...with a shiba story.
This past weekend Taiko and I were entered in a NADAC agility trial. First time outdoors this season for us so we already know it will be an entertaining day from the start.
Get to the trail site and it's 40 degrees out. Sunny at least, but a bit chilly. As we all know chilly weather tends to bring the imps out in out shibas. LOL!
First run of the day, we stepped up to the line, got the "good luck" from the judge that signals you to take your collar and leash off and start. I unclipped Taiko's collar and he took off behind me and kept dancing around me and behind me. I must have spinned 4 of 5 times before I could just circle him up and get started. I could hear people were giggling on the sidelines. Ran the course nicely overall, but a tough start. At the end of the run he didn't want to go back on leash. He kept dancing away from me. Imp! Finally got him on leash after a few unsuccessful attempts and got to reward him for a fun run together. Maybe not our best, but fun anyway.
Second run was a potential new title for us. Now, we all know the imp is at work already, so the goal was to do our best and hope for the imp to stay away for most of the run. I changed my collar and leash for this run so the start was a bit better, but mid-way through the run, the imp came back and when I asked Taiko to come into me to call off a tough dog walk/tunnel discrimination he did do it, only to grab the opposite end of the off course tunnel on the way to me. Silly puppy.
Third run of the day was a class called "Tunnelers" which is quite literally all tunnels on the course. Taiko LOVES this class. So do I if I can remember a course with no landmarks. Imp was back on the start line along with bucking bronco when I removed the lead. Taiko reared up and took off into the tunnel even before I stood up. It was a straight tunnel into another straight tunnel to a 90 degree turn to the left. Taiko wa at the direction change before I was at the end of the first tunnel. I said "Turn" and thankfully he got into the correct tunnel. The run was smooth from there and fast so we got the qualifying run and first place. Taiko could have done that course about 3 more times I think and been very happy.
Forth run of the day was the most commical of all. Nice flowing jumpers course with a 4 jump serpentine in the middle (4 jumps in a straight line where you zig zag through them). Taiko dislikes this pattern and has disliked it even more after coming back from injury. It requires great handling on my part (something I'm still trying to get back after being off) and quite a bit of concentration on the dog's part to do it well. We started well, got to the 4th jump of the serpentine, I called Taiko to come into me, he collected up and did, then he promptly turned 180 degrees around and trotted (not cantered) deliberately into an off course tunnel with his ears tucked back and a shiba grin on his face. I was giggling so hard. It was so obvious that he thought a 4 jump serpentine was for the birds- typical serpentines are 3 jumps only. I was probably out of position as well so he was making it quite clear if I am going to do this to him I had better darn well do it right. Oh I just love my impish dog.
I love being able to laugh on a course. Sometimes it isn't how well you do that makes you laugh, sometimes it's how well you learn something that makes you laugh.
I need to work, but just had to share.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles www.freewebs.com/performanceshibas
