Don't Judge a Run by the Score!

17 Jan 2014Steve Schwarz

Flyer and I didn't compete or train much in December and we went back to trialing this past weekend and we had a run that I wanted to share. It wasn't a qualifying run (a "Q") and it also showed plenty of places where Flyer and I could improve our game. But it was my favorite run because I really felt "in sync"/"connected" with Flyer throughout the run; I was intense and also intently handling each transition. Just as great was his perfect response to my cues - everything that went wrong on the run was entirely due to him following my cues.

Here’s the video:

One of the best parts was missing the second jump after the A Frame. I was too close to the A Frame with my Front Cross Learning the Front Cross - Video Front Cross on the downside. I had planned to be closer to the double and cuing collection before he committed. Instead I turned to the double and ended up cuing extension and then my forward motion continued to push him past the jump. He followed it perfectly!! And he didn’t take the jump from the back side Handling the Quad Back Side - Patrick Bucher Course/Video The Connection Between Threadles and Back Sides Back Side/Back Side Jump Back Side of Jump Handling Combinations - Video because I didn’t cue it. Cool!

I started a discussion on Facebook about how I don’t want Flyer to just seek out obstacles and take them without my cuing them (by cuing I don’t mean giving a verbal - we all have multiple cues we use to indicate an obstacle). His behavior on that jump is exactly what I want from a dog who will be running technical “international” style courses.

So while the judge correctly ruled that we didn’t Qualify I couldn’t be happier! Enjoy your Q’s and NQs!

If you enjoyed this article won't you please: Thanks!

Don't Judge a Run by the Score!

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