Aki and Larsen's obedience title

Larsen was a working dog at Perry last week, and he showed it by earning an obedience title (BN).  Aki handled him.  The work required a course much like Rally, wherein the dog (on lead) heeled around traffic cones, stopped, sat, and let the handler walk away from and around the dog.  The dog had to respond to a single command, with no finger snapping or thigh patting permitted.  Larsen's scores were very good on the first two days - - he was second only to Tatum on the first day. His Sunday score was a mere two points above passing grade, probably due to me being around and watching, and possibly also due to the hours and days on the grooming table at the show.

Aki and Larsen walked off with a fist-full of ribbons on their first attempt as battery mates.

Vickie & Ty, Kristi & Jamie, Aki & Larsen show off their BN ribbons.

Ok, here we go!

Trust your dog

Trusting your dog is an important rule in the field.  You may think you know where the bird is, but your dog knows where the bird is.  You may think you must guide the dog to cover the field, but the intelligent dog will understand where the birds most likely are and will give those places multiple looks from different angles.

Trust extends also to how you approach your dog when he's in repose.  Here's an example of a handler who hoovered over her dog.  She thought the little guy would break and race to the downed bird.  With a little urging, she stood up straight, and guess what?  The dog (who's been participating in Rally events, and so is no tyro when it comes to obedience) sat.  Good boy!

Don't you trust me?

Handler grasps the collar and looms over the dog.   

Ok, already.  I'll stay!

Doesn't this look better?  A handler standing straight, trusting her dog.  Her posture says  I'm in control.  Pup is eager and attentive.