Dart Beagle Meets an Agility Trial
That's what you've been waiting for so patiently isn't it? Not last Monday's little collection of chaos or all that book blog tour stuff (which won't stop me come Wednesday, but I promise you an Ode, too!), but HOW DID DART BEAGLE DO IN HIS VERY FIRST AGILITY TRIAL.
I suppose it's of some interest that Belle turned on the afterburners in her jumpers courses and collected some awesome speed points toward the anticipation of the PACH title (to become official in a year or so), or that ConneryBeagle finished his Excellent FAST title in serious style, going straight through the three legs with a 2nd, 1st, and 1st place.
But really, it's all about Dart, right?
Dart contemplates the Standard Course from my arms, forming his plans
Well, Dart remained true to his amazing little self in every way–which is to say, at some moments he was brilliant, and at other moments he was…
Astonishingly…
Creatively…
Baaaaaad.
We started with Standard on Friday:
Dart: I don't really know what's going on here so I'd better pay really good attention!
Dart blasts through a perfect course, stuttering only at the problematic teeter that also dumped so many experienced dogs that weekend to lose his Q
Dart: Wow! My head feels…explosive!
And off to the Jumpers course…
Dart: I don't really know what's going on here, but I kinda get the idea…
Dart blasts through a perfect course to qualify with first place
Dart: Wow! MY HEAD FEELS EXPLOSIVE I MUST THINK ABOUT THIS!
Dart thinks about this overnight.
The next day, at the standard course:
Dart: That was VERY BIG STUFF yesterday. I think it was too big for me. I think I'll run off. No, I'll come back. No, I'll make up this part of the course because it looks like I can do it right. No, I'll run off. No, I'll come back…oh look, we're done!
Jumpers is a simpler thing, with fewer choices, so I had hopes he'd regain his confidence, but…
Dart: Here we go! I jump! Jump and jump! Is that a familiar people scent? Jump! I…
My handler self peels right. Dart neatly peels left to exit the ring, takes the exterior practice jump as neatly as you please, and flings himself at the source of the familiar person scent.
Of COURSE he took that practice jump along the way. Just to toss a little brilliance my way as he quit the ring.
Sunday, after a bit of Rescue Remedy and an evening of calm and coddling, I wasn't expecting much better, although he was brighter and more relaxed as he went to the start line in Standard.
Dart: I can do this! In fact, I CAN MAKE UP MY OWN COURSE! And I can do it VERY, VERY, FAST! Waaaaaaaaaarp speeeeeeeeeeeed!
Ahem. And he did. With much visiting of pole setters along the way.
And so we faced jumpers, he and I–me with no dignity left whatsoever, him with an eager expression.
Dart: I can do this! Look, mymom is doing a LEAD-OUT! And look, I DID IT! I am so GOOD! I jump! I jump! I jump and jump! I–oooh, a POLE SETTER PERSON!
Whereupon I called him back, gushed praise at his recall response, picked him up with kisses, and excused us from the ring.
Dart: Wuh–? No! Wait! Wait! I wasn't done zooming! I had a course to make up! I had people to visit! This isn't right! *dumbstruck look*
Uh-huh.
And now I know where to focus his training between now and mid-March, when we do this again! Lots of attention exercises, lots of recalls…more and more socialization. And maybe cheerfully ending the game when he stray to visit will inspire him to ponder another way to do things . Or maybe..NOT!
PS Happy Valentine's Day and DOG KISSES to you all!
