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View Full Version : Our 1st earthdog test!


Courtney
10-18-2008, 02:51 PM
It was a beautiful day today for earthdog. We got there early and had to wait for a while, then the judge for the Intro test explained the den setup and everything we needed to do. It was really helpful, and the judge was great and made everyone feel very welcome. More waiting, and finally it was our turn! Thor went first and kind of wandered around until I stood by the tunnel. He went in...and out. and in...and out. And so on. Then I encouraged him to go in again and he went all the way in and got to the rats! But did nothing - silly dog. No barking or anything - he just came back out. He was probably confused as to why there was not a hot dog at the end!

Fred went next, and he stresses when we go places, so I heard the judge say something to the lovely Zandra, his apprentice, about letting Fred chill out for a bit. He trotted around, then I went and stood by the tunnel. Fred came right over and went in. In intro, they have 2 minutes once they enter the tunnel to start working the rats. Fred made it to the end, started scratching, and scratching, and....came back out! Goof! Then I called him back over and he went in and he was a little more excited this time - growling and scratching. So cute. The judge told me the first time he went in, he worked for 20 seconds, when they have to do 30 to get a Q. Dang! So close. The best thing is that we're going back out tomorrow to try again! Let's hope Fred remembers where the rats are. If he gets a Q in intro, I will probably enter him in juniors too.

No pics of the day out there but we got the boys some frostys on the way home. These cups were only half full, btw! Would have been a big dessert for them if not.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3234/2952458500_b52b62a1c9.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3198/2951610443_dbf8d74fef.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3272/2951620397_c860e7700e.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3153/2952501558_0169f26ddc.jpg

Tanya
10-18-2008, 03:26 PM
So cute! I had a good laugh at Thor. :)

Po does not Earthdog??

Linus
10-18-2008, 03:39 PM
Awesome!! I think Radley would LOVE that. He has gotten the hunting bug recently and loves annoying the squirrels.

Barb
10-18-2008, 04:00 PM
Courtney - that is so kewl !!!! Can't wait to see the boyz work it tomorrow !!!

TheDoxieHaus
10-18-2008, 04:24 PM
Excellent! Sounds like a good start to me! Can't wait to meet you guys tomorrow.

Tex
10-18-2008, 04:54 PM
Very :cool:!!! Cute pics of the kids!

Courtney
10-18-2008, 06:21 PM
Can't wait to see you guys tomorrow too. You have to sit pretty far back from the Intro test but they have a roped-off sitting area. I am not sure about the other tests.

No, Po does not do earthdog. A while ago, we went to a "fun day" where they had an earthdog tunnel. He was terrified of the rats and wanted nothing to do with the tunnel. He doesn't display his natural instinct like the other boys do! Napoleon is going to the wiener dog races next weekend though!

Barb
10-18-2008, 06:26 PM
We will get as close as we can - I am charging up my camera trying to remember how to do the video (lol - I don't use this one much). I will try to get some photos of you and the kids !!!!

Rudy is like Po - he gave me the :wtf: look when I tried to get him to go in the tunnel? That was about 6 yrs ago - not sure he would be any different now.... Hey - I wouldn't want to go in that tunnel !!! Looking forward to watching tomorrow !

bittyup
10-18-2008, 09:02 PM
Glad you all had a good day.:cheer3: Those frosty sure do look good:cheer3:

Otto'sMom
10-18-2008, 09:40 PM
OK, I find it too funny that the dogs are trained with hot dogs, and then are :wtf2: when there are rats there and no ball park franks:rotfl: :rotfl:

Sophie and Lili's Mom
10-18-2008, 09:41 PM
Well... we tried...really tried to qualify dogs today! Both your boys showed a lot of promise. I will be the judge tomorrow and I will be doing my best to be as supportive as Ken. He is a fantastic judge! He is honest though... if he says the dogs are doing good...they are. We both were willing with all our might for Fred to keep going to 30!!!!

Courtney
10-18-2008, 10:33 PM
I'm really looking forward to tomorrow. I loved seeing you guys get excited when Fred started working! I could barely hear him scratching. I felt so bad at the release line when I scared him and he did the submissive roll! And then he did it again when I went to get him out. I swear, I don't beat him! He is just on edge when we go places...he hates the car and doesn't relax easily. :( (hey but at least he knew what to do with the rats!)

Barb
10-19-2008, 08:48 AM
:nana: going to see Fred and Thor - Woo hoo !!! You too Courtney, Zandra, Sandi and Randy :)

Will do my best to get some good pictures !

areese
10-19-2008, 09:03 AM
Wishing you the best of luck today!!! Go Thor and Fred (have I mentioned I love Fred lately??)