This weekend we're going to St. Louis for a big trial (it's about 6 hours from here). I thought it would be a good opportunity to see a city we've never seen before, and get some trialing in!
So today our club put on an intro trial so they can get sanctioned to host regular USDAA trials in the future. I wasn't sure if we'd be able to make it, but I ended up leaving work early so we could go to get in a "practice" run before this weekend.
Since the club hadn't put on a USDAA trial before, Jonathan and I were helping out a lot. It was also snowing out, and we crated out of the car. I say all of that to say that the dogs got almost no attention until it was their turn to run. There was nowhere to exercise the dogs (it was snowing and VERY muddy, also dark outside) and I guess that was just too much for Lexi. She got out and was just crazy! I tried getting her to focus before we went into the ring, but it was very busy (since the building was small) and she was just all over the place.
Well, I should have seen the writing on the wall. We got into the ring and it was a mess. Now I know I've been hard on her before, so let me say that I was NOT mad at her. It was totally my fault for not getting her some exercise before going into the ring. It was a little embarrassing since everyone likes to talk about how great she is and then she blew it-oh well.
She bounced off the table, then did her "teeter monster" thing (that's what I call it when she refuses the teeter a couple times because she has that weird issue). After the third attempt, she got on. She also missed the weave entry because it was coming right out of curved, short tunnel and she didn't slow down enough to get in. But, on the bright side, when she did get on the teeter, it was lovely. And her a-frames were both nice. She also had a nice forward send where she didn't go too wide.
Bentley, on the other hand, ran clean. Woohoo! Since he's already titled in USDAA he didn't technically Q (it's just for FEO for any dog with a previous USDAA title), but I was still proud. He got his 2o2o on the a-frame the first go around, and at least briefly considered it the second time (there were 2 a-frames and no dogwalk).
I'm just hoping that Lexi got her craziness out of the way--we'll be sure to exercise her well before the trial this weekend! :)
OMG, Miley is like that too. If I dont take her some where and play ball before going in the ring. Forget it. She is crazy. To much energy to keep her brain together. I think this weekend will be much better. Have fun.
ReplyDeleteI wondered how they were going to be able to hold a trial there - no room to crate, exercise, walk, potty, or watch - for a big group of people.
ReplyDeleteGood luck in St. Louis this weekend! And I hope the weather cooperates for the traveling!