Back from Kalamazoo

[Carolk9s]

Sorry to say, the trip did not go well. It RAINED about 95% of the time we were there, both my mom and I had (have) colds, we had a problem with our motel, it RAINED, my mom refused to bring her coat and therefore was cold, it RAINED, and we NQ'd in the agility tournament.
It was a 15.5 hour drive, my mom will not drive the van so it was all me, we got to the motel, instead of a ground floor room we were on the 2nd floor. Not an issue for me, mom or Candy but Jesse has a LOT of trouble with stairs.
The agility tournament was under cover due to the rain, that was nice but it had it's negatives too. Lots of people and dogs crammed into a fairly small area created quite a bit of noise and tension. Candy and a sheltie had harsh words for each other but no contact. Candy soaked up the tension, she was high wired by the time we went into the ring. We faulted after the 2nd obstacle, faulted again in the weaves, then she blasted out of a tunnel, over a jump, across and OUT of the ring. Got her back in, said thanks to the judge and opted to simply send her over the two final jumps and celebrate. Did that, oops, there she goes zooming out of the ring again. She was caught at the gate and came blasting back to me, this time I nabbed her collar and we exited the ring. While many said 'wow she sure was having fun', I actually disagree. I believe she stressed and came a bit unglued. She has gotten far more spooky around other dogs, if one even barks at her, she tucks her tail but is ready to fight. She has been jumped a couple of times and I feel she is opting to get the first strike in at times.
Friday, I took her back to the agility area. We were not entered in the trial, I just wanted to play with her and see if she could relax. Almost worked. A gal came by with her German Shepherd, a male. Candy was sitting between my knees, the two dogs sniffed noses briefly, then in a flash they were having a go at each other. I honestly do not know which dog initiated the aggression, it happened SO fast, but I do know that Candy is far more reactive than I like. I pulled her back with one hand and stupidly threw my left arm in front of her. She bit my arm twice, at least it was her and not the GSD biting me with his much larger and stronger jaws. I had my jacket on so the impact of her teeth on my skin was minimized, I still have some swelling and bruising but that is about it.
I did not and do not hold this biting against her, I practically stuck my arm in her mouth and she was scared.
Saturday we drove out to South Haven (thanks for the directions Kendalyn) and saw Lake Michigan. We walked out onto the pier with the dogs, I had to keep Candy away from the edge as she was ready to leap in! Took some photos of the lighthouse, (illegally) took Candy onto the beach briefly so she could play in the water, then headed out.
Thankfully our motel in Ohio was great, same chain as the other but much more responsive people. Originally, we were assigned a room on the 2nd floor, I asked about the 1st floor, mentioning that my old dog had trouble with stairs. The manager immediately moved us to a room on the 1st floor, for my dog! I am impressed and will say so in the comment card.
I will be working hard on desensitizing Candy to other dogs, if another dog so much as barks at her anymore, she tenses up, tucks her tail and is ready to fight/defend herself. I think I must stop allowing her to approach other dogs period, she starts with a fairly relaxed demeanor and wagging tail but within seconds they are snarling at each other. Perhaps SHE has a communications problem, perhaps she misreads other dogs signals and thinks she must attack or she is giving off mixed signals and THEY feel they must jump her. I honestly do not know. I'll be asking for lots of feedback from trainers here as well as one friend who has a reactive lab that she has done wonders with.
So the big trip is over, it was really quite a disappointment but I will not say I wish we had not gone, naturally I would be wondering 'what if' then!

[imported_Kat]

Well Carol just put the trip down to an experience. :wink: I'm sorry that it didn't go so well for you and your Mum and the dogs, but just loon on towards the next show that you will be at. One thing I caught in your post that I'm interested in. In America are dogs allowed to wear a collar while under an agility test?

[Sarahstaff]

In America, there are several different organizations offering agility, and they all have different rules. The one Carol was trialling in requires that the dog wear a collar.

Sorry your trip didn't go well, Carol. I agree that if your dog is having reactive issues, you should avoid letting her meet other dogs.

[Carolk9s]

Kat,
Yes, I will look to the future and work to make our next experience a better one. What is past is past. I feel a bit bad that my Mom did not have a better time but I told her over and over, bring your coat!
As Sarahstaff said, this particular org., the United Kennel Club, REQUIRES a dog to wear a flat buckle collar with no tags or other attachments. Mostly I wish this was not required but must admit, Thursday I was kind of glad as Candy was caught by her collar by the gate attendant then by me.

[Carolk9s]

K napisał(a):

Sorry to hear your trip was ..well...not good..and that you and poor mom feel unwell...and heres me waiting on rosette and cup pics...oh well..theres always next time!! :D

Well, if you've really got your heart set, I suppose I could draw some photos for you. I do feel there should have been a certificate for the most comedic performance of a dog/handler team, I think Candy and I would have nailed that one. It was also funny to hear my voice, or lack thereof, trying to call Candy back in. I sounded very much like a seal.
Yep, there's gonna be a next time, gotta look forward to that!

[Guest Anonymous]

sorry that the trip didn't go as hoped for.. better luck next time!

[courtnek]

(MUCH) better luck next time!! Glad you're back!!

[kendalyn]

Sorry about the weather! I was thinking about you the whole time and I was really sad that the weather sucked! It was really nice right before you came too :-(

I'm glad you got to see Lake Michigan though. I should have given you my number. I have tons of coats! Your mom could have borrowed one!

she starts with a fairly relaxed demeanor and wagging tail but within seconds they are snarling at each other.

This is Buck to a T. He seems friendly at first most of the time, and then all of a sudden both dogs are snarling. And I know what you mean about sometimes not knowing what happened. Sometimes it happens so fast I cannot tell what or who was the impetus.

There are also times though when he is nasty from the get go. All he has to do is see the other dog and he's suddenly all worked up about it.

Perhaps SHE has a communications problem, perhaps she misreads other dogs signals and thinks she must attack or she is giving off mixed signals and THEY feel they must jump her.

I wonder this myself about Buck.

[Horsefeathers!]

Sorry it didn't turn out the way you wanted it to, but at least you've kept your sense of humor about the whole thing. There's always the next time. 8)

[imported_Kat]

Very interesting with ref to the collar. At the moment in the UK the KC are being pressured to change the rules to allow dogs to wear a flat clip collar. Personally I dont see the harm if it is a close fitted collar and I haven't ever seen a dog get caught on equipment, so I'm for the change.