I know that is has been a month since my last post but we’ve been training like mad and I have assisting with puppy kindergarten at the club (start teaching my own class next week). But, this post will share some pretty big news (well, big to me).

On August 27th, we drove out to Oriole Dog Training Club to compete. I cannot believe the results!! While I am not sure I want to crow about this – our score was qualifying but not greay – THIS little weirdo got his 3rd qualifying leg and got his CD title!!!!

The judge was very kind, I think. In addition to getting the qualifying score we needed, we got 3rd place! This was the first time on turf, lots of smells, and it was slippery. Heeling was our kryptonite and the recall was SUPER enthusiastic. So much so, Beau took out the stanchions and gates! My boy and his big personality made lots of people chuckle that day.

Thankfully, his off-lead heel was pretty good, stand for exam perfect, get your leash perfect, the long sit and long down perfect. Whew!

It felt awful about our run but it was so nice coming out of the ring because a few people came up to me and told me what great energy Beau and I had and how much fun he looked like he was having.

And, really, that is what it’s all about. Doing something fun with my boy and we did it!! It wasn’t our best run, nor did we get the high marks I wanted, but we did it!

Now, we start training for Open. This will be a long road due to the new skills involved, like retrieving a dumbbell over jumps. I am going to give us a little over a full year to really get solid on these skills and may try to show in a few bumper legs of the CD class just to keep our competition muscles working.

I am still amazed that I have been able to get my little wild child all his CGC designations AND a CD title. I am humbled every day by him, grateful for what he is teaching me about patience, mindset, and what really matters, and so incredibly thankful for the people we have met who are accompanying us on our journey. It’s pretty amazing.

Thank you so much for stopping by and following Beau on all his adventures!