After probably too long just training for agility, I finally entered Bailey in his first agility trial - the Capital City Cocker Club AKC trials on November 7th and 8th. I entered him in 24" Jumpers with Weaves and 24" Standard. I'm not sure whether he is completely ready, but I guess we'll find out. The trial is in a horse barn at Cedar Run Horse Center, so I'm hoping the sniffing doesn't become a major distraction. I've heard that the surface is much cleaner than where we normally run at Frying Pan Park, so I hope those rumors are right.
I'll post more about it once we're done with the trial. Wish us luck!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Another win!
On a spur of the moment decision, I entered Bailey in the Certificate of Conformation Assessment (CCA) at the PVGRC Specialty Match the last weekend in August. The CCA is a program run by the GRCA that evaluates the conformation of dogs against the Golden Retriever breed standard in a non-competitive format. It was set up for dogs who are otherwise ineligible to enter the breed ring for formal conformation competitions/evaluations. I hadn't entered because I wasn't sure how strictly they evaluated your dog against the standard. I know Bailey has some minor faults that would probably prevent him from getting a Championship in the breed ring if I'd kept him intact. Anyway, I decided to enter him. If nothing else, I'd have a better understanding of what his flaws are and I'd "donate" the $65 entry fee to PVGRC.
We showed up at 8:30 in the morning to check in and get photographed and measured. The dogs are photographed from the side and the front. These photos are filed with the evaluation results at the GRCA. The dogs also have to be measured to ensure they are within the height requirements for the breed. Deviation of more than an inch from the height requirements would disqualify the dog. Bailey measured in at 23.25", so he's well within the range required. Then I set up his crate, which as it would turn out, would be our hangout for the next several hours. There were at least 25 dogs entered and they go into the ring in groups of 3 for evaluation. Each group of 3 takes about 45 minutes in the ring with the judges. We were in group 7, so that meant we had about 5 hours to wait.
I think the judges got through the first 5 groups before lunch, then took a lunch break. We had the PVGRC club meeting after the lunch break. The judging began again around 1:30 and we were in the ring around 2:15 or 2:30ish. I was afraid that Bailey would be too friendly with the judges, but he was great. He also did a great job moving with me on the movement evaluation. It's like he knew I meant business and that being in the ring meant it was time to work! One of the judges even asked me if he is an OTCH dog. I just laughed because there's no way my silly little pup could be an obedience champion! Overall, the judges were very complimentary and only really pointed out the conformation flaws I already knew Bailey had. He did very well on the temperament evaluation and they said his movement was nice. At the end of the evaluation, I thanked the judges and left the ring. Then got back to my primary job of the day... WAITING!
We had to wait for the final scores to be tallied and recorded, then sorted according to whether they qualified or not. In the morning groups, only about half of the dogs qualified for the title, so I got a little nervous especially after seeing some of the dogs that didn't qualify. In any case, around 4:00 the PVGRC president came out with a large stack of score sheet envelopes and ribbons and started passing them out. To my surprise, Bailey qualified under all 3 judges and earned a new title! The judges' scores were all pretty consistent and he got a passing score of 79 from each judge. Finally, we posed for the group win picture (which I'm told will be published in the GRCA publication Golden Retriever News).
I'm so proud of my little boy!
We showed up at 8:30 in the morning to check in and get photographed and measured. The dogs are photographed from the side and the front. These photos are filed with the evaluation results at the GRCA. The dogs also have to be measured to ensure they are within the height requirements for the breed. Deviation of more than an inch from the height requirements would disqualify the dog. Bailey measured in at 23.25", so he's well within the range required. Then I set up his crate, which as it would turn out, would be our hangout for the next several hours. There were at least 25 dogs entered and they go into the ring in groups of 3 for evaluation. Each group of 3 takes about 45 minutes in the ring with the judges. We were in group 7, so that meant we had about 5 hours to wait.
I think the judges got through the first 5 groups before lunch, then took a lunch break. We had the PVGRC club meeting after the lunch break. The judging began again around 1:30 and we were in the ring around 2:15 or 2:30ish. I was afraid that Bailey would be too friendly with the judges, but he was great. He also did a great job moving with me on the movement evaluation. It's like he knew I meant business and that being in the ring meant it was time to work! One of the judges even asked me if he is an OTCH dog. I just laughed because there's no way my silly little pup could be an obedience champion! Overall, the judges were very complimentary and only really pointed out the conformation flaws I already knew Bailey had. He did very well on the temperament evaluation and they said his movement was nice. At the end of the evaluation, I thanked the judges and left the ring. Then got back to my primary job of the day... WAITING!
