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Stories of Spur: Dogging it in competition
Stories of Spur: Dogging it in competition
Spur competes in AKC obedience trials. He is a miniature schnauzer. This will chronicle his life on the "campaign trail" as he and his handler compete against dogs of all breeds for high titles.
Real Name: Michele McCormick Member Since: March 19, 2008 Last Signed In: July 19, 2009 Blog Views: 1576 Send To A Friend Sign Guestbook Add as a Friend
Spur Earns His First UDX Leg
Puppy Tips Trialing Should be Fun Getting Back to Basics Attention is Everything A Lively Campaign Season Launches ClearLake: A Question of Confidence Clearlake Launches Our Campaign Season Let the Campaign Begin . . . . Spur Gets Ready for '09 March 08 April 08 May 08 June 08 July 08 August 08 September 08 October 08 November 08 December 08 January 09 February 09 March 09 April 09 May 09 June 09 July 09 August 09 September 09 October 09 November 09 December 09 January 10 February 10 March 10 
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Attention is Everything
The last few weeks have been quite the learning experience for me - and for Spur. As proud as we were to earn our Utility Dog title last fall, we've become prey to a syndrome that is all too common. Perhaps a bit of overconfidence on my part? And on Spur's part - a clear sense that he has too many jobs to do at once.
It became all too apparent at the annual Terrier Association Trials at Cal Expo that Spur's mind was on several things. He did understand that he had a job to do, a series of exercises with which he is completely familiar. That was well demonstrated in the warm-ups, as he heeled beautifully and followed my every move. But once we entered the ring, a second, perhaps more important job took over. That was the job of monitoring the rings around us, the noise in the cavernous building, the motion of every person. The result: we did not do very well. We failed utility classes on both days, and passed open with scores too low to mention here. The experience was dispiriting to say the least. Trainer Mary Vogler told me - it's time to start over. Without Spur's full and complete attention, there's little hope of advancing further. And so we are back to some basics. I am trying to do a much better job of insisting on excellence in heeling during practice. We are visiting Alan Miller's wonderful, tumultuous training class, when Spur must perform his exercises no matter what is going on around us. We are moving in the right direction. At the Mt. Diablo Trials, we failed utility once again - but I took heart from signs of improvement. We passed Open with a score that edged into the 190's, and walked away with a nice prize for high scoring terrier. Next, we'll be out at Vallejo on May 16, and then, in June - I am so excited - we'll travel to Long Beach for our first ever miniature schnauzer obedience specialty show. Visit our Twitter site for the most immediate updates, but we'll also continue to post here. 0 comments from 0 users
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