The Spaniel Annals

The AKC has created a new titling event called “Fetch,” part of their “FitDog” program to encourage more dog owners to participate in various activities with their dogs. The Fetch program is, of course, all about retrieving. It starts out fairly simple with 3 30-foot retrieves with mild distractions, and progresses up to blind double and triple retrieves at 80 feet at the highest “Retriever” level. This is the second weekend we’ve attended tests, and it’s great fun. It’s pass/fail and thus noncompetitive, and the atmosphere is supportive and upbeat. It takes two tests with two different judges to earn a title, and Kerrie earned her Intermediate title while Brian earned his Novice title.

Kerrie passed the Intermediate level easily, which is 4 retrieves at 50 feet. The only problem that came up was my struggle to throw 50 feet! Fortunately if the length is difficult for the handler, you can get someone to throw for you.

Brian also did well in novice, which is 3 retrieves at 30 feet with buckets as distractions. I left in the initial retrieve that required a restart, when his cocker nose got the best of him. (Novice allows 2 restarts.) Once I got him back in heel position, I made sure to throw in a different direction, and when we returned to the center throw, I threw in a slightly different area.

We’ll definitely continue this fun new game, and I have hopes that Blossom will one day participate as well.