We had to wait for the final scores to be tallied and recorded, then sorted according to whether they qualified or not. In the morning groups, only about half of the dogs qualified for the title, so I got a little nervous especially after seeing some of the dogs that didn't qualify. In any case, around 4:00 the PVGRC president came out with a large stack of score sheet envelopes and ribbons and started passing them out. To my surprise, Bailey qualified under all 3 judges and earned a new title! The judges' scores were all pretty consistent and he got a passing score of 79 from each judge. Finally, we posed for the group win picture (which I'm told will be published in the GRCA publication Golden Retriever News).
I'm so proud of my little boy!
Monday, August 31, 2009
DGOTC Agility Match
On 08/29/2009, we entered the DGOTC Agility Match/Run-thrus held at Banshee Reeks Park. I'll spare you the details of every single run that we did, since we ran the course probably 6 or 7 times. Overall, I was very impressed with Bailey's performance given that it was really his first time doing agility outdoors, except for practice in our back yard. I did have someone take a video of our first run.
Click here to watch the video.
DGOTC member Ann Hereford is also a fantastic photographer and got some great still pictures of Bailey that you can view on her website HereForDogs. Pictures of Bailey are on pages 8, 9, and 11.
Click here to watch the video.
DGOTC member Ann Hereford is also a fantastic photographer and got some great still pictures of Bailey that you can view on her website HereForDogs. Pictures of Bailey are on pages 8, 9, and 11.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
It's been a while
So, I haven't posted in a long while. This seems to happen to me with blogs. Not that much has been going on recently, so I've been short on things to write about.
We're still training in agility at DGOTC and ACA. Right now, I'm taking a Pre-competition class with DGOTC and Handling 3 at ACA. I'm hoping that we can start competing this spring or summer in agility. We will also be attending a jumping seminar with Susan Salo on February 27 and 28. Looking forward to that. Also, looking for someone to go with me and take photos and/or video! If you know or are someone who can do that, let me know!
On the obedience front, despite what I originally planned, I have started training Bailey for Open obedience. I found a great website on how to do a clicker-trained dumbbell retrieve, so I've been working on that pretty diligently. Despite having a Golden RETRIEVER, retrieving a plastic dumbbell on command is totally unappealing to Bailey. He will play ball for hours on end, but the dumbbell just isn't the same, I guess. Anyway, in about 4 training sessions, I've clicker trained him to pick up the dumbbell and return it to my hand from varying distances. The farthest distance is about 8 or 10 feet so far, but that's not bad for a dog who wouldn't touch the darn thing a few weeks ago!
On the Rally front, I don't have much ambition to do more rally just yet. I did get a premium for a trial in March and I thought about entering in Rally Advanced just for fun. But it's an expensive thing to do for fun! I think we need to take an Advanced rally class before I'd feel comfortable entering a trial.
As for me, I actually volunteered for and got voted into a board position for DGOTC. I am now the Fairfax Member-at-Large. I'm not exactly what this entails, but I'm sure I'll find out soon enough!
DGOTC had their awards banquet this year where I got presented with a nice plaque honoring Bailey's accomplishments this year. I think he was one of three dogs that earned Obedience titles. The rest of the mile long list of dogs were all on there for agility titles.
PVGRC is having their awards banquet in March this year and I plan to attend that as well. I have applied for consideration for several trophies, but I'm not sure whether I will be eligible for any of them since I joined the club so late in the year. We'll see, I guess! At the very least, Bailey will get two new rosettes for the titles he earned this year. It's so nice when your clubs recognize your accomplishments, even if they are small!
Finally, Bailey and I supported DGOTC in the Purcellville Christmas Parade. Here are a couple quick photos from the parade.
The majority of the group getting ready at the parade start:
Walking in the parade:
Bailey's coat kept twisting around, but he was a good boy for most of the parade:
The whole group coming down the street near the end of the parade:
We're still training in agility at DGOTC and ACA. Right now, I'm taking a Pre-competition class with DGOTC and Handling 3 at ACA. I'm hoping that we can start competing this spring or summer in agility. We will also be attending a jumping seminar with Susan Salo on February 27 and 28. Looking forward to that. Also, looking for someone to go with me and take photos and/or video! If you know or are someone who can do that, let me know!
