Hmmmm before joining the Grade 4/5/CCD/Novice class yesterday evening I went through a practice ring. I remembered that on Sunday the CI said I should heel with more pizzaz. So on the command to heel walked off with very brisk but not large steps. Worked too! Apart from lagging a bit on the start Demi kept up and was pretty close to me.
So, change of position from a distance, the signal I have been using (hands clasped in front, moving them sideways away from my body, a signal I have seen people do in rings) too confusing, too similar to the recall signal (hands flung out and up) so we devised a signal where I raised my hands, moved them out a bit and made a pushing motion. Practiced that at the lesson & later at home. Works fine. Did the figure of eight, remembering to accelerate through the straight bits of the '8' and again Demi followed at my heels. We received high praise from the lady that puts people through the ring Wednesday nights--old as the hills but with keen eyesight that picks up my blunders
Hope the Trial at Whyalla goes as well.
Starting to pick up some elements of ringcraft. One problem I have is I cannot walk straight, tend to walk into my dog. So in the trial must not look sideways at Demi and instead concentrate on walking parallel to the sides of the ring, remembering brisk but short steps. Also have to concentrate on my hands: there are 'double commands' you get pinged for and not watching where my hands are can result in the judge considering a careless placement of hands such a double command. This Sunday I will be a steward at the Novice ring at the trial my club is putting on, hoping to pick up more ringcraft.
I no longer have a lead in class or in the trial ring so what to do with my left hand, if I have it just swinging as you do naturally when walking then that is bulk distracting for the dog. So, when not using it for a signal my left arm & hand are folded across my belly. I did stuff up on this point last night but better not stuff up at the trial!
Pretty much for all of each class Demi is off lead and doesn't run away etc, such a change on this time last year! This time last year I was still in Grade 3 and resenting that bitterly, then we got promoted to Gr 4 in June and to Gr 5 late July. From then until early this year she was a cow! Running past me and away in the recall and generally being a pig, late last year finally started settling down and improving. So some change, Grade 3 to getting the CCD title!
Now on Sunday 7th Jun, probably not long after 10.00am after the CCD riffraff have gone through the ring it will be my and Demi's turn. Lead off, "forward" and we heel off, my trying to remember to walk briskly, keeping that pesky left arm tucked up out the way and walking straight, parallel to the sides of the ring and waiting for the judge's next command and hoping not to stuff up too badly!
All this shit is completely new, as is the instructing bit, and is I hope keeping the nougat behind my eyes working and not decaying into senility
