SacPaws.com

One of the questions every obedience handler must face is the issue of whether to go for points, or whether it is satisfactory to pass a class.

The answer to that is as individual as every person, every dog, and every situation.

For now Spur and I have been focused on passing the utility class.  So far, we haven't been successful - but we are getting closer with every effort.  And as that success seems to approach, I've been thinking more and more about the quality of our performances.

Of course, in order to pass the classes, we must successfully complete each exercise.  That is Priority Number 1.  A close second is attitude in the ring.  Increasingly, Spur is having fun, and it is a terrific thing to see that exuberance. 

But I am also aware that we are messing up on the details.  In Reno, Spur suddenly decided that he understood the nature of the exercises a little too thoroughly - and the result was a series of automatic finishes.  None of those are disqualifying, but each could have cost us three or more points off our score.

In Carmel, the judge praised me for a good save on the articles exercise.  As I heeled around to face the articles, Spur failed to move an inch - evidently transfixed by some activity outside the ring.  And so I found myself facing the articles, while Spur sat to my right, facing directly away from the articles.

Under the circumstances, I gave him the "Find!" command, and was delighted when he whipped around, ran to the pile, and brought me back the correct article.

But there's a sensible school of thought that I did not make the best decision.  Once we achieve the Utility Dog title, we will flip up into "B" level competition, where passing the class isn't good enough.  To earn points toward the ultimate title - Obedience Trial Champion - performances must be nearly flawless.

More than once I have seen top exhibitors sacrifice a potential passing score in order to ensure the dog understands what is expected.  In that school of thinking, I should have repeated my heel command.   That second command would disqualify me, but would also reinforce correct behavior in my dog.

The Utility Dog title is a difficult one.  In the 12 trials I've entered so far, I've seen only two dogs actually pass.  So the goal of passing looms very large.  It will feel like a very hard won accomplishment when it comes.

But it isn't an end.  It's the entry point to whole new level of competition, goals, possibilities.  At this ground level struggle, I need to keep in mind that quality is everything.  The real fun begins at B level - and both Spur and I want to be sure we are ready.