Connie Cleveland Seminar - 2/12/2005 - 2/13/2005
Packed up "the boys" (Jessie the Kerry Blue Terrier and Bailey the shih tzu) and took them to Delaware for a Connie Cleveland Seminar. What a great experience!

Connie spent a lot of time working with me on Bailey's shyness issues and gave me some marching orders with him. He has to come everywhere with me and just play. I'm going to take him to all of the trials, not enter him, and just play with him until he relaxes and views new places as fun places to be. I think this will help him a great deal. I didn't want to show him while I was showing Jessie for his UDX anyway. Two sets of Open stays at a trial is too much for me. When Jessie is done with his UDX, I'll just show him in Utility and start to show Bailey in Open. Hopefully by then he'll be a pro at Utility too and will go straight into that class as well. Then if I want I can put Jessie back in Open.

I'm also going to switch Bailey for the turn and sit on the scent articles to a flying send. This should increase his drive out to the articles and hopefully make him more upbeat while working on them. I can always switch him back if he goes too wide or it doesn't seem to working. She said she always starts with the flying send and only later switches to the pivot sit and send. She also has a neat way to teach the flying send where you slowly turn away from the article pile, but don't actually turn with the dog, but after the dog, to encourage the dog to really hug tight around as the go for the articles.

For Jessie we worked on stays - but there was nothing new. Just the same old suggestions for fixing them. I guess I'm sunk with that one. No one seems to know how to fix or maintain stays. She also worked with me a little on the moving stand, which was good in a way since I saw the depth of the problem, but once again, nothing really new.

I guess nothing new isn't a bad thing. Mostly I think I'm on track, I just get a little lazy. I need to use the guides for go-outs more, and I'm going to have someone tug him on a long line on the go-outs. I want to introduce the idea of guides to Bailey as well, since I do think they work, I just forget to use them.

I've only got two more weeks before my first show of the year. I now don't feel like I'm ready, but then I guess I never feel that way. Hopefully I'll do better then I think I'm going to do.

The Hairy Blue Terror Does the NOI (National Obedience Invitational)
After two months of practice, on Tuesday, January 11 2005, I drove over to my obedience instructor's house (Robin Willey) at 6:30 in the morning to get ready for the two-day drive to Tampa, Florida. She had her Irish Setter, Riker, ready to go so we quickly packed the car and headed out. Driving through PA was a bit dicey with some snow and bad roads, but once we got to Maryland, things improved. We stopped along the way for lunch, then dinner and to let the dogs stretch their legs. In North Carolina we ran into some rain, but by the time we reached my parent's house in Durham, things were better.

On Wednesday, we packed the dogs back in the car and scooted north to Virginia to visit Riker's grand pups. The puppies were 4 weeks old - 11 of them, all a beautiful red and full of themselves. We borrowed the training building of the owners of the puppies for some last minute practice, but mostly just let Jessie and Riker run around the huge fenced yard with the Irish Setters while we played with the puppies.

Thursday we hit the road again, driving the rest of the 24 hours (about 12 left) to get to Tampa, Florida at around 7:00 pm. The weather was absolutely perfect - around 80 degrees and sunny. The staff at the Courtyard Marriott were extremely nice and helpful. This is a really great hotel to stay at with dogs! They went out of their way to help us find a park to run the dogs and make us comfortable while we were there.

Before leaving, I had set up with a local training club to rent some ring space on Friday. So in the morning we headed out there with our dogs. It was raining, but it didn't matter since the rings were indoors. Once again, the Tampa people turned out to be very friendly and helpful. The IPOLK training building was gorgeous with a special extra long utility ring for long go-out and two other big rings for practice. A wonderful dachshund and a Portuguese Water Spaniel were also there practicing. It was a great experience for Jessie - let him make a few mistakes and then "fix" them with positive encouragement and praise. Riker on the other hand was showing that an 11-year-old Irish Setter does not travel well. His back clearly hurt and he didn't want jump. Robin made the decision right there to let him opt out of jumping at the Invitational if he wanted and to just enjoy the experience no matter what happened.

