Tag Archives: Rally

Incredible Weekend!

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So, have you ever such an awesome weekend that the high lasts into the start of your week?  THAT is what kind of weekend I had!  I am still flying high. If you remember…this weekend was the weekend Daisy and I went to our first Rally Competition.

So Saturday, we got there early and set up. A HUGE thank you must go out to Grannie who was awesome in packing lunches, running to get things I forgot, and providing moral support. We set up near the rally ring and watched the more advanced groups.  I will be honest, on day one I only saw three hounds in the whole building! Apparently, hounds are not typically known as obedience dogs, who knew?  😉  I think on the first day Daisy felt like she was missing out on things being left in her crate. So many people and dogs walking around-she wanted to be a part of things!

Our first run went well.  Daisy started to get the zoomies in the beginning-oh no!! We got 10 points off of one of our exercises because I *thought* she had sat, but she was actually crouching/play bowing. Oops!  After that, she focused and we completed the exercise with a score of 81/100. We Qualified! It takes 3 qualified scores under 2 different judges to get a Rally Novice (RN) title.

I met and talked to some great Rally people. The lady who was set up next to me was working on her first RAE title with her lab. There were tons of Golden retrievers doing rally this weekend. I had kinda hoped to see more mixed dogs/non registered dogs out having a good time but there were very few. I’m not for sure why this is exactly though.  Maybe serious dog people are more serious about where they get their dogs from?

I'm down! What's next?

Daisy was much more relaxed on Day two. I think she understood a bit what was going on. She knew she’d hang out in the crate, nap, snack, pee, then get to show off in the ring. One thing we have to work on is Daisy NOT trying to meet the judge in the middle of a run. She is such a flirt!  She was much more focused during the run on day two but she did NOT want to down! Perhaps because by the end of the day the ring smelled like dog and she doesn’t think she is a dog?

On Day two we did much better! We earned 91/100! Another qualifying score!  Both of our scores were good enough for a fourth place finish both days! I can’t believe it! Not only did we qualify but we placed too!  It goes way beyond what my expectations were going into this. Right now, I feel like anything and everything is possible.

When I decided to do rally, it was because I thought I could train on my own. I just wasn’t in a place to pay for agility classes and I thought agility was the sport for me! Well, after this weekend I do think I will be sticking with Rally! It is sooo much fun and I’d advise anyone looking to do something with their dogs to look into it.

Bella had a pretty awesome thing happen Sunday too!  Bella has not been on a boat ride in well over a year…before I had Daisy. We had tried a few times but her fear was sheer panic and horrible to watch. When we went to go on the boat Sunday Bella really, really wanted to go. So, we decided to try it. At first, it was just as I expected. Bella shaking, drooling, looking to hide, and generally miserable. She was NOT HAPPY about coming along for the ride.  The boat is a bass style boat with a front deck area. This is where Daisy stands to watch everything passing us and sniff the wind. Well, Bella’s nose took over her brain when we started to go fast. Up she came to stand beside Daisy, sniffing the air, ears flapping in the breeze. Then, she wanted to explore the whole boat. Hopping about, sniffing and enjoying the ride!  I was so happy to see her enjoying herself!  I find it funny my dogs are even opposites in the boat ride. Daisy seems to enjoy going slow more and Bella seems to like going fast more.  Really, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.

We had a great weekend!

Almost the Weekend!

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I’m counting Friday (tomorrow) as weekend time. Why you ask?  Well, I’m going to my first conformation show!  It is a huge 3 day event, the Orlando Cluster Show. It is within decent driving distance.  There is also a rally event afterwords that I will be staying to watch.

So some of the breeds I will not be missing (I’ve printed and highlighted the judging program): Black and Tan Coonhounds, Bluetick Coonhounds, Italian Spinoni, and the Gordon Setters.  The Gordons are my secret crush. I might even want one someday. There is a whole list of others I’d like to see, but this show has 1600 dogs in 3 buildings, 13 rings, in 6 hours. Then the Best of Show happens. That will be a whole bunch of running around. I can’t wait!

