Match #1 Results

We entered our first match this weekend. It was hosted by the Potomac Valley Golden Retriever Club and took place in a park in Frederick, MD. We arrived a bit early and got a nice parking spot in the shade, so I could set up Bailey's crate and my chair. I didn't realize how into showing some of these people are, with dog vans filled with crates, portable fans, yard and yards of reflective material strapped all over the car to keep the heat out. I felt a bit out of place with just my crate and a chair!

In any case, we registered around 8 am, then just hung out for a bit. I thought they would have done the Utility class first, because of the scent work but they actually did Novice first. I was totally unprepared to enter the ring when they called for Novice A dogs. Then to top it all off a bunch of the Novice A dogs either didn't show up or should have been in Novice B. So it was just me and one other team in Novice A. Needless to say, we went into the ring totally unprepared. We started with our heeling on-lead, which went ok. Bailey lagged a bit and sometimes crowded me. I corrected him once, which deducted more points. Then we proceeded to the figure 8. I think he did really well in the figure 8 and don't recall any major issues. The leash came off and we did stand for exam. Bailey did that one like a champ, standing stock still for a new person. Next came the off-lead heeling. This was just one big disaster. About 3 steps into the heeling pattern, Bailey realized there was a river on the other side of the ring gates. He trotted right over to the ring gate and stood there while I continued the heeling pattern. I ended up having to call him over to me, and by this point I knew we were done for. He finished out the heeling pattern, but didn't do very well at all since his attention was on how to get to the river the whole time. Finally, we did recall, which he did ok on. I had to step to the side to make him front, which deducted points from both me and him. Then he refused to finish. *sigh* On a positive note, he did a GREAT job on the long sit and long down, not moving a muscle the whole time. I was very proud of that part of his performance. Overall, it was a good learning experience for us both. I made some pretty big mistakes and so did Bailey. I know what I need to practice better on for next time.

After our Novice A run, we spent a lot of time just hanging out. Rally-O wasn't set to begin until after the Obedience judging finished. That meant we had to wait through Novice B, both Open, and both Utility classes. It was very interesting to watch some of the dogs work.

Finally, the rally-o course was set up and we got to do our walk-through. It didn't seem like a very hard course, but what do I know? I walked it twice before we competed, just to make sure I knew it inside out. I think I was second into the ring, so we had the benefit of seeing the first performance too. I won't do a sign-by-sign recap of the course, mostly because I can't remember them! It ended up that the course was pretty easy and Bailey did a great job! We watched the rest of the competitors perform from the shade on the side of the ring. To our surprise, we we received a qualifying score and were asked to go back in the ring for the ribbons. Even more surprising, we received the FIRST PLACE ribbon with a score of 97 out of 100! I was so proud of my boy and our good finish totally lifted up my mood after the morning's performance.

I know there was a photographer at the match, so hopefully some photos will be posted to the PVGRC site and I can share them here too.

Our next match is on Sunday in Leesburg. Hopefully, we will do better in Obedience next weekend!

First Match Entry!

We are going to our first ever match this weekend to do Novice A Obedience and Novice A Rally. It's hosted by PVGRC and is up in Frederick. I've never been to a match before, so I don't really know what to expect or know how Bailey will do. In any case, please wish us luck!

Coming up in the near future:
August 31 - DGOTC Match (Obedience and Rally-O)
September 20 - Hyattsville Dog Training Club Rally-O Trial
September 21 - Hyattsville Dog Training Club Obedience Trial
October 3 - Mount Vernon Dog Training Club Rally-O Trial
October 4 - Mount Vernon Dog Training Club Obedience Trial, CDTC Rally-O Trial
October 5 - CDTC Obedience Trial

Last week's classes

So, I never did get around to writing about our classes last week. Nothing really major to report anyway. It was our last class of Foundations II and III. In FII, I got stuck with a group of people who are quite a bit behind me and I was mostly bored because Bailey was miles ahead of them. For example, Bailey is already doing weaves with only about 4 inches gap in the channel. These dogs were doing 2x2 weaves and still not always making it through. It was very frustrating to say the least. We did much better in FIII. We did our normal exercises, including (for the first time ever!) ALL 12 WEAVE POLES! Of course, my superstar pup made it through no problem. :-) At the end of class, Claudia set up a little speed circle consisting of dog walk, tunnel, jump, a-frame, tunnel. Bailey did pretty good, but he's started anticipating his releases from 2O2O. We just have to work harder at that. All things considered, he did pretty well.

On Thursday, we did our obedience classes. Nothing really special to note from Rally, other than the introduction of some Advanced exercises, including one where we had to avoid food bowls full of yummy things. We did a pretty good job at that and of course, had fun running the courses. In Novice Obed, we introduced a jump for the UKC Novice Recall over Jump exercise. Bailey does enough recalling over jumps for agility that this exercise was a no-brainer for him. I think next week, we are going to practice some off-lead (sorta... using a shark line only - no more leash) heeling so we'll really be prepared for trialling.

I've been awful

about posting regularly about our classes. Life just got so busy that I haven't had the time. In any case, we have our last Foundations II and III classes tonight. In one of the classes (can't ever remember or keep them straight!), they are going to set up a small course which should be a lot of fun. I'm also turning in my registration for the next set of classes: Handling I and Contacts and Weaves. We're also still taking Rally-O and Novice. Those classes will last until the end of August, I think.

We might attend a match on August 31, but not sure yet. If the format is AKC obedience and agility, I'll do it. However my club is hosting and they are UKC, so who knows.

In any case, I'm hoping to continue with the training and will likely post about our classes later this week.