This Saturday we'll have a shot at earning Chubbs' final leg for her UD (Utility Dog) title. She has two legs with two first placements and needs just one last one...problem is that poor Chubbs is getting stiffer by the month, and she has to manage two jumps. Some days she does fine, but other times she's been refusing the jump because of her arthritis. I'd appreciate your prayers along with me that she could ace this final leg & she can then retire on her many laurels.
The Utility level is the highest level of training in obedience & it includes:
1) a Signal Exercise - where the dog does a heeling pattern, is left on a stand/stay at one end of the ring, then does a down, sit & come...all with only hand signals...
2) Scent discrimination: the dog must find the article with her handler's scent on it among 9 other articles scented by the ring steward.
...and bring it to the handler. They must do this twice--once with a leather article, and once with metal.
3) a Directed Retrieve: the dog turns in place with the handler, then retrieves one of three gloves as determined by the judge.
4) a Moving Stand: the dog is left on a stand/stay while in the midst of heeling alongside her handler. The handler continues to walk about 12' away. The judge then goes over the dog (as in the breed ring) & then the dog is called back into heel position beside the handler (this is one time they aren't supposed to come and sit in front of the handler)
and 5) a Directed Jumping Exercise: the dog is sent running away from the handler, down the center of the ring towards the far wall, then is commanded to turn & sit in place & directed to jump over one of two jumps set halfway down the ring to each side. The dog is sent over either the High Jump or the Bar Jump, then the exercise is repeated with the other jump.
(this is actually an "Open OB" photo--there isn't a retrieve in Utility, but it was the only jump photo I have of Chubbs
She knows the stuff, but it's been getting harder & harder for her to jump and I don't think she'll have much more time to be doing it...it would certainly be a wonderful thing to see her finish this title this week-end! This level is extremely difficult & it doesn't take much to fail...a moment's loss of attention and you're done for! Please pray with me that we'll have a successful mission this week-end.
And interesting fact...our judge was changed at the last minute & it happens to be the same one that I made Bulldog history with, earning the first Utility Dog Excellent title with my Gracie girl...now wouldn't THAT be fun to finish Chubbs' UD under the same judge?!! This would also qualify Chubbs for induction into the BCA Companion Hall of Fame
*** Don't forget to cast your daily VoTE & ViEW for GaBiE'S AMeRiCa's FuNNiEsT ViDeo today! We just passed the QUARTER of a MiLLiON view mark & STiLL the #1 Top Rated video on the site!!! ***
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