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Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Astro's Rally Practice

Last weekend I took Astro to a Rally obedience run through in Phoenix.  Rally is a more casual type of obedience where you and your dog walk through a course and perform different things when you reach the signs on the course.  Your allowed to talk to and encourage your dog throughout the course.  You start off with 100 points and points are deducted for mistakes depending on how severe they are.  When you start off at novice level your dog is on leash.  At the advanced and excellent levels your dog is off leash healing with you.

We've been practicing a lot at home and in a few outdoor locations, but I wanted him to get some practice in a new location with distractions.  He can still get pretty goofy when we go to practice things in new locations.  This was an indoor facility with new sights, sounds, and smells.  On the other side of the room an Obedience run through was going on.  We did the course twice and the second time I was able to get someone to video us.  At the beginning of the video there is a guy who I'm just going to say is ignorant and is using the old style of popping the leash to try to get his dogs attention.  It's annoying to say the least.


I thought Astro did a great job being in a totally new location.  We weren't perfect but his focus was great and he was really working with me.  I love how his little tail was wagging the whole time!  I started over because his sit was off to the side and figured I'd take advantage of being able to practice it again.  We hit the cone which was kind of my fault, I didn't leave enough room for Astro.  My friend pointed out that sometimes I move my had with the leash behind and that can cause the leash to be tight even though Astro's not pulling.  I also think I need to leave the leash a little longer to make sure it doesn't get tight.  I'm always worried that it will get in the way and wrapped up.  But those are little things that can be worked on.  Overall I am thrilled with how well he did!

16 comments:

Angela J. said...

Awesome job,both of you! I love the wagging tail too!

KB said...

Way to go, Astro. Anything that makes a dog's tail wag is good!

houndstooth said...

His tail reminds me of a slinky! He really puts his whole heart into wagging it. I love how happy he looked through the whole thing. Our 4H kids love doing Rally!

Karen said...

Nice work! I am currently in a rally class for beginners and it is harder than it looks! I do love it when the dogs look like they are having a ball doing it :)

Claire Krigbaum said...

He looks great! And happy too. We've been learning some rally too and it's not as easy as I thought it would be. Especially the one, two, three steps, backward or forward. I cannot count and keep my mind on my dog at the same time!

Anonymous said...

great job loved his focus! Rally is such a fun way to start showing you'll get your RN title in no time. great job!

genji said...

Love the way his tail never stops wagging. Anything to please mommy.

Sue said...

Way to go Astro.

Can't say I thought much of the chap who was behind you with the Shepherd. He was yanking at the lead. I like to put that round his neck and yank on it and see how he liked it.

Declan said...

What a good boy and he looks so cheerful the whole time! I bet you're really proud of him! Deccy x

Jennifer said...

Great job!!

Astro has such nice sits. How did you teach him that? Jack is so sloppy!!!!

Jen

Unknown said...

Wow. After I saw that dumbnut yanking his dog (in the beginning of the video) i couldn't enjoy the rest any more.
Astro dit good though.

Hiking Hounds said...

Yes, the guy with the shepherd is a jerk. Sorry, I should have edited that out.

Lindy said...

I think you both did a superior job, particularly with all the barking distraction that was going on in the background. Astro seemed very focused on what you wanted him to do.

Greyhounds CAN Sit said...

That is so good! Astro is very happy and focussed and what lovely sits. Then there is that big plop into his down, I love it:) I only get one sit and one down from Beryl without treats!! Then she just looks at me like I'm crazy if I ask for any more, lol! Astro is a star, well done to both of you:)

Kirsten (peacefuldog) said...

You did an amazing job! And you kept a good spirit despite having a leash-ppper nearby--those people drive me to distraction :)

Sue aka Greyhound Lover said...

Love that happy tail, well done guys xx