Day 2 Hondo lures me into a false sense of security. Under the judgement of @ben.lepinski and his sharp pencil ✏️ skills.
It’s a lovely routine and performed lovely. 10.5/12
##psa #figure8 #muzzle @ironfistpsa @bigshowpsa
Scenario 3: Test of Courage under Distraction
In this scenario the decoy will be downfield, insight of the handler and dog. The handler and dog stay stationary and on command from the judge the decoy will get the attention of the dog by speaking in a threatening manner. The handler can send the dog immediately once the threat is noticed. The decoy will run straight at the dog, throwing the distraction (a small backpack) across the path of the dog but never hitting the dog. Once the dog bites, the decoy will drive and give 3 stick hits (the stick is made from bamboo so sounds loud but the dogs barely notice anything, it is never meant to hurt the dog). Once the judge says freeze up the decoy will stand still. The handler will recall the dog on the Stewards command in a heel position.
Hondo loves this one the most. He is a fast dog and seeing a decoy inviting him in is like Christmas to him. He performs the exercise really well. I use a whistle here to tell him to Out and Return to me in a heel. He outs perfectly and speed back to me is nice but then he is hoping he can go back to the decoy so I need to add in another command to get him into heel. Another point lost but not a fail. Good work #hondothemali !
Scenario 2 was Handler Attack from Hiding
Here we heel towards a blind where the decoy is hiding. The judge will put their arm in the air to signal the decoy to begin. The decoy will run straight towards the handler and the dog and the dog may attack as soon as they hear the decoy. While the dog is biting the decoy performs a “drive” and then will be told to freeze up. The handler commands the dog to “out and guard” and then the handler will go pick up the dog and heel away.
Hondo and I performed this almost perfectly. On the Out Hondo went to come back to me and then he realised I didn’t say that so danced around for a moment until I gave him a conmand to help him out. Which docked us points but had he attacked the decoy again we would have failed instantly. Better to loose a point for an extra command than to fail from doing nothing. Isn’t that right @patstuart_ .
Pat is our club “Captain” I shall call him. He runs the club, loves our dogs as much as we do, and he is the most knowledgeable in the sport in Australia. Myself and Hondo are extremely lucky to have his time and dedication to help us through this sport….and life 😅
On the 8th of June earlier this year #hondothemali and I competed in our first PSA1 trial held by our club @ironfistpsa
Hondo only turned 2 in August so for a young dog he did exceptionally well but over all we didn’t pass. I’ve also only been doing this sport since I got him so it’s been new for me too.
In October this year we are going to give it another shot at the @bigshowpsa trial. So we are currently training hard in prep for that.
There are two parts when trialing, first up is the obedience and you need to pass that section before you move into protection.
PSA has 3 levels to it and you need to pass each level twice to earn the titles. So it’s a big commitment and it’s a massive deal if you have a titled PSA3 dog.
As you move up in levels the rules get less and less scripted. PSA1 obedience is fully laid out for you. PSA1 protection has 3 known scenarios and 1 surprise scenario (picked from a list of 5) which you find out on the day of the trial.
In our first trial we scored the highest in obedience, scored 3 out of the 4 protection scenarios with the high distinction but the surprise scenario got us in the end. As you watch the videos you can see the connection between myself and Hondo loosen as his little brain just wanted to go have fun chasing the decoys. 🤣
This first video is the Car Jacking scenario. You enter the car on the driver side, the decoy is sitting in a chair. I’ve given my “car jacking” command as I enter the vehicle so he knows what to do. The decoy approaches talking smack 🤣, the dog is to bark with forward intensity and once the decoy attacks the dog can bite. The judge will then ask the decoy to freeze up and ask the handler to “Out your dog” to which I do and then the dog should start barking once again until I say we are done. All performed really well by Hondo 👏
