HOW DID IT FEEL TO WIN THE MASTERS OBEDIENCE CHAMPIONSHIP , AND ON YOUR VERY FIRST APPEARANCE AT WESTMINSTER ?
It was an unexpected win , and I ’ m still walking on clouds , it was such a wonderful experience . My competitors had come from across the country and were of such high caliber . I didn ’ t know if I was at the level of those people , but Grant came through . He has done so much for me without putting pressure on me . He was the 9th Labrador Retriever in the country to qualify for the National Obedience Championship , which was our first appearance there , as well . He made it all the way to the Top 20 , and I learned a lot from the experience .
THERE ARE MANY OPTIONS OPEN THESE DAYS TO THE PERSON LOOKING FOR A SPORT TO DO WITH THEIR DOG . WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO OBEDIENCE , AND HOW DID YOU GET YOUR START ?
I first started out with a mixed breed that was pretty naughty . I subsequently had rescue dogs and from all of them I learned that dogs , especially rescue dogs , make much better dogs inside and outside the home when they ’ ve had obedience training . I had also gotten into agility but an accident in which I tore my Achilles tendon kept me from running for a year , so we concentrated on obedience during that time . As soon as I recovered , we entered the AKC Obedience Classic in 2016 , and we won the Open Division , which was amazing . Grant is just an amazing dog .
THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME WESTMINSTER WAS HELD COMPLETELY OUTSIDE . DID THAT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE IN HOW YOU PREPARED OR EXECUTED ?
I train a lot outside anyway . I can take my ring gates anywhere and train . It didn ’ t make a difference to us in our prep work or in competition .
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR PEOPLE CONSIDERING OBEDIENCE WORK WITH THEIR DOG , OR TIPS FOR THE OBEDIENCE PERSON WHO WANTS TO GET BETTER ?
Obedience always makes a better dog , but whether you win , lose or draw , you always go home with the dog you love . When you go into the ring , you ’ re going in with your best friend . Always do the best you can , but when going into a competition , always remember to “ cue ,” and set your dog up for success . Be positive and whatever happens in the ring , even if it is mistake , let it go , and leave it behind . You can ’ t fix it , and if you brood by staying in the moment , you won ’ t go on to the next situation and be successful .
WHAT CLUB RECEIVED THE WESTMINSTER KENNEL CLUB DONATION ?
The Westminster Kennel Club donates $ 5,000 in the name of the Masters Obedience Champion each year to a dog club of the winner ’ s choice . In 2021 , Mary Ann Flanagan selected Morris Hills Dog Training Club in Flanders , New Jersey .
High in Trial Winner
LEFT : STEVE SURFMAN , RIGHT : JOHN ASHBEY
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