Get Down and Dirty … Earthdog Competition Brings out the Best in Dogs and Owners Alike

By Peggy Metcalf

 

From Introduction to Quarry to Master Earthdog … for some a long and tedious journey; for others a fast and furious race. No matter what the pace, the experiences the handler and the dog share will be the memories that remain. Long after the team has forgotten the inclement weather, the overtime arrival of the rats, the “I don’t think I’m in the mood today” attitude from the dog (or, perhaps, the handler!), the lack –luster mark, and the ever present possibility of the dog who decides to stay in the liner, the memories of the glorious day spent out in the fresh air working with the dog will lift spirits and encourage the team to continue its journey. Earthdog work is good for the heart and soul of both the dog and its handler.

 

I had the distinct pleasure during this past earthdog season to experience, first-hand, the beginning of one team’s journey and the culmination of another’s. Both  of these experiences instilled in me the resolution to continue to encourage Norfolk owners to get out and enjoy working with their dogs. This is an experience no one should miss.

 

The Journey Begins

 

The team just beginning their journey was that of Lorraine Comi and her young bitch, Black Magics Rum and Coca Cola (Rosa) from Liverpool, NY. Lorraine and Rosa ere true “newbie’s” to earthdog work, only having limited experience at ANTA’s above ground training sessions.

 

After two sessions of in-ground work at my house this team had a fairly good grasp of what they had to do.  Once Lorraine began to become more sure of herself and the abilities of her dog, her increased confidence helped to overcome her fears of not doing well.

 

Beginners tend to spend too much time worrying about not doing well and what they will tell their friends when they are not successful. This negative outlook hinders positive results.  Lorraine entered her first trial, the Albany Capital District Dachshund Club’s test held in Otego, NY on August 29. The day dawned as miserably as one could possibly imagine! Although Lorraine was told to bring rain gear, she showed up with just a raincoat. Well, she won’t make that mistake again!

 

Due to conflicts with the running of my own dogs, I was not able to see Rosa’s run, but was there to see a sopping wet Lorraine, dripping hair hanging down on her face; muddy, soaked sneakers plowing through the mud and grass, come toward me with the BIGGEST smile I have ever seen on a person so drenched.  Rosa had qualified in Intro to Quarry …  and was the only dog to do so that day. The judgehad praised Lorraine on her handling skills and that only added to her glow. I was so proud of this team’s success on their first attempt. Lorraine’s comment to me was, “I felt very proud because she won because of her instinct and brain.”

 

A “Masterful” Ending

 

The team reaching the ‘end’ of their journey was that of Laurie Rossi-Sherick and her 12 year old bitch, Ch. Andover Petite Bon Bon, CDX, SE, RA, MX< MXJ, CGC, TDI (Andi) of Grass Valley, CA. Laurie is a well-seasoned dog campaigner as indicated by the titles she and Andi have collected over the years. As Laurie was spending the summer with relatives on the East Coast, she decided to enter some earthdog tests to try to complete Andi’s ever-elusive Master Earthdog title.

 

Andi earned her Junior Earthdog title in 1998 when she was only 14 months old, and her Senior title at 20 months. Her first Master leg came in 2002. Although the progression of this bitch was fairly quick, it came to an abrupt halt when Andi decided she would: #1 bark like a lunatic when on honor  (a part of the Master test when one dog must wait quietly while its brace-mate gets to go into the tunnel) and, #2, back up in the liner when Laurie came to remove her.

 

These are two major problems dogs can develop at the Master level and they can be difficult to correct. Although Andi did earn another ME leg, these problems continue to haunt their efforts. Laurie was finally able to correct the barking at honor, but the backing up into the liner was continuing to be a problem. Laurie put all the suggestions and hints from all the judges and earthdog friends to work, but the problem did not stop.

 

Laurie felt that earning the title was not worth stressing her bitch, so she put her efforts into working another of her dogs and eventually put a ME on Andi’s daughter. She then went back to retraining Andi and was able to make some progress in getting her to stay close to the opening and luring her out with food.

 

Andi became more relaxed and Laurie entered her in the Greater Boston Area Earthdog Club trial in Gardner, MA. on August 8 and 9.  Andi had one NQ but did earn her third leg! Laurie was very happy and decided to try one more time by entering the Lackawanna Kennel Club trial in Moscow, PA on August 22.

 

Finally!

 

We were lucky enough to have our dog’s numbers drawn together and ended up as brace mates on that beautiful day, so I was present to see Laurie make the best retrieval of her life, thus helping Andi earn the final leg for her Master Earthdog title.

 

She had two comments to make:  “I was so glad we had practiced as it helped my confidence about getting her out in time,” and “FINALLY!!!!!!”

 

Laurie and Andi’s journey to ME took 11 years to accomplish. The time is now forgotten but the moment of success will be remembered forever.

 

Both of these women and their dogs worked hard and eventually were successful. They both realized that having confidence in themselves as handlers and having faith that their dogs would put their natural instincts to work were two invaluable traits of a successful earthdog team.

 

Congratulations to both teams and may their stories inspire others to take this journey. I, for one, was glad I was along for the ride.

 

(Published in ANTIC December 2009)