After practice we went to try and unload our crates. This was the only bad experience of the trip. We were unable to find the place to do this. No one we asked, including all the security guards, seemed to know where the obedience unloading area was located. We eventually gave up and unloaded in the conformation area, which meant waiting in a long line. But all is well that ends well, and we got our crates into the building, and got a chance to walk around the obedience area. It was perfect! Thick rugs with non-slip matting. Two separate, big crating areas, which were nicely hidden behind curtains so that the dogs could rest in a quiet, dark area. The rings were big, open and neither of the go-outs were towards another ring or crating area. I could tell my dog would like this set up and that made me relax maybe a little. Naw, maybe not!

We only had time to get home, feed and walk the dogs, have a quick glass of wine to relax, and dip in the hot tub, before we had to be back to the Hyatt for the Friday night barbecue. It was very fun with lots of good food and all sorts of people we've met over the years of showing or talking on Internet groups. It's great to get together with other obedience enthusiast. We always have so much to discuss without ever getting on dangerous topics like religion, war, or politics.

Saturday was the start of the obedience competition. We had to arrive at 7:15 to pick up our armbands, ring assignments, and our gifts (nice big bag with lots of goodies). At 8:00 am the competition began. I was about the 7th dog in ring 4. Curtis Cunningham was my first judge, one of two I didn't know. We started with the Moving Stand - not Jessie's favorite exercise to start with since it means mommy leaves him with that scary judge person. Anyway, he did it, locking up and allowing the judge to examine him without too much wiggling. I called him to me and he walked instead of trotted, so that was a major deduction, but we were still qualifying. Fortunately the next exercise is one of Jessie's best - the directed retrieve where the dog has to get one of three gloves. This is his most often perfect exercise, and today was no different - he only lost half a point. Then we went to the heeling on lead. It was a very long, complicated pattern, unlike any I had ever done. I was very nervous setting up and Cunningham said, "Hey, watch it!" I almost fainted and said, "I'm sorry, what did I do?" and at that point he laughed because he thought I was pushing my dog with my knees while all that was really happening is that they were shaking! The heeling went great, and then the figure eight was also lovely. Then we had the retrieve over the high jump. Jessie hurt his mouth on this a while ago and was refusing the jump on the way back, so I was nervous. But the little stinker did it almost perfect, only loosing a point. As soon as the judge said exercise finish, I almost collapsed I was so relieved and left the ring almost crying. My instructor and friend Robin was right there to congratulate me on a great first ring and to give Jessie lots of pats and butt rubs.

Although it is still mostly a blur, I do think this is the point in which the Kincaids showed up to say hello during a break in agility. Their Kerry, Daisy, had done very nice the day before, and would get lots of Qs over the weekend. I was so thrilled to see them and "talk Kerry" for a moment. Daisy is a lovely Kerry, pretty, smart and with lots of drive.

Jessie went back in the crate to rest and I went to watch the next ring. The quality and joy of all the teams working really amazed me. You didn't see any sad dogs or sour faced handlers. Everyone was enjoying there moments in the spot light and looking at their dogs with such joy. The teamwork at this level is truly breathtaking.

Before I had barely caught my breath, I had to go get Jessie and bring him to the next ring, ring 5. This ring started with the Retrieve On the Flat - a great exercise to start with since the dog gets to run and chase something (the dumbbell). Jessie was very happy to do this and only lost one point. We were on a roll! The scent articles were next and started with a little insecurity on Jessie's part so he walked back to me - another major deduction. The second article though was very nice. The Drop on Recall was next, another tough exercise since the dog has to drop at a distance while coming at you at a trot - something Jessie doesn't like to do in a strange place. But he did it! And nicely! I had finished two rings without an NQ!!!

At this point I took Jessie outside and let him relax in a little park near the convention center for a few minutes. The cool outside air revived both us, and we returned. I studied our next ring and before being able to barely take a breath, I was getting ready to start again.

