This is an update on our obedience show results.

Helga competed in class C4 , Bommi in Class C5 and Helga in Companion dog Certifications Class C7.

Helga: Won 2nd place in C4 . Lost points on two occasions. 1) While heeling and doing an about turn, she decided to check out some smell on the ring floor and lagged behind a few paces before catching up. 2) For the retrieve, I threw the dumbell clear out of the ring right into the audience. had to go get the dumbell again and repeat the exercise.

Helga: Won 1st place in C7 and got CG certified. Good performance except 1) She seemed a bit distracted before the recall(while on sit stay). But the judge did not deduct points.

Bommi: Won 2nd in C5. Lost points in send away. I had always trained the send away with traffic cones. Judge decided to ask the dog to be sent to a circle drawn on the ground. Bommi was looking around for the cone and was weaving her way forward. My fault in not teaching her both the cone and the blind method.

Ram: Won Best handler/trainer in show plus cash award Mrs.Beth Cooper Memorial award.


I miss(ed) my boy Kaiser dearly, all the way up while driving, in the show ground and all the way back driving home. I do not think I am going to get over his loss any time soon. It hurts real bad when I think about him for more than a few seconds.

Kari: I am planning to take my buffoon boy Kari to Class C1 next time. Just for comic relief. I think he deserves to win a trophy too.

This time in class C1 (pre beginners)there was a little GSD puppy (8 months) competing. It was so abused and traumatized that he ran away when the handler approached him. THRICE!!!! He would not come when "recalled" showing signs of avoidance. It was a terrible sight. Yet they gave him 1st prize because he was the only entry.

I lieu of this, I have decided to take Kari to C1.

Bloody well done you and the dogs!

Yet again, you have worked your arse off with them and it has paid dividends!

I know how the loss of Kaiser still catches your breath - I still have days when I think of Harry and get choked, that will take you time, but it is still raw and very early days.

Sounds like it will be a real hoot with Kari, and it will be a good experience for him

I did laugh out loud when I read you threw the dumbbell into the crowd, hell of a throw you have there!

Really, really well done Ram, many congratulations.

Thank you for your kind words, but the truth is I trained for just one and half Days before the competition. I was(is) so depressed about my loss, I did not even make up my mind about going to the show till the 9th.

May be my attitude rubbed off on my girls and they too lost a bit of their edge.

But the experience of competing was therapeutic and I felt better after completing the show. As usual bommi was the darling of the crowd. She seems to enjoy the attention as long as no one tries to touch her.

Well if that's the case, then your rewards are even more impressive, but I have always thought you have a natural gift with dogs, and that is a very desirable attribute

Sounds to me like Bommi is a very wise girl - you can look, but you may not touch

Congratulations to you and the girls, Ram!!!

Just a suggestion that might help you deal with the loss of Kaiser... dedicate all of your future competitions to his memory, and it may help you to keep that edge in training and the ring. Do it for your dear Kaiser!!

"I miss(ed) my boy Kaiser dearly, all the way up while driving, in the show ground and all the way back driving home. I do not think I am going to get over his loss any time soon. It hurts real bad when I think about him for more than a few seconds. "

Maybe it's something not to avoid .... it might be that this grief has to be gone through .... when you are ready.


Congratulations on competing. Sounds like it was the right thing to do.



It's so sad to read about the puppy who avoids and runs from the handler.

Congratulations on your achievements at the obedience show, especially Best Handler/Trainer. That's fantastic! The little mistakes you described are very minor and completely understandable, given the circumstances.

You and Kaiser have crossed my mind many times over the last few weeks, and I am still so sad every time I think of your loss. You have many friends on this board, Ram, and we got to know Kaiser through your posts and videos. I can assure you, he will not be forgotten.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

Maybe it's something not to avoid .... it might be that this grief has to be gone through .... when you are ready.

Agreed. I don't think we ever do get over the loss of such a special and beloved dog. We're not supposed to. But with the passage of enough time -- and it may be a very long time -- the pain will be not so sharp and unbearable.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

Congratulations on competing. Sounds like it was the right thing to do.

I think so, too!

 Quote:

I miss(ed) my boy Kaiser dearly, all the way up while driving, in the show ground and all the way back driving home. I do not think I am going to get over his loss any time soon. It hurts real bad when I think about him for more than a few seconds.

Ram, I have been through the loss / grief / recovery cycle on many different levels, many different times. IMHO, talking about it helps, and is necessary. Thinking about it and experiencing the terrible pain that goes along with your memories will help you let go of those negative feelings, and the fear of being vulnerable. Don't be afraid to reach out to someone here, a trusted friend at home, or a professional. You can reach me anytime if you want to talk; here, PM, email, or phone. There are steps you need to go through to help you heal, and the first one is letting go of your fear of thinking about Kaiser.

We are here for you Ram.


On a much happier note:
Great job at the show!!!! Throwing the dumbell into the audience sounds like something I would do, followed by tripping over the ring rope while trying to retrieve it

I would definitely take Kari to C1 next time, if for no other reason than to gain the experience. That poor GSD puppy. I hate to see that sort of thing. It's hard for me not to teach owners like that a lesson to help them understand what compulsion makes a puppy feel

There is no way I could be an SPCA agent.... especially with cameras around.

Congratulations on the obedience show excellent work.
I'm guessing you didn't score any points for dumbbell distance.

Good luck with Kari in C1.

That is a sad and disturbing story about the GS pup some people shouldn't have dogs.

"There is no way I could be an SPCA agent.... especially with cameras around."

David I'm with you on that one I'd last a day before jail time.