Planning On Entering My First Trial Soon - Any Advice?

[Kowai]

Hey guys!

Okay my club is having a double obedience trial at the end of October and I'm really considering entering It'll be my first trial too so it's pretty exciting!

Does anyone have any advice on getting ready for it? How often do you train before a trial yourselves? Any common mistakes I should watch out for?

Zach has gotten pretty good lately with most of the exercises - however his heeling work has gotten a bit sloppy. He's a bit slow to heel, lags a bit, goes a little wide, and sits a bit slow. Usually he's great in training when I have food - however when I'm in a mock trial without food, thats when he's slow to work! Any advice to speed him up a bit?

[ness]

Hi,

Ok since nobody has responded yet some thoughts from me.

Firstly you mention it is a double obedience trial - were you intending on entering both or just one of the trials. I would probably recommend only entering one trial if you were considering both as the whole trial atmosphere can take a lot out of the dog if they aren't use to it. Not to mention the handler. Maybe enter the morning and then you can watch some of the higher classes in the afternoon and observe there handling.

As for leading up to the trial - keep the sessions short to keep there enthusiasm. Make sure you have practiced in a number of different areas other than your normal training locations. One good thing I had suggested to me was to go to a place to train, leave the dog in the car and take out a few containers of food "aka JACKPOTS". You can hide them behind trees or whatever. The idea being you ask the dog for some work and then you can go and reward them and they then realize there is a possibility of a reward even if you don't have it on you in person.

From what you have written it sounds like you haven't correct faded out the use of the food. Don't fall into the habit of totally phasing out the food. In a mock trial you should always have the option to reward something. A really enthusiastic recall, a spot on position etc. The idea is that you just don't always reward the dog at the end of the exercise. Mix it up keep the dog guessing.

Sure others will have some thoughts but that is just a start to get you thinking.

[dogdude]

Hi Kowai

There are a few things that do before a debut trial.

In the month leading up to the first trial, I try to train on a different ground each day, and even visit other clubs as a guest to try to get my dog used to working around strange dogs, the FOO nights at KCC Park are ideal, but dont start up till just after the Werribee trial.

The only changes I make to the actual training in the week before the trial is to just pick the dogs weakest exercises, and do a very short but sharp practice session on the problem exercise each night up till the trial.

I agree with Ness about moving towards a food target outside of the ring, and draw out the reward time to keep his enthusiasm during ringtime. There is no need to rush into his debut trial anyhow if you think that he could do much better. Oscar has been in training for about 14 months now, and even still, I think we could do better.

You will at least have a home ground advantage, but if you have a non papered dog, it can take some time to get your dog listed on the VCA associate register.

I have just got Oscar neutered, and are waiting on his paperwork to go through in the hope I can maybe put him in the am trial there.

Entrys close in a couple of weeks (14th)

[Kowai]

Thanks for the advice guys! Don't worry, Zach's all registered with the VCA and ready to go

[Ptolomy]

Zach has gotten pretty good lately with most of the exercises - however his heeling work has gotten a bit sloppy. He's a bit slow to heel, lags a bit, goes a little wide, and sits a bit slow. Usually he's great in training when I have food - however when I'm in a mock trial without food, thats when he's slow to work! Any advice to speed him up a bit?

Hi there - its exciting biting the bullet and making the decision to enter for the first time. Goodonya. Is this your first dog you have trialled?

Are you entering CCD or novice?

My only concern is that if Zach is having a few problems at training when you take away the food that this will actually be worse in a trial ring because you will be soooooooo nervous it will be like your heart is beating so loud, your mouth is so dry you go to give a verbal signal and nothing will come out and the dog will wonder what the hell has happened to you. I think everybody that has trialled can relate to this.

Just wondering if you have played any heeling games like the hansel and gretel game where you throw the food and then reward the dog for coming back into heel position by throwing another piece of food?