Saber Actually Does Obedience (and Rally)

Saber here! As promised, I am back with some news from the Obedience and Rally front. It's been about two years since I updated about this, but boy have I been busy! First, let me share a little about the practices we were doing back in early 2014 or so.

Here is a typical Down Stay practice in the grass with other dogs. One thing I liked to do to pass the time while staying was to chew some part of my body that has an itch, Here I display my phenomenal flexibility and extensive reach while chewing my right hip. Notice my use of tail lift for counterbalance.

Usually, staying is pretty boring. You just have to lie there on the floor waiting for something interesting to happen. Here we are waiting in an indoor down stay.

Sometimes, a dog isn't doing their job properly, and their person comes and takes them away. (I do not ever have this problem. I always do my job properly, for at least 2.75 minutes out of the 3 required minutes of down stay. No promises about not getting tired on the sit stay, though).

Sometimes I stay with many dogs. Other times I stay with one Corgi.

After lots of classes and practices, Mom decided I was ready for another trial in April last year (2014), She was wrong! But we had a grand time in Walla Walla because the grass in the Obedience ring was so nice and tall and smelly. I did some epic sniffing during the heel on leash and figure 8, and as soon as that leash came off I was off like a shot, romping around the ring with my tail wagging to smell all the wonderful smells. It was a sniffing festival! (This was before Mom got me going in Nosework, so I had to get my sniffing done somewhere!) The judge was not amused and excused me, but I got two more chances to sniff because Mom also entered me in Rally Advanced twice! Lots of wandering and sniffing time this weekend. No qualifying scores, but that's okay because there were no good prizes anyway.

Mom knew that I actually do know how to do Novice Obedience, so she was not discouraged (yet). Just a month later, she entered me in four more trials at Spokane and Cour D'Alene. These shows were indoors, with no wonderful grass to distract me, so she just knew I would do well! But you know, there are so many fun things to do in trials when your Mom can't correct you. Mind you, this was a year and a half ago and I was still rather immature, without the amazing work ethic I have now. Well, the three Rally Advanced trials were fun for me, but not so fun for Mom. While I was in the ring, interesting dogs were walking by and I had to watch them to make sure they were listening to their handlers and not goofing around. The broad jump looked suspicious so I carefully walked over it instead of jumping, just to be sure there were no strange creatures hiding beneath it. Some dogs were barking and whining in their crates (the nerve!) and this made it hard to concentrate. So I didn't qualify, in the judges' eyes, although in my eyes I did a fair job keeping Mom and all of the spectators safe, and preventing random dogs from breaking rules as they walked by the ring.

On the last day of these trials, Mom had entered me in Obedience again. Remember when I said that stays are boring, because you have to sit there and wait for something interesting to happen? Well, this is where the stays got really interesting! After I did all the Novice exercises, but didn't qualify due to my mother not staying close enough to me during the heeling/sniffing pattern, I went back into the ring for the group stays. There were 6 of us, all sitting lined up in a row, staying as we were told. All of us, that is, except for this other German Shepherd. You are not going to believe what this other dog did, DURING AN OBEDIENCE TRIAL. I have never seen such disrespect of rules in my life, and trust me, I work with poodles. Anyway, this dog was staring at me. I ignored him. So, DURING THE STAY, he got up and ran over to me and started SNIFFING MY FACE. Oh yes he did, and I was about to give him an obedience lesson he would never forget but my Mom yelled, "Leave it! Stay!" So I had to turn my head and stay there sitting, while this "dog" (and I use the term loosely) starts sniffing my other body parts and the Judge is yelling at the other lady to get her dog! (Yeah seriously lady, GET YOUR DOG!) I sat and stayed, I did not growl or move. I did not correct this overt display of DISobedience. And then when the lady grabbed her inconsiderate canine by his collar and started to pull him away, he had the absolute nerve to LUNGE at me and SNARL in my face! Mom again reminded me to "Leave it! Stay!" and so I did. I stayed until the exercise ended, and then the Judge congratulated me and my Mom and the other competitors applauded me for my self control. Yes, they literally applauded, and told my Mom what a great dog I am. Then I finished with a perfect group down stay. Alas, I had already gotten a non-qualifying score because of the heeling, but Mom said she was prouder of me than she has ever been, and she took me to play in the park and bought me an ice cream cone. Now isn't that better than any ribbon? I still would like to have a chat with that other dog about his lack of manners and blatant disregard for rules.