Ring 3 had a Drop On Recall, then Directed Retrieve (and right to the crowd so it was very hard and I saw more then one dog opt to go to the wrong glove), the Signal Exercise, and the Broad Jump. I was glad to go in that ring, because it was Sharon Ann Redmer and she always comments on being glad to see a Kerry in her ring. I think Jessie picked up on this and worked very nicely until the signal exercise. At that point, as we started out, he jumped as if something had bit him and kind of wrapped around me. His ears were down and he was clearly upset. Although his heeling was erratic, he stayed with me. I didn't know what he'd do when I gave him the stay command so I could leave him to do the drop - I was sure he was so worried he'd follow me. But he didn't, and he did a nice drop, sit and recall. We lost a lot points on his bad heeling, but we left that ring with a clean score again!

Finally we got a little break for lunch. I caught up with Robin who had done what she had said, releasing Riker from the jumps and just taking the NQs. She kept her spirits, though, knowing that having an 11 year old Irish Setter at this event was the honor, even if he wasn't as competitive as he had been the first two years he had attended. With all these dogs give us, and all they are willing to do for us, we also have to remember to suspend our egos and do what is right for them when needed.

After lunch we had three more rings. Jessie was starting to slow down a little, but he went into Ring 1, our next ring, and he did his best. His go-outs were great, dead straight, the sits a little slow, and he gave his characteristic "woof" in front of each of the jumps (After I left the ring one of the people watching asked me how I had taught him to give that little bark and I had to admit not only did not I train it, but I didn't want, since each bark was points off.). Unfortunately I was completely stressed and loosing it in this ring and found myself giving commands WAY too loud - I wonder if the judge marked off for that since it is a fault as well. But once again, no NQs, and this time he trotted back on his moving stand! His heel free and figure 8 were once again up to his usual with just a couple wides, but no bad lagging or forging.

At last I got to sit and watch for a few minutes because Ring 2 was a little backed up. I was so tired! It was fun just listening to the crowd and watching the dogs. Two people I know that own shih tzu found me and told me they had taped part of Jessie's ring and I got to watch that. It was great to see how nice he looked and how much he was paying attention to me.

Finally we got into Ring 2. Jessie clearly thought I was loosing my mind and seemed to have the attitude that he would do this for me, but he was getting a little tired and I couldn't expect too much more from him. Despite this attitude this was one of my best rings with no major deductions, just a few points on each of the exercises. The exercises included the Broad Jump, Retrieve Over the High Jump, and the two Scent Articles.

Five rings down, one left. I was sure we'd loose it in this one. Somehow I couldn't believe we could make it through six rings without a single NQ. When I went to take Jessie out of the crate he actually hesitated, clearly thinking maybe he would just stay there and let me go play this game by myself. I encouraged him to come out, tried to pump him up, and went to the ring. This ring was closest to the doors and so there were lots of spectators. Jessie loves people, so this seemed to bring him back up in spirits a little so I let him flirt with the crowds.

The ring started with the Heel Free and Figure 8, which was a great break for me. I was able to use my voice to keep him pumped. But then we set up for the Directed Jumping and he clearly looked like he didn't have it in him. I set up, pointed to the go-out point, and in a loud voice gave my command "Run!" Well, Jessie did the world's slowest go-out. He walked, as slow as he could, pausing frequently to give me dirty looks over his shoulder all the way down the 60-foot ring. I kept almost giving him a 2nd command, but the little stinker would start again, so I waited, and waited, and waited. Maybe because I was getting a little irritated with him, I made him walk all the way, no turning early, and then turned him for the sit. I was sure he wouldn't jump, but when I pointed to the bar and said "BAR!" he flew over and came in front. The next go-out was lovely, at a trot, with a nice jump over the high jump. Then he did a near perfect Moving Stand for Exam, and we were done!! All clean rings. The judge teased me that she was sure he wasn't going to go all the way for the go-out and I admitted I had thought the same.

Jessie was way over-tired at this point. He actually threw a total temper-tantrum in the hallway over absolutely nothing, just barking, growling and leaping around. I put him on a down stay and explained, like you would to any naughty child, that this behavior would not be tolerated. Poor boy - he had had enough.

