You’d think someone without a job would have time to get lots of stuff done. You’d think. And I have been fairly productive the first..well…two days of my unemployment. Really. Today I decided to take Katie to a “fun match” obedience trial at the same building that has her so freaked out during Monday night classes. So we were up relatively early. Katie doesn’t like to get going too early in the morning, because that usually infers that she’s going to the vet or the groomer; neither are favorite places of hers. So after I packed up her treats and leash and water, then asked her if she wanted to go to “school” she went and hid. Silly girl.
I finally got her loaded up in the car, shaking like a leaf, trying to reassure her that we really really REALLY were going to school and it was going to be OK. She didn’t believe me. Once at the building she was racing all around at the end of her leash looking for a way back to the car I guess. We went inside and there were lots of dogs. Really big dogs; mostly shepherds. We tried to walk around to warm her up, but there wasn’t much space. We tried to walk around outside but the building is located next to a semi truck depot and there were lots of trucks warming up and moving around making lots of noise.
She was squirrely in the ring, her heeling was horrendous, she was everywhere but where she needed to be. She did stand still for “stand for exam,” only moving one foot. I think she was too afraid to move. Ditto for her long sits and downs, didn’t so much as move a muscle! And I did learn a couple of really useful things. One, the judge said I was encouraging her to lag by looking back at her and moving too slow, that Katie was bored! And I needed to keep my shoulders straight and look straight ahead. She let me try it again, so I got to do heeling three times. Katie did move along better when I wasn’t watching her. And second, I figured out that at about an hour Katie relaxes and starts accepting rewards and doing her job. So obviously if we were to do competition I should arrive at least an hour early and let her get settled into her role.
Good things to know. It was worth the $5.00. She’s exhausted, also worth the $5.00. If you know what I mean.
Change Is Hard 
October 29, 2009 at 4:59 am
Katie’s behavior sounds very similar to Oreo’s. He pulls really hard on his leash when he’s stressed in a new surrounding, but then usually calms after being there for awhile. Good lesson learned.
Hey, Katie is doing the “shy” trick in that photo.
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October 29, 2009 at 6:34 am
So it sounds like the fun match was well worth it – you learned a lot there and can apply those things to your next class, match, etc. Good for you!
Yes, that is so cute – Katie is doing shy in the photo!!!
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October 29, 2009 at 9:05 am
Maybe the same trick would work with classes – arrive as early as you can and just wander around inside getting her calmed down? It can be hard being such a tiny princess amongst all those big dogs.
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October 29, 2009 at 10:46 am
I wish that we had more funmatches around here. They are such a help! It sounds like you got some more great advice. It’s hard to remember not to let your shoulders tilt back and to keep your eyes focused ahead, but it really does help with lagging.
I was thinking the same thing as some of the others have mentioned. Maybe arriving early and just bringing a crate that you can set up and let her settle into the building for a while before you start your classes or fun matches, etc.
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