After all these years I still get nervous before I enter the ring. Most handlers do, no matter how long they’ve been in the sport. Not to worry. If we didn’t get nervous, it would mean we no longer cared about how we did

Do you remember the controversy when the idea of PEN (performance event number) dogs was first introduced?

The sport of obedience involves discipline, patience, a lot of time and, if you’re lucky, a lot of fun.

The 2009 Purina National
We bring you the inside scoop on this very special event.

Congratulations to the breeders, owners and handlers who headed out in 2008 to compete with their dogs, be it in pursuit of Top Dog glory or simply to get out and enjoy the sports.

Congratulations to the breeders, owners and handlers who headed out in 2007 to compete with their dogs

My dog was doing perfect go-outs and now he’s taking the jump on the way out.”
“My dog has been very reliable on his Drop On Recall. Why is he now missing the down command?”

If you have ever shown in conformation, you’ll have heard exhibitors comparing judges. This one likes handlers, that one likes head and expression, another likes movement, etc., and we try to pick our judges accordingly.

Should you let your instructor take your dog (in class, of course) in order to demonstrate and/or teach an exercise?

Usually at the end of an era people look back at the events or changes that have occurred over that period. However, in this my last column, I want to look ahead to the future – to the possibility of The Canadian Kennel Club allowing crossbred dogs to enter obedience competitions.

After Novice dogs won the HIT of HITs two years in a row, this year’s honour went to a Utility team – Ikena Hilmayer and her exquisite Belgian Tervuren, MOTCh. Starbright Passionxtrodinair (‘Passion’). This is the second win for this team. They took the trophy in 2005 as well.