Dora and the Horse Show

On the weekend of October 22, 2010, Dora, Jiggs, myself and my friend Rebecca set off to London, Ontario for the ORHA Finale show; with her horse entered in the 3 year old Futurity.

I help Rebecca out by driving the truck and trailer, being her backup to remind about show equipment needed and providing bed warmers (Jiggs/Dora) and trailer security (Dora).

Dora waiting for us in the bunk

Dora and Jiggs waiting for us in the bunk

Dora is an excellent guard, very intuitive as to what is appropriate and what is not. We had our first example of what is not; when we were waiting for a left turn to get to the showgrounds. A homeless man was crouching on the centre island with his sign; hoping for some spare change. I personally thought it a bit dicey to be at this intersection hoping for handouts; since anything dropped or tossed his way would put him under the wheels of passing traffic. So I opted on not tossing him a toonie. When we pulled up, he was crouching down; while we were waiting for an advanced green, so I could get the truck and trailer into downtown London without issues; the man stood up. The deep-throated grumble from the back let us know that Dora felt he was inappropriate in his sneaky-ness and in his proximity to the truck and trailer.
As Rebecca stated; good thing I didn't try to hand him money out the window -- if Dora went off on him; he'd have thought we were setting him up.

We were at the show from Friday night to Sunday afternoon; and both dogs were exemplary. Little Mr. Jiggs learned that horse shows aren't all about him; which is the most important lesson (in my opinion) for dogs to learn at horse shows. As a dog you are a guest, and if you don't behave well, you will not be welcome back, at least not in the arena; where your owner is trying to watch the show.

Dora has been to a few shows already; so she knows the deal; however Dora can sometimes be dog reactive. She is not overtly aggressive; she doesn't go looking for dogs to grumble at; but if a dog insists on pushing itself into her face; she is not above a correction.

She was excellent! She grumbled at two dogs (Golden Retrievers) who were trying overly hard to get her to love them; since everyone loves them, but they were also easy dogs to deter and Dora was satisfied that they weren't in her face. She ended up sitting near one in the stands; and as long as they were settled and not trying to get her attention; she ignored them.

Back at the trailer; she spent her time sleeping in the bunk (see above picture) and guarding the trailer space. Very good dogs all the way round, and both earned the right to come back to future shows.

Dora guarding the truck

Dora waiting for some fun; horse shows being all about the horses.