Judges Report

L3
Firstly, I would like to thank Leamington Spa Dog Training Club for asking me to judge their trial and secondly Hazel for the use of her amazing venue.

It was a hot day and all the dogs got tired by their last search, well done all teams for encouraging your dogs and also keeping them safe and cool in the day.

We started with VW. One scent was on one of the 2 parked cars (wheel) and one on the wall of the dog training barn (GO). All teams were successful in locating both hides, with some dogs finding the new area very appealing and needing a bit more time to get into search mode. Well done all teams!

We then moved on to TC&P. Unfortunately, the first perimeter hide (GO) I placed was proving too hard and after the next team indicated in a different area, we found a left scent. I therefore changed the location to the area where the old scent had been and re-ran the first team at the end. All but Erik were able to find both scents.

For EX we used a secluded are where all dogs were able to work off lead (if the handler wanted to), and all but Wally found both items. The GO was in a tray (the first item after the start) and some dogs rushed straight past it and/or handlers weren’t comfortable calling an alert so quick. Well done all for searching all items – even the wheelbarrow in the corner, on which was C.

We finished with B&L, and after 4 dogs had “wrongly” indicated on a handbag, an old scent was found on that item, so I gave all teams that had indicated the find. By the time of this search all dogs were tired and well done all handlers for keeping your dogs motivated to continue the search. A lot of the dogs walked straight past the newly scented boxes showing no sign of interest the first time around or being busy panting.

Thank you all for being such lovely competitors, thank you Jackie, Lisa and Marianne for your help and support

Judges Report

Level 1
Thankyou to Hazell for allowing us to use her beautiful venue and also thankyou to Cedar for being our ‘white dog’ for the day.
Vehicle
The scent was placed on the back drivers side wheel. There was a downwind. All teams were successful.

Tables and Chairs
The scent was placed on a side chair. Again all teams were successful, with a very quick time of 9 seconds from Mary and Max.

Exterior
The scent was placed on a child’s wheelbarrow in the middle of the search area and on a bucket in the corner. The bucket proved tricky for some depending which way they searched the items as they had their back to the bucket. Just make sure you have a good look at the whole area In future trials.

Boxes and Luggage
The scent was placed on a suitcase on the right side and on a box on the left side towards the back of the search area. It was good to see competitors working one way and then the other, helping their dogs.

1st Mary and Max – Quick times, great teamwork
2nd Hilary and Freddy – Focused and methodical
3rd Sara and Gracie – Enthusiastic searching and quiet handling
4th Hannah and Molly – Molly grew in confidence with each search. Hannah tasking Molly when needed

Thankyou to Jackie and Sally for scribing and Gill for keeping everyone in the right place.
I enjoyed watching you work your dogs. All 9 teams qualified. I gave feedback which I hope was helpful.
Good luck in future trials.