Just wanted
to send you a photo from last weekends State 4-h dog show down in West Bend.
Pearl and Nicole had a rough time at the state show last year. But registration is months ahead of the show and we just crossed our fingers she would calm down and do "ok". That didn't happen but the judge in her obedience class allowed her and our daughter to stay in the class-and commended Nicole for even trying, then sticking it out with grace and patience not seen in many adults, let alone teenagers. Nicole had bloody blisters by the end of the class. Pearl just wanted (very loudly) to go play with every other dog in the building!
This year we still were not sure but signed her up again anyway. Our county show is small and most of the dogs she practices with so it was not a real test of Pearl's patience. She did go bonkers trying to play with the new dogs-which puts many dogs and people off.
We went down Friday night with the thought of scratching Pearl in our heads. Nicole was showing her JRT also in other classes. We had a few tricks up our sleeves and some essential oils from one of the vendors to try. Not sure if it was those or Pearl finally "got it". The entire show was in one building/room this year and different counties also had their club areas in the same room. I'd guess over 200 dogs and 400 people were present. We did not want Pearl to create a scene or disturb the other classes that were in progress. I walked in first, Nicole and Pearl followed by one of the other dog kids from our county strong enough to help Nicole if Pearl got to hyper.
To our amazement Pearl walked in with Nicole healing like an old pro. She got a little jittery but kept it under control with little work from Nicole. They went thru the entire building with no issues so Nicole decided to stay in their class. Pearl healed well, didn't "sit" as required when stopping but did "stand for exam" (hard for her) and long sit/down with no issues. Pearl and Nicole got 6th out of 9 dogs in the class!!! The class was "experienced handler with inexperienced dog". And Pearl was calm and most of all, quiet. It was obvious most of the dogs in the class were older/more mature, ie: easier to train no matter what.
While I was hiding behind a couple watching the class they asked if that dog/handler combo where the ones from year where the handler had bloody hands by the end of the class last year......yup. Same combo. They said they really admired her for sticking it out last year and were very amazed at the change this year. They too agreed with me not sitting didn't matter...Nicole looked like she was going to pass out when she walked out of the ring with relief/amazement at Pearl.
Attached is a picture taken yesterday of Pearl, Suzie (JRT) and Nicole just before leaving the show yesterday. Nicole is entering her senior year of high school and is hoping to get Pearl off leash before she graduates 4-h in 2 years. Before this weekend we had our doubts but now .....there is a good chance. Pearl does do off leash well at home or any environment she is familiar with. Its just her attention span out in public where she just can't do it. There are to many people, dogs, things... to see if she can play with.
Pearl and Nicole had a rough time at the state show last year. But registration is months ahead of the show and we just crossed our fingers she would calm down and do "ok". That didn't happen but the judge in her obedience class allowed her and our daughter to stay in the class-and commended Nicole for even trying, then sticking it out with grace and patience not seen in many adults, let alone teenagers. Nicole had bloody blisters by the end of the class. Pearl just wanted (very loudly) to go play with every other dog in the building!
This year we still were not sure but signed her up again anyway. Our county show is small and most of the dogs she practices with so it was not a real test of Pearl's patience. She did go bonkers trying to play with the new dogs-which puts many dogs and people off.
We went down Friday night with the thought of scratching Pearl in our heads. Nicole was showing her JRT also in other classes. We had a few tricks up our sleeves and some essential oils from one of the vendors to try. Not sure if it was those or Pearl finally "got it". The entire show was in one building/room this year and different counties also had their club areas in the same room. I'd guess over 200 dogs and 400 people were present. We did not want Pearl to create a scene or disturb the other classes that were in progress. I walked in first, Nicole and Pearl followed by one of the other dog kids from our county strong enough to help Nicole if Pearl got to hyper.
To our amazement Pearl walked in with Nicole healing like an old pro. She got a little jittery but kept it under control with little work from Nicole. They went thru the entire building with no issues so Nicole decided to stay in their class. Pearl healed well, didn't "sit" as required when stopping but did "stand for exam" (hard for her) and long sit/down with no issues. Pearl and Nicole got 6th out of 9 dogs in the class!!! The class was "experienced handler with inexperienced dog". And Pearl was calm and most of all, quiet. It was obvious most of the dogs in the class were older/more mature, ie: easier to train no matter what.
While I was hiding behind a couple watching the class they asked if that dog/handler combo where the ones from year where the handler had bloody hands by the end of the class last year......yup. Same combo. They said they really admired her for sticking it out last year and were very amazed at the change this year. They too agreed with me not sitting didn't matter...Nicole looked like she was going to pass out when she walked out of the ring with relief/amazement at Pearl.
Attached is a picture taken yesterday of Pearl, Suzie (JRT) and Nicole just before leaving the show yesterday. Nicole is entering her senior year of high school and is hoping to get Pearl off leash before she graduates 4-h in 2 years. Before this weekend we had our doubts but now .....there is a good chance. Pearl does do off leash well at home or any environment she is familiar with. Its just her attention span out in public where she just can't do it. There are to many people, dogs, things... to see if she can play with.
We do know
with labs this is very much to be expected but I think her being SOOOOO over
the top friendly was the reason she was given up. Her over enthusiasm for
everything really gets her into pickles and you don't want to take it
away---just channel it the right way. Maybe we are finally getting there. Her
patience/attention span in public has been her own worst enemy.
She is doll in the house, still loves her tennis balls and is the biggest snuggler there is. We have been working on her politely dropping the ball in your lap-with the hope of taking her to nursing homes to play ball with residents. Everyone gets a kick out of her ball playing/catching abilities. Pearl and Nicole also play a weird type soccer together. She has tried our patience but is always loved. She has such a quirky personality and is my barn buddy doing chores. She is only allowed to mess with the bantam roosters that chase people and will keep them away from me on cue.
She is doll in the house, still loves her tennis balls and is the biggest snuggler there is. We have been working on her politely dropping the ball in your lap-with the hope of taking her to nursing homes to play ball with residents. Everyone gets a kick out of her ball playing/catching abilities. Pearl and Nicole also play a weird type soccer together. She has tried our patience but is always loved. She has such a quirky personality and is my barn buddy doing chores. She is only allowed to mess with the bantam roosters that chase people and will keep them away from me on cue.
We had to put down our Springer/Sharpei mix (Annie) this spring when her hip issues got too much to handle with pain meds. Pearl and Suzie went thru a period were Suzie hated her. Pearl only had Suzie to play with and Suzie had enough. We are sort of thinking about getting Pearl a playmate to take the pressure off Suzie. We just have not got really to that point as a family yet to "replace" Annie. We just try to keep Pearl busy so she has less to pester Suzie.
