Fran filling in on Saturday
Booker’s trialing weekend was far from perfect, but his performance was good enough to earn a new title! And he graduated to Advanced Agility Class! Of course, that’s mostly for me – to improve my handling skills.
Booker was like two dogs at the trial. In Novice Standard Booker was a devil dog! (The Standard AKC courses are those with the contact obstacles like the A-frame, teeter-totter and dog walk. The dog must run along the obstacle and touch the yellow part on the upside (except for the A-frame) and the downside.) Booker wanted absolutely no part of following the rules. He’d bounce on the upside of the obstacle and then bounce off. He ran around the course and would not let me catch him. Supremely naughty. I know Booker can do the obstacles, but he showed no indication of that at the trial on either day.
His performance in the Jumpers with Weaves Open class, on the other hand, was almost flawless. In the Open class the dogs are allowed one “refusal” – the dog can refuse a jump or the weaves and then do it properly, and still have a qualifying run. On Saturday Booker was perfect and on Sunday he had one refusal. So Booker got 2 qualifying legs in Open Jumpers and earned his title (he’d gotten his first leg a few weeks before).
2 different dogs! Our agility instructor knows that Booker can do the obstacles, so we were promoted to the Advanced class. Like I said, mostly for me – I need the handling practice!
Booker is really cute. I love how Boston Terriers are so adorable and charming. I have one too! Her name is Yanna. I’m planning to enroll her on dog trainings too.