Last Friday Quigley and I drove up to Redwood City for the APDT trial hosted by Just Rewards. The plan was to try for our last 2 legs for the Level 2 title, and the final leg for the Veteran’s title and then retire from APDT competition since there are so few events within reasonable driving distance. (I don’t consider 700+ miles round trip a “reasonable driving disatance” by the way, but thought that for our last APDT event I’d just deal with it.)

With 4 entries in level 2 and 2 in the veteran’s class I figured chances were good that we’ll accomplish our goal, but for the past two weeks I had so much work that there was barely any time to practice with my poor dog. When the big day finally arrived, I wasn’t sure what to expect at all.

Quigley was in good spirits and interested in working with me, so we had a great weekend that turned out way beyond my expectations. We qualified in all 3 runs on Saturday, completing both level 2 and Veteran’s. Then I decided to take the plunge and move us up to level 3 for Sunday, after all nothing worse could happen than not qualifying, and I had already paid for the entries anyway. I figured that if we didn’t qualify in the morning trial, we’d hit the road right away, so we could get home at a reasonable hour. If we did qualify, we’d stay for the afternoon trial and try for a second leg.

Sunday’s results were even better than Saturday’s. We not only qualified in both level 3 classes, but even managed a 3rd place in the first of the two runs. Of course now I’m in a similar pickle again – needing one leg to finish that title, and a trial to do it!

Score board:

Saturday
First level 2 run: 197 points. We had some deductions for sniffing bowls (first exercise on the course – a bit demotivating), heeling imperfections, and needing additional cues – Quigley was a bit unfocused during this first run.
Veteran’s: 194 points, 2nd place. We didn’t pass the bonus exercise – Quigley got up after I left him for the second part (recall). Some minor deductions for crooked sits and heeling wide.
Second level 2 run: 202 points, 4th place.

Sunday
Veteran’s: 207 points, 2nd place.
First level 3 run: 206 points, 3rd place.
Second level 3 run: 196 points. We didn’t pass the bonus exercise, as Quigley wasn’t quite solid in the ring on backing up away from me in front position, as opposed to with me in heel position.

Some of the more challenging exercises from the level 3 courses (each 22 stations + bonus, ring size was 40′ x 80′, so lots of heeling involved):

1st L3 run
* Halt – Leave Dog – Turn & Send over Jump (off-set to the right)
* Right Turn – 1-2 Steps, Down, Forward
* Moving Stand – Leave Dog – Turn & Down, Sit, Call Front & Finish
* Call Front – About Turn Forward
* Bonus Exercise: Halt – Stand (with distraction) – Return and Forward

2nd L3 run
* Left Turn – 1-2 Steps, Down, Forward
* Halt – Leave Dog – Turn & Send over Jump (straight)
* Call Front – About Turn Forward
* Halt – Leave Dog – Down on Recall, Front & Finish or Forward
* Moving Backup 3 steps
* Bonus Exercise: Call Dog Front, Backup 3 steps

I was so pleased that Quigley did all of these well, with the exception of the very last one that we hadn’t practiced much at all. Our work in obedience was very useful for that and they really helped to keep things interesting and fun. He does get bored with all the repetitive halts, pivots, etc. in typical AKC and UKC courses.