How crazy are dog people?
By Gina Spadafori
November 13, 2006
Yeah, I’m going to rip off that credit card ad. Why not? Everyone else does.
Training fees, land-use fees, equipment and gas, one year’s worth: At least $2,000
For the weekend:
Three days away from home (and 14 hours of driving): How does one value laundry undone?
Gas: $100
Crappy road food: $50
Entry fees: $110
Add it all up:
Finishing your first field title: Priceless, plus you get a $2 ribbon!
My dog Woody is now a Junior Hunter. Which means now we get to spend more time, more gas money and lots and lots more training time working towards Senior Hunter (plus training younger dog McKenzie for Junior). Woody’s is my first field title ever, although I’ve competed in many other dog sports over the years. Field training is completely different from anything I’ve ever done, that’s for sure.
We crazy dedicated dog people do this all the time. It’s not so much about competition, but about testing your dog and improving (or at least preserving) the breed. Canine competitions are one reason why reputable breeders don’t make money selling dogs (top-quality care and expensive screening for congenital defects is another). But then, reputable breeders aren’t in for the money. You might want to think about that as you’re considering a Christmas puppy from all the clueless and careless breeders who are happy to sell in the weeks to come, no questions asked.
Pictured: Woody, left, and McKenzie, at the hunt test site in Southern California. They’re in this week’s test Dogmobile, a Toyota FJ Cruiser, which I’ll be reviewing later today.
Administrative note: The Black Dog guys say all the gliches are fixed and we’re completely OK on WordPress now. Let me know if you find any problems, can’t post a comment, etc.
YAY WOODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Christie Keith — November 13, 2006 @ 1:32 pm
Congrats!
Comment by Meryl — November 13, 2006 @ 2:41 pm
Congratulations! Great site!
Comment by Michelle — November 13, 2006 @ 2:59 pm
Hey - at least you got your title! Congrats Woody!
Comment by Judi — November 13, 2006 @ 4:28 pm
What a handsome, smart boy! Big congrats to you both!
As far a Christmas Puppies, we have four, new small retailers that have popped up in our town with large painted letters in their windows, Puppies for Sale, and other references to low prices.
I made the rounds last week, dropping off complimentary copies of Dr. Rolan’s Behavior Manual with a letter imploring them to help prevent their puppies from being neglected, abused, abandoned, or surrendered in 6 months because the puppy fix has faded into a rambunctuous untrained adolescent. Hopefully, they will be able to share better information when it counts.
Last week I was making a bank deposit and had a Teller that knows our business tell me a neighbor told him how to housetrain dogs; you just rub their noses in the urine when they have an accident in the house, just one time. Yikes! There is still so much misinformation out there!
Comment by Susan and Dr. Rolan Tripp — November 15, 2006 @ 11:04 pm
You forgot to mention:
Getting up at the crack of dawn. trying not to wake the rest of the household as the dogs charge out of the house and you follow, clutching a flask of tes and a piece of toast. Heavy traffic and long delays. Fierce competition amongst all competitors all hell bent on winning the show. Waiting around for ages for your name to be called only to find that your best Lab has just decided to develope a dicky tummy. Crazy? No just absolutley INSANE…….
Marion
Comment by Puppy paws — May 28, 2007 @ 12:12 am
Congratulations on Woody’s Junior Hunter title! Well done! So Woody’s now titled on both ends?
Comment by Deb — May 28, 2007 @ 6:42 am
Almost. Three single points to go for his championship.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — May 28, 2007 @ 6:49 am