The Preferred Excellent Agility (PAX) title: My journey

Me on artificial turf

Spencer’s diary: This had been a long journey, and not an easy one for me. I fell off the dog walk in class when I was 10 months old and I had been scared for a long time. I did not even get on a teeter until I was over 2 years old. I started competing in jumpers first because mom wants me to get the ring experience and not wait for me to master the teeter. I got my novice title 3 shows in a row when I was 3 years old, and got the VCD1 title. I was in open class when I got on the table, the table tilted and I fell off. I was then scared of the table for a long time, then I was scared of the teeter, a-frame, and dog walk for almost a whole year. It took a lot of courage and I finally got my open title when I turned 4 years old.

Mom said I did not have enough confidence, that I can really do it, I just need to focus, and not look at the judge or other people. I finally got my excellent standard title summer of last year. I got my first double Q (qualifying score) in December of last year. Dad gave me some incentives, if I get 2 double Q in one weekend, I will get rib eye steak for dinner. I tried hard and mom tried to build up my self confidence.

I finally got my 20th double Q at the end of the summer. It was hot and I tried my best. I ran clean on 5 runs but only Qed 3 because I did not make time on the other 2. Mom said she is proud of me. It sure is a milestone for me.

Mom said I still have to continue to work hard, since I still need a lot of points to qualify for the PACH (Preferred agility champion), but for now, I got to enjoy my steaks. I will continue to work hard for trips to the Golden Arches.

My PAX trophy bar

The Companion Dog title: My journey

My beginner novice obedience title at 11 months old

Selene’s diary: The first time in the obedience ring, I was 11 months old. It was a local show, so I got to come home every night. It was big and noisy. Mom took me there the day before to practice showed me around. The exercises were not difficult if I pay attention and the judges are not scary like Sophie said. They just barely touched my head. I got my obedience title with a 195.5/3rd plac, 196/2nd place and a 197/1st place.

Mom and I continued to go to clas and practiced at petswest on Fridays. I like going to petswest since mom will usually pick up some pig ears for us.

A month or so passed by, and we went to Abilene. It was scary, I had never been there, and no practice, we went into the ring. Right after the stand for exam exercise, I was so scared that I ran out of the ring and back into my crate. I felt better on Saturday and I got a Q (qualifying score). Mom told me a long as I pay attention, I can do it. I almost Qed Sunday but I lied down on the sit exercise. I was very tired and ready to go home. This is also the first time I stayed at a hotel with mom without Sophie and Spencer.

We continued to practice and another month passed. This time we went to Oklahoma City and stayed with dad’s parents. They have a big yard for me to run around. The also have a cat who wants to run me off. We got to the show site the day before, and we practiced and mom showed me around, telling me not to run out of the ring again. Our ring was next to a ring with dogs chasing rats (barn hunt) and it was very interesting and there were people walking around with food. I was distracted and only got one Q.

A 3rd plac score in Abilene 

Then mom said, we need to work harder to get me out of novice so we can learn more new things. She said I need to pay more attention and not look around. Another month or so have passed by. This time we went to Leander. This place is very packed and small. But we got there the day before and I got to practice some. Mom said I just need to do the same thing the next day.

We got there on the morning, and mom kept saying to me that I need to pay attention. I finally got my last Q needed and got my Companion Dog title. I could have gotten first place but I sat up during the long down just a tad too soon. Mom said this is my obedience goal for this year, and we celebrated going to the Golden Arches.

2nd place and CD title. 

My first AKC “real” title

I was tracking to get my certification from Judge Deb

Selene’s diary: Ever since I came to live with mom, I have been learning new things. I passed the Canine good citizen and the Trick Dog Novice titles last fall. But mom said I am supposed to have a good nose, and I need to work harder. When the weather started to cool off after we came back from the German Shepherd Club Nationals last year, mom took me tracking a lot. We went to different places, and when I get to the end, I would sit and mom would give me a treat. Afterwards, mom would take me to McDonald’s for breakfast. 

Aunt Roxanna came for Christmas, and this was the first time I met her. One morning, mom, Aunt Roxanna and I got into the car, and mom told me we are going to see Judge Deb. Mom said I need to behave and pass my certification. 

We got there, and Judge Deb was very friendly and I jumped on her and wanted hugs and kisses, and mom told me to stop that. Well, I started to sniff and pretty soon, I got to the end and found the glove. Deb’s place is full of scent, it was really a nose opener for me. 

We stopped for food on the way home and I was very happy. Mom and I continued to practice tracking for the next 1 1/2 months. February came, and mom and dad went on vacation to see Aunt Roxanna. I came in heat for the first time. I did not know what to do so I kept licking. 

Mom came home and she made me wear a diaper panty. I took it off as soon as she went to work.

The day of the test came, mom and I woke up early, she cooked me breakfast and we went to the test site. I had tracked there several times before, but I really wanted to take my panties off. When it was my turn to track, mom took my panties off, and I had to lick myself clean. I saw a bunch of people looking at me, so I barked at them.  Mom said don’t bark at the judges, so I continued to lick. I could not help it but lick, and mom said if I don’t get my act together, we are going to fail, and no McDonald’s! 

What do you mean no McDonald’s? I heard right. Mom just positioned me and told me to go find it. She already knew where the direction is, I just have to keep going. So I started to sniff and it was pretty easy,  it I had to check things out, when I got to the turns I double sniff to make sure. Mom kept saying “find it”. I heard her! We got to the last turn and it had a big puddle of rainwater and I stopped to get a drink. All the judges and people were looking at us. Mom kept asking me where is it, so I was like, calm down, let me finish my drink first. I then went straight to the glove and sat. Mom came over and picked the glove up. Mom kept telling me good girl and the judges came over. I jumped up reminding mom that we need to go to McDonald’s. I am only interested in food, so off we went. 

So I earned my first AKC title: Tracking Dog. I thought, not bad for a 9 month old. I know mom is proud of me. 

My passing TD picture.