On the obedience front, despite what I originally planned, I have started training Bailey for Open obedience. I found a great website on how to do a clicker-trained dumbbell retrieve, so I've been working on that pretty diligently. Despite having a Golden RETRIEVER, retrieving a plastic dumbbell on command is totally unappealing to Bailey. He will play ball for hours on end, but the dumbbell just isn't the same, I guess. Anyway, in about 4 training sessions, I've clicker trained him to pick up the dumbbell and return it to my hand from varying distances. The farthest distance is about 8 or 10 feet so far, but that's not bad for a dog who wouldn't touch the darn thing a few weeks ago!
On the Rally front, I don't have much ambition to do more rally just yet. I did get a premium for a trial in March and I thought about entering in Rally Advanced just for fun. But it's an expensive thing to do for fun! I think we need to take an Advanced rally class before I'd feel comfortable entering a trial.
As for me, I actually volunteered for and got voted into a board position for DGOTC. I am now the Fairfax Member-at-Large. I'm not exactly what this entails, but I'm sure I'll find out soon enough!
DGOTC had their awards banquet this year where I got presented with a nice plaque honoring Bailey's accomplishments this year. I think he was one of three dogs that earned Obedience titles. The rest of the mile long list of dogs were all on there for agility titles.
PVGRC is having their awards banquet in March this year and I plan to attend that as well. I have applied for consideration for several trophies, but I'm not sure whether I will be eligible for any of them since I joined the club so late in the year. We'll see, I guess! At the very least, Bailey will get two new rosettes for the titles he earned this year. It's so nice when your clubs recognize your accomplishments, even if they are small!
Finally, Bailey and I supported DGOTC in the Purcellville Christmas Parade. Here are a couple quick photos from the parade.
The majority of the group getting ready at the parade start:
Walking in the parade:
Bailey's coat kept twisting around, but he was a good boy for most of the parade:
The whole group coming down the street near the end of the parade:
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
What is a Golden
A fluffy wind-up teddy-bear with shoe button eyes and your best towel clutched in his teeth.
Nobility reclining on a grassy bank,
A white-faced old sportsman still keen for the whistle of wings.
In Spring a Golden will put mud on the carpets,
fur all over your best navy blue,
and the flowering bloom of joy in your heart.
A Golden is a flame of colour against dark summer covert,
the spray of surf sent flying, peace spread against cool earth.
He is competence wearing a guidance harness,
pride with a bird in his mouth,
dignity wanting his tummy rubbed,
elegance working in the swampland.
A Golden has the understanding of a saint
and a tail that challenges perpetual motion.
Having a golden Retriever is never knowing where all
your shoes are at any given moment,
Hearing the neighbours call up because he’s sleeping out
in the snow instead of in his kennel,
Keeping cups off the table because of his wild tail,
and not being sure if you paragon will decimate a burglar
or fix him a cup of tea and show him where the silver is.
Somebody else with a Golden is an instant acquaintance.
Your veterinarian wishes all his patients were Goldens
and you just wish you were as great as your Golden thinks you are.
-Author unknown
Nobility reclining on a grassy bank,
A white-faced old sportsman still keen for the whistle of wings.
In Spring a Golden will put mud on the carpets,
fur all over your best navy blue,
and the flowering bloom of joy in your heart.
A Golden is a flame of colour against dark summer covert,
the spray of surf sent flying, peace spread against cool earth.
He is competence wearing a guidance harness,
pride with a bird in his mouth,
dignity wanting his tummy rubbed,
elegance working in the swampland.
A Golden has the understanding of a saint
and a tail that challenges perpetual motion.
Having a golden Retriever is never knowing where all
your shoes are at any given moment,
Hearing the neighbours call up because he’s sleeping out
in the snow instead of in his kennel,
Keeping cups off the table because of his wild tail,
and not being sure if you paragon will decimate a burglar
or fix him a cup of tea and show him where the silver is.
Somebody else with a Golden is an instant acquaintance.
Your veterinarian wishes all his patients were Goldens
and you just wish you were as great as your Golden thinks you are.
-Author unknown
Friday, November 14, 2008
Trial Photos
I finally got some photos back from the recent trial where Bailey earned his CD and his RN. Without further ado...
