Obedience Insanity: Obedience Insanity

» Joy Butler - Obedience Insanity

Wendy, I loved reading this article! Your great detail brought back all the memories of my show days.

My German Shepard, Major, was such an exceptional dog that he earned his title the first 3 shows out. And because he was my first show dog, I've always said he trained me. He never scored high but he was consistent. Off lead heeling was his weakest point because he was always watching what was going on outside the ring. And when the judge would call "halt", I stopped and he kept going but he would always turn around and come back to sit beside me. This took away points but never disqualified him. He was solid on everything else.

Because he was also protection trained, there was another incident. In his very first show, one of the ring stewards was a teenage boy with a lot of enthusiasm who came rushing into the ring right toward where we were waiting to do the figure 8. Well Major took that as a threat and he braced his hind legs, fixed his gaze right on that boy and growled! I reassured him and got him under control immediately but I was afraid the judge would disqualify us right then and there. I guess she understood the protective nature of German Shepards because she let it go. We went ahead and did the figure 8 and Major did fine with a qualifying score.

I just lost Major in January and I miss him so much. We were a team and learned so much together.

I wish you luck with Sephie. I know she'll get her title one of these days...she's just having too much fun right now! I love those laid-back Rotties!

-- posted by Joy Butler