| We call them "Backyard Champions". When our | | | | is accomplished the stress of being in a |
| dog or puppy has learned his lessons so | | | | strange place with many new dogs and people |
| fantastically well that we are ready to take | | | | will short-circuit what you thought was a |
| him into the show ring and prove to everyone | | | | sure thing. |
| how smart he is. No one warned us what is | | | | |
| likely to happen instead. | | | | Another part of the problem is you, fair |
| | | | trainer. Every tense muscle, every frayed |
| We have spent 3 months, more or less, working | | | | nerve, has its own scent to your dog, who |
| our puppy on- and off-lead every day for at | | | | spends his entire existence learning your |
| least 15 minutes. We have worked him at | | | | every move, body language and smell. Try to |
| home, in the park, alone and with other dogs | | | | stay as calm as you possibly can. Remember, |
| nearby, near children playing, every single | | | | every other dog and trainer at the show is in |
| distracting situation we can come up with. | | | | the same condition and the calmest ones |
| We are sure he is ready. One way we know is | | | | always win the ribbons. Remember it is all |
| every time he sits at our side at the end of | | | | just practice and is a fun game you are |
| a command, a big long yawn comes whining out | | | | sharing with your best friend, not the life |
| of his mouth. This long yawn does NOT mean | | | | and death situation it feels like when it is |
| he is bored or sleepy, it means he is sure | | | | your turn to be judged. |
| what is going to happen next. Dogs love to | | | | |
| show us how well they know what is going to | | | | Make sure you do everything you can to plant |
| happen, this is the basis for obedience | | | | the image of FUN in your dog's mind. |
| training. | | | | Reassure him of what a good dog he is, praise |
| | | | him and love him up, even bring treats. Let |
| So we pack him up and take him to a practice | | | | him know how special he is. You do not want |
| obedience trial. It is more informal and | | | | anything to happen that will make him dread |
| less expensive than the real thing, and it | | | | his next show. You need a few practice shows |
| gets us and our dog used to the tension and | | | | before he is ready for the real thing. Of |
| excitement. But little did we know that our | | | | course that will be another new and tense |
| backyard champion would stare at us like we | | | | situation, but by then, he will be used to |
| just met, and we are giving his well-known | | | | the newness and the tension and will honestly |
| commands in a foreign language! We are | | | | look forward to the fun. |
| horrified, we whisper his name to get his | | | | |
| attention. Though he seems sane and healthy, | | | | Take him home after his first fiasco (it will |
| he has turned into wood and plastic, an alien | | | | be, trust me) and just go back to doing all |
| creature that will not obey a single word! | | | | the lessons you THOUGHT he knew so well. He |
| | | | will be the Amazing Backyard Champion now, so |
| Take heart. This happens to every single dog | | | | much so you will laugh at him. Enjoy your |
| in training. Part of the problem, depending | | | | best buddy and know that the next time will |
| on what stage you are in in his training, is | | | | be better for both of you. Do not give up, |
| he is transferring his lessons from | | | | his first ribbon will be the memory of a |
| short-term to long-term memory. Until this | | | | lifetime. |