By golly ... a BONANZA!

B COURSE BONANZA! <---- Read that first

When I saw that ... I thought, "Finally! They are finally promoting the only course in their entire program that requires some level of real training. Good for them!"

Then I see all the complaints on the internet about it! First I saw someone saying that their dogs are eligible to compete in this, but they weren't invited! I don't see that this is an invitational. It's a competition you enter just like every other trial.

Then there are people who are taking this as a personal kick in the face. They are insulted! How dare the AKC do this! They are celebrating the AKC herding program, and they are not including the A Course?? It's an outrage! Well, I am sure my response to this isn't going to be the popular one, but ... train your dogs. The A course is basically pushing sheep around the arena along the fenceline, and then doing a "controlled escape" for a "crossdrive." Seriously, if you feel the B Course is dominated by Border Collies, do something about it. Instead of breeding for the "Versatile" dog ... that can "do it all" ... and look pretty standing in the arena ... and can do agility and tracking and whatever other doggie sport you're "breeding" for ... try changing that up a bit for a few generations and see what happens to the natural ability in your dogs. Focus on working ability. Objectively. Raise the bar. Breed only GOOD working dogs to GOOD working dogs. Not mediocre ones. You know what I mean. I don't think I need to explain this. Put working ability first. If the dogs don't work well, do not consider breeding to them. If they have what you want in working ability, THEN look at temperament ... or whatever other secondary criteria you want, but put working ability first.

And then there's the training and finding a good trainer. Finding a good trainer is key, really. Does the trainer you're going to have a LOT of success in the venue you're wishing to compete it (or better one)? If the answer is no, it's time to find another trainer. Plain and simple. If all your trainer does is pay lip service to everyone around them, go elsewhere.

When you're doing this ... and you and your dogs are still not able to be competitive on the B course with all those evil Border Collies, let's talk. But for now, I am disappointed to see people whining about the AKC putting on an event that would raise the bar a little.

All herding breeds can handle B course. It just depends on how badly you want it. That's all.

Happy tails,
Jodi