Dogs, owners enjoy obedience show with Longs Peak Dog Training Club - Greeley Tribune

Camber, a Bernese mountain dog, looked in agonizing temptation at the silver bowl that Alice Gordon, her owner, carried in front of her. Inside was a cold slice of pizza meant to distract Camber from listening to Gordon's commands.

If she broke her stay, Camber would lose her chance at placing in the great beginnings course of the Longs Peak Dog Training Club's obedience and rally show Saturday at Island Grove Regional Park. The annual exhibition licensed by the American Kennel Club concludes Monday.

Throughout the weekend, roughly 125 dogs compete each day in exercises ranging from simple heeling techniques — walking beside their owner — to extended stay commands and jumps.

No request, however, was as agonizing as the one that Camber endured as she anticipated the release word that would allow her to run for the pizza — a command that she was one of the first dogs to hear.

The great beginnings course was created by show judge Carole Evans, a seasoned dog trainer from Franktown, who wanted to create a course that was practical and challenging. What evolved from her idea was a course made up of heeling, retrieving and a grand finale: the delivery of pizza.

“Your dog should be able to stay while you do something that you would normally do in the house,” Evans said. For example, keep its nose out of the oven while dinner is cooking.

Gordon, of Fort Collins, said she tries to spend five to 10 minutes every day working with each of her two dogs. The other is another Bernese named Dash. Regardless of their performance, she is a ready recipient of a few slobbery kisses and prepared in turn to give some tummy rubs at the end of the course. Gordon said the most satisfaction in dog training comes from the bond created with her pets.

“When your dog learns something new, it's a big high,” Gordon said. “It still blows my mind that dogs can do some of these things.”

In a different, intermediate-level course, which also tested the dogs' patience, 13 dogs sat in a row as their owners told them to stay. The owners then turned to leave the course, disappearing behind a curtained corner and waited for five minutes before approaching their dogs again. Every dog managed to keep its paws in line, but with the release command their tails wagged fiercely with the rest of their bodies, smacking into human legs and crashing playfully into other competitors.

Susan Yonemura said she came with her poodle, Layla, for the competition and for the camaraderie she finds with other dog trainers and owners.

“It's an incredibly supportive community,” Yonemura said. She recalled an obedience show in which she and Layla had finally passed on to the next level.

“There was a breakout of applause and hugs,” Yonemura said with a tear in her eye. “I never really expected it.” The show will continue through Monday at Island Grove Regional Park, 14th Avenue and A Street, from 8:30 a.m. until about 2 p.m. Each day, about 100 dogs and owners will participate, with most hailing from the northern Colorado area, said Judy Jaspers, who volunteers with the Longs Peak Dog Training Club to organize the event.
The event is free and open to the public.

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