SAN FRANCISCO MONDIORING CLUB'S
"FUN HOUSE" - MARCH 6,7,8,& 9 - 2003
ALAMEDA SCHUTZHUND CLUB FIELD - LIVERMORE, CA
Judge: Margaret McKenna Decoys: Mike Ellis, Isai Rodriguez, & Ed Reynolds
FUN HOUSE (1)
FUNNER HOUSE (2)
DECOY SELECTION
SEMINAR NOTES
Fun House Trial officially started with the players coming to the judge's table which had a festive balloon decorated canopy. Here, they all chose their positions for the order of trialing and then got to watch "dog in white" which was performed by Kathy O'Brien and DYNAmite ot Vitosha. Michael Ellis handling FAUXTOIS des Loups de Soleil drew the starting position. He was followed by Ann Putegnat with Ocar Du Ciel Rouge ("SMOKEY"), then Lisa Maze with NOITOIRE Des Loups de Soleil, Augusta Farley with Julia Des Teutones ("JESSE"), Lisa Maze and "FEISTER" Des Loups de Soleil, and last, but not least, Leri Hanson and Knock Outs Kelso Street ROMEL.
The player left their dog in a down at the presentation point next to a big brown bear leaning against a four foot metal garden hook with a cactus balloon tied to the top. They then went to meet the judge and introduced themselves, their dog breed, name, sex , level they were trialing at, type of recall and jump choice. After this, the food refusal was performed with the Deputy Judge walking by the dog and throwing a big piece of training meat a t the dog's feet.
Heeling had the dog starting at the garden hook with the big teddy bear leaning against it and a big mylar cactus balloon tied to the top of the hook go out. The handler went out past a three sided fence with plastic webbing wrapped around it and an Easter duckee hung on one side, around a wooden blind decorated with plastic straps with triangles like you see at car dealerships, back past and around the fencing.and out at a diagonal till the ending horn.
Send out was towards the fence with caution tape on the cross line and orange cones as the point markers.
Absence left the dog in a down at the side of the obstacle, while a classic hoola hoop cube that made a rattle sound with strands of colorful plastic balls on the inside, was rolled 10 meters in front of the dog.
Retrieve was a Gatorade bottle filled with water.
Positions left the dog in a sit under an archway(with more balloons attached:) that had a flying pink piggee above the dog. The change sequence was down-sit-stand, then recall.
In level 1 the player has their choice of jumps performed at that level's minimum. This trials' players chose either the Pallisade or the Hurdle.
Flee attack with gun at a diagonal attack line.
In the defense, the decoy, facing the handler, was standing behind a fence made of hard netting with colorful tape strands flying in the wind, big plastic toy windmills attached to the top and bamboo plants at the side. He said "Come play ball with me". The handler accepted the volley ball from the decoy and then shook hands. The decoy went to the edge of the fence and stood there while the handler had to walk past them to a cone that was about five meters behind the fence. Then the decoy went to the other side of the fence and told the player to throw the ball. The ball was thrown over the fence with the decoy not catching it. The decoy then said "Don't you know how to play ball?" He picked up the ball, threw it down while walking around to the handler and made the aggression facing them.
Face attack with a stick was performed at another diagonal angle.
Level 2 only had one team, Laura Harris and Kain OT Vitosha ("LUDO") so there was no need for a lottery. Dog in white was performed by Jennifer Collins and O'bre-ons Ziggy Indepence ("INDY"), FR2 (hopefully moving to Mondioring before too long:)) and Glenn Salamanca and USA's first and only MR3 female, Alluring Nikita, also FR3.
The Level 2 test commenced in the same fashion with the additional element of the handler choosing their "little wood" and declaring their jump choice and starting height. The food refusal at the same position performed with more difficulty and of course more food.
The Heeling pattern was the same, with the stops at a more difficult positioning for the dog because of the paraphernalia distractions.
Send out had the same line from further away.
Absence with the dog left at the side of the obstacle and the hoola hoop done again with much more vigorous shaking and movement.
Retrieve was the bottle again. I must say this was the only big disappointment about the exercises for me, but the judge told me it was different water:) I know Ludo can do more difficult retrieves.
Let's give a hand to Ludo & Laura!!! ;)
The Positions where done UNDER the flying pig with the order of left in sit stand down repeated twice and then recall.
Little wood was done in an open field area.
Jumps was handler's choice of palisade OR longjump AND hurdle.
First Protection Exercise was Flee attack with gun - same angle and more opposition from the decoy after the shots.
Defense started the same as in level 1 until the handler picked up the ball at which point they said "I'll show you how to throw a ball" and went back to their facing position, threw it over the net TO the handler who missed the catch. The Decoy then said come over here and I'll show you how to play" When the handler approached them the aggression occured.
