Tried again for a Sch.1 with Andy and missed again. Even our ob slipped a bit this time. So, I guess it wasnt meant to be. Andy gets to move into retirement now and chase squirrels in the back yard. Here's what I got on video. Our obedience score was 78 and protection was actually stopped when Andy came off the sleeve the second time, but the judge let us continue till the end.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lm_WvicEGKk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sde9iatJLw

Oh Steve! I am sorry!

He did look good for the heeling, sit and down out of motion and the retrieve over the hurdle though! He looks like he loves to take those jumps. I thought it was really neat how he stayed on the other side of the A-frame, without thinking about crossing that threshold, until he went back over. Probably not your favorite part, but he knew that he had to go back over!

Sorry 'bout that, Steve.

Guess its Billy's turn now.:smile:

My uneducated opinion doesn't mean much, but like Jessica, that heel stood out to me, too. You aren't having to contort your body and walk all weird during the heel. Looks very nice. You walk, Andy heels.

Thanks for posting those vids, too.:smile:

Hey Steve,

Great video; thanks for sharing the event with us. I'm sorry you didn't achieve the SchH 1, but it looks like your dog has a great time working with you regardless. In any case, chasing squirrels requires lots of skills MANY dogs don't have so Andy can show the couch potato pooches how its done!

Thanks you guys. When the dumbell bounced bad I turned to ask the judge for a re-throw and as soon as I said "can I" Andy broke. Lol, I didnt know what to do at that point, so I kept smiling and watching him try and figure out what to do.

Both times we trialed the judges gave us excellent for heeling and commented on the relationship between dog and the handler. Even when you fail the critiques are pretty cool. I really appreciate an honest evaluation. Its funny, but I like to hear the dog shows some stress and the dog recovers nicely. I take that recovery as a strong sign of our teamwork.

So, it's time to park Andy and get going with Billy. I could probably get Andy through tracking and score ok in ob again, but at this point I don't think we'll ever pass protection. Maybe a combination of age and neutering along with having not started until he was 4, I don't know. He just doesnt have it anymore.

Right now my wife and kids are happy to have him home with them, but if he catches one of those squirrels Barbara, thats gonna change quick. Lol.

Andy did his best for you, of that I'm sure Steve.
Sorry you didn't get your title.
But hey, Andy is just as happy!

Maybe if you subjected Billy to just a little more domination on your part, perhaps the two of you can get that SchH I!

Randy

Lol, I'm typing with one hand and rolling him with other right now Randy. I'm not banking on genetics this time.