SIT MEANS SIT TO HOST CANINE GOOD CITIZEN AND THERAPY DOG TEST WITH ALL PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT HEAVEN CAN WAIT

Las Vegas, Nev. – Sit Means Sit, the largest U.S.-based dog training company, is hosting an American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen (CGC) and Therapy Dog Test with all proceeds to benefit Heaven Can Wait Animal Society.  The test is being held Sunday, April 11, 2010 from 10:30 a.m. to noon and is open to the public and dogs of all breeds.  The cost per dog is a $15 donation to Heaven Can Wait for the CGC, and there is no cost for therapy dog testing.  Dogs must be at least one years old for therapy dog testing and current on their vaccinations.  The test will be conducted by CGC/TD Evaluators Richard McCarty and Kathy McCarty.  The test will include the following:

(more…)

One of my favorite AKC sports, Rally!

I love having the ability to talk to Tank in the ring, and so does he. Rally is a AKC dog sport where Tank really shines. This AKC trial was held in Long Beach, California. A show that we will attend every year…great weather!

We left for Long Beach California, on Friday so Tank and I could compete in the AKC Rally Excellent trial. We needed two more legs in order to complete his RE title and we not only earned the legs, but we also scored very well. On Saturday, we scored 100 and on Sunday a 97.

It was a nice holiday away from the Las Vegas heat and I will be sure to compete in this AKC show again each year, just for the weather alone!

It sure shows that AKC Rally is Tank’s favorite AKC sport in the below video. We are so proud of him and most importantly, he enjoys himself in the ring. We earned the 100 points at a AKC trial in Las Vegas.
Lianne Hassen is seen here during her perfect score in the ‘Excellent B’ division of AKC Rally. The Excellent B division is the highest division of Rally competitions. Here are some tidbits of information about Rally.

Excellent Level- this third and highest level of AKC Rally is the most challenging. The exercises here are not patterned, and your dog must know not only how to do a variety of exercises, but in the sequence that is presented on the particular day. Like agility, the handlers can walk the course to familiarize themselves without their dog before competition. *Exercises are performed off-leash except for the honor exercise. *There is a requirement of 15-20 stations, with no more than 7 stationary exercises. *Handlers are only allowed to encourage their dogs verbally. Physical encouragement is not allowed at this level. *The Excellent-level exercises include backing up three steps, while the dog stays in the heel position and a moving stand, while the handler walks around the dog.

Rally is a sport in which the dog and handler complete a course that has been designed by the rally judge. The judge tells the handler to begin, and the dog and handler proceed at their own pace through a course of designated stations (10 – 20, depending on the level). Each of these stations has a sign providing instructions regarding the next skill that is to be performed.

The team of dog and handler moves continuously at a brisk, but normal, pace with the dog under control at the handler’s left side. There should be a sense of teamwork between the dog and handler both during the numbered exercises and between the exercise signs; however, perfect “heel position” is not required.

After the judge’s “Forward” order, the team is on its own to complete the entire sequence of numbered signs correctly.

Unlimited communication from the handler to the dog is to be encouraged and not penalized. Unless otherwise specified in these Regulations, handlers are permitted to talk, praise, encourage, clap their hands, pat their legs, or use any verbal means of encouragement. Multiple commands and/or signals using one or both arms and hands are allowed; the handler’s arms need not be maintained in any particular position at any time. The handler may not touch the dog or make physical corrections. At any time during the performance, loud or harsh commands or intimidating signals will be penalized.

Rally Signs:

The signs may be any color and they include descriptions as well as directional arrows of exercises. Signs are numbered to make it easy to find the next station when navigating the course. All signs are placed to the handler’s right side. The signs are large enough to be easily recognized when going through a course. The exercises designated on the signs will be performed in close proximity to the sign itself, either in front, back of, or beside the sign.

Excellent – this third and highest level of AKC Rally is the most challenging.
*Exercises are performed off-leash except for the honor exercise.
*There is a requirement of 15-20 stations, with no more than 7 stationary exercises.
*Handlers are only allowed to encourage their dogs verbally. Physical encouragement is not allowed at this level.
*The Excellent-level exercises include backing up three steps, while the dog stays in the heel position and a moving stand, while the handler walks around the dog.

Our first time in the ring was a blast. I was too ill from a really bad cold to be overly nervous. Tank is the best boy, he earned an extra special trip to the Pet Store to pick out any toys he wanted after getting me through this…and with such a good score. I’m a proud mother : ) What a fun day!!! I was sick as a dog, with the worst cold you could imagine, and the cold medicine was pretty strong, so I’m glad we got this on video as I was a bit out of it. Luckily Tank can pretty much run the course without me. This was our first time in the ring…ever! We scored 195.5 out of 200, Yipee!

NOVICE – Exercises include:

* Heel on Leash and Figure Eight – show whether the dog has leamed to watch its handler and adjust its pace to stay with the handler.
* Heel Free – done off leash.
* Stand for Examination – is of great benefit when the dog needs hands-on care by a veterinarian.
* Recall – provides the handler with the ability to call the dog and get an immediate response at all times.
* Long Sit (1 minute) – allows the handler to have control of the dog when visitors come to the home.
* Long Down (3 minutes) – dog must remain in a down position.