Search and escort with the dog hidden in a normal triangular wooden Schutzhund/FR blind. The transport went with the decoy attempting escapes at a field position and by the "volley ball floor net", again on the open field area.
Face attack with a stick over obstacle which was some blue 50 gal drums on their sides with an orange cone, stuffed witch in a lawn chair, the an upside down "U" shaped black pvc pipe square arch
Final protection exercise was with accessories. The accessories was one I had never seen before and I congratulate Youngblood (TRIAL DECOY LEVEL 3:))))) on this design and some other nice ones:). It was a cheerleader pom pom design made from strands of colorful plastic computer cable covers.
Sunday - Funner House 2 (mo fun:)
Sunday, had just Level 1 players, and was opened with another lottery for Glenn Salamanca and Nikita performing Dog in White. First Player was Augusta Farley & "JESSE", followed by Ann Putegnat and "SMOKEY", Michael Ellis and FAUXTOIS, Lisa Maze and NOTOIRE, Kathy O'Brien and Dynamite OT Vitosha, Leri Hanson and ROMEL and another appearance by Lisa Maze, this time with "FEIST"
The entrance gate was at the other end of the field for Sunday, some of the Field Decorations were moved and EVEN MORE stuff was added to the field. (Hey!!! SFMC does your clubhouse have some secret magical door where you keep all this stuff?:) After presentation, the handler heeled to a white plastic lawn chair, where they then sat down with the dog at their side. The handler had to sit and make their dog wait" while they walked away from dog and around the Judge's table. The judge then performed the FOOD Refusal while the handler walked away from the dog.
Heeling was started from the brown teddy marker. The handler went forward and through the "ballooned arch, turned to the right towards a construction cone, then left aroung another construction cone right turning towards the NE corner of the field.
Positions Sit Stand down with the dog parallel to the barrel obstacle. Down sit, stand, down and recall.
Absence left the dog in a down positioned parallel on the other side of the obstacle (next to the www.usmondioring.org banner, which was attached to the obstacle. (Great photo oppurtunities:) )) Then, ten meters away, two helpers played "teddy toss" throwing back and forth a HUGE stuffed teddy bear.
Send out was the next exercise performed in a straight line directed towards the fence.
Retrieve was a pvc storm drain elbow joint.
Face attack with stick
Jumps were next with most handlers choosing the hurdle or palisade.
Defense
The defense had the handler heeling about 20 meters towards the "balloon
arch", where the decoy was standing to the left about five meters away.
The handler had to walk between the left side of the arch and the decoy, "u"
turn through the arch while picking up the four foot stuffed witch and carry
it to a white chair at the side of the barrel obstacle. The decoy then went
to the side of the arch, where the handler upon return shook hands (and KEPT
moving!) while picking up the huge WHITE teddy bear. Handler had one ear of
"Ted" and Decoy took one ear and they walked towards a chair. Decoy
then took the bear for themselves while the handler went to a chair. The decoy,
a few steps behind handler, then followed handler who went to sit in another
white lawn chair, with them going BEHIND the chair between the chair and the
obstacle. After, the handler had sat in the chair with the dog by their side,the
decoy approached them, then threw "Ted" and the aggression occurred
from the front. More than one dog was lured into early aggression during the
"Teddy Transport" and gave many of us things to train and think on….
Flee attack from another diagonal angle.
Special honors to Mike Ellis, Isai Rodriguez, and Ed Reynolds for getting bruised, bashed and beat up physically and mentally, with the only compensation being food, a bed and transportation to aforementioned activities while the crowds cheered when they were knocked down...
For Mondioring Decoy Selection, the Decoy must have a good understanding of the rules and also how to work a dog safely within those parameters. They are expected to design and execute all seven of the MR3 protection program, with an addition Defense of Handler that is not as difficult for Level 1. The decoy must first answer questions on theory and rules. They must work the dogs safely and be attentive to the directions of the judge. Each dog must be worked with the appropriate intensity for their Level and all the dogs in that level must be worked in the same fashion. After working the dogs, the decoy must run 70 meters in 15 seconds or less (still in the suit of course). A trial scorecard is used to write down each mistake and the judge explains each point afterwards.
The Seminar put on by Margaret McKenna was stimulating, challenging and fun. I was excited to see that she makes training in the same fashion as our Swiss Club, Security Dogs, in that the training is as much like a trial as possible with the exceptions being that the handler (or sometimes someone else on the field) can make corrections, use their tugs/toys and exercises are allowed to be repeated. I felt that the work done made sense and was safe under her supervision.
