I'm looking for Ideas on different things to be prepared for in the traffic portion of the BH. The different things anybody has seen Judges ask for other then cars, bikes and usual things. Any stories or things you've actually done I'd appreciate. Thanks.

I've been to a trial where they loaded up the BH dogs and handlers and took them to a shopping center to do the traffic portion of the test.

Thanks,Cindy.That would be no problem, He's exposed to anything you come accross in public.In fact the one trial I have watched thats what they did. But what about things like leaving the dog out of sight and watching his reaction to things without you there?

Hi Steve -- the two things that come to mind from my BH in what your asking are...

Walking into a circle of 8-10 people, stopping and shaking hands and speaking to one or two then puting my dog in a platz. Next I left the group - with dog still in a platz -- and walked about 10 feet away. The group then crowded in on her and a few actually bent over to pet her. From the crowded position I then called her to me.

The other was tying her to a post and then walking into the trial crowd so she couldn't see me. Then a person with a leashed dog walked past her at a distance of about 8-10 feet back and forth. I believe the dog that is tied can lie down, sit or stand but it not to bark or lunge ie should be indifferent to the passerby and dog. After that point I returned to my dog.

Good Luck! Our Judge was from CA by the way.
Katie

Indifferent, that doesnt apply here.Overly friendly in his greetings fits. I'm going to really work on that down stay with me out of sight. Thanks Katie.

One of the more interesting BH events I've seen involved a woman who is wheel chair bound earning her BH. I know that's OT from your question...but THAT was impressive. The judge made her do it from a manual wheelchair too - no electric stuff. His only accomodation for her was allowing her to do the field routine on the relatively smooth/hard sand surface of a baseball diamond rather than the grass field where everyone else did their obedience routine.

At that same BH, there was an area between the driveway/parking area and the ball diamond with wooden posts, and a rope strung between the posts like a quasi fence. There were ...5 or 6? people doing the BH that day. The judge had ALL the dogs except one tied out to the posts, the owners had to go hide behind the vehicles in the parking lot - a good...100 feet away probably? Then one at a time, a dog/handler team would walk by all the tied out dogs. He was watching both the dog with the handler, and also the group of tied out dogs.

At that same event, the judge did the regular jogger / biker / auto coming and going. And also a larger group / closing in / petting and touching thing as others have described.

I'm still motivated by the woman who passed with flying colors from her wheel chair.

Best wishes to you! When are you planning to trial?

Beth

Thanks Beth, I'm going to trial in Feb. For the last month he's been doing long downs with me out of sight, but very little distractions. In the obedience part I think we'll be fine, but with me out of sight I dont know for sure.

 Quote: Beth Fuqua

There were ...5 or 6? people doing the BH that day. The judge had ALL the dogs except one tied out to the posts, the owners had to go hide behind the vehicles in the parking lot - a good...100 feet away probably? Then one at a time, a dog/handler team would walk by all the tied out dogs. He was watching both the dog with the handler, and also the group of tied out dogs.

Same here Beth -- when I described the tying out exercise Ellie was 1 of 6 dogs tied out about 10 feet apart.

Katie

Katie, good to know that particular tie out format might be more prevalent than we expect!

Steve, good luck in Feb. Sounds like you are coming right along with your training plan. My husband Gary is working towards and "early spring" BH (hopefully) which probably won't be as early as February here in Northern IL!!

I too am quite interested in this topic - Several folks in addition to Gary at Joliet Schutzhund are targeting BH's this coming season. The more info the better as far as what the judges might manage to come up with!

Beth

Hi Steve -- are you doing long downs on the side of the field with another person performing the obedience route on the field? I'd highly recommend that in prep for trial day.

The dog/handler doing the recall from the platz in motion on the field during my dog's long down is something I practiced in training ALOT.

Good luck in Feb. -- from the sounds of it you're going to pass with flying colors.

Katie