Success is Having Fun

This past Sunday was my first NADAC competition, held at St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center. I entered all six events offered that day, despite not knowing the rules to half of them. This was intended to be practice for me and Sadie, and hopefully help her learn to relax more at trials. It was also the first trial for two of my classmates, and second for another (and the first was long ago).

I got to the trial site in plenty of time to set up, despite getting lost on my way there. I got both dogs settled into their giant soft crate and myself set up with a folding chair. Of course, when Mr. and Mrs. Trainer got there, the area I picked was too close to the road. So I moved next to their tent, and the others came and set up nearby as well. We ended up moving around throughout the day to keep in better shade anyway, even with the three tents!

Of the six runs, we only NQ'ed two. Of course, the other four were eliminations... Since we had never actually done hoops before, it was no surprise that she was clueless in the first run - hoopers! Our other "special" run was regular (akin to Standard in AKC). And by special, I mean we didn't run. Sadie fixated on the previous dog, and would not give me any attention. She ended up running to the fence to look over it for the dog, then running out the entrance. Loose, crazy Lab running through the trial site was not good.

After much soul-searching and consultations with my trainers, I decided to attempt our final run. The plan was to see if she could focus, and make an on-the-spot decision whether to run or thank the judge and walk out. Sadie decided to cooperate! She seemed ok, so I just tossed the leash and ran. No sit, no wait, just move. We by no means finished the course (that's what happens when the dog pees in the corner...) but she moved well and followed direction. It was a hell of a relief, and I was beyond glad we could end on a high note.

Here are two of our better runs. We almost Q'ed in tunnelers, but Sadie's little pause in the corner cost us course time. And pay special attention to the jumpers run at 0:27. I consider that the highlight of the trial.

 

Tunnelers: We'd have Q'ed if she hadn't forgotten why we were there for 6 seconds...

Jumpers: This way is definitely faster!

On an even better note, everyone else from the club ran really well. My trainers took home a handful of ribbons (surprise surprise), one first-timer Q'ed with his BC, and the second-timer got 4th place and a Q with her Lab. Though the Beardie didn't Q, he did a fantastic job not mugging his handler the whole time, and seemed quite happy on-course. Even if his handler was "too slow"... I think she'd need steroids to keep up!

I know Mr. Trainer is very worried that I'm upset by Sadie's results. While I am disappointed we didn't get any Q's, and was not pleased with the run-out, I think the day was a success overall. I had fun, Sadie got some good outside practice, Maxwell got to hang out at a trial, and my friends all ran well. It was even sunny. Note to self - pack sunscreen!