A Trial to Remember

The Charlotte Dog Training Club, Concord, NC had planned to trial under a covered arena. The facility, unfortunately, deposited a beach-worth of sand that resulted in about 4-6 inches of soft, sinking sand. The first run was T2B. Since it was impossible for me to run, Nina decided that she should. The result was the worst case of Zoomies since our first (Perry, GA) trial 15 months ago. The judges declared the surface unsafe and it was agreed to move the trial to one ring outside on grass. We were at least able to get some footing. The courses were really great all weekend long. Mostly tight and technical, the kind we normally perform well on. But nothing was normal this weekend. The facility also was an equestrian boarding and training facility. During one STD run, a galloping horse ran up to the end of the ring. Nina was about to enter the weaves: horse, weaves, horse, weaves? Guess what won out? In addition to horses, there was also a petting zoo. So nearby, there were rabbits, turkeys, chickens, geese, ducks, llamas, cows, bulls, wallabie, and who knows what else. (At least the camels had recently been moved out!) Can you imagine the odiforous distractions the dogs had to deal with every single second? Nina's focus was that of a Novice/Open dog. She was easily distracted by anything that moved. I also had a dog that twice refused to go at the start line. This happened once last weekend in Nashville. I am still not sure exactly what she is telling me. I'm tired? I'm not having fun? There is too much going on? You are putting too much pressure on me? Maybe all of these? I went into the weekend wanting to get the remaining 22 points needed for our MACH title. Normally, this would be an easy task, but with my MACH angst and the distractions, it was not to be. For our last run of the weekend, I wet us both down (it was really hot and sunny) and we went out for fun. For our last run of the weekend, I wet us both down (it was really hot and sunny) and we went out for fun. My happy dog was back, and we really clicked. We now have just 6 points to go. We'll only get them if we continue to run for fun!