One week ago Sunday, I wore a short-sleeve polo shirt to the trial. Hot. This week an Arctic freeze blew through town, canceling my agility classes and dumping snow. Friday, the roads were just too treacherous to risk driving to the trial, so I skipped it.
I was disappointed because I took Shane to the vet on Tuesday and begged for some medication. I actually practiced my story to work up some sobs in case I got the runaround again. Was I ever surprised when the vet agreed to help me. He sounded like he had already done some research on the topic and came prepared with a 3-step plan. First, we are trying Tramadol, which is a morphine-based pain killer that has a mild sedative effect. I think Woody was on it in his final weeks. I really wanted to see how it affected Shane at class, but it was cancelled. Step 2 will be trazodone and step 3 is Prozac.
Saturday I delayed our departure until the sun was blazing in case there was still ice on the roads. I gave Shane half a tramadol and we headed to the show around 10 am. We missed Gamblers and had plenty of time to set up. Standard was first up. Maggie did her usual and we left at the teeter. The environment was just too nuts, so I scratched Shane's run. I don't know what it is about USDAA trials, but there are just so many barking lunging dogs and everyone seems to think it's OK. All that just rouses Shane and I was too scared to try. I gave him the other half of the pill.
Last run of the day was Snooker and thank goodness there was no teeter in the run! Maybe I'll have a chance with Maggie. Turns out not a chance. Took one red, and then to the weaves where she completely shut down on me. We ran out of time. The Masters ring was done and Shane was the third from the last dog to run, so I decided to give it a try. Had a friend block the exit for me. We did the opening great, but he knocked a bar in the closing. He looked toward the exit, but I got him to come to me and sit. Very good experience for us.
Sunday, we started the day with Starters Pairs. Maggie nailed it! She did the weaves like a champ. 2nd place Q. Next up was Standard and had to pull Maggie off the teeter again. I scratched Shane because I couldn't get him out of his crate. Not sure if it was too much medication or he was just scared. Last run was jumpers and Maggie sniffed the entire run and we were way over time. Not sure what that was about. Maybe she was still stressed over the teeter experience? She got Qs in jumpers last weekend but we ran jumpers first before the teeter meltdown. I scratched Shane again because it was still just too nuts around the rings.
I worked Shane a bit around some crates with barking lunging dogs. He struggled to maintain composure, but we worked it. I realized later that that area of the barn was very dark. He probably couldn't see what was in the crates making all that noise so he became reactive. So much to learn about this little ball of fur.
I'm starting to think that perhaps we should stick to AKC and NADAC for now. Maggie might not be cut out for USDAA. We have one more USDAA trial that we've entered and I want to see how Shane does because it's outside and his eyesight is better in the bright sun.
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