Jillie got her Nosework 1 Title today :)

[alaskayorkie]

Little Miss Jillie had the last laugh on me today. I begrudgingly entered her in this weekend's Nosework trial by default. I had originally entered Eddie -- my nosework "star" -- but had to switch entries when he had leg surgery.

Eddie has been doing nosework for 4 years and taken a half dozen classes. Jillie has been doing it for less than a year -- and has taken no classes. I just worked with her a little in between training sessions with Eddie.

She has a ton of bad habits because of my faulty training, and at half Eddie's size, she really struggles identifying odors whose source is hidden higher off the ground. They can be hidden as high as 3 feet, and she stands all of eight inches.

But in a field of 22 dogs -- from a Bernese Mountain Dog to German Shepherds to hounds -- Jillie was one of six dogs to pass all four stages of the trial and receive her Level 1 certification. The four stages include an interior search of a house, an exterior search, a vehicle search and a container search. In the vehicle search, 3 full-sized cars are are parked next to each other, and the dog has to let the handler know within 4 inches of where the odor is hidden. It's hidden so well that it's impossible for the handler to know where it is. You have to trust the dog.

OK, Jillie, I trust you. You rocked it. Even Eddie didn't pass his first trial, so you're the first in the family to win a title.

[Maximo]

Beauty and brains! Congratulations Jillie and Mike! Very well done.

[horsnaround]

Congrats Jillie we know girls rock

[kjc]

WoooooooooHooooo! WTG Jillie! Congratulations!


One question: What was the ratio of Boys:Girls?

[Britster]

OMG I just love your Jillie. She's the whole package! Congrats!

[alaskayorkie]

Originally Posted by kjc

WoooooooooHooooo! WTG Jillie! Congratulations!


One question: What was the ratio of Boys:Girls?

Thanks, everybody! And KJC, Good question. Not sure off the top of my head and haven't seen the complete results. The overall winner with the fastest time was a female Chessie who just had pups six weeks ago.

[kjc]

Originally Posted by alaskayorkie

Thanks, everybody! And KJC, Good question. Not sure off the top of my head and haven't seen the complete results. The overall winner with the fastest time was a female Chessie who just had pups six weeks ago.

Cool! Imagine what Jillie could do if you had really put more effort (like you do with Eddie: classes and all) into it? I believe you have another superstar on your hands! (PS: Don't tell Eddie though)

I had to laugh, told my DH the ribbon is bigger than she is!

[alaskayorkie]

Originally Posted by kjc

Cool! Imagine what Jillie could do if you had really put more effort (like you do with Eddie: classes and all) into it? I believe you have another superstar on your hands! (PS: Don't tell Eddie though)

I had to laugh, told my DH the ribbon is bigger than she is!

No kidding! I have given her terrible training, but she did it in spite of me. The judges main comment to me was to shut up and let her work.

Just looked it up. Looks like she's just the 5th Yorkie in the country to earn a Nosework 1 title.

[jadabug]

Way to go Jillie!! Smarts and looks you have it all little doll!!!

[kjc]

Wow! Impressive! This is sooo exciting! What's next?

[GeneaD]

Good job!! She's adorable
Genea

[OwnedByJezebel]

Good girl, Jillie! She sounds like a natural!

[mugwee1]

great job Jillie, you even surprized your mommy.
Anne/Luci

[MandiesMom]

What a rock star!!! WTG, Jillie!!! Doesn't surprise me at all.

[Verbena]

Yay Jillie ! That is wonderful. Sometimes the littlest Girls will surprise everyone