USKBTC Performance Newsletter March 2005

By Jane Eno

One of the fun things about showing a Kerry Blue Terrier in obedience is the reaction of fellow competitors and judges. I have found over the years that I am easily remembered and recognized by people. When I come into the ring with a judge I might have only shown under once or twice before, I often receive a warm welcome and a comment that makes me realize that I have been remembered. Just the other weekend, I even had a judge compliment my improved heeling from nearly six months earlier. Being that I am not a top competitor, I can only attribute the judge’s memory to the fact that the judge does not see as many Kerry Blue Terriers as he does Golden Retrievers.

In the same way, I find myself drawn to other terrier owners. When I see a terrier at an obedience trial, I will often approach the owner and introduce myself. It has been a fun way to make friends and to learn about other terrier breeds. Just this weekend I ran into a woman showing her Skye Terrier in Rally. It was so much fun to stop for a moment and say hello and admire her long,low dog.

I really encourage everyone to go watch the “A” rings in obedience and agility. If you see someone with a terrier, take a moment to go over and compliment their dog and watch them work. Give them support and stay to applaud them on if they qualify or give them some encouragement if they don’t. I can still remember a group coming over from the “breed” rings when I was in Novice A and applauding my win. I have no idea who they were, they didn’t even own Kerry Blue Terriers but some other terrier breed, but they had heard there was a terrier showing in Novice A and wanted to cheer me on. It was so encouraging and made me feel like I did indeed own a very special dog.

We are very lucky to have these lovely terriers to show in obedience and agility. I am glad I did not start out in the obedience world with a Golden Retriever or Border Collie. I do not think I would have had nearly as much fun.

Brags For March:

From Virginia Barishek
Four new legs, and two new titles!

Andy and Finn completed their Rally Novice titles the last weekend in March, in the Rally Novice B classes at Oriole DTC on Friday, and Lower Camden County DTC on Sunday. They got their first legs at Staten Island Companion DTC in February. Our best day was on Friday, at Oriole. Andy got a score of 100, and Finn got a 98!

The boys are formally known as Garryowen's Smarty Pants, UD, NA (Andy), and Finbar's End of the Rainbow (Finn).

Finn is a Canine Good Citizen, but Rally Novice (RN) is his first AKC title in anything, ever. This is of note, because Finn was adopted through USKBTC Rescue in 2001, and he has come a very long way from the painfully thin, ill, frightened dog that he was back then. He likes to work, and he likes to problem-solve--my job is to figure out what problem he THINKS he's trying to solve, and work with him to readjust his focus so that we're both working on the SAME problem.

I'm very pleased and proud of both of them!

From Lisa Franklin

I showed Katie in some agility trials this weekend, and she picked up her first two NAJ legs with some Border Collie butt-kicking runs--Second place on Saturday and first place on Sunday from the 20" division! Unfortunately, she forgot what a tire jump was during her agility sabbatical and flubbed Open standard both days, but otherwise looked great. It is definitely only a matter of time before she qualifies (hopefully next month).

Finally, my own brag (Jane Eno)

Primrose Jessie James UD picked up a single Open B leg with a score of 196.5 at the Greater Toledo Obedience Training Club trial. Then the next weekend, at the Cleveland All-Breed Training Club trial, he got his 5th UDX leg with a score of 195 in Open B and a 194.5++ in Utility B. (He won a three-way run-off for 3rd place and 3 OTCH points.)

Some Interesting Reading

We have an exciting sneak preview of a small portion from an article Chris Cagle wrote for the magazine Just Terriers --"Kerry Blue Terrier's Quest For the First Versatile Companion Dog Title (VCD1)." The article documents his quest for the VCD1 title. His Kerry Blue Terrier, Cailin, is the first in the breed to achieve this title.

If you haven’t yet ordered Just Terriers, please do so as soon as possible. It is an absolutely beautiful magazine with full color pictures and educational stories on terriers of all breeds. In a soon to be released issue, the Kerry Blue Terrier will be the focus, and you can read this story in full plus many others like it. You can subscribe via the internet site: http://www.justterriers.com or call them at (703) 878-2539.

Here is Chris Cagle's “Keys to Success” in training a Kerry Blue Terrier.

When I look back at our accomplishments, there were several keys to our success that could apply to all dog sports. Some of those keys include:

• Think of trials and tests as expensive practice. Remember to breathe, and not be tense or nervous. Your emotions can pass down the lead to your dog.
  
• Be aware of the weather, Kerry blues are prone to "melting dog syndrome" and will not tolerate heat and humidity.
  
• Practice at class is great, but practice daily at home, too. For agility, set up weaves and jumps in the yard and for obedience you can practice on the sidewalk.
  
• Volunteer at your particular event, you'll gain insight and know what to expect once you're ready to compete.
  
• Have a working knowledge of the rules, a great reference is the AKC's website http://www.akc.org
  
• Don't expect too much from a young dog. Cailin was three when we started this quest, and had been in breed ring long enough to experience many situations.
  
• Motivation, motivation, motivation, whether it's food bait, praise, toys or even a Frisbee. There always needs to be a reward.
  
• Avoid trouble. Just like in sports, you need to "keep your head on a swivel." It's not always going to be your dog, but the other guy's dog that causes a problem. Watch for problem situations before they happen, whether it is in class or just walking outside a ring.
  
• Don't be afraid to add a second weekly class to your training regiment. Not only do you get the reinforcement of practice, but you get a new location. New surroundings at another class could acclimate your dog to different sites and smells and get you ready quicker for competition.

Last Updated: 04/04/2005, 11:06 am