Bonkers for Bella: First Rally Trial

Novice Obedience Exercise Descriptions

Heel on Leash: Dog and Handler work as a team, the leash must be loose and held in a natural position. Orders for this exercise are: "Forward", "Halt", "Right turn", "Left turn", "About turn", "Slow" "Normal" and "Fast".

Stand for Examination: The dog stands in position before and during the examination without displaying resentment. Handler is instructed to "stand your dog and leave when you are ready", after positioning the dog the handler stands with dog in heel position, give the command/signal to stay and walk straight forward approximately 6 feet and then turn and face the dog. The judge will approach the dog from the front, using the fingers and palm of one hand, the judge will touch the dogs head, body and hindquarters. Judge will then give the command "back to your dog", handler returns to heel position. The dog must remain still until judge has said "exercise finished".

Recall: The dog must stay where left unitl called by handler and then must respond promptly when the handler commands or signals them to come. On order from the judge the handler will give the command/signal for the dog to stay in the sit position. Handler will then wakl forward to the other side of the ring with arms hanging naturally. On the judges order handler will command or signal the dog to come. Dog must come at brisk pace and sit stright, centered directly in front of handler. On judges order handler will give the dog the command/signal to finish. Dog must move quickly to heel position and sit.

Finish: Dog is directed to "swing" it's hind end around to the left to come to the heel position and then sit, or "heel" around to the right and behind the handler and come to the heel position and then sit.

Sit/Stay & Down/Stay (Group Exercises): The dog must remain in either the seated position or the down position, whichever is required by the particular exercise. The dogs will line up in catalog order along one side of the ring. The leash is removed and placed with the handlers armband behind the dog. Handlers are instructed to "sit your dog" or "down your dog", and then "leave your dog". The handler will walk across to the other side of the ring and stand in a natural position across from the dog until the judge orders them to "return to your dog". Any dog that leaves the place where it was left during the first group exercise will be given an "NQ" and excused from the remaining group exercise.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

First Rally Trial

Well...um...we survived. It didn't go as well as I would have hoped though. There are some things that I guess I will have to learn as I go, like how early to arrive and how much to practice/warm up before entering the ring. I think two hours was too early, and apparently I practiced what was a fairly easy course, too much. By the time we went into the ring Bella seemed burnt out and unfocused. I panicked when I couldn't get her attention and, without thinking I reached out and touched her. Bad, bad, bad me I know! I do know better than that. I guess the nerves just got me.

Anyway once I had done it the first time I knew we were screwed but I wanted her to finish the course and I did touch her a few more times to get through it. Oh well at least now I know what we need to work on. I'm going to start taking her to the park and Pet Co more and work on her focus there. Also arriving less time prior to our group, and less of a warm up should be better as well.

On the bright side, it was a great socialization experience for her. She seems to be getting much better at meeting new people. Several nice people were able to approach and pet her. We just need more time and lots of practice we'll be ready to try again in a month or two.

Here is the video that my firend took. Definately eye opening, a good example of what not to do! The next one will be better!

Bonkers for Bella

Novice Obedience Exercise Descriptions

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Saturday, May 1, 2010

First Rally Trial

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