feel bad, you aren't alone. The judge was amazing however and kept the handlers from having meltdowns!!!

I think he's afraid of being in the pocket for the drive since he was stepped on at our last trial. He seemed totally fine in practice for the last few weeks without any residual issues or anything, but I think he lost some confidence right from the beginning when he blew off blind 5 and went from 4 to 6. He knew he messed up and then he was nervous going into the rest of the routine. He kinda held up through the drives in the front half, but he lost the grip on the long bite and from the pictures, he was hanging by the canines up by the cuff of the sleeve. Then he came off during that drive and was just circling and barking at the helper.

His tracking was excellent. I couldn't believe how intense and focused he was. He hit every single footstep and the turns were flawless. I think he slightly lifted his head twice and we lost a couple points there...But he walked both articles...So there goes 21 points. Never done it once before. Still, it was a gorgeous track.

Obedience was his best ever too. I felt much more comfortable out there then I usually do, so I think that had something to do with it. Maybe a little too comfortable because I forgot to look to Frank before a few exercises (sorry Frank ) I wish I had more attention in the heeling, but other than that I am happy with his obedience overall. He completes every exercise well.

Failing sucks. With this being my second time in a row, I'm feeling kinda discouraged and embarrassed. I don't want anyone thinking that I don't work my butt off with him, since he isn't a super strong and powerful dog, or that I don't try my hardest to get where we are. I guess I'm just struggling with the concept of 'retiring' him from the sport. I don't want to make him do something that scares the **** out of him, just because I love training in this sport. Seems selfish.

[GatorDog]

My favorite shot from the trial. Lots of this going on today..

[qbchottu]

Very sorry to hear this Alexis. I know exactly how you feel. We passed our BH, but it was the WORST she has ever done - we should have failed. I blame myself and my handling errors. I felt TERRIBLE for my dog. I was absolutely mortified and humiliated afterwards...felt like hiding my head and crying (still have anxiety inducing flashbacks about that nightmare of a routine). I am very sorry that you did not get your 2. Take a month or so to build him back up. Get his confidence back up and try again. I believe in your teamwork and think you will get it eventually. Keep your chin up and I am sending you lots of love. I know exactly how you feel...it's a terrible position to be in...but time heals these wounds. You will bounce back and get your 2. I know it.

[GatorDog]

Originally Posted by qbchottu

Very sorry to hear this Alexis. I know exactly how you feel. We passed our BH, but it was the WORST she has ever done - we should have failed. I blame myself and my handling errors. I felt TERRIBLE for my dog. I was absolutely mortified and humiliated afterwards...felt like hiding my head and crying (still have anxiety inducing flashbacks about that nightmare of a routine). I am very sorry that you did not get your 2. Take a month or so to build him back up. Get his confidence back up and try again. I believe in your teamwork and think you will get it eventually. Keep your chin up and I am sending you lots of love. I know exactly how you feel...it's a terrible position to be in...but time heals these wounds. You will bounce back and get your 2. I know it.

Thank you. I'm g;ad to hear you passed

[onyx'girl]

At the trial I was just at~ a dog doing a BH got up from the down, stretched her legs sniffed around, went potty then decided to poop. Because she was not a 'threat' to the other dog doing the routine the judge didn't have the handler return to her until she started pooping! It wasn't a stress induced poop, just the fact that she had to go!
The team passed because everything else was really nice, and as the judge said 'she wasn't a threat to society, just stinky'
Never know what will happen on trial day, though it seems we can always anticipate *what we don't expect*!

That photo of you and Aiden is so sweet!

[lhczth]

Originally Posted by qbchottu

Very sorry to hear this Alexis. I know exactly how you feel. We passed our BH, but it was the WORST she has ever done - we should have failed. I blame myself and my handling errors. I felt TERRIBLE for my dog. I was absolutely mortified and humiliated afterwards...felt like hiding my head and crying (still have anxiety inducing flashbacks about that nightmare of a routine). I am very sorry that you did not get your 2. Take a month or so to build him back up. Get his confidence back up and try again. I believe in your teamwork and think you will get it eventually. Keep your chin up and I am sending you lots of love. I know exactly how you feel...it's a terrible position to be in...but time heals these wounds. You will bounce back and get your 2. I know it.

Were you at the Indi trial?

[lhczth]

Alexis, I would take a break and don't make any decisions just yet about whether to continue with Aiden.

Very sorry that things went poorly.

[GSDElsa]

Aw what a bummer maybe it will be good to have the winter off and you can spend the winter building him back up. It sounds like he could use some good confidence building so he can start fresh in the spring!

[schh3fh2]

Originally Posted by GatorDog

Failing sucks. With this being my second time in a row, I'm feeling kinda discouraged and embarrassed. I don't want anyone thinking that I don't work my butt off with him, since he isn't a super strong and powerful dog, or that I don't try my hardest to get where we are. I guess I'm just struggling with the concept of 'retiring' him from the sport. I don't want to make him do something that scares the **** out of him, just because I love training in this sport. Seems selfish.

You have NOTHING to be embarrassed about. You got out there showed your dog, and the part that you have some control over (The training) he showed very well. You have said he is not the strongest dog, and he is not. So what, you love him, he loves you and the 2 of you have fun training together. That's what it is all about!!!!! Continue on with training him and trial the TR, OB and FH titles. Let him have some fun in bitework in training and learn from him. maybe next year with your home field he can take another shot at IPO2. You look at your dog honestly, so you will know if you should try or not, but if you both have fun at training, why stop???

Everyone knows how it feels to fail, it sucks.... But then we learn from it and move on. That boy can track, work on stranger's articles and you guys can put up some big numbers.....


Frank