[mvhplank]

Sapphires Come Dance with Me Delaney "Hobbes" entered his first obedience trial on June 20, 2020. He was entered twice that day and passed his first class. He was entered twice the following day and passed both, to earn the Starter Novice title from the Companion Dog Sports Program (CDSP) on his 9-month birthday.

We're signed up to take Novice classes on Friday mornings, masks and all.

Here's his title run:
Hobbes in Starter Novice, Judy Richardson judging.

If you do Facebook, he has his own page: Hobbes Delaney

Here's our title photo, with both judges he qualified under.

 

[lily cd re]

Masks and all htat is a really nice picture. It gives me hope that somehow I will be able to get somewhere with Javelin and to finish RACh with Lily. I do train at least half of my time with a mask on. Neither of them seems to care too much.

 

[mvhplank]

Masks and all htat is a really nice picture. It gives me hope that somehow I will be able to get somewhere with Javelin and to finish RACh with Lily. I do train at least half of my time with a mask on. Neither of them seems to care too much.

None of the dogs seemed to be bothered by masks. We didn't have to crate in our vehicles, there was enough room in the crating area for the small turnout to still stay 6 feet apart. There was hand sanitizer everywhere and disinfecting wipes in the tiny bathroom.

 

[Liz]

Bravi tutti! All the more impressive given his age.

 

[cowpony]

Congrats!

 

[mvhplank]

Bravi tutti! All the more impressive given his age.

I gotta tell you, my first poodle Neely (still with us at 8 years old) couldn't have done it. I wouldn't even consider putting him in off-leash rally classes until he was well past 2 years old. It was like "the brains haven't been shipped yet." He's still a social butterfly in the ring. 😛

 

[Liz]

I gotta tell you, my first poodle Neely (still with us at 8 years old) couldn't have done it. I wouldn't even consider putting him in off-leash rally classes until he was well past 2 years old. It was like "the brains haven't been shipped yet." He's still a social butterfly in the ring. 😛

In her first obedience class, Mia and a Chinese Crested Powderpuff named Tango had a very public, and very illicit love affair. I gave them their couple name, "Mango." The other owners were not amused.

Hobbes must be a very calm boy. No doubt that Neely helped you hone your training skills, as well. Really, very well done.

 

[mvhplank]

In her first obedience class, Mia and a Chinese Crested Powderpuff named Tango had a very public, and very illicit love affair. I gave them their couple name, "Mango." The other owners were not amused.

Hobbes must be a very calm boy. No doubt that Neely helped you hone your training skills, as well. Really, very well done.

Ha! I keep a suspicious eye on both the boys, since they are intact. Thank goodness, they are best pals.

You better believe that Neely made me really learn how to train and how to keep my wits in the ring as a handler! But I'm not sure the "easy" dogs teach you as much. Hobbes is an extremely fast learner, so I have to be very sure that what I teach him is what I want.

I have to add that CDSP lets you encourage your dog while in the ring. I don't think he's ready for AKC Beginner Novice, but I might try him in Rally Novice, if I can find a trial.

 

[Skylar]

Very impressive way to celebrate his 9 month birthday. Congratulations🎊,mask and all.

 

[For Want of Poodle]

Wow Hobbes!!! Very impressive!!!!

 

[Asta's Mom]

Super Good Job Hobbes!

 

[Liz]

But I'm not sure the "easy" dogs teach you as much. Hobbes is an extremely fast learner, so I have to be very sure that what I teach him is what I want.

So true -- both statements. It's the hard dogs who teach you the most, and sometimes they are very difficult lessons.

On a brighter note, who among us hasn't inadvertently taught our poodle the wrong thing, lol? I recall a recent thread that grew quite long with all of the stories of our mistakes because our dogs are so quick to form associations. And when you have an especially bright poodle, watch out!

 

[mvhplank]

So true -- both statements. It's the hard dogs who teach you the most, and sometimes they are very difficult lessons.

On a brighter note, who among us hasn't inadvertently taught our poodle the wrong thing, lol? I recall a recent thread that grew quite long with all of the stories of our mistakes because our dogs are so quick to form associations. And when you have an especially bright poodle, watch out!

True that!

 

[PeggyTheParti]

I gotta tell you, my first poodle Neely (still with us at 8 years old) couldn't have done it. I wouldn't even consider putting him in off-leash rally classes until he was well past 2 years old. It was like "the brains haven't been shipped yet." He's still a social butterfly in the ring. 😛

Lol! This gives me hope for Peggy.

Congratulations to you and Hobbes! A job very well done!

 

[mvhplank]

Lol! This gives me hope for Peggy.

Congratulations to you and Hobbes! A job very well done!

Good luck! It's good to have a goal.

 

[Mfmst]

Well done, Hobbes! He’s off to a very impressive start.

 

[FloofyPoodle]

Congrats to both of you!

 

[Click-N-Treat]

Wow! Congratulations! That's fantastic. At 9 months Noelle was a living pinball, bouncing here and there and couldn't pass the CGC. Wonderful job to the both of you. Yay!

 

[Fenris-wolf]

I gotta tell you, my first poodle Neely (still with us at 8 years old) couldn't have done it. I wouldn't even consider putting him in off-leash rally classes until he was well past 2 years old. It was like "the brains haven't been shipped yet." He's still a social butterfly in the ring. 😛

Congratulations!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉


Sisko just got his brains shipped not too long ago 😀

 

[mvhplank]

Wow! Congratulations! That's fantastic. At 9 months Noelle was a living pinball, bouncing here and there and couldn't pass the CGC. Wonderful job to the both of you. Yay!

Thanks, Marie/Click! As I've said elsewhere in this thread, Neely couldn't have titled in anything at 9 months. I think "pinball" is a good description!

Hobbes has an entirely different personality--I would call him "aloof," so every time he meets someone new, I give the new person a treat to offer him. I don't want him shying away from people. He was a skilled collar-dodger when he came to live with me at about 4 and a half months. The upside to getting an older puppy is that he arrived entirely housebroken!