Spectator

Jam watching Savi retrieve in the water...she would rather do land sports than get those pretty paws wet!

Touring and Shopping in Wellfleet

Jam perusing the treat bar at Cape Cod Dog, a favorite stop on our annual trip to the cape.  Of course, when Jam asks, she will receive and was rewarded with yummy, gourmet dog treats.

At one of the many pottery and craft galleries.

Ballston Beach

Keystone Cluster Show Circuit

Jam, #42, at the Harrisburg shows, showing better and better each day. Steve Lane, her sire's owner/breeder, did a terrific job of handling Jam. She was 3rd in class on Friday, 2nd on Saturday and won her class on Sunday. Too bad she didn't go Winner's Bitch for the 4-point major.

Obedience at the AKC Canine Experience Match Show

The AKC Canine Experience Match show had many activities including obedience and rally run-throughs, agility demos and the big conformation match and handling classes. Even though sister Savi was the big star of the day, early on, Jam and Trixie put their obedience leashes on and practiced the skills for competition obedience. The obedience run-throughs are great as they simulate the show environment, food and toy rewards are allowed as well as mild corrections and you can do a "do-over" if needed. The pretend judges also give constructive feedback on what you need to work on. Jam did the Novice run and Trixie did the Open A run.
Novice starts out with a heeling pattern and figure eight done on lead...

The stand for exam exercise...Jam is in a stand-stay with me approx 8 feet in front of her. The judge will then go and touch her head, withers and rear, and then tells me to return and the I walk around her to return to heel position.
The same heeling pattern is done off lead...

The last of the individual exercises is the recall.

The dogs are lined up for groups sits and stays. They must do a one minute sit...
and then a three minute down, all without moving out of position nor instructions from their handler. Jam did a respectable job and I know what I need to work on to get her ready for competition.