Under Pressure

This was supposed to go up yesterday, so let's just pretend, shall we?

Yesterday was Sadie's second ever agility trial. She and I both had a blast at the first one, so I was really looking forward to another fun day.

Up at 4:30am to take the dogs out. On the road at 5, leaving Maxwell whining in the bedroom. I wish I could have taken him, but I'm not comfortable enough at trials yet to handle two pups alone. I got to the trial site at 7, to find that it's an ENOURMOUS sports complex in a pressurized dome. There were two soccer games already in progress, a third field set up for two agility courses, two volleyball courts awaiting the morning practice, the crating area next to that, and a track around the whole shebang. Can you say madhouse?

I have to say I was very impressed with the mix of dog and non-dog people. Several kids wanted to pet Sadie, and each of them asked permission first. While there were incidents of bystanders staring into crates, craning over the visual barriers into the competition rings, etc, overall it went much smoother than I would have expected in that environment. Though one poor dog ran to the weaves, only to find a kid's head stuck between the tarps to watch! The little dog (Boston terrier?) froze, then started barking his head off at the intruder.

Sadie was a bit overwhelmed. She's certainly not yet comfortable in a competition environment at the best of times. After all, this is only her second trial. And I still don't know what I'm doing either. I took her out too early for the first run, so she stressed and began snarking at passing dogs. Though the run was less than stellar (flying off the dog walk was exciting), I was still pleased. We not only finished the course without her 'visiting' anyone, but she only got 3 faults. That's several less than last time! Plus she stuck the table, which was my goal for the run.

Jumpers was another story...

I had this course NAILED in my head. I knew exactly where I was doing what crosses and what my alternate plans were where Sadie might go astray. I had this course memorized to the point that I could stand in a clear space and 'walk' the course in about a 2-foot square. Sadie took the first jump, then beelined for the far side of the ring. No problem, I know she still wanders on courses but will come back. Sure enough, she comes sprinting at me at full speed with her crazy Lab face on. You Lab owners know the expression I mean. I turn into the course and encourage her to take jump #2. She nearly flattens me on her way past (in the wrong direction) and makes a spectacular jump... and lands outside the ring, in the crating area. I guess she was done!

While I am disappointed we didn't finish the second run, it wouldn't have been worth it anyway with her too stressed to enjoy it. I learned a lot about how to handle her at a trial, and she did a fantastic job considering the environment. Plus, Sadie handled the revolving-door pressure locks like they were old hat.

Now she can relax for a few weeks until the next trial!