Mia Copa...to Heart....
We competed in a 2 day Rally match this weekend. Our first time in Excellent A. Yesterday, the judge was VERY nice and easy. NO weaves or serpentines, NO broad jumps, mostly Advanced signs. Heart was not 'with me', but we managed to complete our first honor, a sit and then we went into the ring. I was able to call her back from various destractions,talk her into the 'walking stand', but I completely ignored the last sign before the finish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Automatic NQ....(I feel she would have squeaked a Q if not for my oversight!!!)..Today, a new day!!!!. ...AND a new judge...  ...Of course she was very strict and her course was VERY difficult!! Right after the start, the first sign...'walk 3 backwards steps' into a jump!!!! A moving down AND Stand, walk around dog...A broad jump...A serpentine weave 2times!!!!  ~~~To be honest, I have never seen such a difficult course. Well, we started off really good!!! No, I have not practiced the 3 backward steps, so I did it and Heart backed up one time...onto the jump...She did it!!!! A couple of easy signs..a privot into the broad jump!!! She DID it!!!! Call front, finish left...Serpentine 2 times...no problem for Heart, she was right with me...a couple more signs....then the Finish!! I was sooo happy, and, as I began hugging Heart, Judi informs me I skipped the second last sign!!!!   I have not been practicing ....This was my fault... I will not be surprised to find an ad on Craig's list from Heart wanting a new partner!!!! |
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| Poor Heart... I hope someday she can forgive you. |
| The GOOD news is YOU know how to fix this issue. She has no sense of titles or the number of legs it takes to get them. As far as she knows she did exactly what she was supposed to do and as long as she is not miserable then just forge on. I was very proud of her for not melting during her first Honor on Saturday with the scary camera man moving his equipment, especially as you were taken by surprise to have suddenly Honor when there were conflicts altering the ring order and I am sure that goes straight down the leash. I was proud of you today for seeing all the experienced handlers were losing points for the moving down, then making the effort to do it right and nailing it when it was your turn. Stop beating yourself up and use it as a learning tool. At least your dog behaves in the ring. |
One thing nice about performance.............it's pretty clear where the problem is when you don't do well. Can't go blaming it on politics. I always tell people that when we don't do well, it's because I didn't take the time to practice as much as I should have. It's certainly not my dog's fault! Any of them would practice anytime & as much as I asked them to. Ah well....."another day...another dog show."  We've all been there! |
sheepieshake wrote: I will not be surprised to find an ad on Craig's list from Heart wanting a new partner!!!! Someone misinformed you, hon. She won't be advertising on Craig's list. At every rally and agility trial there is a handler trade-in tent for the dogs.  You know what happens. She could care less. Although, if you find trial confirmations showing up in your mailbox that you didn't enter I'd read the handler box carefully just in case  Kristine |
| I doubt Heart would be trading you in....however you may get reminders at your place at the table.....maybe things like eye Dr appt, summer school reading classes...... Just kidding.  Missing signs is Maureen's (with Louie and Hilda) claim to fame up here. She has missed signs many times at trials we have been at - she stresses over it, and it's the reason she likes regular obedience more - you do what the judge says and no reading required... I have been known to rock back to peek and double check a sign number before taking off to the next one - not pretty, but keeps me from missing a sign. I have it ingrained in my walk thru to stop before a sign now, so I see the current one before starting off..... Chalk it up to experience. Like when I touched Chewie's butt to sit as we walked up to the start line once.....the judge called me up to speak to her personally at the awards....nothing like a little humiliation to make a handler error stick and NEVER be repeated again!! Especially as we went from a 99 to a 89 - from 1st place to nothing.... |
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