Kathy asked if we get our league course maps ahead of time, and the answer is yes. Usually a few days ahead. She also asked for video, but I didn't get any this match. We are in/out of the ring so fast, you blink and our run is over, I kind of figured, what's the point? Maybe next time.
Our league alternates between 3 different training facilities, this is the one that is the most difficult for Oreo.
For our standard run, I switched plans after watching the big dogs run. All the equipment at the site was wooden. Many of the dogs were slipping/bailing on the dogwalk. I didn't want to risk an injury/freak out moment due to equipment. So, I changed my sequence a bit to avoid that obstacle.
Our run went.....jump, tire, teeter, treat.....Oreo transforms into secret service officer.
I thought he was looking behind the upcoming tunnel, where a bunch of equipment was haphazardly being stored.
He goes around the next jump, then hesitates about going in the tunnel.
I get him in the tunnel, and click while he's in the tunnel & reward him at the exit. We do A-frame, treat, jump, jump, treats, and leave.
I look back at the course, still trying to figure out what the heck freaked him out. That's when I saw a man sitting in a ring crew chair, in direct line from the teeter. Don't know how I missed him on course. However, there was not much I could have done about it anyway.
Regardless, Oreo still started and finished good. Plus, he was eager to go in the ring, and relaxed in the parking lot.
Before round 2, Oreo was nervous in the parking lot, freezing in place. I had to get my target out to help him focus on me, not the scary surroundings. Once we did that a few minutes, he was walking OK. We hung out in the doorway with some friends and their dogs. He was able to do simple tricks.
In the hole, he was eager to go. We did jump, jump, tire, weaves, tunnel....I thought, hey, we could do this for points! Then, I said,"No, Sara, you promised, every run would be a treat run!"
Thus, Oreo got a treat upon exiting the tunnel. I hear someone yell, "training in the ring," and we do another tunnel, hit the table, Oreo sits, treats and run out, but Oreo flies over a couple jumps, independently, on the way to his leash.
Yes, Oreo was running with enough confidence to earn some points for our team, but I was proud of myself for sticking to my original plan. We are here to
train, there are no ribbons, prizes, or titles, just bragging rights. When things start going good though, it is hard to mute that competitive side of your brain.
Oreo left the ring happy, and heeled with good, happy eye contact all the way back to the car. No,
the monsters are going to get me leash pulling, like he usually does at trials. That was the biggest accomplishment of our day.
