I've only been involved in dog sports since late 2010, and didn't start competing myself until mid-2011, so I'm still learning. A week ago I had my first experience with Zodiac having an "off" day at a trial. It was a different location, different set-up than normal, smelled terribly, all sorts of things so I'm not sure if that had anything to do with it or what. My girl, usually a high scoring first place winner, acted like she forgot how to do jumps, how to heel properly, and wouldn't even sit without a second command! We received our first ever NQ, if we hadn't gotten that NQ she would have earned her Level 2 title that day. It was so bad that I was seriously worried that something might be wrong with her until I spoke to a friend of mine who has been doing this for years and she told me that her dogs have had similar "off" days.
So, I'm curious, what has happened to other people during an "off" day at a trial?
What was your worst "off" day?
- ZodiacT
- Green Dog
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- Tell us about yourself: I was introduced to the Dutch Shepherd breed during my time as an Army veterinary technician working with Military Working Dogs. I fell in love with the breed and by pure chance happened to meet a DS in a local rescue who was a police K9 washout and was up for adoption. We adopted Zodiac right away and she has been an important part of our family ever since. We currently compete in Rally-Obedience and participate in Agility.
- Location: Andrews Air Force Base, MD
What was your worst "off" day?
Hayley St.Pierre-Thomas and Zodiac RL1-AOE, RL2-AOE, CGC


- Dutchringgirl
- Global Moderator

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- Tell us about yourself: I am a mom of 6 life forces - 2 kids and 3 dogs 1 hamster. I live in Ct. I have trained Ringsport and Agility and have 2 DS, one 15 and 7 and a Basset Hound Cookie who is 2
- Location: Ct, USA
Re: What was your worst "off" day?
During a recall off of a bite, Thalie came running back but never healed. Since I cant move until the judge blowes the horn, I couldnt see where she was, so... here I am standing there for what seems like forever... I hear my friends at the judges table whisper............ " PPSSSTTT Thalie is pooping right behind you !"
Lisa, Thalie CGC & Sadie, Cookie the Basset, CT




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Sugars Mom
- Working Dog
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- Tell us about yourself: I adopted a Dutch Shepherd mix (without knowing what she was) from the SPCA here in Victoria BC and am now trying to learn everything I can about this breed. My husband and I work from home most of the time so I thought it was time to get a puppy! We have his 2 boys here half the time and we wanted a nice family dog.
Sugar looks like a miniature Dutch Shepherd with floppy ears, and has every ounce of DS traits in her little body!
I hope to learn from other DS owners and share doggy experiences. - Location: Victoria BC
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CaroleBoaz
- Training Dog
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- Tell us about yourself: I am currently the Secretary and Treasurer of the Dutch Shepherd Club of North America. We are the national breed club for Dutch Shepherds, and have the support of the Nederlandse Herdershonden Club in our endeavours to record the Dutch Shepherd breed in the United States and Canada through the American Kennel Club. dscna.com Join us on Facebook.
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Re: What was your worst "off" day?
That's a funny one!
My Laekenois is a very good heeler. We do a lot of Rally and a little Obedience trialing. You can tell when he's totally bored. He will start looking around at what is going on in other rings and totally forget about me. That was only Obedience, because in Rally and I can tell him almost anything I want, usually, "Pay Attention!". That hasn't happened in a long time because after more than 30 trials, he pretty much knows his job.
My really worst day was a Rally trial at the Kentucky Horse Park - Outside! It was my Malinois and her last required leg for her title. I think she had her nose in the grass the entire time. We just passed with a 74.
My Laekenois is a very good heeler. We do a lot of Rally and a little Obedience trialing. You can tell when he's totally bored. He will start looking around at what is going on in other rings and totally forget about me. That was only Obedience, because in Rally and I can tell him almost anything I want, usually, "Pay Attention!". That hasn't happened in a long time because after more than 30 trials, he pretty much knows his job.
My really worst day was a Rally trial at the Kentucky Horse Park - Outside! It was my Malinois and her last required leg for her title. I think she had her nose in the grass the entire time. We just passed with a 74.
- Christie M
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Re: What was your worst "off" day?
In PSA there are considerable distractions on the field, including dog toys.
Willow went in for a beautiful fended attack (the decoy trying to keep her off of the bite with an object). On her recall off of the bite, she picked up a stuffed bunny and and came to heal beautifully with her stuffy in her mouth.
She pooped on more than one occasion on the field.
And many others know this story, but she once pooped out an entire thong in front of LOTS of guys while I was emptying her before a trial. That was so not OK.
Willow went in for a beautiful fended attack (the decoy trying to keep her off of the bite with an object). On her recall off of the bite, she picked up a stuffed bunny and and came to heal beautifully with her stuffy in her mouth.
She pooped on more than one occasion on the field.
And many others know this story, but she once pooped out an entire thong in front of LOTS of guys while I was emptying her before a trial. That was so not OK.
Christie Meyer
http://www.northwoodsk9.com
http://www.dutchshepherdrescue.org
http://www.thunderhawkcanine.com
Be proud of the things that you have taught your dog. Be humbled and grateful for all of the things that your dog has taught you. - Unknown
http://www.northwoodsk9.com
http://www.dutchshepherdrescue.org
http://www.thunderhawkcanine.com
Be proud of the things that you have taught your dog. Be humbled and grateful for all of the things that your dog has taught you. - Unknown
- Dutchringgirl
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- Location: Ct, USA
Re: What was your worst "off" day?
OMG Christie !!!!!!!!!!!! Bringing the stuffed bunny is funny but the thong???? At least she didnt do that on the field !!
Lisa, Thalie CGC & Sadie, Cookie the Basset, CT




