Sunday, September 21, 2014

Puget Sound K9 UKC Rally Obedience Argus Ranch - September 21, 2014

Today was a beautiful day at Argus Ranch in Auburn, WA. This is notable because 99% of the time I go to Argus it is pouring rain and miserable. :)


Argus Ranch is first and foremost an agility trial location and training facility, but it is also a host to many dog sports including luring and obedience trials.

For the rally competition today only one ring was in use, leaving a lot of room to spread out and walk around. The ground is packed dirt and that can be distracting to the dogs.


Nim knows the outside well, but has actually never trialed at this location. We are usually only there to watch other dog friends or to get our Santa photo done.


Horses and a horse track is right up against the property. There were actually several cats in the pastures. But they weren't cooperating for a photo.


Our first run was a struggle. We were the first dog in and I didn't get there as early as I would have liked so let's just say there was a lot of Nim out there. We struggled on the line that had the spectators which is rarely our problem, but the trial was actually exceptionally quiet and he knew some of the people he could hear talking on the sidelines. I really struggled to keep him working with me.

We still managed to get our RO1 Title! First title for both of us. :)

This photo is funny. Nim was in a snit because he wanted his first place toy (we were the only dog in our class which worked greatly to our first place favor because it wasn't a super high scoring run) but I wouldn't let him have it because he would just sit there and squeak it.


Our second run of the day was magical. Because I had my RO1 titled I could have moved to RO2 but I opted not to because of his scattered behavior in the first trial. It was the right decision.

We worked it hard! It was hot and the course was plagued with "sits." On the last sign I knew he had to sit at he gave me a disgruntled look before he sat down and then of course he checked out his penis in case it fell off or something but fortunately that was a temporary distraction. We lost exactly 2 points. One I knew where it had happened, and the other one it doesn't surprise me, but I don't remember it.

We have a problem right now with one particular move (finish, left side) and that is because I am in the middle of changing it to a more appropriate traditional obedience command. I learned today he is not ready for that new command in the ring without food.

Yes, we were a "class of one" again, but it was hands down our best competition ring performance in the entire 7 times we have been in the ring. :)


7 comments:

  1. Congrats! Then comment about Nim checking out his penis made me laugh out loud!

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    1. Ha! I almost said something really inappropriate at that moment in the trial but thought better of it. :)

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  2. We noticed the nice Seattle area weather when we were watching the Seahawks game yesterday. Glad you had a good trial. Nim sure looks happy in that last picture. I too cracked up at your penis comment. Those boys are always worried about what is going on down there. :-D

    Cindy

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    1. It was BEAUTIFUL yesterday. Almost too hot. Nim was happy. He thinks the trials are weird, but he has a good time in general. Oh man, he is so into his own body!

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  3. Yay for you guys for doing so well! Love that you have your OWN standards and did the second run and rocked it.

    And also glad Nim survived with privates intact! :) Sigh... boys and their thingies...

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    1. I know. He is always concerned about various happenings in his body. I have to see his penis more than any other dog I have owned so thankfully that wasn't the issue he was having at the time.

      I am getting better and figuring out how to get what I need in those trials. At least at this early stage.

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  4. Congratulations to you and Nim on your first title! That's so awesome!
    He's so cute in the last photo, and love his little toy!

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