First Time in Advance Rally...Ended with a case of the zoomies..

[LibsDW]

This past weekend, I took Dakota to an outside dog show for our first time in Rally Advance (off leash). Last year she received her first two legs to her RN at this show at nine months. I thought she would be able to get her first RA leg...boy was I wrong. It was a breezy day and rained heavily that morning. I was working with her outside the ring to have her focus on me and not all of the distractions.

We entered the ring and started the course. She was doing very well. About 3/4 the way into the course was the jump. She did the jump beautifully. Then the wind started to blow and birds flew over. She decided to go chase the birds and run into the wind instead of getting back into heel positions. She then got a case of the zoomies and ran around the obedience ring. It was pretty funny and she had a great time. She came back to me and we left the ring.

Lesson learned: Do not go to outdoor obedience trials.

[Paradis]

At least she had a GREAT time. Hopefully she will be a good girl next time indoors.

[TuckersMomma]

It's funny how little things can distract them so much. Like the wind, leaves, grass, birds, you name it.

At least she had fun!

[faust]

That is really cute. I am glad she has such a good time. I dont think I could do anything but laugh and shake my head at her.

[Firetiger]

A dog will be a dog no matter how well trained! If you saw UP, Dakota and the bird reminds me of the squirrel joke in the movie.roflmao

Going into obedience and rally myself, I am seeing that, at least for me, its less about the training, and more about the patience and having fun with it.

Seems like Dakota has the fun part down! If at first you dont succeed, try, try again, I guess! ;)

[Faye413]

I just wanted to say good for you for handling it so well. I am hopefully going to be doing obedience trials with Merle, so we have gone to a number of shows to watch and learn. I have seen too many people that take this too seriously (imo) and I know the dogs can sense that! Good luck in your future trials! :)

[kahluadanes]

Dogs can humble you so quickly. One thing I learned years ago when I started in obedience with my Danes..they will be themselves & let their personalities shine through no matter what so it is best to just go and have fun :) The titles will come :)

My Hailey was so obedience trained she could do the whole thing by herself with a blindfold on, however she would often get in the ring start off fantastic and all of a sudden she'ld get this look I can't explain, but it was almost like a grin and then you knew she would be up to something...she never surprised me, lol


Dale

[shawnzy]

Lol... Our dog trainer had this happen with her Irish Setter at an outdoor obedience trial. It was her and a few other dogs and in the middle of the test, a flock of birds flew out of a patch of tall grass. ALL the dogs gave chase. Unfortunately, hers was the only one that left the training area, and out of view. The rest stopped at the gate. Her dog came back very happily 30 minutes later. :)

[Shamu]

we had "bird encounter" during CGC test. The bird flew right in front of my dog's face. Of course my girl tried to catch it- how she could possible ignore something that is flying right into her face? She snapped at the bird, but missed it by less than an inch. Everyone around was sure that she actually got that bird! Luckily, "reaction to birds" is not part of CGC test :)

[sydney]

Zoomies during obedience trials...this is EXACTLY what I could see Ruf doing and I don't think it would matter if we were inside or outside! roflmao

Hopefully next time she'll settle down for you!


Rachael

[LibsDW]

My obedience instructor email me because she saw the scores and said "What happened?" I had fun explaining this to her. (BTW Dakota is the first dane she has ever had in her advanced classes) rolleyes

We have another trial coming up on June 20 and 21. This is an INDOOR trial. We will see how it goes...I am working with Dakota every night now...

[DextersMomma]

lol sounds like Dakota had a great time! i know Dex would probably do the same thing, he's like an ADHD kid. Everything distracts him! Good luck on your next trial!

[humbug]

She then got a case of the zoomies and ran around the obedience ring. It was pretty funny and she had a great time.

LOL! I SOOOO know the feeling! roflmao You can't help but smile, can you?? Maybe...it's the name Dakota????:D

Anyway, Nice job guys and good luck on the 20 & 21!!!

[quirkyone]

Everybody says this, but believe me, we've been there!

I took Eloise in for her first try at Rally Advanced last March. She was only 9 months old, but had been soooo good that I thought we could do it. It was one of those "Oh, crud" moments when I got to the start line and realized that the judge had put toys, rather than food, in the Offset Figure 8 bowls. I'm sure you imagine exactly what happened! It made for one of my most memorable show pics ever, though.

Good luck!