Over the summer, we did some more practicing in Obedience and Rally, and then in September 2014, Mom entered me in the local shows. Those are outside in the grass! I was thrilled. She entered me three times in Rally Advanced, during which I did lots of great sniffing (think she was getting the hint about Nosework yet?) The best part was when I was at the start sign with Mom and saw a figure 8 with food bowls way over on the other side of the ring. I was drooling in anticipation! Was it hamburgers? Hot dogs? Leftover lasagna? As soon as Mom said "Heel" I ran straight over there for lunch, but some rude person had put plastic grates over the top of the food! What a rude joke. How am I supposed to heel when there is lunch caged up in a bowl right in front of me? I got 3 non-qualifying scores. I also got 2 NQs in Obedience: one because I was still sniffing a lot, and the other because, after doing a much better job on all the exercises, I got tired on the sit stay and laid down for a rest. (I personally think a 15 second rest during the one minute sit stay should be allowed, even encouraged. Perhaps that will be one of the Obedience regulation changes in the future, along with removing the grates from the lunch bowls in Rally).

After all those NQ's Mom kind of gave up about the trialing for awhile. She stopped taking Obedience classes and stopped going to Rally practices. We didn't even do any run throughs or anything for almost 5 months. Instead, we started Nosework! Oh, that is so fun, and much more useful than stays! I am, after all, an expert sniffer, as demonstrated in all the preceding Obedience trials.

Mom finally decided this February to take me to a Fun Match and see if I remembered any Obedience. Sure I did! And no other dogs got up to sniff me this time. I kept an eye on them though.

We didn't do anymore practices or classes, but Mom wondered if maybe I was finally ready to give it a try again. So after over 6 months of almost no Obedience or Rally, in April she took me to  Moses Lake for a trial. And all of that break time paid off! I got my first CD leg with a first place ribbon! I also got this cute squeaky toy as a prize:

On the second day, I got another CD leg and a 3rd place! Mom was so excited and I was just glad we were 2/3 of the way to being done with this Novice stuff.

The best part of the trip was getting to play in the park after the trials! I got to go down the slides with my girl...

 

...swim in the lake...

...and fetch sticks!

Two weeks later, Mom took me to the Walla Walla trial (indoors this time) and I got my second leg in Rally Advanced!

Well, finally Mom learned her lesson about what this Shepherd needs to win in Obedience: way less practice, and way more time sniffing! Now that I was active in Nosework, I didn't really need to be so sniffy during obedience trials anymore. Plus, since we never practiced anymore, it wasn't as boring. Mom got the point and for the next 6 months we did no Obedience or Rally practice (one or two run throughs, that's all) and lots of nosework! I was one happy puppy!

Last month, Mom entered me in the trials at Cashmere to see if I could finish either of those titles. We did not practice at all; Mom just brought me to the trial, let me wait in my crate, and then took me straight into the ring when it was time. And I rocked it!

Here I am with my New Title ribbon in AKC Novice Obedience: Saber Jet, CD! (Companion Dog)

The next day I rocked it again, and earned my 3rd Rally Advanced leg for the RA title!

This has been such an adventure! Mom was so happy when we finished these titles and promised me she would never make me do Obedience trials again if I didn't want to. But you know what? There are jumps and dumbbells to fetch in the next level of Obedience... so game on! I'm ready!

Saber Starts Rally! And a New Obedience Title.

Saber here with an update on all the fun things my Mom and I have been up to! You already know from my last post that I am a fantastic obedience dog, but did you know I am a Rally star too? Yes, this little black and tan puppy is a creature of many talents. In fact, I have not found anything that I do not excel at. Do not ask the cat for her opinion on that, though.

Anyway, a few weeks ago Mom and I started taking classes to learn AKC Rally obedience. Here are some pictures of us practicing in the Clubhouse and at the park. I'm the one with the pointy ears and the perfect sit:

After our second class, I so impressed my mother that she entered me in a Rally trial this past weekend! We were already going to Spokane for the obedience trial and lure coursing, so why not? She didn't think I would qualify, but I sure surprised her! Look at all my pretty ribbons!

Yes, that is right. I got my first Q in Rally Novice, even though there were TRAINS barreling past the ring just as Mom and I entered. I thought those things only appeared when we are in our car, so imagine my shock when two of them came right by us without any windows or car parts between us! I guess they heard about the trial and wanted to watch me perform. Who can blame them?

So I did my best work for Mom and the Judge gave me a pretty green ribbon!

Then we went inside to the Obedience ring and there was a different Judge there, waiting to see the amazing, famous, blogging Shepherd. When I appeared, he gave his orders and Mom and I did all of the obedience exercises he asked for. He was so awed by my talent and beauty that he gave me not only a green ribbon, but also this gorgeous red rosette and a polka dotted fleece blanket! That was pretty nice of him but he forgot the bacon. Maybe next time. Anyway, Mom was happy, I got second place in Beginner Novice and earned my AKC BN title!

