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Obedience Trial Ring Craft - Tips


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Okay - another newbie question... what do people wear when trialling???

I've seen everything from torn jeans and grubby t-shirts to very smart dress slacks, crisp white blouse and woollen argyle vets (very, very smart). I know people say "neat but comfortable", but for fashion "nobs" like me, exactly what does "neat" mean???

I'm thinking neat jeans with a nice polo shirt... with a good sports bra underneath :laugh:

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I was going to bring this up as a tip Squeak. I have seen people front up with flapping skirts, miniskirts, tight pants, thongs and I think nothing would surprise me now. We actually have a judge here who wears either a flapping skirt or a big overcoat, leathers with big boots or if you are really lucky you get the huge hat :laugh: I usually do some proofing with the kids the week before we go into her ring :rofl:

Generally I wear nice tracksuit pants (Black or dark blue) - and a polo shirt (usually green) - why because I can get food in and out of my pockets really easily and joggers. You can't do this with jeans.

I do make an extra effort for the Western Classic, Royal Show or when going interstate where I will coordinate with the dogs coat colour, collar and lead :rofl: (me being anal again!) :rofl: and wear nice pants, black shoes and a nice top.

I will confess to many years ago having 2 dogs in the Western Classic one black one and one red one and inbetween rings I would dash into the back of the car and change my pants from black to toller colour - I felt like superman :rofl:. I will also confess to carrying around some tollar hair so that I could exactly match the colour pants I needed. That was before I had 5 dogs :rofl:

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Do what I do if you get caught with a judge who wants to talk.

Give short answers and don't ask questions, and keep your eyes on your dog.

Clothes, well it depends on your dog. I wore tracky pants with my border as she didn't like jeans but with my golden it doesn't matter. I tend to wear jeans if the weather is ok, if its wet and muddy I wear tracky pants as they don't hold the rain like the jeans do.

As long as the clothes are clean in the morning (because if your dog is like mine that don't always stay clean) then that's the main thing.

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I will confess to many years ago having 2 dogs in the Western Classic one black one and one red one and inbetween rings I would dash into the back of the car and change my pants from black to toller colour - I felt like superman :laugh:. I will also confess to carrying around some tollar hair so that I could exactly match the colour pants I needed. That was before I had 5 dogs :rofl:

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl: :p

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I do not teach my dog a stay command or signal - they are expected to maintain the position asked until their release word. Am I likely to get "pinged" for not using a stay command during the SFE or recall exercises?

My youngest dog has been taught this way too, however as my own back up :hitself: I will give a verbal sit or stand as I leave the dog in a trial. I asked on the OzObedience list before our first trial about this, if giving the verbal position cue again was OK. Apart from being made to feel a fool and told to read the rule book, the answer was no, you won't get pinged :laugh: and I never have been :eek:

Edited by FHRP
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I'm thinking neat jeans with a nice polo shirt... with a good sports bra underneath :laugh:

:eek::hitself: Sounds fine to me! As pointed out, don't wear anything that will interfere with your dog, but also wear something comfortable. If I wore dress pants and a blouse, I would feel terribly uncomfortable!

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That when they are at a trial, to not only check in at the trial secretary's office to pick up their numbers, but to find where their ring is and check into the ring to get any scratchings from the steward when the boards go out (usually 10 mins before the trial begins).

Find out if possible who is in front of them (I like to know at least the 2 people in front of me)

Be ready to answer the steward call , 'cause remember 3 calls and you're out...

And if possible to get your dog to "empty" before you go in the ring.

Make sure that your pockets are empty of all food.

And that there is nothing jangling around that can be taken as a training equipment/reward

As mentioned in another post, dress appropertally for your dog, have nothing flapping in/around their face.

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By the judge or other triallers?

As PAX already said - the judge.

I did the same with Faxon. Would tell him to stand for SFE and then leave when told to with giving an additional stay command. Every Judge commented or asked about why I didn't use a stay command. I explained that he didn't need it. He never broke his SFE.

And that there is nothing jangling around that can be taken as a training equipment/reward

I have seen/heard people in the ring with keys and/or change jangling in their pockets. These aren't a training aid but IMO are a major distraction - unless of course you train with keys and change jangling in your pocket. :laugh:

Bear.

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- Line up at the start with you between the dog and the start peg.

