Sandra and Hexe Protection '24 Regionals
Hexe's protection routine at the 2024 Regional Championship. This discipline requires immense obedience and mental and physical strength in the dog. The dog is expected to work independently, often far away from the handler, to withstand and power through the stress and pressure of the 'bad guy". There are stick hits, loud screams, and a lot of mental pressure the dog has to work and power through. Some of the attacks and "drives" are very hard for my dog because she is exceptionally small (52 lb). The rules suggest the dog must show a fight with the helper and the dog should actively try to stop the helper during the attacks and drives. This, again, is hard for my small female, whose legs may not even be planted on the ground due to her small size. The dog also never gets to possess the sleeve (think really big toy). As a result, the dog has to show an increasing amount of discipline as the routine goes on to "out"/let go of the sleeve when told, especially towards the latter part of the routine when the dog is mentally and physically tired and still has not been allowed to possess the object. A dog not letting go of the sleeve and thus becoming disqualified is a common risk faced in Protection.
