09/10/2026
Chesvale DTC Annual Junior Progress Tests 8/10/26 Judge: Lynne Weston. Steward Alicia Davie
It was a pleasure to be asked to judge these handlers and dogs for these annual awards. There were two classes;
Improvers and Starters. Thank you to Alicia who bravely stepped up to give ring stewarding a go – you did a great job
Alicia! So, to the results.
IMPROVERS
There were two entrants for this class, which comprised a short round of heel on lead allowing handlers to demonstrate
their dog walked nicely on a loose lead and under control, a novice recall requiring handlers to leave their dogs, who
then wait to be called in to a present in front of their handler and finally called to sit at heel. This was followed by control
through a gate. We ended the test with a 30 second stay.
1st John and Jessie (Shih Tzu) 3.25 marks. Jessie is a very small dog, but she is full of spirit and likes to remind John she is in charge! She stayed with John during the heel work exercise with just a few occasions when she went wide and caused a tight lead. Good recall and control through gate just some slow sits causing her marks. Clear stay. I know how hard John has worked with Jessie, and this win proves they have made excellent progress.
2nd Chris and Nico (XB) 5 marks.
Throughout classes Chris has worked well with Nico to build up his confidence, so he was a credit to her this evening. He went a bit wide during the heel work exercise and anticipated the recall but his control through the gate was excellent and was rewarded with a clear mark for it. Another clear stay.
STARTERS
Slightly more experienced dogs in this class so we replaced the control at the gate with a heel free exercise. There
were 5 teams for the test and one just doing it for fun! The results.
1st Penny and Quinn (Kooikerhundje) 2.75 marks.
This was a well-deserved 1st place for Penny and Quinn. Quinn has not been the easiest dog to train, being highly reactive. However, this evening he pulled out all the stops. Aside from a few jumps up in the heelwork exercises, he gave Penny his full attention and stayed in position. His recall
was clear as was his stay. A lovely round from Quinn. Congratulations! I was delighted to be able to award you the
red rosette!
2nd Julia and Felix (XB) 3.50 marks.
Very nice attention from Felix in both the heelwork exercises, just some little bits of wide working. Anticipation in the recall costly. Nice clear stay. Well done.
3rd Julia and Poppy (XB) 4.50 marks.
Poppy did some nice heelwork but sometimes got a bit distracted and went walk about. Anticipation in the recall. Nice clear stay. Ive seen Julia and Poppy work before and know this team can put in good rounds, Poppy had other ideas this evening.
4th Fiona and Sooty (Cocker Spaniel) 6.50 marks. A very nice and controlled recall by Sooty, just slightly crooked
in the present. Some wide working and tight lead during heelwork exercises were costly mark wise. Another clear
stay.
5th Keith and Amber (Lurcher) 8 marks.
Keith was drawn first to go so he didn’t have time to settle any nerves. Amber clearly dotes on Keith and preferred to keep eye contact with him in preference to holding a heel-work
position. Likewise in the recall she preferred to stay with him. However, she did a clear stay exercise. Such a lovely
team.
Not for Competition Julie and Emmie (Shetland Sheepdog). Emmie is Maggie Pettit’s naughty, little Sheltie and
club trainer Julie agreed to put her through her paces just for fun. Emmie clearly enjoyed her moments on the floor!