I didnt know this, and at my first (and only!) CCD trial, I was horrified to look down and see Peebs moving lovingly towards the start peg with his "I am going to wee on you" expression on his face :laugh:

- if you are heeling around markers (cones etc) dont walk to close to them as you wont have any room to maneuver if your dog moves in towards you (particularly on a corner) and it will be really obvious what has happened when you suddenly have to jump over the cone!

- Be nice to your dog in the ring. People get so intense and you can see their dog cringing or getting nervous.

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By the judge or other triallers?

As PAX already said - the judge.

I did the same with Faxon. Would tell him to stand for SFE and then leave when told to with giving an additional stay command. Every Judge commented or asked about why I didn't use a stay command. I explained that he didn't need it. He never broke his SFE.

Bear.

Thanks for that. Can I ask what the judge's reaction was when you explained?

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One tip brought up in recent times is to include focus training from ring gate to startpost and first command time.

It never looks good when the judge asks "are you ready", and your madly trying to get your dogs attention.

First impressions can be worth something on occasions, and it will lay down a good foundation for the rest of the trial.

I have also found that when you have a few trials under your belt, don't rest on your laurels in your training, even if your dog is performing ok. Continue to break exercises and part exercises down demanding perfection, because they definately lose polish over time.

Every point counts in the ring.

If your dog is not performing at a very high level in every exercise, don't waste your time and money entering. There will always be trials.

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- Line up at the start with you between the dog and the start peg.

I didnt know this, and at my first (and only!) CCD trial, I was horrified to look down and see Peebs moving lovingly towards the start peg with his "I am going to wee on you" expression on his face :D

This will depend on your dog. You can line up either side, having the dog between the peg and yourself can encouagre a faster straight & close sit :rofl: However, if you've got a boy dog likely to pee, then definitely line up the other side!

Practice having a starting peg before you go in the ring! Also, practice doing stays next to markers!! I chucked my middle Vizsla in an encouragement class when he was young and realised he'd never seen markers! In both stays he picked them up :noidea:

Edited by FHRP
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Okay - another newbie question... what do people wear when trialling???

I've seen everything from torn jeans and grubby t-shirts to very smart dress slacks, crisp white blouse and woollen argyle vets (very, very smart). I know people say "neat but comfortable", but for fashion "nobs" like me, exactly what does "neat" mean???

I'm thinking neat jeans with a nice polo shirt... with a good sports bra underneath :thumbsup:

Dropping in on this one - I prefer to dress smartly semi-casual. I've discussed this thread also on OzObed too!

Personally if I feel scruffily dressed then I don't believe I am doing credit to my dogs.

I feel it's showing a lack of care which can reflect in my own performance.

If I feel smart I know I tend to work smarter - nothing wrong with trying to help your own attitude in the ring.

Tailored trousers and co-ordinating top can be very smart and also very simple. Don't have to be tight or flashy at all.

Gotta love Millars here, they have brilliant co-ords at very reasonable prices.

I have purchased some brilliant suit pieces for less than the cheapest traccky daks.

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Tailored trousers and co-ordinating top can be very smart and also very simple. Don't have to be tight or flashy at all.

Gotta love Millars here, they have brilliant co-ords at very reasonable prices.

I have purchased some brilliant suit pieces for less than the cheapest traccky daks

I agree, I watched a Youtube clip of Ptolomy (maybe at the Western Classic) and she wore nice black or navy trousers with a nice blouse, It made such a nice picture, she was dressed to win.

All of the Judges I have seen make an effort to look nice to judge us so I think it is a matter of respect to be well presented. :laugh: This could be a flow over from my days of competing in Dressage. :thumbsup:

Edited by PAX
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By the judge or other triallers?

As PAX already said - the judge.

I did the same with Faxon. Would tell him to stand for SFE and then leave when told to with giving an additional stay command. Every Judge commented or asked about why I didn't use a stay command. I explained that he didn't need it. He never broke his SFE.

Bear.

Thanks for that. Can I ask what the judge's reaction was when you explained?

Once I explained they were fine. I think most were simply curious.

Bear.

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Thats cos her dogs are brilliant PAX :laugh: . She would win no matter how she was dressed. Some of us get caught up in the better wear what we always wear :thumbsup: and better trial with the set of articles she last did all 3 correctly on without mucking up :rofl: .

Edited by ness
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