Trialing....number of trys for title

[Ilovemypuppy]

Just curious......I realize there are SO many factors......but...is there an average number of trys for the three legs for CD ?

[Patty1231]

No. You just may be setting yourself up for disappointment if you EXPECT to get a CD in so many trials. You're right, there are SO many factors. Just be as prepared as you can going into the ring, try your best to settle your nerves, and go enjoy yourself! And qualify or not, give your dog a hug and a cheeseburger and yourself a big ole pat on the back for having the kahunies (sp) to go in there and try! You've already made a huge stride forward by getting your rottie to that point!

[Ilovemypuppy]

Thanks for your reply Patty :o))) We still have one leg to go for the Pre-Novice title......I am just looking at the show calender and trying to set us up for Novice next. For example...let's dream alittle and say we qualify for PCD first day of the next show..we are entered for both days.......I think we can ask to be moved up on the second day. The entries ....for next show... close 2 days after this coming show (that show is really close to where we live). I am thinking of entering that one in Novice..three trials.

We don't get nervous in the ring..Bailey's very laid back...so we do a bit of fun stuff just before going in to get her on her toes. We have been practicing CD elements and our weak spot is heel free..but that's coming nicely.

[Judi W]

In the US, there is not such thing as a prenovice title, it is a non-regular class and rarely offered at anything but a match.

[Ilovemypuppy]

Originally Posted by Judi W

In the US, there is not such thing as a prenovice title, it is a non-regular class and rarely offered at anything but a match.

Here in Canada (CKC) it is a title Pre-Novice PCD.....it is scored as qualifying or non-qualifying.

[RottiMomCT]

I'm on trial number 8 for our second leg. Also, I entered no trials after July of lasy year...so between May-July of last year I entered 6 trials. Qualified at first one, NQ'd the rest of them and finally got leg 2 in PA earlier this month. I am hoping to complete the CD this summer, but if I don't, I'll head back to PA, since the Nationals will be held in conjunction with the CRC event....and from what I've heard, that's NINE days of lots o'rotties (May 6-14, 2006)!! WHOO HOO!!!!!

[Judi W]

I mentioned the non-regular aspect to let you know that you won't find a comparison for that class here in the US. The number of trials to get three qualifying legs escallates as the levels increase. It shouldn't take many however where everything is on-lead.

The numbers often cited are:
Novice is 9 trials
Open 16
Utility 26

These were pretty much the numbers Jim D. gave me some years ago and were supposed to be the avg for all breeds. But remember, averages mean nothing! My very first utility dog got his UD three shows in a row! I didn't even count how many trials it took my last one to get that third leg. I was afraid she'd be too old to jump before she got that 3 one. She was every bit as good if not better a worker than the boy that did three in a row. My best friend has a Ridgeback with his UD and watching him is agonizing and like watching paint dry. He is pretty much a dreadful worker and we are amazed he got the title at all! (although we adore him). We've pretty much agreed that if he hadn't gotten it when he did it would be a pipe dream because he hasn't managed to qualify since. The boy I am getting ready now is a pretty impressive worker (a lot like his mom) but I would never hazard a guess about how many trials. It almost seems like the faster the worker the faster something can go awry and he blasts into everything. Our immediate problem is getting him to wait for my signal on the directed jumping. He gets a twinkle in his eye and moves out before I can even think about lifting my arm.

My purpose in making a short story long, is that do not judge your dog's working ability according to the number of trials beyond the novice level. I will say however, that if your dog doesn't know what heel means, back up and fix that before hurrying on. I am not including an occasional off day in this, but if the heeling generally stinks, that is indicative of an obedience problem itself and you will have problems further down the line.

[Ilovemypuppy]

Thanks so much Judi ...that's exactly the information I was looking for . Bailey's heeling is quite good and we're working on it every day..short but sweet sessions :o))

So far..we are 2 for 2 in Pre-Novice for two legs..next trial is in two weeks.

Thanks, Anne, as well for sharing the numbers :o) This is all new to me and I get my best information and best help right here, as always !

[Luvs]

Both Akasha and Keil got their CD in three trials. It was really nice to have them do it so quickly and at the same time, especially since my daughter and I had a bet on who would get their CD first. This way nobody lost

We are now trialing for their CDX and that is definitely going to take a lot longer to accomplish! That's ok, because we are having fun trying

[frontierrots]

For Bea's AKC CD we started trialing when she was 12 months old. Perhaps a few months before we were ready (should have hit a few more matches first) she earned her title in 6 trials (NQ 2 in a row, then Q twice in a row, then NQ, then Q) All 3 legs with placements

Her U-CD she earned in 4 trials (NQ the first then Q 3 in a row)

Her Rally Novice (it's all on lead) she earned 3 trials in a row

[Rottlva]

Jory, you are now finding out why those of us who trial are going broke!!!

9 novice!!
16 Open!!
26 Utility!!!

Although I think those numbers are a smidge high, I have been in an Open class where there were no qualifiers, 1 qualifier, or just a few qualifiers. As the levels increase there are so many elements that need to be put together, it is difficult to do it all without error. But.... people do it, and they do it well.... All you can do is be sure Bailey is ready for the ring before you go in.

[Judi W]

Remember those numbers are the average for all breeds.

[Miabella]

I've been pretty lucky so far, Ilsa got her CD in 3 trials, CDX in 4, and now Hubie is 2 for 2 in Novice. It does get much harder as you go up, there are so many little things that can wrong and cause you to NQ. There is definitely an element of luck. I'm planning to start trialing Ilsa in Utility in September, and my goal is under 10 trials for the UD. We'll see what happens!

[Ilovemypuppy]

For someone new to the sport of obedience trialing, this is so wonderful of everyone to share their experiences ..thank-you. It makes one feel more comfortable with something new to see the whole picture. Bailey and I are doing this for the fun of training and trialing to see what we can accomplishment. As long as it remains the fun it is so far...we'll keep right on going. She is becoming more and more enthusiastic in her work all the time..probably in part..because I am becoming more and more relaxed.

We have been to some fun matches..earlier this spring and been through one weekend of shows and it was really fascinating, how it all works. What a greenhorn.......I didn't know they were going to call all the qualifiers back into the ring to accept their scoresheets and ribbons.... but since we were set up close to the ring entrance..we were right there when the ring steward called us in :o))

Our first judge was also very nice and friendly so we got our feet wet in a nice way :o)

There sure are a lot of variables in the ring on any given day, but Bailey is solid on stays and recalls (off leash) and sit for exam (PreNovice)..she is also solid on the stand for exam and as I said her heeling improves daily at this point...since I decided to make it a game ! (Great advice I got here ) Onwards !!!!!!

[Miabella]

Jory, Barbara Handler's "Successful Obedience Handling" really helped me out before I went into the ring for the first time. This is not a training manual, it is a description of trials logistics and what you should expect in the ring. She also goes through each exercise in Novice, Open, and Utility and details where you can lose points and what is an NQ. It's a lot less scary if you know what to expect when you get there!