But that's not all! See that orange ribbon hanging from my collar? The next day Mom took me to my FAVORITE activity (besides eating): lure coursing! It was lots of fun, I ran fast and caught the bunnies right at the end (they tasted like plastic), and I got that ribbon. I just need two more to earn my AKC CAX title!

Well after all that hard work, I am a very tired puppy. Lucky I have this new blanket to keep me warm and cozy. Good night!

Adventures in Obedience

I have been a very busy puppy over the summer, which is why you haven't heard from me in awhile. But I have a great update that I want to share! I have started entering Obedience trials with my Mom! So far, she is not too obedient, but soon I hope to be able to get her to fetch me some bacon on the first command.

Anyway, you might remember that I'd been back in obedience classes this spring with my favorite teacher of all time, Lezlie. She was my teacher when I was just a little STAR puppy and she has been my favorite teacher ever since. After the class was over, Lezlie kept working with Mom and a few of our other friends to help us get ready for some trials this fall. Then about two months ago, Mom became the club's Obedience Group Leader, and that means lots more practice for me! We get together with our friends at least twice a week and practice obedience. Here we are doing group stays in the park:

After lots of practices, Mom decided it was time to take me to Cashmere, Washington for a real dog show. I had so much fun in the Beginner Novice ring! First, instead of doing a boring old heeling pattern, I just tracked the dog who went before we did! It was a lot simpler than reading all of those signs, plus I found this great patch of smelly yummy stuff on the ground. I was on a leash so I couldn't stop and eat it, but don't worry. I ran over and ate it during the recall.

The next day I did a lot better. My heeling was pretty good, my sit for exam, sit stay, and recall were perfect! But there was this guy. He had big metal poles he was using like legs and he was walking right next to our ring! I had to keep an eye on him. He might have been thinking of chasing my Mom or throwing one of those poles for me to fetch. So I watched him instead of doing a figure 8. Mom said I didn't qualify in either show, but she hugged me and petted me so I guess I am still her best puppy! She took me to fetch sticks in the river afterwards. It was fun but I could not find any alligators or big metal poles.

On the way home we stopped at the Ginkgo Petrified Forest to see trees that turned into rocks. I did not like that idea. This stick, which is now a rock, is unfetchable. So sad.

They did have a nice water fountain at this park. There were also bighorn sheep, but Mom said they were NOT for herding. Bummer.

Back to obedience.

Today Mom entered me in the local trials in Beginner Novice. I was really excited when she drove up to the park, but when I got out, things looked very different. There were strange dogs and people everywhere! Mom said it was time to work, so we got ready and waited our turn to go in the ring. Someone told Mom that the judge had a sharp pencil. I was really glad to hear that, because he was definitely going to need it to write all the compliments and wonderful adjectives about me in his little notebook! We went into the ring and this time, instead of tracking I tried to pay attention to my Mom. There was nothing good to eat in this ring anyway. Apparently I did pretty well this time, because after we got done Mom was giving me a big kiss on the snout when the Judge said something to her. She looked up and said, "What??" and he said, "you qualified." Hey, that made Mom pretty happy and later we got some pretty ribbons. I got third place!

Later in the afternoon we went into the ring and did the whole thing again for a different judge. But this time, you will not believe what happened. It was RAINING and my Mother did not take me home! Instead, do you know what she did? She took me in the ring and in the middle of all these commands and this rain, she told me to SIT and then she left me there. Yes, she walked away and left this cold, wet, devoted German Shepherd in the middle of the ring while she walked around. I could not believe it. You see, we live in the desert. I do not go out in the rain unless absolutely necessary. We do not even take walks in the rain. Yet here she was, doing Obedience in the rain. But because I am loyal, I sat, unflinching, as the rain pelted my coat and dripped into my ears, stoically waiting for my Mother's return.

I should have a statue made of me in that park for doing that.

Anyway, in the end I got more ribbons and earned 3rd place again so now Mom says I have two legs of my AKC BN title. I know I started out with 4 legs this morning, so perhaps two of them melted off in the rain. I will cope.

Happy trials!

Saber at the Show and Go

Hi again! Saber here. As I mentioned last month, I have been busy practicing my obedience. Mom takes me to Advanced Novice class every week where I get to heel, stay, stand, and come over and over. It was getting kind of boring, but Mom gives me lots of cheese and lately she's been very happy with my work. I am a good obedience dog.

