Re: Judges and Trials

Hello again,

I hope you don't mind if I just jump right in with questions without a lot of chat.

Q - Do you have a list of scenarios you that you compile that other clubs might use so they don't have to re-invent the wheel?

A - No, they are all in our head

Q - Are these scenarios shared and added to, as it must be somewhat difficult to come up with new materials and scenarios within the guideline on occasion?

A - This is where your imagination must come in. You also learn from others. We try to have a club member come to training with a scenario.

Q - I have personally found on a couple of occasions when training in new scenarios that expose a problem area with a dog that sometimes you might not recognize the real problem, therefore there was always note taking of the environmental factors which would sometimes help in determining the problem. Have you ever encountered this situation and if you have, what was the method employed to determine the problem area.

A - We simply observe and break the scenario down into parts and simplify them. From there we build the dog up to understand and learn.

Q - Does the number of clubs available for Mondio Ring have an effect on trialing a dog?

A - It is better to expose your dog to many trials and situations. If you do not have many Mondio clubs near you then you must recreate this by taking them to other places and trial fields outside the sport.

Q - How many judges are there?

A - In North America, one, in Europe there is probably near 100, but I don't know for sure.

Q -. How are they selected?

A - Each country must set the program themselves and select judges

Q - What would it take to become a sanctioned member club of the Canadian Ring Association or the American Counterpart?

A - You must provide your by-laws, have three CRA members and be accepted by the board.

Q - Do you have study materials in the form of videos available?

A - Yes

Q - Are you willing to travel to do a seminar at other clubs?

A - Yes

Q - What would it cost for your service?

A - All expenses, food, lodging, flight, travel, parking etc. for Mondioring. I do not charge a fee for myself.

Q - If someone was very serious about building a club and experienced with training and caught on quickly what would you suggest they do to get started? Even at a great distance from any Mondio club?

A - Get a suit, tugs, rags etc. Find a place to train. Study the rules, study a tape, arrange for a seminar, and go to trials. Dive in, have fun.

Q - How does the future look for the growth of Mondio Ring?

A - Good, because it's a great sport with very good spectator appeal. Look where it has come from 1995.

Q - Someone has mentioned the stick hits in French Ringsport in another post. Although Mondio does not use the clatter stick, is it something that is used in training to go beyond the expectations in preparation for say an accidental hit by an object?

A - Yes, we always train beyond what the dog will see in the trial in every exercise.

Q - What are areas that you like to train past the bare minimum requirements in preparation for potential situations that may arise during a trial?

A - Every exercise and beyond. No limit to what I would show my Mondio dog. Tracking, search and rescue, agility and push all limits in every exercise.

Regards

Bob