Our day still wasn't over. I met up with Robin again, we rushed the dogs back to the hotel, fed and walked them, then rushed down to soak in the hotel hot tub for a half hour. Then it was back to Hyatt for the Saturday banquet. We sat at a table with a fun group, including one of the other terrier people, Ingrid Butt who owns a smooth fox terrier, Peanut. She had also gone clean all Saturday, so we celebrated and declared terriers the perfect obedience dogs.

During the banquet they announced the top 32 teams, which would go on to the head-to-head competition on Sunday. Jessie came in number 6 in terriers, right after Peanut! I was so proud and a little relieved that I didn't have to show again. I didn't think Jessie could take it. He had done such a great job on Saturday, I planned to let him just relax and hang out on Sunday.

After such a long day, it was great to sleep in on Sunday! We took our time getting ready, went for a nice breakfast, and then walked back to the show. The competition was well under way when we got there, so I found a seat and watched a bunch of the rounds. Then I had to sneak away to visit the "Meet The Breed" booths and watch Ingrid's other smooth fox, Tango, run in agility. At the "Meet The Breed" booths I fell in love with a cute little Glen of Imaal terrier bitch who wanted to sit in my lap. Maybe I'll have to get one someday - they are very sweet terriers.

After lunch the obedience competition finished up with the final rounds. The National Obedience Champion of 2005 went to a handsome, big Golden Retriever - OTCH First String's Cubby Bear UDX20 AX NAJ owned by Kathleen Rasinowich-Platt. The First Runner-Up was Golden Retriever - OTCH High Times Belvedere's Duck Soup UDX7 MH owned by Bridget Carlsen. Second Runner-Up was Golden Retriever - OTCH Tanbarks Road To Glory UDX22 owned by Jose and Caryl Martinez. Finally a really nice Miniature Schnauzer OTCH Double A's Savannah At Night UDX7 owned by Barbara Koscielski came in as third runner-up. I thought this was very exciting! It's nice to see a terrier take a top prize.

Robin and I walked around and bought a few tee shirts, then went back to take advantage of the hot tub at the hotel. Then we went to a wonderful dinner at a restaurant where we could watch the Best In Breed while eating delicious food.

On the way back from the hotel, we took the shuttle. About 4 other woman and a young man were in the shuttle when the driver asked if it was ok if he went and picked up one of other person who was a little out of the way. We all said that was fine and were very glad we did. It happened to be the winner of Best-Bred-By with his winning Rottweiler and ribbon in hand. Of couse we cheered loudly as he joined us and got lots of kisses from his very sweet dog.

The next two days were the long drive home, stopping in Durham, North Carolina for a night at my parent's house. The adventure was over, we were tired but happy. I can't wait to get my next chance!

Syracuse Trail
Well, it's the end of the year for me and Jessie. We went to our last obedience trial until next spring and will now take a well deserved vacation. We started in January with our first Utility leg, finished the title with all first winning two run-offs, one against our own obedience instructor. Then we started trying for UDX legs and in approximately 6 months managed to get 4 legs, 6 OTCh points, a first and HIT at an all breed trial and two firsts and a HC at the kerry speciality, plus numerous other placements over the year. I'm very happy with how the year worked out and very proud of my kerry, Primrose Jessie James. If this was the end of obedience for him, I'd consider it a success, but no such luck for him. He has the Obedience Invitational coming up in January and then we'll hit the road again and try to get the other six UDX legs next year.

This weekend was a real mixed bag. We started out with a bang -- best heeling he's done in a long time. In Open B he lost only half a point in the heeling (heel free and figure 8 combined) and the judge actuallly said to me when we finished out figure 8 that we had "awesome heeling", but Jessie didn't come back over the jump for the retrieve over the high, so no leg. The judge, though, found me after the class to tell me I probably would have been in the ribbons if we'd Qd, which was really nice of her and made me feel so much better about the NQ.

All weekend it was the jumping that got us in trouble. Jessie didn't want to do the bar jump in utility and gave me two high jumps Friday and Saturday. Sunday he gave me heck -- barking his head off -- but at last did the bar jump and picked up a nice score of 192 under Bernie Brown (not good enough for a ribbon, but a good score particularly considering all the barking). Open it was the retrieve over the high jump that he didn't want to do all three days, and on Sunday he also walked the broad jump. I think he needs a diet (he's so fat right now it's embarrassing!) and some work on jump shoots -- so that's what we'll do this winter.

