04/28/2026
Field trial dogs are performance dogs. Some know this, many do not.These animals are very athletic, strong, and independent. They want to train, they want to perform well, they're just different... When you field trial dogs, there will be highs and lows. I've seen some of the adversity others had in my short time of trialing and should consider myself lucky or blessed. Now we get to deal with a little adversity ourselves. I had some very high hopes and expectations for Jett this spring, but whenever you tell God or the universe what your plans are, you just may get laughed at...
Jett recently tweaked his knee in a trial and was scratched for the remainder of the event. It took a few days to get him into an orthopedic vet. X-rays are negative, knee was swollen, some "looseness", cruciate not completely torn... No surgery recommended at this time, rest and pain management... Now the adversity, remember where I started with field trial dogs being performance dogs... It is tough to impossible to keep these guys restricted. One slip up, one lapse, and the injury is reaggravated... That's where I am now. It's been 10 days since his injury and Jett was finally putting weight back on his leg. I slipped up, one mental lapse, split second, and he launched himself ahead to go back inside from a potty break... A wince, a yelp, and his leg is back up... It’s frustrating and sickening.
