A year ago I thought we finished our first level AKC Obedience title. And then in March a friend was checking on the AKC titles/events records and didn’t see it listed. I immediately emailed AKC about the error…and checking my records, I found we hadn’t finished it!
At the end of April we entered a trial – the last weekend under “old” rules to get our third pass. Griffin was one of two older dogs entered. And he was the most energetic of all 7. During our individual portion he ran over to a piece of tape and froze with his nose touching it. The judge thought that was hilarious. And during the down stay Griffin sat up when in the neighboring ring someone called out “SIT!” to her dog on the go out. The judge was amazed Griffin didn’t come when the neighboring exhibitor called her dog. Griffin was pitter-pattering his feet and squeaking but stayed there the remainder of the time. And of course we earned a non-qualifying score for that.
Last weekend we had another “close” trial opportunity (by Ohio standards) and were able to finish. Griffin added in two retrieves – again tape on the floor caused problems. But luckily this was between scored exercises. He just plucked it off the floor and brought it right to me. During stays we got to experience the new rules – two rows of dogs, back to back, handlers at the end of the leash, and only one minute stays. We had the benefit of being surrounded by German Shepherds – the ones we train with try to visit him sometimes so he’s very good at staying near them!
Now I can say Griffin has earned his Companion Dog title and we’re ready for the next level! We did Preferred Open at the trial (kind of pointless now since it does have a stay in it – it’s exactly the same as regular with the option of lower jumps). He did great, we had an NQ at positions which was a bit disappointing as that’s one thing I was very confident about. But theoretically we’ll be able to work through Open fairly quickly…if I can get away to enter trials.
It’s fun to be able to say that Griffin has earned his CD with three different sets of stay rules.
- Q 1: Leash off, behind the dogs, handlers at the other side of the ring. 1 min sit, 3 min down.
- Q 2: Leash on and at the dog’s feet. Arm band at the dog’s feet. Handler’s across the ring. 1 min sit, 3 min down.
- Q 3: Leash on and held, handler’s 6′ away. 1 min sit, 1 min down.