Anyway, I hope I haven't been boring all of your with my writings of our adventures. I never thought I'd be competing a dog at this level. It's so much fun and so exciting when things come together in the ring.

What it takes to get a UD
think though no description in the world of the UD really captures what it feels like to get that first one. My Jessie was 6 before he had learned all those many exercises, and I believe Andy is approximately the same age. That's 6 years of weekly classes, daily practice, driving to parks and schools to find distractions to train near, digging out "go-outs" in a snowy field, doing gloves in the dark to see if the dog will really follow the direction of the hand, practicing pivots in the living in front of the TV, and just plain working working working for 6 long years.

When you see your dog come over that last jump and you know you've qualified it is an amazing feeling of pride and accomplishment. The bond with that dog is so strong at that point -- you know so much about his every mood and every insecurity, he's the focus of your life for that period of time. It took my Jessie approximately 12 tries and 4 months to get his UD -- a dog that finished his CD in 3 tries and his CDX in 4 tries. We had trials where he flunked every exercises, and ones where he waited to fail on that last jump. Everything you do up to the UD you are next to your dog and it's basically one command, one action. For the UD you are far away from your dog, and for an exercise like the scent article, you give a single command and then stand helpless by while your dog has to go to the pile, search the pile (sometimes for a long time), pick up the right article, and bring it back to you.

I hope more people go for a UD on at least one of their dogs. Trust me -- you won't regret it. It'll be a lot of work, it'll make you an emotional wreck while you're doing it, but you will come out of it knowing your dog like you never thought possible. And you've all got a great breed for it -- as silly as our kerries are, they are also great workers and very smart. They can all do it, given the chance.

Another attempt at UDX leg up in smoke
Well, the saga continues. Me and Jessie made another attempt at UDX legs with no success. But it was a good weekend and I discovered some new judges that I absolutely love and a great new trial. The trial was the Youngstown All Breed Training Club in Youngstown Ohio. They have a great place to hold trials -- beautiful footing, but so springy everyone was having to throw their dumdbells more then once, including me, both days, LOL. The competition was brutal -- the winning dog in Open B had a 200, 2nd place was a 199, third was a 198.5, and there was a four way run off for forth with 198s!!! In Utility B the lowest placing score was a 197 and that was a two way tie. Wow!

Jessie was having a bad obedience day. He Qd in Open only on Saturday, with a 193.5 which is very low for him in Open. Utility he would have had a very nice score, but he only went 9 feet on his 2nd go-out (not the required 10 feet) beyond the jumps (and sat in front of the wrong jump -- yet the stinker ran all the way across the ring on command to jump the correct jump so if I'd had one more foot it would have been a Q!!). 2nd day he started to do the same thing, so I just gave him a 2nd command, and everything else that day was actually very nice. In Open B he did ok (not his best) on Sunday, but desided to take a nap during the long sit and NQd himself. Lazy, lazy, lazy.

All in all, though, it was very fun. Watching those top dogs sure gives me something to work for. And all the top handlers were very nice and gave me many training tips. Those long stays in Open B are a great place for picking the minds of the best trainers.

Now, about the judges. They were so nice! Look for them. They all made a point of commenting on how pleased they were to be judging a kerry blue terrier. They were friendly, smiled a lot and encouraged me and complemented Jessie. They were:

Mrs. Suzanne D. Hemminger
Mrs. Nancy K. Withers
Mrs. Catherine M. Thompson

Look for them at trials! They would be nice people to have judge a terrier trial -- all so friendly and nice. Nancy Withers even said, "Oh, I haven't judged you before. I'd remember a kerry blue." I thought that was very nice to say! And she knows Evelyn and commented on how nice Pheonix is doing and such. It's nice to have a judge recognize and appreciate our breed -- sometimes I feel like some of the judge's out there have only really like BCs, goldens and labs.

