First Obedience fun match

[JD102175]

Well, this Thursday evening Brodie and I will be partaking in our first obedience fun match. This should be quite interesting as Brodie is very much a busy-body and needs to watch everything that is going on around him. My trainer calls him a spazz, which he is :p . Luckily we have class tomorrow night and a few of the others in class will be at the match also. One is a Rottweiler that already has her CD and the other is a Belgian Sheepdog. Any advice for our first time out??

Jaime

[Rott-Wiley]

Just have fun. Keep in mind it is just a match and can be an excellent proofing environment. :)

[lblax]

Originally Posted by JD102175

Any advice for our first time out??

Jaime

yes----have fun
and have you thought about keeping brodie in his crate most of the day or at least 3-4 hrs before the competition so that he's pumped and ready to rock and roll

[JD102175]

Originally Posted by lblax

have you thought about keeping brodie in his crate most of the day or at least 3-4 hrs before the competition so that he's pumped and ready to rock and roll

You mean you want him to be more pumped up than what he normally is :D. It doesn't take much to get him pumped, with the new surroundings and all those new dogs around he'll be quivering with excitement!

Or do you mean something entirely different ?

Jaime

[RottiMomCT]

Have fun - BREATHE and have fun...

This is advice given to me when I was in a few fun matches - and I hope I remember it when I enter the ring for our trials . If you are nervous the dog will pick up on it so when the dog before you enters the ring, take Brodie to a corner and have a quick lesson to remind him of when he's supposed to be doing and then have a quick play session to let the jumbles out of your nerves - if it's a loud environment (and what dog related place isn't!), you'll be able to get a good laugh out of your system and that'll help with the nerves.

Have fun!!

[lblax]

Originally Posted by JD102175

You mean you want him to be more pumped up than what he normally is :D. It doesn't take much to get him pumped, with the new surroundings and all those new dogs around he'll be quivering with excitement!

Or do you mean something entirely different ?

Jaime

of course!!!! most dogs work better /flashier and more intense when they are pumped up and there drives are high... now when he hits the new surroundings you'll see what training you have to adjust and how important proofing your dog really is, so just have fun and learn from what you are about to see...
but yes the more your dog is pumped the better he will perform and really being pumped and driven is whast you want!!!!!!!! if he loses control because of the new surroundings and dogs it will be because the proofing was not there for him to succeed not because he was overly pumped and excited

[Mojave's Mom]

Relax and remember to breathe as much as possible. :) I've found that keeping a happy-go-lucky attitude and a smile on my face between exercises keeps my dog's attention on me. I get really excited and praise, praise, praise once the judge says "exercise finished" and then continue "singing and dancing" with my dog onto the next exercise. When I'm stressed out and worried and basically move from exercise to exercise without acknowledging my dogs much, they almost "tune out" and we do horribly. The best score I ever got was a 198 and a first place with Mojave on his third CD leg because I FINALLY listened to some very smart people and did what I just recommended to you ;) As hard as it is, just try to think of it as another run-through in class. Clear your mind and focus on your dog. Also, don't forget your footwork. Footwork for me lost a lot of points until I finally got myself together both in the Novice & Open rings. Especially during figure-8's. Proper footwork will help keep your dog from bumping into you.

I, too, will be in a fun match this week....Sunday actually. First one since last year so I'm already feeling the butterflies. Especially knowing I'm heading in with my drama-queen instead of my happy-boy GOOD LUCK! :D

[Brooke&Ryan]

Good luck & have a blast!

:)
Brooke