Our less-than-impressive trial weekend didn’t finish up any better than it began. Freya had two Level 1 runs and one Level 2 run, and managed to qualify in only one Level 1 run with another mediocre score of 185 points. Again, no ARCH points, but at least we are one small step closer to our RL1X, with 4 of 10 legs now complete.
It was disappointing to NQ on courses that should have been good for us, and frustrating because I’m not 100% sure why Freya was so out of tune with me. She seemed slightly depressed in the morning on both days, but she also seemed to adjust to the new surroundings more quickly than usual. She’s not particularly good with other dogs, but this weekend she didn’t go off on any other dogs, and she pretty much ignored dogs barking from vehicles and crates. That part I am definitely happy about, especially at a new venue with some areas that were very much close quarters. She was able to relax everywhere on the grounds—except in the ring where I needed her to be relaxed and attentive. I don’t feel like I ever had Freya’s full attention in the ring, even during our qualifying runs. So we definitely have things to work on before our next trial weekend, May 15-16. Continue reading
Today we went to an APDT rally obedience trial at Blitzen Canine Academy. This was not one of our better trial days. We were entered in both trials in Level 1 only, working on RL1X legs and ARCH points. We ended up with one NQ and one Q with a very mediocre score of 179. So we did not get any ARCH points but we did add an RL1X leg (now at 3 of 10).
Tomorrow, we are entered in both trials in Level 1 as well as Level 2 in the second trial. It will be a long day, so it’s way past time to get some sleep! I’ll talk more about the entire weekend tomorrow night.
Just six more days and we will be back in the rally obedience ring. Freya and I didn’t trial at all in April, and I had hoped to get more serious training in during the month, but that just didn’t happen. We did get some practice time on full courses, mostly Level 2. I need to do some on-leash practice this week, since we are entered in four Level 1 runs.
We have made progress with the jump, but are not quite to the goal of full height plus me being able to do the run-by 6 feet to the right of the jump. Since we are entered in only one Level 2 run, I’m going to plan on taking the 3-point deduction for doing the run-by closer than 6 feet, and our jump practice this week will be focused on the interim goal of full height plus a run-by 2 feet to the right of the jump. As I’ve mentioned before, a 3-point deduction for being too close to the jump is still far better than the NQ we’d get for Freya running around the jump.
Other than that, this week’s training will be mainly about getting rid of any sloppiness. Continue reading
This calendar is generated from my two personal Google trial calendars. One lists all the Chicago-area APDT, UKC, and AKC Rally Obedience trials that I have information on. I don’t usually travel for trials, so this basically means the Chicago metro area, and maybe southern Wisconsin and northwest Indiana. These are listed in blue on the page. When I actually make plans to enter a trial, I move it to the second calendar, and these trials will be listed in red on the page.
I started these calendars to help me keep track of our trials, but I hope the calendar page is also useful to others in this sector who are looking for a nearby rally trial, whether to compete or just to observe.
Speaking of rally, it’s that time again for Freya’s one month of “fame” on the UKC New Title Holders page, with her URO2! And yes, of course there is a screenshot, what did you think?
That should probably be more like “practice makes perfect, but not if you practice your mistakes, only if you practice doing things correctly.” But that’s too long to say all the time. And anyway, right now I want to figure out the best way of using our limited back yard practice space efficiently, and so that we are not practicing any mistakes.
The second half of April kind of sneaked up on me. Freya and I were not entered in any rally obedience trials this month, but we did not get in as much good training time as I had hoped to. We didn’t totally waste the first half of the month, but we still have a lot to work on.
Yesterday’s rally class had its ups and downs. I’m still not able to get a full 6 feet to the right of the jump if I want to be sure that Freya will go over it, and not around it. The strategy remained the same as last week: lower jump height and handler closer to the jump on the run-by. I have ruled out injury or discomfort as Freya’s reason for sometimes refusing the jump. It’s more likely that she is being lazy or smart or both, and is taking the path of least resistance. Unfortunately, not acceptable for this particular sport! Continue reading