Yippee!! Weekend is coming!!

What Have I Gotten Myself Into?

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So, if your dog eliminates in the ring, it is disqualified. What if the handler pukes? What then?

 

By the time many of you read this my entry form for Daisy’s first AKC Rally competition will be in the mail.  As I felt nauseated and nervous just sealing the envelope, this does not bode well for the nerves to come.

 

I really want to do dog sports with Daisy. Well, I wanted to and even took Bella to agility classes but I am sure you know exactly how that turned out with her anxiety.  I would love to try agility or nosework with Daisy but classes aren’t an option right now. So, something I thought I might be able to do on my own was Rally obedience. I bought a book, watched some youtube, and cut up some hot dogs.  The match is still 4 weeks away but I think we’ll be ready. At least ready enough we won’t completely embarrass ourselves. Actually, so I won’t embarrass myself. Daisy would go out and lay down and nap and be perfectly content.

 

We’ve had some real rough points. I’m no professional trainer. My dog experience is limited to very basic stuff. I’ve never really needed a dog to do more than sit, wait, leave it, you know-ultra basics. So now I need her doing right finishes and sitting next to me and weaving, and walking around me while I turn in the opposite direction. I also have to motivate her to focus on me for more than 13 seconds at a time. And just in case you haven’t noticed-she is a coonhound. “Biddable” is not exactly high up on her trait list.

 

Do you do rally or do some other dog sport?  Have you competed? What was it like? I think I might go ahead and start the list of things I want to take that day. Number one on my list is Grannie. She will be there for sure! Having fun and remembering to breathe is on the top of my to-do list. I will be trying to work out a couple things we still don’t have down and pray they don’t show up on the course during the competition.

 

I should let Daisy give me lessons on how to relax.

Times-They are a Changin'

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Ah, the twist and turns of this thing called life.

Through a series of unfortunate events (which included multiple sewage backups in a new house) the girls and I will be staying with the Grandparents for a while.  Lets just say the last month hasn’t been fun…unless you were a coonie with a new backyard.

Yep, the coonies must trade in their backyard and all the freedom it provides. In return though, they get two more people to spoil them with petting and treat handouts. It’s a pretty good trade-off I think.  Daisy can take boat rides and go fishing.  Bella will get more loving then she will know what to do with.  Hopefully, she will be able to overcome her fear of Grandpa once and for all!

To keep me sane during all this (haha), I have decided to add another project to my to-do list.  I feel the need to announce it publicly so I don’t chicken out. I might chicken out anyway. I have registered Daisy with the AKC (canine partners).  I want to do a rally trial with her in July. So, I need to get busy I suppose!  I have a book on the way and plan to watch a lot of YouTube to make sure I understand the signs. I will be teaching her on my own. She has her basics down, but things like right finish and coming to the front aren’t skills her in repertoire–yet! Of course, this morning my HOUND had 2 perfect recalls under distraction so anything is possible…

The first happened when she was in the backyard. The kids next door had let their dog out and of course, since he is never allowed outside except to pee, he wanted to run over and meet Daisy and turned his ears off to the kids that were responsible for him.  The kid was coming over to drag the dog back to the house so I called Daisy (to make it easier for the kid) and she SPRINTED back to me!!  So glad I store the treats by the door-she got several for that!  And, about that time the wind blew the front door open!  I guess I didn’t lock it from getting the mail. Normally, Daisy is not typically a door bolter. But I think the door opening wide on its own was too much for her and out she sprinted.  Well, I made my voice really high, and play bowed and called her and in she sprinted back! I shut the door and ran out the back and she got the zoomies and we played together. Yep, my hound had recall!!  I wouldn’t bet on tomorrow though.

This morning, there were men working on the outside of the house. Bella did NOT like them at all. She just sat around, or paced around growling.  It was all nerves-the panting came later. Oh, and it’s been raining on and off today. She is not happy-she is hiding in the guest bedroom today and wishes to not be disturbed.

Change Again?!?!