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CONFORMATION
Dog shows, or "conformation" events, are the signature events
of the AKC. They concentrate on the distinctive features of
purebred dogs and help to preserve these characteristics by
providing a forum at which to evaluate breeding stock.
Judges examine the dogs, then give awards according to how
closely each dog compares to the judge's mental image of the
"perfect" dog described in the breed's
official standard.
The standard describes the characteristics that allow the breed
to perform the function for which it was bred. These standards
include specifications for structure, temperament and movement.
I once was describing Conformation to
someone and at the beginning of the email conversation they were
of the mind that all you do is give your dog a bath, comb it,
put on some nice clothes, and enter the show ring and run around
and let the judge look at the dog. Well, it really is that
simple, but....after more than three pages of describing all the
subtleties and tricks and hints, I was just getting started.
A lot of energy, planning, preparation, exercise, and training
goes into showing a dog at a dog show, if you're looking to win
a ribbon. And then after all of that, it is up to
the judge to decide; and sometimes who knows what they are
looking at! All the Conformation folks, breeders, owners,
handlers, judges and dogs that we've met in our brief career in
the show ring are truly top notch. They have been very
helpful to me and Baron, but when we enter the ring, the gloves
are dropped and let the best man, woman, dog or bitch prevail,
that day.
OBEDIENCE
Obedience trials are a sport, and all participants should be
guided by the principles of good sportsmanship both in and out
of the ring. Obedience Trials test a dog's ability to
perform a prescribed set of exercises on which it is scored.
The performance of dog and handler in the ring must be accurate
and correct according to the Obedience Regulations. The
best part of watching a trial is to see the close bond that has
developed between the dog and handler. Their total concentration
on the task at hand gives way to the sheer delight of
accomplishment that can be seen on the faces of both - and in
the wag of a tail.
If you've ever taken a beginner's Obedience
class you'll quickly learn it's really not a Dog Obedience class
but a People Obedience class. I am of the belief that if
every dog owner took some formal basic Obedience training, we'd
have less dog issues in society. They learn how to behave
to your commands but more importantly how to behave around other
people and other dogs. I originally only planned on doing
basic Obedience with Baron but when tuning up at an Advanced
Obedience class, the very experienced instructors (both have Top
Ranked Obedience dogs) informed me that both of us do real well
together and have great potential. "So Baron, I guess
we're doing Obedience." Baron's a quick learner and once
he learns to stay put on the Long Sits, I'm sure we'll do well!
RALLY
Rally is a sport in which the dog and handler complete a
course that has been designed by the rally judge. The dog
and handler proceed at their own pace through a course of
designated stations. Each of these stations has a sign
providing instructions regarding the next skill that is to be
performed. Scoring is not as rigorous as traditional obedience.
There should be a sense of teamwork between the dog and handler
both during the numbered exercises and between the exercise
signs. Unlimited communication from the handler to the dog
is to be encouraged and not penalized.
     
 
Most of the Rally stations are
merely the "doodling" around that we do in Obedience class
designed to keep the dog focused on the handler. If you're
doing Beginner's Obedience class, then you'll be able to compete
in Rally. It's less precise than traditional Obedience and
the scoring is more lenient. However every course is
different and it puts a lot of mental stress on the handler to
learn the course and then execute the stations properly and cue
the dog as well. The handler can talk to the dog during
the course but many times you'll actually hear the handler
talking to themselves rather than the dog!
AGILITY
Agility is the ultimate game for you and your dog. It also
one of the most exciting canine sports for spectators. In
agility, a dog demonstrates is agile nature and versatility by
following cues from the handler through a timed obstacle course.
The course has jumps, tunnels, weave poles, and other obstacles.
Agility strengthens the bond between dogs and handlers, it is
extremely fun, and it provides vigorous exercise for both!
 Baron's
personal Agility Ring
While taking a break from Obedience two winters ago and preparing to break out on the Conformation
circuit, it was suggested that we try Agility since it's good
exercise during the winter. We did just that and lo and
behold, Baron's pretty good, and Fast! "Well Baron, I
guess we're doing Agility also." I've been going to
classes and have built an Agility ring and have all the
obstacles, both homemade and purchased. I've been going
slowly with him as I didn't want to push him too fast to prevent
any structural problems during his growing period. It's
very fast paced and one little miscue on either's part can
result in a missed obstacle. He's a Zoom, Zoom, Zoom dog
out on the course!
TRACKING
The purpose of a tracking test is to demonstrate the dog's
ability to recognize and follow human scent, a skill that is
useful in the service of mankind. AKC tracking events are
the competition form of canine search and rescue. These Tracking
events provide training for dogs and their handlers to meet some
human needs for tracking and finding lost humans or other
animals, as well as, demonstrating the extremely high level of
scent capability that dogs possess.
Last winter I read some books about Tracking
since other Belgians were doing it. I laid out some
beginning tracks and boom, boom, boom, he's doing it. By
the third day, we were doing tracks that we should be doing by
the third week. Something must be wrong, so we enrolled in
some workshops conducted by top notch Tracking folks. All
were quite impressed with Baron and all stated that, "He's going
to be good!" "Well Baron, I guess we're going to do
Tracking also." He just loves to Track, get's distracted
once in a while, but has great motivation, solid corners, and
good article indication. In all the other venues the
handler cues the dog, whereas in Tracking, the dog cues the
handler. It gets both of us out into the great outdoors
and is great exercise and super fun.
May, 2007 TDX Test
Tracking & Truckin'
Motoring Along We found this Glove out here! My Dad and I were just Tracking! Our TDX Track Map
(Very Large file)
Phil's TDX Narrative (click here)
HERDING
The purpose of the competitive herding trial program is to
preserve and develop the herding skills inherent in the herding
breeds and to demonstrate that they can perform the useful
functions for which they were originally bred. Although herding
trials are artificial simulations of pastoral or farm
situations, they are standardized tests to measure and develop
the characteristics of the herding breeds.
At the 2005 Belgian Sheepdog National
Specialty, I enrolled Baron in the Herding Instinct
Certification test. This is the basic test to determine if
a dog expresses the basic instincts to herd while maintaining
some semblance of control. Baron did very well and tested
out as a Strong dog with a Medium Eye. We haven't begun to
train in Herding; this past summer of 2005 was just too hot for
that. I'll get Baron enrolled in a Herding training class
soon and we'll see if he can "bring in the sheep"!
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