Barbados and Top Dog Trainers
I believe it was a record number of participants in the Waterford’s B’dos. Dog Training Club’s ring on Wednesday, July 23rd, all trying for CD legs and the CD title which is achieved after three legs of the CD trials are passed under different judges. Eleven people entered, and ten turned up. The entries ranged from German Shepherd Dog puppies, a Dachshund, mixed breeds, Labrador, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Boxer and my Bouvier Des Flandres puppy, Isabella, who just qualified for entry as she is only six months old and came straight from the Basic Obedience Saturday morning class. She attended only 4 Saturday evening classes with the formal Barbados Dog Training Club’s CD class training.
A requirement for entering the CD trials is that the dog/puppy must attend at least 3 classes and must also be six months old to sit trials.
At CDX level were two Belgium Malinois and at the Utility level were a Papillion and a Rhodesian Ridgeback.
So a wide variety of breeds and very keen handlers/trainers.
The island’s top trainers were there working for titles: Linda Pearson with a German Shepherd puppy, Echo, from working lines, and Adrian Ward with his Belgium Malinois, Hydro.
It is good to see that these top dog trainers (and I base this rating on practical results and the fact that both of these two trainers can show, besides training dogs in simple basic obedience, that they can train dogs in protection and bite sports and prove with their own dogs and other dogs that they can train beyond the basic obedience and CD title).
Linda Pearson can also judge competitive obedience to the highest level we have in Barbados.
Of course, overseas training and training exposure with top overseas trainers is important. Both Adrian and Linda fit this requirement.
When you look at achievements in the world of dog trainers and those writing books, articles, on dog training, the authors I most respect have all kinds of titles with their own dogs. It certainly makes them more credible.
For a lot of us, competing for obedience training titles, is just a hobby. But for others who are working and getting paid for training other people’s dogs, it is a plus in their marketing to be able to show what they have achieved in the practical world of dog training in Barbados.
From what I am hearing, quite a few people are getting into private basic dog training and that market will be shared, I suspect, by an increasing number of people. These people are also doing online courses and I believe will also try to gain titles with their own dogs.
Two people achieved the CD title from the trials on July 23rd, Sarah Hamilton with Rhodesian Ridgeback Fizz, and Jenni Wilson with the Dachshund Casey.
Others achieved various CD legs.
The higher level participants going for the open and utility titles, I believe will work harder for the next trials.
And Isabella, at six months, did very well. We will also work harder. We passed the heel on leash and figure 8, stand for examination, heel off leash, recall, long sit but on the long three minute down, and I was told that we needed just 2 more seconds, Izzy had enough and she got up. It was a long evening for a young puppy but we will be back in September. I was very pleased with her as she is very young. She loves toys and treats. She is usually corrected by a “No” and does not get the treat or the toy unless she performs the exercise properly. I am a believer in balanced training. She gets lots of rewards and she is a very happy, eager puppy to work with.
Jean Ray was the judge for the CD trials and Jennifer Fields was the steward.
I left the trials after the CD judging as I have a Bouvier at home with a pancreatitis problem which needs a lot of time in specially prepared foods to get past her problems so I am not sure of the other stewards but will update this post when I find out.
Judge for utility was Linda Pearson, Sarah Hamilton was the open (CDX) judge.
From what I am hearing, the trials next time could have a lot more participants working for the CD title and possibly additional breeds like a Rottie, Pit Bull, American Bulldog, and Dobbie.
I enjoy being on a class which Linda Pearson and Adrian Ward attend. I am friendly with both of them and Linda, in particular, gives a lot of time back to help those of us competing in obedience training.
For dogs in Barbados to get obedience titles they have to attend and pass the trials through The Barbados Dog Training Club as it is affiliated to the main dog body, The B’dos. Kennel Club, in Barbados.
I understand Sarah Hamilton will be the trainer for the CD class in September. She has trained one of her own Rhodesian Ridgebacks up to the Utility level and she is working to achieve that title.
At the open and utility levels, there are no formal training classes in Barbados. Excellent YouTube and online learning is available and all kinds of literature. Linda Pearson will help other trainers at that level, and I believe Adrian Ward, although he himself is at the CDX (open) level, would be able to help.
Congratulations to all who passed CD legs and achieved the titles on July 23, 2014.
Tags: Bouvier Des Flandres, competitive obedience dog training, dog and puppy training in Barbados, Dog trainers in Barbados, Dog training in Barbados
