Thorn
Member
Well, I entered an AKC competition that was held this weekend with my Australian Shepherd, Rory, and we showed in an event called "Rally". For those not familiar with this event, it has a lot of the competitive obedience features. Instead of performing a single instruction, then halting and proceeding to the next task at the judge's command as in Obedience, you go through a predetermined course with your dog obeying little signs posted around the course that tell you what actions to take. It's sort of like a tame Agility without the contact obstacles.
This was our first time ever in the ring together. We came out with two blue ribbons, despite my guy's spontaneous celebratory barks near the end of one walk-through. I'm really proud of him because he's been, to say the least, a challenge, even as a pet. He's a great guy, though, and has been well worth all our patience. I have competed for less than a year in Agilitiy with my Border Collie, so I'm still new at all this. It's been interesting to learn two completely different sports with two different dogs at the same time.
In addition to that, I was in charge of the hospitality for the event, and had to arrange all the food, the lunches, morning coffee and hot and cold beverages, etc., all on time. The first day I stood on concrete from 7 a.m. until about 6 p.m., including running Rory through his course. After the event was over, we all pitched in and loaded up all the equipment to return and store it in our club building. I'm still tired even after a good night's sleep last night, but we had such a good time that it doesn't matter.
This was our first time ever in the ring together. We came out with two blue ribbons, despite my guy's spontaneous celebratory barks near the end of one walk-through. I'm really proud of him because he's been, to say the least, a challenge, even as a pet. He's a great guy, though, and has been well worth all our patience. I have competed for less than a year in Agilitiy with my Border Collie, so I'm still new at all this. It's been interesting to learn two completely different sports with two different dogs at the same time.
In addition to that, I was in charge of the hospitality for the event, and had to arrange all the food, the lunches, morning coffee and hot and cold beverages, etc., all on time. The first day I stood on concrete from 7 a.m. until about 6 p.m., including running Rory through his course. After the event was over, we all pitched in and loaded up all the equipment to return and store it in our club building. I'm still tired even after a good night's sleep last night, but we had such a good time that it doesn't matter.
