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    On Saturday, I set out for the Coyote Kennel Club Trials with much trepidation.  The weather was hot, and Spur does not like hot.  I could foresee disaster.  But it's my nature to fight pessimism, and so I set out hoping for the best.

    And when we arrived, my hopes rose.  The show grounds - Solano County Fairgrounds - were shady.  There was a lovely breeze.  The obedience ring was set amidst the trees.  Everything seemed perfect.
   
    But appearances are deceiving. 

    We wandered about to accustom Spur to the surroundings and it was clear they did not suit him.  He did not care to practice heeling.  He preferred not to respond to signals.  It was only with much cajoling that he deigned to practice a few go outs at one of the conformation rings. 

    Uh oh.

    To keep the story brief, our sojourn in the ring was fairly disastrous.  We failed every exercise except the moving stand.

    Spur heeled acceptably, but preferred not to acknowledge any of the signals I administered.  He retrieved the correct articles, but did not wait for me to actually send him to the pile.  He stared directly at the correct glove, then ran out to a different one.  As for the goes . . . let's just say he didn't.

    Afterwards, I had a long conversation with my trainer, Mary Vogler. She urged me to scratch him from the Hangtown Trials Memorial Day weekend.  Hey - sixty bucks down the tube?  When I down he can do it?

    I was resistant to her recommendations . . . . but 24 hours later I finally accepted the fact that she is right.  I have a dog who does all the utility exercises beautifully . . . . in a familiar setting.
Alas, not too many trials are held in my backyard or neighborhood park.

    And so, on the Tuesday following the disastrous Saturday, Mary and I talked again and made a plan.  I will spend Memorial Day weekend playing a bit more golf than I had intended.  Practicing with Spur.  And getting ready for another set of trials in early June.

    There is no rush.  There are things I must do to help build his confidence in new places.  We'll get there. 

    More on how we plan to do it . . . next time.