A Jumping Dog (JD) quallie for Baby

Back into the agility ring today. I’ll admit to being of two minds as to whether to go again, and changed my mind about 50 times!

After getting the all clear injury wise, we had a go a few weeks ago and Baby really didn’t want to jump at all and kept baulking. I really wasn’t sure if it was (1) still sore, (2) wind (was a super windy day and she hates jumping in the wind), (3) some bad associations with being sore before.

Another all clear health check and some value adding work, and I decided to try again - but then the wind forecast came.

She had three clear runs. Her first run she was happy, and committed, just a little unsure and unconfident, but getting more confident throughout. A draw to the wrong tunnel entrance and a bit of wasted time calling her off and redirecting her saw us 0.5 seconds over time. By the time of her third run she was getting tired but still happy and engaged and no sign of not wanting to jump. There was a judge in her ring however, and she had a couple of deviations where she thought they may be lost and need some attention and cuddles, so again some wasted time getting her back on track which saw us a second over. I didn’t feel so bad when I found out no novice dog passed that course!

But the second run was the kicker! A lovely lovely fun course which we both had a ball on. Quallie and first place.

So pleased she had a fun day throughout, some positive associations back jumping again (importantly in both trial and windy conditions). I just now need to keep working on building her confidence back up (and convincing her that judges in the middle of the ring are to be ignored and not for cuddling purposes).

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