We passed our K9 nosework ORT for Birch!

[GBK]

 

So mommy was nervous, but Buddy and Kona knew where we were and what we were there for!  They were all business and went right to work to find their odor and alert me.  I think Buddy took all of 17 seconds, and Kona just a little longer. 

Everyone get's 3 minutes tops to find the scent source (Birch this time) in the one out of 12 boxes set up in the trial area.  Our instructor, who facilitated in getting the trial here to LV,  said it looked like I was holding my breath so long I could barely get the alert call out :)  Yes, I think with Buddy I was, but felt much more confident the second time around with Kona.  I am so happy, it really is a team effort, you need to work together and trust each other.  On to NW1 trial, probably somewhere in California this winter...

 

Above are some of my classmates waiting our turns on Sat, and I wanted to tell you the story of Michelle (third from the left) and her very, very shy little girl Lillie.  Michelle and Lillie started a class before us, and she told me how they had to use paper plates to start with because Lillie was so afraid to put her head anywhere near the open boxes.  They repeated class one with us a couple of months later, and had graduated to certain boxes they practiced with at home and brought to class to use as HER food boxes only.  By the end of our class session, Lillie was confident enough to put her head in boxes and use the same boxes as the rest of the dogs all the time.  She passed her ORT on Saturday with flying colors, Michelle was in tears of joy when she came around to tell us she passed.  It is amazing what teamwork can do, and to see this adorable little dog go from tail down and  between her legs at the start of our class, to head held high, tail up and butt wagging with confidence.  I would encourage anyone with a shy dog to try a class, it doesn't take much time to see a difference :)  Here is Lillie with her nose in a box!

[GBK]

Thanks Laurie :)  I told Michelle's story to really encourage those with less confident doodles to give it a try...  Buddy hates to leave my side, but he will crate with no problem now and not a peep if I leave his eye sight, that goes for leaving them in the car too.  DH was so impressed as he waited in the car between our trials, it was a long wait too. 

I'm working on the little schnauzers in class now with little treats for not screaming and yipping while it's each other's turn.  I think it's working, they start to look for me after the other one get's taken out of the crate LOL

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Gina, I am so proud of all of you!! Way to go! What a wonderful story about Michelle and Lillie. It gives me food for thought for my sweet Vern.