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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.

    The last two weeks have been crazy busy.  We've been to Carmel for the Del Monte Kennel Club Trials, and to Reno for the Truckee Meadows Dog Training Club Trials.  Two very different venues and experiences, all building Spur's exposure to different performance conditions.

    The bad news is that although we've now been in the ring ten times, we have yet to earn a leg towards our Utility Dog title. 

    The reality check is that this is not unusual.  In all the trials we've been in so far, we've seen only two dogs qualify at the Utility A level.   This is one tough class!

    And the good news is that I can sense Spur is gaining confidence, and along with that, so am I.

    Trainer Mary Vogler tells me this is all a part of the journey.  There are dogs, she says, who do get three utility legs fairly quickly, and then fall apart when they move on to B level, because they have not built an adequately strong foundation.  She says she's not worried this is taking a little time.  Especially since I can see the progress.

    What does that mean?  It means that Spur is having fun in the ring.  He is an energetic performer and a delight to watch.  This spirit will carry him a long way.  It means that his confidence in his ability to do the exercises is growing.  And it means that he is becoming more and more consistent in his performances.

    I am also finding something new - a spirit of support among competitors that is stronger than I recall from past years.  Helpful guidance, moral support and a sense of collaboration that is a wonderful dimension of this endearing sport.

    All that said, Spur and I still face challenges.  In Carmel, we got down to the very last exercise, and with victory in sight, I made a beginner's error and gave a very poor signal.  Several people told me - kindly - that the failure was due to my mistake, and was not the fault of my dog. 

    In Reno, each day found us one mistake short of qualification.  Spur is on his way to conquering the challenging go-outs, but distractions or exuberance caused him to miss an article.  And he has somehow adopted the habit of the automatic finish - flipping around to heel position without my command.  It's not a failure, but it is major points off that will keep us out of ribbons when we get to B level.

    Our next show will be in Grass Valley over Labor Day weekend.  There will be tales to tell in the meantime, and high hopes for that event. 

    In the meantime, it's all a journey, and both Spur and I are still enjoying the trip.

    I start my 4th of July celebration the same way every year - at the Sacramento Dog Training Club's annual match, held at American River College.  Some years I volunteer to help as a judge or steward, some years I'm just focused on taking advantage of a great training opportunity for my own dog.

    This year it was all about Spur, and it was a terrific day.

    The weather was cool, the venue was shady, the volunteers were experienced and well organized.  A handler could hardly ask for more. 

    Perhaps because of current high gas prices, turnout was slightly less than it has been some years.  There were only about a dozen dogs entered in the utility rings, and for that reason Alice Webber was able to give each of us some extra time.

    For several years I trained with Alice, and her then-partner Marsha Dandridge (who now lives in Oregon and has gone on to become a fully accredited AKC judge).  Alice is an expert, and she put us through our paces with some tough love.

    Even at a match, it's all too easy to become distracted, nervous, or hurried, and completely lose the sense of what good handling is all about.  Alice noticed that happening to me, and stepped in to set me straight with some excellent guidance that was fully in tune with the training methods I've been following with Mary Vogler.

    In fact, Mary was also there, and watched us in the ring with a complete sense of approval.  Afterwards, she was also able to add some further direction and reinforce the positives.

    The biggest challenge remains the distractions.  If I get a little nervous, a little harried in these settings - well, one can only imagine what Spur must be feeling.

    And those feelings definitely show up in his performance.  He may stare directly at me as a signal is given, and then ignore it completely.  He may look away at a critical moment.  He may feel uncertain.

    The object of training and practice these days is, yes, to reinforce his knowledge of the exercises, but also to build his confidence.

    I saw that confidence beginning to grow this weekend.
   
    On the go-outs, for instance, I now create a little row of tubs of cookies he must run past to get to his destination.  That has been difficult, but it is starting to happen.  When the tubs go away - the exercise is suddenly far easier for him. 

   On Sunday, two days after the match, we were back at the park in the cool of the morning for more practice.  Perhaps I'm delusional, but I believe I'm seeing incremental improvement.  He seems to have an ever increasing sense of certainty about what he's doing.

    This week will be very hot, and so we will not be able to get in much practice when I arrive home from work each day.  On Friday, we head to Carmel for the annual trails put on by the Del Monte Dog Training Club. 

    I don't know what to expect.  We'll do our best.  Worst case, we'll come away a little wiser about all the things that can happen at a trial, and at least a little bit more prepared for the next big competition.