For send out Margaret has the Handler position the tug on the fence while the dog can see this. Sometimes they put the tug on the outside of the fence, but she ALWAYS uses the tug except for trials. In her training, after the first time the exercise is performed, she secretly passes the tug to someone else to position it in the same place using the same line. Then, after she does some other exercise/s, she returns for another go at it and when the dog hits the fence, his tug has "magically" reappeared. BRILLIANT!!!
In the DOH heeling, she showed us how to use the LEFT as lead when sitting, going over things etc., to keep the dog next to you as well as to "steer" the dog into optimum positioning where it can surely see the aggression from the decoy. For obedience heeling, she recommended the RIGHT leg so that the unusual movement doesn't "push" the dog away from the handler. This is under the assumption that your dog heals on the left side and if not, just reverse the side of these techniques.
She talked about and demonstrated the importance of "helping" the dog by handler movement and positioning. In Mondioring, there is some leeway as to how the handler may do certain activities. For example, if one is instructed to sit in a chair, there is a little leeway as far as having your body turned a little so that the dog is sure to see the aggression coming. Although, if you are "helping" your dog too much and the judge sees this, it is considered "cheating" and you will be penalized appropriately.
All in all, the five days that I was able to study under Ms. McKenna were a pleasurable experience, an opportunity I would highly recommend. In the training, Margaret was delightful - patient, supportive, informative and compassionate. She was also very supportive and compassionate during the trial. When a handler seemed distressed at "blowing it" on one of the first obedience exercises, she kindly told them "it's OK, just have some fun"and then she turned her head and changed her voice tone and said "zero points" to the trial secretary. (He-he) The trial ran smoothly in large due to her acute focus. In addition, the sequence and arrangement was set up for maximum efficiency AND also for the audience's viewing. On Saturday, there were about a hundred spectators and I am sure those new to the sport went away with a positive and enthusiastic opinion on Mondioring. Those already exposed to the "virus" went away with new ideas and enthusiasm.
It was exciting to see so many people support the Seminar and Trials. This was a North to South border to border attendance with Tami and Glenn Stephanson coming down from Seattle area. Lisa Maze and Michael Ellis from San Diego. In addition, the LA area was amply represented with MR1 Romel and his handler Leri Hanson, Seminar attendees, Michele Gardner, Candy, Feather & Cindy Sanchez and Chris and Dana came all the way up just to watch the trial. French Ringers Felix Sunga and Jenifer Collins came out to support the Mondioringers and make "dog in white" and Jen was roped into adding up the scores. Mike Barger came with his "special" sense of humor and brought his family to cheer for the players. Luciano and Natilie from Sacramento DOGS brought their posse and we hope they went away thinking Mondio thoughts.
Kudos to SFMC (Laura & YB Harris, Augusta Farley, Sam Mannion-trial deputy judge and gopher/chauffeur, Jason Scobie, Susan- trial secretary, & their dogs) for "lifting the bar". I must say I have never seen a more festive Mondioring field - even the ones I have seen in Europe. The organization was unbelievable. KUDOS to all the hard workers of San Francisco Mondioring Club, ESPECIALLY Mr. Youngblood Harris- America's newest LEVEL 3 Mondioring Trial Decoy!!!! I feel I must publicity acknowledge Youngblood's contributions to making that trial a HUGE success In addition, to the week before and during the trial, Youngblood was on the field several days a week working not only SFMC dogs AND the Alameda Sch Club dogs, but also Mondioring guests like myself, Kathy O, and Leri Hanson who came from afar to get some training to prepare for the trial. He was very patient and always had a smile to offer (up until about 7pm Sunday nite:) Augusta was amazing, getting the palisade wood there on Friday and supervising it's erection at the last minute. Pinch Hitter Ed Reynold's really stepped up to the plate and didn't even seem to mind having to wear girl's clothes (my shiny blue tights and suit:) for the trial. Kathy and I are already talking about bringing Margaret out for another "go at it" as Margaret would say:) I was totally stoked to see the huge turn out for Saturday's trial. Sunday, was not as large, but thanks to those who came, especially the ones who stayed for hours to "ra ra" the decoy selection. It was cold and dark and we were all so tired and even a little crabby and for me, the support was greatly appreciated Thanks to EVERYONE who was there -old friends as well as new!!! Outside of one very unsupportive act of unkindness that I heard of, which now has a mirror mojo working on the offender, the event was incredibly successful and sent out many ripples of positively for Mondioring. I got more than one email from non-mondioringers saying how much they enjoyed the seminar/trial as well as the "family" atmosphere. It was fun, mostly;) educational, and a great opportunity for some of us to face our faults and move forward. In that five days, I lost a bunch of stuff on the field (both material and psychic) and came home with stuff (both material and psychic) that I didn't have at the beginning. What a party!
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