- felixone123
- Working Dog
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- Tell us about yourself: Rescued our first DS male on Dec 27, 2011. Approx 4 yrs. Rescued from NADSR. His name is Odin. Adopted a 2nd DS from NADSR June 27, 2012. Kai - 6 months.
- Location: Fishkill, NY
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Sugars Mom
- Working Dog
- Posts: 1734
- Joined: Thu Mar 03, 2011 12:16 am
- Tell us about yourself: I adopted a Dutch Shepherd mix (without knowing what she was) from the SPCA here in Victoria BC and am now trying to learn everything I can about this breed. My husband and I work from home most of the time so I thought it was time to get a puppy! We have his 2 boys here half the time and we wanted a nice family dog.
Sugar looks like a miniature Dutch Shepherd with floppy ears, and has every ounce of DS traits in her little body!
I hope to learn from other DS owners and share doggy experiences. - Location: Victoria BC
Re: What was your worst "off" day?
Not ok that she pooped out a thong or not ok it was in front of all the guys? 
Sue (and Sugar)

- Marjolein
- Working Dog
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Re: What was your worst "off" day?
whaahaha
My worst off day with the dogs?
mmmh, maybe that day Ivil got all 30 of my neioghbours chickens and plucked their feathers (she didn't kill ONE! could not decide...)
or that day she broke her leg playing in the yard with Dingo?
or knocking a huge flower vase of a stool at a birthday party of my best friend (over 25 people watching... thousand pieces and water everywhere...)
Or was it our vacation in France where she jumped a 4 mtr high wall?
Or was it when Dingo was younger he lifted his leg and pee'd on my dogtrainers jeans?
or was it when Dingo decided the nurses from the old-folks home next door could no longer approach me? (he stopped them, barking and growling in front of them
)
or...well, lots of those days...
My worst off day with the dogs?
mmmh, maybe that day Ivil got all 30 of my neioghbours chickens and plucked their feathers (she didn't kill ONE! could not decide...)
or that day she broke her leg playing in the yard with Dingo?
or knocking a huge flower vase of a stool at a birthday party of my best friend (over 25 people watching... thousand pieces and water everywhere...)
Or was it our vacation in France where she jumped a 4 mtr high wall?
Or was it when Dingo was younger he lifted his leg and pee'd on my dogtrainers jeans?
or was it when Dingo decided the nurses from the old-folks home next door could no longer approach me? (he stopped them, barking and growling in front of them
or...well, lots of those days...
- Dutchringgirl
- Global Moderator

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- Tell us about yourself: I am a mom of 6 life forces - 2 kids and 3 dogs 1 hamster. I live in Ct. I have trained Ringsport and Agility and have 2 DS, one 15 and 7 and a Basset Hound Cookie who is 2
- Location: Ct, USA
Re: What was your worst "off" day?
Marjolein.... Id have to say its when Dingo peed on your trainers leg!
Lisa, Thalie CGC & Sadie, Cookie the Basset, CT




- felixone123
- Working Dog
- Posts: 1076
- Joined: Tue Aug 09, 2011 7:08 pm
- Tell us about yourself: Rescued our first DS male on Dec 27, 2011. Approx 4 yrs. Rescued from NADSR. His name is Odin. Adopted a 2nd DS from NADSR June 27, 2012. Kai - 6 months.
- Location: Fishkill, NY
Re: What was your worst "off" day?
those poor chickens!! It had to hurt to have their feathers plucked.
Barbara, Odin & Kai


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