Mom thinks I am almost ready to enter an AKC obedience trial. So a couple weeks ago, she took me to something called a "Show and Go" in Wenatchee. It sounded like lots of fun: she'd show everyone what a gorgeous, smart dog I am and then we'd GO! I love going. But it didn't really turn out that way. In fact, we were in this little building watching obedience stuff for hours! I guess the other dogs got to"show" first, and they were taking their sweet time doing it. At first it was fun sniffing and looking around, and Mom worked on my obedience with me in the hallway a bit, too. But then I got SO bored. Finally, it was my turn in the ring! But really by this time I was not too interested in heeling, so my heeling was not so great. In fact, the lady told me I could do it over again, for practice. I did much better the second time. I did a fantastic job standing, sitting, downing, and coming, but oh I was just so terribly tired of it all by the time we got to stays! In the group sit stay, I laid down. In the group down stay, I did a really great thing! I laid there and counted the seconds in my head for 3 minutes so I would not have to wait for the judge lady to tell me when the time was up. So about 2 seconds before she said "return to your dogs," I got to 180 seconds and just calmly got up and stretched to let her know it was time. My Mom didn't seem to appreciate it though.

Anyway, here I am in the ring, being a real obedience dog.

 Don't I look regal?

I was pretty excited that I got to stay by a Bearded Collie. I love Bearded Collies. But I did not bother him.

Mom says I did a good job at most of the obedience stuff but I still need to keep working at it. Maybe soon I will get to enter a real trial!

When we were done, we got to play on some old trains at the park with my boy and girl. That was the highlight of our trip, since there was no bacon in Wenatchee. Here I am on a train.

I always have fun on trips with my family.

Stay tuned for more lure coursing and dog park adventures!

Saber Does Obedience!

Hi, remember me? It's Saber the German Shepherd Dog. It has been a long time since I wrote, but I am pretty unforgettable so I am sure you DO remember! I have been very busy this winter: sleeping, eating, napping, fetching, eating, sleeping, tracking, and most recently, shedding! Mom is thrilled with all the giant fur balls I am leaving all over the house. She carefully gathers all my soft, beautiful hair in a large container called a "vacuum" (while I try to attack it, just for fun) and then I think she must empty it into a large treasure box somewhere. Probably in the same vicinity where she keeps all my poop. She likes to gather that, too!

Anyway, I also have been back in AKC Obedience classes with my Mom for the past 8 weeks. I have had a lot of Obedience classes, starting when I was just 3 months old. Wasn't I cute?

Just eight weeks later, I graduated at the top of my class with my AKC STAR Puppy certificate! Here I am with the medallion I earned. Mom said "sit" and "smile!" Look how obedient I was!

Wow, I grew! So, since I was such an obedience Star, my puppy class instructor told Mom I was ready to take real, grown-up obedience classes in preparation for AKC Obedience trials when I am older! Mom listened and right away she put me into Novice Obedience class at the local dog training club. For 8 weeks, I worked on things like heeling patterns, figure 8, stand for exam, a 1 minute sit stay, a 3 minute down stay, and eating lots of cheese. I was excellent at doing my job, especially eating the cheese! After 8 weeks, I graduated Novice class and earned a score of 180 in our Fun Match, which is a qualifying score and was second place in the class! Not bad for a 6 month old pup! I lost 2 points for licking the judge though. He smelled like cheese. Here I am after my graduation in May 2011.

Mom was so proud of me! In June she put me right back into Obedience classes for 8 more weeks to keep practicing. I needed work on my off-leash heeling. Then in the summer, we joined some club members to practice Obedience outdoors at different parks. The instructor set up temporary fencing in the grass and we'd practice all of our obedience skills, surrounded by trees, squirrels, geese, birds, and people walking their dogs and riding their bikes. It was very distracting, but I think that was the point!

In the fall, I took a class called Canine Good Citizen, which was pretty easy for me. The only hard thing I had to do was stay with a stranger while Mom left the building. I had to sit quietly without whining or trying to find her for three whole minutes! That was horrible! I wanted to go find my Mom right away! But Mom worked on it with me at home until I was ready. I passed the test and got my CGC just a few days after my first birthday.

In January 2012, we took an Advanced Novice Obedience class and it was lots of fun! Mom thought I was about ready to trial in an actual Obedience ring, but I had other plans. I was getting so bored with the same old obedience exercises, so I decided to spice things up a bit. When she'd say "come," I would run towards her, veer left, veer right, then run around her in a circle. When she said "heel," I'd add some very agile spinning while I was heeling. I also started sniffing the ground an awful lot, mainly because I was bored and there were always microscopic treat crumbs to be found. Mom said obedience stopped being much fun, so we took a little break over the summer. We just relaxed and went to dog parks, lure coursing, tracking, herding, and dock diving instead!

Finally this January, she thought I might be ready to try again. And I was! Somehow, it didn't seem as boring this time, and I love paying attention to Mom while I heel with her. I did so much better in the Novice class and Mom was beaming with pride! Last week, I graduated in first place with a score of 194! Much better, and Mom says I am almost ready to trial. We are taking one more class first: Advanced Novice again, to practice my off-leash heeling. It starts in a couple of weeks, and I can't wait! I love cheese!