4th UDX leg and great trial this weekend
Well, Jessie was a good dog this weekend and got his mom another UDX leg. We went to an absolutely wonderful trial put on by the Golden Triangle Obedience Training Club. It was very unusual in that it was
held in a school gym, with crating in the hallways. This produced a very quiet, pleasant working environment and helped my dog a great deal. They also had the most amazing raffel of baskets -- they
looked so professional with everything from coffee to champaign to dog toys. I didn't win one, but I tried. I highly recommend this trial!

I also got to see Linda again with her lovely airedale bitch - she got a 2nd place in Novice. Such a nice way to end Novice -- now on to Open for her (hopefully). We were talking and thought it would be
nice if people included a location in their posts so we know who to look out for at trials. If you feel comfortable doing this, or mentioning when you will be attending a trial, I think it'd be a
great idea.

On Saturday Jessie passed both Utility and Open getting his forth UDX leg. He got his lowest score yet in his life, a 180 in Utility, but that's passing so ok with me. Open was his usual 195, and not good
enough for a placement, but still made me very happy. Sunday was unlucky -- he failed to take a jump in utility until a 2nd command and broke his sit stay in open. Oh well!

I'll have to title this "Just when you think it's safe to go back in the water . . . ."
We got our 3rd UDX leg with style on Thursday. We went to the first kerry blue terrier obedience specialty and got 1st place in both Open and Utility with a score of 195 in both classes as well. We also got Highest Combined Score which won his mom some lovely Waterford Crystal. I thought I was safe. I thought no problem to go to the trial the next day. My dog knows what he's doing. I forgot I own a terrier.

After his success, Jessie realized that he had to top it, so the next day at Hatboro he really distinuished himself. When I sent him to the article pile, saying, "Find IT", he thought I said, "Scent It", so he trotted out there and scented the pile with his own urine. I was mortified, but held my cool and didn't get angry. He's now resting at home. It was a long jog back to Rochester NY from Phili PA tied to the bumper of my car, but somehow he made it, LOL.

Ah well, he is a terrier and sometimes he just needs to remind me. At the time it was humilitating, but in retrospect, it's actually kinda funny. He'll be doing articles in lots of stinky places for the next few weeks!

if you don't succeed at first,try try again -- another UDX attempt
Well, another attempt at a UDX leg that comes up empty handed. It was great weekend, though. I saw many things I really liked in Jessie's attempts. First day, in Utility, we started with the scent articles. We've had that before and he always walks in on the first article retrieve. But he actually trotted in! Both times! I was so pleased by that. All his other exercises were wonderful until the last one -- the "go-out" part of the directed jumping. The point he was supposed to go-out to backed up to the Utility A ring. Right at the go-out point (where he needed to run to) there was a large male german shepherd dog, his owner, and the judge doing scent articles. I've worked so hard on Jessie and teaching him never to even LOOK at another dog at a show, and NEVER run at another dog. Well, here I sent him charging out to another dog. Poor Jessie didn't know what the heck to do. As far as he could see, either way he was in trouble. So he went half way and stopped and looked back at me. I could see he was totally confused. I guess I can't get mad. I'd rather see him stop like that then to think it's ok to charge other dogs at shows. Same exact thing the next day in Utility -- all his exercises went fantastic until the go-out, where once again timing had the same german shepherd was at the go-out point and Jessie just couldn't bring himself to go. I know what I'll be working on next week! LOL!

Open was much more successful. Since Mass we've been doing sit stays every day, a couple times a day and slowly upping the stress level on the stays. It worked. Perfect sit stays both days, and the 2nd day even had the downs first. I think I'll keep doing that with him -- a couple sit stays a day. Obviously I haven't been training that enough.

He got a 195 on Sunday and would have gotten a similar nice score on Saturday, but when he turned to bring me back the dumbell on the ROH, he was not in front of the jump, so he thought he'd take the fastest route back to mom and completely bi-passed it. Oh well, just a little error on his part -- nothing to get worried about. Then I lost us a point on Sunday in Open by holding my hand in the air too long when I gave him the signal to drop on the recall. You have to do it pretty quick and I kinda did a slow motion one -- glad I asked the judge about my score or I wouldn't have known I got hit for that. I'll be working on quicker signals!! Oh well, we still would have been out of the ribbons by half a point, so I don't feel too bad.

