Category Archives: boston terrier

Nerves for nothing

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Fran on Friday

Booker, Fran and Tango

Booker, Fran and Tango

So last week I was all nervous in anticipation of Sunday’s trial. As you can see from the picture, my nerves were for naught, as Booker and Tango met my goals. I was so proud of my boys! Booker got his second leg in Beginner Novice with a First Place, and Tango got his third Rally Novice leg, and his title!

Booker was a little distracted, and I think I gave a second command a few too many times, but we kept it together and finished strong! Of course there are things to work on that could be improved – like his anticipation of the finish after the Recall, and loads of distraction work, but he was a really good boy!

And Tango was a little nervous at first – not wanting to get up when I said, “Heel!” but he did and all was good. The thing I worried about the most was missing a sign! (In Rally, the dog and handler follow a course laid out by signs. You must follow the instruction on the sign, and if you miss a sign, that’s a major penalty.)

My boys did everything I asked them to – including wearing the commemorative medallions given to each qualifier!

Now on to more challenges!

“Fran on Friday” – Play with your dog!

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Hi – Fran here! Hope suggested that I name my Friday posts. OK – Done!

060313_bkrplayI’m really surprised at how many people who own dogs don’t know how to play with them. They think that watching their dogs play with toys qualifies as playing with their dogs. Not in most trainers’ books. Dog trainers, and people who have a solid bond with their dogs, know that playing with their dogs actually does strengthen the relationship with them. In our training classes playing between exercises helps to keep the dog engaged which produces better attention and focus on the work. In agility class play keeps the dog’s energy up. With some dogs rewarding only with treats slows a dog down.

How to play? Tug, play fetch, or chase your dog! Get down on the floor and have fun!

That’s me in the picture playing with Booker. He’s a fierce tugger when he’s not at class. I’m working on play at class, but he’s so distracted by everything around him that he can’t even focus on the toy he loved at home 20 minutes earlier. So at class I’ll try asking him to perform play-like behaviors such as jumping up, dancing on his hind legs then lying down. And I’ll try putting a really yummy, stinky treat in a sock or something else that has a loose weave and tugging. A work in progress. We’ll get it one day.

Dog Training: the Ups and Downs

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Hi – Fran here! Last week I told you how happy I was with my boys, Tango and Booker. Each of them competed for the first time in a new venue and they did tremendously well. Tango got 2 qualifying legs in Novice Rally Obedience and Booker his first qualifying leg in Beginner Novice Obedience. Over the last few days reality has set in.

Last weekend Booker competed in his very first Agility trial. This was at a huge indoor soccer complex. Huge, noisy, lots of people, lots of dogs. Lots of distractions on the floor. Actually, Booker did really well. He stayed with me for the most part, and he came back to me when he went further afield and I called him. On Sunday Booker actually qualified in Novice Jumpers with Weaves! It wasn’t pretty, but it was an improvement over Saturday. I was happy with him. Qualifying in Novice means that Booker did all the obstacles in order and that he had fewer than 3 refusals or off-course obstacles, and he did all 6 weave poles within 3 tries – all this under the set course time. (He needs 2 more qualifying runs to get his Novice Agility Jumpers title.)

And then last night at our agility class my good boy was nowhere to be found. Booker only wanted to be with the very attractive Papillon in class. Our instructor said she could practically see the little hearts thumping out of his eyes. He didn’t want his toy. He didn’t want his treats. He didn’t want me. So frustrating. Yes, the set was difficult and Booker had to think, but I’m not into excuses. I’ll have to up the ante! Better toys, better treats, more interesting me!

Competing with our dogs

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Hi – Fran here. I’m Hope’s sister and business partner at Golly Gear and GollyGear.com. I don’t post here much because, frankly, Hope is the writer. But Hope asked me to post about the weekend I had last week.

We ask a lot of our dogs. They’re great companions at home and at the shop. They’re our traveling companions too. And we also train them in obedience and in agility. When we think they’re ready, we compete with them at local (and sometimes not-so-local) AKC trials. Yes, we’re insane. I do sometimes feel nauseous before going in the ring, but I feel that I have to push myself. Because when we’re successful, there is absolutely nothing like that feeling!

Teddy (Hope’s 5-year-old French Bulldog) has his Novice Rally title, and he’s at the highest level competing in agility. Tango (my 6-year-old Brussels Griffon) has a couple of agility titles as well. We were doing really well, but then at some point last year, Tango decided he wouldn’t move off the start line. This happened at several trials. Both my trainer and I were perplexed. We didn’t know what might have happened to change the happy, bouncy little dog into this fearful lump cringing at the first jump. So I decided to take a break from agility and focus on something else.

Tango's first Rally O leg.

Tango gets his first leg in Novice Rally Obedience!

Tango’s history is troubled – he was quite aggressive when I got him at 11 months. The first (and only) obedience class I took with him did not go well. He lunged and snarled and barked at all the other dogs. I focused on agility because it’s a sport you do alone in the ring and in training. He liked to jump, so I thought agility would be perfect. And it builds focus and confidence in dogs. But now we needed another venue. Rally Obedience is perfect! We’re alone, again, in the ring, and able to focus without the distraction of other dogs close by. Last weekend, several months later, a local club was holding two trials on the same day. And Tango got his first two qualifying scores in Novice Rally Obedience!

Booker's very first Beginner Novice Obedience qualifying leg.

Booker got a ribbon!

Booker is my 2-year-old Boston Terrier. He likes to run. And jump. And play. And not hold still… Last weekend he went into his very first competition ring in Beginner Novice Obedience. And did really well! Booker got third place. This weekend he’ll be in his very first agility trial… Wish us luck.

Tango will be there, too. We’ll keep you posted.