Heeling in Novice A Obedience. I think this was taken just after the judge issued the "fast" command.
Bailey sitting patiently while he waits to be recalled.
Bailey bored out of his mind during the 3 minute down stay.
The official Novice A/New Title win photo.
Doing the straight weave once exercise in Rally Novice A.
Bailey heeling after the right turn. Look at that attention and loose leash!
Bailey staying while I walk around him for the "halt, sit, walk around dog" exercise.
The official Novice A Rally/New Title win photo.
Heeling in Novice A Obedience. I think this was taken just after the judge issued the "fast" command.
Bailey sitting patiently while he waits to be recalled.
Bailey bored out of his mind during the 3 minute down stay.
The official Novice A/New Title win photo.
Doing the straight weave once exercise in Rally Novice A.
Bailey heeling after the right turn. Look at that attention and loose leash!
Bailey staying while I walk around him for the "halt, sit, walk around dog" exercise.
The official Novice A Rally/New Title win photo.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
We did it! New Titles!
We had our last obedience and rally trial yesterday and WE DID IT! Bailey got his last legs for the CD and RN titles and is now Bailey's A Lucky Discovery CD RN! Now for a recap of yesterday's events...
The trial was hosted by the Greater Washington Bouvier de Flandres Club and was held at a pet resort in Richmond, VA. We didn't show until 11 am, so I got up a bit early and drove down Saturday AM. We arrived around 10 am and had plenty of time to set up the crate, take a potty walk, and observe the Open class for a bit.
At 11 am, we had the Novice A walkthrough, which was very short and to-the-point. We were second into the ring, I believe. Sadly, this was Bailey's worst performance by far. To top it off, the judge seemed extremely tough - none of the Open A or Utility A dogs qualified from the morning and only two of the 7 Open B dogs qualified. Either way, after a heel that was less than satisfactory and a crooked recall, we still qualified. Bailey's long sit and long down were excellent, despite all evidence earlier in the week that he would fail miserably. We qualified with a score of 180.5 and placed second in the class.
After the Obedience portion was done, we had a while to hang around before the 2:30 Rally start time. The Rally judge seemed much more laid back and really seemed to enjoy what she was doing. Out of the 33 rally entries, only one dog did not qualify. We had what was almost a flawless performance. The Novice course was SUPER-easy. It only had 10 signs and only the easiest turns and stationary exercises. We qualified with a score of 99 and a FIRST PLACE!
I don't have any photos from the day, since I go to trials alone. However, there was a pro photographer at the trial and once she posts her photos, I'll be able to share them.
I'm extraordinarily proud of my little dog, because I never expected in my wildest dreams that he'd do so well and be able to achieve all that he has. It has truly been a wonderful learning experience, but this is only the start! Now to start training for Open and Rally Advanced!
The trial was hosted by the Greater Washington Bouvier de Flandres Club and was held at a pet resort in Richmond, VA. We didn't show until 11 am, so I got up a bit early and drove down Saturday AM. We arrived around 10 am and had plenty of time to set up the crate, take a potty walk, and observe the Open class for a bit.
At 11 am, we had the Novice A walkthrough, which was very short and to-the-point. We were second into the ring, I believe. Sadly, this was Bailey's worst performance by far. To top it off, the judge seemed extremely tough - none of the Open A or Utility A dogs qualified from the morning and only two of the 7 Open B dogs qualified. Either way, after a heel that was less than satisfactory and a crooked recall, we still qualified. Bailey's long sit and long down were excellent, despite all evidence earlier in the week that he would fail miserably. We qualified with a score of 180.5 and placed second in the class.
After the Obedience portion was done, we had a while to hang around before the 2:30 Rally start time. The Rally judge seemed much more laid back and really seemed to enjoy what she was doing. Out of the 33 rally entries, only one dog did not qualify. We had what was almost a flawless performance. The Novice course was SUPER-easy. It only had 10 signs and only the easiest turns and stationary exercises. We qualified with a score of 99 and a FIRST PLACE!
I don't have any photos from the day, since I go to trials alone. However, there was a pro photographer at the trial and once she posts her photos, I'll be able to share them.
I'm extraordinarily proud of my little dog, because I never expected in my wildest dreams that he'd do so well and be able to achieve all that he has. It has truly been a wonderful learning experience, but this is only the start! Now to start training for Open and Rally Advanced!
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