The Preferred Agility Champion 4 (PACH 4) title and that’s a wrap for 2023.

My PACH 4 picture.

Selene’s diary: Mom decided that we are not going to the Nationals this year, and I got my 4th Preferred Agility Champion in September. I finished all 50 Qs in Premier Standard and have 14 Qs left for Premier Jumpers for 2024. 

Me, mom and Spencer

The Utility Dog (UD) title and Versatile Companion Dog 3 (VCD3)

 

Me performing the scent discrimination exercise: I have to find the one with Mom’s scent on it.

Selene’s diary: I started 2023 off with obedience trials at the Utility Dog level. I am still working at it, and mom wanted to see where we are at. Mom kept telling me I am almost 6 years old and I need to catch up. I worked hard. I tried to focus all the time. I got my first Q in Oklahoma in March. Mom was so happy. 

We were in Louisiana and mom made a mistake that ended with an error on her part, so I did not get any Qs. The next trial was at Donna’s place where I train. Mom said I needed to pay attention and I Qed both days, so I got my Utility Dog title and my Versatile Companion Dog title.

My UD/VCD3 titles picture, June 2023

I also finished all 75 Qs each for FAST and Time to beat runs that are required for the Agility Grand Champion title that spring. I was still running 4 runs per trial day. It had been a busy first half of the year. 

The Preferred Agility Champion Title 3 (PACH 3) and my journey towards the Agility Grand Champion

Me on the teeter

Selene’s diary: 2022 had been a very busy year, mom and I started my Agility Grand Champion journey and I was running 12 runs a weekend, 4 runs a day. We went to Oklahoma and Florida. I got my 3rd Preferred Agility Champion in October. And by December, I had finished all 100 Qs each required for regular standard and regular jumpers with weaves. 

I also started training in advance obedience: utility exercises. We got and practice run throughs once every week, and with agility classes 2 days a week, I was occupied. Some days I was so tired mom said I snore when I sleep. 

My PACH 3 picture, October 2022

We also got to go to New Orléans after a weekend of agility in Baton Rouge. I love those beignets. I had a good time chasing the pigeons in the French quarter. We walked a lot and got to eat a lot. Spencer was not very adventurous as far as food goes, he always wait for me to eat first. And then he quickly snaps before I eat them all up. So hilarious. 

Spencer and I at the French Quarter, December 2022

German Shepherd Dog Nationals 2022 and Versatile Companion Dog 2 (VCD2)

 

Spencer in Mississippi on our way to Nationals

Selene’s diary: German Shepherd Nationals was in Florida in 2022. We crossed multiple states to get to Florida. I had good fun, so much food. Spencer was worried sometimes, but I told him hey be adventurous. 

For me, I was entered in agility and obedience, and mom said that our goal is to get my Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) title (intermediate level obedience). I was entered in 3 days of obedience and I qualified the 2nd and 3rd day and got my last 2 Qs towards the CDX title and also qualified for the Versatile Companion Dog Title 2 (VCD2). I was also the high scoring dog with a tracking title and the high scoring dog with an agility title, so lots of ribbons and I got lots of treats.

Me with all my obedience ribbons

I also did well in agility and I was on the top 20 agility dogs list that year. Unfortunately I was 50 points short of a 3rd Preferred Agility Champion. We stayed in Florida for 2 days with mom’s friend and then we headed towards home. We went to Georgia and mom visited one of her friends. It was a long trip and I was glad to be home after 12 days.

Me with all my agility ribbons.

Me at the Georgia state line on the way home