Visiting Obedience Trial Ettiquette

[Reddii]

Just wanted to get opinions from obedience triallers on this one. I want to trial with my boy and maybe my girl, but don't really get to obedience club much to get a heads up on what happens at obedience trials so I thought I'd go along and watch one to scope it all out. (Despite going to agility every week I turned up at an agility trial for the first time and had to be told simple things like - 'your dog can't run with a collar'. I've got a perception that obedience is a lot more formal and because I don't know anyone in the obedience world I don't want to look like a goose.)

Both my dogs are used to a trial environment (agility) and also run in flyball so they won't cause problems as such, but I also won't be able to crate them because I envisage just having them out for an (on lead) wander with us while we see what goes on.

Would any one take offence to us doing this do you think?

[dogdude]

To really see what goes on, you would be better off leaving your dogs at home. Obedience trials are quiet affairs, and unless you are standing directly outside one of the rings...you won't know whats going on (hearing what the judge is saying etc)

Its generally only dogs that are competing allowed onto the grounds, and if you take your dogs you could only view from a distance.

[Reddii]

To really see what goes on, you would be better off leaving your dogs at home. Obedience trials are quiet affairs, and unless you are standing directly outside one of the rings...you won't know whats going on (hearing what the judge is saying etc)

Its generally only dogs that are competing allowed onto the grounds, and if you take your dogs you could only view from a distance.

:D Thanks for that. Makes perfect sense - poor puppies will have to spend a day at home. :D

[luckydog]

I have never been able to hear what the Judge told any of the other competitors.

However I always listen very carefully to what they tell me! :D

[ness]

I agree with what dogdude says and you would get more out of it if you didn't take the dogs. Having said that lots of people do bring dogs down to trials and as long as they aren't going to cause trouble they would probably be fine. If you haven't already done so I would at least pass a glance over the rulebook and maybe find somebody attending who you know and ask if you can tag along with them. I have explained to new people before whats going on in the ring and I am sure some of the experienced triallers would be more than happy to explain what is happening. So long as they aren't just about to go in the ring I don't think people would mind.

[leopuppy04]

Reddii - if your dogs are able to stay on lead etc nice and calmly - they shouldn't cause an issue. If you are thinking of trialling in obedience, it is also a good way to get your dogs used to the environment (very different to agility where everyone is much more relaxed... I know I am!). I find *personally* I am more stressed at an obedience trial simply because hey - you might perfect your first 10min stint in the ring, but you still have stays to go!!!! :D. I have brought Kinta along to a lot of trials so that she can get used to the setup and the 'new and improved' mum that is walking around, stressing out etc . I also do a bit of work with her outside the rings (close, but not too close) etc.

On the other hand - what DD says is true - if you are going simply to have a watch and learn (and not for doggy exposure), then I'd go without my dogs. It means that you can concentrate on what is going on in each of the rings, chat to others and also see the variation between the classes. Usually, when I watch a ring, you can see a 'trend' of where people are having difficulties (heeling, SFE, recalls etc)... note this and take care to train each of those adequately :D

Most triallers will be happy to talk you through the events of each class... unless of course they are just about to go in the ring and holding back their breakfast from making a second appearance :D

[ness]

Awwww LP just wait till you get into the UD ring that is NEVER stressful. Unless of course you have the two gurus standing outside the ring ready to beat you if you don't do everything they have said for you to do. Actually the only time I have been seriously stressed was when I had her in both open and UD and wasn't sure which I would be in first. By the time I got in the ring on Sunday I was over being stressed and it was actually quite fun :D .

[Kavik]

I'm hoping to bring Diesel to a few trials to get him used to the environment (and me too!) so he will be used to it when and if I trial him in the future. He doesn't tend to work well in new places, gets distracted and stressed, so I figure taking him and getting him to relax in new environments will help.

[MrsD]

Tony, if you want to come down to Redlands on the 3rd of May we have a trial on that evening, Eddie & I'll be there - probably cooking the BBQ by the look of it :D . Never ever been to a club trial & NOT had to steward so being in charge of the cooking will be a novelty for me . If you want to know what's going on I can give you a quick run around the rings & introduce you to people.

BTW, I agree with dogdude & the others, you will get more out of it without the dogs if you are interested in finding out the ins & outs of the trial ring.