The National Obedience Class Finals are taking place on the 14th. November at the Kennel Club Building, Stoneleigh, Warwicks. The competing dogs will all have qualified for entry, based on the points they have accumulated during the 2015 show season. There is a separate final for each of the 6 qualifying classes, (actually 7, as there is a Novice part 1, and a Novice part 2). The intention is for this to be a Gala event - a bit smarter than usual, and with lots of commemorative rosettes and specials. Why am I telling you all this? Because this year my beloved Eddie will be strutting his stuff along with 42 other Beginner dogs at these Finals. Whilst we are not expecting to feature in the awards, (and I feel weak at the knees when I think of all that could go wrong), we are very proud to be able to take part, and represent Beagledom. More details of the event can be found on nocf. co.uk
That's an idea, it is brandy based isn't it? I think I'll need a full bottle though! As running out is not an option, I've been gathering some show ring nerve remedies, which include, Smiling, (could look a bit simple), humming a tune which matches your dog's gait, (it's an old lady thing), eating either a banana, or ginger biscuits, (or both), deep breathing and visualising your round going really well, (can only lead to disappointment). I guess practice, practice, practice, is the tried and trusted method, (but then the dog gets bored). I'd love to know what anyone else does to banish those demons.
I first started handling in the show ring when I was Eight years old and about Ten when I entered my first obedience competition, in all the years that I was showing I still got wobbly knees and butterfly’s in my tummy (over the years I must have a tropical forest full ) but as soon as I got into the ring and the class started, my nerves settled and i just started concentrating on the dog and remembering my ‘left from my ‘right which I still have problems with. First time at a dog show, I'll tell you quite plain I'll never, no never, go near one again. The Breeder said "Show him" when I bought my dog, I showed him alright, the whole place was agog. They gave me a number, they gave me a pin But I couldn't bear to stick the thing in, So I rushed to the shop and bought some clear clue Then I stuck the card onto his back in the loo. We arrived at the ringside to find we were first In the Puppy Class (this part is the worst). We marched in together as fast as we were able Arrived at the judge who said "Up on the table". This really surprised, my skirt was quite tight, And I just couldn't make it, try hard as I might. The Judge looked quite worried; he said "Listen here, Put your dog on the table, not you, my dear. By now I was trembling, I felt such a fool But I said to myself... "Play it cool, play it cool". "How old?" said the Judge, I heard it quite clear Well really, I thought, and said "Thirty next year". The Steward, poor fellow, threw a kind of fit. He spluttered, he coughed, and his eyes ran a bit. "I'd have that cough seen to" I said to him when He'd finally stopped... then he started again. "Once around the ring, dear, as fast as you can" Said the Judge, so I did, I just ran and ran, But when I arrived (out of breath, I'll admit) The Judge said "with Your dog, dear" I felt like a twit. Off round once again, I kept my head bent. Oh the shame, my pup crouched, he just went and went. A lady came running with bucket and spade With manure so spicy, has she got it made. We came back to the Judge who said with a frown "Stand your dog". I said "Please, sir, he's not lying down". "You can take First Place stand" he said. I said "Ta". What a job I had getting that stand into the car! Author unknown .
Oh that's brilliant! I have that left and right thing too, when I was learning to drive I called them knife and fork! They have just posted that there will be 3 photographers - Oh dear, this old woman keeps pretending to be me in photo's, and I can't seem to get away from her!
Foot work was my bug bearer, I still have Charlie Wyant's book "Heelaway your dog". Not many now would remember Charlie, one of the greats of obedience. I was forever in the garden "dogless" practising my footwork with book in hand and my dog looking at me as if to say what on earth you are doing now! It finally ‘clicked when I realised that the ‘Left Foot’ always pointed the way even on turns, which wasn’t to bad till I got to the about-turn!! but putting it into practice with the dog was a different story.
Yes, I still have the Heelaway book too - it was the standard for many years. Training methods may have changed a little, but I often think I should be practising some of those Hearthrug Tips instead of flopping in front of the TV!
As a Beagle lover, I'm so glad to hear Eddie will represent us in the finals. Thank you and give Eddie an extra big hug.
Welcome back John, and thank you for the good wishes. Unfortunately there is no fairytale ending, and Eddie did not deserve the big hug! His whale eye showed he was overawed by the hall and the occasion, and put in his worst performance of the year. We were drawn to work early in the morning, and I just couldn't settle his nerves in time. However, it was a sparkling, good humoured day, and we were all given certificates and commemorative rosettes for taking part. Everybody paraded for the presentations to the winners, and the highlight of the day for me was a super RAF themed display of Heelwork to Music by the incomparable Mary Ray and a super display team of Border Collies. We didn't take any photo's as we had a dog each in tow. Some official ones will eventually appear, I hope that old lady isn't on them!
I think most of us have days like that when everything seems to go wrong, still as long as you enjoyed your day out that's the main thing it was still a great achievement qualifying to get there.
Some mementos of our big day. This photo was emailed by a photographer who had been told that Eddie was ill. (That old woman is at it again. Pretending to be me!). Photo by mrsm. This is the nearest we came to being on an official photo - clearly shell shocked after doing our round! Our commemorative certificate and rosette.
Your lucky that Eddie is well behaved, as when I tried doing obedient with Lunar (male GSD) he decided to cock up his leg & peed on the training cone At to tell him good boy even when I wanted to throttle him, because the trainer told me not to tell him off.
1 - You do not look old! 2 - Eddie had such a look of love on his face when he was looking at you. 3 - You have a lovely rosette and certificate for having reached the finals, so well done,to you both.
I think he's saying, 'I don't like it here Mum. Please can we go home'. Thanks for the other comments.
