Ontario Obedience Tales
Copyright 1998-2005

CH & OTCH Rowanglen's Jubilation TT, AM CD
(Delamantha's Desideratason x Rowanglen's Jubilee Dream):

#2 All-Breed Obedience Dog 1984
#2 Group 3 Dog 1984
#2 Shetland Sheepdog 1984
#1 In My Heart

The first dog I ever obedience trained was CH & OTCH Rowanglen's Jubilation TT, AM CD. "Julie" was born on August 26, 1979. She was raised as a singleton puppy. Julie grew up to be a very solid 15 1/2" bitch of sound structure and temperament. At that time I was just getting my bearings in conformation showing so I wasn't even thinking of obedience. It wasn't until three years later in 1982 when one of my pet clients visited and talked me into taking the step into the obedience ring. I decided to go for it. The following history proves that you CAN teach an old dog (and handler) new tricks. Both Julie and I were totally inexperienced in this field.

I joined Barb Scott's obedience training school and went for lessons once a week. The rest was homework. The Koehler method of training was used. Julie learned at an incredibly rapid rate that amazed all. She did both her CD and her CDX in the same year. She worked with supreme enthusiasm. I remember one trial when she was already working toward her CDX level where during her Down on Recall she dropped with such dauntless precision (and a twinkle in her eye) that she slid with the mats toward me. The judge was awestruck because the dog was stationary but the mats were travelling from the momentum of her stop. I think they taped the mats after that. That same year in 1982 Julie achieved the following:

CD (Companion Dog), in 3 consecutive trials always scoring over 190
CDX (Companion Dog Excellent), in 3 consecutive trials always first in class
Championship in Conformation
Dog World Award

In 1983 I decided to train for her Utility title. I remember another incident that shows Julie's incredible spirit and enthusiasm. We were in a trial walking from one area of the ring to another when Julie took one look at the jumps and couldn't resist the urge to dart away for a moment, took a flying leap over the jump, and then returned and continued healing without batting an eye. The judge forgave her since it was between exercises and also to save me from heart failure. The year was dedicated to training and in the same year she attained this honour:

HIT (High in Trial) twice

Since Julie was on a roll I decided to campaign Julie in obedience in 1984 right after she finished her utility title. Julie remained the clown. I remember one hot outdoor trial where during the Long Stand a wasp began to buzz around Julie. Julie began to snap at the wasp and the wasp continued to buzz darting just out of her reach. Julie continued to snap and snap and turn her head in degrees that I didn't think was possible. Across the ring I was dying a slow death. I was worried about Julie getting stung but I was also worried that I would disturb the other contestants by leaving my spot. The judge noticed what was going on and tried to approach and distract the wasp. The wasp was not obedient at all. However, the time elapsed and I was able to retrieve my dog. The judge was impressed because Julie never moved her feet off the spot as she did her wasp-snapping game. During the campaign Julie had to take two extended leaves of absence because she was a bitch and came into season twice. I always felt that if she had been a male and not missed the time she would have been #1. That year in 1984 Julie achieved her crowning glory:

OTCH (Obedience Trial Champion), aka UD (Utility Dog)
TT (passed Temperament Test)
#2 All Breed Obedience Dog in Canada
#2 All Breed Obedience Dog in Group 3

In 1985 I put an American CD title on Julie but then retired her for a litter or two. She produced two champion offspring and a third with a CDX. Since "Julie" I have put on a few CDs on other dogs all of which could have gone much higher. However, the conformation show ring kept me busy with other youngsters. To people who are considering obedience I highly recommend it. Julie's story proves that it can be done at any age. Julie's intense obedience focus was between the ages of three and five. Neither one of us had any obedience background before that and there was no special puppy attention for that direction. Obedience and conformation did not interfere with each other. I cannot imagine the polish Julie would have had if I had had more experience myself at the time. Of greatest value is that working and campaigning a dog in obedience intensifies an already wonderful relationship that you have with your dog.

Hanna Hadden