Successful Club Day : Thanks, everyone!

What a great day we had at dog club today. We had sixteen people and 30 dogs attend. Drummer, the sheltie puppy, found a new friend in Cava, Liz Saunders' new flatcoat baby. What a pair. We had great practice in calling them away from each other and having them sit and do some elementary 'heeling'. Cava got to meet some of the older shepherds and lots of people and she was happy and outgoing and confident throughout.

Twelve dogs took part in scent hurdle from beginners to those who already have titles.

Then it was on to an Advanced Rally course that really pressed people and pooches to stay focused and work closely as a team to avoid the pitfalls that come out of a 'heeling' course with many changes of position and pace. A good job was done by all.

Replacing a few signs brought us into the excellent course which, once again, pressed people to choose a pace and stay with it throughout the course without adapting pace to the dog. We had food bowls and jumps and 180' pivots and serpentines, spirals and a straight figure 8. There were many opportunities for a dog to bump into its handler or interfere with forward motion. I must say the handling was excellent even though a few of us were off course now and then.

The honor was a down in front of the handler but a few of us actually did a sit or down out of sight as our honor exercise. What better opportunity than today.

Lunch was great as usual although we really missed Maureen and her baking!!! Boo hoo. Feel better soon, Maureen.

We wish Denise and Jagged a successful weekend at their specialty as Jagged completes her CD. She and Denise looked fabulous today. Lore and Daisy also did a super Novice routine! And Mary Ellen's Cheyenne was amazing considering the fact that I am sure she stays at home and reads the obedience rules and practices all by herself while Mary Ellen is at work or away on courses, because there has been no training since last summer with this beast.

As president of our club, I can't say enough about the wonderful difference having a fully matted facility makes in the training for our dogs. The footing is solid and we must thank Russell Lee for nominating us for the Shell grant which we received due to his efforts. It's been absolutely wonderful. We are able to do so much more in the line of events because of it.

Thanks to Lee for bringing Bess so I could 'play' at rally O with her. Thanks to Denise, Deb, and MaryEllen for working with Swayze and Hunter. What a difference in confidence in twenty minutes. You made my day!!! Thank you to everyone who brought goodies and who helped set up and take down courses and handle dogs for each other. It's this kind of cooperation that makes the day possible.

Good luck to Tubby and Lexi as they continue to practice for their 2010 Carting Olympics. I often wonder why Tubby's neighbors haven't gifted him with a straight-jacket after seeing some of the antics he and the dogs go through in the driveway as they practice ...... if I saw a Newfoundland dog racing joyfully up to a man-made mannequin and dragging it across a driveway by its hand, I would wonder about the fellow giving the commands.

Tomorrow night, we start our new obedience class at the hall at 6:30 p.m. with an eye to increasing our membership at the end of five weeks.

Thursday, Lore and Louann will have a rally O course set out for us at the Twin Butte Hall at 7:00 p.m. and the opportunity for us to practice obedience as well. Cost to attend is $5.00 for the evening.

I will rent the hall for next Saturday, April 17th from 10:00 - 2ish. Hope you can join us.

Judi

Enjoy your week.