Sept. 10, 2011 Noblesville, IN: Since Maliboo came SO close to passing her Apprentice test in Chicago, we decided to give it 1 more try. The Overboard Club puts on a great water trial, and the weather cooperated. Since Julie was going with 'Boo, I took Penny along to attempt Junior.
Maliboo's run on Saturday was beautiful, but as often happens at the Apprentice level, she did not pass due to technical issues. This level is all about control and precision for both the dog and handler (retrieving to hand, crossing the 3' line at the water's edge, staying with the handler, etc.).
Exercises are a little more forgiving at the Junior level, but 19 mo old Penny was pretty green. She just came to stay with us at the end of June, and would not swim initially. She grew to love the water, just not SWIMMING! Retrieving was also somewhat of a foreign concept. Still, the day was warm and the water calm. Penny got the zoomies during our warm-up, then left the test area again during the retrieve (I had to fetch the dummy myself :-). Still, we had paid our entry, so we continued. She was flawless - and enthusiastic - through the walk to the boat, the ride on the boat, the 60' recall to the boat from land, and she finished with a joyful swim to the 60' marker. Too bad we couldn't try the retrieve at the end!
Day 2 brought more sun and warmer temps. By afternoon, distractions on the lake were piling up: jetskis, kids tubing, low-flying planes, speedboats with skiers, and accompanying boat wakes. Julie remained calm and steered Maliboo through each exercise - and was the only successful Apprentice Water Dog of the day! Congratulations to both on a job well done!
