So since I have a utility class starting next week, I finally bit the bullet and purchased a set of articles (J&J) for Jacks. And they came in today! Squee!








So perfect size for Jacks, see? And boy am I glad I didn't order the 3" vs the 3.5" set! He needed that extra 1/2 inch!

And I'm just showing Bert because he hopefully will use the same articles when he grows up....

So right now I have the articles jumbled together in the plastic bag they came in. And now I'm wondered what/how I should keep them stored here at home? I have no idea if the metal would rust or the leather would rot! And I've heard about the J&J not lasting too long?

What do you do to keep these in good shape longer? And as far as containers or bags, I'm thinking about going to Jo Ann Fabrics or Michaels and picking up a basket or box so the dumbbells sit neatly and there is even space for gloves. Right now it's less about having a seperate bag for metal articles and a seperate bag for leather articles or whatnot, and I really just want something that will keep them organized, clean, and safe from too much "squashing".

That said, I'm very much a novice about this. I know we aren't even ready for open right now (jumps and stays need sorting) so I dragged my feet for the longest time about really digging into utility and investing in articles. And even now I feel kinda presumptious about trotting into class with a fancy basket for my articles. Like who am I pretending to be!

What considerations should I have as far as buying a container for articles? Seriously, are there rules?

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Always loved, never forgotten, all our previous boys -

Make sure you get them out of the plastic and just set them out so they can air out for a couple of weeks.

There's no rules about what kind of container you use. I like something with a pocket to keep the used articles seperate from the unscented ones.

I've never had a problem with articles rusting, rotting, etc. I've had five sets of J&J, and the only problem I had with them was the ends coming loose from the bar, so that when I went to scent the end would stay still in my hand but the bar would just turn with my hand.

I tried another company for Flip's articles and not only has that happened, but the leather on these has also started to peel off several, so now I wish I would have either stuck with J&J or tried Max 200

Biggest advice I can give on articles is once you start, be prepared to train them almost every day until they really have the hang of it. I find hit-and-miss article training just confuses the dogs, make sure when you start you can dedicate time daily (or nearly daily) for a long time.

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Jodie

AJ's Maiden By the Sea CDX RE (Annabel - retired)
Mud E Paws UDX OM2 RE OBHF (Conner - retired with 28 OTCH points)
Sunfire's Flying Head Over Heels UD BN RA (Flip)
And the odd one of the family - Colby Jack Teeter Smack CDX GO RA (Colby - Lhasa Apso)

Also in need of a basic article bag here, any suggestions?

I have to agree with what Jodie stated, especially getting them out of the plastic bag and letting them air.
Also do not hold them by the ends and twist them to sent them. that will loosen them up quickly.
I do not wash the leather ones. Just wipe them down with a damp cloth only if they need it.

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Hank and the girls

Lucy - UDX RN MX MXJ WC CCA VCX Can CDX WC

Oriana - UDX VER WC CCA VC

Brooke - UD CCA

Waiting at the Bridge

Brandi - CDX (1992 - 2003)

Kizmet - Am/Can CD (2005 - 2007)

Keeper - Can OTCh UD RN SH MX MXJ OAP AJP WC CCA VCX OD Can AGN WC VC (1996 - 2010)

I like this style of bag

DoggoneGood!: Utility Article Bag

A pocket on each end means you can use one for the scented articles and one for gloves. A double zipper for the main compartment makes it easier to open up wide. Annabel and Conner both had bags from here, and Flip's is custom made but has all the same design aspects.

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Jodie

AJ's Maiden By the Sea CDX RE (Annabel - retired)
Mud E Paws UDX OM2 RE OBHF (Conner - retired with 28 OTCH points)
Sunfire's Flying Head Over Heels UD BN RA (Flip)
And the odd one of the family - Colby Jack Teeter Smack CDX GO RA (Colby - Lhasa Apso)

Okay... dumb question of the year probably, but as far as articles - do you just use one article (metal and leather) to scent with? Like always? In training and in trials?

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Always loved, never forgotten, all our previous boys -

Is there a requirement or reason to have separate sets of articles for each of your dogs? (Obviously I don't know much about articles.)

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Zoe, Rockwall Nantucket Breeze, BN, CGC, Delta therapy dog
Zeke, our introduction to the world of Golden Retrievers

When I showed Laney, I had two sets and kept them in mesh bags from the GRCA. I never washed them. I believe she was trained to " hot scent"."I have,one set from J & J and two from Max 200.

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Janice and The Celebration Gang -
"Samantha, George, Tiki, Emily, Mick and Basil" Gone but not forgotten, Sally(Windjammer's Ima Country Girl CDX CGC), Laney(Mandell Marlenes Celebration UD RA CGC), and Cookie(Starseeker's Kissmas Cookie CDX RE CGC).

when I first start teaching, I always use #6. After that I alternate what article I use each time we train. At a trial you will bring five of each type to the ring and the judge will select which ones he wants to use. When I am done training/trialing I throw the ones I scented that day into the side pocket to keep it separate from the others, unless I know I won't be training articles again for a couple of days.

All my dogs had different sets of articles sized to fit them. For past dogs I had two full sets of articles. For Flip I have one set, numbered 1-9 (a usual set has 1-6) so I have plenty of extras.

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Jodie

AJ's Maiden By the Sea CDX RE (Annabel - retired)
Mud E Paws UDX OM2 RE OBHF (Conner - retired with 28 OTCH points)
Sunfire's Flying Head Over Heels UD BN RA (Flip)
And the odd one of the family - Colby Jack Teeter Smack CDX GO RA (Colby - Lhasa Apso)

Depending on how you teach them. If you use the tie down method then you will be scenting the same articles unless you are going to untie and retie to switch. Not really needed. Once you teach it you will vary which ones you scent. At a trial the judge will decide which ones you scent.

No you do not need separate sets for each dog. However if you are training/trialing multiple dogs in utility it is much easier. I do this now with Brooke and Oriana. But I switch the sets between them so they do not have their "own" set. It is also good to have an extra set for times when at a match and you do multiple runs that day or in case they have trouble and make a mistake or two you can switch out articles if needed. Also some clubs now have two trials in one day son it is good to have extra for that. Some judges will allow you to reuse the same article in the second trial but not all will.

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Hank and the girls

Lucy - UDX RN MX MXJ WC CCA VCX Can CDX WC

Oriana - UDX VER WC CCA VC

Brooke - UD CCA

Waiting at the Bridge

Brandi - CDX (1992 - 2003)

Kizmet - Am/Can CD (2005 - 2007)

Keeper - Can OTCh UD RN SH MX MXJ OAP AJP WC CCA VCX OD Can AGN WC VC (1996 - 2010)