Freestyle comp. results and video

[Wonka & Nilla]

Wonka and I bombed. We got an NQ - Non Qualifying. At the beginning of our routine, where Wonka is supposed to put his paws up on my knee, he planted his butt down and sat there... and sat there.... and sat there while I danced around him, trying to get him to move. I ended up picking him up in my arms and dancing around a little with him in my arms and then put him back down and we did the figure 8 weave that he loves at the end (Ta Da! Big Finish!) and then we left the ring on that good note - before the song was done. Here's the best part of our competition dance!! (click on the pink box to open video)


The judge wrote "Nice weaves!" in the technical section and "Cute costume!" in the artistic section. That made me laugh - at least she found something nice to say. Another competitor (teasingly) said to me "that was a perfect sit-stay!" Yes it was! Too bad that wasn't our goal. Several people told me I handled it all well and that picking him up and making it fun was the right thing to do.

After the competition is over they have a "Show and Go" practice with treats allowed, Wonka and I went in there and he was suddenly alive and dancing! I only gave him 3-4 treats during the routine, but he did almost every thing I asked for on cue and only got a little bit "frozen" looking once, but snapped out of it quickly. I was so pleased with the show n go, but I wish more people were in there to see what he can really do. Here's a video from our practice AFTER the competition (so I'm out of costume now and able to keep treats in my pockets.)


It seems like EVERYONE was trying to give me advice on what I should do to get Wonka over this issue ("Start him in a play bow, train with food in your mouth, let him run around the ring during the sound check, don't let him see that you're nervous, warm him up more in the practice ring, don't warm him up so much, try a different sport so he gets more accustomed to competitions, etc.) Everyone has an opinion on what I should do, but none of them know Wonka at all and it's a bit frustrating having so many varying suggestions thrown at me - many of them contradictory suggestions.... I know Wonka better than anyone and even I don't know what the problem is. Is it me being nervous? Is it the lack of treats? Is it the building/audience/environment? He has done it without treats in practice so I don't think it's that by itself. It could very well be my nerves and he's picking up on it.
Hubby and I were talking about it on the way home and during the first few competitions that Wonka and I ever did he looked a little lost a few times but stayed with me and did his best and we qualified each time. The next few were progressively worse... he'd do 2/3 of the routine and then get this "deer in the headlights" look, but manage to recover, then the next competition he did maybe 1/2 of the routine before it happened, but he still recovered and danced, then it happened just 1/3 of the way into the routine the next time and this time... well, he never even moved! And this time he didn't even get the "deer in the headlights" - he just sat there and watched me!!! "Hey, mom, Look - I can sit here while you dance!"

So..... I don't know what we'll do from here. Maybe stick to video competitions and give up on the live competitions. Maybe give up on the competition aspect and just stick to demos and places where we are not being judged. I don't know.... We just need one more qualifying score to complete our third title and it's disappointing to think of not finishing that title.... but maybe Wonka and I just are not cut out for competition. Overall I'm not really too disappointed, I had low expectations for this competition anyway because I knew we hadn't prepared as well as I normally would.... It's just sad that those people watching didn't get to see what my little pug can really do.

[Wonka & Nilla]

I forgot that I wanted to mention that there was a Boston Terrier competing this weekend as well as a Chinese Crested!!! There were a LOT of new dogs and much more variety to the breeds this weekend. It seems like Freestyle used to attract the herding dogs and goldens and labs... but now I'm seeing many more breeds of dogs out there dancing and it really is fun to watch! The Boston was so adorable... he danced to "I just can't wait to be king" from the Lion King soundtrack.

[6 Beautiful Pugs]

All the Pugs in the household reviewed the first video and it was determined unanimously that the performance was EXACTLY as it should be. It was also decided that the herding dogs and retrievers are obsequious brown-nosers, and pugs should not be held up to their level of servitude.

Take care,
Lisa

[Wonka & Nilla]

All the Pugs in the household reviewed the first video and it was determined unanimously that the performance was EXACTLY as it should be.

Thanks Lisa! That first video is how Wonka and I dance around the kitchen at home... minus the costume, audience and judges!!! He probably thought "this is more like it!"

[pugsnbugg]

As far as I'm concerned Wonka is the dance competion King!!! I tell everyone I "know" a dancing pug! Amy, we all know pugs do what they want when they want. LOL!!! Give that boy a congrats hug from me.

[ZoeZoesmom]

As far as I'm concerned Wonka is the dance competion King!!! I tell everyone I "know" a dancing pug! Amy, we all know pugs do what they want when they want. LOL!!! Give that boy a congrats hug from me.

I will always be a big fan of Wonka the dancing Pug!

[Wonka & Nilla]

we all know pugs do what they want when they want. LOL!!!

That's so true! And I keep reminding myself that it wasn't a DISqualification (which is different from NON qualifying). Wonka didn't run out of the ring, charge the gates and bark at people, lift his leg and pee or anything awful like that... apparently he just felt like watching me dance instead! I saw a lot of people who were angry at their dogs for not doing well enough, for leaving the ring or whatever, but I could never be angry at Wonka for just sitting there - it really was funny. I'm disappointed that the audience didn't get to see what he can do, but I can't be mad at Wonka for that. We just have to decide if this is an issue we can work through with training or if we need to take our dancing in a direction other than competition. Even if we give up on the competition part of Freestyle we would still keep dancing. It's obvious to me that Wonka really enjoys dancing and the people who watch him dance at demonstrations always have a big smile - you can see how happy he is doing it. I have dozens of other songs in my head that I would love to choreograph for Wonka to dance to. At least I always have an audience here at PV!

[ZoeZoesmom]

At least I always have an audience here at PV!

You bet you do!!!!!!!!!! Wonka has a big fan club!

[shaynapug]

I'll vote for you to keep on dancing! I'm one that has seen both his dances and LOVED it!

[GingerSnap]

Hang in there, Amy! You both seem to enjoy it, and it's something special that you can enjoy together. If either of you stop having fun with it, then stop. But I love that I know a dancing pug and have seen him in action, live!