We got our k9 freestyle video comp. results

[Wonka & Nilla]

(I just love this little black puggie smilie! So cute!)
Well, I got my Canine Freestyle Video Competition results back this morning... Wonka and I qualified... but just barely. I was hoping for better and am disappointed. Our scores were lower than we received last fall when we did a live competition. I keep trying to remind myself that we DID qualify and that's what matters. We've now completed our beginner title and will be moving up to Novice level for the live competition in two weeks. Here are the scores from the three judges and the average:

.............Technical Merit..... Artistic Interpretation
Judge 1 ........ 7.4 .....................7.5
Judge 2 ........ 7.3 .....................7.9
Judge 3 ........ 7.3 .....................7.5
Average ...... 7.33 ....................7.63

Technical Merit includes things like attention/focus, technical content, execution of moves and transitions. Artistic Interpretation includes things like creativity of choreography, costume, coverage of floor space, spectator appeal.

When we compete in two weeks, we'll be doing the "Rock this Town" routine and also the new Team routine we've been working on with two other ladies. After this live competition, Wonka and I will choose a new song to choreograph a new routine.

[Wonka & Nilla]

Also wanted to say...

I don't have all the score sheets and DVD and other information back yet, but the woman in charge of the video competition did email me the comments from one judge who said "Very funny routine! Some attention loss here and there. I loved your ending sequence! Well done!" .... So, I'm still losing points on attention! Very frustrating. I know the judges are supposed to score the video routines the same way a live routine is scored... but I keep finding myself wondering if they really do or if they are more strict. For one thing, with a video competition, the judges would assume that what was submitted is the best that the team can do... obviously no one would mail in an entry where their dog left the ring, peed on the floor or whatever - but all those things can and do happen in a live competition. Plus, in the video competition, there is a much larger pool of competitors (from all over the world) to compare one to another... There were 19 beginner level entries in this video competition (16 in Beg. A and 3 in Beg. B). For the upcoming live competition there are 4 in Novice (including Wonka and I), and 5 total in beginner level (plus many others in higher up levels.). There are advantages and disadvantages to doing a video competition just like with a live competition.

[ayleash]

You should be darned proud! (easier for me to say than you to be, I know).. I AM SO ADMIRING OF YOU!

And her comment is meant to point out how special your program is... the attention will keep coming! Please go into the "ring" happy and proud... your puppy will pick up on it!

[Wonka & Nilla]

You should be darned proud! (easier for me to say than you to be, I know).

Thanks I guess I just expected/hoped for better so I'm being hard on myself. I just keep wondering to myself, how much different is the judging for the video competition? For example, if we had done the exact same quality of a routine in a live competition, would we have received better scores than we did with it in video?

Wonka and I went down on Sunday to the place where the live competition is held for something called a "Show and Go" and we did a practice run-through to get a feel for the space. While there, one lady told us our new Team routine was "awesome" and today I had an email from one of the other ladies that was there saying how much she liked my choreography in our solo routine. That was really nice to hear. Assuming Wonka and I don't royally screw up, I guess it just all comes down to who is judging. Hopefully they will be won over by Wonka's happy smile and will be so blinded by his cuteness that they never even notice any mistakes.

[thetses]

I think you did a great job! I feel the same way about a test I took last month, I get the results Friday and I think I did a great job but I'm afraid that I'm barely going to pass it and not do as well as I thought! I hope the live competition coming up is better!

[tall grass pugs]

You haven't been working on it for more than a year, right. And it is hard and fiercely competitive. Wonka is growing into his paws from practice to practice as he realizes what you want. Both of you have a lot to be proud of.

[pugsnbugg]

You haven't been working on it for more than a year, right. And it is hard and fiercely competitive. Wonka is growing into his paws from practice to practice as he realizes what you want. Both of you have a lot to be proud of.

BOTH OF YOU HAVE A LOT TO BE PROUD OF. The routine is great! I love watching it.

[shaynapug]

I'm proud of you both!!!!!

I think PUGS are a lot harder to do this with than goldens...etc!!

Where is the live competition?

[BeachyKeen]

Are you having fun? Is Wonka having fun? I think that's the most important thing. You two are spending incredible amounts of bonding time together.

The rest will come!

[Wonka & Nilla]

Thanks everyone for all the support. Wonka sends a big smooch out to you!

I think PUGS are a lot harder to do this with than goldens...etc!!

Or border collies... or labs.... or pointers... or...

Where is the live competition?

It's memorial day weekend. It's in Davisburg, a little north of Detroit, south of Flint. It is open to the public and free to watch if anyone wants to come cheer us on.

Are you having fun? Is Wonka having fun? I think that's the most important thing.

Oh yes! And you're right, that is the most important thing. There has been a lot more stress lately getting our new Team routine ready and there are times when I really miss our original instructor, she made things so much fun. But as long as Wonka and I are still enjoying it, that's what matters. If it ever stops being fun for Wonka, I wouldn't enjoy it either. I'm looking forward to working with Wonka on a new routine once the live competition is over. I think he'll enjoy a change of music as well.

In fact, the "bond" between human and dog is so important to Freestyle that it's actually part of the score!

I've been emailing back and forth with a more advanced freestyler today and she said that she stopped doing Video competitions a while ago because she felt that she never scored very well in them compared to a live competition. She said she thinks a lot of it has to do with the 'flatness' of video and how you can't really see the 'big picture' as well as at a live event. Also, the judge could rewind and analyze something if they want...