Weathering the Storm

Rally helps terrier regain her confidence.

Mary Beam and her almost-5-year-old Smooth Fox Terrier, Quebit, have had a bit of a rocky journey through World Cynosport Rally Limited (WCRL). Quebit started her rally career earning two titles and an award of merit in one weekend, but she later lost confidence during a weekend of thunderstorms. When Quebit was five months old, Mary’s house was hit by a tornado; the thunder seemed to bring back that memory and cause Quebit to shut down in the ring.  

At their next trial, Mary watched Quebit shut down again nearly as soon as they entered the ring. She persevered, using treats to partially complete two signs before leaving. Over the next year and a half, Mary worked with rally judges to give Quebit more confidence-building experiences.  

“I would talk to each judge about what I wanted to do at that trial, and they often agreed and made suggestions of their own,” Mary said. “At one trial, we did three signs I knew Quebit could easily perform, and then I ran from the ring telling her how fantastic she was. At another trial, we managed a couple of signs in a row, and then I took her to the jump about five times since she also does agility. She left the ring that day a happy dog.” 

Recently, Mary and Quebit competed at Crossroads Canine Club (Dayton, Ohio) to continue working toward their RL1X. While Mary was armed with treats, Quebit earned the title after her third run with a score of 203; she also Q’d in her fourth run for a leg toward her RL2X. The following day, Mary kept working Quebit through moments of worry about the rain that had moved in.  

“Because of our wonderful judges (Hope Schmeling and McKenzie Stewart) and WCRL allowing treats, Quebit left the ring with her tail up and wagging despite the rain,” Mary said. “She was also prancing during some of the runs and seemed very happy. 

“WCRL is fantastic and really can’t be beat!” she added. “I’m going to start my Mini American Shepherd puppy in rally as soon as he is ready and old enough. It’s the best experience anyone can give their dog, and it is the best for handlers to work through these kinds of obstacles as well.”  

 

Additional photos from the Dec. 2-3 trial at Canine Crossroads Club; photos by Sheyla Lutz

High point winners: Tony Sergent, Sheyla Lutz, Jessa Teeners Kenworthy, and Amanda Rice