Results 1 to 7 of 7
  1. #1
    Senior Dog Labradorks's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    3,947
    Thanked: 2421

    Onto our next adventure!

    Last weekend, Sam and Linus became official title holders! On day one, Linus won his BN class to obtain his BN title on his first birthday. He also won his RN class to get his first leg. Sam came with us the next day to try to earn his title. He won second place in the class, and his RN title. Who did he lose to, you ask? To his little brother (by 3 points)! Ha! He didn't care, just tried to wrestle him during the awards... That was Linus' second RN leg. The show site was incredibly terrible (hot, bumpy, and littered with debris, including goat poop) and the judges were lenient. It was a successful weekend, but I felt pretty icky about our performances.

    I showed again yesterday at a tough show, trying to get Linus' RN. Based on the previous weekend, I was feeling a little gunshy. Not to mention, the site was different than anything we've ever done. It was an all-breed cluster, loud, crowded, tons of vendors, etc. I brought him to the show specifically for the experience. He was just fine -- snoozing in the crate and then having a ball, focused on me, in the warm-up ring. So proud of him for being so at ease with the situation. There was a class of 8. Two were no-shows, 3 were excused from the ring half-way through their run, and that left us with 3. Linus had a beautiful run under a tough judge with a really sharp pencil (not to mention, I watched him dismiss 6 people in the two hours that I was watching rally -- something I have never witnessed). Linus won the class as well as his RN title!

    It's been a lot of work, time, money, but he's made it so incredibly easy and fun. He makes me smile, he's a joy to work with, and he's incredibly sweet. After he's completed an exercise, no matter what position he is in, he looks up at me with those brown eyes and Lab smile, and gives a few wags of his tail as if to say, "I did it, mom, I did it!". It melts my heart. He's accomplished a lot in his first year and has made me very proud. He makes people laugh, and you guys won't believe this, but when we go to shows you'd think he was a rare breed of dog as we represent one of maybe six Labs throughout my area that go to obedience shows. Not to mention, he is the only yellow in a sea of blacks and one chocolate. It's a conversation starter and he has his very own fan club.

    And Sam? I feel the same about him. He is fun to work with, though he is very moody. Some days he's too tired, too hot, too bored. Some days he's crazy. But when he is on? He's ON! When I get a good run from him, you can see it on the faces of the people outside the ring. He can be snappy, happy, waggy, and just so animated and full of life with that big ol' Lab grin. Someone once told me it looked like I was putting an agile bear through a rally course! He makes everyone laugh, even when he's not being silly. We're just working on his maturity level and ability to control himself before we go off-leashing it. I met his dad's owner a couple weeks ago at a show and she told me his line matures around 4 years old -- we're so close!

    Next up? Sam's off-leash work and sit/stand for exam solidifying so that I can get his BN soon. Linus starts working on his WC training this weekend, as well as private lessons from our local star trainer. Still going to rally drop-ins and weekly obedience classes, though I might switch Linus out for Sam for a little bit. I'm hoping to get Linus' WC and Sam's BN next year. I would love to get Sam's RA (maybe Linus' but he doesn't seem to love rally) and perhaps both of their CDs, but those goals feel lofty at the moment, so we'll just see how things go.
    Last edited by Labradorks; 07-21-2014 at 05:31 PM.

  2. #2
    Senior Dog Maxx&Emma's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    SE, PA
    Posts
    4,406
    Thanked: 1992
    Congratulations! I love your description of Linus looking at you and wagging his tail, it really made me smile!
    Hidden Content

    Tammy
    Maxx and Emma Jean

    Ozzy - 10/2002 - 06/2011 - Rest well my sweet boy. You are forever remembered, forever missed, forever in my heart.

  3. The Following User Says Thank You to Maxx&Emma For This Useful Post:

    Labradorks (07-21-2014)

  4. #3
    Senior Dog POPTOP's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Illinois
    Posts
    10,985
    Thanked: 6722
    Double Congratulations!

  5. The Following User Says Thank You to POPTOP For This Useful Post:

    Labradorks (07-21-2014)

  6. #4
    Puppy LabLady101's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    North Dakota
    Posts
    33
    Thanked: 13
    Congratulations!!
    Darcy Litzinger
    Hidden Content
    UKC CH Hayshaker's Kinderwood Charmed One CD PCD RA CGC aka Piper, born 12/21/2008
    Am GCH CH UKC CH Hayshaker Kinderwood Where R U Xmas CD RN aka Faith, born 12/24/2009
    Am CH Kinderwood Peppermint Mocha aka Mocha, born 12/21/2011
    Kinderwood N Hayshaker's Funhouse aka Pink, born 03/19/2013
    Hidden Content

  7. #5
    Senior Dog windycanyon's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    C. WA
    Posts
    1,624
    Thanked: 1235
    Congrats! You must have been at Stumptown (hate the new name but a friend went over to help w/ a vendor..). That's a tough venue in the heat/humidity.

  8. #6
    Senior Dog Scoutpout's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Tri Cities Ontario
    Posts
    2,296
    Thanked: 1111
    wow, big couple of shows for you, big congratulations! love it when they make the spectators/other competitors smile! Scout has a fan club too, they love to see happy goofy dogs in the ring, even if the performances arent what the handlers hoped for, so long as the dogs are enjoying themselves.

  9. #7
    Senior Dog BeataK's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    Telford UK
    Posts
    683
    Thanked: 415
    Congratulations - really good work

 



Not a Member of the Labrador Retriever Chat Forums Yet?
Register for Free and Share Your Labrador Retriever Photos

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •