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CH/INT DC OWL FARMS I WANNABE A STAR ML CDX, JE, ASCA CD
“STAR”
From
THE OWL FARM
Gary & Jackie Nicholas
150 Echo Valley Road
Union, MO 63084
"STAR" is truly a "Dual Ring" dog. In one afternoon she showed in conformation, obtaining a 5 pt Major under Ms. Ann Schwartz. BIS judge, and competed in Obedience going High in Trial with 195 from the Open A class to finish her CDX!
Two weeks later STAR had a repeat performance. She finished her Championship with a 3 pt Major under renown BIS Judge, Michele Billings and the next day she went HIT in obedience, obtaining her 11th Specialty HIT.
The very next morning this "Gamey" little Bitch was in the Fields hunting bunnies, placing 1st at a large AKC Field Trial. She is only 61/2 points away from being a Field Champion. (Webmaster's note: Star is now a Field Champion)
STAR combines conformation, Obedience, Field Trials, Den Trials and Agility into her training schedule. Star personifies what it really is to be a "Dual Ring" Dog. She is tremendously versatile and has been shown by her Breeder/Owner/Trainer throughout her show career.
STAR was the Dachshund Club of America's NO 1 Dachshund in Obedience for 2001. She was also the Highest Scoring Obedience HOUND in the Country. Since she just turned 3, she has a long career ahead of her.
I stayed in Novice B with Star because I had a puppy from my breeding who had a lack of confidence, and. who was very immature. This was a very slow maturing dog. She was not the puppy I had planned to keep but she stayed because she and I bonded so strongly! It is hard to describe how one selects a puppy but there is that special bond that exist with some dogs that never exist with others. In my life time I have only had a couple of dogs, out of many, who I have had this special bond with, and Star is one of those.
I showed Star in Novice B Obedience for almost a year, not because I really wanted to, but Star needed to build her confidence. Had it not been for AKC's decision to allow dogs to stay in Novice B indefinitely, or until certain criteria was met, Star would not have gained the self confidence she needed, without this added time. The more you show the more confident the dog becomes until they reach the point where they are really enjoying these trials.
After talking to one of the AKC Directors at the 2001 Invitational (Pat Sculley), she gave me very good advice when I mentioned I was still having problems with a very immature little dog in Novice B, and she told me, stay in Novice B until she gains the confidence she needs! Pat Sculley told me that was the reason for AKC passing that New Rule, so people could stay in Novice B until they felt they had a good, solid, sound dog. Her advice was well taken. Their new Rule certainly helped me.
I also feel fortunate with Star that I had a very good training school, the Judy Strickland Dog Training School in Kirkwood, Mo., where Star was enrolled in Puppy classes at a very early age. We had Jeannine Kerr, who is a OTCH trainer of Dal's who I thought might be able to help me, and she did. We attended quite a few Puppy Classes and Star hated them! We enrolled in the Basic Novice Obedience Class and it wasn't any better Star hated that also. After the third or fourth Novice Training Class, (I lost count), Star "finally" started to like the dogs and the people she was in class with. This is what you might call, real perseverance.
The only thing that kept me going back to training school was the fact that Star loved to train! She was a joy to train with because she wanted to do it! The training sessions can never last long enough for Star.
Star was also enrolled and attended classes at the Tom Rose Dog House Training School, my second home, or so it seems. This is a training facility in St. Louis County where I have been going for fifteen years. It is one of the finest training facilities in this part of the Country, with two of the top trainers, Tom & Rob. I have had great success going there with all my dogs and Star and I train there several times a week. They have helped me tremendously.
Star's favorite sport is "Hunting"! She would just love to hunt morning, noon or night, non-stop! She hunts our field's everyday with my yard dogs (my rescue dogs). Together they hunt for mice, night crawlers and now grasshoppers! This is my sweet, beautiful
little Bitch I show in conformation! This is the love-of-my-life that sleeps on my pillow. That's Star and I wouldn't have her any other way. What a fun little dog to hunt with.
Star has just completed her CDX Title and we are working and training in Utility, although we are not quite ready to compete.
Star is presently attending the Utility Classes at the Consortia Kennels Training School conducted by Pat Thayer who is a motivational instructor. She has been a tremendous help.
Star and I are so lucky to have had such great Training Schools and Trainers.
Last but not least, I thank my best Friend, My Husband, for his help in not only driving us to Dog Shows all over the Country, but for his tireless help in going to practice sessions everywhere, setting up jumps, and critiquing my performances; helping me go through endless hours of heeling, fig]e 8, etc. I have never had to train alone - I am so lucky. When we are having a bad training day the dogs know they can run to his lap - it's a safe haven; he will never correct them. They love him dearly
Used by permission Front and Finish magazine. December 2002. Take time to look up their website www.frontandfinish.com