Having successfully completed the RNSWCC Endurance Test in 2001 with Jet, I decided that this would be something I would do with Casey. As Casey turned 2 years old (the minimum age requirement) in July this year, this year's ET seemed ideal.
So, having sent our entry off a few months ago, I dusted off the "deadly treadly"... its last outing being for the ET in 2001 !!! LOL Firstly, I had to teach Casey to lead from the bike... quite interesting when she has a fairly high prey drive that means she will chase anything that moves!! Our first few laps had her barking at and biting the bike tyres - hmmm... off to a good start! ;-)
However, she is a quick learner, and I soon had her trotting calmly beside the bike, obeying commands such as "steady" and "turn" etc.
Endurance Test
What is an Endurance Test?
An endurance test is an official event run under the rules of the RNSWCC. During the test, dogs are on lead and run 20km over a 2 hour period beside a pushbike.
The dogs have a 15 minute rest break after 8km and a 20 minute rest break after 14km. Stringent veterinary checks are carried out before the start of the test, during each rest break and at the conclusion of the test to ensure the welfare of the dogs. Dogs also undergo a short obedience test before and after the Endurance Test.
Dogs that complete the test to the Judge and veterinarian's satisfaction are awarded their Endurance Test Title, which allows them to use the initials ET after their registered name.
Under the Rules, the Object of an Endurance Test is to demonstrate a dog's ability to work after being subjected to a certain degree of physical strain. Achieving the ET title can be seen as evidence of physical fitness.
So began our training, with us doing circuits of our paddock at night after work, riding around in the dark guided by a spotlight, and getting up early on weekends and heading up to the local baseball field to do longer stints on the bike - both of us "crunching" our way over white frozen grass (frosts have been bad here lately - brrrr!!)... these trips were made even more interesting by the fact that at one end of the baseball field were tennis courts in use all weekend, and the distraction of lots of those tennis balls which she loves so much!!
Having passed her preliminary veterinary inspection (certificate is to be completed within 2 weeks prior to the ET) with flying colours and pronounced in "excellent condition", we were ready for the day to arrive... just glad they didn't require a certificate for me - could have been quite a different story! LOL
After not much sleep last night, the alarm woke us all too soon at 4.30am (Yawn!!!)... Casey, who is used to her "lie-ins" in our bed of a morning, was none too keen to be up before the sun!! :-)
We arrived at the canine complex at 6am to frost covered grounds, and other bleary eyed competitors rugged up against the cold. Dogs entered ranged from a Jack Russell Terrier, a Pug, and a Whippet right up through other breeds including Dalmatians, Dobes, Samoyeds and even two Deerhound!
Firstly, we had to collect our numbered vest... I collect mine and it is "lucky" 13!!!! Arrgh... not that I'm superstitious or anything!! hehe
Now for our first vet check and Casey was passed fit and ready to go... her heart rate slightly up (at 100bpm) due to the excitement of it all. Obedience was next, and Casey was a very good girl, especially when the sit meant connecting her "tush" to white, frozen grass!!
One of the vet checks
First Obedience test - that grass is cold!!
Our group, consisting of twenty competitors, were first to go and we were soon off and pedalling on our first 8km section... the first lap or so, and Casey was quite keen to lean into the collar and pull, but we soon settled into a rhythm and began to enjoy ourselves.
At the completion of the 8kms, came the next vet check... Casey wasn't even puffing (unlike me!!! hehe)... her heart rate had dropped to 96bpm and her temperature was 38.3 degrees (anything under 40 is ok). Although I must add that before the vet could examine Casey's foot pads, she had to brush away a layer of ice/snow!!
After a 15 minute break, it was back onto the bikes for another 6km section. I was lucky enough to be able to be following a fellow Dobermann owner and was able to chat with her most of the way around the course, which certainly helps to take your mind off the "hard yards". Plus, we were both able to sympathise with each other as our bike seats became more and more uncomfortable, spurring each other on when we had to tackle what we came to refer to as "Heartbreak Hill" LOL
Going through the back paddock
Soon it was time for the next vet check, heart rate was now 108 and temp 39.2 - with Casey still looking fresh and being keen to play a game of fetch with a stick she found on the ground! ... a 20 minute break and we were off on the final 6kms.
Casey was still enthusiastic enough during this last stage to try and chase birds as we were trotting along, and twice she managed to pick up a mouth full of cow poo to munch on!!! Talk about a "snack on the run" Ugh!
Not too far to go now!
By now that bike seat felt as if it was taking on the contours of a brick!!! ....but we struggled through, spurred on by the cheers of the crowd each time we went past the main collection point, though Casey did try and detour back in there each time we went past - especially when she saw Stephen who was busily taking photos of us.... or perhaps it was the smell of the sausages and bacon sizzling away on the BBQ?? Yum!!!
What a relief it was to complete the final lap, and to rousing applause and cheers from the spectators, we came back to our check point for our final vet exam. Heart rate 120, temp 38.4 and we were through the major hurdle.
Heading for home
Now for the final obedience test..... thankfully, Casey behaved like an angel and we pass and are now qualified for the title of ET. Yeha!!!
Congratulations to all the Dobes that competed today - they all worked so well and we had many comments about how easily they completed the distance.
For me however, I think it's now time for a hot bath and a soft pillow to place on my chair! Ouch!! hehe
