Saturday, August 14, 2010

Fiasco

Just here to share some photos today. No one gets to know how the dogs did until tomorrow. I will only tell you that I am not loosing any sleep tonight over their performances!

If you are involved in obedience you know that group stays are a hot topic these days. I think they are a necessity and an important test for the dogs... BUT I also think it is potentially dangerous for small dogs. What would solve the problem completely is if people actually trained their dogs (but lets not count on that). I was thinking the other day if they put the dogs in jump height order (even if novice dogs aren't jumping anything) then at least they would be next to dogs their own size.

It wouldn't have worked out for poor Ellie today though, who was in the ring with the following breeds: Giant Schnauzer, Black Russian Terrier, Sheltie, Doberman, American Sttaffordshire terrier and a Newfie!

It all started out OK with the dogs sitting in their designated spots...

Until the Amstaff's owner was sent to retrieve her dog, since she had begun to check out all the other dogs in the line up. Good thing Ellie has some big dog experience, and she held her stay as the Amstaff strolled on by.
Her owner was slow enough that she got all the way to the end and started to stare down this lovely Giant Schnauzer (who had just come from finishing his Championship) at the very end.
Unfortunately her challenge was accepted by the Schnauzer and his owner had to retrieve him as well.
The good part of this story is that there was just a lot of posturing and no teeth involved.
The Amstaff was excused, but the GS was able to redo his sit-stay. It was still too much commotion for this Dobe to handle though.
Much more room in the down stays though!! What a good girl Ellie is for holding her stays through all of it!

5 comments:

  1. Those group stays are tough! We had a German Shepherd go after Bunny during ours, jumping right over her, and I still think it was a miracle that she stayed through that! Way to go, Ellie!

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  2. Its so irritating when handlers enter dogs that are unable to hold stays! I've been really lucky and haven't had any problems with other dogs in the ring.

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  3. I am so proud of both Sydney and Ellie.

    I proud of Sydney because she remembered what she has been taught and did her best to place Ellie as far back as possible. Good going on that one and from the pictures I can tell it was a tough choice.

    I'm proud of Ellie because she remembered every single bit of her training and knew the safest thing for her to do was exactly what she did...she held that stay.

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  4. Holly cow! The giant and black Russian! I am surprised he/she didn't join the party. If they are even half as crazy as I've heard, that could have been a lot of "fun".
    Good job Ellie!! I need her to give few points to Brandy for out upcoming trials!!

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  5. Group stays, especially out of sights, make me nervous as heck. Simply because if anything unpleasant happens, guess what, the scary looking big black Doberman is going to be blamed, no matter what really happened.

    And yes, people should actually TRAIN their dogs. do people even know the meaning of a trial anymore????

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