[imported_gabbys mom]

well, to starbucks, and to pick up my moral support (mom), and then to get humiliated at the GSD show.

They're in for a treat, though. i'll bet they've never seen a rare purebred polar, grass eating labrador retriever kind of perform rally obedience (while eating grass).

UPDATE:

It was awful.

Totally awful. Purina Farms (where the show was) thought it was a good idea to spread manure over the grass rings earlier this week. So all the dogs (even the RAE dogs) were doing crazy stuff- like rolling, and doing the entire course with their noses in the ground.

We got into the ring. I asked her to sit. She laid down. The judge said "this is going to be rough isn't it?"

I got her to heel into a 270 right. She then proceeded to alligator death roll in whatever smelled so good (remember AngusFangus and Henrey's alligator death roll?).

I then turned to the judge, said "I'm sorry, I don't want a ten month old dog thinking this is okay behavior. Would you please excuse us?"

She told me it was the right decision and marked us down as "overheated". We then went and practiced outside the ring and went home.

Oh well. We'll try again, inside, in June.

 

[lcspt]

Re: we're off to the show

Good luck and have fun!!! Remember to breath!! ;D

 

[YellowJakesMom]

Re: we're off to the show

Good luck!! Have lots of fun and post an update when you get home for those of us sitting here crossing our fingers

 

[imported_gabbys mom]

bump for update

 

[lcspt]

Sounds like you kept your wits about you and did the right thing. Better luck next month.

 

[Dakkerdog]

I had no idea Gabby was only 10mths old. I really give you kudos - you did great and handled that really well. We have a 19mth old lab in our obedience class and he is still just so goofy. Moose is goofy, but he still does what I want just in such a goofy way about him. Dakota the other night was really misbehaving. Every time during the recall he would run to someones bag looking for food instead of going to his owner - she laughed it off rather well.

If you can get thru this while gabby is so young you are going to really great!

 

[imported_gabbys mom]

Yeah- I'm really, really proud of her for being so good at so young of an age. She was driving me batty today with grass eating and rolling, but she's a baby and a goober.

We're going to try again inside in June. It should go better

 

[ObedienceLabs4Me]

Great decision! That is terrible what they did to the grounds right before a show, but I'm sure it did not even cross their minds. That really was really good thinking and handling on your part.

 

[Canyon Labradors]

Oh well! It happens. I've gone to several shows where the OB or rally ring is in a horse arena, so even without spreading anything, the place is very fragrant. Unfortunately, it's all part of the joy of working with dogs. You never know what they are going to do or how they will react. Just don't let it get you down and keep at it.

 

[imported_Belles mom]

Aw, shucks! Better luck in June. I didn't know either that Gabby was only 10 months old!

 

[AngusFangus]

Oh no! Not the alligator death roll!

Oh sweetie! Well, that sounds like way too much for any dog with a sense of smell. Outside is hell anyway, but with freshly spread manure? Too much!

It sounds like you really kept your head and did a good job assessing the situation. 8) When Angus ran out of the ring at his last show, I didn't even remember to ask to be excused. :-[ I just shot a look of "OMG" back at the judge and ran out. :-\

Next one will be better!