Bonkers for Bella: A Walk in the Park

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.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

A Walk in the Park

Yesterday afternoon Bella and I went for a walk at the park. We had just about finished our first lap when a lady with a White Shepherd pup approached us. She said asked how old Bella was, I told her about a year and a half. The lady said that her pup was the same age. She then said that her dog was very dog-shy and asked if we would mind if she would just follow us for a while to try to get her dog comfortable walking near Bella. Of course we were happy to help.

Bella set an awesome example and just kept on walkin' right along with me. She looked back once or twice but I think that was more because of the lady and not the dog. After another lap the lady was able to move up and walk her dog right next to us. She was surprised at how well her dog was behaving. Both dogs behaved beautifully!

It worked out quite well for both of us actually, because the other dog had a positive experience with another dog and Bella had a positive experience with a stranger.

During our walk, the Shepherd Lady kept commenting on how well behaved Bella was, and that she had always loved and admired the "Pitties" but that she didn't feel she could handle one. I commended her for being responsible enough to understand that. "Pitties" are great dogs if they are raised and socialized properly, but like any breed, they are NOT for everyone.

Anyway, Shepherd Lady and I had a good conversation about dogs, training and how they help us be more balanced people. Though the lady was on the right track, I was able to give her a few training tips that might help her and also referred her to Trainer Guy because I'm sure he could really help the few issues she was having with her pup. I hope she goes. LOL Maybe I could get a freebie or a discount for referring her.

After we had finished our laps I left the park with an awesome feeling.It was such a great experience for all of us! Bella behaved beautifully with both the other dog and the strange lady. And we were able to help socialize and educate another dog and owner!