Open House - Agility "Fun" Match

Today was the yearly Open House that Northwoods K9 Sports puts on. It was an exceptionally nice day, though I have to say it was too warm! The "fun" match was at noon and we had about 8 dogs from class come. We got our course map & it was quite a challenge to learn!! 18 obstacles!!! We have only really been running half courses at class so this was a lot to take in. And, it wasnt an easy circle or anything either. Deb likes to keep us all on our toes I think. And then of course we were drawn to go SECOND!! Cripes. I was nervous. I had what I felt to be extra-good treats (steak nuked with lots of garlic) and off we went. She did pretty good at the start - jump, plank - but missed her contact on the way down - then she was off to the other side of the arena, nose down & an occasional greeting of some random person! I had a squeeky toy in my pouch which did eventually get her attention and back on course but it sucked noneltheless. So then it was jump, front cross, jump, tunnel, jump, jump, a-frame (missed another contact, my fault for not saying wait or target), jump, tunnel, jump, table (try to catch breath), jump, tunnel, jump, tunnel - mocca stays in tunnel. Doesnt come out - is fervently sniffing in there apparently there is something good IN the tunnel. Finally comes out WRONG END, I try to get her to go back...repeat...repeat. This illicited LOTS of laughter, so at least we can be comic relief, right? Well she did FINALLY go in the tunnel the right way then jump, and WEAVES! And thankfully, she did at least do all 12 weaves. She was by no means fast, and seemed QUITE unenthusied, but when she finished I rewarded her with the toy.

We got lots of applause - I think because they felt bad I had to work so hard! The dog who went first was REALLY good and I think competes so not really fair! The other dogs were all currrent competing dogs as well, except Brisby the Corgi, who finishe things off in his calm, cool & collected way.

Looking forward to class this week to try more work with the toy as motivation instead of treats. I am POOPED. So is Mocca - we were out there for about 3 hours with all the stuff going on. We DID win 3rd in the "Obedience" trials, and 2nd (though we should have been first, I have NO clue how Rupert could have won with his lame tricks - I mean, NOBODY marched like we did or even did a bow - do they have any idea how hard that is to learn? Roll-over and play dead were Rupert's tricks - how original is that?).

:-)