__ I had always wanted a bluetick coonhound and when I met the Hildenbrands of Pontiac, IL and bought "Cry Baby" from them, it was a dream come true. I had no idea of how that decision would change my life. Jeb's first years with me we just did basic obedience necessary for a CGC (Canine Good Citizen) certificate and mantrailing (a type of canine search and rescue, typically done by bloodhounds). We traveled around the US and attended well over 30 seminars in trailing, cadaver, and some obedience. I met people that didn't set limits on Jeb because of his breed. This was the beginning of my journey as a professional trainer. Senior coonhound Jeb enjoying a hike in the mountains _ When Blueticks became eligible to compete in American Kennel Club obedience competition in January 2004, we were in the ring that month and earned our CD. A CD is the Companion Dog title given by the American Kennel Club after a dog and handler pass a test three times with a minimum score of 170 points out of 200. The exercises in the test include heeling on leash, heeling in a figure eight pattern on leash, a stand stay while the judge touches the dog, heeling off leash, calling your dog to come from across the ring, a 1 minute sit stay with the handler across the ring from the dog and a 3 minute down stay with the handler across the ring from the dog. That same year we earned our CDX. The CDX is the Companion Dog Excellent title given by the American Kennel Club when a dog and handler pass a test three times earning minimum scores of 170 out of 200 points. This test is called the Open class. The dog is taken off leash as soon as he enters the ring. There is a heel off leash and heel in a figure eight exercise. The dog must retrieve a dumbbell thrown by the handler across the ring on the ground and over a jump. And the dog must go over a broad jump. The sit and down stay exercises are much harder since the handlers must leave the ring and go out of sight. After a break while we focused on canine search and rescue work, we returned to obedience competition two years later to earn a title in the advanced class called Utility. In April 2006 we earned our UD (Utility Dog) title. In the Utility class the dog has to execute some very difficult exercises. The running joke of obedience competitors is to call it the "Futility class". Jeb had to complete an off leash heeling (NOI) . A good friend tells me I trained an hour just about every day. I was working hard because by then I believe I realized we could finish the OTCH. Hard to believe when I never thought I'd care about precision nor did I think I had the dog to do it. BUT....I learned that it takes hard work and good solid training -- not necessarily some "perfect" dog. It's work....and yes money to travel and enter shows. The more I pushed Jeb, the more we learned and accomplished together and the more fun we had. I had to constantly balance the "have to" and "fun to" of obedience. With Jeb there were a lot of times it was more about the "have to." Jeb and his target after competing in search and rescue _Back to 2006. We traveled to Long Beach, CA for our first NOI experience. The National Obedience Invitational is held once a year. Dogs who have competed at the highest levels and earned the best scores for their breeds are invited to come compete. Only the best of the best get to come. It was so fun to see so many people I knew and had met at shows. It was wonderful to see all the wonderful dogs. I remember walking in the room that first day and it felt like you could cut the tension with a knife! Very nerve wracking even if you were just there for the experience of it all. Jeb did quite nicely. My goal was to have no NQs (non-qualifying scores or errors) and we didn't. He was quite clean in his performance. That first day was EXHAUSTING! I felt like I was about 90 years old! We were ranked 18th after the first day. I will say that we would have made it to day two even without the only 4 per group count (only the top four dogs in each group get to go to the next round, i.e. sporting group, herding group, hound group, toy group, non-sporting group, working group, terrier group). Jeb was in the top 32 of 95 or so dogs. On to day 2 of the NOI. I remember hoping to at least maybe win one round. The 2nd day works much like the NCAA Basketball tournament. There are 32 dogs and you are in brackets based on your rank. If I remember correctly, my first round I was up against the dog ranked #15. A sheltie? We won that first round and I was thrilled! I didn't care what happened from there. :) On to round two - another sheltie, this one ranked #3. Jeb was so tired. He lost 12-15 points on no sits. However, the sheltie NQ'd an exercise and lost 20-30 points. We managed to win the 2nd round! I couldn't believe it. (I didn't see the sheltie perform, so I was surprised). Jeb successfully clearing a hurdle _ By now we were down to 8 dogs. I had someone