Havoc finished the last 2 legs for his UKC Rally level 2 (AKC Advanced equivalent) this past weekend in Tulsa.

What would have been 2 perfect scores for first place and high in Rally trial ended up being a 90 and a 92 for barking. Yep, hit us 10 and 8 points for barking. His execution was flawless, his mouth was flapping again. We ended up not even placing with these scores. But he had fun and both judges liked him and commented on what a good time he was having. He just has this zest about him.

We also competed in Open trying to finish the U-CDX but did not qualify. Barking, our buddy barking. Imagine that! Actually he was qualifying up to the broad jump (last exercise) both times. One judge (who has GSD's) NQ'd us for the last really big scream and I just laughed. She was upset, she really wanted to Q us as he does work nicely. So handler takes dog out and runs his butt off playing fetch in the field behind the club. We played til he said "no more". Next time in the ring he as a little quieter but was so tired he skipped the broad jump and knocked it with is feet for the NQ.

I had a good laugh when a lady who is deaf told me she could "hear" Havoc barking!!! Geri has some hearing and reads lips but she usually does not hear Havoc, she did yesterday!!

We had a good time visiting with out other GSD friends we had not seen in several months so it was really a nice weekend despite Mr. Big Mouth!

Kathy, I guess if I had a dog like Havoc I would be frustrated and give up. But I would try to enjoy the fact that my dog is so exuberant and things. Kudos to you for keep trying.

So you're complaining about a 90 & a 92? Or are you complaining about the NQs?

You have a dog anxious to work, excited about working and happy to be there - just thinking it's a little too slow for him.

I think congratulations are in order.

Shoulda come watch our mock trial & see me screw up. I have more to complain about. Took two commands for the down in motion, broke the long down, inattentive heeling - all of which I could have fortold the way it started (much more me than the dog.)

Havoc is enthusiastic! Congrats on the new title! Maybe not as quiet as you had hoped, but he did amazing! I understand how frustrated you must feel. I am impressed, however! Good work with Mr. Spunky!

Congratulations on the new title. I think we appreciate titles all the more when we have to work our butts off to get them! You're doing a great job with Havoc. Sounds like you are improving as well!

Congratulations to both of you! Great work!

I wouldn't feel bad about the barking - if I tried anything like this with Caleb I'd spend most of the time trying to keep him from chasing his tail. When he goes over the top with excitement, that's his outlet.

Nope not complaining middle, just stating and happy with the title! Cathy S who taught our Open class that we were in 18 months ago commented that she sees frustration there, not enough action for him. He gets going and gets to run out and get the dumbbell and then has to stop. He just wants to keep going and he knows the ring routine and he knows he only gets to play it once in there. Even if I play it with to warm up he knows once in the ring he plays once. Rally is just a lot of stop / start so that winds him up.

Probably won't do the rally level 3 with him any time soon. Maybe next fall. Probably will just not do any competition in obedience at all for awhile too. But we will still train for utility and continue dabbling in SchH. Cathy S said a lot of Golden people with field bred dogs will do field work til they are about 5 or 6 and then come to obedience with the dogs. Something to learn from here.

Havoc is too good and too talented for me to quit on. As long as it is fun we will keep on keeping on. At 4 1/2 he has as many titles as Kayos has and she is 5 days shy of 9. He has been very successful. Not that I am counting titles but it is a measuring rod for success despite his drive loading like a steaming tea kettle. There are more to earn too in different venues. I feel I have another good 4 years left to compete with him as long as his health holds and as long as we are enjoying it.

I am trying hard to learn to not let the barking frustrate me. He loads and vocalizes, and I get frustrated and that frustrates him more too. I actually did pretty good with that this weekend, so this is for me too. Another judge was showing her Malinois who has similar problems. She is using rally where she can tell him quiet and praise quiet. and it is helping her, it also helped us, the judge told me doing that with Havoc actually saved us some points and gave us the rally Q's. It also depends on the placement of the exercises as to how much he winds as some wind him more than others.

Problem is in regular obedience you cannot do that except between exercises. The judge with the Mal showed in the non regular classes that were offered and was able to do some of that so I had an 'ah ha!' moment. I may try out UKC Grad Novice. In AKC that is now a titling class, not so in UKC, good training maybe.

Huge congrats Kathy! I think you should just pin the ribbons on yourself for a few days and show them off! You earned them!

Congrats to Havoc too for bellowing out his enthusiasm! They ought to reward him for being such an eager participant in the sport! He has the makings of a very good ambassador!

on the new title!