When I joined Watchdogs Ltd back in January 2009, one of the questions the Directors asked me was “what personal aims do you have “ my response was to train a Belgium Malinois from a pup to compete at a national level. Both Directors allowed this and gave me an open cheque book (within reason) to go and purchase the right dog. Here we are 3 years later entering the BPSCA annual service dog trials trials which was held at the Prison Service college Newbold Revel on 2nd July 2011, with Buffy a 3 year old Malinois bitch, this being a long held ambition of mine.
I arrived at the trials ground at half past seven eagerly anticipating what would be a long hot tiring yet exhilarating day. We had been drawn 22 out of 27 and we would not be starting for a while yet.
The trials exercises would be comprised of agility, obedience and criminal work.
I looked at the course and discussed the actual execution of the individual exercises with fellow competitors, judges and stewards.
The competition commenced with the obedience round. I felt I would do fairly well at this but a couple of the exercises were a little tricky. So I was hoping for a reasonable score.
Off leash heelwork comprising of turns to the left right and about, at three different paces, stopping in the sit position when told to halt. Other than an unexpected distracting fly bite on Buffy’s side which took her concentration for a few seconds the heel work went according to plan. A nice steady round.
Next were the recall and retrieve exercises, Buffy was inconsistent at these during training, some times perfect other times not so good. Fortunately on the day although not perfect they weren’t too shoddy either and very few marks were lost.
Next was the dreaded speak and cease speaking on command. Where the dog was required to bark when told to and to continue barking until told to stop.
This exercise was our bogie. She had just leant to do it, with indifferent results. More often than not rather than bark she would snap her jaws and make little woofing noises. This was when placed just in front of me. I had just learnt that the dog would be placed in a controlled position 10 paces away from me where she would stay throughout the exercise.
I left her walked away the designated 10 paces turned and faced her and gave her the command to bark. I fully expected her to run to me and make her woofie noises right in front of me where we normally did this exercise. So not really expecting much my hand raised in a clenched fist, the command to speak. She barked. She stayed where she was and barked, not overly brilliant, but she barked quietly but barked and continued barking and held her position. I had a very big cheesy grin on my face. Looking back that was the best bit of the trial. A lovely and unexpected moment.
Overall for the obedience we only lost 16 marks gaining 84 out of 100.
We then moved over to the agility field.
The agility course seemed to be where I would pick up most points. The course was a rectangle comprising of two parallel rows of “ 3 ft hurdles, “A” frames a 7ft long jump and a tyre jump, the other ends comprised of 12 weave poles and a very long very narrow tunnel.
All seemed well. The jumps she could do standing on her head, the only problem anticipated was the tunnel, she had never seen a tunnel this long and this small before.
She would be expected to sit, stay, negotiate the obstacle on command and then wait for me in the down stay position until I was told to join her.
After a confidence giving round of obedience I was hoping for good things.
As we approached the first jump I put her in a sit then on the stewards instruction commanded her to jump. She stood up hesitated and then jumped the hurdle and then lay down on my command. I was instructed to join her. Doubts were creeping in now. She never hesitates at a jump.
Next was the first of the 2 long jumps. At seven foot this was easy, she can do it from a standing start. I gave the command she got up and ran towards the jump and then stepped in between the slats of the obstacle …nil points. Arrg. Total disbelief. The next obstacle an “A” frame. We managed this fine. Next a tyre jump. We had practiced at 3ft high this tyre was only 18 inches off the floor. I commanded her, but she jumped onto the top of the tyre she was confused the tyre wasn’t high enough she didn’t understand. I guided her with my hand, she jumped through the tyre but nil points.
Next was the long, very long, very narrow tunnel. I walked up to it and placed the dog in the sit. She was too big the tunnel was too narrow, so without much hope I told her to get through. In she went, ran straight through came out the other side looked at me and lay down. Perfect. So with slightly renewed confidence I approached the second leg of obstacles. Clear jump. Perfect. Long jump, same as the first, didn’t see it as a jump and just stepped over the slats, nil points. The “A” frame, easy does it; Buffy anticipated the jump and didn’t wait for me to tell her to go. Good jump but nil points. The second tyre jump. Same as the first I had to guide her a little with my hand pointing to the hole, nil points. The final obstacle 12 weave poles placed 22inches apart. We had not been practising this until recently and it would be any ones guess. Perfect, full marks.
So after a good session of obedience and a rather poor showing at agility we went for a walk and a cup of tea.
Now for the long wait until late in the afternoon for the manwork sessions.
The manwork comprised of 4 attacks on a criminal. The criminal would be protected by wearing a full padded jacket. Gloom, Buffy was very good a biting a padded sleeve, she had very limited experience with biting a jacket. Her first go using a jacket was two days before the trial as I was under the impression that the criminal would be wearing a hard schutzhund sleeve. No such luck. Fortunately I got wind that the crim would be wearing a jacket so at least I had a little preparation time.
First exercise, a very long chase and bite. Further than Buffy had ever chased before.
The chase was good, fast and straight; she leaped at the criminal high on the arm and bounced off. She leaped again and failed to get a grip. 2 attempts later she managed to get a grip on the criminals right wrist, where she hung on and brought the fleeing man to a standstill. I commanded her to leave and lie down which she did perfectly. I then carried out a search of the criminal while Buffy guarded him. Then it was an escort off leash to the steward to prepare for the second attack. Apart from the first poor attempts at the bite it was a text book exercise, so I would have lost only a few points (I hoped).
Next was the cease attack. The criminal would run off and the dog would be sent, the dog would pass a certain point and I would be instructed to stop the dog. This I thought would be fairly straight forward. Again another very long chase. Buffy was released, and she went like the clappers, not quite what I wanted. The dog passed the point and I commanded her down. She hesitated, briefly thought about stopping and then continued to chase the fleeing criminal. Once the criminal stopped running Buffy caught up and didn’t bite him but she lost all her points.
Next was the test of courage, stick attack. The criminal assisting in this exercise was a very experienced helper renown for being able to back even quiet strong dogs down.
Buffy was sent to engage with the criminal who was passively walking towards her. Her initial run in was good strong and positive, at the last minute the criminal exploded at her in a very frightening manner weaving a very noisy stick. Buffy flinched and hesitated, then regained her composure after the initial shock and bit onto the sleeve of the jacket. Again control after the bite was excellent. A few points lost for the hesitation but reasonable.
The next attack was the test of courage under gun fire. Same exercise as the previous one but with the threat of a stick replaced by the noise of a gun.
Settling into the manwork now, Buffy attacked with speed and conviction and had a good bite on the jacket. Again control after being command to leave was perfect.
So although she had some problems during the manwork we finished with a good exercise.
Now the waiting to see how we had done compared to every body else.
We has scored a total of points 334, which gained us a fairly respectable equal seventh place.
What a great day, weather was good if not a bit hot and sunny for me (being of fair complexion or as some would say ginger), competitors competed in a very positive sporting manner and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. I hope to be back next year with a vengeance.
David Hollis
Head of Training Watchdogs Ltd
