Scent Hurdle Racing February 17, 2011
Posted by admin in : Denise's Blog , 1 comment so farScent Hurdle Racing is a team event with 4 members in each team. This is a challenging sport that requires a lot of training and practice.
Each dog goes in succession – like a relay race – takes 4 jumps spaced 10 feet apart, in a straight row to a “box” that is 12 feet beyond the last jump. The box holds 4 dumbells – one from each dog/handler team. The handler stays 4 feet back from the first jump, behind the start line, so the dog is 46 feet away from their handler when they are doing their scent work. The dumbells are numbered and the dogs each wear a jacket with their corresponding number. The dog attempts to pick out their own dumbell with their handler’s scent and comes back to the handler over the 4 jumps. Then the next dog is released after that dog crosses the finish line, etc. Each time the box is reloaded with a “blank dumbell” so that all 4 dogs are picking from 4 each time. There are 2 lanes of jumps with 2 teams running in each “heat”, which is where the difficulty and stress can really come in.
My young Doberman girl “Jagged” (Montwood Arista Just Show’n Off) is now a member of “Due South Team” from Southern Alberta. She is race bib #3. This was her first time running in Scent Hurdle Racing and I was thrilled with her flawless performance over the 2 days. Other team members are Molly (Poodle) #9 with Donnie; Token (German Shepherd) #7 & Drummer (Sheltie) #11 with Judi, Ryder (German Shepherd) #4 with Sharlet, Kona (Flat Coat Retriever) #2 with Judy and Lupine (Flat Coat) #8 with Liz.
Thank you to Sylvia and John Howard for your great videos and support.
Rally Obedience Trial Results February 8, 2011
Posted by admin in : Denise's Blog , 2commentsI was introduced to the dog sport known as rally-obedience four years ago when Viper was an 11 month old puppy. At that time, I was getting Viper ready to compete for his CKC (Canadian Kennel Club) “Pre-Companion Dog” title (PCD) when I met Judi Snowdon of Shadowbar Shepherds, and joined the Southern Alberta Working and Herding Dog Association (SAWHDA). While taking some classes with Judi and attending “drop-ins” to practice with the distraction of other dogs, I discovered the fun sport of rally-obedience. At that time the club was doing “APDT Rally” (American Pet Dog Trainers) which allows dogs of all breeds including mixed breeds.
Rally is a fun and exciting sport where each dog and handler team negotiate a course with signs that describe a particular exercise to perform. The course contains approximately 20 signs and it’s timed from the Start to Finish signs. The course is numbered and the dog / handler teams perform the exercise on the sign such as “Sit-Down-Sit”, “Spiral Right”, “Send Over Jump” or “Serpentine – Weave Once”. Of course, these are just a sample few of the 68 APDT signs. Teams are judged on accuracy of the exercise sign performed, and scored out of 210 points. Tied scores are then broken by time on course.
I soon realized that this sport was a wonderful complement to traditional “Kennel Club Obedience”. It was energetic and fun and the rules allowed for unlimited connectivity between dog and handler, and that positive connection with the dog was what really attracted me to this sport.
Young dogs who aren’t ready to compete in agility or obedience can gain trial ring experience, and old dogs that can no longer do physically demanding sports such as agility, can compete in this sport. When our Doberman girl “Tamsen” could no longer do agility because of a spinal cord problem, I was able to give her a fun activity to do with me by involving her in Rally.
Viper, our 5 year old male Doberman has earned his APDT Rally – Level 3 title (highest level) with an “Award Of Excellence” and he is an APDT Rally Champion Excellent (ARCHX Title). He is ranked #2 in Canada for 2010.
Jagged, our 3 ½ year old female Dobie, also has her Level 3 with an “Award Of Excellence” and she has her APDT Rally Champion (ARCH Title). She is ranked #1 in Canada for 2010.
Both dogs also have their CKC Rally Excellent titles.
On October 30 & 31, 2010, I attended an APDT Rally Trial in Calgary, AB. at “Sit Happens” (the trial hosting club) with Viper and Jagged. We had an outstanding weekend and their accomplishments were as follows:
Jagged (ARCH. Montwood Arista Just Show’n Off) is ranked #1 (in Canada)
Viper (ARCHX. Karlee’s Just To Satisfy You) is ranked #2 (in Canada)
I’m looking forward to the next rally trial in March when I will be joined by four of my students and their wonderful canine partners. One of these students has already earned her Level 1 title and will compete for her Level 2. Three of these students will compete for their Level 1 titles. Best of luck to all!
For detailed rankings click here.