So, we finally did it... competed for the Schutzhund BH... and got it. Not in a very pretty way... About a minute into the routine, Gracie got stung/bitten on the behind by a bug (the yellow jackets were out, so I suspect it might have been them.) The rest of the routine was such a struggle for me to keep her with me. (Supposed to be NO handler communication other than one verbal command for each type.) So, when your dog is whipping around biting her own butt about a million times throughout the course (ok, it just felt like that) and you cannot touch her, look at her, give leash corrections or signals, nothing... it's a challenge.
But, we passed! I
didn't get stung by the yellow jackets while I was waiting during the long down (like an honor down, 50 paces away from your dog, facing away from the dog so you can't see what she's doing). They were all over me, and I had to keep still.
It was not pretty, but it's done. So, that girl in the picture is now:
Gracie Jane der Flitzer BH, RN, CGC phew! Going for an advanced Rally next month before we venture into CD/CDX territory...