rottweiler_fancier,

My first wife had an apricot toy Poodle. It was an obedience fiend. The dog had something like 20 perfect 200 scores, in trial matches. She also had 27 no qualifying scores over 180 in real trials. People would find out Buttons was ntered and create a huge galley to watch and see what she did. One day she went over the high bar 13 times in a row. Everybody clapped so she just kept doing it. She went out on a dumb bell retrieve and slid under the ring ropes, so since she was out of the ring any way she just jumed in the lap of a guy in the front row. The point? If you think the dog is ready go for it. Trials bring out the best and worst in dogs and handlers. If you feel more comfortable getting one or two under your belt that isn't a problem, but the stress is different in the real thing. If you are unsure if the dog is ready then getting another opinion in a trial match would be a good idea.

 Quote:

Originally posted by Richard Cannon:
rottweiler_fancier,
She went out on a dumb bell retrieve and slid under the ring ropes, so since she was out of the ring any way she just jumed in the lap of a guy in the front row.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Thats what I'm worried about. Nobody cares about a little toy poodle but a Rottweiler doing that! I think I'm going to get more solid on the off leash work so I don't make a COMPLETE fool of myself <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

rottweiler_fancier:
I would suggest the best place to "test" your dog is at a Fun Match. These are non-official obedience trials, usually sponsored by a local AKC training club or breed association. These are usually not advertised much...most doggie folks pass on the info among themselves.

Fun matches are just that: a fun trial that doesn't mean anything toward a title, but allows you to expose the dog to the distractions of a real trial. It may also help expose some weak areas in your training that you can then focus on before the real trial.

If you have a rottweiler club near you (even if you are not a member) they may be able to advise you where/when the next fun match is held.

Dogma's advice is good. Fun matches are the best place to start if you are unsure about your dog's readiness. I have a 1 year old GSD that I plan to enter in 2-3 fun matches before the actual trials for the same reason--I don't know if she's ready for the real competition. It certainly can't hurt to do the fun matches and it will really give your dog the exposure s/he needs for the ring.

Don't be worried about making a "fool out of yourself" either! Most people in the obedience sport will only give encouragement. EVERYone has had a dog jump out of the ring, go off course, chase something, or end up in a spectator's lap LOL! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Best of luck to you!

I agree fun matches are the best for proofing your dog to crowds, other dogs, stress noise, and smells. I too use to worry about mistakes, and I would get all nervy going into a match. And sometimes still do, but always remember this: Everyone makes mistakes, and if you or your dog does make a mistake please please don't take it too personally, Just remember it is not failure but something you need to work on. Nothing more and nothing less. I think of the mistakes ( and most of them are mine )as a way to improve on something. Once when I was on my last leg (well I thought I was on it) I was coming back to my dog on the down recall. And since he has never ever broken a down stay in his life. As I was coming around his right hip. I look up at my daughter across the room, and was beaming and thinking we did it! we did it! I was jumping around all inside of me of course. When my dog just sat up and started jumping up on me, joining me in my joy! (NOT) What did I learn? Well to never expect something to happen till it does, but mainly to stay focused on the event at the time. I was the reason he broke, not him. I gave him a body message, that he and I did good. And him being the good person lisnter that he is, he wanted to join me in my moment of happiness. So like I said, every mistake teaches us something new. Mostly about ourselves.
God's Blessings