Hello again, it's been awhile but I am back and ready to blog!
Now that my youngest child is out of the baby phase and more independent I have been able to up my training and start trialing again. Phlox is still working on his UD title with no end in sight. He has been the most beautifully consistent dog and has qualifies on almost every exercise except for one. In trial he goes to the jump on the go out. He truly thinks that he should run up to the jump and stand there? This behavior popped up in trial and has been a pain in my side ever since.
I have finally been able to replicate it in training so hopefully he can show in Utility this summer. fingers crossed everyone.
In other more wonderful news Phlox has won his second High In Trial!
We entered a local ASCA trial last weekend. I was just going to work on his stress level in the ring and have some fun I had no intention of actually "competing". Phlox was not only upbeat and working well but he beat all the other teams by a good 5 points. This was a small trial with none of the heavy hitters there but still he earned it.
Phlox earned his RE with scores of 100, 98, 98 he placed 1st twice and 2nd once. I was pretty pleased with him.
Here is a video of his RE title run
Phlox also earned 2 legs towards his CDX two scores of 189 1/2. The judge was vigilant and our fronts were poor. He also had a little too much fun retrieving his dumbbell.
He also won 3 high scoring terrier awards. No placements in Obedience but I entered him in Open B instead of Open A.
Aside from Rally and Obedience Phlox just finished his first UKC weight pull title. He ended the day pulling 1,200 Lbs. I thought maybe that weight would slow him down but it didn't. Now that he will be pulling for points he is going to have to work a bit for it. No more running full speed ahead.
If any one has questions about weight pull please ask.
Along with the weight pull title Phlox also won Best of Winners in conformation earning him a total dog award. I was very pleased with him this weekend.
Phlox also earned his CGCA. The new level of the CGC test. Man has this dog been busy!
Lets see Phlox is now: UWP UAG1 Eden's Perennial Success CD RE TT CGCA!
Last year I came up short on my list of goals. Mostly because of human baby #3. So this year I plan to get off my butt and make up for lost time.
Phlox:
Obedience/Rally
- Companion Dog Excellent
- Rally Excellent
- Utility Dog
- United Companion Dog
- United Rally Obedience 1
Tracking
- TD
Weight Pull
- UWP
IPO (I swear one of these days I wont be pregnant or have a new born at the time of a trial)
- BH
- AD
Conformation
- UKC Champion -Only 50 points to go
- A few more AKC points - Really not thinking I will be able to show him enough this year to finish. He has filled out nicely though.
Charlie
- Companion Dog Excellent
- Rally Advance
Since I don't work with Charlie that much I am keeping it simple this year. He may also show in UKC Rally and Obedience if the opportunity presents itself.
Violet may try her hand at nosework but that will depend on my schedule and if shes feeling up to it.
I'm hoping this year holds many great things in store for the dogs. I know it's a little late but Happy new year all the same.
Agility
I decided to enter Phlox in a UKC Agility trial just for fun. I ran him over the tea cup agility equipment at the kennel a few times but didn't manage to make it to any classes. I also didn't actually find the chute until the night before so he got a whopping 20 minutes of practice with that obstacle.
Disclaimer: Don't do what I do. Always train adequately for a new event and make sure you read all the rules. Jumping in head first can backfire especially when obstacles are involved.
Day 1 trial
I kept Phlox from running full speed so that I could keep up. We had a nice careful run where he refused the chute initially but took it in the allotted 3 tries. We ended with a 195 and third place.
Day 1 trial 2
Phlox decided he enjoyed running and went faster. It must have been hilarious to watch me waddle around the course trying to keep up with him. Other than Phlox slipping after coming off the table it was a nice run (for us). We had a clean run and perfect 200. First place!
Day 2 Trial 1
He went even faster but seemed to have forgotten about the chute over night. I didn't help by forgetting to give him the command and he started to run by. Another nice run all in all. Score 198 and first place! Video
I sat out the last trial because he had earned his title and I was done running.
I had a blast and enjoyed spending time with Phlox's brothers owner. My sister drove with me and I'm pretty sure she caught the agility bug just by watching.
Obedience
Staffordshire Terrier Club of America National Specialty was in October. I got lucky this year and it is within an hours drive. I only signed Phlox up for Obedience because at this point Conformation would be a waste of money.
Obedience was a mixed bag. Some highs and some lows.
Show one was pretty sloppy with Phlox and I earning our lowest score to date 191. We did end up in second place.
I had no real expectations for show 2. I was pleased with the heel on leash, thrilled with the figure 8, over joyed at his exam and heel free and proud of his progress on the recall. I left the ring fairly confidence that we had won the class. I was thinking that a 195-197 would be a fair score. When the judge called our number I could not believe it. Phlox earn a 199 1/2! This from the same judge who earlier hit me for every little thing imaginable.
We lost our half a point on the recall. I still can not believe not only how well Phlox did but how well I did. I don't think there has ever been a time when I didn't loose a point or two with some handler error.
This is my very first high in trial and I am certain it wont be my last. Now I know what Phlox can do and will be working on attitude endurance and consistency.
I went home on cloud nine.
The next morning brought me crashing back down to earth. Phlox was sluggish and just not into it. To be honest I would really have liked to be at home in bed and I'm sure that played a role in Phlox's attitude.
We ended up with a 192 and 3rd place.
His CD was a roller coaster ride that I will never forget. This little black dog has so much potential and I think I am beginning to have the skills to get him to where he needs to go in his obedience career.
On Friday Phlox took the American Temperament Test Society test. He passed easily and reacted predictably to each station. No problem with the people or load noises. He moved out of the umbrella's way but went right back up to it. Walked over the metal and plastic with out so much as batting an eye. He had very little reaction to the aggressive stranger he kept an eye on him but continued about his business. The evaluators comment on his temperament was "Aloof".
My son also got to join in the fun on Friday. They had a pee wee handling class and my son showed Phlox. I wasn't sure how it would turn out since Phlox is a good 10lbs heavier than Chase but my little boy held his own and made sure Phlox did what he was told.
I had a professional picture taken and can't wait for it to arrive. He had so much fun that he is begging to do it again.
In other news Phlox earned his first 50 points in UKC Conformation. He's halfway to his Champion!
Reliant time is here again. This is always the most special show of the year for me because with out it I would not have started competing.
This year due to finances only Phlox will be showing. He is signed up for three days of Graduate novice obedience. I'm not worried about this level because he has been doing all of the exercises for a long time and has no issues to work through.
He is also signed up for two days of conformation. With me as the handler! I feel like it's time to bite the bullet and do it. I doubt that he will win any points since there are upwards of 30 amstaffs entered but I intend to at least look like I know what I'm doing.
Hopefully I can start blogging more in the near future. Life just always seems to get in the way.
On Friday Phlox earned his Beginner Novice title. He won his class with a score of 197. I could not be more proud of him.
The best part of his run was the figure 8. All of the extra work I have put into it over the last few weeks paid off and other than him crowding a little on the inside turn it was picture perfect.
Now that Beginner Novice is out of the way we will enter Graduate Novice.
On Saturday Phlox earned his Rally Advance title with a score of 99 and first place. He was a little distracted but kept his focus and took the jump very nicely.
Now we need to start training those pesky new Rally Excellent signs.
