This weekend I had the option of going to two different shows. ASCA agility trial and/or APDT Rally trial. Instead of deciding between the two I decided to do one day of each. Sadly, I found out that was a mistake. I think I saw my poor Taiko's brain melt at some point on Sunday while we were running agility.
We did rally Saturday. Now, I've told most that Taiko tolerates obedience, but it's not his passion. He does well overall and doesn't HATE it and I think it tends to help him listen to me in agility. The skills are very different, but he knows them. We had an ok day in rally. A lot of comments like, "You have a great working dog," qualified with the final stab you in the heart phrase, "for a shiba." LOL! Just one of those days. One our last rally course he was doing ok and then decided he had enough. The imp came out and he was doing what I asked, but sneezing with every command (not allergies). It was his shiba giggle. He then just decided it was opposite day and when I said sit he downed and vice versa. The sneezing became more prevalent with each station. I was giggling along with him at this point- sort of. It was funnier in hindsight.
So, I thought Sunday's agility would be a treat for all of us. Apparently that was not the case. Poor pup was just too mentally worn out to do agility. If I weren't waiting for a friend I would have gone home after our first two runs. Neither of us were really into it. Last run I did with him, he trotted around the whole course forcing me to take the long path and run my heart out cheerleading him. Then he tucked his ears back and dashed into a tunnel far off course with this huge shiba grin on his face.
I love working with a shiba. They certainly keep you humble.
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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
