[Mighty Casey and Samson's Mom]

Casey and I are making our debut in Open tomorrow. We are in 3 trials at the Ottawa Valley Golden Retriever Club fall trials in Open A. It could go either way...when we are good we are GOOD ... when we are are not, well, we are NOT. We are taking the night off for a long walk and lots of plays!

 

[GoldenSail]

Good luck you guys! Crossing our fingers and paws out here!

 

[Abbydabbydo]

Good luck! You will do well!

 

[DNL2448]

Great Luck to you guys, but mostly have a wonderful time being with the Mighty Casey!!

 

[Loisiana]

Whatever happens, enjoy your time. Open is a blast. Just remember to keep breathing while you're out of sight for groups.

 

[MaddieMagoo]

Good luck and remember to breathe! =]

 

[inge]

Good luck!

 

[Rastadog]

Good idea to take the night off

I did no serious training the whole week before we showed. I would informally work on attention and attitude, play games and have fun. Our first open trial was an ASCA trial. I had a variation on a theme of when we good we are good conversation with my training partner on the way to that trial. Things went great, won the class by 6 and went HIT. Boy did I have a happy up partner in the ring that day. I hope your debut goes well. GOOD LUCK to you and Casey Liz.

 

[Mighty Casey and Samson's Mom]

WOW! Thanks, ALL! I will pass all of your good vibes onto my training partner...and let you know how we do this weekend! I will be SO happy with a Q ( or 2)

 

[goldengirls550]

GOOD LUCK!!! Have fun with your dog no matter what happens!

 

[Ljilly28]

Best, best luck today!

 

[hotel4dogs]

hey good luck!! I know it's easier to say than to do, but relax, breathe, and try to enjoy the time together!

 

[Mad's Mom]

Wishing you good luck, and looking foward to a report on how it went.

Have fun!

 

[LibertyME]

Have a ball and enjoy!

 

[AmberSunrise]

Good luck and have fun !!!

 

[Mighty Casey and Samson's Mom]

Alas, we are home from trial 1 with no Q ( Casey, who does the nicest drop on recall, decided to leave it at home today. We could have had a score in the 194 range if he had dropped--everything else was very nice, including heeling and stays.
We did have fun! I felt more relaxed than I have ever in the ring, and Casey was very attentive. Back for two more trials tomorrow.

 

[AmberSunrise]

Glad you had fun!! Those Q's can be tough in Open!

My Rowdy's problem was the Retrieve on the Flat since he had been inappropriately Force trained and this is where his stress levels hit - with Casey it's his heeling (go figure since he heels beautifully when not in a ring). When it comes together though, it is a beautiful thing

 

[Mighty Casey and Samson's Mom]

My coach was watching us today and her comment when we finished was, "Welcome to Open!" We played and did a few drops when we came home, all perfect of course!
Open A was a bloodbath today. In the first trial only one dog of 8 qualified...3/8 in the second. I guess misery loves company!

 

[hotel4dogs]

Hey, at least you had fun!
I always feel that I walked in with the best dog, I walked back out with the best dog, and whatever happened in between was just filler.
Good luck tomorrow!

 

[Loisiana]

Open A was a bloodbath today. In the first trial only one dog of 8 qualified...3/8 in the second. I guess misery loves company!

Sounds about right for Open A actually. Wait until you get to Utility A. The majority of the time there are no qualifiers in that class. Easy to get placements that way! :