Bonkers for Bella: November 2011

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.

Friday, November 4, 2011

Schooled

Brutus' leg was bothering him too much to attend class again last night. Instead of just missing a class that I paid for - with Trainer Guys approval - I decided that Bella would substitute for him at last night's obedience class. She hasnt been to a class in about a year and I wanted to see how she would do.

She actually did very well.Her heeling was a little rusty but once we were warmed up she was consistantly giving me automatic sits. She schooled most of those beginner dogs! The only one doing better than Bella was a German Shepherd who was also an "advanced dog" repeating the beginners class. She still needs work on her socialization around people, but she is making progress. She almost even did a perfect 'stand for exam' at the last minute she tried to drop her butt into a sit, but at least she let Trainer Guy pet her without trying to flee.

I forgot how much fun it was to take classes with her, she is so easy. I am hoping that when Trainer Guy starts the next round in Januray, I will have the money to put her through again and give her a refresher.

There still might be hope that one day she can be my trial dog.

Bonkers for Bella

Novice Obedience Exercise Descriptions

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Friday, November 4, 2011

Schooled