helping me and they were taking me so seriously, I remember thinking I'd better do so too and at least try to look like I belonged at that level. So I sat by Jeb's crate, kept him quiet, got some water in him (with chicken broth in it to get him to drink some). I played my iPod and visualized success. I wanted to at least look good out there. I was up against a border collie -- nice dog. I had no idea there were so many people in the stands -- so many people watching that I felt should have been out there instead of me. But...I was totally focused on Jeb and doing my mental management, so I just did my thing. Jeb performed beautifully! He did all his sits; he was just wonderful! I was so proud! The applause was HUGE and it was so heartwarming. It was also adorable when Jeb realized all those people were watching -- he looked over and tilted his head at the crowd. It was a great moment. When we came back in with the other team to find out who won, I gave no thought that it would be us. When they went to shake our hands the crowd went CRAZY!!!!! I was STUNNED! We had just made the final four which meant we would be on the podium. I was honestly so stunned I didn't feel much at all. I was done, too. I went in two more times to find out if we'd run off for 3rd/4th or for 1st/2nd. I was done. I just went through the motions. I was exhausted and happy to be where I was. I lost to Bridget Carlson. I sent Jeb over the wrong jump, but I didn't care. I was oblivious and floating around in a stupor. So I would run off for 3rd/4th. In hindsight, I wish I'd tried, but I was so floored. Jeb did a no sit on a pivot so we were 4th. I was so proud of that dog. He was so exhausted, but he did everything I asked of him. The one round where I really focused and raised the bar, he rose to the occasion. What a wonderful boy. The rest of the day I was literally numb. It was the greatest thing ever and thanks to hard training and some luck -- we have our medal and crystal eagle for our third runner-up NOI finish. A true Cinderella story if you ask me. Paula McCollum OTCH UUD Smokin' Bullet Jebediah Blue UDX3 VER Bh (NAPWDA Cadaver/SAR Area/Obed)
andre jones
1/27/2012 12:48:37 am
Great story. I have a bluetick hound that I love, but she is very trying on my patience. I take her out rabbit hunting for now. She needs some focus because of so much puppy energy (7 months) I won't give up. I know she loves me and she can't stand to be away from me-so she wants to please. 1/27/2012 05:55:04 am
I can't say enough good about going to dog training classes to anyone with a puppy, and especially with a large-breed puppy. Classes are good for focus. Look into classes in your area; they are usually very rewarding and you meet people who share your interest in dogs which is always fun. Remember that the coonhounds are very sensitive and if you lose patience, refrain from physical punishment. Take a breather instead. We see the evidence of punishment in some shelter dogs' fearful behavior where I volunteer. Some of them never get over it. 4/13/2012 07:31:17 am
I'd like to reinforce what Anna wrote.
Raven
1/27/2012 03:07:05 am
Awesome story! I love hearing the details of Jeb. I have a Bluetick about Jeb's age that I simply adore. He is so smart and my sincere companion. I feel like I've wasted his talent by not doing more with him! We'll live vicariously through Jeb. Great job!
Emily Plishner
1/31/2012 06:25:25 am
Paula has done incredibly great things with Jeb and has been an inspiration to many. Inspirational!
Joan Brehm
3/8/2012 06:52:46 am
So proud to say I met Jeb and Paula when they were just starting training for SAR....you could see then that Jeb was destined for great things! Congrats to you both!
Bri
3/17/2012 01:23:47 pm
I saw some of your videos on youtube a long time ago. I was so excited to see someone else doing obedience training/competing with a coonhound! Love your story!
Cori Wolff
3/24/2014 03:25:11 pm
Such a great story Paula. Amazing what you two did together. What a champ Jeb was and you still are. Just goes to show what you can do when you put all your hard work and sweat into something you love doing. I admire your hard-headed determination, your commitment to your dogs and your training program, and all of your many accomplishments. Keep it up woman.
Pamala
3/25/2014 04:13:34 am
I remember meeting you both at eukaneuba 2006 with the blk n tans. It was exciting to see him representing the coonhounds. Showing people how dedicating they can be when putting them up the task. He was a special boy
Peggy Teixeira
7/11/2014 04:41:38 am
As the owner of a one year old Bluetick, this gives me hope, LOL!
Faith Pawlik
4/3/2015 09:26:23 am
What a terrific coonhound story! You two are an amazing team and such an inspiration to others with coonhounds venturing into various training and companion events! Bravo Jeb and Paula. Comments are closed.
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