My little shih tzu, Bailey, had a great weekend as well. He got a 98 out of 100 in Rally, and first place in Graduate Novice (oh, well, he was the ONLY dog in Graduate Novice -- but his tail was wagging and he did all the exercises nicely and first place is first place in my book).

It was a fun weekend. The fall trial in Hamburg always is very nice and has great tropheys and lots of crating room. I got a crate fan for high scoring terrier, a little vase for high scoring kerry, and a nice beer tumbler for my graduate novice win. Very fun!

AKC National Obedience Invitational
Woo Hoo! My boy, Primrose Jessie James UD is getting an invite to the Obedience Invitational! I'm so excited. That was my number one goal in obedience, to someday get an invitation! I can't wait for January -- I'll be there having fun with my kerry!!! Ya Hoo!!! Congrats to Evelyn and Phoenix for their invite as well. And my instructor, Robin Willey got invited too with her Irish Setter. This is SO COOL!

Sorry, don't mean to brag, but I'm so excited. I wanted to get invited so bad! My little naughty kerry boy is going to Florida to play with the BIG DOGS of obedience, LOL.

another attempt at UDX legs -- progress but no success
Hope you don't mind my reports on my UDX attempts. It's so interesting to me, at least, the process for trying for something like a UDX. I'm really enjoying it and I'm learning so much about myself and my dog. It's so much more challenaging and time consuming and brings out personality traits in my dog I didn't know were even there. Plus I'm learning I'm a dang good loser and a real optimist :-).

Anyway, we went to a big, noisey show this time -- Springfield, MA. Coolest part was my instructor got there on Thursday and set up right near all the kerries so I got to meet everyone that I've talked to on this list and never met. Plus I got to see some really beautiful dogs. So nice to see some real show kerries all groomed to perfection. I was very impressed! Loved the show, actually, but breed wasn't just in the same building,
it was right on top of us. Blow dryers, barking dogs, commotion.
I'd say this was Jessie biggest test since last Syracuse's winter
shows where he completely fell apart.

This time he did ok -- not fantastic, but ok. We qualified in Utility both days with scores in high 180s (I think a 189 and a 186 or something like that). Pretty good, if you ask me, for a setting such as this while we're just a few months past our UD. That's five Qs in Utility in a row -- woo hoo! I'm so proud of that.

First day, Jessie did a repeat of his Erie PA performance -- didn't want to drop on the recall. This time I used a hand signal, though, and just held it up there, determined to get him to drop without a 2nd command. He came in really close -- traveling about 3 feet, but then did drop. Ya hoo! Not good enough to Q, but definately a step forward. But then, like in Erie, he laid down on the sit stay (hmm, I know what we'll be doing every night this week!).

Day 2 in open we started with the DOR as the first exercise! At first I thought this was bad, then used it to my advantage. I did a few drops before going in the ring. We went in and set up. I could tell he was stressing by the way he was holding his ears. I called him and he crawled in at a walk. Then I gave him the drop signal and he went down! Success!!!! I was so excited and let him know he was the most wonderful dog in the world. Of course when I sent him for the broad jump, he also started to WALK towards that. I thought, ugh no way will I let THAT become a problem, and 2nd commanded him with a sharp, happy "Come on! Over!" and clapped my hand in a happy way. He
picked up a trot and did a lovely jump, but of course that was an NQ. Finally, on the sit stay he didn't go down -- he got up! LOL! The little nut stood and walked a few steps. Since another dog had already gotten up there was no one to grab him so the show chairman went and got him. Imagine my horror to come back and find the chairman of the show holding my dog!!! I was sure he'd bothered another dog or done something equally horrible to get this special
treatment and expressed my horror and terror. Thankfully the chairman just laughed and told me that no, he'd just stood and walked a few steps then stood there looking dazed and confused. Sounds like my kerry, alright -- a little baffled by life. Sigh.

Anyway, that's the report from the UDX front lines -- still advancing slowly, but no major battles won this week!