Skyes in Obedience

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Skyes in Obedience by Joan Fingar

Try as I may, I can't remember what prompted me to attempt obedience with my Skye Terrier. Perhaps it was the opportunity to spend more quality time with my dog: perhaps it was the challenge. I do know that I felt it was important to communicate to my dog what I expected, and obedience seemed the best answer.

My first foray into obedience was with Am.Can.Ch. Skyscot's Patient Laddie. We went to a local community centre for classes. We sailed through the beginning class but when we began the more advanced work we experienced some problems. The trainer was unfamiliar with terriers and really didn't take the time to learn about them. I was foolish enough to believe that he knew everything and I knew nothing. That was my first mistake.

My first caveat to anyone who wants to participate in obedience - DON'T DO ANYTHING YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE DOING. First, if you are uncomfortable with something, you won't practice it. Second, your dog will sense your resistance and it will affect his/her response.

My second obedience experience was with Am.Ch. U-CDX Snowcastle's Savvy Sabrina Can CDX, Am.UD. When she arrived from California at age 14 weeks, I again decided that obedience was the way to express my wishes for her good behaviour. This time we began with a private trainer who had been recommended by some of my most trusted dog friends. I found her methods worked well and at that time I wanted explicit instructions. I also began to train with other students and the social atmosphere really appealed to me. Sabrina and I worked diligently together and we learned many things from each other. Again, the terrier myth preceded my girl and my trainer vouchsafed that, if I ever got a UD on Sabrina, there would be a dinner as a reward. My own terrier temperament rose to the challenge and we were off on the journey. The Novice exercises were quite simple and I felt I had an edge, having been in the ring for conformation.

Open seemed easy too. I must admit I never kept track of the number of times we entered and did not qualify. Sometimes the failure was mine; sometimes Sabrina was unfocused. She did have a sensitivity to noise and strange settings. However, we persevered and she got her CDX from AKC, CKC and UKC.

I guess Utility was the most difficult. At least it took the longest, but I wonder how much of the problem lay with those people who repeatedly said how hard it was and how many negative vibes came at me.

My second caveat is - KEEP POSITIVE THOUGHTS AND TRUST AND BELIEVE IN YOURSELF AND YOU DOG. Sabrina achieved her Utility title from AKC and was only the sixth Skye Terrier to do so. It was a stellar moment when all the dear friends I had made surrounded us with love and congratulations. I remember thinking though, that if we could do it, anyone could. Sadly, Sabrina was taken from me too soon and we didn't have the chance to achieve the coveted UDX title.

During this time, Sabrina whelped a litter of puppies and I kept the only male, Am.Ch. U-CDX Serendipity's Deja Vu Can.CD,Am.CDX (Teddy). He was a completely different challenge. Teddy never met anyone he didn't like and was the most outgoing, gregarious Skye I have ever met. When he was in the obedience ring anything could happen. He certainly marched to the beat of a different drummer. The spectators loved to watch his antics and even some of the judges were seen snickering behind their clipboards.

In his attempt to earn the last leg for his AKC CDX, we showed before a large crowd. They were very vocal in their pleasure with his performance and he was fully aware of their interest. On the retrieve over the high jump, he took the jump, glanced down at the dumbbell as he trotted out to the ring gate, turned right, strutted to the end of the ring, did an about turn, again strutted along to the gating, turned left, trotted to the dumbbell, picked it up and jumped the high jump, bringing the dumbbell back to me. I think he even went to heel position without the required front. I was in the throes of heart-failure, the judge was struggling to keep a straight face, and the crowd was roaring. I was certain we had not qualified, but the judge commented as we left the ring, "He'd better stick the sits and downs." As we went out of sight, my mind was focused on the positive image of him sitting squarely with pink tongue out, for the required three minutes. Again, as we waited the five minutes for the down stay, I used imagery to bolster my hopes. Needless to say, we qualified.

You may have noticed in my chronicle of obedience training that I have not mentioned scores. I am not one who strives for perfection (at least not in the obedience ring). My goal was to have a good time with my dog and, hopefully, earn a title. I personally think that terriers, Skyes at least, are turned off and tune out with repetitious work. My greatest pleasure was that, whenever we left the ring, qualifying or not, someone would make a special effort to tell me how much they enjoyed watching my dog.

I truly believe that the joy is in the journey and the bond I forged with my dogs was the ultimate reward.