tullyscdxs

Tully had a fair amount of time off from the obedience ring, after earning her CD & UCD. We trained for Open, but I didn't hurry too much. We had plenty of time. She knew the exercises, but I wanted her to be a little more mature before I brought her out.

In May of 2004, I decided to give her a first chance at a UKC trial. I like UKC trials for their relaxed atmosphere. This particular trial had the curse of the woodchip floor... my dogs had never encountered that surface. Tully demonstrated that she can heel pretty well while sniffing the ground the whole time, but was unable to remove her nose from the ground long enough to clear the broad jump.

We took another few months off from obedience competition. In August of 2004, I entered her at an AKC terrier specialty. I didn't think she was really ready, but it was a specialty! She obviously was not ready. It also rained, which didn't help, but I felt she could have concentrated a little more.

I would have given her more time off, but October was our National specialty. I entered her both days. She still wasn't really ready. It was a particularly distracting environment, after a 3 day drive to get there, and my silly puppy just wasn't ready to concentrate under those conditions. But, we saw Tully's breeder there, and Tully's breeder handed over the brain I'd been looking for! (I know that must be what happened!)

A couple weeks after our return, I entered Tully in her second try at UKC Open. She took first place, with a 194 1/2! A very nice performance for her 1st Open leg.

I still wanted to qualify in AKC Open once for 2004, so I entered her in a trial held by the Whidbey Island Kennel Club in November of 2004. Large entries at the trial that year. A total of 33 dogs were showing in Open A on Saturday. When the qualifying dogs went back in the ring, there were Border Collies, Golden Retrievers, Belgians... and one little black brindle & white SBT, who just happened to take 1st place! Her score was 192, which I was quite pleased with, as it was about what I knew she was capable of. (we are working on fronts and finishes).

On Sunday, we went back and got her 2nd leg with a 191 1/2, & 2nd place in the class. The girl was on fire!

She started doing real well in agility about that time, too, so I know the new brain was working well. I needed to get her in the ring for that 3rd CDX leg, though.

I entered her at the Rose City Classic Cluster in January of 2005. I expected to finish her CDX at the Terrier specialty on Thursday, but I guess she's just not a specialty competitor. She did hold a nice stay when visited by a Parson Russell Terrier on the sit stay, though!

On Friday, we went back for one more try. My little girl came through for me! The distractions of the venue affected her a bit, so she didn't do quite as well, but scored a solid 189, and 4th place, finishing her CDX title!

Finally, in February of 2005, I entered a weekend of small UKC trials, and she came through solidly, earning the other 2 legs on her UCDX with a 3rd and a 1st place.

I'm so glad I got her brain from her breeder!